Saturday saw everyone’s favorite Viking eliminated as (hey) Jude Bellingham’s two goals for England sent Norway rowing back home. Meanwhile, Argentina’s Leo Messi got by with a little help from his friends to bid Switzerland adieu. Wednesday’s newsletter will have all the deets on that epic semifinal, because we have to focus on tomorrow’s between France and Spain.

One explosive FIFA men’s World Cup (WC) quarter-final (QF) down, three to go. Next week’s semis will be set by our next newsletter, so let’s get right to it.

The Amundi Evian Championship — the LPGA’s fourth major of the season — teed off yesterday from the stunning French Alps, where history is on the line for world No. 1 Nelly Korda. Unfortunately, a nightmare start means the 27-year-old has quite the mountain to climb.

The elite track & field business model is complicated, especially when it comes to athlete pay. The competitors shine globally every four years at the Olympics but, beyond that, fandom and media attention are devoted yet niche, which is why startup leagues like Athlos are trying to reach a wider, year-round audience. Athletes are also considering new, innovative ways to navigate today’s landscape. We recently spoke with Colleen Quigley, a former Olympic steeplechase competitor and Meridia co-founder who’s breaking the mold of the sport’s team structure with a new sponsorship and revenue-sharing model.

The NWSL’s Gotham FC made a huge announcement this week: In 2028, the team will move from New Jersey’s Sports Illustrated Stadium to Etihad Park, the massive, all-electric stadium being built in Flushing, Queens.

Following success in year one, the PWHL announced the expansion of its PWHL Summer Camps program to over 30 events across 16 U.S. and Canadian cities. The camps — which feature PWHL staff and players — will take place over the next two months and welcome all ages and skill levels.

Five years ago, Kyle Lowry told us he’d retire as a Toronto Raptor — and the 40-year-old kept his promise yesterday, inking a one-day deal with the Raps and choosing to hang up his sneakers in Canada after an illustrious 20-year NBA career.

On Friday, the NWSL shared midseason KPIs and milestones that illustrate explosive, multidimensional growth. The league saw gains across every major metric — a positive sign in the lead up to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Twenty-seven days and 96 games later, the FIFA men’s World Cup (WC) quarter-finals (QFs) are set. Today’s the first day in a while without a game, so take the respite to check on your bracket and read up on the upcoming matches, plus how the final two teams clinched their spots.

ICYMI, No. 30 CanMNT’s World Cup (WC) journey is over following Saturday’s 3–0 loss to No. 6 Morocco in the Round of 16. The scoreline doesn’t reflect how well Canada played, particularly in the first half, but we’re not here to file grievances today; we’re choosing to celebrate this historic run instead.

And just like that, the Round of 16 is nearly over. Here are the highlights from the long weekend, plus a look at the final three games before the quarter-finals (QF) begin on Thursday.

No. 30 CanMNT continues to go where no Canadian men have gone before: They’re onto the FIFA men’s World Cup (WC) Round of 16, taking on No. 6 Morocco today at 1 p.m. ET. Winning this game won’t be easy, but that’s par for the course — this tourney hasn’t exactly been a piece of cake for Les Rouges. And for that very reason (and more), battle-tested Canada might just pull off the unthinkable.