ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 28, 2023--

The Arizona Cardinals have released their expected starting quarterback Colt McCoy less than two weeks before the team’s season opener against the Washington Commanders

Wisconsin’s Capitol building is one of the most open in the country, which made it easy for a man to walk in this week with a loaded handgun in search of the Democratic governor

US officials took a victory lap last month to commemorate their response to the 2008 financial crisis, pointing to $36 billion in fines as proof...

Both Celtic and Rangers enjoyed comfortable wins in a cinch Premiership fixture card hit by Storm Babet. The Hoops completed a Glasgow double over Edinburgh after three matches were called off for safety reasons. Here, the PA news agency looks at five things we learned from the reduced schedule. Happy honeymoon for Philippe Clement Rangers fans wanted to see something different under Belgian manager Philippe Clement and they certainly did in a 4-0 Ibrox win against Hibernian. Michael Beale had been criticised for the ponderous style of his Gers side but Clement’s version played at high tempo and got the ball forward quicker. The manager himself declared himself “happy” but not yet impressed. “Impressed is a big word,” he said. “I still saw a lot of details we can make better but I saw a team who stayed well in the structure and made the runs and the tempo we played at. It is like the honeymoon. Everything is new. They need to confirm this the next week, the next month.” Nick Montgomery felt Clement was too keen Hibernian manager Nick Montgomery felt Clement’s debut should have been largely watched from the stand after accusing the Rangers boss of stepping on the pitch and controlling the ball before it went out. Referencing a red card for Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes against Dundee in similar circumstances, Montgomery was surprised to see the Gers manager get away with it. He told BBC Scotland: “I think everyone can see the ball had not gone out. When that happens, you probably think it’s not going to be your day because at that point they have 12 men on the pitch. The worst thing about it was they got the throw-in. Away at Ibrox you don’t expect any favours, but that’s not within the laws of the game.” Celtic hitting top gear The Hoops restored their seven-point lead with a 4-1 win over Hearts at Tynecastle. Normally a tricky venue, the champions took the sting out the game inside four minutes when Matt O’Riley met Luis Palma’s lofted pass on the volley. Brendan Rodgers’ side dominated the bulk of the game to take their winning league run to six matches. If they come through another trip to Edinburgh next weekend when they face Hibs, there is a strong chance they will go on to extend their seven-point lead before hosting Rangers on December 30. Tynecastle tickets decision has mixed results Hearts more than halved Celtic’s usual allocation of tickets to 576 but the Tynecastle atmosphere was not at its usual level after O’Riley’s early opener. The crowd of 17,608 was the lowest league attendance at Tynecastle this season and some Celtic fans watching on television would no doubt have been frustrated at the sight of a virtually-empty section right next to the away support in the Roseburn Stand. Kyle Vassell shows his worth for Kilmarnock Kilmarnock captain Kyle Vassell’s double proved the difference in a 3-1 win over Livingston which ended a seven-game run without victory and lifted them into fifth place following a weather-hit fixture card. Vassell came into the league campaign still finding his fitness following a knee injury but he now has three goals in the Premiership. Read More Really good but not perfect – Shaun Wane wants more from England after Tonga win Such a good man – David Moyes hails Sir Bobby Charlton help as fans pay tribute Virgil van Dijk: Liverpool finally had some luck go our way against Everton Tom Johnstone second-half brace helps England edge out Tonga in series opener Danny Care hoping England’s World Cup efforts have won over disillusioned fans Manchester United fans head to Old Trafford to pay tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton

