AP Sports Digest

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.

For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.

The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636.

——————————

UPCOMING

——————————

SOC--WCUP-US PATH

DESCRIPTION: WASHINGTON — Tyler Adams has set a bold goal for the U.S. soccer team, aiming to reach the World Cup semifinals for the first time since the first tournament in 1930. By Ronald Blum. UPCOMING: 580 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 12/06/2025 6:00 a.m. EST

WITH:

SOC--WCUP DRAW-HEAT FACTOR

DESCRIPTION: The World Cup draw was held with a wintry backdrop but when play begins in June, heat will be a topic of conversation. FIFA announces game times and sites Saturday. By Noah Trister. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 12/06/2025 2:00 p.m. EST

SOC-WCUP DRAW-SCHEDULES

DESCRIPTION: FIFA will announce the start times and dates for 2026 World Cup matches, including for the final on July 19. By Ron Blum. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 12/06/2025 5:00 p.m. EST

___

CAR--F1-ABU DHABI GP

DESCRIPTION: Qualifying for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri fight for the Formula 1 title. Includes coverage of third practice on merits.

UPCOMING: By 12/06/2025 10:00 a.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

FBC--CFP LOOKAHEAD

DESCRIPTION: Saturday’s action in college football will shape the way the bracket for the College Football Playoff ends up. A look at the games and how they impact 12-team field to be released Sunday. By Eddie Pells. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Developing from conference championship games.

UPCOMING: By 12/06/2025 2:00 p.m. EST, Text

___

SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

DESCRIPTION: MANCHESTER, England — First-place Arsenal travels Aston Villa on Saturday in what could be a stern test of the Londoners’ Premier League title credentials. Manchester City hosts Sunderland, Chelsea is at Bournemouth and defending champion Liverpool travels to Leeds. By James Robson. UPCOMING 700 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 12/06/2025 2:30 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

BKC--T25-DUKE-MICHIGAN STATE

DESCRIPTION: EAST LANSING, Mich. — No. 4 Duke plays No. 7 Michigan State at Jack Breslin Students Events Center. UPCOMING: 300 words, more on merit. Game scheduled to start at noon EST.

UPCOMING: By 12/06/2025 2:30 p.m. EST, Text

___

BKC--T25-IOWA STATE-PURDUE

DESCRIPTION: WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — No. 1 Purdue begins its toughest non-conference stretch Saturday when it hosts No. 10 Iowa State. The Boilermakers already own two wins over ranked teams and are seeking to make it three in a row when they host the unbeaten Cyclones. UPCOMING: 300 words, more on merit, with photos. Game scheduled to start at noon EST.

UPCOMING: By 12/06/2025 2:30 p.m. EST, Text

___

FBC--T25-BYU-TEXAS TECH

DESCRIPTION: ARLINGTON, Texas — No. 11 BYU has to win the Big 12 championship game to get two league teams in the College Football Playoff. No. 4 Texas Tech is a virtual lock no matter what happens. By Stephen Hawkins. UPCOMING: 600 words, more on merit, photos. Game scheduled to start at noon EST.

UPCOMING: By 12/06/2025 3:45 p.m. EST, Text, DigitalPlans

___

BKC--T25-LOUISVILLE-INDIANA

DESCRIPTION: INDIANAPOLIS — No. 22 Indiana opens one of the biggest days in Hoosiers history when it plays No. 6 Louisville on Saturday. The game will be played just a short walk away and a few hours before the No. 2 Indiana football faces No. 1 Ohio State for the Big Ten football title. UPCOMING: 300 words, more on merit, with photos. Game scheduled to start 2 p.m. EST.

UPCOMING: By 12/06/2025 4:30 p.m. EST, Text

___

SOC--MLS CUP

DESCRIPTION: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami take on Thomas Muller and the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday afternoon for the MLS Cup. Both sides are trying to win their first MLS title. By Tim Reynolds. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Sidebars as warranted. Game scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. EST.

