Jozy Altidore, now a broadcaster, is bullish on the U.S. making a deep World Cup run

• Montreal is preparing for a high-profile sports calendar in 2026, featuring major teams like the Canadiens, Alouettes, and CF Montréal. • A centerpiece of the city's athletic schedule is the National Bank Open presented by Rogers, a prestigious tennis tournament held simultaneously in Montréal and Toronto.

• Sports Illustrated's Peter Dewey has released his expert betting analysis and top picks for Game 1 of the NBA Finals. • The championship series features a matchup between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.

• The Athletic is providing comprehensive live coverage of major sporting events this week, including the NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup Final, and the French Open finals. • A key highlight of the tennis coverage is the fourth-round women's singles matchup between top seed Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka.

• The San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks are set to face each other in the 2026 NBA Finals. • A comprehensive guide has been released providing fans with essential game dates, start times, and live streaming options.

• ESPN has provided a recap of major soccer storylines and developments that have occurred since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. • A primary focus is the leadership of Brazil's new coach, Carlo Ancelotti, a five-time Champions League winner known for his tactical expertise and distinct sideline habits.

• An analysis by The Athletic identifies five teams—Spain, France, Argentina, Germany, and the Netherlands—as the most likely winners of the 2026 World Cup based on historical trends. • Spain and France are currently the top betting favorites, while Argentina enters as the defending champion and Germany is noted for its ability to win across different eras.

• National teams are playing a series of warm-up friendly fixtures to prepare for the 2026 World Cup. • Notable results include Brazil's dominant 6-2 victory over Panama, Germany's 4-0 win against Finland, and South Korea's 5-0 defeat of Trinidad and Tobago.

• Liverpool have entered talks with Andoni Iraola, who has reportedly agreed to a two-year deal to replace manager Arne Slot following Slot's dismissal last weekend. • Young talent Rio Ngumoha joined England's senior squad in Florida on Tuesday to train under Thomas Tuchel.

• An eight-month investigation by The Athletic reveals that match-fixing is a pervasive global crisis affecting "every sport in every continent." • The World Cup is identified as a high-risk target due to its status as the most-watched sporting event, attracting massive betting volumes from East Asia, Europe, and the U.S.

• The United States men's national soccer team is preparing for a critical 12-month period leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. • The team has scheduled two friendly matches to take place in late May and early June 2026 as final preparations for the tournament.

• Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly monitoring Marcus Rashford as potential targets for a move away from Manchester United. • Separately, Barcelona is considering Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane as a viable alternative if a deal for Atlético Madrid's Julián Álvarez fails.