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The Vice-President of the International Canoe Federation, Lluis Rabaneda, used the first World Sports Diplomacy Summit in New York, recently held at United Nations headquarters, to highlight their benefits and long-term importance.

Around 50 experts in sport, diplomacy, and international relations attended the summit, which was organised by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research in the context of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and begins this week. The discussions focused on the potential of sport to contribute to diplomacy, peacebuilding and sustainable development

Speaking in this symbolic setting, Rabaneda emphasised that Olympic canoeing venues continue to deliver lasting benefits to communities long after the Games have concluded. In his view, such facilities can become powerful drivers of long-term development, supporting sports participation, tourism, economic activity, and community well-being for decades after the world’s leading athletes have left the Olympic stage.

The summit took place one day before the second event of the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Series resumed in Prague, Czechia, from 5 to 7 June.

The series takes place at several venues that continue to have a lasting impact, including Augsburg, La Seu and Vaires-sur-Marne, which hosted Olympic competitions at Munich 1972, Barcelona 1992 and Paris 2024, respectively. At the heart of Rabaneda’s message to the United Nations was the belief that sports infrastructure should be designed primarily for people and communities. He argued that the true measure of success lies in the long-term impact that facilities have on local residents, athletes, businesses, and future generations.

“Well-planned canoeing infrastructure generates far more than just sporting opportunities,” he argued. He highlighted its capacity to stimulate local economies, create jobs and encourage healthy living, as well as attract visitors and investment, and provide safe, accessible spaces where people can connect with water and nature. He further stressed that venues can become highly valuable community assets, bringing together people from different cultures and backgrounds.

To illustrate this, he pointed to several Olympic and international venues in the Pyrenees on both the Spanish and French sides of the border. Facilities such as the Segre Olympic Park and the Sort Freeride Stadium, as well as venues in the French city of Pau, continue to operate as international training and competition centres. They also boost tourism, support economic development, and help rural mountain communities to retain their population.

Rabaneda stated that these examples demonstrate how investment in canoeing infrastructure following major events can continue to serve as active hubs for participation, economic activity and community life. Such infrastructure attracts visitors, supports local businesses and creates opportunities for future generations. The official called for greater collaboration between international federations, national Olympic committees, governments and local authorities. He argued that the most successful venues are those developed through long-term partnerships guided by a shared vision.

During his speech, Rabaneda also emphasised the important role of sport in promoting peace, progress and international cooperation, as set out in the White Paper on Sports Diplomacy promoted by UNITAR. He welcomed the growing recognition of sport and Olympism within the United Nations system.

The ICF’s strategic vision, as set out in its ‘Fit for Future’ plan, also emphasises the importance of making the most of whitewater venues in order to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Real Madrid’s star Kylian Mbappé has set the stage for a thrilling 2026 World Cup by making a series of bold predictions regarding the tournament’s top marksmen. The France captain, who is looking to banish the memories of a painful final defeat in Qatar, has weighed in on the eternal debate between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi while asserting his own dominance.

Mbappé tips Ronaldo to edge out Messi before backing himself

In a series of rapid-fire choices during a football challenge with content creator Finn Agostinelli and Sorare, the 27-year-old superstar was tasked with predicting the most prolific scorers for the upcoming tournament in North America. When the ultimate question arrived — choosing between the two greatest players of the modern era — Mbappe opted for his idol Ronaldo to outshine Messi in front of goal.

While Messi has been the more influential figure on the world stage recently, leading Argentina to glory in 2022, Mbappé believes the Al-Nassr frontman will have the more clinical touch in 2026. However, when the final comparison pitted the Portuguese icon against the Frenchman himself, Mbappé did not hesitate to back his own ability to finish as the tournament’s top scorer.

Picking the next generation of stars

Before reaching the final showdown, Mbappé was asked to filter through the current crop of elite European and South American talent. He showed great faith in Spanish teenage sensation and his Barcelona rival Lamine Yamal, picking him over the likes of Florian Wirtz, Memphis Depay, and even the prolific Erling Haaland.