UPCOMING: By 12/06/2025 5:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

GLF--WORLD CHALLENGE

DESCRIPTION: NASSAU, Bahamas — U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun is part of a five-way tie for the lead at the Hero World Challenge, with Scottie Scheffler one shot behind in pursuit of his third straight victory in the Bahamas. Upcoming: 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 12/06/2025 7:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

FBC--T25-GEORGIA-ALABAMA

DESCRIPTION: ATLANTA — No. 3 Georgia will and No. 10 Alabama will continue their rivalry when they play in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Alabama is 7-1 against Georgia with Kirby Smart as the Bulldogs’ coach, including a win earlier this season in Athens. By Charles Odum. UPCOPMING: 600 words, more on merit, photos. Game scheduled to start at 4 p.m. EST.

UPCOMING: By 12/06/2025 7:45 p.m. EST, Text, DigitalPlans

___

BKC--T25-MISSISSIPPI-ST JOHN’S

DESCRIPTION: NEW YORK — After falling nine spots in this week’s AP Top 25 poll, No. 23 St. John’s (4-3) tries to get back on track against Mississippi (5-3) at Madison Square Garden. Rick Pitino’s team is 0-2 versus Southeastern Conference opponents this season. Ole Miss has dropped three straight overall. By Mike Fitzpatrick. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 8 p.m. EST.

UPCOMING: By 12/06/2025 10:30 p.m. EST, Text

___

FBC--T25-INDIANA-OHIO STATE

DESCRIPTION: INDIANAPOLIS — No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana put their unbeaten records on the line Saturday when they play for the Big Ten championship. The Buckeyes are trying to extend the nation’s longest active winning streak to 17 as they chase their first conference crown since 2020. The Hoosiers will try to win their first league title since 1967 by extending their single season school record victory total to 13. By Michael Marot. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 8 p.m. EST.

UPCOMING: By 12/06/2025 11:40 p.m. EST, Text, DigitalPlans

___

FBC--T25-DUKE-VIRGINIA

DESCRIPTION: CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Duke plays No. 17 Virginia at Bank of America Stadium in the ACC championship game. Both teams are looking for their first win in an ACC championship game but the bigger question is whether one of these teams will make the College Football Playoff. By Steve Reed. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 8 p.m. EST.

UPCOMING: By 12/06/2025 11:40 p.m. EST, Text, DigitalPlans

___

MMA--UFC 323

DESCRIPTION: LAS VEGAS — Merab Dvalishvili defends his bantamweight title against Petr Yan at UFC 323. By W.G. Ramirez. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Main card scheduled to start at 10 p.m. EST.

UPCOMING: By 12/07/2025 12:30 a.m. EST, Photo, Text

___

BKC--T25-AUBURN-ARIZONA

DESCRIPTION: TUCSON, Ariz. — No. 2 Arizona faces its latest high-level test when No. 20 Auburn visits McKale Center. By Basketball Writer John Marshall. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 10 p.m. EST.

UPCOMING: By 12/07/2025 12:30 a.m. EST, Text

————————————————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

————————————————————

SOC--WCUP DRAW

Argentina and Messi will open their World Cup defense against Algeria. The US starts vs. Paraguay

SUMMARY: Argentina and Lionel Messi will play Algeria to open their World Cup title defense as part of a group that also includes Austria. The United States was drawn to start against Paraguay at Inglewood, California, on June 12. That’s a day after Mexico hosts the opener against South Africa. The U.S. reached the semifinals at the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and has gotten as far as the quarterfinals only one other time, in 2002. U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney drew plastic balls representing their own countries from bowls during a ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

WORDS: 1092 - MOVED: 12/06/2025 1:24 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6f01be74665ce50dee2c9da789a39dcb&mediaType=text

___

GLF--AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Banana peel moment! A slippery slope for McIlroy during his 3rd round at the Australian Open

SUMMARY: Rory McIlroy has survived a bizarre encounter with a banana peel lodged in a tree to shoot a 3-under 68 at the Australian Open. His 54-hole score of 5-under 208 Saturday left him nine strokes behind the leader at Royal Melbourne. On the par-4 second hole, McIlroy missed the fairway right and his ball ended up under a small tree and under a banana peel. McIlroy tried in vain to hit his club through the banana skin to hit his ball back on to the fairway. But it only traveled about 30 feet and he ended up making a double-bogey six.

