Month: September 2025

International qualifiers are tournaments that thin the field of teams competing in a major soccer championship. These events are overseen by the international governing body of soccer, FIFA, and involve several rounds of matches in different formats. The winner of each round gains access to the final tournament, while runners-up may qualify through a playoff system.

Ahead of the final qualifying round for 2026, we take a look at how things are shaping up across the globe. In Europe, most of the 55 European nations that have not already qualified have begun their campaign. Groups of four or five teams play each other home and away in a series of games, with the winners of each group earning a place at the final tournament.

In Concacaf, England moved a step closer to a place at the World Cup after their 5-0 statement win in Serbia. Rino Gattuso’s Azzurri now face a tough test of their credentials when they travel to Norway for the next leg in November.

In Asia, Uzbekistan boosted their hopes of making the finals by drawing 1-1 in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday. That result means they now sit second in their group, level with Iran on 23 points, and will qualify if they can defeat Iraq and Saudi Arabia in the final two fixtures. Elsewhere, Qatar and Indonesia have a chance to secure the fourth and final spot from their group by beating Oman and Saudi Arabia in their respective final rounds.

NEW YORK – It was a World Series full of firsts. The first-ever walk-off grand slam in the series was launched by Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman 36 years after Kirk Gibson blasted one over the left-field wall to turn a loss into a win for the Dodgers, and it was the first time a team that trailed 3-1 in the World Series came back to win a game.

LOS ANGELES – With their backs to the wall and the Commissioner’s Trophy in sight, the Dodgers went all-in on the process that got them from a shaky start to a National League pennant and into this World Series. Even when their high-leverage relievers were holstered to preserve the lead, they kept going with the plan that brought them this far. And when the plan unraveled in a big way, it was an inning of epic desperation that produced one of the greatest denouements in Fall Classic history.

It was the kind of inning that gives baseball fans a reason to be so grateful for the best-of-seven format, introduced in 1905 after the NL champion Giants refused to play the AL champion Boston Pilgrims and remained the only year (until a players’ strike canceled it in 1994) the World Series wasn’t played. A couple of misplays by the Yankees and a little more scheming by Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts spelled trouble for the Dodgers, but they still made it through with an outfield juggling act.

Whether it’s a mascot’s funny antics, an Olympic swimmer’s prank or an NFL player’s troll-tastic handshake, viral sports moments captivate fans and break through barriers of language, time zones and sport. They help athletes and teams connect with new followers, drive engagement and build loyalty among existing fanbases.

Creating a viral moment is no easy feat. There are many factors that need to be in place, and not everyone can pull it off. However, for those that are able to strike gold, the rewards can be massive.

Viral sports moments can catapult brands to ubiquity, exposing them to millions of people and making them household names. They can also be powerful marketing tools that help drive sales and brand awareness.

While some viral moments are accidental, others can be intentionally engineered. Take, for example, the “Ice Bucket Challenge” trend that swept social media in 2014. The campaign capitalized on a combination of elements to become a phenomenon: social currency, evoking emotion, showcasing talent, providing practical value and telling a compelling narrative.

This year’s Olympics offered up a number of head-scratching viral moments, from “pommel horse guy” earning a bronze medal and a spot on Dancing with the Stars to the 58-year-old Turkish shooter who went viral for his iconic stance in the men’s 10m air pistol. Choosing just five of them was almost impossible, but here are some of the most viral sports moments of 2024.

Ice hockey makes its Olympic debut at the 1920 Antwerp Games. From there, the sport grew, relocating to indoor arenas and gaining more prominence with each successive Olympics, from Chamonix 1924 to Cortina d’Ampezzo 1956. Players braved blizzards, cold temperatures and even mid-game shovelling to clear the ice.

Then came the Miracle on Ice, a stunning upset that stunned the Soviet Union and changed the face of men’s Olympic hockey forever. From there, new stories opened: Sweden grabbed its first gold in 1994 after a shootout classic against Canada; the Czech Republic climbed behind Dominik Hasek’s goaltending to claim a triumphant gold in 1998; and Canada reset its own story at 2002, 2010, 2014 and 2018.

