Mauricio Pochettino has included Gio Reyna in the United States squad for the 2026 World Cup, while midfielder Diego Luna is among the notable absentees.
The national team head coach will officially unveil his 26-player roster for the co-hosted tournament at a scheduled event in New York City on Tuesday.
Reyna secures his place despite enduring a challenging club season in the German Bundesliga.
The attacking playmaker has frequently been utilised as a substitute for Borussia Monchengladbach and has not completed a full 90-minute league match in four years.
Notable omissions and surprise inclusions
Luna represents a surprising exclusion after establishing himself as a regular feature under the current management.
The Real Salt Lake midfielder had earned 18 appearances since his 2024 debut, contributing four goals and four assists to the national setup.
His uncapped club team-mate Zavier Gozo has also failed to make the final cut, alongside Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann.
Tessmann previously featured in both of the nation’s most recent friendly matches against Belgium and Portugal in March.
Conversely, Club America winger Alejandro Zendejas has earned a place in the squad, rewarding his impressive domestic form in Mexico.
Overcoming past controversies and injury doubts
Reyna’s selection marks a significant turnaround following a highly publicised dispute with the previous coaching staff at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
The former Borussia Dortmund talent was nearly sent home by former manager Gregg Berhalter over training standards, sparking an investigation that briefly threatened his international future.
Berhalter’s son, Sebastian, has been selected for the current squad following a strong campaign with MLS Cup finalists Vancouver Whitecaps.
In defence, Crystal Palace centre-back Chris Richards has been named in the provisional group despite suffering a recent ankle ligament tear.
Sources indicate the Premier League defender’s readiness for the upcoming tournament is not in doubt.
Goalkeeping battles and upcoming deadlines
New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese and Chicago Fire stopper Chris Brady have both been named among the goalkeeping options.
Freese is anticipated to challenge New England Revolution veteran Matt Turner for the starting position between the posts.
The squad also features European-based duo Brenden Aaronson of Leeds United and Toulouse defender Mark McKenzie.
The final list of players must be officially submitted to world governing body Fifa by 1 June.
The host nation will commence their tournament campaign against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on 12 June.
Middlesbrough have missed an unprecedented third chance to secure Premier League promotion in the same season following an injury-time play-off final defeat by Hull City at Wembley.
The Teessiders’ hopes of ending a nine-year top-flight exile were extinguished when Oli McBurnie struck a dramatic late winner.
Hull’s decisive goal came after goalkeeper Sol Brynn could only parry a cross into the path of the waiting striker.
It marks the devastating conclusion to an extraordinary month that saw the club handed a surprise reprieve amid the Southampton ‘Spygate’ scandal.
A month of unprecedented drama
Most Championship sides are granted a maximum of two avenues to promotion, either via an automatic spot or the traditional play-off route.
Kim Hellberg’s squad initially saw their top-two ambitions thwarted on the final day of the regular campaign following a costly draw at Wrexham.
They were subsequently defeated by Southampton over two legs in the semi-finals, losing deep into extra time at St Mary’s.
However, an independent panel dramatically expelled the Saints after staff member Will Salt was caught attempting to record a training session at Rockliffe Park.
Spygate reprieve ends in Wembley agony
That unprecedented ruling reinstated the North Yorkshire outfit directly into the Wembley showpiece against the Tigers.
Despite being handed a remarkable lifeline, the team could not capitalise on their unexpected return to the national stadium.
The Boro head coach summed up the mood following a frantic fortnight of appeals and reinstatements.
“It has been a rollercoaster of emotions,” Hellberg admitted.
Dominant campaign ends in despair
The heart-breaking finale is particularly bitter given the club spent 35 of the 46 matchdays occupying an automatic promotion spot.
They had even surged to the summit of the table in early February following a sparkling run of six consecutive victories.
Now, the Riverside Stadium faithful must face another demanding season in the second tier as the fallout from an astonishing May continues to reverberate.
Newcastle United have been given the green light to sign Juventus striker Jonathan David on a summer loan deal as manager Eddie Howe looks to rebuild his squad.
The Magpies are planning a significant summer overhaul after missing out on European football this season.
Howe is determined to add extra firepower to his forward line following a difficult domestic campaign.
Recent attacking arrivals Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade have struggled to adapt, prompting the Tyneside club to re-enter the transfer market.
Struggles in Serie A
David arrived in Turin on a free transfer from Lille last summer but has failed to replicate his explosive French league form.
The Canadian international has managed just eight goals and five assists across 45 appearances in all competitions for the Serie A giants.
