The Penn Relay Carnival returns to Philadelphia for its 130th edition this week. Over three packed days, tens of thousands of spectators will fill historic Franklin Field. Athletes from middle school to masters level will compete for glory. This is one of the most storied events in all of American athletics.

The University of Pennsylvania has hosted this meet every year since 1895. It stands as the oldest and largest track and field competition in the United States. Organizers expect upwards of 15,000 athletes and 110,000 spectators across all three days. West Philadelphia will transform into a global stage once again.

A History That Spans Generations

The Penn Relays first took place on April 20, 1895, at Franklin Field. That inaugural meet established the very first college relay carnival in history. The event has since endured two world wars and multiple global financial crises. It has spanned nearly two dozen presidential terms, from Grover Cleveland to Donald Trump.

Penn itself holds a proud place in the meet’s record books. The Quakers have claimed 57 men’s Championship of America titles between 1896 and 2016. That total places Penn second all-time in that prestigious category. Few programs can match that level of sustained excellence at a single event.

The 130th edition carries the full weight of that remarkable legacy. More than a century of competition has built something truly irreplaceable in American sport. Athletes and fans return year after year to be part of that history. The 2026 edition promises to honour every chapter of that story.

Scale and Scope of the 2026 Meet

This year’s competition features a staggering 314 events across three days. Athletes will compete in relay races, individual track events, and field disciplines. The field of competitors spans from elementary school students to runners older than 70. Few sporting events in the world can claim such diversity of participation.

Penn’s own Quakers will send 74 athletes to compete at this year’s meet. College teams from all three NCAA divisions will take part in the action. NAIA programs and junior colleges also feature among the college entries. Major conferences represented include the Big Ten, the Atlantic Coast, and the Ivy League.

High school participation adds another extraordinary layer to the meet. More than a thousand high school programs from across the country are expected to compete. Special Olympics athletes also join the competition, reflecting the meet’s inclusive spirit. The 2026 field is as deep and diverse as any in the event’s long history.

Franklin Field: A Venue Like No Other

The Penn Relays call Franklin Field home, and that venue is iconic in its own right. The stadium holds 52,593 seats and sits on Penn’s campus in West Philadelphia. It carries the distinction of being the oldest college football stadium in the entire country. No other venue could provide a more fitting backdrop for this historic meet.

Spectators attending the event should familiarise themselves with the stadium’s bag policy. Re-entry is not permitted at Franklin Field during the Penn Relays. Bags must measure smaller than 16 inches by 16 inches by 8 inches to gain entry. Sealed plastic water bottles, blankets, and binoculars are all permitted inside.

Several items are strictly prohibited inside the stadium. These include umbrellas, coolers, glass bottles, cans, and firearms. Strollers, stainless steel water bottles, and noisemakers over one foot in length are also banned. Officials will subject all permitted items to a security search upon entry.

2026 Schedule: Three Days of Competition

The 130th Penn Relays run from Thursday, April 23, through Saturday, April 25, 2026. On Thursday and Friday, events begin at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. Saturday’s programme starts earlier, with competition getting underway at 7 a.m. The meet concludes on Saturday evening at 6 p.m.

Thursday kicks off with several high-profile college championship events in the evening. The College Women’s 400m Hurdles Championship goes off at 5:30 p.m. The College Men’s 400m Hurdles Championship follows at 5:50 p.m. Later Thursday evening features the women’s and men’s 10,000m championships.

High school athletes take centre stage early in the meet’s programme. The first running events feature high school girls 4×800 heats on Thursday morning. High school boys 4×800 heats begin on Friday morning. Field events open with a series of high school girls championships, including discus, shot put, and long jump.

Saturday’s America250 Day Finale

Saturday carries a special designation as America250 Day at the 2026 Penn Relays. The day opens with several 5K racewalks before the big championship events begin. College track and field championships headline the afternoon programme on the final day. It promises to be a fitting close to a landmark edition of the meet.

The full three-day schedule also includes the College Women’s and Men’s 1500m Championships on Thursday. The 3000m Steeplechase and 5000m Championships also take place on the opening evening. Each session runs from morning through to late evening on the first two days. Fans attending in person will find no shortage of world-class action.

How to Watch and Stream the 2026 Penn Relays

Television broadcasters will not carry the 2026 Penn Relays this year. Fans wishing to follow the action must stream the meet through FloTrack. The streaming platform will carry coverage throughout all three days of competition. Coverage runs from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time across the weekend.

Live competition takes place daily at Franklin Field on Penn’s Philadelphia campus. Thursday and Friday sessions run from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time. Saturday’s session concludes at 6 p.m. Eastern Time. Fans attending in person can expect a vibrant, electric atmosphere throughout the entire weekend.

The 130th Penn Relays represent a celebration of everything great about track and field. Over 100 years of competition have cemented this meet’s place in sporting history. From elementary school athletes to seasoned masters competitors, the event welcomes all. Philadelphia will once again prove why it hosts the world’s most recognised relay carnival.

The post Penn Relays 2026: Everything You Need to Know About the 130th Edition appeared first on The Daily Update.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially launched Steelers Country at Point State Park. The Steelers held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion. The 12,000-square-foot space serves as an interactive landing spot. It welcomes fans of all ages during the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Steelers have created a 12,000-square-foot interactive space that welcomes fans of all ages. This marks a landmark moment for the city and the NFL Draft. The space shares the traditions and history of Steelers Nation. It also gives fans a central place to gather throughout the event.

Dan Rooney, the Steelers Vice President of Business Development and Strategy, led the ceremony. He was joined by Steelers legend Charlie Batch. NFL Executive Vice President Peter O’Reilly also attended. Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor, Steelers Senior Vice President Ryan Huzjak, and Director of State Parks John Hallas completed the group.

Rooney expressed his enthusiasm for what the week means to the region. “Such an exciting week for our city, our region,” Rooney said. He described the moment as the realisation of a long-held vision. He added that he could not be happier for Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania.

Rooney Celebrates Steelers Nation at the Point

Rooney spoke directly about the importance of the fan base. He called Steelers Nation the best fans in the National Football League. He noted that the fan base is global and travels widely with the team. He urged fans to make Point State Park their home during the Draft.