As of now, Olympic ice hockey is only played on NHL-sized rinks when the event takes place in an Olympic city. However, a proposal has been made to allow the game to be played on a smaller rink – perhaps around the size of the NHL’s Coalville Civic Center — in 2026.

In the event of a tie at the end of regulation in the gold medal or bronze medal game, there will be a 20-minute period of 3-on-3 overtime. A winner will be determined by the team that scores more goals. A tiebreaker will also be used if needed. During a shootout, the attacking player must put their stick on the ice first and the puck must completely cross the goal line to count as a goal.

The NFL draft 2025 was held at Lambeau Field and Titletown District in Green Bay, Wisconsin on April 24–26, 2025. The 90th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible players was hosted by the Green Bay Packers and featured seven rounds of selections.

The Eagles moved up to get Campbell, who is a big-bodied defensive tackle. He’s a great fit for the Eagles’ defense that lost both Calais Campbell and Da’Shawn Hand in free agency and has to replace tackles Alim McNeill and Maliek Collins. At 6-foot-4 and 331 pounds, he is a space eater who should help clear rush lanes for Zach Sieler.

Why they picked him: The Giants had a lot of needs after a rough season, but quarterback was their top priority. Dart was an intriguing prospect because of his accurate throwing, anticipation and ability to escape pressure. He also has a strong arm and can make all the throws that the Giants’ new offense requires.

The Jets added a plug-and-play offensive lineman to complement last year’s first-round pick, Olu Fashanu. Zabel is an athletic, mobile tackle who can play either guard position and has the potential to be a good pass blocker. He’ll be a nice fit for new coach Klint Kubiak’s outside zone running game that prioritizes athletic linemen who can get off blocks and move in space. He’ll join center Sam Cosmi, guards Tyler Biadasz and Joe Tippmann and tackles Corey Clement and Alijah Vera-Tucker.

Whether it’s rallying against Jose Mourinho or protesting against the commercialization of football, fans have a long history of using their passion for a particular subject to fight for change. The articles in this issue demonstrate that fan activism isn’t a passing fad, but rather a powerful force that is increasingly influencing civic life.

This issue brings together cutting-edge work that takes fans seriously as political agents, and that draws on a variety of theories of citizenship and democracy. Its essays explore how fan activism can reframe and challenge dominant discourses about culture, power, and society.

We examine how the way in which protest stories are told can influence people’s attitudes toward the protest and the protesters. Specifically, we show that when news media humanize – as opposed to delegitimize – the teenager whose death prompts a protest, viewers perceive the story as more credible. This effect holds for both Democrats and those with Democrat-leaning views. In contrast, when stories delegitimize the teenager whose death prompts a migrant rights protest, viewers perceive the story as less credible.

We also show that a fan activism organization’s use of preexisting community structures, like fandoms or the Black press, helps it build up a sense of solidarity and social action among its members. This is illustrated by Dave’s story about his experience with the Harry Potter Alliance, an organization that encourages its members to use their love of the books to promote social change.

Whether you’re a high-stakes tournament winner or a devoted fan watching from the sidelines, esports is revolutionizing the way consumers interact with video games. Sponsored by some of the biggest video game companies in the world, competitions for popular titles are played in world-class arenas and watched by millions, making esports a multibillion dollar industry 1. And as internet connectivity speeds increase around the globe, it won’t be long before that number doubles.

Esports, also known as e-Sports, e-games, or electronic sports, is organized competitive video gaming that has evolved into a global phenomenon with televised championships seen by tens of millions of people and a potential Olympic debut on the horizon 2. Esports tournaments feature teams competing against one another to win cash prizes, and the popularity of eSports has led to mainstream media networks like ESPN broadcasting events 3, professional sport leagues adding eSports to their lineups 4 — and even owners of NBA and NHL franchises investing in esports teams 5.

