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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BBO--ROCKIES-GOODMAN’S KEEN EYE
DESCRIPTION: Colorado catcher Hunter Goodman has 27 homers this season, tying him with Larry Walker for the most by a Rockies player before the All-Star break. He still has 10 games left before the break. Goodman also ranks fifth in ABS challenge wins among catchers.
WORDS: 729 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 11:43 a.m. EDT
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SOC--WORLD CUP COVERAGE
FORMATS: Text, Photo
1. WITH: SOC--WCUP-AUSTRALIA-EGYPT
2. DESCRIPTION: ARLINGTON, Texas — Egypt is in the knockout round of the World Cup for the first time, facing an Australian team looking the first victory in its third try beyond the group stage. By Schuyler Dixon. Match starts 2 p.m. EDT.
3. UPCOMING: By 07/03/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT
4. WITH: SOC--WORLD CUP COVERAGE
5. DESCRIPTION: Coverage of the 2026 World Cup
6. UPCOMING: By 07/03/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT
7. WITH: WCUP-CLIMATE-HEAT-ATHLETES
8. DESCRIPTION: Saturday’s afternoon match between France and Paraguay in Philadelphia could be the hottest so far during this FIFA World Cup tournament, posing heat-related dangers to athletes and tens of thousands of fans watching the game in the open-air stadium or elsewhere across the region. The knockout round game is coinciding with a dangerous heat wave that will continue across the eastern and central U.S. through the end of the week, with peak heat indexes — which combine air temperature with humidity — between 100 F to 115 F.
9. UPCOMING: By 07/03/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT
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CAR--NASCAR-CHICAGOLAND
DESCRIPTION: NASCAR Cup Series is running at Chicagoland Speedway this weekend for the first time since 2019. By Jay Cohen.
UPCOMING: By 07/03/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text
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GLF--JOHN DEERE
DESCRIPTION: SILVIS, Ill. -- Lucas Glover and Zac Blair shared the lead going into the second round of the John Deere Classic. Upcoming: 500 words.
UPCOMING: By 07/03/2026 7:30 p.m. EDT, Text
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ATH--PREFONTAINE CLASSIC
DESCRIPTION: EUGENE, Ore. -- The two-day Prefontaine Classic gets under way Friday night at Hayward Field. The evening starts with the men’s hammer throw and finishes with the men’s two-mile race. 300 words. Event ends around 1 a.m. ET.
UPCOMING: By 07/03/2026 11:55 p.m. EDT, Text
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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CAR--F1-BRITISH GP PREVIEW
Hamilton adapts fast for sprint pole ahead of ‘unprecedented’ British GP
SUMMARY: Silverstone hasn’t changed a bit and yet Lewis Hamilton is ready for a British Grand Prix on a “completely different track.” Hamilton coped best with adapting his driving style around Formula 1’s new reliance on battery power to take pole position in qualifying for Saturday’s sprint race. Despite a slight wobble in the final corner, Hamilton held on to take pole by just 0.011 of a second at a track where he’s predicted he and Ferrari will struggle.
WORDS: 692 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 1:39 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0e5c0c07b14fca298bdf1a6beb880c4e&mediaType=text
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BKL--WNBA--SECURITY
Caitlin Clark condemns ‘harassment’ as WNBA players face a surge of online threats
SUMMARY: The WNBA has gotten a lot more attention the past few seasons with the addition of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and others to the league. A multi-billion dollar media rights deal, million dollar salaries and higher attendance have been the positives. An increase of social media vitriol toward players and teams has been the negative. Social media hatred toward players and teams is nothing new and isn’t just directed toward WNBA players. It’s been going on for more than a decade toward the league and its players. However, it has gotten worse lately with players and coaches receiving threats for things that happen on the court.
WORDS: 784 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 1:34 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b47b07369f763530cc4bdf2382563ac3&mediaType=text
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BKN--LEBRON’S DECISION-WHAT TO KNOW
What we know: LeBron James considering a slew of options in free agency
SUMMARY: LeBron James is at the center of NBA attention despite a wave of trades. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, and others have moved teams, but all eyes are on James. His agent, Rich Paul, says James remains the league’s face. James, turning 42 in December, will play his 24th season, but not with the Lakers. Paul hinted at possible teams, including Philadelphia and New York, on the “Game Over” podcast. James’ decision timeline is unknown, and money isn’t a major factor. He seeks a title-contending team that suits his lifestyle. The wait for his choice continues.
