At least that’s what the public seems to think. The Indiana Fever superstar received a record 1,293,526 fan votes for the 2025 WNBA All-Star game.
Her fellow players, however, don’t seem to agree. Clark finished in ninth place among WNBA guards in player voting.
Nonetheless, Clark will serve as a team captain for the July 19 event that will take place at her team’s home arena, Gainbridge Fieldhouse. That honor is determined solely by fan votes, with Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx named as the other team captain after receiving 1,176,020 votes.
Clark finished third among guards in media All-Star voting. Her cumulative weighted score (determined by 50% fan voting, 25% player voting and 25% media voting) was 3.5.
That tied her for second among guards with New York’s Sabrina Ionescu (fifth in fan voting, second in media voting, second in player voting). Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers received the top weighted score among guards (3.25) after finishing second in fan voting, fifth in media voting and fourth in player voting.
Although Clark’s ranking in the players’ poll might seem shockingly low, some perspective might be necessary. Each WNBA player receives one All-Star ballot on which they are allowed to cast a vote for up to four guards and six frontcourt players.
That means that no one wrote on a ballot — or even had the opportunity to do so — that Clark is the league’s ninth best guard; instead, she was left out of enough players’ top four that her cumulative score was the ninth-highest among guards.
In addition, it is unknown how many players even cast their ballots or how seriously those who did took the matter.
Still, some people have taken the results from the player voting as evidence of the ongoing narrative that many WNBA players are jealous of Clark and the credit she often receives for the league’s massive surge in popularity over the last two seasons.
“Absolutely PURE JEALOUSY that @WNBA players voted Caitlin Clark the 9th best guard,” legendary basketball announcer Dick Vitale wrote on X. “Some day they will realize what she Has done for ALL of the players in the WNBA. Charted planes – increase in salaries-sold out crowds – improved TV Ratings.”
Vitale added in another post, “No doubt she is THE BEST – thing to happen to the WNBA.”
Former NFL quarterback and current sports commentator Robert Griffin III wrote a lengthy post on X about the matter.
“Players are supposed to get it right more than the fans and the media because they know what it takes and what it looks like,” Griffin wrote. “Not all WNBA Players are to blame and not all of them hate or are jealous of Caitlin Clark. But, the players that voted her low got it wrong in this case and some WNBA players are letting their jealously of Caitlin Clark get in the way of greatness for the entire WNBA.”
Clark has struggled with injuries in her second WNBA season, having sat out five games because of a left quadriceps strain and Indiana’s last two games because of a groin strain. She will also miss the Fever’s game against the Lynx in the Commissioner’s Cup final Tuesday night.
Having played in nine games so far in 2025, Clark is averaging 18.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 8.9 assists with a league-high 5.9 turnovers.
The top 10 guards and top 10 frontcourt players in the weighted scores were announced as All-Star starters on Monday. Sparks guard Kelsey Plum made the cut after finishing sixth in the fan vote, sixth in the media vote and 16th in the player vote. Clark’s longtime on-court rival Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky will start in the frontcourt after finishing fifth in the fan vote, 12th in the media vote and 12th in the player vote.
Clark and Collier will draft their respective All-Star teams from that group of starters plus 13 reserves who will be chosen by the WNBA coaches and announced Sunday.
Christian Pulisic was supposed to be in St. Louis on Tuesday, preparing to play in the national soccer team’s Gold Cup semifinal with Guatemala. Instead he was standing under a freeway overpass in Culver City playing with a bunch of kids.
“This is kind of what I was, you know, born to do,” the former and perhaps future captain of the national team said. “Having this platform and being here to inspire, hopefully, the next generation and do this for kids, it’s special.”
Pulisic, 26, isn’t far removed from being a kid himself, one who grew up learning the game on mini fields not too different from the one he was opening Tuesday. But for Pulisic soccer is no longer a child’s game, it’s a business. And that has taken a lot of fun out of it.
So when Pulisic, the national team’s active leader in both appearances (78) and goals (35), decided to pass up this summer’s Gold Cup, the last major competition before next year’s World Cup, he was widely pilloried as selfish and egotistical by former national team players including Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and Landon Donovan.
American Christian Pulisic is grabbed by Bolivia’s Hector Cuellar as they chase the ball during a Copa America match in Arlington, Texas, on June 23, 2024.
(Julio Cortez / Associated Press)
“I just can’t fathom turning down the privilege of representing my country,” added Alexi Lalas, who played on two World Cup teams for the U.S.
However, Pulisic says he was simply exhausted.
