The preseason is quickly wrapping up, and it’s the final audition for players trying to make the 53-man roster. As rosters take shape, my NFL division preview rollout continues. We head to the West Coast, where the Broncos look to make a Super Bowl run, the Raiders plan for the future, and the Chiefs dynasty days continue to slip away.

Let’s dive into what this year in the AFC West has in store.

Denver Broncos

Expectations in the Mile High City are higher than they have been in a long time after being 30 minutes away from a Super Bowl appearance last year vs the New England Patriots. The Denver Broncos’ goal is clear: play in Los Angeles on February 14th.

Head coach Sean Payton made one of the biggest decisions in his coaching career, handing over play-calling duties to new offensive coordinator Davis Webb. Webb spent the last three years as Bo Nix’s quarterback coach, making the transition to full-time play caller easier. History could have been different had Bo Nix played in the AFC Championship, but he is back to 100 percent entering 2026.

The offense around Nix has only seen upgrades with Denver trading for receiver Jaylen Waddle in the offseason. Waddle’s ability in the short game pairs well with Courtland Sutton’s role as the X-receiver to stretch the field. Inconsistent quarterback play affected Waddle over the last two years, but in Denver’s system with Nix, the sixth-year receiver can return to his 1,000-yard form.

The Broncos defense checked all the boxes last year, and will do the same in 2026. Anchored by stars Patrick Surtain and Zach Allen, the Broncos had the No.1 red zone defense, while giving up the second-fewest yards in the league. Top to bottom, the defense has strong depth and playmakers in every position, which pays dividends in January.

The Broncos will be back in the playoffs and make a run deep into January. Nix staying healthy throughout is key to playing in Los Angeles on Valentine’s Day.

Prediction: 14-3 / 1st Place

Los Angeles Chargers

Naming Mike McDaniel the new offensive coordinator will do wonders for quarterback Justin Herbert, bringing a scheme similar to what made him successful in Oregon, based on timing throws and a motion-heavy offense. The young core of playmakers like Omarion Hampton, Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, and David Njoku is a supporting cast full of explosive potential in McDaniel’s system.

However, the big question is the offensive line health, as new addition Tyler Biadasz is already done for the season. Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt staying on the field would be a boost for a unit that gave up the second-most sacks (60) in 2025. With new additions and a healthy offensive line, the Chargers offense could be a top unit in the NFL this year.

The defense will look to keep its form in 2026 under new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary. In one season at Western Michigan, O’Leary’s unit produced one of the MAC’s top units, with a conference-best 43 sacks and a 2nd-ranked scoring defense (17.4 points per game). The core pieces remain on the Chargers for another productive year ahead.

Under Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers have made back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since the 2008-2009 season. However, after two first-round exits, the expectations have shifted to winning in January. With an upgraded offense and reliable defense, getting Herbert’s first playoff win has never been better.

Prediction: 10-7 / 2nd Place

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs’ dynasty days are behind them, with an older core and a stronger AFC West. There is no question that a healthy Patrick Mahomes is a top-3 quarterback in this league, but in 2026, the health and impact from the supporting cast will determine how far they go.

The Chiefs are banking on their offseason additions and rookie class to help them return to the postseason. Kansas City is going to need running back Kenneth Walker to continue his workhorse form he had with the Seattle Seahawks in last year’s postseason that led to a Super Bowl MVP. Walker, with a full workload, led the playoffs in attempts (65), yards (313), and rushing touchdowns (4).

Additionally, rookie defensive lineman Peter Woods and cornerback Mansoor Delane will need to fill big shoes early. Delane fills in for the departures of All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie and starter Jaylen Watson. Woods will back up Chris Jones, needing to win one-on-one situations when the Chiefs star undoubtedly faces double teams.

Walker should help the Chiefs regain some of their offensive prowess in 2026. However, a lack of receiver depth, an aging Travis Kelce, and heavy reliance on defensive rookies is not a recipe for success. Can never count out Mahomes, but the Chiefs will be on the outside looking in for the 2026 playoffs.

Prediction: 9-8 / 3rd Place

Las Vegas Raiders

Winning the Super Bowl is a distant hope for the Raiders, but building a strong foundation is a priority for a team entering 2026 with a new look. With first-year head coach Klint Kubiak at the helm, correctly integrating his vision for the Raiders project is key to long-term success.

No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza is the center of that vision, but starting veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins early creates a bridge to that future. Mendoza struggled in the preseason, with plenty of room to grow in Kubiak’s scheme, which prioritizes his quarterbacks under center. There is no rush to throw Mendoza in the fire.

Las Vegas spent $281 million this offseason to build a complete roster around Mendoza when the time is right. The Raiders added star center Tyler Linderbaum and guard Spencer Burford to shore up a unit that gave up a league-high 64 sacks last year. While signing linebackers Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean, along with cornerback Taron Johnson, to help a struggling defense.

