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From Royal Birkdale to Tuscaloosa; a Packed summer of Electric Sports segues into College Football

August 6, 2026

The 39 year old New Zealander was iron at the 154th Open Championship. (Photo courtesy of NBC News).

Quite a summer of sports with the thrilling finish at the 154th Open Championship as a veteran New Zealander captured the Claret Jug with superbly clutch play, a young Auburn Tiger made his mark on the PGA Tour at age 21, the prolific World Cup extravaganza, an epic documentary on an all time superb athlete, and, looking to the fall, the Alabama Crimson Tide prepares to take on the competition, both out of conference and in the SEC, as this 2026 squad evolves in fall camp to become the best team it can be. Auburn’s got next with a profile of the Tigers early next week.

A look at all of this in today’s column.

The 39 year old Phenom

New Zealand’s Ryan Fox went 72, 68, 62, 68 (-10) to capture the 154th British Open by a shot over American Cam Young. Those four rounds included immaculate play on Saturday and Sunday, punctuated Sunday by his second shot on the difficult 508 yard, par-4, 18th at Royal Birkdale, a masterpiece of a hole. Fox faced a 175 yard approach shot and selected a nine iron. The pin was located on the back tier of the top shelf of the green. Tied with Young at 9 under, Fox caught his shot perfectly, drilling it to 11 feet 7 inches. From there, with the pressure ratcheted up, he calmly drained a left to righter and claimed the 154th edition. Young, waiting on the practice tee, was visibly distraught. But Young and Sam Burns, who finished third at -8, are both exciting late 20-early 30 something players and will have more opportunities to win majors. Superb effort by the 39 year old who has hung in there through challenging times and kept the faith.

This young, recent Auburn Tiger looks to light up the PGA Tour in the near future. (Photo courtesy of *Facebook*).

The week after the Open, on July 23rd-26th at TPC Twin Cities near Minneapolis, a young emerging star in the game, straight out of Auburn, Alabama, put on a clinic at the 3M Open. It seemed like a slow day in sports on Saturday, 7/25, so I was watching Quarterback, a Netflix Documentary on NFL Quarterbacks that was in its third season. The quarterbacks being featured were Cam Ward of the Titans, Joe “Flucco” Flacco of the Browns/Bengals, Jayden Daniels of the Commanders and Bake being Bake of the Bucs. Very good.

Brombey, a prolific golfer in his own right, sent me a text and said, “this makes the game bigger when a grinder like Fox wins!” He went on to say, “By the way, Koivun shot 28 on the second 9, -8 (at the 3M). A record for the tourney. A blast to watch.” I was definitely interested. The 21 year old Jackson Koivun, from Chapel Hill, North Carolina by way of Auburn University, shot 61 on Saturday, and backed it up with a 66 on Sunday to finish 25 under, three clear of Scottie Scheffler and a talented field. You never know how young stars will evolve, but this kid looks for real. No guarantee, but I really like what I’m seeing from this young guy. Know MB and EHS ’80 are amped about Koivun’s future.

Spain captures the World Cup

Rodri captures the Golden Ball for “La Roja.” (Photo courtesy of Instagram).

The great Espana team allowed one goal in 8 games of World Cup play and defeated defending champion Argentina (2022, Qatar) and Lionel Messi, 1-0, at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands (New Jersey) on Sunday, July 19th. Spain star midfielder Rodri earned the Golden Ball as the Tournament’s Most Valuable Player. He completed 692 of 720 passes, 94%. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, as dominant as they were, were completing 70+% of their passes, and that’s elite in the National Football League. So this was a remarkable performance. But also goalkeeper Unai Simo’n was just as worthy of an award as he claimed the Golden Glove Award awarded to the best goalkeeper of the World Cup for his phenomenal play in the goal for the Spaniards. It was Spain’s second World Cup as they also captured it in 2010 with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in Johannesburg.

Joseph “Bama Golf” texted Derrick and me that afternoon and said, “Defense wins in every sport.” In team sports, Joseph is exactly right. You need quarterback play in football, at least good quarterback play, and you need some offense in basketball and baseball. In golf and tennis you have to play aggressively sometimes to win. But Bama’s point on defense and team sports is right on the money.