He played a career-high 3,650 minutes in all competition for AC Milan last season, leading the team with 11 goals and nine assists in Serie A play while appearing in 118 games for club and country in the last 22 months. He needed a break to rest both body and mind before the World Cup, when he’ll be the focus of a U.S. team playing the tournament at home for the first time in 32 years.
So after consulting with U.S. Soccer and national team coach Mauricio Pochettino, he took it, offering to play in two June friendlies — an offer Pochettino declined — but turning down an invitation to play in the Gold Cup.
The reaction was swift and hurtful, with many critics accusing Pulisic of turning his back on his country.
“To question my commitment, especially towards the national team, in my opinion that’s way out of line,” Pulisic said in his defense on a Golazo Network podcast last month.
“I don’t regret my decision. I think it’s the right thing for me.”
AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic celebrates with teammate Tijjani Reijnders after Reijnders scored against Como in Milan, Italy, on March 15.
(Antonio Calanni / Associated Press)
Given a chance to expand on that Tuesday, Pulisic declined.
“I said what I needed to say. I don’t think it’s something that I want to harp on,” he said.
But events like Tuesday’s clearly rekindle his passion for soccer by reminding him of what the game still looks like through a child’s eyes.
“To see the joy that it brings to kids’ faces and to give them a free space to just come and play and enjoy the game like I used to when I was a kid, that’s what it’s all about,” he said. “When I was around their age, that’s when I really grew the love for the game.”
His father, Mark, was a former indoor soccer player and longtime coach, so Pulisic spent much of his childhood in places just like the one in Culver City. Getting back to those basics after what has been one of the most trying months of his professional career has been a breath of fresh air and it showed because Pulisic, whose smiles are rare and generally sarcastic, was wearing a wide and sincere one Tuesday.
The play space he was visiting is the second Christian Pulisic Stomping Grounds facility in the U.S., one developed in conjunction with the global sports brand Puma. The first Stomping Ground opened two years ago in Miami and there are plans to build a third in Texas.
Wedged into an industrial area crowded with storage facilities and warehouses beneath an on-ramp to the 405 Freeway, the space, home to the Culver City Football Club, was refurbished to include mini indoor and outdoor turf fields, a putting green and a life-size chess set.
The costly update was nice, said Krist Colocho, president and chief executive of the Culver City Football Club. But having the captain of the men’s national team come to christen the site, then engage some three dozen players, ages 9 to 13, in training drills, was priceless.
“There’s no words for it,” he said. “The top player in the U.S.? It’s amazing. To get to play with him? That’s a cherry on top.”
The nonprofit club, Colocho said, is dedicated to ending the pay-for-play model that has made soccer too expensive for many kids. The Pulisic-Puma partnership will help with that.
“This is a start,” he said. “Coming from a background where soccer is difficult to afford, this is going to be one of those stepping [stones] that we work with.”
AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic celebrates after scoring against Cagliari in Milan, Italy, on May 11, 2024.
(Antonio Calanni / Associated Press)
Outside Pulisic backed toward a mini goal as 6-year-old Arih Akwafei charged forward, pushed the ball around Pulisic and tucked it into the net, then celebrated as only a 6-year-old can.
“It was fun doing everything and using our bodies to try to play soccer with him to see if he was good or not,” Arih said, gulping air between words in an effort to control her excitement. “I scored on him.”
Cameron Carr, 9, agreed.
“It’s a very big deal,” he said of Pulisic’s visit.
Asked whether he’d be happier if Pulisic was in St. Louis practicing with the national team, as so many critics had demanded, Cameron grew confused. To him the answer was as obvious as the question was stupid.
“I’m very happy that he’s taking his time to meet with us kids when he could be training,” he said.
Canadian Denis Shapovalov, the number 27 seed at Wimbledon, was knocked out by Argentina’s Mariano Navone in the first round.
He was broken six times by his opponent as he suffered his earliest exit at the tournament since 2019.
“The balls are the worst, the grass tour has turned into a joke,” he said after his defeat.
“This isn’t grass anymore, the court is slower than a clay one. It’s not even grass.”
Two-time champion Petra Kvitova said things had changed over the years.
“I’m not sure if it’s only grass,” she said after her final appearance at the All England Club ended in a defeat by 10th seed Emma Navarro.
“Maybe it’s the balls, as well. Overall it’s getting slower.”
Eight top-10 seeded players have exited in the first round – the highest tally at a single Grand Slam event in the Open era.
Among those to be knocked out was American third seed Jessica Pegula, who said the courts at Wimbledon “felt different” but added: “That’s grass – they’re all kind of different. It’s a living surface, they’re not going to play the same.”