In 2026, Raiders fans want to see stability and promise for the future. Kubiak is the 6th Raiders head coach in nine years. In a loaded AFC, the Raiders will struggle to win games. However, a successful season would be if the offense looks competent and the offseason additions pay off.

Prediction: 4-13 / 4th Place

Continuing the NFL division preview rollout, we stick with the AFC and head east. The New England Patriots shocked everyone with an unlikely Super Bowl run last year, while the Buffalo Bills once again fell short of their goals.

Let’s dive into what this year in the AFC East has in store.

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills will continue an almost decade-long streak of playoff appearances with their eighth consecutive appearance in 2026. However, expectations in western New York nowadays are to win the Lombardi Trophy.

Led by Josh Allen and James Cook, the Bills offense will rank among the league’s best yet again. The in-house head coach hire of Joe Brady should keep the ship chugging, as he has been responsible for three consecutive seasons of top-10 scoring offenses.

The addition of Jim Leonhard as the new defensive coordinator is an upgrade, given his success as a passing game coordinator in Denver over the last two years. Yet a question mark remains in the Bills’ secondary. The secondary has promise, but training-camp injuries have made it hard for newcomers CJ Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone to gel with returners.

For the Bills, the pieces are in place for a Super Bowl run, as they have been for some time. To capture a Super Bowl, Buffalo has to get out of their own way in one-possession games come January.

Prediction: 13-4 / 1st Place

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots’ path back to the Super Bowl won’t be as easy in 2026. The AFC remains open, but New England, facing a tougher schedule, will have to fight for a playoff spot this season.

The Patriots didn’t kick their feet up after last season’s Super Bowl run, upgrading at key positions to help their franchise quarterback, Drake Maye. Trading for AJ Brown provides Maye with a true No.1 wideout who has recorded 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons. Signing guard Alijah Vera-Tucker should pay dividends for an offensive line that gave up a postseason high of 21 sacks.

New England’s defense will keep the form from last year with more arrivals than departures in the offseason. Veterans like defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones and safety Kevin Byard add experience to a defense that already ranked as a top-5 scoring defense (18.8 points allowed per game) in 2025. The only glaring hole the Patriots need to shore up ahead of the season is their red zone defense, which ranked 30th in 2025.

The Patriots have done everything they can to get back to the postseason in 2026. The real test is how Drake Maye and company handle a first-place schedule rather than a fourth-place one.

Prediction: 10-7 / 2nd Place

New York Jets

There is reason for optimism in the Meadowlands because, let’s be honest, it can’t be much worse than last year. Entering year two, head coach Aaron Glenn seems more comfortable in his role, and the team’s talent has improved.

Geno Smith is back for his second stint in New York. Turnovers have plagued Smith’s career recently– 32 interceptions over the last two years. But under a veteran coordinator like Frank Reich, Smith can return to his 2022 form. The Jets’ young core of Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Adonai Mitchell, and rookie Kenyon Sadiq has more potential than what Smith had in Las Vegas.

The Jets retooled their secondary with Minkah Fitzpatrick and Nahshon Wright, adding much-needed experience to the unit that produced zero interceptions in 2025. In the front seven, 2nd-overall pick David Bailey has shined in training camp, and his college production – 14.5 sacks last season, tied for most in FBS – should make life easier for the secondary.

However, New York still feels a few years away from playing meaningful football in December and January. Sorry, Jets fans, it’s another year of tanking, but on the bright side, next year’s draft class is loaded with top-end talent.

Prediction: 4-13 / 3rd Place

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins’ 2026 campaign will be a painful watch from Week 1. Miami enters the season with an unproven roster and the second-hardest schedule in the NFL – facing the NFC North and AFC West.

The Dolphins did a much-needed reset this offseason, letting former 5th overall pick Tua Tagovailoa and head coach Mike McDaniel walk. However, Miami replaced them with first-time NFL head coach Jeff Hafley and quarterback Malik Willis, who has started only six career games in four years. The lack of experience at the two positions makes it clear the organization is preparing for a multi-year rebuild.

Quarterback and head coach are only the tip of the iceberg for a Miami depth chart that lacks quality starters. Running back De’Von Achane and linebacker Jordyn Brooks are the heartbeat of the Dolphins with their game-changing abilities, yet Achane’s Pro Bowl year and Brooks’s All-Pro campaign in 2025 weren’t enough for Miami, who finished 3rd in the AFC East.

Success for 2026 with the Dolphins should not be about the wins or losses, but rather the development of key positions. Winning would be Malik Willis taking steps toward being a franchise guy, and a rookie class, with defensive players Jacob Rodriguez and Chris Johnson, flashing potential.

