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.

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UPCOMING

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BBO--METS-WHAT’S NEXT?

DESCRIPTION: Carlos Mendoza is out. Just like Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil. Last year’s coaching staff, too. And maybe a few more quality players by the Aug. 3 trade deadline. In the past eight months, president of baseball operations David Stearns has remodeled the reeling Mets. Not much has worked, though. So after Mendoza was fired as manager Friday, where does this pricey and underperforming team go from here? By Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick. 700 words, with photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/27/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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HKN--HURRICANES-OFFSEASON

DESCRIPTION: At first glance, Carolina Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky doesn’t have a ton to do with the roster as the Stanley Cup champs head into the offseason. Then again, the Hurricanes have never been the type to just sit back, either. By Aaron Beard. Text, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/27/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Text

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WCUP PANINI STICKERS

DESCRIPTION: Panini stickers have been an iconic World Cup collectible going all the way back to 1970, when four Italian brothers began to print images of the players for fans. But thanks to an enlarged, 48-team World Cup, there has never been quite the same buzz to fill the largest album yet with 980 stickers. By Dave Skretta. With AP Photos, Video.

UPCOMING: By 06/27/2026 6:00 a.m. EDT, Video, Photo, Text, Alternate Headlines

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TEN--WIMBLEDON

DESCRIPTION: Players’ press conferences ahead of Wimbledon first round. Stories on merit. By Ken Maguire.

UPCOMING: By 06/27/2026 9:00 a.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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SOC--WCUP-VANCOUVER’S GIANT SOCCER BALL

DESCRIPTION: It started almost as a joke. Why not transform the Science World museum in downtown Vancouver, the geodesic dome-shaped building in the shadow of BC Place stadium, into a gigantic 130-foot soccer ball for the World Cup? Easier said than done, actually. By Anne M. Peterson

UPCOMING: By 06/27/2026 3:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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CAR--NASCAR-SONOMA PREVIEW

DESCRIPTION: The NASCAR Cup Series’ last road course of the season will mark the start of the In-Season Challenge, a five-race bracket-style tournament with $1 million at stake for the winner. In the event’s debut last season, the breakout star was Ty Dillon, who trash-talked his way to a runner-up finish as the lowest seed. By Nate Ryan. Text, file photos. With CAR-NASCAR-Sonoma-Qualifying: Shane van Gisbergen is seeking his third consecutive pole position on a road or street course this season and his second pole in a row on the 10-turn, 1.99-mile road course. Begins at 3:10 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 06/27/2026 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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GLF--WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

DESCRIPTION: Ina Yoon takes a five-stroke lead into the third round of the Women’s PGA Championship. By Mike Cook. 600 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/27/2026 6:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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GLF--TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP

DESCRIPTION: CROMWELL, Conn. — Scottie Scheffler took the lead into the weekend in the Travelers Championship after a 10-under 60 on the soft TPC River Highlands course. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/27/2026 7:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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SOC--WCUP-PANAMA-ENGLAND

DESCRIPTION: England tries to clinch first place in Group L when it faces already eliminated Panama. By Ronald Blum. 300 words, photos, starts 5 p.m.

UPCOMING: By 06/27/2026 7:30 p.m. EDT.

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BBO--ANGELS-MOZELIAK

DESCRIPTION: ANAHEIM, Calif. — John Mozeliak takes over the Los Angeles Angels’ baseball operations on a temporary basis after general manager Perry Minasian’s firing by owner Arte Moreno’s long-struggling team. By Mike DiGiovanna. 500 words, photos.

UPCOMING: By 06/27/2026 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text

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BKL--WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME

DESCRIPTION: Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne and Cheryl Reeve headline the 2026 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame class being inducted Saturday night. By Al Lesar.

UPCOMING: By 06/27/2026 10:00 p.m. EDT, Photo, Text

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NEW AND DEVELOPING

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SOC--WCUP-EGYPT-IRAN

Egypt survives with 1-1 draw against Iran, advances past group stage for 1st time at World Cup

SUMMARY: Egypt advanced past the group stage at the World Cup for the first time while Iran will have to wait one day to find out its fate after the two teams played to a 1-1 draw. At the conclusion of what was promoted as a “Pride Match” in Seattle, one which neither Iran nor Egypt wanted any part in, the Pharaohs finished in second place in Group G. Belgium, which played to a 1-1 draw against Egypt on June 15, beat New Zealand 5-1 in Vancouver, British Columbia to win the group.

