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. …
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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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The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918.
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UPCOMING
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SOC--WCUP-HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
DESCRIPTION: When England faces Mexico on Sunday, the Three Lions will be up against the fans, the altitude and perhaps even the officials. That’s the challenge of facing the host nation in a big game -- a task as old as the tournament itself. By Noah Trister. 850 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 07/04/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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GLF--JOHN DEERE
DESCRIPTION: SILVIS, Ill. -- Lucas Glover has a two-shot lead going into the third round of the John Deere Classic. Upcoming: 500 words.
UPCOMING: By 07/04/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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CAR--NASCAR-CHICAGOLAND-PREVIEW
FORMATS: Text
1. WITH: CAR--NASCAR-CHICAGOLAND-PREVIEW
2. DESCRIPTION: After racing in downtown Chicago each of the last three years, NASCAR is back at Chicagoland Speedway for the first time since 2019. The time away from the rough and bumpy D-shaped oval, along with the Next Gen car, makes the race quite the variable for the Cup Series standings. By Jay Cohen
3. UPCOMING: By 07/04/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT
4. WITH: CAR--NASCAR-CHICAGOLAND-QUALIFYING
5. DESCRIPTION: Tyler Reddick, Corey Heim and Kyle Larson are among the drivers to watch in NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at Chicagoland Speedway. By Jay Cohen
6. UPCOMING: By 07/04/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT
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BBO--ALL-STARS
DESCRIPTION: Starters, pitchers and reserves are announced for the All-Star Game on July 14 at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park. By Baseball Writer Ronald Blum. 700 words, photos, announcement expected by 8 p.m., pending World Cup game between Paraguay and France going to extra time.
UPCOMING: By 07/04/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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SOC--WORLD CUP-BRAZIL-NORWAY PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: Decades after Norway shocked Brazil at the 1998 World Cup in what is arguably the biggest victory in the Scandinavian country’s history, they meet with a spot in the quarterfinals at stake. Brazil is still favored, but this time it would only be a slight upset if Erling Haaland and Norway can defeat the five-time World Cup champions. Text, photos.
UPCOMING: By 07/04/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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TEN--WIMBLEDON
Eala upsets Wimbledon champion Swiatek in win for Philippines, No. 2 seed Rybakina also out
SUMMARY: Iga Swiatek’s title defense at Wimbledon has ended in a straight-set third-round loss to 21-year-old Alexandra Eala who continues to make history for the Philippines. Eala is the first Filipino player, male or female, to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam singles tournament. Swiatek had beaten Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in lasst year’s final. The left-handed Eala dropped to her knees and rolled onto her back on Centre Court after hitting a forehand winner on her third match point. Shortly before Swiatek’s exit, 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina was upset in the third round by Elise Mertens in straight sets.
WORDS: 368 - MOVED: 07/04/2026 11:59 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c6bc87e0a1f0493f76429237ffe54416&mediaType=text
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SOC--WCUP-RACISM
FIFPro union says players at World Cup need more protection from racist abuse
SUMMARY: The FIFPRO players union says more must be done to protect footballers from racist abuse at the World Cup being held in North America. The Netherlands-based union says players are suffering from verbal abuse often of racist nature both on social media and in person. The union asked for soccer authorities, public officials and private institutions to double their efforts against such behavior.
WORDS: 176 - MOVED: 07/04/2026 11:35 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:5b5d1d600fefa89459e1560d8626d675&mediaType=text
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SOC-WCUP-EGYPT COACH-FLAG
Egypt’s coach waved Palestinian flag after winning World Cup game
SUMMARY: Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has waved a Palestinian flag on the pitch after his team’s victory over Australia in the World Cup. He dedicated the win to both Egyptians and Palestinians, saying his heart is with them. Egypt won its debut in the elimination round Friday by beating Australia on penalty kicks after a draw. A video of Hassan holding the flag goes viral, with people chanting “free Palestine.” The act comes amid global pro-Palestinian protests following the war in Gaza. It’s unclear if FIFA will take action, as it has previously restricted political statements on the pitch.
