European qualifying for the 2026 World Cup resumes this week, with 12 groups currently in progress. While 10 teams from other continents have already qualified alongside hosts Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., European spots remain undecided. Group winners will advance automatically, while runners-up and top Nations League performers will enter play-offs in March.

A key match in Group G features the Netherlands hosting Poland. The Dutch, with two wins and no goals conceded, are confident after recent victories over Finland and Malta. Poland, bolstered by the return of captain Robert Lewandowski after a dispute resolution, seeks to build on their decent qualifying start.

New Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso faces immediate pressure in his debut match against Estonia. Appointed after Luciano Spalletti's dismissal following a loss to Norway, Gattuso aims to prevent Italy from missing a third consecutive World Cup. The match may also feature the national team debut of new Liverpool signing Giovanni Leoni.

It’s time to slam the brakes on your domestic campaigns, as Europe’s road to the 2026 World Cup picks up again this week.

Five European World Cup qualifiers to watch

US President Donald Trump claims that his broad tariffs will create jobs, boost the American economy, and increase tax revenues for the US. However, experts warn that these tariffs could push exporters toward other countries like China and risk raising prices for American consumers.

Brazil, the world's largest coffee producer, faces a 50% US import tax, one of the highest tariffs imposed, making the US market less attractive for Brazilian exporters. This has led Brazilian coffee exporters to seek alternative buyers, particularly in China, due to its growing cafe culture and large market.

Supply chain specialist Hugo Portes describes China as a "shining light" for Brazil, noting that the tariffs are inadvertently strengthening trade ties with China. In July, over 180 Brazilian coffee firms registered to export to China, an unprecedented move that could open doors for more businesses in the Asian market.

Brazilian exporters are looking for new buyers for about 8 million bags of coffee beans annually sold to the US, as American importers pause orders to assess tariff impacts. Brazil has already signed a billion-dollar deal with China's Luckin Coffee, and companies like Daterra Coffee, represented by Fernanda Pizol, plan to diversify sales to China, Japan, and Europe, where demand is thriving.

For US coffee roasters, the tariffs could result in a 25% price increase for Brazilian beans in the coming months, according to coffee consultant Luke Waite, highlighting the potential negative effects on American consumers and businesses.

Agricultural brokers tell the BBC there has been a surge of interest from exporters in trade with China.

How Trump's tariffs are pushing food and drink exporters closer to China

Three Chargers players are highlighted as key figures to monitor in the upcoming game against the Chiefs, according to Chargers.com.

The team is reportedly enthusiastic about playing their season opener in Brazil, viewing it as an exciting opportunity, as detailed by Chargers.com.

Chargers Wire has announced the broadcasting team set to cover the Chargers-Chiefs matchup.

Bolt Beat explores the possibility of quarterback Justin Herbert participating in the 2028 Olympics.

ESPN shares insights from NFL insiders regarding expectations and rumors leading into Week 1 of the season.

Wide receiver Jauan Jennings of the 49ers has had $3 million in incentives added to his contract for this season, as reported by ESPN.

CBS Sports offers a primer for fans to get up to speed ahead of the 2025 NFL season opener.

There are concerns that Alijah Vera-Tucker may have suffered another significant injury, according to NFL.com.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow expressed confidence in his team's roster but emphasized the need to demonstrate their capabilities on the field, per Pro Football Talk.

Sports Illustrated identifies four under-the-radar rookies who have the potential to make a notable impact this season.

The Chargers are currently 3-point underdogs in their Friday game against the Chiefs in Brazil.

Your source for all Chargers and NFL news from around the web.

Chargers Daily Links: Thursday Open Thread

LeBron James expressed support for Caitlin Clark's recovery after she announced she would miss the remainder of the WNBA season due to injury. James commented on Clark's social media post with an encouraging message: "Minor setback for a MAJOR COMEBACK!! Rest up, get healthy and be YOU!"

Clark, a guard for the Indiana Fever, revealed on Thursday that she will not return this year after attempting to recover from a left groin injury sustained on July 15. Additionally, ESPN reported that she suffered a bone bruise on her left ankle during a workout in August.

In her own statement posted on X, Clark expressed disappointment, stating, "I spent hours in the gym every day with the singular goal of getting back out there." She thanked fans for their support, noting that their encouragement brought her joy and perspective during a frustrating time.

Clark played only 13 games in her sophomore WNBA season, averaging 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game.