WORDS: 273 - MOVED: 06/27/2026 1:41 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d99f80d352317897f3dfa67da0aba9be&mediaType=text

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BBO--ANGELS-MINASIAN FIRED

Angels fire GM Perry Minasian midway through a 6th straight disappointing season in his tenure

SUMMARY: The Los Angeles Angels have fired general manager Perry Minasian midway through their sixth consecutive disappointing season under his leadership. The last-place Angels appointed former Cardinals GM John Mozeliak to be their interim general manager and baseball operations consultant on Friday. Mozeliak will oversee day-to-day baseball operations while assisting the search for its next GM, team president Molly Jolly said in a news release. Minasian took over the Angels’ front office in November 2020, but the long-struggling franchise has made no discernible progress during his tenure. Los Angeles’ streaks of 10 straight losing seasons and 11 straight non-playoff seasons are both the longest in the majors

WORDS: 755 - MOVED: 06/27/2026 1:24 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6586d16d364a7f749c3ebe7df0d3a721&mediaType=text

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HKN--NHL DRAFT

Maple Leafs select Penn State forward Gavin McKenna with the No. 1 pick in NHL draft

SUMMARY: The Toronto Maple Leafs have selected Penn State forward Gavin McKenna with the No. 1 NHL draft pick. The 18-year-old McKenna is from Yukon’s capital of Whitehorse, has been a prolific scorer on both sides of the border, with McKenna’s selection validating the projections of the left winger being his age group’s top prospect more than two years ago. For Toronto, McKenna represents a major plank in the rebuilding process of a team suddenly in transition under new general manager John Chayka. Toronto finished last in the Atlantic Division last season and missed the playoffs for the first time since Matthews’ arrival.

WORDS: 1009 - MOVED: 06/27/2026 1:01 a.m. EDT

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

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SOC--WCUP-CAPE VERDE-SAUDI ARABIA

Cape Verde’s dream run continues, becoming smallest country into World Cup knockout round

SUMMARY: Cape Verde completed an improbable run through the group stage with a third straight World Cup draw to become the smallest country to earn a spot in the knockout round following a 0-0 result against Saudi Arabia. The small island nation off the western coast of Africa is making its debut on soccer’s grandest stage and already held 2010 champion Spain to a 0-0 draw and then came from behind to get a 2-2 result against Uruguay. Cape Verde’s three points put the team in second place behind Spain, which beat Uruguay on Friday night and won the group.

WORDS: 783 - MOVED: 06/27/2026 12:11 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ea5d66b89c9aa3244cbe4f9f5e49dc10&mediaType=text

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US--HORSE RACING-AQUEDUCT CLOSING

Final stretch: NYC’s last horse track, Aqueduct, ending live races

SUMMARY: New York City’s last horse track is on its final stretch. The venerable Aqueduct track in Queens is hosting its last live races this weekend after more than 130 years. The track, known by industry veterans as the “Big A,” saw Seabiscuit, Man O’ War, Secretariat and other legendary thoroughbreds grace its winner’s circle during the sport’s heyday. Pope John Paul II also celebrated Mass with some 75,000 faithful in 1995. Industry experts say Aqueduct’s closing is a byproduct of changing gambling tastes and continued consolidation of what was once dubbed the sport of kings. The final race is Sunday afternoon.

WORDS: 982 - MOVED: 06/27/2026 12:10 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c52bac4978ba99d2c921408ffdf05f13&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-NORWAY-FRANCE

France forward Ousmane Dembélé scores a first-half World Cup hat trick in 4-1 win over Norway

SUMMARY: France forward Ousmane Dembélé scored a first-half hat trick, including one off a feed from Kylian Mbappé, to help his team beat Norway 4-1 at the World Cup. Dembélé’s goals came in the seventh, 20th and 32nd minutes. It was the first first-half hat trick at the World Cup since Russia forward Oleg Salenko scored three of his five goals in the opening 45 minutes at the 1994 World Cup. Désiré Doué also scored for France. The French had already secured its place in the knockout round. Norway was also assured of a spot in the round of 32.

WORDS: 777 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 11:38 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b02961c120baa3838487612fe5b3a504&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-URUGUAY-SPAIN

Spain wins its World Cup group, beating Uruguay 1-0 as Muslera’s error sends 2-time champion home

SUMMARY: Spain has defeated Uruguay 1-0 after another goalkeeping mistake by Fernando Muslera to advance to the knockout stage of the World Cup and eliminate the South American powerhouse. Two-time champion Uruguay will go home without any victories in its three games in Group H. Spain, the European champion, won the group with seven points. Álex Baena scored in the 42nd minute after Muslera couldn’t fully swat away his shot from inside the area. It was the third mistake this tournament by the 40-year-old Muslera, who was pulled at halftime by coach Marcelo Bielsa.