“We want them to be at Point State Park at Steelers Country,” Rooney said. He described it as a great gathering for the fan base. Fans will experience the full flavour of Steelers Nation from across the world. Rooney said he could not be more excited for fans to celebrate at the Point.

Steelers Country offers a range of unique features for visitors. These include live broadcasts of Steelers programming. The space will also host question-and-answer sessions with players. The interactive setup aims to bring fans closer to the team and its history.

Charlie Batch, who grew up in the Pittsburgh area, also spoke at the event. He highlighted the deep impact the Steelers have on the city. His presence at the ribbon cutting added a personal and historical dimension. The Steelers legend reinforced the bond between the franchise and the community.

NFL Executive Praises Pittsburgh and the Draft Experience

NFL Executive Vice President Peter O’Reilly addressed the crowd with clear excitement. He called the Draft “a three-day free festival of football.” O’Reilly noted he has been part of the Draft since the NFL took it outside a theater. He said each year it grows and raises the standard.

O’Reilly pointed to the high bar that previous host cities have set. The NFL sets the bar higher with every city that hosts the event. He expressed full confidence that Pittsburgh and Steelers Nation would raise it further. He called the upcoming event “incredibly special” and “historic.”

“Come on down. Be a part of this thing. It’s going to be historic,” O’Reilly said. He also praised Steelers Country directly, calling the space amazing. His remarks reflected the NFL’s broader confidence in Pittsburgh as a host. The league clearly views this Draft as a major milestone.

The NFL moved the event away from its traditional New York theater format years ago. Pittsburgh now joins a growing list of cities that have hosted the outdoor Draft. The move to city-wide, open-air formats has expanded the event’s reach. It has also transformed the Draft into a major civic celebration.

Pittsburgh Proves Its Credentials as a Draft Host City

Pittsburgh brings a unique football identity to the Draft stage. The city boasts one of the most storied franchises in NFL history. The Steelers carry a legacy built across multiple Super Bowl championships. Hosting the Draft allows that legacy to take centre stage.

The entire football world now turns its attention to Pittsburgh. The city’s passion and football heritage make it a unique setting. Fans and officials both appear ready to deliver something extraordinary. The energy surrounding Steelers Country reflects that ambition clearly.

Point State Park provides a dramatic and iconic backdrop for the event. The park sits at the confluence of Pittsburgh’s three rivers. It gives the Draft a visually stunning and historically rich setting. The location adds to the city’s ability to host a world-class football celebration.

Steelers Country stands as the most visible symbol of Pittsburgh’s Draft ambitions. The fan space captures the pride and passion that define Steelers Nation. The Steelers have built something worthy of the city’s football heritage. The 2026 NFL Draft represents a defining moment for Pittsburgh as a football city.

Trade Talk Adds Intrigue Ahead of Draft Weekend

Away from the fan festivities, trade speculation is circulating around the Steelers. Reports suggest the team faces calls to pursue a trade for a former first-round quarterback. The identity and details of the potential deal remain unclear from available reports. Fan reaction to the idea has been largely sceptical and divided.

Some supporters pushed back firmly against the suggestion online. Others expressed curiosity about the team’s plans at the quarterback position. The Draft itself will likely answer several questions about Pittsburgh’s roster direction. The Steelers’ front office has not publicly confirmed any trade interest.

The trade discussion adds an extra layer of drama to an already exciting weekend. Pittsburgh fans will watch the Draft with both pride and anticipation. Steelers Country will serve as the hub for all of that emotion and energy. The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh promises to be a truly unforgettable event.

The post Pittsburgh Launches Steelers Country at Point State Park for 2026 NFL Draft appeared first on The Daily Update.

The Golden State Valkyries are wasting no time reshaping their roster for the 2026 season. The franchise made several significant moves in April, targeting continuity and new talent. These additions follow a historic inaugural year for the Bay Area club. The Valkyries are clearly aiming to build on their remarkable debut.

The team sold out all 22 regular-season home games last year. They also became the first expansion franchise in WNBA history to reach the playoffs. Guard Veronica Burton won the WNBA Most Improved Player award in a Valkyrie uniform. That level of early success created enormous expectations heading into Year Two.

Valkyries Sign Three-Time Champion Kiah Stokes

On April 13, the Valkyries signed center Kiah Stokes to a multi-year contract. Stokes, 33, brings three WNBA Championships to the Golden State roster. She stands 6-3 and averages 3.3 points and 5.4 rebounds across her 10-year WNBA career. Her career field goal percentage sits at an impressive 48.5 percent.

Stokes previously played under Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase in Las Vegas. The two won a pair of WNBA Championships together during that stint. Nakase served as an assistant coach with the Aces at the time. That existing relationship gives Golden State a clear advantage in integrating Stokes into the system.

Stokes also carries a decorated international resume. She won a EuroLeague championship and claimed two Turkish Cup titles. She also earned four Turkish Super League championships with Fenerbahçe. Her global experience adds significant depth and leadership to the Valkyries’ frontcourt.

All-Star Kayla Thornton Returns on New Deal

Also on April 13, the Valkyries re-signed forward Kayla Thornton to a one-year contract. Thornton, 33, made history last season as the first All-Star in Valkyries franchise history. She became only the seventh undrafted player in WNBA history to earn an All-Star selection. That achievement underscored her extraordinary rise through the league.

Thornton led Golden State in scoring with career highs of 14.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. She scored in double figures in 18 of her 22 games played. The Western Conference named her Player of the Week on June 17. Golden State originally selected her in the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft from the New York Liberty, where she won a championship.

Her return gives the Valkyries a proven, high-impact forward heading into the new season. Thornton’s scoring ability and rebounding provide coach Nakase with a reliable cornerstone. She is a 10-year veteran who now embraces a leadership role in the Bay Area. Keeping her was widely seen as a top priority for the front office.

Gabby Williams Joins From Seattle Storm

The Valkyries also added All-Star forward Gabby Williams in early free agency. Williams spent the last four seasons with the Seattle Storm before joining Golden State. She posted career highs across multiple statistical categories during the 2025 season. Her numbers included 11.6 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.3 steals per game.