WORDS: 400 - MOVED: 07/04/2026 11:29 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1cf76bad2adcec0f82bc42d03535afef&mediaType=text
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TEN--WIMBLEDON-WILLIAMS SISTERS
Serena Williams withdraws from doubles match with sister Venus at Wimbledon due to injury
SUMMARY: Serena Williams has withdrawn from her doubles match with sister Venus at Wimbledon due to a right knee injury. The 44-year-old Serena was injured during her singles return earlier in the week at the end of the first set of a three-set loss. She says on Instagram that “I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles. Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside (at)venuswilliams once more meant the world to me. I did everything I could but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete.” The post included images of four syringes that Serena says “shows the fluid they drained from my knee after my singles match.”
WORDS: 284 - MOVED: 07/04/2026 11:16 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0146ab3f8ed080afb6fce0ea60393693&mediaType=text
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ATH--PREFONTAINE CLASSIC
Brandon Miller storms past 17-year-old Cooper Lutkenhaus to win the 800 at Prefontaine Classic
SUMMARY: This was shaping up to be the Cooper Lutkenhaus Show. The 17-year-old phenom was leading the 800 meters with the finish line just around the corner. That’s when Brandon Miller made his move and stole not only the win but the show. Miller finished in a time of 1 minute, 43.68 seconds to hold off Lutkenhaus during the Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field on Friday night. he theme of the night was close finishes. Wilma Nielsen held off Juliette Whittaker by 0.18 seconds to win the 1,500 meters. In the men’s mile, Liam Murphy used a lean at the finish line to narrowly edge Stefan Nillessen by .01 seconds.
WORDS: 612 - MOVED: 07/04/2026 6:30 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6a8cac1989c014b49005ae6d3b52760f&mediaType=text
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SOC--WCUP-ARGENTINA-MESSI
Lionel Messi scores 20th World Cup goal, extends streak to 8 games and takes Golden Boot lead
SUMMARY: Lionel Messi has scored again, making Friday’s contest against Cape Verde the record-extending eighth consecutive World Cup match in which Argentina’s captain has delivered at least one goal. Messi’s goal in the 29th minute against Cape Verde was the 20th of his World Cup career, extending his record and moving him two goals ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé on the all-time list. Messi has seven goals in this year’s tournament. That’s one more than Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot as the top scorer of this World Cup. He has scored 12 times in his last eight World Cup matches. Argentina escaped with a 3-2 win in extra time.
WORDS: 831 - MOVED: 07/04/2026 4:28 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:64fe1029d7f5ca97976cd5ac09075c28&mediaType=text
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BBO--DODGERS-OHTANI-ALL-STAR GAME
Ohtani leaves game against Padres with biceps issue and is unlikely to pitch in All-Star Game
SUMMARY: Shohei Ohtani left Friday night’s game against the San Diego Padres with a right biceps issue. The Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar was hitless in three at-bats during a 4-3 victory. On the mound, he allowed three runs in six innings and threw a season-high 110 pitches. He says he felt the biceps issue during his final at-bat in the sixth. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says Ohtani will rest and receive treatment on Saturday. Ohtani has been dealing with left knee soreness and a blister on his right hand. Roberts says it’s unlikely that Ohtani will pitch in the All-Star Game on July 14 in Philadelphia.
WORDS: 554 - MOVED: 07/04/2026 2:44 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2a44c07330fdd623f7643582e39418bb&mediaType=text
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BBO--RED SOX-CHAPMAN-STRIKEOUT RECORD
Boston’s Aroldis Chapman sets MLB record for strikeouts as a reliever with his 1,364th K
SUMMARY: Aroldis Chapman has become the major leagues’ career leader in strikeouts as a reliever, toppling a record that had stood for more than half a century. The Boston Red Sox’s 38-year-old Cuban left-hander fanned the Angels’ Denzer Guzman for the 1,364th strikeout in Chapman’s 17-year career with seven teams. It broke the record long held by Hoyt Wilhelm, the Hall of Fame knuckleballer whose 21-year career ended back in 1972. The Red Sox celebrated Chapman’s achievement in their Angel Stadium clubhouse, showing a video retrospective of Chapman’s career to his younger teammates.
WORDS: 669 - MOVED: 07/04/2026 1:45 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b3654df8918078095adfbaad9798c991&mediaType=text
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MOVING TOMORROW
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SOC--WORLD CUP
Coverage of knockout stage in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
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TEN--WIMBLEDON
Coverage of the Wimbledon tennis tournament.