WORDS: 496 - MOVED: 12/06/2025 1:19 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d5ed744370aa027c703f4437b6868fcf&mediaType=text

___

FBC--T25-NORTH TEXAS-TULANE

Tulane tops North Texas 34-21 in American Conference title game for a likely CFP bid

SUMMARY: Jake Retzlaff rushed for two short touchdowns, Jamauri McClure rushed for 121 yards and a score, and Tulane defeated North Texas 34-21 in the American Conference championship game — a victory that likely secured a College Football Playoff bid. Chris Rogers returned an interception 35-yards for a touchdown for Tulane, which intercepted three passes and recovered two fumbles in a triumphant performance that is expected to delay coach Jon Sumrall’s departure for the Florida job he accepted last Sunday. Sumrall has said if Tulane qualified for the 12-team CFP, he’d see that through. Eric Morris will soon be headed to Oklahoma State after coaching the Mean Green to its first 11-win regular season and a bowl bid.

WORDS: 776 - MOVED: 12/06/2025 12:33 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:63e2f8369a5718b8c0ea594922b52f48&mediaType=text

___

FBC--T25-TROY-JAMES MADISON

No. 19 James Madison makes case for playoff with 31-14 win over Troy in Sun Belt title game

SUMMARY: No. 19 James Madison has made its case for a College Football Playoff berth. Wayne Knight rushed for career-high 212 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown, and JMU beat Troy 31-14 in the in the Sun Belt Conference title game on Friday night. The Dukes improved to 12-1. They’ll now root for Duke to beat Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game on Saturday night, a result that could make JMU one of two Group of Five schools in the 12-team playoff. On a chilly night when fans were repeatedly chided for throwing snowballs onto the field, James Madison’s defense recorded eight sacks and shut out Troy in the second half.

WORDS: 758 - MOVED: 12/06/2025 12:18 a.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cf2125ef73825fa06c4b9ac25bb7ce00&mediaType=text

___

BKN--BUCKS-ANTETOKOUNMPO INJURY

Bucks coach Doc Rivers says he anticipates Giannis Antetokounmpo missing about 4 weeks

SUMMARY: Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers says he anticipates Giannis Antetokounmpo missing about a month as the two-time MVP recovers from a strained right calf. Initial reports have indicated Antetokounmpo would be out two to four weeks. Rivers suggested Friday that it would likely be on the higher end of that timeline. Rivers emphasized the importance of caution with calf issues to avoid the risk of a player getting hurt more severely. Antetokounmpo injured his calf in the opening minutes of the Bucks’ 113-109 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

WORDS: 768 - MOVED: 12/05/2025 11:58 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f0726b22e636e09a5b8a6606c165ba6c&mediaType=text

___

FBC--IOWA STATE-ROGERS

Iowa State hires Jimmy Rogers as coach after Matt Campbell leaves for Penn State

SUMMARY: Iowa State has wasted no time finding a replacement for Matt Campbell, hiring Washington State’s Jimmy Rogers as its football coach on Friday night. The Cyclones moved quickly after Campbell left to take over for the fired James Franklin at Penn State. They agreed to a six-year deal with Rogers. He led Washington State to a 6-6 record in his lone season after a two-season run at South Dakota State that included an FCS championship. Rogers is 33-9 in three years as a head coach.