Prediction: 1-16 / 4th Place

The agony of six months without football is over. Days of rewatching old highlights, doing mock drafts, and reading too deeply into every OTA report have carried us through the dark period in the NFL calendar year.

To say that we missed the NFL would be an understatement. Last week’s Hall of Fame game between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals averaged 7 million viewers across NBC and Peacock. A preseason game featuring Kenny Pickett and Carson Beck in early August drew more viewers than the U.S. coverage of every NHL Stanley Cup game this year.

Call it anticipation of the season right around the corner, but 2026 has the makings of being a special one. There is a talented 2026 draft class along with an unpredictable offseason that put star, even franchise-level, players on the move. Time to preview every division, starting with the AFC North.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals’ Achilles’ heel in recent years has been Joe Burrow’s health (no pun intended) and their defense. Burrow missed another nine games in 2025, and the defense ranked near the bottom in every category — 30th in points allowed and 31st in yards allowed. This offseason, Cincinnati went all in on fixing it.

The Bengals added beef up front by trading for defensive tackle Dexter Lawerance, and signing Jonathan Allen and edge rusher Boye Mafe. Their first two draft picks were defensive end Cashius Howell and cornerback Tacario Davis.

The defense added reinforcements, but Joe Burrow’s health is their X-factor. He’s played a full season just three times in six years. In those three healthy seasons, he led the Bengals to two playoff appearances (2021, 2022) and topped the league in passing yards and touchdowns (2024). The Bengals will go as far as Burrow and the dynamic duo of Ja’Marr Chase-Tee Higgins can carry them. That should be far enough for a return to January football.

Prediction: 13-4 / 1st Place

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens open the 2026 season without John Harbaugh as head coach for the first time in 18 years. The writing had been on the wall for a while, both for Ravens fans and the organization. Former Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter takes over.

Minter spent this offseason rebuilding a defense that struggled in 2025, going all-in on signing premier pass rusher Trey Hendrickson and veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell up front. The secondary, which ranked 30th against the pass, saw no upgrades.

The Ravens have a lot of upside at receiver in 2026. Historically, the position has lacked depth and skill during Lamar Jackson’s tenure. That’s starting to change: Baltimore locked down Zay Flowers long-term and added two experienced college receivers in Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt.

Jackson’s ability and a retooled offense should be enough to get the Ravens back into January football. How far they go from there depends on the defense.

Prediction: 12-5 / 2nd Place

Pittsburgh Steelers

For the first time in 20 years, the Steelers enter a season without Mike Tomlin. He leaves as one of the most successful coaches in franchise history, but it was time for a change. Enter Mike McCarthy.

McCarthy is no stranger to Pittsburgh, or to Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The two spent 13 years together in Green Bay, winning one Super Bowl in that span. However, it’s 2026; Aaron Rodgers is no longer playing at an MVP level, and McCarthy has been out of the league for a year.

Pittsburgh added receiver Michael Pittman and running back Rico Dowdle in free agency to inject some juice into an offense that lacked creativity at times last season, and brought in defensive backs Jaquan Brisker and Jamal Dean to shore up a secondary that ranked 29th against the pass.

The question is whether they can repeat last year’s success. The rest of the AFC North got stronger, and these additions aren’t enough to move the needle for an aging quarterback who’s already declared this his final season.

Prediction: 7-10 / 3rd Place

Cleveland Browns

Stop me if you have heard this before: the Browns are in a quarterback battle ahead of their season opener. This time it’s second-year Shedeur Sanders against veteran Deshaun Watson. Outside of that competition, general manager Andrew Berry has built an intriguing young roster.

Trading Myles Garrett wasn’t about him as much as it was about the different timelines of the two parties. Edge rusher Jared Verse fits that timeline better, joining a hungry young defense anchored by reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger. The unit will look to build on a strong 2025, when it ranked fifth in total defensive EPA (-0.10).

Offensively, second-year running back Quinshon Judkins and tight end Harold Fannin will be key pieces in a retooled attack under head coach Todd Monken, while rookie receivers Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion will have heavy workloads out the gate.

Whoever wins the quarterback job, the offensive line is the X-factor. Cleveland has finished top-10 in sacks allowed every season since 2023, but enters 2026 with only one returning starter from last year. The roster potential is real – the timeline isn’t quite there yet.

Prediction: 5-12 / 4th Place

Dear World Cup,

Thank you for the last 39 days. From the magical moments to the infectious atmospheres to the brilliance of the game’s biggest superstars, you showed how the power of fútbol can bring people together.

There wasn’t a day that went by when I didn’t think about what you had in store next.

Who was next to submit their application for the goal of the tournament? What Cinderella country was going to play spoiler? Will Kylian Mbappé or Lionel Messi win the Golden Boot?

