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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SOC--WCUP-ENGLAND-FRANCE

DESCRIPTION: France faces England in the World Cup third place match and French coach Didier Deschamps’ last game. By Alanis Thames. 700 words, photos. Match starts at 5 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 07/18/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT

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CAR--NASCAR-NORTH WILKESBORO PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: NASCAR prepares to make its point race debut at North Wilkesboro Speedway with Ryan Blaney coming in as the hot driver. By Steve Reed. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 07/18/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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GLF--BRITISH OPEN

FORMATS: Text, Photo

1. WITH: GLF--BRITISH OPEN

2. DESCRIPTION: Lucas Herbert of Australia takes a two-shot lead into the third round of the British Open. Still, all eyes will be on Bryson DeChambeau after he was penalized two shots in a dramatic late-evening development on Friday. After initial doubts, the American superstar said he’ll be playing the weekend. By Doug Ferguson. 800 words, photos.

3. UPCOMING: By 07/18/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT

4. WITH: GLF--BRITISH OPEN-FOX

5. DESCRIPTION: Ryan Fox added his name Saturday to the growing list of players who share the major championship scoring record when he became the third player this week with a record-tying 62 in the British Open at Royal Birkdale.

6. SENT: UPDATES UPCOMING: By 07/18/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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GLF--BRITISH OPEN-MCILROY

McIlroy accuses DeChambeau of trying to ‘hold the tournament hostage’ at British Open

SUMMARY: Rory McIlroy has saved one of his best shots at the British Open for Bryson DeChambeau. The world No. 2 didn’t hold back when asked for his thoughts on DeChambeau’s conduct late Friday when the American was involved in a lengthy, heated post-round exchange with rules officials. They were reviewing whether he had inadvertently improved the path of his swing on the fifth hole and DeChambeau was penalized two shots. McIlroy says he’s “not particularly fond of” DeChambeau, that his actions were “performative” and “for attention” and that the American was trying to “hold the tournament hostage.” McIlroy shot 1-under 69 in the third round.

WORDS: 196 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 1:12 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6359283ae929c13cc204b4cb9351f118&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP FINAL-PREVIEW

The World Cup final awaits, with Messi and defending champion Argentina set to face Spain

SUMMARY: Lionel Messi rarely loses. Spain never loses. That’s been how things have worked in recent years, anyway. Soccer’s best player and soccer’s dominant team are set to collide Sunday in a World Cup final worthy of the sport’s grandest stage. Messi and Argentina will face a Spain squad that is unbeaten in 37 consecutive matches going back to early 2024. For Spain, it’s a chance at a second World Cup title to go along with the one from 2010. For Argentina, it’s a chance to become the first back-to-back men’s World Cup champion since Pele and Brazil did it in 1958 and 1962.

WORDS: 1060 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 1:09 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bd35b9beccfc120ec0a78fd72162f33c&mediaType=text

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CAR--F1-BELGIAN GP

Kimi Antonelli beats Red Bull’s team effort to qualify on pole for F1’s Belgian Grand Prix

SUMMARY: Kimi Antonelli has beaten a display of Red Bull formation flying to take pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix in qualifying and boost his Formula 1 title charge. Max Verstappen had set the fastest time after smart coordination with Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar to give him the strongest possible slipstream on his lap. Mercedes driver Antonelli found a new level of pace on his lap to beat Verstappen by 0.317 of a second and dedicated the pole position as a birthday present to his father.

WORDS: 558 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 12:48 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:53ba944bd19a3bf74fed94862f2879e0&mediaType=text

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ATH--MILE-RECORD-KERR

Josh Kerr of Britain breaks the men’s mile world record that stood since 1999

SUMMARY: British runner Josh Kerr ran 3 minutes, 42.66 seconds to break the longstanding men’s mile world record at a Diamond League meet in London on Saturday. Kerr, the 2023 world champion beak Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj’s mark of 3 minutes, 43.13 seconds, set in Rome in 1999. Kerr was so dominant that he finished just over three seconds clear of American Yared Nuguse in 3:45.69. He had targeted the mile race at the Diamond League meet as a main goal in a track season with neither Olympics nor world championships.

WORDS: 422 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 12:39 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:04b2764c4994417b9a50dcdc2363c6c7&mediaType=text

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GLF--BRITISH OPEN-FOX

Ryan Fox matches major championship record with a 62 in the British Open

SUMMARY: Ryan Fox has joined the list of players with a major championship scoring record. He became the third player this week to shoot a record-tying 62 at the British Open at Royal Birkdale. Fox started early with minimal wind and took advantage. He made five birdies on the front nine and birdied two of his last three holes. Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns also shot 62 on Friday. There have now been eight rounds of 62 in major championship history, with half of them at Royal Birkdale. Branden Grace first set the record there in 2017.

WORDS: 579 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 10:11 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:57c8226c833fb736590419af6002dd27&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-CAPDEVILA-TRUMP

Former Spain defender Capdevila asks Trump for help getting into the US for the World Cup final

SUMMARY: Former Spain defender Joan Capdevila has asked U.S. President Donald Trump for help getting into the United States to watch Spain face Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final, after being denied authorization to travel a decade after playing in an exhibition game in Iran. In 2010 Capdevila helped Spain win its only men’s World Cup title. But he’ss worried he will miss Sunday’s final and addressed Trump in a social media post, saying his application via the country’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization was denied. Visitors from select countries who want to enter the US without a visa apply via ESTA but the rules say people who have traveled to Iran are not eligible for ESTA and must obtain a visa.

WORDS: 323 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 9:51 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8375c10078078e379a059f193dfcdca4&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP FINAL-PITCH

The World Cup final will be played on turf with mixed reviews. Rain might help

SUMMARY: There has been no shortage of players and coaches fielding questions about the pitch in East Rutherford, New Jersey, before and after World Cup games there. While entirely different than the turf surface at the stadium that has been much maligned by NFL players, the grass field with synthetic fibers stitched in to reduce the risk of divots and tears has drawn mixed reviews through the first seven games of the tournament there. After a nearly two-week break for staff to get it in the best condition possible, the most important game takes place there Sunday when Argentina and Spain meet in the final.

WORDS: 945 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:8473499bfe3f2e60819fea8b0ff1f798&mediaType=text

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BBO--DIAMONDBACKS-MARTE-ABS

D-backs lose to Cardinals after star Ketel Marte fails to use ABS system on blown call

SUMMARY: Major League Baseball’s new Automated Ball/Strike system was implemented to help players challenge pitches that they feel weren’t called correctly. But there’s one big caveat — it only works if it’s used. The Arizona Diamondbacks and three-time All-Star Ketel Marte learned that the hard way Friday night when Marte failed to challenge a called strike three by umpire Bill Miller for the final out in a 5-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Television replays showed that the 100 mph sinker from Riley O’Brien was high and out of the strike zone. The D-backs still had both of their ABS challenges remaining.

WORDS: 350 - MOVED: 07/18/2026 2:28 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e1eaeb459aaeb8a682b59513b8802edc&mediaType=text

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MOVING TOMORROW

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SOC--WORLD CUP FINAL

Coverage of the World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend. Game starts at 3 p.m. EDT.

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GLF--BRITISH OPEN

Coverage from the final round of the British Open at Royal Birkdale.