WORDS: 451 - MOVED: 12/05/2025 11:41 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bd86322ed1a174398ac7f296b384f862&mediaType=text

___

BKN--KNICKS-OPENING RUN

Knicks jump out to a 23-0 lead over the Jazz, largest in the NBA since detailed play-by-play began

SUMMARY: The New York Knicks jumped on the Utah Jazz with a 23-0 lead Friday night, the largest game-opening run in the NBA since the league began keeping detailed play-by-play for all four quarters. The Knicks pitched a shutout for half the first quarter and led by 28 by the time it was over. Karl-Anthony Towns opened the scoring with a 3-pointer and when Jalen Brunson made one midway through the period, the Knicks had scored the first 23 points. That was the most one team had before the other scored since the NBA began keeping detailed play-by-play for the entire game in 1997. The Jazz missed their first 12 shots.

WORDS: 480 - MOVED: 12/05/2025 11:01 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d705e2e1a43d6310b4b84eda407a6339&mediaType=text

___

FBC--PENN ST-CAMPBELL

Matt Campbell hired as Penn State’s coach, ending search for James Franklin’s successor

SUMMARY: Matt Campbell has been hired as Penn State’s football coach. The announcement Friday night marks the end of a long search by the Nittany Lions to find James Franklin’s successor. The 46-year-old Campbell heads to Happy Valley after going 72-55 in 10 seasons at Iowa State to become the winningest coach in the history of that program. Campbell’s contract could be approved as early as Monday by a university committee, after which he is expected to be introduced. Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft calls Campbell “the right leader at the right time for Penn State football.”

WORDS: 876 - MOVED: 12/05/2025 10:30 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:25693d0de4692f95c6585b5f436ec11f&mediaType=text

___

BKC--T25-STRUGGLING KENTUCKY

‘No heart’: DeMarcus Cousins slams No. 18 Kentucky Wildcats after a brutal loss

SUMMARY: The 18th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats have lost back-to-back games and three of their last five. Worse, they are struggling to shoot. Panic is bubbling up in the Bluegrass State. Fans booed the Wildcats off the court at halftime Friday night and headed to the exits before Kentucky’s miserable and ugly 94-59 loss to No. 11 Gonzaga. The Wildcats now are 5-4. Onetime Kentucky one-and-done star DeMarcus Cousins didn’t hold back on his opinion on social media saying this team has no hard and is hard to watch. Kentucky coach Mark Pope took no issue issue with Cousins’ opinion. He said the Wildcats have to dig themselves out of a bad spot.

WORDS: 549 - MOVED: 12/05/2025 10:17 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ccb456604849a22d9638d197e74c58bf&mediaType=text

___

BKN--LAKERS-CELTICS

Brown scores 30 points, Celtics cruise to 126-105 win over Lakers team missing James, Doncic

SUMMARY: Jaylen Brown had 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists and the Boston Celtics cruised past Los Angeles 126-105 on Friday night, with the Lakers playing without LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Derrick White had five 3-pointers and added 19 points, and Jordan Walsh finished with 17 points for the Celtics, who have won four straight and six out of seven. Boston hit a season-high 24 3-pointers and had 31 assists. The Lakers lost for just the second time in 10 games. James sat with sciatica, which kept him sidelined for the first 14 games this season, and left foot joint arthritis. Doncic was out for the second straight game for personal reasons. Austin Reaves led Los Angeles with 36 points.

WORDS: 254 - MOVED: 12/05/2025 9:51 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7e425be0c0f15da56b402082edfb8fdf&mediaType=text

___

FBC--OBIT-KRAMER

Ex-SEC commissioner Roy Kramer, whose vision paved the way for college football playoffs, dies at 96

SUMMARY: Roy Kramer, who as commissioner of the Southeastern Conference helped transform the league into a national power while reshaping the entire sport of college football, has died. He was 96. The SEC announced his death. Kramer served as SEC commissioner from 1990 through 2002. He was the first to imagine a conference title game, which divided a newly expanded 12-team league into divisions and pitted the two champs in a winner-take-all affair that generated millions in TV revenue. That led to his greatest contribution to the sport with the Bowl Championship Series that paved the way for the current playoff system.

