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.

——————————

UPCOMING

——————————

SOC--WORLD CUP COVERAGE

FORMATS: Alternate Headlines, Text, Video, LiveVideo, Photo

1. WITH: SOC--WCUP-FRANCE-NORWAY

2. DESCRIPTION: FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — France and Norway have already qualified for the knockout round with six points in Group I after both won their opening two games. The winner of this matchup will take first place in the group. By Kyle Hightower. Text, photos. Game starts at 3 p.m. EDT.

3. UPCOMING: By 06/26/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT

4. WITH: SOC--WCUP-NEW ZEALAND-BELGIUM

5. DESCRIPTION: Belgium needs a win or a draw against New Zealand on Friday to avoid its fate four years ago in Qatar when the team was surprisingly eliminated in the group stage. By Anne M. Peterson. 500 words, photos. Game starts at 11 p.m.

6. UPCOMING: By 06/26/2026 2:00 a.m. EDT

___

GLF--WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

DESCRIPTION: Ina Yoon enters the second round of the Women’s PGA Championship with a two-stroke lead. By Dave Campbell. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/26/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

___

GLF--TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP

DESCRIPTION: CROMWELL, Conn. — Eric Cole took a one-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler and five others into the second round of the Travelers Championship. 450 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/26/2026 8:15 p.m. EDT, Text

——————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

——————————

REL--WCUP-UNDAV’S YAZIDI HERITAGE

Deniz Undav’s World Cup success for Germany lifts Yazidi and Kurdish pride

SUMMARY: A standout at the World Cup, Deniz Undav is playing for Germany while representing his Yazidi and Kurdish heritage. Undav has scored three goals and made two assists, placing him in the company of stars like Lionel Messi. His success is celebrated by the Yazidi community, which has faced decades of oppression. Yazidis in a village in northeastern Syria gathered Thursday to watch him play against Ecuador. Irfan Ortac is chair of the Central Council of Yazidis in Germany. He says Undav’s achievements offer a positive narrative for Yazidis. Undav hopes his performance inspires others. Despite facing abuse over his heritage, his popularity is growing, symbolizing resilience and pride.

WORDS: 1064 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 12:43 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b943bab9dcceee13eafc4cb662d97919&mediaType=text

___

HKN--NHL DRAFT

Maple Leafs on the clock with No. 1 pick in the NHL draft, with McKenna considered top prospect

SUMMARY: General manager John Chayka and the Toronto Maple Leafs are on the clock in having the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft on Friday night, and with Penn State forward Gavin McKenna regarded as the top prospect. The selection provides the newly hired Chayka the next opportunity to help reshape one of the NHL’s marquee franchises. Chayka already has hired a new coach in Jim Hiller and last week acquired defenseman Darren Raddysh in a sign-and-trade deal with Tampa Bay. Now it’s a matter of restocking the Maple Leafs’ youth in the same Buffalo arena where Toronto selected star Auston Matthews with the first pick in the 2016 draft.

WORDS: 216 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 12:07 p.m. EDT. Will be updated from draft set to start at 7 p.m. EDT.

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:46e79bd265cfa06331c6dc08941970dc&mediaType=text

___

BBO--METS-MENDOZA

Last-place Mets fire manager Carlos Mendoza. Owner Steve Cohen says ‘fans deserve better’

SUMMARY: Carlos Mendoza was has been fired as manager of the underperforming New York Mets and has been replaced by Andy Green. New York is 34-47 following a six-game losing streak, 15 games behind NL East-leading Atlanta and 9 1/2 games back of the NL’s last wild-card berth. Mets owner Steve Cohen had high expectations for a team without a World Series title since 1986. The team opened the season with baseball’s highest payroll at $358 million and projected to (pay an additional $124 million in luxury tax.

WORDS: 562 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 12:03 p.m. EDT. Will be updated.

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6cf52ffb9e81030b33d4b4acf8244481&mediaType=text

___

TEN--WIMBLEDON DRAW

Serena Williams draws 20-year-old Maya Joint in first Wimbledon singles match in 4 years

SUMMARY: Serena Williams has been drawn to play 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia in the first round at Wimbledon for her first singles match in nearly four years. The 44-year-old seven-time Wimbledon singles champion accepted a wild-card entry to the grass-court Grand Slam where she’ll also compete in doubles with her older sister Venus. Joint is ranked No. 53 and made her Wimbledon debut last year, losing in the first round to Liudmila Samsonova 6-3, 6-2. Joint was born in the U.S. but represents Australia through her father. Defending champion Iga Swiatek opens against Taylor Townsend. Jannik Sinner’s title defense begins against Miomir Kecmanovic.

WORDS: 719 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 11:45 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c8afeae4d36d53caa0104ab66e8a95c2&mediaType=text

___

BKL--TEMPO-MABREY

Who is Marina Mabrey? The feisty Tempo guard who tied the WNBA scoring record with 53 points

SUMMARY: Marina Mabrey had one of the best shooting nights in WNBA history, matching the league record of 53 points. She was 17 of 28 from the field, including matching her own WNBA record of nine 3-pointers. Mabrey matched A’ja Wilson and Liz Cambage as the only players to score 3 points in a game. Mabrey is a journeywoman playing on her fifth WNBA team since getting drafted in the second round in 2019 by the Los Angeles Sparks.