Williams also shot a career-best 85.3 percent from the free throw line last year. Her versatility on both ends of the floor makes her a prized addition. The Valkyries now boast two All-Star forwards on their roster. Williams and Thornton together give Golden State one of the league’s most talented frontcourt combinations.

Kaila Charles Earns Multi-Year Extension

On April 12, the Valkyries re-signed guard Kaila Charles to a multi-year contract. Charles, 28, appeared in 18 games for Golden State last season. She started eight of those contests and averaged a career-high 7.4 points per game. She logged 19.3 minutes per contest during her time with the team.

Charles shot 46.3 percent from the floor, ranking third-best on the team. She scored in double figures five times in the final eight regular-season games. During that stretch, she twice tied her career high of 16 points in back-to-back games. Her late-season surge clearly convinced management to secure her long term.

Rookie Guard Justė Jocytė’s Contract Activated

The Valkyries also activated guard Justė Jocytė’s rookie scale contract on April 12. Jocytė represents another piece of Golden State’s growing young core. The team continues to invest in depth and future development alongside veteran additions. Her activation signals the Valkyries’ commitment to building a well-rounded roster.

These moves reflect GM Ohemaa Nyanin’s clear strategy heading into Year Two. The front office prioritizes keeping its own talent while adding proven winners. The signings of Stokes and Williams show a desire to compete at the highest level. The Valkyries are no longer just building — they are pursuing a championship.

Expansion Draft Losses and Roster Uncertainty

The Valkyries did face roster disruption through the 2026 expansion draft. The team lost Carla Leite and Maria Conde to the new expansion franchises. Conde never played for the team last season, but Leite made contributions. The front office must now find suitable replacements for those departures.

The expansion draft, held for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, posed real risks. Each of the 13 existing WNBA teams could protect only five players, down from six in 2024. The Valkyries almost certainly protected Veronica Burton, the team’s Most Improved Player. Golden State also submitted qualifying offers to Burton, Laeticia Amihere, Kaitlyn Chen, Iliana Rupert, and Janelle Salaün.

Veronica Burton remains the franchise’s most important player. Her development into an elite point guard drives the team’s entire system. Protecting and retaining her was the organization’s top priority this offseason. Burton’s future in Golden State looks secure following the qualifying offer submission.

A Franchise Built for Long-Term Success

The Valkyries enter their second season with genuine championship ambitions. Their offseason moves reflect a franchise that refuses to settle for modest progress. Adding Stokes and Williams while keeping Thornton and Charles shows clear strategic vision. Coach Nakase now has elite talent to work with at multiple positions.

The team’s first season generated extraordinary momentum throughout the Bay Area. Selling out every home game in an inaugural year is a remarkable commercial achievement. That fan support gives the organization resources and motivation to keep improving. The Valkyries have quickly become one of the WNBA’s most exciting franchises.

Golden State did not win the championship in Year One, but the foundation is strong. The roster now combines experienced champions with young emerging talent. Williams, Stokes, and Thornton bring title-winning pedigree to the locker room. The 2026 season shapes up as the Valkyries’ most competitive campaign yet.

The post Golden State Valkyries Build Championship Roster With Key Signings and Re-Signs appeared first on The Daily Update.

The 2026 NFL Draft is almost here, and football fans across the country are gearing up for one of the most anticipated events on the sports calendar. With 257 total picks spread across seven rounds, the draft is set to reshape franchises from Las Vegas to Seattle — and everything in between. Whether you’re a die-hard scouting enthusiast or a casual fan tuning in for the first time, here is everything you need to know ahead of the big weekend in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

When and Where Is the 2026 NFL Draft?

The 2026 NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, marking the Steel City’s turn to host one of the NFL’s premier annual spectacles. The event spans three days, beginning on Thursday, April 23, and wrapping up on Saturday, April 25.

• Round 1: Thursday, April 23 — 8 PM ET
• Rounds 2–3: Friday, April 24 — 7 PM ET
• Rounds 4–7: Saturday, April 25 — 12 PM ET

Saturday’s coverage will also feature some undrafted free agent signings, making it a full day of roster-building action for fans to follow. You don’t need to be in Pittsburgh to catch all the drama, however, as the event will be widely accessible across multiple platforms.

How to Watch: TV Channels and Live Streaming Options

The 2026 NFL Draft will be broadcast across a range of traditional TV channels and streaming services, ensuring that no fan misses a single pick. All three days of coverage will be available on the following TV channels:

• ABC
• ESPN
• ESPN Deportes
• NFL Network

For those who prefer to stream, the draft is also available through a host of online platforms, including the ESPN App, fubo, DirecTV Stream, NFL+, YouTube TV, and Hulu+ Live TV. Regardless of how you choose to watch, you’ll have full access to every round, every pick, and every dramatic moment — from the Raiders’ long-awaited first overall selection to the Denver Broncos wrapping things up at pick No. 257.

The Big Picture: 257 Picks and 33 Compensatory Selections

This year’s draft is a massive one by any measure. The complete order for all seven rounds is set, with 257 total picks on the board. Compensatory picks, which were officially announced on March 9, account for 33 of those selections. These comp picks are awarded to teams that lost more or better compensatory free agents than they acquired in the previous offseason, giving mid-market franchises a valuable extra opportunity to replenish their rosters through the draft.

The Las Vegas Raiders hold the coveted No. 1 overall pick — their first top selection in 19 years — while the Denver Broncos will close out the entire draft with the final pick at No. 257.

Round 1: Full Draft Order and Team Needs

Round 1 is always the marquee event of the NFL Draft weekend, and the 2026 edition promises plenty of intrigue. Here is the complete first-round order:

• 1. Las Vegas Raiders
• 2. New York Jets
• 3. Arizona Cardinals
• 4. Tennessee Titans
• 5. New York Giants
• 6. Cleveland Browns
• 7. Washington Commanders
• 8. New Orleans Saints
• 9. Kansas City Chiefs
• 10. Cincinnati Bengals
• 11. Miami Dolphins
• 12. Dallas Cowboys
• 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta)
• 14. Baltimore Ravens
• 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• 16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis)
• 17. Detroit Lions
• 18. Minnesota Vikings
• 19. Carolina Panthers
• 20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay)
• 21. Pittsburgh Steelers
• 22. Los Angeles Chargers
• 23. Philadelphia Eagles
• 24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville)
• 25. Chicago Bears
• 26. Buffalo Bills
• 27. San Francisco 49ers
• 28. Houston Texans
• 29. Kansas City Chiefs (from L.A. Rams)
• 30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver)
• 31. New England Patriots
• 32. Seattle Seahawks

A few notable storylines stand out immediately. The New York Jets are stacked with draft capital, holding two first-round picks in 2026 — selections No. 2 and No. 16 — along with three more first-rounders in next year’s draft. The Dallas Cowboys are also double-dipping in Round 1, holding picks No. 12 and No. 20 after acquiring the latter from Green Bay. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns are making good use of their Jacksonville pick to come away with two first-round selections as well.