WORDS: 1246 - MOVED: 12/05/2025 8:51 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:05f6cf95fefe1285edd91d65e21f5c8e&mediaType=text

___

CAR--NASCAR LAWSUIT-JORDAN’S MOMENT

Another must-watch moment for Michael Jordan as NBA great testifies at NASCAR trial

SUMMARY: Michael Jordan spent about an hour testifying against NASCAR in a federal antitrust trial Friday. The retired NBA great laid out the reasons he and others have sued the stock car series in hopes of a different business model they said would benefit teams and drivers. The appearance was highly anticipated and there were moments of humor. Jordan described himself as a fan of NASCAR since he attended races with his family across the South during his childhood.

WORDS: 722 - MOVED: 12/05/2025 7:46 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:45f1ae4e4a7a886a0234dfc73d15d2cc&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP DRAW-MEXICO

Mexico optimistic about World Cup chances after group-stage draw

SUMMARY: Mexico is optimistic about advancing in the 2026 World Cup after being drawn against South Africa, South Korea, and a yet-to-be-determined European team. Coach Javier Aguirre remains cautious, acknowledging the challenges posed by disciplined teams like South Korea and South Africa. Mexico faces South Africa on June 11 in Mexico City, followed by South Korea in Guadalajara a week later. The final group match will be against a European playoff winner. Despite past eliminations, Mexico hopes home advantage will boost their chances.

WORDS: 544 - MOVED: 12/05/2025 6:34 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5943344d4e84558ffcc2caeccf0c6553&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP DRAW-IRAN

Iran to play at least one World Cup game on U.S. soil

SUMMARY: Iran will play at least one World Cup match in the United States, though a group-stage clash with the U.S. was avoided in Friday’s draw. The Iranian team, facing diplomatic challenges, will start against New Zealand in Seattle or Inglewood, California, on June 15. Iran’s next games could be in Vancouver, Inglewood, or Seattle. FIFA will confirm the schedule on Saturday. Iran’s participation has been complicated by U.S. travel bans and diplomatic tensions. The team, ranked 20th by FIFA, is preparing for its seventh World Cup.

WORDS: 550 - MOVED: 12/05/2025 5:56 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:454bfdef0d477a2718ef9b9376089523&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP-DRAW TAKEAWAYS

Music, comedy and a whole lot of Trump. And then finally, an actual World Cup draw

SUMMARY: Perhaps it’s fitting that after the World Cup draw ceremony began, it took about 90 minutes for the actual drawing of teams to begin in earnest. By then, casual fans who tuned in out of curiosity had learned that FIFA doesn’t really do understatement. Not for an event like this, at least. The president of the United States danced to the Village People, Wayne Gretzky struggled to pronounce the names of underdog soccer nations from Europe and the Caribbean — and the head of FIFA declared his governing body to be humanity’s official provider of happiness. It was all quite a spectacle.

WORDS: 1008 - MOVED: 12/05/2025 5:50 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b7b8bc3301c7055eabd959edf03ed94f&mediaType=text

___

BBO--METS-WILLIAMS

Closer or setting up Edwin Díaz? Williams ready for either role with Mets

SUMMARY: Devin Williams could be the closer for the New York Mets next season. Or he might be a setup man for Edwin Díaz. Each possibility sounds intriguing to Williams, who finalized a $51 million, three-year contract with the Mets this week. The 31-year-old Díaz is a free agent after going 6-3 with a 1.63 ERA and 28 saves this year. The right-hander has 144 saves in six seasons with the Mets. Asked about Díaz’s possible return, Williams says “More good arms is always a good thing.” Williams says his mindset won’t be impacted by his role.

