FOX SPORTS – General Sports | Sports & Recreation

France – the current FIFA World Cup favorites – have been the center of discussion when it comes to the game of soccer, and it became an impressive statistic in the tournament. 54 players come from the suburbs of Paris – enough to roster two full World Cup squads – and France is the birthplace of 98 players in the World Cup, which makes up 7.9% of players. France is in a group stage with Iraq, Senegal and Norway and are looking to make another run at a World Cup trophy after their 2022 loss to Argentina. Headlined by stars Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, France's talent stems beyond their national team. The country is also home to players like Spain's Aymeric Laporte and Algeria's Riyad Mahrez.  Algeria even has goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of French 1998 World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane, on its squad. One of France's most decorated players includes FOX Sports analyst Thierry Henry, who's appeared in four World Cups, as well as their 1998 win as their top-goal scorer. A product of the Paris suburbs himself, Henry weighed in what it means to watch his hometown represent multiple teams at the World Cup and how players learned their foundational skills on the streets. "I'm going to be extra proud with that one because… do you know what it means to us that I'm from the south of Paris? Obviously, the impact, the street culture, the way we are in Paris. You learn how to protect the ball, skills. We challenge each other…" Henry said ahead of France's World Cup opener. "Playing on concrete, learning how to protect the ball, that demeanor that you have, that French demeanor when you arrive on the field, especially from the suburbs of Paris, we have that demeanor. It is a thing." FOX Sports' Zlatan Ibrahimović spent four years in Paris playing for Paris Saint-Germain, and attested to the mass talent that the city and the country produce. "I mean, I'm just impressed. The waves of talent they produce and like, like, Thierry said, they're street ballers," Ibrahimović said. "They bring that to the pitch, and it's acceptable... And imagine the players that didn't make it to the World Cup. They could also be in the World Cup and dominate in the World Cup." [TheTopNews] Read More.

U.S. men's national team captain Tim Ream has accumulated more than 80 caps at the international level. Yet at age 38, he's helping to maximize a new challenge. An up-tempo, high-press system. "This style," Ream said while appearing on FOX Sports' "The Herd" on Tuesday, "it's fun to play. It's enjoyable, but it's harder than any style or system that I've ever played. But when it works, when you see what Friday brought, it is so enjoyable to be a part of." USA's 4-1 victory against Paraguay on Friday at Los Angeles Stadium was a result of a high-risk, high-reward system paying off. And paying off because of a wild card that the U.S. has struggled to find, in consistency. A creative and clinical striker, Folarin Balogun. "Flo is a natural striker," Ream said. "He's one of those guys that — you saw it on the second goal — loves getting in, and darting behind defenders and getting the ball in front of him and being able to take guys on. But he's also out of this dimension of being able to hold the ball up and bring other players in. And now you find this connection." Before the 2026 FIFA World Cup started, Ream emphasized that Balogun put in the effort to make a connection with the midfielders behind him — Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman and others. "It's a lot of things that are done not in front of the camera that people don't see," Ream explained. "Conversations and extra touches, extra drills." That time together, away from the heat of competition leads to slotting away the chances that present themselves, and — even more crucially to this system — it leads to trust. Each attacker is assured their teammate will press if they lose the ball, giving them the confidence to take risks and make mistakes. Balogun found himself on the receiving end of that collective courage, as he scored two goals on Friday off his own skill but also sublime setups from teammates. The first was a low cross from Pulisic that landed right at Balogun's foot for a one-time finish. The second was a through ball from Tillman that reached Balogun in stride, giving him the momentum to skirt around defenders and create the angle for a shot. Finishing those chances awarded the aggression the U.S. put forth to winning the ball back in… [TheTopNews] Read More.