Key Team Needs Heading Into Draft Weekend

Every team enters the draft with a specific wish list, and several franchises have glaring holes that they hope to fill over the course of the three-day event.

Las Vegas Raiders (Pick No. 1)

The Raiders are widely expected to use the top pick on quarterback Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana. With a new face under center, the team’s priority becomes building around him — shoring up the offensive line, adding pass-catching weapons at wide receiver, and addressing the interior defensive line. The secondary also needs attention under first-time defensive coordinator Rob Leonard.

New York Jets (Picks No. 2 and No. 16)

The Jets present one of the most fascinating draft situations in recent memory. Armed with two first-rounders and the addition of Geno Smith as a bridge quarterback this offseason, New York isn’t necessarily forced to take a signal-caller at No. 2 — though the long-term question at quarterback remains unresolved. Head coach Aaron Glenn is desperate to add more defensive playmakers after the Jets finished last season with just four takeaways, the fewest by any team since at least 1940. Finding a pass-catching complement to star receiver Garrett Wilson is also high on the agenda.

Arizona Cardinals (Pick No. 3)

Seven years after drafting Kyler Murray, the Cardinals are resetting at quarterback following a mutual parting with the former No. 1 overall pick. General manager Monti Ossenfort will look to bolster the offensive line — particularly at right tackle — to protect whoever takes over under center. On defense, Arizona desperately needs pass-rushers after recording just eight sacks over the final six games of last season.

Tennessee Titans (Pick No. 4)

General manager Mike Borgonzi’s mission is clear: give second-year quarterback Cam Ward the support he needs to break out. The Titans need explosive offensive weapons and, perhaps more critically, improved blocking up front. Both the center and right guard spots could benefit from upgrades. Defensively, head coach Robert Saleh will be looking to add edge rushers and linebackers to a unit that needs more firepower in a resurgent AFC South.

Notable Draft Capital Moves and Traded Picks

One of the most compelling subplots of any NFL Draft is the movement of picks through trades, and 2026 is no exception. Several notable pick swaps define the Round 1 landscape:

• The Los Angeles Rams moved up into the top 13 by trading with the Atlanta Falcons, while the Kansas City Chiefs acquired the Rams’ own first-rounder and will select at No. 29.
• The Miami Dolphins hold Denver’s first-round pick at No. 30, adding to what has become a busy offseason for the franchise.
• Houston sent their first-round pick to Washington, but still hold their own selection at No. 28, giving the Texans two picks in the opening round.

Big Ten Stars Expected Early in the Draft

College football’s Big Ten conference figures to have a significant presence at the top of this year’s draft board. In addition to Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza — the presumptive No. 1 overall pick — the Ohio State trio of Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, and Caleb Downs are all expected to hear their names called early. The depth of Big Ten talent in this class reflects the conference’s growing dominance at the highest levels of college football and its pipeline to the NFL.

What to Expect This Weekend

As always, the NFL Draft promises plenty of surprises. Mock drafts will inevitably be turned on their heads, trades will shake up the order on the fly, and sleeper picks will emerge from the later rounds to become future stars. With 33 compensatory picks enriching the lower rounds, smaller-market teams have real opportunities to find hidden gems.

From Pittsburgh’s riverfront backdrop to the cheers of fans watching across the country, the 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a landmark event. Whether you’re following every pick obsessively or just tuning in for the first round on Thursday night, make sure you’re set up on one of the many available channels or streaming platforms — because this is one weekend of football you won’t want to miss.

The post 2026 NFL Draft: Complete Pick Order, TV Schedule, and Everything You Need to Know Before Pittsburgh appeared first on The Daily Update.

These daily files will give you the latest reporting from around the World Cup as well as betting lines, what to watch for information and best reads. Check in with ESPN throughout the tournament as we bring you the latest from France.

– RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023: Squads | Schedule | Standings | Podcast | Injuries

THE LEAD: Leota; Anscombe; Leali’ifano – the twists and turns of a rugby journey

The twists and turns of a rugby journey are often what make the realisation of a Rugby World Cup dream all the more special.

Whether it be through injury, hardship, a sliding doors contract moment or any other fork in the road, the players who reach the highest level almost always have a unique story to tell. And Rugby World Cup 2023 is littered with them, as you will see from today’s World Cup daily file.

Take Rob Leota, for instance, who was all signed and ready to take an opportunity in France with Top 14 club Castres Olympique, only for the Wallabies to come knocking at almost the 11th hour.

Had it not been for that original call-up in 2021, Leota would have linked up with head coach Pierre Henry Broncon at the French club. But fast forward a couple of years and Broncon is now working with the Wallabies in France, barking orders at Leota while he runs about at training with Australia.

“I just obviously had chats from the Wallabies, it caught me off guard to be honest, because I was ready to head over to Castres, but I wasn’t due to go over until later in the year,” Leota explained on Thursday afternoon.

“So I made that first camp and then had to negotiate to stay back in Melbourne. Obviously I’ve still got a good relationship with Pierre now and two years later he ends up being one of our coaches, so we ended up linking up anyway.”

“Back then I didn’t know where I could have been, I was just ready to shoot off to a new adventure. But looking back now from where I am at now, I’m just really grateful for the journey and for the opportunity I have been given now from the Wallabies. It’s always been a childhood dream, so I’m just blessed to represent Australia now.”