Australia only have to look to last summer and England’s success at the Euros for evidence of how seismic victory on home soil could be. While they are sharing hosting duties with neighbours New Zealand, this tournament is Australia’s biggest sporting occasion since the 2000 Olympic Games and the Matildas will have no shortage of motivation as they look to inspire the next generation in the sport-obsessed nation. Luckily for Australia, they have a star who appears to be born to handle the pressure and expectation of a major tournament in Sam Kerr. Crucially, after a patchy couple of years of results, the Matildas have found form as a team ahead of the World Cup and claimed the scalp of becoming the first team to defeat Sarina Wiegman’s England in April - a result that ended the Lionesses’ 30-match winning streak. It announced Australia as contenders for the World Cup, where they will also get the bonus of the home crowd that proved so important to England’s victory at the Euros, while a core of players who feature in the Women’s Super League, including Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy and Mary Fowler, ensures Kerr will also have plenty of support. The Matildas may need it after landing in what is widely considered to be the ‘group of death’ at this World Cup. The co-hosts will face significant competition from the Olympic champions Canada, the top-seeded team in pot two, while 11-time African champions Nigeria will carry threat and were the top-seeded side in pot four, even if they come into the World Cup in disarray. The Republic of Ireland are competing in their first World Cup and will be determined to show they are not just making up the numbers in what is an intriguing group, another element of which is that England will face the runners-up if the Lionesses win Group D. Australia Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham), Teagan Micah (Rosengard), Lydia Williams (Brighton) Defenders: Ellie Carpenter (Lyon), Steph Catley (Arsenal), Charlotte Grant (Vittsjo GIK), Clare Hunt (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alanna Kennedy (Manchester City), Aivi Luik (BK Hacken), Courtney Nevin (Leicester City on loan from Hammarby), Clare Polkinghorne (Vittsjo GIK) Midfielders: Alex Chidiac (Racing Louisville), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Hammarby IF), Katrina Gorry (Vittsjo GIK), Emily van Egmond (San Diego Wave), Clare Wheeler (Everton), Tameka Yallop (SK Brann) Forwards: Caitlin Foord (Arsenal), Mary Fowler (Manchester City) Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Hayley Raso (Free agent), Kyah Simon (Free agent), Cortnee Vine (Sydney FC) Group fixtures (all times BST) Thursday 20 July: Australia vs Republic of Ireland (11:00, Stadium Australia) Thursday 27 July: Australia vs Nigeria (11:00, Brisbane Stadium) Monday 31 July: Canada vs Australia (11:00, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium) Star in the team There’s no question about this. Sam Kerr is the face of the World Cup and the star of the Australia team. As the most lethal striker in the world, who always seems to deliver on the big occasion, the Chelsea forward could be the difference for the Matildas as they look to advance past the quarter-finals for the first time. The 29-year-old makes the hosts a genuine contender. The coach Tony Gustavsson knows what winning culture looks like. The Swede was an assistant coach on Jill Ellis’ coaching staff as the USA won the World Cup in 2015 and 2019 and took charge of the Matildas in 2021. Initial results were patchy and hardly suggested Australia were ready for a home World Cup, but their form turned at the end last year as they thrashed Sweden, the Olympic finalists, 4-0. Gustavsson wants his teams to press, play with pace, and be strong at set-pieces. What are their chances? Australia have played at seven World Cups but are yet to reach a semi-final. Their defeat to Norway at the last-16 four years ago was considered to be a major disappointment after three successive quarter-final appearances. In front of their home fans, the Matildas will be setting their expectations much, much higher this time around in what is Australia’s biggest sporting event since the 2000 Olympics. With Kerr, they have the quality to go a long way. Canada Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Sabrina D’Angelo (Arsenal), Lysianne Proulx (SCU Torreense), Kailen Sheridan (San Diego Wave). Defenders: Kadeisha Buchanan (Chelsea), Allysha Chapman (Houston Dash), Vanessa Gilles (Lyon), Ashley Lawrence (Chelsea), Jayde Riviere (Manchester United), Gabrielle Carle (Washington Spirit) and Shelina Zadorsky (Tottenham). Midfielders: Quinn (OL Reign), Simi Awujo (University of Southern California), Jessie Fleming (Chelsea), Julia Grosso (Juventus), Sophie Schmidt (Houston Dash) Forwards: Jordyn Huitema (OL Reign), Cloe Lacasse (Benfica), Clarissa Larisey (BK Hacken), Adriana Leon (Portland Thorns), Nichelle Prince (Houston Dash), Deanne Rose (Reading), Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns), Evelyne Viens (Kristianstads) Group fixtures (all times BST) Friday 21 July: Nigeria vs Canada (03:30, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium) Saturday 27 July: Canada vs Republic of Ireland (13:00, Perth Rectangular Stadium) Monday 31 July: Canada vs Australia (11:00, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium) One to watch Christine Sinclair has been setting records for most of her life. At 40, and now into the 22nd year of her international career, the striker is set to become the first player to play at six World Cups - although Brazil’s Marta could later equal that record this tournament. In Australia, Sinclair and Marta also have the chance to become the first player to score at six different World Cups. Sinclair already holds the record for most international goals with an astonishing 190 in 323 appearances. The coach Bev Priestman is the English coach who led Canada to their first major international title at the 2021 Olympics. A former assistant to Phil Neville with the Lionesses, the 36-year-old from County Durham is regarded as one of the best in the world. Priestman describes herself as an attacking coach, but her success with Canada came when she improved the team’s defensive structure and organisation. What are their chances? Canada have a strange history of underperforming at World Cups. Despite winning a medal at each of the last three Olympics, Canada