WORDS: 696 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 11:43 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:2a0db8a45cdc0a61ec7374f160172e37&mediaType=text

___

BKL--FEVER-CLARK OUT

Caitlin Clark sidelined vs the Sparks as she recovers from back injury

SUMMARY: Caitlin Clark will miss Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks while she recovers from a back injury she suffered against Phoenix on Wednesday. Indiana coach Stephanie White said Friday morning that Clark wouldn’t play. Indiana doesn’t play again after Saturday until visiting the Las Vegas Aces on July 5. Clark only played in 13 games last season because of a variety of injuries. She’s missed one game this season because of her back. Clark is tied for fourth in the league with 21.2 points a game. She had 19 points in 20 minutes against Phoenix.

WORDS: 285 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 11:41 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ea3a31db829723d9425904a4ed750608&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP-ROUND OF 32 LOOKAHEAD

With US, Canada and Mexico through, the World Cup knockout round hinges on who finishes third

SUMMARY: As group play winds down at the World Cup, the biggest intrigue might be not who finishes first in a four-team group. It’s who finishes third. Teams that finish first and second in their groups move on automatically to the Round of 32. The U.S., Canada and Mexico, co-hosts of the tournament, have all advanced, along with France, Germany, Brazil, Norway and others. The U.S. will face Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday in Santa Clara, California, while Canada heads to Los Angeles to face South Africa on Sunday. Other marquee matchups are set, including Morocco versus the Netherlands and Japan versus Brazil.

WORDS: 834 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 11:40 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a494785fab2f239f8e84580a54c23be1&mediaType=text

___

US--OLYMPIAN-MILLER-DRUG CHARGES

Prosecutor dropping drug case against Olympian skier Bode Miller

SUMMARY: An Idaho prosecutor says she’s dropping misdemeanor drug charges against Olympic gold medalist skier Bode Miller. The 48-year-old Miller was arrested in eastern Idaho on June 6 and charged with possessing psilocybin mushrooms. Fremont County Prosecutor Lindsey Blake said in a statement provided to The Associated Press on Friday that she will be dismissing the case because of new information. She declined to release that information. Miller said in an Instagram post this week that he was pulled over after passing another vehicle on a highway and his friend had a small amount of drugs he didn’t know about. Miller won six Olympic medals during his career.

WORDS: 436 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 10:57 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f7f738ce14c60508ce530fd769b8ce21&mediaType=text

___

SOC--AC MILAN-CEO

AC Milan names Massimo Calvelli as CEO as it goes “in house” in bid to restore winning culture

SUMMARY: AC Milan has named Massimo Calvelli as CEO as it aims to bring a winning culture back to the club. He replaces Giorgio Furlani, who was fired by U.S. owner RedBird Capital Partners after a disappointing season. RedBird managing partner Gerry Cardinale has emphasized the need for a winning mindset on and off the field. Calvelli will continue his roles at RedBird though. Milan struggled last season, missing out on Champions League qualification. Calvelli has expressed a strong commitment to revitalize the club.

WORDS: 393 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 10:54 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0bc4ba874ee0dcc23d83f08b4f62d050&mediaType=text

___

BBO--MLB-POTENTIAL-DRAFT-CHANGES

MLB’s draft overhaul would limit choices for teen players — and be a boon for colleges

SUMMARY: MLB’s owners recently proposed banning high school players from signing with major league teams, which would be a huge change for the sport. There are dozens of current MLB stars who started their professional careers as teenagers immediately after high school, including Pete Crow-Armstrong, Mike Trout and Bobby Witt Jr. Even more recently, Pirates phenom Konnor Griffin made his MLB debut at 19 years old. The rise of NCAA baseball as a training ground for prospects has made streamlining the minor leagues a realistic possibility. In the 2025 MLB draft, 56 college players were selected in the top 90 picks.

WORDS: 1249 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b2b0aba2e7f29233f446e7e0b47a5382&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP-US-PULISIC

Pulisic returns to the US lineup with highlights and lowlight in a World Cup loss to Turkey

SUMMARY: Christian Pulisic returned to the field for the United States just in time to warm up for the World Cup games that really matter starting next week. Pulisic entered the Americans’ 3-2 loss to Turkey as a substitute early in the second half, and he provided several strong sequences during his first game action in nearly two weeks. He also had a lowlight when rising young star Arda Güler nutmegged him to begin the sequence that ended with Kaan Ayhan’s winning goal on the final kick of the match. Pulisic hadn’t played since the Americans’ tournament-opening win over Paraguay.

WORDS: 697 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 2:48 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e9a4599453578a0ff4b1cac1c28df4af&mediaType=text

___

SOC--WCUP-TURKEY-US

Pochettino annoyed by perceived disappointment after US finishes group play with 3-2 loss to Turkey

SUMMARY: Kaan Ayhan scored on the final kick of the match, and Turkey beat the United States 3-2 for its only win of the World Cup. Auston Trusty scored in the third minute and Sebastian Berhalter got a tying goal early in the second half for the Americans, who had already won the group with victories over Paraguay and Australia. Pochettino fielded nine new starters for this low-stakes game, but Christian Pulisic entered in the 58th minute. Turkey won in the eighth minute of stoppage time when Can Uzun got the ball in space on the back post and got it to Ayhan.

WORDS: 910 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 1:57 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b8ec554774b818280b162ffe1f897840&mediaType=text

___

——————————

MOVING TOMORROW

——————————

SOC--WORLD CUP

Coverage of group play in the US, Canada and Mexico.

___

BKL--WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME

Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Cheryl Reeve and Doris Burke headline the newest members of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame being inducted Saturday night in Knoxville, Tennessee. Induction ceremony starts at 5:45 p.m. EDT.

HKN--NHL DRAFT

Continuing coverage of the NHL draft in Buffalo, New York. Starts at 11 a.m. EDT.