Mbappé also showed loyalty to his Real Madrid colors, backing his clubmate Vinícius Jr to outscore Yamal and England’s captain Harry Kane. Eventually, the Frenchman leaned toward the pedigree of the veteran legends, placing Messi ahead of the Brazilian winger before finally crowning Ronaldo as the biggest threat among his peers — second only to himself.

Defiant stance against ‘demons’ of the past

The 2026 World Cup carries significant emotional weight for Mbappé, who suffered the ultimate heartbreak in Lusail despite scoring a hat-trick in the 2022 final. In a candid admission, the Real Madrid forward revealed that revisiting the match scenario might “awaken some demons”, leading him to avoid rewatching the showpiece entirely.

Historical records at stake in North America

The stakes for the 2026 edition are unprecedented, as both Ronaldo and Messi are expected to feature in a record-breaking sixth World Cup. Ronaldo heads into the tournament with eight career World Cup goals but faces the lingering statistic of never having scored in a knockout round match. In contrast, Messi boasts 13 goals and eight assists in the competition’s history.

France will begin their campaign in Group I against Senegal, Iraq, and Norway, starting at the MetLife Stadium on June 16. For Mbappe, the tournament represents a chance to add to his staggering tally of 12 goals in just two tournaments, as he chases the all-time record of 16 held by Miroslav Klose and aims to fulfill his own prediction of outperforming the legends of the game.

With the United States set for its World Cup opening match on Friday, what is exactly is required from star forward Christian Pulisic in order to make an impact this summer? 

Expect him to let his playing do the talking. 

“Christian Pulisic is never going to be the personality people want him to be, the leader people want him to be. He’s going to lead by example,” FOX Sports analyst Alexi Lalas told Colin Cowherd on Monday’s edition of “The Herd.”  

Following a narrow 2-1 loss to Germany in the final tune-up match before the World Cup, Lalas went on to predict how Pulisic will handle his role as the focal point of the American attack.

When Cowherd questioned what kind of production is mandatory from Pulisic, Lalas countered that fans and media shouldn’t wait for the star forward to transform into a vocal leader in front of the cameras.

“He’s not particularly gregarious or larger-than-life when you see him interviewed. He doesn’t need to be that,” Lalas added. 

Instead, Lalas thinks Pulisic’s influence is completely tied to his play on the field.

“He just needs to go on the field, take players one-on-one and in doing so, he’s going to draw plenty of defenders, open up space for others and then, he’s going to do what he’s so good at doing: beating players and providing the assist or finishing off the goal,” Lalas said. 

“He needs to be the star in the sense that he needs to dominate games. I think he can in this World Cup.”

Lalas reiterated that because this modern roster has received backing and resources from a young age, the old safety net of hiding behind the underdog label has expired.

“Ultimately, when it comes to this team, we should expect more from this U.S. team than we ever have in the past. I don’t think that’s irrational or unfair to do that. Not grumpy ‘old-manning’ this, but this is a generation that’s been given absolutely everything from a very young age, and with that comes higher expectations,” Lalas said.  “America, you should expect your team to win this group.”

If the U.S. takes care of business and wins Group B, which features Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye, the new 48-team tournament structure sets up a lighter path for the program in the single-elimination phase.

“Now, you’re in this Round of 32, in which you’d be playing a team that you’re better than,” Lalas pointed out. “We’ve never been in a men’s World Cup where we’re playing in a knockout game against a team that we’re better than. You take care of business there, and you’re back to the Round of 16.”

Should they navigate that unfamiliar territory as the hunted rather than the hunter, the unique advantage of playing on home soil could push the team into uncharted territory.

“You need a little help from the soccer Gods there, but this team, especially with the magic of [home] World Cup … you’re in some rarified air.”

Cowherd didn’t hesitate to drop a bold prediction of his own, projecting that the U.S. will not only advance from the group stage but win two games in the knockouts.

“We’ve added [more] teams in this World Cup and they’re not powerhouse teams,” Cowherd noted. “There are some wins here potentially on the docket.”