Final Record in the World Cup

Straight Up: 6-1; ATS, 5-2; O/U: 4-3

Joseph was on Spain early. He’s a terrific predictor. I was bought in early, too. Nice spectacle in the U.S. Really made it an enjoyable sports viewing summer along with the Knicks, the Carolina Hurricanes, the PGA and Professional Tennis Majors, MLB , and several sports documentaries.

Unai Simo’n carried Spain in the goal. (Photo courtesy of *Instagram)*.

Rafa

The greatness was always on display from the phenomenon Nadal. (Photo courtesy of the *New York Times*)

Playing through a broken foot most of his career, Rafa Nadal still won 22 Majors, second only to Novak Djokovic’s 24. That, in itself, is rich. But the way he did it, his perseverance and his mental and physical toughness through the pain he was suffering from, and his intimidating way of playing the game had many of his opponents defeated before they started the match. There was Federer and Djoker as major competitors, but Nadal won 14 French Opens, 4 U.S. Opens, 2 Wimbledons and 2 Australians. He was a magnificent competitor and battled through injury after injury and never told anyone what he was going through. It was just revealed in the Netflix documentary, “Rafa,” that he played with a broken foot, which was actually a disease called Mueller-Weiss syndrome. It caused chronic foot pain, difficulty with weight bearing and running, and progressive damage to the foot. It started in 2005 after he won his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros. But the great Nadal fought through it, and became, what I would consider, the greatest tennis champion of all time. He played tennis like a linebacker plays football. He was the ultimate warrior.

He had unusual habits on the court; lining up his water bottles between every change of sides, pulling at his tennis pants, etc. But they were coping mechanisms for the anxiety he felt in trying to win Grand Slams. But he conquered those demons. In 2024, a hip injury was just too much for him to overcome at age 38. He still had the nagging foot condition that never went away.

But in the documentary, he told his wife that 14 French Opens is “going to be harder to break than 24 majors.” Novak is still playing, but Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are making it tough on him, so he could retire with 24. I agree with Nadal. Fourteen French Opens is astounding.

After his retirement, Netflix asked Mery, his wife, what he would do now. She said, “He’ll embrace his new life.” At the end of the documentary, Rafa is running around the house with 3 year old Rafa Jr., with Mery holding one year old son Miquel. Looks like a happy guy to me. He still has his Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, is passionate about playing golf and loves being a husband and a dad. He’s earned all the happiness he can get. What a career.

Alabama Football 2026

The Quarterback Battle heats up in Tuscaloosa (Photo courtesy of *Facebook*).

The Crimson Tide heads into its third season under Kalen DeBoar with question marks, but also reasons to be optimistic.

The main strength of this football team is its secondary. All-American senior strong safety Bray Hubbard (6’2″, 217), after posting 74 tackles in 2025, third on the team behind Deontae Lawson (80) and Justin Jefferson (79), is the Bell cow on D for the Tide. Lawson and Jefferson are both departed and trying to make NFL rosters, but Hubbard is back. Hubbard added 4 interceptions, which tied for the lead in the SEC. It seemed like when the Tide needed a big play on defense it was either Hubbard or corner Zabien Brown who made them. Brown returns after posting 39 tackles and 2 interceptions. He took both ints back to the house. One was a 99 yarder against Tennessee just before halftime that turned the game in the Tide’s favor, and the other was against Oklahoma before halftime, which turned the game around for the Crimson Tide in a first round playoff victory over the Sooners at Norman.

Also back are studs Dijon Lee Jr. at right corner, Keon Sann at free safety and Red Morgan at the Husky position. Walter was high on Lee Jr. last summer and he delivered as a freshman, as did the rest of the secondary. It’s a formidable group. In front of them there are question marks, but outside linebacker Yhonzae Pierre is not one of them. The 6’3″, 253 pounder recorded 52 tackles, eight sacks for -81 yards and 3 forced fumbles. Pierre looks like Will Anderson Jr. 2.0. He’ll need some help on the front seven. He and middle linebacker QB Reese (6’0″, 229) will need to lead an inexperienced group that shows promise, but needs repetition.

On offense, it’s about the quarterback room and the two guys competing in it, the O line, which needs to be better than last season if the Tide wants to reach its goals, and, also, of course, the running game and perimeter players. It’s a team game.