The questions started to feel like asking a genie for another wish. And every time, we got our wishes granted.

Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral sent Miami into pandemonium with his “Bend It Like Beckham” impersonation. Paraguay took down European giant Germany. Mbappé solidified himself as a World Cup legend with another Golden Boot and secured the all-time goal record of 22.

This summer was historic. Records fell everywhere you looked: nine African countries qualified for the knockout stage, three countries co-hosted for the first time, and two legends – Messi and Mbappé – battled for World Cup history.

And the cherry on top? An infamous photo of two kids who grew up to face off in the World Cup final.

The expanded field of 48 nations meant new players to fall for, stories you couldn’t look away from, and debutant countries getting their moment.

And believe me, we saw everything that was offered.

England vs Mexico’s 45 million viewers between FOX Sports and Telemundo was the most-watched World Cup telecast for a non-US match. The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is on track to be the most-watched Spanish-language media telecast at 22 million viewers.

You didn’t just capture the die-hard fans. You created a summer romance for the casual. Turning the dog days of sports into unskippable television for a month.

Whether they called it soccer or fútbol, you didn’t just unite fans – you gave people community at a time when a lot of us are craving it.

Bars were bustling with watch parties. Streets filled with countries’ pregame rituals. Host cities turned into one big block party.

The Scots had their fun drinking Boston dry and embracing an American pastime at Fenway. The Norwegians’ Viking row celebration became a global sensation, with even Spanish fans doing it after winning the World Cup. And a personal favorite was Japanese fans discovering Texas BBQ for the first time.

To be honest, I had my concerns before the summer.

I questioned if people would show up to the games because of ticket prices and the government’s immigration agenda. But I was wrong.

Across 104 matches, nearly 6.8 million fans attended matches in person, according to FIFA data, making it the most attended World Cup in terms of total spectators. ICE agents remained low-profile at the games, with little interference in fan or game festivities.

With that said, it’s hard to say goodbye. You gave us an unforgettable summer. One that will stick with me for a long time after.

I will cherish the time spent with friends, the 31 seconds the USA tied with Belgium, and a never-ending slate of group stage matches.

Thank you again, World Cup (not Gianni Infantino).

See you soon. We will meet again across the Atlantic.

Sincerely,

Jude Ocañas

England controlled the battle for the better part of the first hour. Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute goal had the English fans dreaming about destiny. History was 30 minutes away.

Then Argentina, trailing in the second half of a World Cup knockout game again, did what Argentina does. La Albiceleste turned to their captain.

Wednesday was not about an individual award – the Golden Boot – or personal achievements for Messi. It was about doing whatever was needed for the badge.

In the span of seven minutes, Messi delivered on Argentina’s wishes. First, a slip pass to Enzo Fernández at the top of the box in the 85th minute got the equalizer. Then, a well-placed cross to Lautaro Martínez in the 92nd minute finished off the European giants for good.

Messi’s two assists versus England have shaken up the Golden Boot standings and saved Argentina’s World Cup hopes.

The standings ahead of the final:

1. Lionel Messi (ARG) - 7 games, 620 minutes, 8 goals, 4 assists

2. Kylian Mbappé (FRA) - 7 games, 608 minutes, 8 goals, 3 assists

3. Erling Haaland (NOR) - 5 games, 465 minutes, 7 goals, 0 assists

4. Jude Bellingham (ENG) - 7 games, 605 minutes, 6 goals, 1 assist

5. Harry Kane (ENG) - 7 games, 653 minutes, 6 goals, 1 assist

Messi’s chase for his first-ever Golden Boot is not locked up ahead of Sunday’s final. France’s and England’s eliminations from the World Cup are not the end of the road for their top goalscorers.

Mbappé, Bellingham, and Kane have one more chance to add to their Golden Boot total in Saturday’s third-place match. The French captain, with the fewest minutes among the top five, is best positioned to overtake Messi with a single goal or an assist.

If no one can find the back of the net or provide an assist on Saturday, Messi walks into Sunday’s final already as the Golden Boot winner.

Messi’s 2026 World Cup campaign has been one for the history books. He now holds the all-time World Cup record for goals (21) and assists (12), spanning six tournaments since 2006. Winning the Golden Boot would be the cherry on top for the greatest player to ever lace them up.

Argentina is one win away from becoming the first team to repeat as champions since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Kickoff against Spain is at 3 p.m. ET on July 19 at MetLife Stadium

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It’s hard to believe that in the blink of an eye there are only four countries left in the World Cup. It felt like yesterday that Mexico and South Africa opened the 2026 World Cup play in the Azteca.

Argentina, France, England, and Spain were the expected fútbol royalty to reach this stage – all ranked among the top 4 in the FIFA World Rankings. European powerhouses France and Spain, for the most part, dominated their way to the semifinals, while Argentina and England have faced adversity on their journeys.

