Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.

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UPCOMING

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FBN--STEELERS-NEW ERA

DESCRIPTION: LATROBE, Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers arrived at training camp at Saint Vincent College for the 59th time. The venue is the only thing that feels familiar as new head coach Mike McCarthy charts out his own path. By Will Graves. 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 07/28/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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GLF--ON THE FRINGE-KOIVUN

DESCRIPTION: For a sport known to move slowly, golf is always in a rush to appoint the next star. Jackson Koivun is worth watching because he turned pro with enormous expectations and quickly delivered. But he wasn’t the first to do that. By Golf Writer Doug Ferguson. Upcoming: 800 words, photos. With Golf Notes and Golf Glance.

UPCOMING: By 07/28/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

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FBN--49ERS-DEFENSE

DESCRIPTION: For most of Kyle Shanahan’s tenure in San Francisco, the 49ers have employed a similar defensive philosophy with an agressive four man front and heavy zone defense in the secondary. Even though that approach has had mostly good success over the years, the 49ers wanted a little different look when defensive coordinator Robert Saleh left to become head coach in Tennessee and Raheem Morris was hired as the team’s fifth DC in the past five seasons. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow 750 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 07/28/2026 5:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--NFL ROSTER DESIGNATIONS-EXPLAINER

DESCRIPTION: NFL rosters constantly evolve as general managers juggle injuries, try to improve position groups and add depth. There are several roster designations that fill the NFL’s transactions wire daily. What do they all mean? By Pro Football Writer Dennis Waszak Jr.

UPCOMING: By 07/28/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--NFL-COMMON INJURIES-EXPLAINER

DESCRIPTION: NFL players face a variety of injuries that can impact their season. Common issues include Achilles tendon tears, ACL and other knee ligament injuries, and concussions. These injuries highlight the physical toll of the NFL season. By Pro Football Writer Dennis Waszak Jr.

UPCOMING: By 07/28/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--BEARS BEGIN

DESCRIPTION: Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson meet with the media on the same day that the team’s veterans report to Halas Hall for the beginning of training camp. By Jay Cohen.

UPCOMING: By 07/28/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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FBN--COMMANDERS-PETERS

DESCRIPTION: Commanders GM Adam Peters holds a news conference along with coach Dan Quinn, the day before the first practice of training camp. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 07/28/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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SOC--WCUP-FIFA-INVESTORS

FIFA plan for Kushner-backed $20 billion operation to run World Cup meets fury from Europe’s UEFA

SUMMARY: FIFA President Gianni Infantino plans to create a $20 billion company running the World Cup with private investors including the Kushner family. The plan was immediately attacked by European soccer body UEFA which says “None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.” Infantino plans to form FIFA Forward Enterprise running competitions like the World Cup and Club World Cup. FIFA is working with J.P. Morgan while investors would include Thrive Eternal created by Joshua Kushner whose brother Jared is a son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump. FIFA is currently a Swiss-based not-for-profit association of its 211 national member federations worldwide. Those members must approve any plan.

WORDS: 895 - MOVED: 07/28/2026 1:25 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8345e0864e3a217632733810c232b423&mediaType=text

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SOC--US LOOKING AHEAD

US goalkeeper Matt Freese says he’ll never get over his team’s loss to Belgium in the World Cup

SUMMARY: Goalkeeper Matt Freese admits he’s still not over the United States’ exit from the 2026 World Cup after losing to Belgium. He says big losses stay with you throughout your career. Freese made a costly mistake in the elimination game, leading to a Belgium goal. Fans haven’t let him forget, booing him in his first Major League Soccer match since the World Cup. Despite the setback, Freese emphasizes the importance of consistency. Defender Tim Ream believes hard work is key to future success. The increased fan attention from the World Cup could inspire more athletes in the U.S. to take up soccer.

WORDS: 787 - MOVED: 07/28/2026 12:36 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:eac2885e67fa5b9c2e0f511f9ae17950&mediaType=text

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FBN--FALCONS-TRAINING CAMP

41-year-old new Falcons kicker Nick Folk says the start of training camp is ‘always exciting’

SUMMARY: Veteran kicker Nick Folks and other Atlanta Falcons veterans have reported to training camp. The Falcons’ first practice is scheduled for Wednesday. The 41-year-old Folk says that even after 18 years in the NFL, he still gets excited for the start of camp. The Falcons’ interest in Folk was easy to explain. The team went through three kickers — Younghoe Koo, Parker Romo and Zane Gonzalez — in 2025. Folk has enjoyed consistent success. He leads all active kickers with 431 career field goals. He made 28 of 29 field goal attempts for the Jets last season.