Keelon Russell is the 6’3″, 201 pound 5-star from the class of 2025. He was excellent in the spring game, completing 21-of-33 passes for 240 yards, 4 TDs and 1 Int. As a senior in Duncanville, Texas for Duncanville High School, Russell threw for over 3,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. Austin Mack, 6’6″, 232, and entering his fourth season, brings a little experience, and four-star talent. He followed DeBoar from Washington and waited patiently on the bench last season behind Ty Simpson. In 2025, in limited action, he was 24-of-32 passing for 228 yards, two TDs and 0 ints. In his final season at Folsom High School in Folsom, California in 2023, Mack threw for 3,498 yards and 40 TDs. So it’s a tough decision, but a good problem for DeBoar and oftensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to have.

The O Line is being rebuilt with new O Line Coach Adrian Klemm taking over that room. Sophomore Michael Carroll, 6’6″, 318, will play right tackle or right guard. He has experience. The DeBoar staff is also high on sophomore left tackle Jackson Lloyd, 6’7″, 317. Outside of those two, there are positions to be filled. Senior transfer Racin Delgatty, (6’3″, 301, Cal Poly) is a leading candidate at center. Junior William Sanders (6″3″, 315) looks like a starting guard. Ethan Fields, a 6’3″, 319, a senior transfer from Ole Miss, will be another candidate who could start. The Tide needs eight or so who can play to be an effective offense in 2026. Coach Klemm has experience coaching USC in 2025, and the o line of the New England Patriots, among other stops, so he will be tasked with making this an asset for team. The Tide has to have it.

There are four running backs who look pretty solid to me. Daniel Hill, 6’1″, 236, is a powerful runner who has trimmed down and gained quickness and speed. Kevin Riley showed flashes last season, both as a runner and a receiver out of the backfield. The 5’11”, 198 pound junior brings that pass catching element to the offense, which helps the quarterback immensely, taking pressure off of them to throw it downfield. AK Dear was a 95, four star in the class of 2025, so there is plenty of talent there. And 5-star freshman EJ Crowell, 5’11”, 221) is a player Alabama coaches and fans are ecstatic about. So the cupboard is solid.

On the outside, I like the potential of sophomore Lotzeir Brooks, 5’9″, 193. Brooks pulled in a lot of big receptions last season and has the ability to make explosives every game. Ryan Coleman-Williams is kind of on a redemption tour after having a tough sophomore season. He is graduating in 2 1/2 years, so that tells you he’s a solid kid. Just needs to be able to pull the ball in better. The talent should be there. Noah Rogers, a transfer from North Carolina State DeBoar and his coaches were counting on, was hurt in the spring and will be out for a while this fall. Freshman Cederian Morgan is a guy the Alabama coaching staff is high on. He’s 6’4″, 223, so the size and catch radius is there. Other players like Derek Meadows and Rico Scott will have to step up, but there is talent with those two. At tight end, the DeBoar and his staff are high on 6’6″, 268 pound Kaleb Edwards. Jay Lindsey and Marshall Pritchett are a couple of others who DeBoar and Grubb want to see have an impact.

Conor Talty and Lorcan Quinn are battling it out for kicking duties. Quinn has the lead at present. Adam Watford is the No.1 punter right now. Lee Jr. is the No.1 punt returner with Ryan Coleman-Williams also in the mix. And Brooks and Rico Scott are the kick returners.

2026 schedule

Saturday, September 5-vs East Carolina, 11 A.M. CT/12 ET, ABC

Sat. 9/12 @Kentucky, 2:30 P.M. CT/3:30 ET, ABC

Sat., 9/19, vs. FSU, 2:30 P.M. CT/3:30 ET, ABC

Sat., 9/26, vs. South Carolina, TBD on time and TV

Sat. 10/3, @Miss State, TBD

Sat. 10/10, vs. Georgia, TBD

Sat. 10/17, @ Tennessee, TBD

Sat., 10/24, vs. A&M TBD

Sat. 10/31, Off

Sat. 11/7, @ LSU

Sat. 11/14 @ Vandy

Sat. 11/21 vs. Chattanooga, 1 P.M. CT/2 ET SEC Net+

Sat. 11/28 vs Auburn TBD

A tough schedule with nine straight games without an off week. But that’s expected in the gauntlet that is the SEC. But this team has talent and DeBoar recruited well in 2025 with the No.3 class, and in 2026 with the No.6 class (Rivals/On3 rankings), and there is still good talent on the team from the Saban years.