WORDS: 696 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 1:34 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2495884fabe237c5d27af83c1b97ba9f&mediaType=text
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TEN--WIMBLEDON
Novak Djokovic earns 105th match win at Wimbledon to equal Roger Federer record
SUMMARY: Novak Djokovic saw Arthur Rinderknech falling toward the Centre Court net after a volley and said to himself “please stay down.” The Frenchman did — and 39-year-old Djokovic dove to hit a backhand volley winner on match point for a 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (4) record-equaling victory in the third round at Wimbledon on Friday. Djokovic’s 105th match win at the All England Club ties Roger Federer on the men’s list for most singles match victories. By next weekend, Djokovic would love to equal Federer’s men’s record of eight singles titles, but this one will have to suffice for now. Also, defending champion Jannik Sinner beat Jenson Brooksby 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 on No. 1 Court to advance to the fourth round.
WORDS: 475 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 1:10 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a83d23471eba4845599febb7c0ac8e02&mediaType=text
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FBN--SWIFT-KELCE WEDDING-SPORTS
Teammates of Travis Kelce and others around sports expected to attend his wedding to Taylor Swift
SUMMARY: Some of Travis Kelce’s teammates on the Kansas City Chiefs, retired Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl-winning brother Jason and other players from around the NFL and other sports are expected to be in attendance for his wedding to pop superstar Taylor Swift. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has said he received an invitation and planned to attend. The wedding is slated to take place at Madison Square Garden, the home arena of the NBA’s New York Knicks and NHL’s Rangers. Swift attended Game 4 of the NBA Finals there, sitting courtside as the Knicks pulled off the biggest comeback at that stage of the playoffs in league history by rallying from down 29 to beat San Antonio.
WORDS: 280 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 1:03 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:cd040d49c46be3842320ea8892cbd315&mediaType=text
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ENT-TAYLOR SWIFT-TRAVIS KELCE-WEDDING
A fairytale at MSG: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding set to take place
SUMMARY: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding is set for Friday at Madison Square Garden. It is expected to be an elaborate event inside the iconic New York venues. A city permit obtained by The Associated Press shows the wedding is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. and could last until 4 a.m. the next morning. A smaller rehearsal dinner was planned for Thursday night. Fans are eager to see how the couple have transformed MSG into a wedding venue. The wedding coincides with a busy July Fourth weekend in New York City.
WORDS: 593 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 12:43 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:09fe20408ed795a47aeb600cc4adf2e8&mediaType=text
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BKL--TEMPO-CANADIAN MOVEMENT
WNBA’s first international team in Toronto is finding fans all across Canada in Tempo’s first season
SUMMARY: Expanding to Toronto has done more than add a first international city to the WNBA. It’s also made fans across Canada part of a growing movement around the booming popularity of women’s basketball. Consider that the first-season Toronto Tempo could break the WNBA all-time attendance record next week. Not in their home city, however, but almost 350 miles east in Montreal. On the opening leg of the Cross Canada Series, the Tempo are playing two games at Bell Centre, which holds 22,114 for basketball. A capacity crowd could top the WNBA playoff attendance record of 22,076.
WORDS: 788 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 12:06 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:46db95c146b39899c6310e47294cf8d6&mediaType=text
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SOC--WCUP-ARGENTINA-MESSI
Messi returns to the field and Golden Boot race at the World Cup continues
SUMMARY: Lionel Messi resumes his chase of the Golden Boot on Friday. Argentina’s captain returns to the World Cup pitch when the defending champions take on Cape Verde in the round of 32 in Miami Gardens. Messi has six goals in this World Cup, tied with France’s Kylian Mbappé for the tournament lead. The Golden Boot is presented to the top goal-scorer in the tournament. Messi and Mbappé are far from being the only contenders: Norway’s Erling Haaland and England’s Harry Kane each have five.