Leota also explained how tough it was to cling to the dream of making it as a rugby player in Victoria, which is saturated by Australian Rules football. The Wallabies have four Victorian-born players in their World Cup squad, with Jordan Uelese, Pone Fa’aumasili and Rob Valetini joining Leota in the World Cup squad.

“For me, growing up, I sort of thought Australian Schoolboys was the pinnacle, I didn’t really see Super Rugby or anything [as possible],” Leota said. “So that transition going from schoolboy level to actually being in a professional system took me a bit to transition because I was young; but I still had good guys around me when I was coming up.

“But for sure, that challenge of AFL, I didn’t really play it at school growing up, it was mainly just club [rugby] and the only comps we had was national comps, to go and play against Queensland and New South Wales. But it was definitely challenging when AFL was the biggest sport down in Victoria.”

When Wales’ Gareth Anscombe, meanwhile, runs on Saturday in Nice, it will be a moment where he can park four years of rugby hell. The fly-half was set to be Wales’ go-to man at the 2019 World Cup, but then in a warm-up match against England, he suffered a catastrophic ACL injury. It would see him miss two years of action.

In an interview with the Daily Mail back in December 2021, he detailed how the third operation he required saw them intentionally break his right tibia, and then insert a bone graft from a doner into his right knee. He made his comeback, but injuries have since plagued him – he missed the 2023 Six Nations through a shoulder injury he picked up in the autumn Tests, and then a few months on, just as he was getting back up to full-speed in the pre-World Cup training camp, he injured his thumb.

But he’s pushed through time and time again and on Saturday, he holds the keys to No.10 as Wales look to make it two from two against Portugal.

“Looking forward to Saturday and Gareth gets an opportunity, we know in the past when he has started for Wales, the success record he has had at number 10 has been excellent,” Gatland said on Thursday.

“He hasn’t had a lot of rugby, he picked up a thumb injury in Turkey in terms of breaking his thumb, he’s recovered from that, back in training, he’s looking sharp. I’m looking forward to seeing him out there on Saturday.

“2019 was disappointing, he’s had a few injuries and things over the last years but back fit and he’s excited. In fairness to him he did a brilliant job last week for us in terms of the boys that weren’t involved, prepping the team for us, and Dan Biggar has done a really good job this week as well.

“It’s an important role, not about the 15 or the 23, it’s a squad of 33 and they all play a really important part. If you are not involved, there is a role to play in terms of what you need to do in term of the week in helping everyone prepare.”

AROUND THE CUP

Uruguay give France an almighty fright

Scoring a truly impressive try in just the sixth minute to open the scoring, Uruguay showed they’re bringing much more than just grit and determination to this World Cup after they pushed France’s second-string side all the way to the final minutes at Pierre Mauroy stadium.

Shocking Fiji at the 2019 edition in Japan, Uruguay were determined to do so again, this time against the host nation and were only a couple of successful lineouts away from doing so on Friday morning [AEST].

Winger Nicolas Freitas touched down early in the piece after he collected an impressive cross-field kick from Felipe Aliaga, dotting it down in the corner to give his side the lead, before Baltazar Amaya scored the team’s second try later in the piece.

But Melvyn Jaminet’s boot and three scores to Antoine Hastoy, Peato Mauvaka and Louis Bielle-Biarrey kept France clear and sealed their second victory of the tournament.

Ireland’s Hansen gets a glimpse into life on the other side of the fence

Australia-raised Mack Hansen will make his Rugby World Cup debut for Ireland on Saturday, just a few years after he packed up his life and moved across the other side of the world for a contract with Connacht.

Hansen has been a star for Ireland on their winning run, which now extends all the way back to their loss in their first Test against the All Blacks in New Zealand last year. But he hasn’t lost touch with his Australian roots either, the winger getting some insights into just how much some of his old mates are enjoying themselves in France.

“A lot of my mates are over. It’s tough getting Snapchats of them smoking vapes and drinking beer while I’m trying to prepare for the game. It’s good craic,” Hansen said Thursday.

“It will be good to catch up with them. It’s been nice to get that aspect, outside of playing, and seeing how much the World Cup means to people.

“People have been planning this for the last four years so seeing everybody really enjoying themselves is great.”

Hansen will start in the No. 14 jersey in what is a first-string side to face Tonga, who sat the opening weekend of fixtures out, in Nantes on Saturday night. With a potentially pool-defining clash to come next week against the Springboks, Ireland coach Andy Farrell is looking to build continuity ahead of the Stade de France showdown.

WATCH ESPN’S FULL EXCLUSIVE CHAT WITH EDDIE JONES

MATCH PREVIEW

New Zealand vs. Namibia:

The All Blacks have little to gain from what is expected to be an absolute cakewalk against Namibia, who were last week crushed by Italy in their opening encounter.

New Zealand coach Ian Foster has however taken the opportunity to give some of the wider members of his squad a run, with Cam Roigard and Damian McKenzie combining in a new halves pairing. Only Beauden Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ardie Savea, Dalton Papali’i and Sam Whitelock retain their places from the run-on side that lost to France last Friday, with the veteran second-rower set to join Richie McCaw as the most capped All Blacks player of all time when he runs out for his 148th cap.

Foster will however want to see genuine improvement at scrum time, and in the air, two areas where they ran into some trouble against France.

“I wouldn’t use the word ‘experiment’. We certainly have got a couple of areas we really want to focus on and I’m probably not going to share what they are just yet,” Foster said Wednesday.

“You have to make sure you grow your game. You’ve got to get your performance right and be forward looking.”

Namibia managed three penalty goals in a 71-6 hammering by the same opposition four years ago, scoring a try against the three-time champions might well be one of their key goals this time around.

NEWS OF THE DAY

– Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after scans revealed a “long-term” knee injury, which he suffered at training on Wednesday. One of two specialist hookers alongside Bongi Mbonambi, South Africa have not decided to immediately replace Marx. They will instead ponder their options over the next few days and whether Deon Fourie – who can also cover hooker – is really up to the front-row task that South Africa will face first against Ireland, and then later in the tournament.

