Sports

By Emile Nuh, CNN (CNN) — Just over four years ago in May 2022, 10-year-old Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast Sasha Paskal and her mother, Maria, were enjoying some time together in the scenic seaside village of Zatoka in the Odesa region of southwestern Ukraine. It was a sunny day and they were getting ready to head

By Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN (CNN) — FIFA President Gianni Infantino is finding himself increasingly isolated as pressure and opposition build against the world soccer governing body’s plan to inject private money into its competitions. European soccer’s governing body UEFA threatened Thursday to boycott future men’s and women’s World Cups in reaction to the proposal.

By Dana O’Neil, CNN Chicago (CNN) — Tony Petitti chuckled at the question, clearly amused at its bluntness if not the essence of the query. “I was wondering, Tony,’’ the reporter asked the Big Ten commissioner at his annual football media day, “is it a little bit sad that y’all have had to turn college

By Thomas Schlachter, CNN (CNN) — Zinedine Zidane has been named as the new head coach of France for the next four years, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Tuesday. The 54-year-old will take over from longtime head coach Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after the 2026 World Cup, which ended in disappointment for

By Dana O’Neil, CNN Philadelphia (CNN) — There aren’t many days that Angelo Cataldi wishes he still had to go to work. For 30-plus years, Cataldi anchored Philadelphia’s morning sports talk radio show, his daily dose of unfiltered honesty giving voice to a fan base that could never be accused of being a little bit

By Reagan Yip, Amanda Davies, CNN (CNN) — When Tori Penso walked onto the field, her three daughters were with her – their names inscribed on her cleats as a reminder of what the occasion meant beyond the whistle. Weeks before her 40th birthday, Penso became the first American woman – and the second woman

By Jill Martin, Kyle Feldscher, CNN (CNN) — LeBron James has made what he says is his “last decision” and has chosen his next NBA team. After moving on from the Los Angeles Lakers, James announced Friday he has picked the Philadelphia 76ers as his landing spot. James, 41, will be entering his record-extending 24th

By Thomas Schlachter, CNN (CNN) — Jürgen Klopp has been named as head coach of Germany’s men’s national soccer team, the German Football Association announced Friday. Klopp has signed a four-year contract that will see him take charge of the squad through to the 2030 World Cup. He’ll be assisted by Peter Krawietz, Pep Lijnders

By Dana O’Neil, CNN Tampa, Florida (CNN) — Before each coach takes the stage for his press conference at SEC Football media days, Commissioner Greg Sankey steps to the microphone for a brief introduction. He runs through the coach’s bona fides and adds a non-football side note—who likes to play pickleball, or who recently went

CNN By Ben Church, CNN (CNN) — Note: This story first appeared in The Beautiful Game by CNN Sports, our daily newsletter on all things World Cup. While we’re saying goodbye for now, we will be back for the European domestic club season. See you then! And just like that, the 2026 World Cup is