The NFL offseason is still in full swing. The bulk of free agency has come and gone, with many of the top players available finding homes, and the NFL Draft is in the rearview, as well. There are still some notable free agents out there who have yet to be signed, however, and others might be on the move. Here's the latest look at some of the most notable rumors around the NFL. [2026 NFL Free Agency: Top 100 Players Available and Potential Fits] June 16 George Pickens is not only back with the Dallas Cowboys for mandatory minicamp, but he's also prepared to play for America's Team this season. Pickens confirmed to reporters that he'll play on the franchise tag for the 2026 season. "What’s important to me is winning," Pickens said. "Like I said from the beginning, I always wanna bring a Super Bowl to a group of guys that never had that feeling. That’s really the most important part to me." The Pro Bowl wide receiver skipped the voluntary portion of the offseason after receiving the franchise tag. But Pickens' presence was expected once he signed the $27.3 million franchise tag and became subject to fines for missing the three-day minicamp that started Tuesday or training camp that opens next month in California. Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Pickens would be limited in on-field work at the team's practice facility. He said that wouldn't necessarily mean Pickens would need time to ramp up when camp starts in late July. "Fired up to have him back. He’s fired up to be here," Schottenheimer said. "He’ll do all the mock. He’ll do all the individual. We’ll just keep him out of team. Just let him watch. He’ll be Coach Pickens today." Pickens waited two months before signing the one-year contract that’s worth three times what the 25-year-old earned on his four-year rookie contract. Pickens told the Cowboys before the draft in April that he intended to sign the franchise tag, prompting speculation that Dallas might try to trade him. The Cowboys made it clear they had no such plans. He signed the tag about a week later. Acquired last year in a trade with Pittsburgh, Pickens thrived alongside CeeDee Lamb, finishing with career highs in catches (93), yards receiving (1,429) and touchdowns (nine) for one of the best offenses in the NFL last season. Lamb is going into the second… [TheTopNews] Read More.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. The Skrill promo lets fans join the excitement of soccer's biggest tournament and claim a $10 bonus, adding a simple entry point into how modern fans manage their betting funds during the tournament. Skrill is a digital wallet built for faster deposits, quicker withdrawals, and easier money management across betting platforms, helping users stay connected to the action without repeated card entry or delays. France has already started its World Cup campaign against Senegal. Later today, Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina face Algeria and Erling Haaland leads Norway against Iraq. Skrill makes it easier to move quickly as the drama unfolds. Join Skrill today and claim your $10 bonus to stay ready for every moment of the tournament. France vs. Senegal Players to Watch on France Kylian Mbappé remains the centerpiece of France's squad after captaining the team following the 2022 World Cup. The 2018 World Cup winner claimed the Golden Boot in 2022 with eight goals, including a hat trick in the final, and enters 2026 needing just five goals to surpass Miroslav Klose's record of 16 career World Cup goals. Ousmane Dembélé is coming off a sensational run with Paris Saint-Germain, winning the Ballon d'Or in 2025 after helping PSG capture the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France titles. William Saliba has emerged as a cornerstone of France's defense since debuting in 2022. The Arsenal center back has featured at the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024 while establishing himself as one of the national team's most trusted defenders. Argentina vs. Algeria How to Watch Players to Watch on Argentina Does Lionel Messi have another magical run for his nation? Messi still has game-changing abilities and experience of how to win. Lautaro Martínez is expected to lead the attack, while Julián Álvarez provides versatility and creativity across the frontline. In midfield, Rodrigo De Paul serves as the team's engine with his energy, ball progression, and leadership in big moments. Emiliano Martínez remains one of the world's top goalkeepers, renowned for his performances under pressure and his ability to excel in penalty shootouts. Iraq vs. Norway How to Watch Players to Watch on Norway Erling Haaland is Norway's biggest star and one of the… [TheTopNews] Read More.

Kylian Mbappé has taken the international stage by storm, scoring 12 FIFA World Cup goals in just 14 matches and establishing himself as one of the greatest World Cup scorers of his generation. Now, at just 27 years old, Mbappé is only five goals away from surpassing the all-time World Cup scoring record. Follow along as we track Mbappé's road to 17 goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Mbappé at 2026 World Cup: 0 Goals France World Cup Schedule Mbappé enters the 2026 World Cup on the heels of a tumultuous sophomore season with Real Madrid, in which he finished yet another season without a trophy. However, he still managed to be the top goalscorer in La Liga, and is the betting favorite to end the tournament with the most individual goals with +550 odds. FIFA Men's World Cup All-Time Top Goalscorers Sitting in sixth place in all-time World Cup goals, the five players ahead of Mbappé are some legitimate legends. At the top of the heap is Germany's Miroslav Klose, who helped his team win the 2014 World Cup. That was his fourth and final appearance at the tournament. Mbappé at 2022 World Cup: 8 Goals At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Mbappé had a remarkable tournament, scoring eight goals to win the Golden Boot. His tournament included a historic hat-trick in the final against Argentina, making him the first player to score three goals in a World Cup final since 1966. Nonetheless, Mbappé and France came up short against Argentina, losing on penalties. Mbappé at 2018 World Cup: 4 Goals At the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Mbappé broke onto the international scene, scoring four goals as a 19-year-old and playing a key role in France’s championship run. During that campaign, he became only the second teenager to score in a World Cup final when he found the net in France's 4-2 victory over Croatia in 2018. [TheTopNews] Read More.