This coaching staff will have to figure out which quarterback gives them the best chance of having success this year. With college football the way it is now, it’s a year to year scenario. Both guys have terrific talent, so it’s a good problem to have. Who can lead the best, make the best decisions and create the most efficient and explosive plays will be under center come the East Carolina game on September 5th. The line will have to be good, and the backs, to me, should be a hidden gem on this football team. There is talent on the perimeter and the defense has a chance to be highly successful. There’s no reason this 2026 Crimson Tide team shouldn’t be in the mix for the SEC Championship and Playoff “matriculation.” Looking forward to seeing how they can progress starting in game 1.

Early next week

“It’ll be great to be an Auburn Tiger”

Auburn Football 2026

The Vocab word of the day brought to you by Excedrin and myself

Serendipity–Finding something good or valuable when you weren’t looking for it.

Example-The Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers found serendipity when they both

finished 11-1 in 2026.

The next question is “Who won the Iron Bowl?” TBD.

Open Championship into day 3 with controversy swirling. World Cup Prediction. What’s coming up next week

July 18, 2026

Lionel Messi aims to lead Argentina to their fourth World Cup Championship. (Photo courtesy of *Wikipedia*).

As the 154th Open Championship has matriculated into day 3, there is some phenomenal golf being played at Royal Birkdale and some controversy from one controversial dude.

New Zealander Ryan Fox, who shot 8 under 62 today, for another 62 joining Australia’s Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns of the U.S. (LSU) who both shot that number yesterday, which tied the all time major one day scoring record. It’s wide open with a really prominent leaderboard of savvy veterans and young lions.

Fox and Herbert are tied at 8 under with a crowded leaderboard including Cam Young and the always controversial DeChambeau, after a run in with rules officials yesterday after he was assessed for moving the grass behind his ball, both at 5 under and tied for seventh along with Sam Burns, Tommy Fleetwood and several others. Si Woo Kim, Cam Young Jackson Suber, the 26 year old Tampa native by way of Ole Miss, and North Carolina alum Ryan Gerard are tied for third at -6.

Even if DeChambeau doesn’t know the rule that you can’t move the grass or ground around the ball or it’s a two stroke penalty, the Diva HAS to accept the penalty and act like a grown man instead of a whining little teenager. Those are the rules. DeChambeau, as a professional golfer, should know them. A lot of controversy around that guy.

Despite DeChambois’s antics, it’s a compelling and crowded leaderboard today with NBC and Peacock providing coverage until 2 P.M. CT/3 ET or later depending on how long it takes to complete the round. Will be a riveting two days.

As for the World Cup with Spain playing Argentina in the World Cup Final, this will be an epic. The game is being played at New Jersey Stadium in the Meadowlands, or MetLife Stadium, where the Giants and Jets play football, if you want to call it that, though the Giants should be much improved in 2026. I don’t know about the Jets. Could be another long year.

FOX will broadcast the Cup with the game kicking off at 2 P.M. CT/3 ET.

My record for the World Cup is:

5-1, Straight up.
4-2, Against the Spread
3-3, on the Over/Under.

Spain is favored by a 1/2 goal and the over/under is 2 1/2 goals. By my picking Spain to win in extra time I’m taking the under because if it’s tied after 90 minutes and penalty time, 90+ minutes, before the two,15 minute extra time sessions commence, and then penalty kicks, if the game’s not decided by then, then the over under, if it’s 1-1, will be that, 2 goals. So I’m taking the under for this game.

I like Spain with their terrific defense to hold down Messi and the Argentinians and claim the Cup. It’s first and only other Cup victory came in 2010, as it defeated the Netherlands, 1-0, in South Africa.

The Argentinians have won three previous World Cups, with the first in 1978 as they defeated the Netherlands, 3-1, in extra time. The game was played in Argentina.

Then in 1986, they defeated West Germany, 3-2, in Mexico.

And in the most recent World Cup, played in Qatar in 2022, they defeated France, 4-2, on penalty kicks after playing to a 3-3 draw in regulation and extra time.