WORDS: 545 - MOVED: 07/28/2026 12:29 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:41c3f1726342125793210baf1fb283d5&mediaType=text

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CRI--CHEATING ROW

Amateur cricket match goes viral after cheating allegation

SUMMARY: An amateur cricket match in England has become a viral sensation after allegations of cheating were shared on social media. A video, which claims to show a fielder clicking his fingers to imitate the sound of a bat connecting with the ball before a player is called out, has been viewed millions of times on X. The poster of the video described it as “about the worst case of cheating I’ve ever seen in cricket.” The video of a match involving North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League team Saltburn, has been greeted with outrage online and generated headlines around the world.

WORDS: 231 - MOVED: 07/28/2026 11:48 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:068679214bc583cdc7e16cb6b6188fe4&mediaType=text

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FBC--BIG TEN-PRESEASON HONORS

Defending national champion Indiana has a league-high three players earn Big Ten preseason honors

SUMMARY: Defending national champion Indiana has three of the 12 players selected for preseason honors to lead all teams. The Big Ten has a media panel select 12 players for preseason honors rather than releasing a traditional preseason all-conference team. Indiana’s representatives are wide receiver Charlie Becker, linebacker Rolijah Hardy and defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker. Other picks included Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore and defensive back Kai Perich, Rutgers running back Antwan Raymond and receiver KJ Duff, Iowa offensive lineman Kade Pieper, Minnesota defensive lineman Anthony Smith and Southern California quarterback Jayden Maiava.

WORDS: 154 - MOVED: 07/28/2026 11:26 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e80d20cc632dc3586fc854b2b4a8032d&mediaType=text

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SOC--ITALY-COACH

Euro 2020 winning coach Roberto Mancini returns to rescue Italy after third straight World Cup miss

SUMMARY: Roberto Mancini has once again been tasked with revitalizing an Italy team in crisis. Italian soccer federation president Giovanni Malagò announced Mancini as the new Italy coach on Tuesday. He added that Claudio Ranieri will become the new technical director. Italy has failed to qualify for the past three World Cups. Mancini led the Azzurri to the European Championship title in 2021 but shockingly resigned as Italy coach in August 2023, taking over Saudi Arabia’s national team two weeks later. There will be a press conference on Wednesday with Mancini and Ranieri.

WORDS: 711 - MOVED: 07/28/2026 11:05 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a75fbacc197196310d7d1add74661bef&mediaType=text

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SOC--VAR-SWITZERLAND-RED CARD

Rules panel says sending Swiss player off in World Cup quarterfinals against Argentina was wrong

SUMMARY: Soccer’s law-making panel clarified its guidance to referees which confirmed Switzerland forward Breel Embolo shouldn’t have been sent off in the World Cup quarterfinals against Argentina. Embolo’s second yellow card after a video review was for simulating being fouled. Argentina’s Leandro Paredes had been shown a yellow card until VAR officials alerted the referee. It changed the game soon after Switzerland tied the score at 1-1. Argentina’s 3-1 win after extra time fueled complaints referees were favoring Lionel Messi’s team. The rules panel IFAB has clarified VAR protocol for “mistaken identity” is not yet eligible for an Embolo-type incident.

WORDS: 625 - MOVED: 07/28/2026 10:25 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e4220524cccb2fdde8251afb14430f7f&mediaType=text

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SOC--FRANCE-ZIDANE

Emotional Zinedine Zidane achieves his ‘dream’ as he takes charge of the France team

SUMMARY: Zinedine Zidane is France’s new coach. He replaces Didier Deschamps at the helm of the team he led to glory as arguably its greatest ever player. French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo has announced Zidane’s appointment at the FFF headquarters in Paris on Tuesday. “I’ve waited five years for this chance, so that’s why I’m a bit emotional,” Zidane says. He has been given a 4-year contract. Diallo says, “Zinedine is one of the legends of French soccer and for many years he said one of his dreams was to take charge of the France team.” The 54-year-old Zidane has not coached since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.

WORDS: 982 - MOVED: 07/28/2026 8:36 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7024af747bd665aefad70244b1743561&mediaType=text

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BBO--RANGERS AND THE WEST

Rangers put themselves in good position as only AL West team with a winning record

SUMMARY: The Texas Rangers have put themselves in a good position in the AL West just by having a winning record. At 54-52, Texas is the only team in the division not under .500 with about one-third of the regular season remaining, and now less than a week before next Monday’s trade deadline. The Rangers are the AL West leader by two games ahead of in-state nemesis Houston. They are 2 1/2 games in front of reigning division champion Seattle after taking three of four against the Mariners. Seattle has lost 11 of its last 16 games.

WORDS: 739 - MOVED: 07/28/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f81ce0d25740588c6da724ce7662a382&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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BBW--WPBL-MAKING HISTORY

Story on the Women’s Pro Baseball League and the history of women’s professional baseball leagues in the U.S.

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FBC--BIG TEN MEDIA DAYS

Coverage of Big Ten football media days in Chicago.