The Golden Boot race picked up a new wrinkle in the quarterfinals. Norway’s Erling Haaland saw his first World Cup end in Miami. England proved to be too much for Norway, who had taken an early 1-0 lead.

Thanks to a brace from midfielder Jude Bellingham, England stormed back to win 2-1 in extra time. Norway’s exit eliminates the tournament’s dark horse – and Haaland’s Golden Boot hopes with it. Still, his debut on the global stage won’t be forgotten.

Heading into the Week of July 13th, here is how the race is stacking up:

1. Kylian Mbappé (FRA) - 6 games, 518 minutes, 8 goals, 3 assists

2. Lionel Messi (ARG) - 6 games, 530 minutes, 8 goals, 2 assists

3. Erling Haaland (NOR)* - 5 games, 465 minutes, 7 goals, 0 assists

4. Jude Bellingham (ENG) - 6 games, 515 minutes, 6 goals, 1 assist

5. Harry Kane (ENG) - 6 games, 563 minutes, 6 goals, 1 assist

* Eliminated from the World Cup

Bellingham’s knockout-stage form has worked him into the Golden Boot conversation. The Real Madrid star has anchored England’s midfield with a relentless motor, scoring four goals over the last two games against Mexico and Norway. Those performances earned him the only two 9.0+ ratings by an English player in the knockout rounds on FotMob.

Even with Bellingham reminding every doubter of his talent, it may be a little too late to catch the Golden Boot leaders. Mbappé and Messi still remain locked in a two-man race for first with two games to go.

The French captain holds a slight edge in assists. Mbappé added another goal and an assist in France’s quarterfinal win over Morocco.

Messi couldn’t find the back of the net against Switzerland, finishing with just one shot on target and 0.25 expected goals, per FotMob. But he set up Alexis Mac Allister’s opening goal with his corner delivery.

At the start of the tournament, it wasn’t hard to imagine Messi and Mbappé topping this list. Now their race could come down to the final game at MetLife Stadium – just like in 2022.

Mbappé vs Messi. France vs Argentina. World Cup Final. Golden Boot up for grabs.

But the road there won’t be easy for either team. With less than 24 hours until kickoff of the World Cup semifinals, here’s a preview of both matches.

France vs Spain – Dallas Stadium – July 14th – 12:00 pm

The two European giants arrive playing their best football of the tournament.

France’s attack has been deadly all summer, averaging 2.7 goals a game. Opponents have found no solution for the combination of Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and Michael Olise.

Spain has leaned on stingy defense and high pressure throughout group play and the knockout rounds. It took until the quarterfinal for La Roja to concede a goal in their 2-1 win over Belgium. The defense has kept Spain in games even as their offense has struggled at times.

France’s firepower gives them the edge here. If Spain want to advance, it will need one of their young stars, Lamine Yamal, to deliver in the biggest moment – either finding the back of the net or creating a chance for someone else.

Argentina vs England – Atlanta Stadium - July 15th – 12:00 pm

The meeting has been 24 years in the making. England and Argentina haven’t met at a World Cup since 2002.

Lionel Messi continues to defy Father Time, leading Argentina back to their second straight World Cup semifinal appearance. Their run has called for late-game heroics versus Cape Verde and Egypt.

England have matched that resilience. They outlasted a strong Mexico side on Mexican soil in front of 80,000 fans at the Azteca, then fought back from behind to beat Norway in extra time, through Miami’s heat and humidity.

Argentina have the pedigree of a defending champion, but England arrives battle-tested. The edge goes to a red-hot England side, led by Bellingham and Kane, to reach their first World Cup final since 1966.

This year’s World Cup has delivered on every front. These semi-finals won’t be any different, with the biggest stars facing off for ultimate World Cup glory.

They call it the lucky number seven.

There are Seven Wonders of the world. There are seven dwarfs. There are seven colors in the rainbow.

And in the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot race, it is tied at seven goals.

The battle for the 2026 Golden Boot was destined to be one for the history books from the start. At the current pace of goal-scoring, there is a chance we could see a double-digit goal total for the first time since 1970 in Mexico – West Germany’s Gerd Müller (10).

Heading into the Week of July 6th, here is how the race is stacking up:

1. Kylian Mbappé (FRA) - 5 games, 441 minutes, 7 goals, 2 assists

2. Lionel Messi (ARG) - 4 games, 320 minutes, 7 goals, 0 assists

3. Erling Haaland (NOR) - 4 games, 360 minutes, 7 goals, 0 assists

4. Harry Kane (ENG) - 5 games, 443 minutes, 6 goals, 1 assist

Since our last update, England’s Harry Kane has flipped the switch. It took some time for Kane to put himself in the Golden Boot conversation, but it was only a matter of time for England’s gifted scorer. Over the last three games, he has netted three goals and added an assist.