The eSports industry is driven by players who dedicate themselves to their craft and compete for large prize pools. Many of these players are incredibly successful in their respective games, and some have become household names in their own right. Some of the most notable eSports competitors include Astralis (Dota 2), OG (League of Legends), FaZe Clan (Counter-Strike), Daigo Umehara (Street Fighter) and more.

The elation of a great fight, the thrill of a big win, the intensity of combat sports—these moments transcend sport and captivate fans across generations. Whether it’s Muhammad Ali’s Thrilla in Manila, Conor McGregor’s historic knockout, or Ronda Rousey’s pioneering dominance, these legendary moments capture the allure of combat sports and the raw human emotions that drive them.

Due to the one-to-one nature of competition, combat sports tend to be more intense than other sports. But, with the right balance of discipline and training, those who participate in combat sports find themselves more productive and creative in their daily lives, and stay healthier (as research has shown that aerobic exercise improves memory and learning abilities).

Athletes are tasked with not only improving their physical fitness, but also their mental fortitude and psychological resilience. They must prepare mentally for the highs and lows of competition while managing adrenaline, anxiety, and fear in a safe and structured environment. This requires mental preparation strategies ranging from visualization techniques to mindfulness practices.

The long hours of training and competing can often leave coaches little time to cultivate friendships outside their sport, which can be isolating. Despite these challenges, many people who choose to participate in combat sports remain dedicated and committed to their craft. They push themselves to train even when they don’t feel like it, and are galvanized by the sense of accomplishment and camaraderie that comes from being able to hold their own in a fight.

Athlete endorsements are a powerful marketing strategy that leverage athletes’ popularity and credibility to boost brand visibility and consumer trust. While these partnerships have a short-term impact, they also help establish deeper consumer connections through narratives that highlight athletes’ personal experiences and struggles. The intrinsic trust and admiration that fans feel for athletes translates to genuine influence over purchasing decisions.

In order to maximize their contract value and sponsorship chances, athletes must maintain a robust social media presence and engage their audiences authentically with original content. The best-paid athletes have devoted, engaged social fan bases that rival their sports teams and leagues in size and passion. Similarly, brands should seek to partner with athletes that are known for their adherence to ethical codes and strong moral principles.

Athlete endorsements that feature video content, such as testimonials or day-in-the-life formats, foster authenticity and create a more immersive audience experience. In addition, long-term athlete partnerships can provide more opportunities for creative storytelling and deep integration into the brand’s identity. Athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo, whose ongoing partnership with Nike has shaped his iconic image as a role model, prove the power of long-term commitment to an endorsement. Metrics such as conversion rates, sales uplift, and brand sentiment can help quantify the success of an endorsement campaign. In addition, a termination clause in an endorsement agreement should clearly define situations in which one party can walk away from the deal. Whether an athlete’s performance declines or they get involved in a controversy, a well-drafted termination provision can protect the interests of both parties.

The last few weeks have seen a flood of athlete retirement news, from Super Bowl hero Nick Foles to women’s soccer legend Alex Morgan hanging up her cleats. For many athletes, retiring can be a tough transition. They spend their entire lives preparing for that one moment, and they must shift from training around the clock to surviving on minimum wages and limited social support. They also have to find their self-identity outside of the sport they love and build a new foundation for themselves.

Despite these challenges, most retirees do well in their post-athletic careers. It is important that they learn about investing and financial planning early in their careers, says Tom Sagissor, president of RBC Wealth Management – U.S. and a former NHL draft pick. This will help them make smart investment decisions and avoid making mistakes that can jeopardize their futures.

In addition to investing wisely, it is crucial that athletes pay off their debts and focus on building income-producing investments such as real estate, fashion, or broadcasting. However, not all athletes will succeed in these business ventures — for every George Foreman and Venus Williams, there are many more that have gone broke or failed to maintain their success after leaving the game.

Athletes should be sure to stay connected to their sport peers once they retire, as this will allow them to continue to feel a sense of belonging and find a purpose for themselves outside of the world of sports. Athletes should also make an effort to maintain connections with their parents, partners and coaches.