have only ever reached one World Cup semi-final. They were beaten by Sweden in the last-16 in 2019, but then defeated Sweden in the gold medal match in Tokyo in 2021. Which version of Canada will turn up in Australia? Nigeria Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC), Tochukwu Oluehi (Hakkarigucu Spor), Yewande Balogun (AS Saint-Etienne) Defenders: Onome Ebi (Abia Angels), Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves), Glory Ogbonna (Besiktas), Ashleigh Plumptre (Leicester City), Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims), Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash) Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims) Midfielders: Halimatu Ayinde (Rosengard FC), Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid), Toni Payne (Sevilla), Christy Ucheibe (Benfica), Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels), Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University) Forwards: Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville), Gift Monday (UDG Tenerife), Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC), Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona), Desire Oparanozie (Wuhan Chegu Jianghan), Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow), Esther Okoronkwo (AS Saint-Etienne) Group fixtures (all times BST) Friday 21 July: Nigeria vs Canada (03:30, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium) Saturday 27 July: Canada vs Republic of Ireland (13:00, Perth Rectangular Stadium) Monday 31 July: Republic of Ireland vs Nigeria (11:00, Brisbane Stadium) Star in the team Asisat Oshoala doesn’t just have a claim to be the greatest African player in the world, but the best of all time. The Nigeria striker and Barcelona star has won the African player of the year award four times and has hit at least 20 goals in each of her last two seasons in Spain. The Super Falcons may have been drawn in the group of death, but Oshoala will be a threat to both Australia and Canada. The coach Nigeria are 11-time winners of the Africa Cup of Nations so when the team failed to even reach the final last year, fingers were pointed at the coach, Randy Waldrum. The 66-year-old American kept his job ahead of the World Cup and although results have since improved - including a 3-0 win against New Zealand in April - he is set to depart after the tournament and is in open dispute with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Before the World Cup, Waldrum told the On The Whistle Podcast that he had not received seven months of pay, while also criticising the NFF’s over their lack of support. In response, a NFF communications director called Waldrum the “worst Super Falcons coach in history”. What are their chances? Nigeria have a proud record of playing at every World Cup and this will be their ninth appearance since 1991. They have made it out of the group twice but have yet to win a knockout stage match in the competition - though Nigeria’s quarter-final appearance in 1999 remains the best result ever recorded by an African team at the Women’s World Cup. But the challenge of overcoming the chaos off the pitch, let alone the group of death, suggests Nigeria are unlikely to match it in Australia. Republic of Ireland Confirmed squad Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Reading), Megan Walsh (unattached) Defenders: Heather Payne (Florida State), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Aine O’Gorman (Shamrock Rovers), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Claire O’Riordan (Celtic), Diane Caldwell (Reading), Izzy Atkinson (West Ham), Megan Connolly (unattached) Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O’Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Lily Agg (London City Lionesses), Ciara Grant (Hearts), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Sinead Farrelly (Gotham City NYC), Ruesha Littlejohn (unattached) Forwards: Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Kyra Carusa (London City Lionesses), Abbie Larkin (Shamrock Rovers), Marissa Sheva (Washington Spirit) Group fixtures (all times BST) Thursday 20 July: Australia vs Republic of Ireland (11:00, Stadium Australia) Saturday 27 July: Canada vs Republic of Ireland (13:00, Perth Rectangular Stadium) Monday 31 July: Republic of Ireland vs Nigeria (11:00, Brisbane Stadium) Key player Katie McCabe. The Arsenal fan favourite famously wears her heart on her sleeve and embodies what Ireland will require in Australia: defensive nous, aggression, a lot of effort, and quality when it counts. McCabe has it all and alongside Denise O’Sullivan will be key. The coach Vera Pauw may have guided Ireland to their first World Cup, but the Dutch coach will have won few fans with her style of play. The experienced Pauw has not shied away from favouring a “low block” and an ultra-defensive 5-4-1 formation. After a newspaper column from former international Karen Duggan suggested the coach should ditch her conservative approach, Pauw responded: “It is not that I love a deep block, I love winning.” Pauw strongly denies allegations she body-shamed players while working as a coach at the Houston Dash, after being named in a report on misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League. The report claimed the Dutchwoman "shamed players for their weight" and "attempted to exert excessive control over eating habits". Speaking before the tournament, Pauw said: “I will never win from a lie. That is clear now. I have to live with it and carry it with me for the rest of my life I’m afraid." What are their chances? Ireland claimed their first World Cup qualification thanks to a narrow win over Scotland in the European qualifiers. They claimed their spot for Australia and New Zealand as the lowest-ranked European nation, and landed in the one of the toughest possible groups by drawing hosts Australia, Canada - the top seed in pot two, and Nigeria - the top seed in pot four. Extending their debut to the knockout stages appears unlikely. Read More Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match in UK Sam Kerr ready for her ‘Cathy Freeman moment’ at Women’s World Cup ‘A natural leader’: How Millie Bright became England’s ‘voice’ for the Women’s World Cup ‘Empowered’ England won’t be distracted by bonus row, Lucy Bronze insists Germany and Alexandra Popp are out for revenge - the World Cup is the perfect chance Can Sweden turn heartbreak into Women’s World Cup history?