2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch

The World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX and FS1 with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps.

Cody Bellinger hit a two-run single with the bases loaded in the 10th inning and the New York Yankees defeated the Cleveland Guardians 7-5 on Monday night.

Paul Goldschmidt and Ryan McMahon homered for the Yankees, who won for the first time in four extra-inning games this season.

Angel Martinez connected for a two-run homer in the fifth to give the Guardians a 5-4 lead before Goldschmidt’s grounder in the eighth drove in Trent Grisham to tie it.

With Ali Sanchez as the automatic runner in the 10th, Ben Rice was intentionally walked with one out. Max Schuemann challenged a called strike three on a full count and got it overturned to ball four, loading the bases. The Guardians pulled their infield in, but Bellinger’s base hit to left field off Shawn Armstrong (1-1) drove in Sánchez and Rice.

David Bednar (2-3), the seventh Yankees pitcher, struck out three in 1 2/3 hitless innings for the win. He retired five of the six batters he faced.

Martínez was mired in an 8-for-61 slump before his two-run shot to right-center off Paul Blackburn in the fifth. It was Martínez’s first homer since May 17 against Cincinnati.

After Rice drew a walk in the first, Goldschmidt connected on a cutter from starter Gavin Williams and drove it into the left-field bleachers. Goldschmidt has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games, batting .314 (16 for 51) with three homers and 13 RBIs during that span

McMahon led off the fifth with a shot to left on a low curveball to put the Yankees up 4-3.

New York had runners at the corners with one out in the eighth when Cleveland shortstop Brayan Rocchio made a diving stop on Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s hard-hit grounder up the middle. Rocchio touched second base with his glove, pivoted and then threw out Chisholm at first from his right knee to complete the double play.

Nelly Korda claimed a one-shot win over Gaby Lopez and Charley Hull at the US Women’s Open; Korda took her fourth major title as Hull had to settle for a fifth major runner-up finish; former major champion Karen Stupples discussed their performances on the latest Sky Sports Golf podcast

Former AIG Women’s Open champion Karen Stupples has “no doubt” Charley Hull will end her wait for an elusive major title and would relish a “dream” rivalry between the Englishwoman and Nelly Korda.

Hull narrowly missed out on becoming the first Englishwoman to win a major since 2018 during the US Women’s Open, where she finished tied-second alongside Gaby Lopez as Korda claimed a one-shot victory at Riviera Country Club.

Korda’s back-to-back major titles extended her advantage as world No 1 and continued her dominant start to the 2026 season, while Hull was left settling for a fifth runner-up finish of her major career.

Nelly Korda gave an emotional interview after winning the US Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club

Hull admitted it was “frustrating” to fall short again, just as she did during the 2023 edition, although Stupples – one of just four Englishwomen to win a major – has full faith in the 30-year-old to eventually claim a major victory.

“There is not a single doubt in my mind that she is going to win a major,” former major champion Karen Stupples told the Sky Sports Golf podcast. “It may be the case that she ends up winning at Royal Lytham this year because of this experience that she’s had here.

“I remember last time when the US Women’s Open was in California, it was at Pebble Beach. She came so close there at Pebble Beach, then she went on to Walton Heath and she played really well at Walton Heath.

“She’s going to keep putting herself in these positions and ultimately something has to stick. If you keep putting yourself in this spot, eventually you’re going to win – that’s where I think she is.

“I mean, her game is so well suited for the majors. I think now with her short game, with her putting, with the work she’s been doing, I think it’s just tremendous. I think it’s those little bits that she’s doing with the short game that are really going to push her to that next level.”

How Hull’s style can lead to major success

Hull was seven strokes off the halfway lead and outside the top 40 after rounds of 73 and 72 over the first two days at Riviera Country Club, only to charge back into contention with a third-round 65 – the lowest of her major career – on Saturday.

She eagled the par-five first hole during her final round and added five birdies, briefly moving to the solo lead after picking up a shot at the 11th, although stuttered once top of the leaderboard and ended one back after a four-under 67.