– Four years after he started at fly-half in the Wallabies’ quarterfinal loss to England, veteran No. 10 Christian Leali’ifano will wear the blue jersey of Samoa in Saturday’s clash with Chile. Leali’ifano was on Thursday named to start at fly-half ahead of former All Blacks pivot Lima Sopoaga in what will be Samoa’s first match of the tournament after they sat out the opening weekend. It is another remarkable turn in Leali’ifano’s story, after the former Brumbies playmaker beat leukaemia to take his place in the Wallabies squad in 2019.

He has since gone on to become an integral part of start-up Super Rugby Pacific franchise Moana Pasifika, which first put the thought of an allegiance change to represent his Samoan heritage at Test level into action.

“They’re very similar in their roles and I expect them to control the game and manage our team over the full 80 minutes,” Samoa coach Seilala Mapusua said of his playmakers. “Having two high-quality playmakers that’s unheard of for us so we feel very lucky and blessed.

“Whether it’s Christian starting with Lima coming on or the other way around, I know we’ll have the same quality for 80 minutes and that’s an exciting thing for me.”

TOP FEATURES OF THE DAY

‘Belt him, belt him’: Why Fiji are the same same, but different for the Wallabies in 2023

Four years on from their narrow escape in Sapporo, the Wallabies say they recognise Fiji represent a far greater challenge, but one still certain to dish out some defensive punishment — to those with whom they share heritage in particular.

The post Rugby World Cup Daily: The twists and turns of a rugby journey appeared first on The Daily Update.

• Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff WriterSep 14, 2023, 05:43 PM ET

  Close

  Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University. You can follow him via Twitter @RichCimini.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Before his injury, quarterback Aaron Rodgers served as a day-to-day mentor to Zach Wilson. Now the New York Jets are counting on that relationship to boost Wilson as he assumes the starting job.

Wilson, who will start Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, said he’s “absolutely” a better player because of what he has learned from Rodgers.

“I feel like I’ve been trying to copy every little thing he’s doing, from his footwork to the coaching tips he has given us,” Wilson said Thursday. “He’s done an amazing job, more than we could ask for as quarterbacks.”

Rodgers, who tore his left Achilles’ tendon on the fourth play of Monday night’s win over the Buffalo Bills, isn’t with the team as he sorts out his medical situation. The team is making a difficult transition at quarterback, but several players said Rodgers, in absentia, still is having a positive impact, especially on Wilson.

“Spending some time with Aaron and being around him, he’s got a new way of seeing the game,” wide receiver Garrett Wilson said. “He’s able to simplify it and take matchups and stuff like that. Those are the main things I see. He’s going about everything the right way. I keep saying that, but it’s so true. Now for his opportunity to come, I know he’s so ready. I can’t wait to see what he does on Sunday with the starting job.”

Zach Wilson said he has been texting with Rodgers this week, but he wants to give him his space as he prepares for season-ending surgery. They’ve known each other for a few years, but the friendship blossomed last January, when Wilson went to visit Rodgers at his home in Malibu, California. This was before the trade speculation had started.

“Big bro and little bro, hanging out,” Wilson said with a smile. “I just wanted to spend a little time together.”

When Rodgers was traded in April, he said one of his goals was to mentor Wilson, the former No. 2 overall pick whose second season was a disappointment. Not only was he benched twice, but his leadership was called into question when he refused to take accountability for a poor performance in a loss to the New England Patriots.

In training camp, Wilson and Rodgers were almost inseparable. Their relationship became one of the central storylines in HBO’s “Hard Knocks.”

“[Rodgers] might have coached him more than I have or Todd [Downing] has, and I think he’s benefitted from that,” said offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, referring to the passing-game coordinator and de facto quarterbacks coach.

Wilson did an admirable job on Monday night, completing 14 of 21 passes for 140 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He led the offense to only 16 points in nine possessions, not counting kneel downs, but his third-down passing (4-for-6) impressed the coaches.

Wilson acknowledged he might need to regain the confidence of the locker room, considering last season’s struggles, but he said it’s not foremost on his mind.

“I don’t think I need to think of it like that,” said Wilson, whose career record is 8-14. “I think how I can go out there and play football will earn that trust back from those guys. I would say I have a very good relationship with everybody in this locker room.”

Wilson, 24, was in such a mental funk last season that he was demoted to third string — a “reset,” the Jets called it. The plan was to have him learn for a couple of years at Rodgers’ side, but the plan got blown up on Monday night. Crediting Rodgers, Wilson said he has a new mindset this season.

“The stress of things sometimes can make you not love [football],” he said, alluding to last season. “This year, it’s been: How can I spend more time with my teammates and coaches rather than focusing on being hard on myself? … Now I’m just having tons of fun.”

Meanwhile, Hackett, who is extremely close to Rodgers, stated emphatically he believes the four-time MVP will be back in 2024.

“Oh, yeah,” Hackett said. “Whenever Aaron has his mind set on something, good luck for anybody that wants to change his mind.”

The Jets hope to add a veteran backup. They showed interest in the Los Angeles’ Rams’ Brett Rypien before the Rams promoted him from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Rypien played for Hackett last season in Denver.

The post Jets’ Wilson: ‘Trying to copy’ Rodgers in all facets appeared first on The Daily Update.

SPLIT, Croatia — Frances Tiafoe was beaten for the second straight time and the United States lost to the Netherlands in the group stage of the Davis Cup finals Thursday.

Tallon Griekspoor defeated Tiafoe 6-3, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3) to secure the Netherlands the victory in Group D in Split. Botic van de Zandschulp had beaten Tommy Paul 7-6 (2), 6-2 in the opening singles match. Tiafoe had lost to Croatian Borna Gojo on Wednesday in a tie the Americans won 2-1.

The Netherlands had opened with a win against Finland.

Defending champion Canada earlier defeated Sweden to take the lead in Group A.

Gabriel Diallo secured the Canadians the point with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Elias Ymer. Vasek Pospisil had given Canada a 1-0 lead by defeating Leo Borg 7-6 (5), 5-7, 6-2. Borg is the son of 11-time Grand Slam champion Bjorn Borg.

Canada had opened its title defense with a win over host Italy on Wednesday in Bologna, while Sweden was swept by Chile on Tuesday.

Canada is trying to secure its spot in the quarterfinals for the third time in its last four appearances, while Sweden was looking to make it to the last eight for the second time in three years.

