Spain’s World Cup champions return home for royal welcome and parade in front of almost 2 million
MADRID (AP) — Spain’s World Cup-winning soccer team has returned home to an estimated crowd of almost 2 million. The 26 players and their coaching staff met with the country’s royals and then with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez after arriving in the Spanish capital a day after beating Argentina 1-0 in the final in New Jersey. The team then boarded an open-top bus for a raucous parade through central Madrid. “Stars shine together” was written on the bus, which also carried photos of the footballers. Players danced and interacted with the fans along the route.
Best moments of the 2026 World Cup
The World Cup produced hundreds of spectacular moments and The Associated Press covered all 104 games over 39 days in the United States, Canada and Mexico from every angle.
Could the SEC really break away? Commish says conversations are real but that's not what they want
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey says the SEC is having serious talks about breaking away from the NCAA. On Monday, Sankey explained that school presidents are frustrated and considering significant changes. However, he emphasized that this isn't their preferred solution. The SEC is dealing with issues like Congressional legislation, new eligibility rules, and transparency around player payments. Despite these challenges, Sankey highlighted the league's 13 national championships last season as a reason to stay within the current framework. He believes there's value in participating in a national organization.
The Red Sox have won 14 straight and need 1 more to match an 80-year-old franchise record
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox have won 14 straight games. With one more victory, they would match the franchise record set by the 1946 club led by Ted Williams. Caleb Durbin hit a tiebreaking homer over the Green Monster with two outs in the eighth inning, and the Red Sox extended the second-longest winning streak in club history to 14 games, beating the Baltimore Orioles 6-5 on Monday night. Durbin connected on a 1-0 cutter from Tyler Wells, setting off a celebration by his teammates in front of Boston’s dugout. Boston was 37-48 when the streak began and is now in position for a wild-card playoff berth.
Brewers remaining careful with Misiorowski as he returns from layoff
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy says the Brewers want to monitor Jacob Misiorowski’s workload coming out of the All-Star break. The first example of that came Monday night. Misiorowski worked just four innings in an 8-3 victory over the New York Mets that marked his first appearance since pitching seven innings in a July 7 victory at St. Louis. The Brewers scratched Misiorowski from a scheduled July 12 start in Pittsburgh due to arm fatigue. He didn’t pitch in the All-Star Game last week despite getting selected to the team for a second straight year.
Ryan Fox and his long and amazing road to British Open champion
SOUTHPORT, England (AP) — Ryan Fox didn't turn pro until he was in his 20s and nearly quit as he was getting started. That's why he had such a hard time grasping his British Open title that made him a major champion. Fox made a 12-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a one-shot victory over Cameron Young at Royal Birkdale. He won on a wild day in which four players had a share of the lead at one point and Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood were on the edges of contention. Fox is the oldest first-time major champion in 10 years.
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel agrees to buyout after probe, will step down at end of 2026
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The University of Michigan and athletic director Warde Manuel have agreed to a buyout of the remaining years on his contract and he will step down at the end of the year. The decision culminates a decade-long run with four national championships and a string of scandals. The school says the decision was tied to investigations into former football coach Sherrone Moore’s relationship with his executive assistant and a probe into the athletic department’s culture. Manuel led a department behind this year’s men’s basketball title and a football program that won the 2023 national championship.
Dodgers say two-way star Shohei Ohtani is expected to pitch off a mound later this week
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is expected to pitch off a mound sometime later this week, but there is no timetable for his return to the rotation. The four-time MVP last pitched on July 3. He received a lubricant injection in his balky left knee, which does not bother him while batting. Manager Dave Roberts said the injection, bypassing the All-Star game and skipping the scheduled start is not because the issue is worsening. Rather, that it has “not gotten better.” Roberts indicated that Ohtani would try to throw off the mound later this week, saying it could happen on Thursday or Friday.
Power surge: Guardians hit 7 homers against Twins, 1 short of franchise record
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Guardians hit seven home runs against the Minnesota Twins on Monday night, one short of the franchise record and matching the record for a home game. It was an unlikely power surge for the Guardians, who came into the game tied with Tampa Bay for the third-fewest homers in the majors with 94. Petey Halpin and Rhys Hoskins each went deep twice. It is the sixth time in the franchise’s 125 seasons they have gone deep at least seven times in a game. Cleveland hit eight home runs at Milwaukee on April 25, 1997, and at Seattle on July 16, 2004.
WNBA All-Star weekend clouded by injuries to Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese
NEW YORK (AP) — It was a rough week for WNBA All-Stars heading into the game this weekend. Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese both were injured Sunday. Bueckers had a rough collision with Nneka Ogwumike in the fourth quarter of Dallas’ game against Los Angeles. The second-year star guard won’t play Monday night against New York. Reese’s knee buckled as she jump-stopped at the basket. She fell to the ground. Reese got up quickly, but went down again after a few seconds. She went back to the bench but didn’t return. The Dream are off now through the All-Star break and Reese was voted a reserve for the team by the league’s coaches.