His lack of impact has led Juventus to sanction a temporary departure, with intermediaries contacting Newcastle over a potential switch to the Premier League.
Juventus reshuffle opens door
The Italian club’s desire to secure a deal for Paris St-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani has pushed the 24-year-old further toward the exit door.
Furthermore, Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic is reportedly close to agreeing a contract extension at the Allianz Stadium.
This leaves the former Lille talisman facing limited playing time in Italy, making a move to England an appealing prospect.
The forward is understood to be open to the switch, having previously outlined his ambition to play in the English top flight.
A calculated summer gamble
Newcastle are currently evaluating multiple offensive options ahead of the transfer window opening.
Their need for reinforcements could be accelerated by the potential departure of Anthony Gordon, who is attracting strong interest from Bayern Munich.
While acquiring a striker low on confidence represents a gamble, securing a loan agreement minimises the financial risk for the Premier League side.
It provides a short-term solution to an unexpected attacking dilemma, allowing Howe to strengthen his squad without committing to another long-term contract.
American Emma Navarro has claimed her first title in over a year by defeating top seed Victoria Mboko 6-0 5-7 6-2 at the Strasbourg Open.
The 25-year-old former world number eight produced a superb performance to overcome her teenage Canadian opponent and secure her third career WTA trophy.
It also marks a maiden tournament victory on clay for the American.
Having recently struggled with illness that forced her withdrawal from several events, this triumph provides a timely boost before the French Open begins on Sunday.
Navarro, who started the week ranked 39th in the world, expressed relief at her return to the winner’s circle.
“It’s kind of been a little bit of a rocky year and a half or so, but I think we put in a lot of really good work,” she said.
Tien and Buse claim dramatic ATP victories
Elsewhere, there was further success for the United States at the Geneva Open as Learner Tien secured the second ATP title of his career.
The 20-year-old fought back to beat Argentina’s Mariano Navone 3-6 6-3 7-5 in a gripping final.
However, Tommy Paul was unable to make it an American hat-trick of weekend titles after suffering a shock defeat in the Hamburg Open final.
Peruvian qualifier Ignacio Buse stunned the sixth seed 7-6 (8-6) 4-6 6-3 following a gruelling battle that lasted more than three hours.
The historic victory means Buse becomes the first player from Peru to win an ATP Tour title since Luis Horna triumphed at Vina del Mar in 2007.
Marcinko secures maiden WTA crown
On the WTA Tour, Croatia’s Petra Marcinko celebrated the first senior title of her career at the Morocco Open.
The world number 76 was leading 6-2 3-0 after just 46 minutes when Ukrainian opponent Anhelina Kalinina was forced to retire from the contest.
Newcastle United full-back Lewis Hall is considering his future at St James’ Park following his unexpected omission from the England World Cup squad.
The 21-year-old has been left deeply frustrated by a recent lack of game time under manager Eddie Howe.
Sources indicate the former Chelsea academy product feels he had performed well enough to secure a place on the plane to America this summer.
That disappointment was compounded when veteran team-mate Dan Burn was selected by national team boss Thomas Tuchel instead.
Growing frustration on Tyneside
The highly-rated defender views himself as one of the standout young English players in his position.
His impressive performances earlier in the campaign earned him a nomination for the Premier League Young Player of the Season award.
However, the technically gifted youngster has increasingly found himself watching from the sidelines during crucial recent fixtures.
Sunday’s final domestic game against Fulham could now carry added significance as uncertainty swirls around his long-term plans.
Manchester United monitor situation
The Magpies are not actively looking to sell a player they currently have under contract until 2029.
Any potential departure would require a significant fee, with the North East club reportedly valuing him at around £70m.
Manchester United have maintained a long-standing interest in the versatile defender.
While no formal approach has been made by the Old Trafford hierarchy, the current situation presents a potential summer transfer opportunity.
Summer of upheaval expected
If a move does materialise, the player remains determined to continue his career in the English top flight.
He has no desire to move abroad at this crucial stage of his development and would prefer to avoid a return to London.
His potential exit could form part of a broader summer rebuild for Newcastle.
The club is bracing for major squad changes, with key figures Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali also linked with lucrative moves away.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is set to remain at Anfield despite recent transfer interest from Juventus.
The Merseyside club recently triggered a 12-month extension in the Brazilian’s contract, securing his services until the summer of 2027.
Speculation had mounted regarding a potential return to Italy, with reports suggesting the Serie A giants were prepared to offer a lucrative long-term deal.
“All indications are that he will stay at Liverpool, he is very happy at the club,” a source close to the player told WinWin.