Give me:
Espana 2, Argentina 1 in extra time.

I like for it to be a spectacle. Messi and his teammates, the defending champions, will be very difficult to take down. But like Bama Golf so presciently pointed out in one of my earlier posts on the WC, that Spanish defense is stellar, and it’ll take them to the mountaintop in what has been a terrific event for the U.S. and the world.

****Monday-Thursday- SEC Media Days Coverage. College Football is getting closer to coming to fruition.Week 1, August 29th, a Saturday, kicks it off.****

Jannik goes back to back at the Championships, Wimbledon, All Star home run derby and game forecasts; World Cup Semifinal picks. Brief Preview of the 154th Open Championship

July 13, 2026

Jannik Sinner takes down the field at Wimbledon for his fifth Major title. (Photo courtesy of NPR).

The great 24 year old champion Jannik Sinner of Italy just put another notch in his championship career after capturing his second Wimbledon Championship in a row with a 6-7 (7-9), 7-6 (7-2), 6-3, 6-4 victory over 29 year old German Alexander Zverev. It was a nice effort by Zverev, but the elite Sinner proved to the world he’s here to stay once again. Sinner will be 25 on August 16th, two days after my oldest daughter’s 31st birthday (I’m getting older). The 139th edition of Wimbledon didn’t disappoint after the somewhat catastrophic French Open in late May/early June. Sinner’s first serve was excellent. His forehand is getting better, maybe not as sharp as usual, but his backhand was super and he started figuring things out with his forehand as the tournament progressed.

Maybe one of the best sportsmanship moves I’ve seen in quite a while was when Zverev fell in the third set after the two players had split the first two sets and were tied 3-3. Sinner came across the net to help Alexander up. He’s a total class act. He’s a warrior as a competitor, but also a kind, gentle guy. Really like this guy. The future looks electric for Jannik. Jannik’s been fortunate that Carlos Alcarz broke his wrist before the French and was unable to play Wimbledon. Carlos also missed the French, but Jannik struggled with the heat in Paris and lost in the second round to world No.56 Juan Manuel Cerundolo. He had a 2 set lead but fell to the heat. There were a lot of people doubting him, but not his coach Darren “Killer” Cahill, his team, and my wife! She’s passionate about tennis and loves Jannik. I love the guy, too. It’ll be awesome when Carlos returns and we can get that rivalry renewed. Jannik said in the press conference tennis needs Carlos back. Carlos is undetermined whether he’ll be back for the US Open, but everybody is very hopeful he will return. Novak is still a factor, though it’s getting harder and harder for him to get through Sinner and Alcaraz. Zverev has come on winning the French and putting forth an awesome effort at Wimbledon. Should be a classic 146th edition of the US Open at Flushing Meadows in the City. That phenomenal Major starts Monday, August 31st.

And Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic beat fellow countrywoman Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3. Noskova is 21 and with a high level future.

Home Run Derby

Kyle Schwarber could be tough to defeat today in the Derby. (Photo courtesy ofFox Sports).

There are 8 competitors in the Home Run Derby today as the superb prelim event to the All Star game commences at Citizen’s Bank Ballpark in Philly. Netflix will cover with first pitch at 7 P.M. CT/ 8 ET.

The 8 competitors in alphabetical order are: 1. Jac Caglianone, KC Royals. He’s hitting .260 with 15 homers and 35 Ribeyes. He caused me a lot of headaches when he played at Florida against Vanderbilt. Needed my “Excedrin.” 2. Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays. Junior has hit 28 long balls and driven in 59. He’s batting .279. Junior is an absolute stud, and has a real shot today, albeit against a loaded field. I’m a big Rays fan as they drafted my Vanderbilt pitcher David Price first overall in 2007. David had some really nice years at Tampa and won a World Series as a key member of the 2018 Red Sox. I’ve been a Rays fan ever since David was there. Junior is electric. 3.Wilson Contreras. BoSox. I had a math teacher in high school who was a passionate Red Sox fan. In his “Baastan” accent he would talk about “going to Fenway, drinking a Schaffuh Beir and watching duh Sox.” Contreras is hitting .285 with 20 homers and 61 Ribbies. The Sox are a team to watch in the AL in the second half. After a very tough start to their season, which led to the firing of managerAlex Cora, they have now won 9 in a row at the break. They are 46-48 and 10 back of the Rays and 7 back of the Yankees in the AL East, but they are just a half game back of the Seattle Mariners in the AL Wild Card race. Should be a riveting second half. My Vandy man, Sonny Gray, who will be pitching for the AL in the All Star Game, is 11-1, with a 2.54 ERA and 1.10 WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched). He’s making a run at the AL Cy Young if he can keep “matriculating” and the Red Sox keep surging.