Indiana Fever COO GM Amber Cox explained in a statement that despite Clark's hard work and efforts to recover, there wasn't enough time left in the season for a safe return. The organization emphasized that Clark's long-term health is their top priority and looks forward to her full recovery for the 2026 season.

LeBron James is already rooting for Caitlin Clark's WNBA comeback.

LeBron James’ heartfelt message to Caitlin Clark after her season ends with injury

Eight players have been nominated for the August 2025 EA SPORTS Premier League Player of the Month award, with fan voting open until 12:00 BST on September 8. The winner, determined by a combination of public votes and a panel of football experts, will be announced on September 12.

Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal) played 3 matches with 2 wins and 1 loss, scoring 1 goal and providing 2 assists. He scored the winning goal against Manchester United and contributed to a clean sheet, while also assisting twice in a 5-0 victory over Leeds United, playing a key defensive role for Arsenal.

Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) featured in 3 wins, scoring 2 goals and assisting 1. He made an immediate impact since joining Liverpool, scoring and assisting on his debut against Bournemouth and adding another goal in a win at Newcastle United.

Jack Grealish (Everton) played 3 matches with 2 wins and 1 loss, providing 4 assists—double any other player. He assisted both goals in Everton’s win over Brighton and set up two more in a 3-2 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) participated in 3 matches with 1 win and 2 draws, scoring 1 goal and contributing to 2 clean sheets. He was central to Palace’s unbeaten start, including a spectacular long-range goal in a 3-0 win against Aston Villa.

Erling Haaland (Manchester City) played 3 matches with 1 win and 2 losses, scoring 3 goals to lead the league’s scoring chart. He netted a double against Wolves and scored in a loss to Brighton.

Joao Pedro (Chelsea) featured in 3 matches with 2 wins and 1 draw, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists. He directly contributed to 4 goals, including a goal and two assists in a 5-1 win over West Ham and a headed goal against Fulham.

Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) played 3 matches with 2 wins and 1 loss, scoring 2 goals and assisting 1. He started strongly with a brace against Liverpool, including a sensational solo effort, and assisted the winner against Wolves.

Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) participated in 3 wins, scoring 1 goal. Playing out of position at right-back, he made key contributions, including a dummy leading to a stoppage-time winner against Newcastle and scoring a memorable free-kick against Arsenal, while also making 7 tackles.

Help decide which of these EIGHT players wins the first Premier League award of 2025/26

Pick your EA SPORTS Player of the Month

When the Toronto Raptors selected Scottie Barnes with the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the decision was met with some skepticism, as many expected the team to choose Jalen Suggs to fill the point guard role. Three years later, Barnes has not only silenced critics but has established himself as the cornerstone of the franchise, earning his first All-Star selection in 2024 thanks to his versatile two-way play, strong defense, playmaking, and expanding offensive skills.

Barnes has shown steady improvement offensively, averaging 19.3 points per game last season, just below his career high. While his three-point efficiency dipped slightly, he demonstrated greater comfort in isolation situations, attacking mismatches, running the offense as a point forward, and finishing through contact, making him the team's most reliable option in clutch moments. To elevate to superstar status, he needs to force opposing defenses to game plan specifically for him by consistently hitting jump shots, demanding double teams in the post, and creating opportunities for teammates through defensive rotations.

Defensively, Barnes embodies the Raptors' tradition of strong defense, using his size, length, and lateral quickness to guard all five positions effectively. He excels as a help defender, intelligently rotates, and disrupts passing lanes, often taking on the challenge of guarding the opponent's best player. Last season, he ranked in the top 12 for steals plus blocks per game, highlighting his impact as a defensive playmaker. Continuing to anchor the defense while increasing his offensive load will be key to his superstar potential.

Beyond his on-court performance, Barnes has embraced a leadership role, especially after the departures of veterans like Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet. Head coach Darko Rajaković has praised his work ethic and willingness to take ownership, and if Barnes can combine production with leadership, he could help transform the Raptors from a rebuilding team into a playoff contender. The Eastern Conference presents an opportunity for young stars to rise, and Barnes' path involves elevating his scoring to the mid-20s per game, maintaining elite defense, and leading Toronto to a top-six playoff seed.

The future of the Raptors heavily depends on Barnes' development. If he remains a strong All-Star, the team stays competitive; if he ascends to superstardom, he could become a franchise-altering player similar to Kawhi Leonard, potentially returning Toronto to championship contention. His journey from Rookie of the Year to potential superstar could be a defining storyline of the 2025-26 NBA season.

Scottie Barnes is one of the brightest young two-way players in the NBA, but the time has come for him to grow up and elevate the Raptors.