Sweden had won the two times that the nations faced each other, including in the group stage in Madrid in 2021, though Canada was without its top stars at the time — Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov.

Australia defeated France 2-1 after Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell defeated Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin 7-5, 6-3 in the decisive doubles match in Group B in Manchester. In the singles, Adrian Mannarino had defeated Purcell, while Alex De Minaur beat Ugo Humbert.

The Czech Republic defeated South Korea in Group C in Valencia.

The top two teams in each of the four groups will advance to the final eight, which will be played in November in the southern Spanish city of Malaga.

The post USA beaten in Davis Cup finals as Tiafoe loses appeared first on The Daily Update.

The countdown is over, the 2023 Rugby World Cup has finally arrived and we were treated to an absolute spectacle across the opening weekend.

The action continues from Thursday with hosts France taking on Uruguay, New Zealand looking to find their first win of the tournament, while Tonga and Samoa begin their World Cup campaigns taking on Ireland and Chile respectively. Read ahead for team lists and previews.

– RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023: Squads | Schedule | Standings | Podcast | Injuries

Jump ahead to a particular game.

France vs. Uruguay

Italy vs. Namibia

Samoa vs. Chile

Wales vs. Portugal

Ireland vs. Tonga

South Africa vs. Romania

Australia vs. Fiji

England vs. Japan

Thursday, September 14

France vs. Uruguay, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille (9p.m. local / 5am AEST / 8pm GMT)

France: Melvyn Jaminet, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Arthur Vincent, Yoram Moefana, Gabin Villiere, Antoine Hastoy, Maxime Lucu, Anthony Jelonch (captain), Sekou Macalou, Paul Boudehent, Romain Taofifenua, Cameron Woki, Dorian Aldegheri, Pierre Bourgarit, Jean-Baptiste Gros.

Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Reda Wardi, Sipili Falatea, Bastien Chalureau, Thibaud Flament, François Cros, Baptiste Couilloud, Thomas Ramos.

Uruguay: Baltazar Amaya, Bautista Basso, Tomas Inciarte, Andres Vilaseca (captain), Nicolas Freitas, Felipe Etcheverry, Santiago Arata, Manuel Diana, Santiago Civetta, Manuel Ardao, Manuel Leindekar, Felipe Aliaga, Ignacio Peculo, Guillermo Pujadas, Mateo Sanguinetti.

Replacements: Felipe Berchesi, Agustin Ormaechea, Carlos Deus, Lucas Bianchi, Ignacio Dotti, Reinaldo Piussi, Matias Benitez, Facundo Gattas.

Verdict:

Tip:

WATCH ESPN’S FULL EXCLUSIVE CHAT WITH EDDIE JONES

Friday, September 15

New Zealand vs. Namibia, Stadium de Toulouse (9p.m. local / 5a.m. AEST / 8p.m. GMT)

New Zealand:

Namibia:

Verdict:

Tip:

Saturday, September 16

Samoa vs. Chile, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux (3p.m. local / 11p.m. AEST / 2p.m. GMT)

Samoa:

Chile:

Verdict:

Tip:

Wales vs. Portugal, Stade de Nice, Nice (5:45p.m. local / 1:45a.m. AEST / 4:45pm GMT)

Wales:

Portugal:

Verdict:

Tip:

Ireland vs. Tonga, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes (9p.m. local / 5a.m. AEST/ 8p.m. GMT)

Ireland:

Tonga:

Verdict:

Tip:

POOL A PREVIEW | POOL B PREVIEW | POOL C PREVIEW | POOL D PREVIEW

Sunday, September 17

South Africa vs. Romania, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux (3p.m. local / 11p.m. AEST / 2p.m. UK)

South Africa:

Romania:

Verdict:

Tip:

Australia vs. Fiji, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne (5:45p.m. local / 1:45a.m. / 4:45p.m. UK)

Australia:

Fiji:

Verdict:

Tip:

England vs. Japan, Stade de Nice, Nice (9p.m. local / 5a.m. AEST / 8p.m. GMT)

England:

Japan:

Verdict:

Tip:

The post Rugby World Cup 2023 Week 2 preview, lineups, predictions appeared first on The Daily Update.

Germany and Italy both suffered a turbulent few days in the past week after poor performances at the weekend: the Germans lost at home to Japan 4-1 and eventually fired coach Hansi Flick, while Italy were held to an unimpressive 1-1 draw by North Macedonia.

They both won on Tuesday night — Germany defeating France and Italy besting Ukraine to put their Euro 2024 qualification back on track — but we still got to hear the usual array of senseless knee-jerk reactions. They range from pretentious guff about the general decline of society (especially in Germany) to endless fretting about the quality of youth development and domestic players being denied opportunities by “cheap foreign imports” (mostly in Italy).

In fact, it’s really simple. In the vast majority of cases, there are three reasons a team loses a game: either the opposition has better players (which wasn’t the case for Germany or Italy on Saturday night and isn’t the case most of the times they take the pitch), the coach makes poor decisions (or his team doesn’t execute them, for whatever reason) and chance or luck or randomness. It’s always some combination of those three.

You can’t control chance, luck and randomness. You can change national team coaches. For different reasons, Germany and Italy did that.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

As for having better players, sure, if they’re orders of magnitude better than the opposition, that may offset poor coaching decisions or misfortune and happenstance. And when you’re talking about a national team, there’s really only one way (especially now that FIFA have cracked down on dubious country switches… remember this?) to get better players: develop them.

You can’t acquire them, you have to grow them. Hence the focus on youth development. And while it’s no doubt important, there are some home truths here. For starters, it’s a slow burn. Pouring resources into youth coaching and infrastructure, redesigning coaching manuals, deemphasizing results over development — all these are worthwhile pursuits, but if you stunk it up in World Cup qualifying, they won’t fix your team for at least another two more cycles, which means eight years or more.

What’s more — at least when it comes to mature, developed football nations with money, like Germany and Italy — they’re pretty close to “best practices” anyway and have been for a long time. Football associations continually share knowledge and copy each other.