4. Bryce Harper, Phils, .260, 20, 57 RBIs. Harper is always a factor, though my son in law, a Philly native, calls him a disappointment for them. I kind of agree with him. You would think Harper might lead the Phils to a World Series championship by now. He doesn’t hit for great average. 5. Munetaka Murikami, ChiSox. Don’t know a lot about the 26 year old Japanese player, but the White Sox are vastly improved this season and are tied for the AL Central lead with the Guardians at 50-45. The Guardians are 51-46. He’s hitting .232, not so swift, but has launched 20 homers and thrown in 42 Ribbies. 6. Ben Rice, Yankees. Hitting .279 with 29 homers and 68 RBIs. When I picked the Braves over the Yankees in my preseason MLB predictions and picked Matt Olson of the Braves to be the Fall Classic MVP, a friend of mine, whom I went to high school and college with, and who lived in New York for a while, wrote me an email and said, “Eddie, I agree with you, except the Yankees are going to win the World Series and Ben Rice is going to be the Fall Classic MVP!” Eddie was a nickname I acquired in college. It had to do with me dressing up as Eddie Munster at the Phi Delta Theta Halloween Party when I was a freshman, and Van Wadlington, my friend who’s a Neuroradiologist in Birmingham now, dressed up as Herman putting a couple of 2 by 4’s under a pair of boots. He was already 6’5″. He was 7’4″, as Herman. He had the laugh down to a T. We were both green. He had a few too many on Halloween Night and woke up under a swing set in a park that Saturday morning with some children running away saying, “Mommy, mommy, Herman Munster is dead!” Classic stuff from Wad.

No.7, Kyle Schwarber, Phillies. Schwarber doesn’t ‘t hit for a great average, but does he ever pound the ball. He’s hit 32 jacks and added 59 Ribeyes. He’s a power machine. The Braves are 55-40 and leading the NL East right now, but the Phillies are 54-43 and 2 back. The astonishing story in the NL is the Miami Marlins. They are 52-45 and 4 back of the Braves. The lowest budget team in baseball. The Rays are 28th out of 30 and they’re leading the AL East at 56-38. That’s superb stuff from teams that have to be judicious with their finances. You gotta be smart to compete with the Dodgers, Yankees and others, who have the massive payrolls. The Dodgers are around $320 million this year. Insane. The Yankees aren ‘t far behind. No.8, Jordan Walker, Cards. Walker is hitting .294 with 22 home runs and 74 Ribbies. The Cardinals are 50-45 and 8 1/2 back of the 59-37 Brewers in the NL Central. The Cubs are 54-42, and 5 back of the Brews. The Cards are 1 back in the NL Wild Card. This young stud is excelling.

Winner

Junior Caminero, Rays.

I’ll go with Junior Caminero of the Rays to win the Home Run Derby tonight in Philly. (Photo courtesy of MLB.com).

All Star Game Prediction

FOX will televise starting at 7 P.M. CT/8 East. I’m going to take the Senior Circuit this year.

NL 6, AL 5

MVP, Drake Baldwin, catcher for the Braves.

Having a really fine year for “the Atlanta team” as the great Skip Caray used to say. I saw Skip and Harry in the mid 80’s in a restaurant in Atlanta after a Bravos game. We were all partaking a little, and I asked Skip about Pascual Perez, who had missed his start recently because he got lost on I-285. Skip said, “He’s been having some nasal problems.”

The Braves All Star catcher Drake Baldwin is having a huge year. I like him to lead the NL team to victory. (Photo courtesy of MLB.com

World Cup predictions

Tuesday, 2 P.M. CT/3 P.M. East, FOX

Spain 2, France 1, Extra Time, Overtime. France favored by a goal. Over/under is 2 1/2 goals.