WORDS: 729 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 11:27 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:224b559239ac80f15896d74c49a3880a&mediaType=text

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HKN--TRADE ROUNDUP

Rangers acquire Pavel Dorofeyev from Vegas, Boston gets JJ Peterka from Utah at the NHL draft

SUMMARY: The New York Rangers are trying to supercharge their retooling effort by acquiring winger Pavel Dorofeyev’s rights from Vegas for the Nos. 26 and 92 picks in the draft this year and a conditional first-rounder in 2028. The Boston Bruins got JJ Peterka from Utah for their first-round pick this year at No. 23 and Florida’s top-10 protected ’28 first-rounder. Also Friday night, the St. Louis Blues got Mason McTavish from Anaheim for the Nos. 15 and 29 picks.

WORDS: 871 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 11:25 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:bace9c4b96f51650e2e93c32dc35ef10&mediaType=text

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BBO--METS-MENDOZA

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

SUMMARY: Carlos Mendoza has been fired as manager of the underperforming New York Mets and replaced by Andy Green. Last-place New York was 34-47 halfway through a miserable season, 15 games behind NL East-leading Atlanta and 9 1/2 games back of the final NL wild-card berth. Mets owner Steve Cohen had high expectations for a team without a World Series title since 1986. The club opened the season with baseball’s highest payroll at $358 million and was projected to pay an additional $124 million in luxury tax. A former major league infielder, Green had been working in the Mets’ front office running the farm system. He was given the title of interim manager for the rest of the season.

WORDS: 1081 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 11:07 p.m. EDT

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

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SOC--WCUP-ARGENTINA-MESSI

Lionel Messi won’t start Argentina’s group finale, but World Cup scoring record holder could sub in

SUMMARY: Lionel Messi will not start when defending World Cup champion Argentina plays its group finale. Coach Lionel Scaloni said Friday that Messi will be on the bench at the start of Saturday night’s game against Jordan, but he indicated the World Cup career goal scoring leader could come in as a substitute. Messi, who turned 39 on Wednesday, has scored all five goals for Argentina in the first two games of this tournament. He has 18 career World Cup goals. This is his sixth World Cup.

WORDS: 571 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 9:48 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e907188fbc711936751966a69e1d4184&mediaType=text

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GLF--WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Ina Yoon widens her Women’s PGA Championship lead to 5 strokes

SUMMARY: Ina Yoon stretched her lead at the Women’s PGA Championship with a second-round 69 that put her five strokes up on the second-place pack after another strong South Korean showing. Yoon had two bogeys with one birdie on the back nine to finish 12 under. The 23-year-old is seeking her first LPGA Tour victory. Nasa Hataoka, Brooke Henderson, A Lin Kim and Hae Ran Ryu were tied for second. Ryu shot a 64. LPGA Tour leader Nelly Korda had a 68 to climb into a tie for sixth place with Dongeun Lee at 6 under.

WORDS: 737 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 9:21 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7fb398c62330f55c3720c1db19abf3bf&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-COLOMBIA-FANS

Colombia fans return to Hard Rock Stadium nearly 2 years after chaotic scene at Copa America final

SUMMARY: Colombia’s soccer team is set to play Portugal on Saturday in a World Cup match at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. The game marks their first at the stadium since the chaotic Copa America final in 2024 when ticketless fans breached security. Now, heightened security measures are in place, including multiple checkpoints and a strong federal presence. The match is in high demand due to South Florida’s large Colombian community and Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo. Tickets are selling for thousands. Officials emphasized that only ticketed fans should attend.

WORDS: 822 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 8:32 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6a8fcba35944cbcc8de812830f6c38f4&mediaType=text

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BBO--TROUT-HR DERBY

Mike Trout will likely turn down invitation to participate in All-Star Home Run Derby

SUMMARY: Mike Trout says he is unlikely to participate in the All-Star Home Run Derby in Philadelphia because of his strained right hamstring. Trout expects to return from the injury in plenty of time to play in the July 14 All-Star Game, but says Friday it will likely prevent the Los Angeles Angels center fielder from the home run competition the night before in Citizen’s Bank Park. Trout, a three-time American League MVP and 11-time All-Star, has turned down numerous invitations to participate in the derby because he felt the high volume of maximum-effort swings the event requires would throw him off at the plate.