“She [Hull] does say that she likes to chase but she thoroughly enjoys that heat of the battle, being in contention and competing to win,” Stupples added. “She is doing everything she can to win.

“Over here in America, they have a saying: ‘the prevent defense’, which is when American football teams have a good lead and then they try to prevent the other team from scoring, as opposed to just playing their game and trying to score more.

“Prevent defense never works and it always drives me nuts when my teams try and play that way. I think it’s the same with Charlie on the golf course. She can’t play defensively – that’s not who she is and how she plays golf.

“Ultimately when you’re playing, you have to be true to you and to your golf DNA and who you are on the golf course, because it doesn’t work if you’re anything else. I understand why she did [stay aggressive] and I think that it will eventually lead to wins.”

Can Hull challenge Korda and form new golfing rivalry?

Korda’s victory followed April’s Chevron Championship success and sees her become the first player since Inbee Park in 2013 to win the first two majors of the calendar year, while Hull’s runner-up finish lifts her to fourth in the latest world rankings.

Both will be among the favourites for the final three majors of the year ahead of their appearances on opposing sides at the Solheim Cup this September, also live on Sky Sports, with Stupples relishing the idea of the two fan favourites going head-to-head in the months and years ahead.

“That would be a dream,” Stupples said. “If you’re the LPGA commissioner, you’re thinking ‘yes, let’s bring on that rivalry!’ I think both add so much to the women’s game in different ways.

“Charley is all personality and Nelly seems so stoic on the course. I think that this could be a really good battle moving forward and I’m thinking of Solheim Cup as well coming up later this year.

“I think this is something that can be teased out through the course of the rest of the year and for the rest of their playing careers. What we need is Charley to get over the finish line a couple more times to make it a proper, true rivalry. Right now, Nelly’s just got the edge on things.”

As England suffer five-wicket defeat to Australia four days out from T20 World Cup opener against Sri Lanka, Nat Sciver-Brunt urges team to look to Alice Capsey’s innings for inspiration;

Nat Sciver-Brunt says England can take a leaf out of Alice Capsey’s book after she delivered another eye-catching display with the bat in Monday’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup warm-up defeat to Australia.

Capsey led England’s recovery from 19-3 after Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones and Sciver-Brunt were dismissed inside the opening 25 deliveries, blasting 45 from 36 balls to continue her impressive pre-World Cup form.

Inspiring England to victory at Sophia Gardens ultimately proved too big a hurdle for Capsey to overcome single-handedly, despite dismissing Beth Mooney with the ball, as Ellyse Perry’s 64 helped Australia reach their target of 158 with 10 balls to spare.

With just days to go until England’s T20 World Cup opener against Sri Lanka – live on Sky Sports – Capsey has almost certainly guaranteed a start at Edgbaston, and Sciver-Brunt has challenged her team-mates to follow her lead.

“Alice Capsey seems really clear with what she wants to do and how she wants to go about it. She really committed to her shots,” the England captain told Sky Sports after the five-wicket defeat in Cardiff.

“The rest of us can learn a bit from her – but hopefully she doesn’t waste her runs in the warm-up games! It is great to have people in form.”

Freya Kemp did her World Cup selection hopes no harm as her handy 41 off 27 balls helped England post a respectable 157-6 in 20 overs, giving their bowlers something to defend.

“We didn’t have the best of starts with the bat but we had some brilliant partnerships to get to a great score,” Sciver-Brunt added.

“That set up a platform for Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson to come in and accelerate towards the end. From where we were, we got a great score.

“Kemp can be so explosive with the bat and offers that all-round performance. She can affect the game from anywhere.”

Having not played since April due to a calf strain, Sciver-Brunt’s return to the side was another positive for England, despite the defeat.

“My body feels okay,” the England captain, who faced just seven balls before being bowled by Alana King for three, said.

“I was a bit rusty out there and forgot to tell people to bowl a couple of overs in a row! But it was good to get some cricket in.”