Spanish football club in La Liga
Nico Williams has been sidelined by a hamstring issue in a La Liga match for Athletic Bilbao, with his World Cup plans in doubt as Spaniard Dani Carvajal also contends with a bone fissure in his foot. Spain’s World Cup squad is set to be announced soon, intensifying scrutiny on fitness in the lead-up to the tournament.
The former Democratic Unionist Party leader, Jeffrey Donaldson, is standing trial in Newry Crown Court on 18 charges spanning 1985 to 2008, including a rape count. His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, faces separate charges. Both deny the allegations as the case proceeds.
Ghana’s Thomas Partey has been denied entry to Canada for the World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto. FIFA says the decision is a host-country immigration matter; Ghana protests and pursues diplomacy while Partey remains eligible for later games in the United States. The case heightens scrutiny of visa rules around major events.
The United States has clinched a knockout berth at the 2026 World Cup after two group games, with Alex Freeman scoring and the team overcoming Christian Pulisic’s absence. Freeman’s goal came after a VAR overturn, and the US lead Group D with six points.
The United States has advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup with two wins in Group D. Zlatan Ibrahimović says the U.S. can win the tournament, and players like Alex Freeman are performing as a new generation drives the bid. The team will finish Group D play against Turkey before a knockout round.