Slot prepares for major Anfield rebuild
Head coach Arne Slot is already preparing for a significant summer overhaul following a challenging domestic campaign.
Stalwarts Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson are confirmed to be leaving on free transfers, creating a critical need for defensive continuity.
Retaining an experienced leader will be vital for the Dutch manager as he navigates this sweeping transitional period in the Premier League.
Future succession plans already in motion
While the immediate future of their current number one appears secure, the Reds have already taken steps to address his eventual departure.
Georgian international Giorgi Mamardashvili was signed previously to acclimatise to English football before eventually taking over the starting role.
Keeping their world-class shot-stopper for another season prevents a rushed integration of new recruits and provides much-needed stability during a volatile window.
Bordeaux have defeated Leinster 41-19 at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao to win the Investec Champions Cup, extending the Irish province’s agonising run of final heartbreak.
Leo Cullen’s side suffered their fifth final defeat since their last European triumph in 2018, falling once again to formidable French opposition.
A disastrous first half saw the four-time winners fall 35-7 behind as the Top 14 outfit ran riot in the sweltering Spanish heat.
The bitter result means Leinster’s elusive pursuit of a record-equalling fifth European star continues for another gruelling season.
Bielle-Biarrey and Lucu inspire French rout
France international Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored two thrilling tries to spearhead a relentless attack before the interval.
The electric winger was orchestrated brilliantly by scrum-half Maxime Lucu, who claimed the player of the match award following a masterclass in game management.
Tommy O’Brien had initially given the Irish outfit a promising start by touching down in the right corner following a sweeping forward move.
However, the French heavyweights responded swiftly as Lucu sniped through the middle and Pablo Uberti finished a clinical strike move off a scrum.
Leinster defensive frailties exposed
The Dublin-based province found themselves constantly on the ropes, starved of possession and absorbing relentless waves of attack.
Bielle-Biarrey then took centre stage, showcasing dazzling footwork to exploit numerical mismatches before capitalising on a Matthieu Jalibert kick.
A Yoram Moefana interception try in first-half overtime compounded the misery for the beleaguered Celtic League giants.
The one-sided dominance in Bilbao mirrored events from the previous evening, where Ulster were comprehensively beaten by Montpellier in the Challenge Cup final.
Second-half resurgence falls short
Play resumed with a temporary lifeline for the trailing side as Bordeaux captain Lucu received a 10-minute suspension for pulling Joe McCarthy’s hair.
The towering lock immediately punished the indiscretion by diving over from close range to offer a brief glimmer of hope.
Garry Ringrose also crossed the whitewash to add a third try, but the runaway leaders had already established an unassailable advantage.
Lucu returned to the field to slot two decisive second-half penalties, ruthlessly extinguishing any prospect of a miraculous late comeback.
Former Formula 1 driver Mika Salo has been hospitalised with a deep leg wound after suffering a suspected knife attack by a passing moped rider while on holiday in Thailand.
The Finnish ex-racer was crossing a pedestrian intersection in the Thai capital on Tuesday when he felt a sudden impact from a passing scooter.
Unaware of the severity of the strike, the 109-race motorsport veteran only realised he had been injured when a bystander pointed out his heavy bleeding.
“I looked down and saw that my shoe was completely covered in blood.”
Mika Salo
Deep gash requires hospital treatment
A local taxi driver rushed the Scandinavian to a nearby hospital after he discovered a severe gash on his calf.
Medical professionals treating the wound concluded that the clean, straight cut was highly likely to have been inflicted by a sharp blade.
Staff at the medical facility subsequently informed the former Ferrari stand-in that several other individuals had been admitted that evening with similar injuries.
The unidentified moped rider is believed to have embarked on a random stabbing rampage across the city.
Recovery and ruined holiday plans
Salo famously stepped up to drive for Ferrari during the 1999 season when he replaced Michael Schumacher following the German’s leg-breaking crash at Silverstone.
Now dealing with his own serious leg trauma, the 57-year-old has been placed on a strict course of antibiotics but currently requires no pain medication.
Medical advice dictates that the wound must remain completely dry to prevent infection in the heavily humid Asian climate.
“It’s a shame. You can’t swim or really do anything. You spend quite a lot of time in the hotel room.”
Mika Salo
Refusing to live in fear
Despite the distressing nature of the random assault, the racing veteran insists he will not let the incident ruin his perspective on the city.
He considers himself fortunate that the attacker only targeted his lower body rather than striking a more vulnerable area.
“If they had wanted to do more damage, of course they would have tried to hit someone’s upper body. Then maybe I wouldn’t say much here.”
Mika Salo