Like “La Roja” over “Les Blue.” As Joseph said last week on my quarterfinals predictions’ blog, the Spain defense hadn’t given up a goal all tournament. They defeated Belgium 2-1 giving up their first goal. Defense wins most championships.

Wednesday, 2 P.M. CT/3 East, FOX

England 3, Argentina 2. Extra time. England by a 1/2 goal. Over/Under 2 1/2.

Seems like the over/under is usually 2 1/2 in this World Cup. I’ll take Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and the Three Lions side over the defending World Cup Champs from 2022. Messi and company won’t go down without a fight though.

Record so Far: SU-4-0, ATS-2-2, O/U-1-3.

Give me Jude Bellingham and the Three Lions over the Albiiceleste (The White and Sky Blues). (Photo courtesy of the **New York Times)**.

Finally, the 154th Open Championship commences Thursday at Royal Birkdale in Southport England. The last time it was played there in 2017, Jordan Spieth won it. It’s been a long, hard road for him ever since then. Tom Kim won the Genesis Scottish Open yesterday and is the hottest golfer right now. He shot a 64 on Sunday, and so did Rory. Rory looking strong. He’s such a good putter now from seven feet and in. That’s made a tremendous difference in his game. Scottie Scheffler is an enigma to me right now. Just not getting it done in the clutch. He’s the opposite of Rory. His putter is as “cold as ice,” as Foreigner once said. Guys like Xander Schauffele, Min Woo Lee and his hideous mustache, Fitzie, Morikawa, and several others are in the mix. Should be epic. Will have full preview on Wednesday. Have a good evening.

2026 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals Predictions; Previews of Other Classic Sporting Events forthcoming

July 9, 2026

Kylian Mbappe’leads France into the Quarterfinals today versus Morocco in Boston. (Photo courtesy of WSJ).

I didn’t know how engaged I would be in this year’s World Cup. It’s always been a highly regarded sporting event that happens only every four years. But this time of year for me it’s PGA/Majors Golf, Pro Tennis/Majors, MLB and any Vanderbilt information, football, basketball, baseball, recruiting stuff/ news that I can get to my Vanderbilt readers.

However, this year has been spectacular in the World Cup. As good as ever. I am an avid World Cup watcher now. The tournament has been scintillating, and such a pleasure to watch. So much drama with such tremendous superstars. Lionel Messi of Argentina, Kylian Mbappe’ of France, Harry Kane of England and Erling Haaland, among others, have made this a particularly riveting sporting event.

The Quarterfinals start today and continue through Saturday. Here are my predictions for each game. I will have the semifinals, which take place next Tuesday and Wednesday, and the Championship game, which takes place Sunday, 7/26 in New Jersey Stadium or MetLife Stadium, predictions next Tuesday, 7/14.

The 139th Championships, Wimbledon is coming down to the wire in the men’s, another sport that generates so much global attention in late June and early July. Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are on a collision course Friday at approximately 10:30-11 A.M. CT, 11:30 A.M. to 12 P.M. ET depending on how the German, Alexander Zverev, vs the Englishman, Arthur Fery, match goes before that. Fery has been a diamond in the rough in this fortnight, but he’s got a tough task ahead of him. That match starts at 7:30 A.M. CT/8:30 ET. Both semifinals will be broadcast by ESPN.

If your work schedule allows, I’d turn it on at 7:30 A.M./8:30 ET for the full semis, or around 9:45-10 A.M. CT/10:45-11 A.M. ET for Sinner/ Djoker.

Had Sinner over Ben Shelton in the final in my predictions column before the tournament started, but the Shelton prediction didn’t pan out. Nevertheless, Sinner is very much alive. Should be an electric Friday across the pond as well.

And, finally, but just as importantly for many of my golfing friends, the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England commences next Thursday, 7/16, through Sunday, 7/19. Excedrin likes for me to call it the British Open, so it can go by either name. Will have full coverage on that iconic sporting event next Wednesday. NBC, USA and Peacock will broadcast. Can Wyndham Clark, the best player in the game right now, continue his powerful driving and mastery on the greens. Can Scottie Scheffler finally break through in a major this season. Rory is definitely a favorite. Jon Rahm is another. I like Chris Gotterup’s chances. Xander Schauffele, a resurgent Justin Thomas, the savvy veteran Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and many others will have a shot at this coveted Open championship and the Claret Jug as the champion golfer of the world, according to the Brits. Will preview and predict next Wednesday.