Poland’s former world number one Iga Swiatek, who beat Russian Polina Kudermetova 7-5 6-1 in her first-round match, feels the Wimbledon courts are playing slower but expects things to change in the coming days.
“It [Wimbledon] was slower, and kind of more slippery with the movement,” she said.
“But also with the heat and everything the ball bounced differently than how it will in the coming days, so I’m not really focusing on that.
“With the change of the weather we will have to adjust every day to the different conditions.”
Tensions soar at UN as Iran, allies condemn US military action, while US, Israel reject censure.
The United Nations Security Council has convened an emergency session following US-led strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, prompting sharp rebukes from several member states and renewed calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East, as allies Israel and the US lauded the attack.
Russia, China and Pakistan have proposed a resolution demanding an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire”, according to diplomats familiar with the draft circulated on Sunday. While the proposal does not explicitly name the United States or Israel, it condemns the attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. A vote has not yet been scheduled.
To pass, the resolution requires the backing of at least nine members and no vetoes from the five permanent members — the US, UK, France, Russia and China, which makes it a non-starter since the US will not censure itself.
Speaking to the Council, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the region stood “on the brink of a deadly downward spiral.”
“The bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities by the United States marks a perilous turn in a region that is already reeling,” Guterres said. “We now risk descending into a rathole of retaliation after retaliation. We must act – immediately and decisively – to halt the fighting and return to serious, sustained negotiations on the Iran nuclear programme.”
Acting US ambassador Dorothy Shea defended the military action, stating that Washington had moved to dismantle Iran’s enrichment capacity in order to protect both its citizens and allies.
“The time finally came for the United States, in defence of its ally and our own interests, to act decisively,” Shea told the chamber. “Iran should not escalate… any Iranian attack, direct or indirect, against Americans or American bases will be met with devastating retaliation.”
Iran’s Ambassador Ali Bahreini said the Israeli and US attacks on Iran did not come about “in a vacuum”, adding that they are the result of “politically motivated actions” of the US and its European partners.
He said the US “decided to destroy diplomacy” and pointedly made it clear that the Iranian military will decide on the “timing, nature and scale” of its response.
Meanwhile, Israel’s UN envoy Danny Danon said the attacks had made the world “a safer place”, rejecting calls for condemnation. “That’s for the Iranian people to decide, not for us,” he said when asked whether Israel supported regime change in Tehran
China’s ambassador Fu Cong condemned the US strikes and urged restraint. “We call for an immediate ceasefire,” he said. “China is deeply concerned about the risk of the situation getting out of control.”
Russia’s UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya described the attacks as yet another sign of Washington’s disregard for global norms. “The US has opened a Pandora’s box,” he said. “No one knows what catastrophe or suffering will follow.”
Pakistan’s ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad also condemned the US bombing, calling it deeply troubling. “The sharp rise in tensions and violence as a result of Israeli aggression and unlawful actions is profoundly disturbing,” he said. “Pakistan stands in solidarity with the government and brotherly people of Iran during this challenging time.” This came the day after Pakistan suggested US President Donald Trump be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Trump’s announcement that American forces had “obliterated” Iran’s key nuclear sites marked the most significant Western military action against Tehran since the 1979 revolution.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, told the Council that while the scale of underground damage remains unclear, impact craters were visible at the Fordow enrichment site. The entrances to tunnels at Isfahan appeared to have been struck, while Natanz — long a target of Israeli sabotage — had been hit again.
Iran has castigated Grossi for being complicit in paving the way for Israel and the US to attack it.
The United Nations nuclear watchdog’s Board of Governors approved a resolution declaring Iran was not complying with its commitment to international nuclear safeguards the day before Israel launched its initial attack on June 13.
Members of the Italian soccer team Juventus visited with President Trump in the Oval Office on Wednesday afternoon.
Exactly why the gathering took place remains largely a mystery.
Six of the team’s players (Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, Manuel Locatelli, Federico Gatti, Teun Koopmeiners and Dusan Vlahovic), their coach Igor Tudor, a handful of team executives and FIFA president Gianni Infantino stopped by hours before Juventus’ FIFA Club World Cup game against United Arab Emirates’ Al Ain that night at Audi Field.
Trump was presented with a Juventus jersey and one for next year’s World Cup, which the United States will be co-host with Canada and Mexico. But as Trump took questions from the media for about 15 minutes during the event, very little soccer was discussed.
Later that night, speaking to a different group of reporters after his team’s 5-0 victory over Al Ain, Weah called the White House experience “a bit weird” and implied he and the other players weren’t given the option of declining the visit.
