Ahead of the FIFA World Cup final, which will take place in New York on Sunday, where a fan meeting was held, tennis player Novak Djokovic interviewed Argentine forward Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, tournament organizers are closely monitoring the smoke from forest fires in Canada.
In New Jersey, Spain and Argentina are preparing for the FIFA World Cup final. Organizers reported that they are closely watching the smoke from forest fires that have covered large areas of the United States. They stated that they are 'closely monitoring' the smoke.
Argentina, Lionel Messi's team, aims to become the first national team since Brazil in 1962 to win two World Cups in a row. Meanwhile, Spain is trying to secure a second title after their first success in 2010.
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House task force for the World Cup, announced at a press briefing that there is discussion about the situation, and they have contact with the National Weather Service operating at the FIFA headquarters, allowing them to maintain constant monitoring.
US President Donald Trump plans to be among more than 80,000 spectators at the culmination of the largest World Cup in history at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This will be the only match of the tournament that Trump will attend.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also stated her intention to attend the final following an invitation from the American president.
On Friday, Trump highly praised the World Cup, which was also held in Mexico and Canada, calling it 'perhaps the most successful sporting event in world history,' during a reception in New York with FIFA head Gianni Infantino.
Spanish captain Rodri said he is preparing for a 'physical' battle against Argentina and intends to ignore any possible 'provocations.' Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, expects the final to be different from any other matches faced by European champions.
'I think the match on Sunday will be quite different,' the Manchester City star told reporters. 'It will be more physical, and we must be ready. But I believe that if you know us in this national team, it is that we know how to play different games depending on the moment. Thus, we can adapt to the need to defend, counterattack, or attack. We are a very complete team, and that is why we are here.'
When asked if he expected Argentina to resort to 'provocative' tactics, Rodri replied: 'Well, that is part of football.'
Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni urged fans to enjoy the opportunity to see Messi lead his team in another World Cup final at the age of thirty-nine. Scaloni praised the former Barcelona player who helped Argentina win the Qatar World Cup in 2022, saying: 'He made history. He is a legend.'
Meanwhile, England arrived in Miami to play France on Saturday in the match between the losing semi-finalists to determine third place. England coach Thomas Tuchel admitted that the 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the semi-final was painful. 'We have to accept it; it is our pain, my pain, and the players' pain—we feel the greatest pain of all,' Tuchel stated at a press conference. 'And this is our scar that we carry now. It is a very painful defeat, and we must live with this defeat, first and foremost, not critics, not experts, not our family members who also suffer with us and wish us only the best, but mainly us.'
France coach Didier Deschamps vowed not to cry while preparing to lead his team in the World Cup final. 'I know that tomorrow will be the last act,' Deschamps said on Friday. 'No one here will cry, but I know I will miss the French team. For fifteen years I have had the privilege of experiencing moments that were magical, and others that were difficult.'
According to a French newspaper, Egyptian star Mohammed Salah is on the verge of moving to Turkish club Besiktas in the current summer transfer window after reaching a verbal agreement between the parties.
The French publication Foot Mercato reported that negotiations between Salah and the Besiktas management have reached the final stages. The captain of the Egyptian national team is expected to sign a one-year contract that includes an option for both parties to extend it for an additional season.
The report also indicated that Salah's annual earnings will amount to 10 million euros, in addition to two million euros to be paid as bonuses and incentives depending on his performance with the team. The newspaper confirmed that Salah's move to Besiktas is inevitable once the official procedures are completed before the public announcement of the deal.
Previously, Salah concluded his contract with Liverpool FC at the end of last season, having spent nine years at Anfield, which created uncertainty regarding the future career of the captain of the Egyptian national team.
The international tournament 'Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2026' is taking place in Chennai, India. Eight of the most talented chess players are participating in this prestigious competition.
Among the participants are reigning world champion Dommaraju Gukesh, Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Indian Arjun Erigaisi, French Alireza Firouzja, USA's Hans Niemann, Indian Nihal Sarin, Russian Dmitry Andrikin, and another Indian player, Pranesh.
Alireza Firouzja, representing France, is leading with two points, defending his country's honor over the remaining two rounds. Among the five players in the next positions, there is one point each, and two players have half a point.
Chess player Nodirbek Abdusattorov played against American Hans Niemann in the first round, and shared a point with Indian Arjun Erigaisi in the second round.
Today, July 18, in the third round of the international competition, Nodirbek Abdusattorov will compete against Indian chess player Pranesh, playing the black pieces.
The 'Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2026' competition, which has a total prize fund of 79,500 US dollars, will last until July 22.
The All Blacks secured a convincing victory over Ireland with a score of 40-21 in a tense match held on Saturday at Eden Park. This win allowed the New Zealanders to extend their impressive unbeaten run at the stadium to 53 matches.
In the first half, the All Blacks demonstrated dominant play, scoring four of their six tries, which put them ahead 28-7 at halftime. This secured their third win out of three in the debut Nations Championship.
Ireland, playing its final match of the season, could not challenge the hosts' 32-year record in Auckland. The visiting team faced issues early in the game, making numerous errors in the ball contest and fundamental handling mistakes. Although the visitors improved their play as the match progressed, they failed to add to their wins this month in the Nations Championship against the Wallabies and Japan in Australia.
Patrick Tuipulotu scored the first try for New Zealand, capitalizing on a short pass from teammate Josh Lord. Captain Ardie Savea increased the lead to 14-0 by breaking through the line directly after a scrum and holding off two defenders. The hosts were reduced to fourteen players for ten minutes when flanker Luke Jakobson received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle in the ruck that hit Josh van der Flier's head. Ireland capitalized on this advantage when backline forward Jack Conan powerfully crossed the line from close range.
Any counter-attack threat was nullified a few minutes later when Will Jordan capitalized on a loose ball, scoring the sixth try in three matches for the All Blacks winger. Substitute hooker Asafo Amua's attempt late in the first half effectively condemned Ireland to a fourth consecutive defeat to New Zealand.
In a more balanced second half, impressive Irish player lock Joe McCarthy opened the scoring, after which New Zealand fullback Damian McKenzie responded, maintaining a 21-point lead. Hugo Keenan crossed the line in the corner with almost twenty minutes left in the match, but Ireland failed to create any more attacking opportunities. The final word was spoken by substitute back Anton Linehart-Brown, who scored a corner try.
New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie began his tenure with promise, as his team showed improved play following home victories over France and Italy. The next stop will be a tour of South Africa, where they will play four matches against the world champions.