Kane’s goal contribution hasn’t just boosted his stat sheet but also saved England’s World Cup hopes. It was Kane’s penalty in the 60th minute that was the game-winner in England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico in the Round of 16.

In the Round of 32 against DR Congo, England found themselves on their heels, down 1-0 with 15 minutes left. Even without offensive success, Kane’s confidence didn’t waver.

The 32-year-old striker decided to take the game into his own hands. He equalized at the 75th minute and won it in the 86th. At the top of the box, Kane dribbled through three defenders, planted his foot, and fired a rocket into the top-right corner, winning it for England.

Kane’s resilience has kept his Golden Boot and England’s hopes alive. But the real drama is at the top, where three superstars are separated by nothing.

Mbappé, Messi, and Haaland have given this year’s tournament some of its best moments. From Messi’s hat-trick against Algeria to Haaland’s brace that advanced Norway to their first-ever quarterfinal, the superstars have left their mark. The hope is that interest in the global game sticks even after the World Cup is over.

Mbappé has the edge for first place because of the two assists versus Norway in the group stage – in a goal-total tie, the player with more assists wins the Golden Boot. The game against Norway was the only match in which he did not score, but he has since returned to form. In two knockout games, he has scored three times, including a decisive penalty that secured a 1-0 win over Paraguay last Saturday.

Messi’s Argentina survived an extra-time scare from Cape Verde in the Round of 32, turning it into one of the games of the tournament. As expected, he found the back of the net again, extending his goal streak to a tournament-record eight consecutive games.

Haaland’s World Cup debut could not have gone any better. His knack for finding the net has been on display in Europe for years now, but the world hadn’t seen it on this stage until now. Entering 2026, Norway had seven total World Cup goals in its history. Haaland has seven in four games.

Mbappé remains my pick to win the Golden Boot. France’s route is tough, with a quarterfinal matchup against African powerhouse Morocco, then a semifinal against Spain or Belgium.

The problems that France’s attack causes opponents give Mbappé the edge. Les Bleus’ 2.8 goals per game are tied for first in the World Cup with Argentina and Germany. On top of that, France’s magician, Michael Olise, leads the tournament with five assists and contributed to three of Mbappé’s seven goals.

The Golden Boot race could very well come down to who plays in the World Cup final at MetLife on July 19th.

Get your popcorn ready.

There are moments in life when you just need to pinch yourself to make sure you’re not dreaming.

When the gigantic Spanish and Austrian banners unfurled on the grass, I had to check if I was.

My dad and I, sitting in the top bowl of Los Angeles Stadium, were living out both of our childhood dreams: a FIFA World Cup game.

Attending sports games with my dad has been a tradition since I was a young kid. We have been fortunate to attend the NFL playoffs, the MLB World Series, and even an Italian soccer match in Rome, but nothing compares to Thursday afternoon.

Having the World Cup in our backyard was an opportunity we could not pass up. When Spain was drawn to play Austria in the Round of 32 in Los Angeles, the idea of going started to percolate.

My family’s Spanish history dates back to the Roman Reconquista in the 15th century and extends to a modern-day travel destination. There has always been a special bond between the land and my experiences. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that they have one of the strongest national teams at this year’s World Cup.

Combining the family heritage with the game’s location made the decision crystal clear.

Walking to the stadium, it was clear that the Spanish fans would be the majority in attendance. For every Austrian jersey, there were about two dozen Spanish jerseys nearby.

The fan-favorite jersey that filled the concourses was FC Barcelona’s and Spain’s Lamine Yamal. At 18, he has become a global sensation in the world of fútbol.

Two years ago, Yamal won the UEFA European Championship with Spain and was named the Euros’ Young Player of the Tournament at 16. Not an understatement to say that when he had the ball, everybody’s cellphone came out of their pocket.

While Austria and Spain were the two countries playing, a variety of national jerseys could be found in the stadium concourse. There were plenty of Mexico and USA jerseys, with Netherlands, Germany, and Argentina jerseys sprinkled around.

Even at one point in the game, a Mexico chant broke out in the stands. If you weren’t paying attention, you could have thought it was a Mexico home game at the Azteca.

My personal favorite outfit I saw was someone dressed head to toe in the uniform worn by the robbers in the Netflix hit series “Money Heist” – slightly biased because I just watched it for the first time.

Once, at the seats, all I could do was look around in awe. The striped pattern of the fútbol pitch glowed beneath the 70,000-square-foot LED screen hanging from the stadium roof. While the FIFA World Cup banners lined the stadium walls like perfectly piped wedding cake frosting.