Can Scottie Barnes Make the Leap to NBA Stardom This Season?

Robert Lewandowski received a significant transfer offer from the Saudi Pro League this summer, following an outstanding individual season with Barcelona where he scored 27 goals in La Liga and 42 overall, just behind Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race. Despite being 37 years old, he has reached 101 goals in 147 appearances over three seasons at the club.

Despite ongoing speculation about his future due to his age, Lewandowski is under contract with Barcelona until June 2026, with an option for an additional year. He has publicly dismissed exit rumors, stating his commitment to remain with the team and focus on improving alongside Barcelona in the upcoming season.

Reports indicate that Lewandowski turned down a contract offer worth €100 million per season from Saudi Arabia. His agent, Pini Zahavi, confirmed that two clubs, Al Hilal and Al Nassr, approached him through an investment fund to gauge the player's interest, but Lewandowski expressed no immediate intention to leave, though the possibility may be reconsidered in 2026.

Looking ahead, Lewandowski plans to regain full fitness and continue competing for both Barcelona and the Polish national team. He aims to win more trophies with Barcelona in what could be his fourth and final season there and hopes to lead Poland to another World Cup if they qualify.

Robert Lewandowski was the subject of a huge Saudi Pro League transfer offer this summer according to a fresh report.

Two Saudi Pro League clubs named €100m Robert Lewandowski offer

The Philadelphia Eagles made a serious attempt to trade for Micah Parsons this summer, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. They contacted the Dallas Cowboys to negotiate a deal, but the Cowboys refused to trade the two-time All-Pro pass rusher, especially to their division rival.

After failing to agree on a long-term contract with Parsons, the Cowboys ultimately traded him to the Green Bay Packers last week. The Packers signed Parsons to a record-breaking four-year, $188 million deal, which includes $120 million fully guaranteed at signing and $136 million in total guarantees, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

Despite their intense rivalry, the Eagles and Cowboys have engaged in significant trades before, such as during the 2021 NFL draft when Philadelphia moved up to select wide receiver DeVonta Smith. Dallas then picked Parsons with the 12th selection. Acquiring Parsons would have significantly strengthened the Eagles' defense, which was already one of the league's best last season.

A trade to the Eagles would have also represented a homecoming for Parsons, who was born and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and was a college star at Penn State. However, despite his Pennsylvania roots, Parsons grew up as a Cowboys fan and always wanted to play for Dallas, according to his agent.

The Cowboys traded Parsons to the Packers in exchange for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and first-round picks in 2026 and 2027. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stated that the trade would improve the team's chances of success in the coming years. The Eagles and Cowboys are set to face each other in the NFL regular-season opener on Thursday night.

The Eagles made a strong push to trade for Micah Parsons this summer, league sources told ESPN.

Eagles tried to trade for Parsons, sources say

The Arkema Première Ligue resumes this weekend with the first matchday of the championship, featuring the women's team of Racing Club de Lens hosting Paris SG at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Saturday at 21:00.

According to L'Équipe, 8,000 tickets have already been sold for the match, with ticket sales still open online. Ticket prices are set at 3 euros for subscribers and 5 euros for non-subscribers in the popular stands, while entry is free for those under 16 years old, disabled persons, and wheelchair users.

RC Lens aims to reach 10,000 ticket sales, which could break the previous attendance record of 10,237 spectators set in April during a match against Metz in the Seconde Ligue, where Lens won 3-2.

News - Ce week-end, l'Arkema Première Ligue reprend ses droits avec la première journée de championnat. Pour l'occasion, l'équipe féminine du Racing Club de Lens

[Arkema Première Ligue] 8 000 billets vendus, vers l'objectif des 10 000 pour RC Lens - PSG

The Philadelphia 76ers are preparing for the 2025-26 NBA season with hopes of a bounce-back performance after a challenging previous year.

Key to their success will be improved health across the roster, particularly for star players Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey, who combined played only 18 games and finished just 15 in the last season. Injuries also affected the supporting cast.

Among those dealing with injuries was Andre Drummond, who was limited to 40 games due to a toe issue. The two-time All-Star is now back in the gym, working to return to the court and contribute to the team.

When healthy, Drummond remains a serviceable big man who can provide interior help and reliable backup support for Embiid. The Sixers' championship hopes for 2024-25 were dashed by injuries, making health a critical focus for the upcoming season.

Philadelphia 76ers big man Andre Drummond is back in the gym preparing for the upcoming season.

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