“They told us that we have to go and I had no choice but to go,” said Weah, a U.S. men’s national team member whose father George is a past winner of the prestigious France Football Ballon d’Or award and was the president of Liberia from 2018-2024. “So [I] showed up.”
FIFA declined to comment. The White House and Juventus did not respond to requests for comment from The Times.
While Weah said he thought his first White House visit “was a cool experience,” he added that “I’m not one for the politics, so it wasn’t that exciting.”
“When [Trump] started talking about all the politics with Iran and everything, it’s kind of like, I just want to play football, man,” Weah said.
Juventus players Weston McKennie, left, and Tim Weah take a selfie outside the White House after they and other team members met with President Trump in the Oval Office on Wednesday.
(Alex Brandon / Associated Press)
“I don’t think that Trump is the right one for the job as the president,” McKennie said at the time. “I think he’s ignorant. I don’t support him a bit. I don’t think he’s a man to stand by his word. In my eyes, you can call him racist.”
Still, during his introductory comments, Trump briefly singled out Weah and McKennie as “my American players” when he mentioned that night’s game.
“Good luck,” he said while shaking both of their hands in what had the potential to be an awkward moment. “I hope you guys are the two best players on the field.”
That’s not to say, however, that there weren’t any awkward moments. Because there were — none more so than when Trump brought up “men playing in women’s sports,” then looked over his right shoulder and asked: “Could a woman make your team, fellas? Tell me. You think?”
When no players answered, Trump said, “You’re being nice,” then turned to face the other direction and asked the same question.
“We have a very good women’s team,” Juventus general manager Damien Comolli replied.
Trump asked, “But they should be playing with women, right?”
When he got no response, Trump smiled and turned back toward the reporters.
“See, they’re very diplomatic,” he said.
Trump made a couple of other attempts to involve the soccer contingent in the discussion. At one point, the president used the word “stealth” when discussing U.S. military planes, then turned around and remarked, “You guys want to be stealthy tonight. You can be stealthy — you’ll never lose, right?”
The players did not seem to respond.
For the final question of the session, a reporter favorably compared Trump’s border policy to that of former President Biden and asked, “What do you attribute that success to?”
Trump looked behind him and stated, “See, that’s what I call a good question, fellas.”
Once again, the players did not appear to respond.
A trio of Angel City players were called up to the women’s national team Wednesday for a pair of friendlies against Ireland and one with Canada.
Sisters Gisele and Alyssa Thompson will be reporting to their fourth training camp together when they arrive Monday in Commerce City, Colo., alongside teammate Angelina Anderson. A goalkeeper, Anderson is one of six players still looking for her first cap with the senior national team, making this 25-women roster one of the most inexperienced in recent USWNT history.
Four players will be training with the national team for the first time.
The U.S. will play Ireland on June 26 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City and again on June 29 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati before finishing the FIFA competition window against Canada at Audi Field in Washington on July 2.
“We want to continue to improve our understanding of how we want to play and widen the player pool, and those are some of the key goals of this three-game window,” U.S. coach Emma Hayes said in a statement. “On this roster, we have players with a varied amount of experience, and my priority is to deepen the exposures required for international soccer.
“These are three challenging matches and as always, we want to win, but also to make sure we are ready for the next steps.”
In 13 months, Hayes has given 27 players their first call-up to the senior national team.
Returning to the roster this month will be World Cup and Olympic champion midfielder Rose Lavelle, whose 110 caps and 24 international goals are both tops among players called up this month. Lavelle is returning to the national team after losing more than six months following ankle surgery.
Missing, however, are most of the team’s Europe-based players, among them defenders Emily Fox and Crystal Dunn, midfielders Lindsey Heaps and Korbin Albert, and forward Catarina Macario. Hayes said those players would get the FIFA window off to recuperate after a long club season. Defender Naomi Girma, who missed much of Chelsea’s schedule because of injury, is the only player on the camp roster from outside the NWSL.
Anderson, 24, has played every minute for Angel City this season, allowing 21 goals and making 37 saves. Gisele Thompson, 19, leads the team with four assists while Alyssa, 20, is second with five goals. All three players will be with Angel City (4-5-3) for Friday’s game in Kansas City. The NWSL will then take nearly seven weeks off to allow players to compete for their countries in international competitions such as the Women’s Euro and the Copa América Femenina.
Midfielders: Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current), Rose Lavelle (Gotham), Sam Meza (Seattle Reign), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns)
Forwards: Lynn Biyendolo (Seattle Reign), Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City)
And after helping LAFC win a playoff to replace Club Leon, Lloris will be between the sticks for the Group D opener against Chelsea on June 16.