World Cup winner Alexia Putellas says the current situation in Spanish football is “unacceptable” after Luis Rubiales refused to resign as FA president amid strong criticism of his behaviour at last weekend’s final in Sydney. The Spanish media had widely reported on Thursday evening that Rubiales was about to stand down at an extraordinary general assembly of the Spanish federation (RFEF) on Friday. FIFA had opened disciplinary proceedings against him on Thursday, after he grabbed his crotch in celebration of Spain’s victory over England despite being just metres away from Spain’s Queen Letizia and her teenage daughter in the stadium VIP area. He then kissed Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips at the medal and trophy presentation, something she later admitted on social media she “didn’t like”. Rubiales apologised for his behaviour in the VIP area, but insisted in his speech on Friday that the Hermoso kiss was “spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual”. He said he had been the target of a “social assassination” and repeatedly and emphatically stated “I will not resign”, words which drew applause from the gathered delegates. Rubiales’ defiant stance prompted fresh calls for the Spanish government to take action, while world players’ union FIFPRO said UEFA – for whom Rubiales is an executive committee member and vice-president – must open disciplinary proceedings. But perhaps the most damning response of all came from Barcelona star Putellas, who posted on X: “This is unacceptable. It’s over. With you my team-mate @Jennihermoso.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

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HERZOGENAURACH, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 29, 2023--

Morocco’s debut game at the Women’s World Cup ended in a 6-0 loss to two-time champion Germany in what head coach Reynald Pedros described as a “David versus Goliath” contest