WORDS: 319 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 11:26 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:64fe1029d7f5ca97976cd5ac09075c28&mediaType=text
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SOC-WCUP-FOOD FANS
From poutine to barbecue, local cuisines give World Cup fans another reason to cheer
SUMMARY: International soccer fans came to cheer the competing World Cup teams. But they’re also delighting fast-food chains and local restaurants in the tournament’s host cities with their rave reviews of North American cuisine. Overseas fans are making a point to try regional specialties like Canadian poutine, lobster rolls and Texas barbecue. They’re also seeking out chains they can’t find overseas, such as Waffle House and Chick-fil-A. Ranch dressing is another hit, prompting the Transportation Safety Administration to remind travelers that bottles need to go in checked bags. A London resident said of the large portions of American food he’s tried in Dallas, Boston, New York and Atlanta: “It’s greasy, it’s disgusting, but it’s absolutely glorious.”
WORDS: 962 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 9:54 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:eb084ee9e62040c71cecfe53637e0e0a&mediaType=text
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TEN--WIMBLEDON-OSAKA
Naomi Osaka gets win at Wimbledon after she gives young daughter a ‘timeout’ on her birthday
SUMMARY: Naomi Osaka’s day out at Wimbledon went much better than plans for her young daughter’s birthday. The four-time Grand Slam champion reached the fourth round at the All England Club for the first time Friday in a tidy 6-1, 6-3 victory over Daria Kasatkina on No. 1 Court. An on-court interviewer then asked Osaka about her plans to take daughter Shai to a nearby park for her third birthday on Thursday. She says “We tried to take her to the park but then she needed to go to timeout, so we’re going to try to take her to the park again today.” Osaka will net face either No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka or Jelena Ostapenko.
WORDS: 200 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 9:54 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7badb6824b0ea5c227de2e95f90fa2d2&mediaType=text
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TEN--WIMBLEDON-SERENA-TV RATINGS
Serena Williams’ singles return sets ratings record for 1st-round Wimbledon match on ESPN
SUMMARY: Serena Williams’ singles return at Wimbledon was watched by an average of 1.8 million viewers on ESPN, helping make it the network’s biggest audience for a Day 2 at the grass-court Grand Slam. The match, which was the 44-year-old Williams’ first singles contest in nearly four years, had a peak of 2.1 million viewers despite being played on a Tuesday afternoon in the U.S, the network said. Williams was beaten 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 by 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia but showed she could be competitive with an opponent less than half her age after being away for so long.
WORDS: 285 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 9:00 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8eeba937aa1b1eec9cc21511dfe41e21&mediaType=text
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TEN--DOUBLES-FUTURE
Doubles players condemn ATP Tour’s plan to cut prize money and tournament sizes
SUMMARY: Doubles players fear for their tennis future after being told by the ATP Tour that tournament sizes and prize money will decrease significantly starting in 2028. A group of leading doubles players have issued a statement saying they are not “a carnival sideshow” and that it will be impossible for anyone outside the top 30 in the ATP doubles rankings to make a living if the new proposals are adopted. The statement comes after doubles players met with ATP officials at Wimbledon this week to discuss the future of a format that is struggling to draw an audience.
WORDS: 618 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 8:04 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f8b54f135c49d1963412b4cc4f4c93a0&mediaType=text
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SOC--WCUP-BELGIUM-GARCIA
Belgium coach Garcia says he was not criticizing African teams with World Cup comments
SUMMARY: Belgium coach Rudi Garcia says he was not criticizing African soccer when describing “those teams” who lose their tactical shape following his side’s improbable comeback victory over Senegal at the World Cup. Belgium rallied from 2-0 down to secure a dramatic 3-2 win deep into extra time on Wednesday and next faces the United States. Moments after the game Garcia said on television “we know those teams, they lose their tactical structure.” But he has posted on Instagram to say “I was referring to teams unaccustomed to managing a lead in high-level World Cup matches”, adding “my comments were by no means aimed at African teams.”
WORDS: 365 - MOVED: 07/03/2026 5:35 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:58d743b38e434adf5719fd5397a68432&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.