The opening player introductions were a sight to behold. Before either team steps onto the field, volunteers spread the two national flags across the pitch.

The size and quality of the banners make it seem as if the stadium is projecting a CGI image onto the field, given how comically large they are. Based on the field’s dimensions, the banner is in the ballpark of 60 feet wide.

Finally, the players made their grand entrance onto the field, with the camera keeping a close watch on Spain’s wonderboy, Yamal. In fairness, he was the main event everyone, including me, came to see.

There was just one thing to do as the teams took the field: start the countdown.

10…

9…

8…

7…

6…

5…

4…

3…

2…

1…

We are underway.

What was once an NFL game-day destination in the fall has become a sanctuary for the global game.

To embody the European atmosphere, Austrian and Spanish fans created pockets of ultra sections on opposite ends of the stadium. The organized fan sections hung customized banners along the stadium railing and bellowed chants to serenade their country and its players.

However, compared to my adventures at European stadiums, the crowd atmosphere was tamer than most. For better or worse, there were no flares being ignited, fights in the stands, or flags being waved around.

Except there was one part of the game that every fan could get behind to create ruckus: booing FIFA hydration breaks.

The great part of fútbol is the game’s nonstop action. Yet, FIFA has found another way to ruin the beautiful game.

Midway through the first and second halves, the referee halts the game for a mandated three-minute hydration break.

Watching on television, the break in action has become repeatedly annoying. The hydration breaks have seemingly become another avenue for FIFA and their networks to sell commercial time to their advertisers.

But I wanted to give the breaks a chance in person to see if the experience would be different.

It wasn’t.

The three-minute pause made the World Cup game resemble an NFL atmosphere more than a fútbol one. To fill the void, Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders performed on the jumbotron, while stadium gameday hosts interviewed fans in the stands.

Can’t get more American than that. Whether you’re at the game or watching on television, the hydration breaks suck.

Yet, once the action returned to the field, Spain reminded us all why we paid for the tickets. From Spain’s relentless pressure to their wingers’ and midfield’s creativity, Austria had no answer for them.

Spain came out on top at the end of 90 minutes with a dominant 3-0 victory, advancing to a Round of 16 matchup against Portugal.

Spain winning was the cherry on top of a one-of-a-kind experience. Now and forever, I can check the World Cup off my sports fandom bucket list.

Viva España!

World Cup fever has reached the United States. Cities are turning into short-term residences for foreign visitors, and World Cup records are already being broken.

In the current state of the job market, my full-time job has become watching every moment of this year’s 2026 FIFA World Cup. The expanded field of 48 teams has made for heartfelt moments for debutants Cape Verde and Curaçao, while the global superstars have already made their mark on the pitch.

On top of all that, Team USA has had its best start to a World Cup in the country’s history – though keeping my optimism to a moderate level, with no matches yet against a European country.

Two weeks into the competition, the race for the Golden Boot – awarded to the tournament’s top scorer – is already a tight contest between some of the competition’s finest.

Lionel Messi has reminded everyone why he is still the greatest in the world. Through two matches, his five goals lead the Golden Boot leaderboard and account for every one of Argentina’s goals scored this tournament. Not too bad for a 38-year-old.

With the two goals in Monday’s win over Austria, Messi is now the all-time goals leader (18) in the World Cup, passing Germany’s Miroslav Klose.

Argentina came into the World Cup as the defending champions, and the 2022 final was a showcase of Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappé dueling at their very best. Messi’s Golden Boot candidacy in 2022 fell short by one goal after a 118th-minute penalty from Mbappé in the final pushed his total to eight.

Messi will likely surpass his seven-goal total from 2022 at his current pace. Yet, the Argentina star will need to keep the production churning with Norway’s Erling Haaland and Mbappé knocking on the door.

Mbappé is no stranger to this stage. He won the World Cup at 18 and followed that with the Golden Boot in 2022. In 2026, he continued his dominance as France’s number nine, scoring four goals in two games.

The rivalry between Mbappé and Messi extends beyond this year’s Golden Boot. Mbappé has his sights set on Messi’s record 18 World Cup goals — and with his brace on Monday, he tied Klose with 16 goals.

There is no question Mbappé will break the all-time goal record, given where both players are in their careers. Mbappé is still 27, and Messi is almost certainly playing his last World Cup. Still, breaking records is always sweeter when the player you are trying to reach is still active.

Haaland’s World Cup experience is another story entirely. This is Norway’s first appearance since the 1998 World Cup in France, and the occasion didn’t seem to faze him for long. Just 29 minutes into Norway’s opener against Iraq, Haaland scored his first-ever World Cup goal. After two games, he is tied with Mbappé for second on four goals.

While the World stage is new for Haaland, the 6’5” Viking has made a living off finding the back of the net. In four years with Manchester City, he ranks second in club history with 162 goals in 198 appearances.