Assuming they ever existed, gone are the days when Italian kids would spend hours standing around to work on defensive tactical positioning, Portuguese kids would dribble endlessly and without purpose, German kids would bulk up and run forever in straight lines and English kids would just lump the ball up the pitch to the brawny center-forward who needed to shave before his 14th birthday. Everybody is more sophisticated, everybody is doing — for the most part — the same things. And, in any case, everybody tends to lose control of the kids — at least the ones good enough to one day play for the national team — by the time they’re 14, because they’re usually at a club academy by then.

In other words, you can maybe do things better (heck, you can always do things better), but you’re not really going to do things differently.

The other big fallacy concerns foreign players and playing time. The idea is that gifted domestic youngsters don’t develop into talented superstar pros because their path is blocked by foreign players: they never get a chance to play, so they don’t improve.

For national team coaches who have a very limited pool of players from which to choose, it’s a theory that sounds clever (to a point) and, yes, it’s true that Italy’s Serie A and Germany’s Bundesliga rank first and fourth, respectively, in this 2022 CIES Football Observatory study charting the percentage of minutes played by overseas players. There are two fundamental problems with this argument, though.

First, if you are a talented youngster who isn’t getting on the pitch for whatever reason, you can always move abroad and prove your worth. And even if you’re a talented senior pro, you might want to move abroad anyway to play for a bigger, better club. Fourteen in the German squad and eleven in the Italy squad either play for foreign clubs or have done so in the past. So using domestic league minutes as a benchmark is silly.

The other issue is that if we believe having too many foreign players in your domestic leagues hurts your national team, how does one explain England? The Premier League has the second highest percentage of foreign players, and yet, in the past three major tournaments, this England team has been as strong as any in the 150-year history of the FA. Oh, and they’re pretty darn good at youth level too, having won a gaggle of trophies in recent years: the U17 World Cup in 2017, the U19 Euros in 2022, the U20 World Cup in 2017 and the U21 Euros this past summer. Sure, they’ve upgraded facilities and spend a ton on youth development relative to developing nations, but then so do Germany and Italy.

Could it be that competing for playing time actually makes players better? And being exposed to senior pros from every corner of the globe gives players a better-rounded understanding of the modern game, while helping them grow? I think we know the answer to that.

The unsexy truth is that generations of talent come in cycles, that nature is as big a part as nurture. You can — and should — build a fancy, high-end pipeline and you should make it as big as you can to ensure you don’t miss out on the Mbappes and Haalands of the future, but there’s no guarantee that an Mbappe or a Haaland will flow through it. There’s an element of randomness to world-class talent that no amount of coaching and infrastructure can conjure up out of thin air.

Does that mean world-class players are born and not made? Not quite, because you still need to spot the talent (hence the size of the pipeline) and create an environment where they can develop, and if that underlying talent (not just physical, but mental too) isn’t there, there’s only so much you can do.

Consider Barcelona‘s vaunted academy, La Masia. We all swooned at the team that contained Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and the other homegrown youngsters that went on to set Europe alight. But if La Masia really was the secret ingredient, how is it possible that in the 11 years between Busquets’ debut in 2008 and Ansu Fati‘s debut in 2019, their most gifted academy graduate who actually had an impact on the first team was — with all due respect — Sergi Roberto?

Or cast your mind back to Iceland.

In 2016 they reached the quarterfinals of the Euros, beating Roy Hodgson’s England along the way. Two years later they qualified for the World Cup. Documentaries and case studies were made extolling the genius of a tiny nation of 380,000 capable of reaching such heights. Commentators extolled the brilliance of the Icelandic FA in building all-weather pitches all over the island and adopting the most progressive coaching techniques.

Well, they haven’t qualified for anything since 2018, and likely won’t for the foreseeable future, considering they’re second-bottom of their Euro 2024 qualifying group and have already lost to the likes of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Luxembourg. Their FIFA world ranking, which stood as high as 18, is now 67, behind Cape Verde.

What happened to the all-weather pitches and the progressive coaching? Presumably they’re still there. And presumably, that’s not what made them so good, but rather the presence of players like Gylfi Sigurdsson, Aron Gunnarsson, Birkir Bjarnason and others. They’re all gone, and the guys who replaced them aren’t as good. That’s not because Iceland’s youth development now stinks, but simply because those are once-in-a-lifetime talents (by Icelandic standards) and you can’t plan on them regularly rolling off an assembly line. You simply have to be prepared when they turn up.

Germany and Italy, for a number of reasons — some common to both, some not — have had a rough ride of late. It’s worth understanding why in a rational, measured way. Ideally, without the doom-mongering and knee-jerk reactions we in the commentariat are so prone to.

The post Germany, Italy woes can’t be explained by cheap rhetoric appeared first on The Daily Update.

Italy midfielder Marco Verratti has left Paris Saint-Germain to join Qatari side Al Arabi, the clubs said on Wednesday.

Verratti has signed a three-year deal with the Qatar Stars League club, who have paid a reported €45 million ($48.31m) for the 30-year-old, according to the Italian media.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

“I was very proud to wear the colours of Paris St Germain for more than a decade, to rub shoulders with so many great players, and to win 30 trophies,” Verratti told PSG’s website.

“Paris, the Club and its supporters will always have a very special place in my heart. I will be Parisian forever.”

Verratti, who has never played in Italy’s Serie A, joined PSG in 2012 from his hometown club Pescara. The Ligue 1 side paid €12m ($12.87m) for the then 19-year-old.

In 11 seasons at PSG, Verratti played in 416 matches, making him the club’s second highest appearance maker behind Jean-Marc Pilorget (435).

He helped PSG win nine league titles, a record in Ligue 1, and won both the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue six times.

Verratti has not been part of new manager Luis Enrique’s plans following the recent departures of players inclusing Lionel Messi, Neymar and Mauro Icardi.

“Marco will forever be linked to Paris Saint-Germain,” said Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

“He has always been there for the Club, giving his whole heart on the pitch and achieving so many great things with us.”

Verratti has won 55 international caps, scoring three goals. He was in the Italy squad who won Euro 2020, starting the final in which they beat England in a penalty shootout.

Al Arabi finished runners up to Al Duhail in last season’s Qatar Stars League and have started this season with three draws. The Qatari transfer window remains open until Sept. 18.

The post Italy’s Verratti leaves PSG for Qatar’s Al Arabi appeared first on The Daily Update.