Here are Predictions for the World Cup Quarters starting today.

FOX will Broadcast all games

Today

France versus Morocco

Boston Stadium, Boston. It is Gillette Stadium where the Patriots play in Foxborough. But the World Cup takes away the sponsor’s name to make it more special to the World Cup

3 P.M. CT/4 ET

France by 0.5 goals, 2 1/2 goals over/under

France’s Kylian Mbappe’ is second to only Lionel Messi of Argentina in goals scored in the history of the World Cup. Mbappe’, 27, has 7 goals in this Cup while Messi has converted 8. For the all time record, the great 39 year old Messi leads all time with 21, and Mbappe’ is second at 19. They call Messi the GOAT, but it’s debatable. Mbappe’ is only 27, and has at least three more World Cups ahead of him, if he stays healthy. And then you have the former great Brazilian, Pele’, who finished with 12 goals in his career in the World Cup, but, wow, was he ever a fantastic player in the 1960’s and early 70’s. But Messi and Mbappe’ are goal scoring machines and leaders on each of their respective teams. All the players on each of their teams love those two guys. France is the favorite right now to capture the World Cup, but it’s a major war of attrition to determine who captures this World Cup. Everybody still has to go through Argentina, the defending champion.

I like Mbappe’ and France to advance to the semis.

France 3, Morocco 1

Friday

Spain vs Belgium

Los Angeles Stadium, SoFi Stadium, where the Rams and Chargers play

2 P.M. CT/3 ET

Spain by 0.5 goals, Over/Under 2 1/2 goals

Belgium was the team that knocked out the U.S. on Monday Night in Seattle, 4-1, in a controversial game as FIFA had allowed U.S. player Folarin Balogun to play despite him getting a red card for a foul in the previous game versus Bosnia-Herzogovina, which was supposed to suspend him from the next game. FIFA overruled the call, so Balogun played. But the controversy was over quickly as Belgium dominated the match. They have superb players, but give me Espana to win at LA Stadium. Viva Espana. Should be a classic. These are two very tough teams to defeat.

Spain 3, Belgium 2

Saturday

Norway’s Erling Haaland is a scoring machine. (Photo courtesy of The New York Times).

England vs Norway

Miami Stadium, Hard Rock, where the Dolphins play

4 P.M. CT/5 ET

England by 0.5 goals, O/U, 2 1/2 goals

This will be a total classic. Norway’s Erling Haaland is the soccer equivalent of Steph Curry. All he does when his foot touches the ball is score. And he makes it look so easy. It’s not though. The guy is an outright stud. Haaland, 25, and in his first World Cup, has seven goals in the tournament.

But England’s Harry Kane is spectacular as well. Kane, 32, has six goals in this World Cup and 14 in his career. England went to Mexico City and defeated Mexico 3-2 last Sunday Night. That’s hard to do. Kane and the Englishmen barely outlast Haaland and Norway in a must see match.

England 3, Norway 2

Harry Kane leads his England team to victory. (Photo courtesy of *The Seattle Times*).

Switzerland vs. Argentina

Kansas City Stadium, Arrowhead where the Chiefs play.

8 P.M. CT/9 ET

Argentina by 0.5 goals, O/U, 2 1/2 goals

The defending champions from 2022 and their hero, Messi, looked dead in the water versus Egypt on Tuesday. Down 2-0 with just 15 minutes + extra time left in the game (there are 90 minutes in regulation and an estimated time usually 6 to 10 minutes for any stoppage of play earlier in the game), the Argentinians scored three times to improbably defeat Egypt and advance to the quarters. The Argentinians were a clear favorite, but Egypt played with so much passion and dominated the majority of the game, though Argentina had taken some really prolific shots on goal that Egyptian Goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir had made tremendous stops on. But Argentina was not going to be denied. I like Messi to at least score once and quite possibly twice in this game as the great Argentinians advance to the semifinals.

Argentina 3, Switzerland 1

Just a reminder all games are on FOX

Next Tuesday, 7/14, World Cup Semifinals Predictions

Next Wednesday, 7/15, the 154th British Open/Open Championship Preview/Predictions