WORDS: 324 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 7:49 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:615eb863e01a754c1a353eb50ec18908&mediaType=text

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SOC--WCUP-FANS-PHOTO GALLERY

World Cup fans flood stadiums and fan zones with dazzling costumes, facepaint and flags — in photos

WORDS: 42 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 7:45 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1d86f9b4c972d1537f88f906b56d49d3&mediaType=text

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GLF--TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Scottie Scheffler misses out on another sub-60 round and posts 60 for early target at Travelers

SUMMARY: Scottie Scheffler was 25 feet away from his second sub-60 round on the PGA Tour. The world’s No. 1 player missed a birdie putt on the final hole of the Travelers Championship and had to settle for a 60. He was trying to join Jim Furyk as the only players with two sub-60s rounds in tour history. Furyk shot 58 at the Travelers in 2016 to go along with a 59 at the BMW Championship in 2013. Scheffler shot 59 as a PGA Tour rookie in 2020 at the TPC Boston in The Northern Trust. Scheffler was at 16-under 124, two shots ahead of Viktor Hovland. Needing to birdie the final two holes for a 59, Hovland settled for two pars and a 61,

WORDS: 574 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 6:44 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:91ea00ee2bf252c17536f7e956168bb5&mediaType=text

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FBO--CFL-SORSBY

CFL won’t allow Brendan Sorsby to sign with any team or be added to negotiation lists

SUMMARY: Quarterback Brendan Sorsby won’t be kick-starting his pro football career in Canada. The CFL said Friday it won’t allow the 22-year-old who was permanently ruled ineligible by the NCAA for sports betting to sign with any of its teams or be placed on their negotiation lists. Sorsby admitted to placing thousands of bets totaling nearly $90,000 over his collegiate career. After being ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA, Sorsby attempted to join the NFL’s supplemental draft, but that league told him on Tuesday it wouldn’t hold one this year. The CFL said in a statement Friday that “upholding the integrity of the league and ensuring fair competition” was paramount.

WORDS: 319 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 6:28 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:19c2af033d0de7912f96f1f040a57a41&mediaType=text

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FBC--MISSISSIPPI-CHAMBLISS-KIFFIN

Trinidad Chambliss disagrees with LSU coach Lane Kiffin about how Black recruits view Ole Miss

SUMMARY: Mississippi quarterback Trinidad Chambliss says he doesn’t agree with comments first-year LSU coach Lane Kiffin made last month that Ole Miss’ past embrace of Confederate symbols made recruiting Black players more difficult. Kiffin, who coached Ole Miss from 2020 to 2025, was featured in a Vanity Fair magazine article in which he described prospective recruits telling him that their grandparents wouldn’t let them move to Oxford, Mississippi. Chambliss says people in Oxford have shown him “nothing but love” and that members of the Ole Miss community ”care about their people no matter what they look like.”

WORDS: 506 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 6:09 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:6158683a3c0a129ca7c0b458ec30e8f4&mediaType=text

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BKN--KNICKS-ALVARADO

Jose Alvarado will return to the Knicks on a multiyear deal, AP source says

SUMMARY: A person with knowledge of the deal says Jose Alvarado will return to the New York Knicks on a multiyear contract. Alvarado declined his player option for next season and is working with the Knicks on a three-year deal, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because a contract is not yet finalized. ESPN first reported the plan, saying Alvarado would make more than $14 million with the new deal. The guard was acquired from New Orleans during the season and had a player option for $4.5 million for next season.

WORDS: 212 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 6:04 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:f28f2bc9af46a3b9b940a28ba8e01c1d&mediaType=text

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BKN--PISTONS-THUNDER TRADE

Thunder sending 3-point shooter Isaiah Joe to Pistons for draft picks, AP source says

SUMMARY: Oklahoma City is further reducing its potential luxury tax bill for next season by agreeing to trade elite 3-point shooter Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons for two second-round draft picks, according to person with knowledge of the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal is still pending the required approvals from the league office. Joe made 681 3-pointers over the last four regular seasons with the Thunder. He did that while playing almost exclusively off the bench and averaging just 20 minutes per game.

WORDS: 263 - MOVED: 06/26/2026 4:24 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7064f6d95994164cd0a9e51c172eceb4&mediaType=text

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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 1:49 p.m. EDT

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