WORDS: 599 - MOVED: 12/05/2025 5:48 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7e6d679172dec96db2bf8421d1337777&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WORLD CUP-PEACE PRIZE

FIFA gives Trump a peace prize in a departure from its traditional focus on sport

SUMMARY: FIFA gives its new peace prize to President Donald Trump. It’s an unusual break from tradition for the sport-focused soccer organization, whose president has become a close ally of Trump. The ceremony happened Friday during the 2026 World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington. It comes after Trump had openly campaigned for the Nobel Peace Prize, which was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. FIFA president Gianni Infantino had said he thought Trump should have won the Nobel this year for his efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza.

WORDS: 561 - MOVED: 12/05/2025 5:38 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e14f95b8adaa197c869cad407b6ef604&mediaType=text

___

CAR--NASCAR LAWSUIT

Michael Jordan testifies in NASCAR antitrust trial, says he had no choice but to sue ‘the entity’

SUMMARY: Michael Jordan has testified in a landmark NASCAR antitrust case, stating he felt compelled to sue to force changes in a business model he believes shortchanges teams and drivers. Jordan, co-owner of 23XI, joined Front Row Motorsports in the lawsuit against NASCAR. He aargued for a more equitable revenue split similar to the NBA. Heather Gibbs, co-owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, also testified, highlighting the pressure teams face under the current system.

WORDS: 1203 - MOVED: 12/05/2025 5:31 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5d47be8ca9f298aec86bed707f96057b&mediaType=text

___

GLF--WORLD CHALLENGE

Cameron Young and J.J. Spaun part of another 5-way tie for the lead in the Bahamas

SUMMARY: There’s another five-way tie for the lead in the Bahamas at the Hero World Challenge. This one doesn’t include Scottie Scheffler, although the world’s No. 1 player is only one back. U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun converted two of three eagle chances for a 68. Cameron Young shot 30 on the back nine for a 64. They were tied at the top with Wyndham Clark, Akshay Bhatia and Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama. Scheffler had the lead late until taking a double bogey on the 16th hole and posting a 69. Nine of the 20 players are separated by two shots.

WORDS: 523 - MOVED: 12/05/2025 5:13 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:99e75b77e1fd8c0200545aff47937725&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP-DRAW-COACH SPEAK

Everyone is in the toughest World Cup group. Just ask the coaches

SUMMARY: If you listen to the words spoken after the World Cup draw by the various coaches who were at the Kennedy Center, it would seem impossible for any of them to win next year’s tournament. Everyone got thrown into the toughest group — or the “Group of Death,” in soccer parlance. Everyone was burdened with talented foes for their first three matches — even if a half-dozen participants are yet to be determined. And everyone needs to avoid overlooking any other team and be ready for whatever is to come during the tournament from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

WORDS: 624 - MOVED: 12/05/2025 5:13 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5fc5d4f25a0b842c0e54d5ca5d39ea41&mediaType=text

___

SKI--WCUP-MEN’S SUPER-G

Austrian ski racer Vincent Kriechmayr wins weather-shortened World Cup super-G race at Beaver Creek

SUMMARY: Vincent Kriechmayr of Austria won a World Cup super-G by navigating challenging conditions. The race was called after 31 racers because of strong wind. Kriechmayr completed the Birds of Prey course in 1 minute, 6.77 seconds, beating Norwegian racer Fredrik Moeller by 0.56 seconds. Swiss racer Franjo Von Allmen had a scary crash but was able to stand back up. The race was halted several times before being called off. Swiss standout Marco Odermatt struggled in the flat light, finishing in fifth place a day after winning the downhill. Kriechmayr’s victory marks his 19th World Cup win.

WORDS: 402 - MOVED: 12/05/2025 4:43 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e8569623e1626eacfaa30722351de8ad&mediaType=text

___

SOC-WCUP-DRAW-PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of the FIFA World Cup draw for the 2026 soccer tournament

WORDS: 78 - MOVED: 12/05/2025 3:54 p.m. EST

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:94c9cfb697519c9d9a4cc54e1970eeba&mediaType=text