He still holds the Premier League single-season record for goals-to-match ratio, with an unreal 1.03 goals per game, set in his debut campaign in 2022-23, when he finished with 44 goal contributions in 36 matches.

How many World Cups Haaland will ultimately feature in remains to be seen, but at two goals per game, he could eventually enter the all-time conversation.

Beyond the top three, several players remain in contention. Canada’s Jonathan David and Germany’s Dennis Undav are tied at three goals. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo sits at two goals after a brace versus Uzbekistan on Tuesday, level with England’s Harry Kane.

Ultimately, the Golden Boot race will come down to who keeps scoring and whose team lasts the longest. On that front, this year’s race will feel like a replay of 2022. France and Argentina are arguably the two best teams in the tournament and have the best chances of advancing deep into the knockout rounds.

Norway will have its first real test on the global stage on Friday, in its final group-stage match against France.

All things considered, I’m picking Mbappé to claim another Golden Boot, adding to the trophy case. France boasts the most dangerous attack, with Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, and Desir

é Doué leading the charge. As the focal point of the French system, Mbappé has recorded the most touches in the opposition box through two games, with 17.

With France holding the best odds of returning to the final, Mbappé is well-positioned to become the only player in FIFA history to win the Golden Boot twice.

For many NFL fans, we had to look up what the supplemental draft even meant. The alternative draft format has not been used to select a player since 2019, when the Arizona Cardinals used a fifth-round pick to draft safety Jalen Thompson.

NFL teams are split into three tiers: six wins or fewer, non-playoff teams, and the 14 playoff teams. The order for each tier is selected at random. If a team is interested in selecting the player, it places a bid by offering one of its future draft picks for the next year. The team that submits the highest draft pick secures the player's draft rights.

In Sorsby’s case, he has not officially been made eligible for the supplemental draft yet, but he announced his intention to enter. The NFL still has to approve his application and set a time for the draft. However, quarterback-needy teams will begin conducting due diligence on the 2025 All-Big 12 second-team quarterback.

Before diving into the three teams I see as fits for Sorsby, let’s first understand the player we are looking at.

Sorsby is a dual-threat quarterback who possesses many of the tangible skills we see in NFL star gunslingers. He has three-level arm talent, allowing him to make any throw on the field, combined with an elusive running ability that makes defenders miss in the open field.

In 2025, Sorsby’s 36 total touchdowns finished first in the Big-12. He was going to be a Heisman candidate to watch heading into his senior season at Texas Tech, but those dreams for Red Raider fans will have to be put to rest.

Questions about the NFL pursuing action against Sorsby for his betting are still up in the air. Yet, if a team drafted Sorsby, the expectation would be for 2026 to serve as an almost redshirting season for development.

Let’s dive into the three teams that could swing at Sorsby.

Arizona Cardinals

QB Depth: Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew II, Carson Beck, Keldon Slovis

The Cardinals are going through a transitional period at the quarterback position with the release of former 1st overall pick Kyler Murray. Brissett filled in for the better half of last season and posted a 1-11 record. As a bridge quarterback, Brissett is fine, but he is not going to pull the team back to the playoffs (especially in a loaded NFC West).

Drafting Sorsby does not fix the immediate issue at the position. Sorsby can learn and improve his skills under the new head coach and offensive specialist Mike LeFleur. In LeFleur’s most recent season as the Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator, quarterback Matthew Stafford won the NFL MVP, posting career highs in TD passes (46) and passer rating (109.2).

New York Jets

QB Depth: Geno Smith, Cade Klubnik, Brady Cook, and Bailey Zappe

The Jets have been on the quarterback carousel as long as I can remember. First, it was Sam Darnold, then Aaron Rodgers, to save them. Both experiments lasted less than three years. The question for the Jets would be what are you willing to give up?

The Jets have a young core of weapons with Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, and Omar Cooper. Add to the fact that next season, they will likely be drafting in the top-5, where they could have a chance at Ohio State superstar wideout Jeremiah Smith. Give up a second-round pick for Sorsby to develop in an NFL system, and the Jets can head into 2027 with an intriguing young core.

Minnesota Vikings

QB Depth: Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer

The JJ McCarthy pick in the 2024 NFL draft will always baffle me. McCarthy’s rookie season was disappointing, and the Vikings immediately brought reinforcements this offseason by signing Kyler Murray to a one-year deal. Sorsby would fit into this room as a project in a year or two.

But it would be one of the best spots to develop his talent. Head coach Kevin O’Connell and quarterback coach Josh McCown resurrected the career of Sam Darnold. In 2024, Darnold set career highs in passing yards and touchdowns with the Vikings. The following year, he was a Super Bowl champion with Seattle.