But his presence is sure to reignite the Blues’ capital rivalry with Spurs.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will see the World’s best players decide which club is the greatest
CB: SERGIO RAMOS (MONTERREY)
Having led Real Madrid to four Club World Cups in the past, Ramos will be feeling confident he can help Mexican side Monterrey get far this summer.
The centre-back is already captaining the team just four months after joining following spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla.
But at 39 years of age, Ramos has shown he has still got what it takes to boss a defence.
And he will need to be at his best to help Monterrey get past Inter Milan and River Plate in Group E.
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Ex-Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos is in townCredit: Getty
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He is now captain of Mexican side MonterreyCredit: Getty
CB: THIAGO SILVA (FLUMINENSE)
Once a Chelsea icon, always a Chelsea icon.
Even at 40 years old, Silva would still likely walk back into the Blues’ XI.
Instead, he is king of the hill at Fluminense, saving them from relegation in his first season.
And Silva’s know-how should help the Brazilians get out of a group which includes German giants Borussia Dortmund.
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Thiago Silva became an icon at ChelseaCredit: Getty
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The veteran is starring for FluminenseCredit: Alamy
CB: NICOLAS OTAMENDI (BENFICA)
A two-time Premier League winner with Man City, Otamendi has gone on to win more trophies since leaving the Etihad.
Having now completed five seasons at Benfica, the 37-year-old has a Portuguese league title to boot.
And he even played a key role in Argentina’s World Cup win in 2022.
Otamendi is just one of several big forgotten names playing at Benfica, who are in a tough group with Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors.
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Nicolas Otamendi has won plenty since leaving Man CityCredit: Reuters
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He has spent five seasons at BenficaCredit: Getty
RWB: JOAO CANCELO (AL-HILAL)
Once regarded as the best full-back in world football, Cancelo’s fall from grace was swift after starring at giants including Inter Milan, Juventus, Man City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
He is now playing in Saudi Arabia, earning a fortune with moneybags Al-Hilal.
At the age of 31, Cancelo is still playing in his prime years.
And he will be looking to inflict damage when Al-Hilal come up against reigning champions Real Madrid in Group H.
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Joao Cancelo will be hoping to upstage old side Man CityCredit: Getty
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The right-back plays for Al-Hilal in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
CM: ANDER HERRERA (BOCA JUNIORS)
It’s been six years since Herrera, 35, lit up Old Trafford in a Manchester United shirt.
His tenacity in midfield endeared him to supporters while raking in FOUR trophies including the FA Cup and Europa League.
After playing for PSG and a second spell at Athletic Bilbao, Herrera now finds himself in Argentina with Boca Juniors.
But just six appearances in all competitions since his January switch means Herrera may not be guaranteed a starting spot in the US.
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Ander Herrera won four trophies at Man UtdCredit: Getty – Contributor
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He joined Argentine side Boca Juniors in JanuaryCredit: Getty
CM: RUBEN NEVES (AL-HILAL)
Why he was not snapped up by a fellow Premier League club while at Wolves remains a mystery.
Neves, 28, is only entering his prime now and continues to be a key player for Portugal.
Yet he finds himself playing in Saudi with Al-Hilal, completing a shock move two years ago before leading them to a Treble last season.
Neves would still walk into most European squads and could attract interest with some strong Club World Cup performances — but that’s only if he wants to leave the riches of the Middle East.
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Ruben Neves was a star man at WolvesCredit: Getty
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He has spent two years at Al-HilalCredit: Getty
LWB: ALEX TELLES (BOTAFOGO)
A miserable time at Manchester United saw Telles, 32, fail to live up to the hype as one of Europe’s best left-footers.
After winning trophies galore at Galatasaray and Porto, he left Old Trafford empty-handed after just two years.
But he has enjoyed plenty of success since then, winning trophies at Sevilla, Al-Nassr and now Botafogo.
The Brazilian champs are coming in with a host of experienced homegrown talents and Telles’ deadly free-kicks are likely to cause some damage.
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It didn’t work out for Alex Telles at Man UtdCredit: AFP
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He has helped Botafogo win the Brazilian titleCredit: Getty
CAM: ANGEL DI MARIA (BENFICA)
Man United’s flop winger is returning to boyhood Argentina club Rosario Central this summer — but only after he leads out Benfica for the final time at the Club World Cup.
Ignoring his duff sole season in the north west, Di Maria’s record means he will go down as one of football’s most talented and decorated wingers ever.
His two years at Benfica have not yielded any trophies, however.
And Di Maria, 37, will be desperate to make amends before leaving Europe for good.
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Angel Di Maria’s struggles at Man Utd are well documentedCredit: Getty
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He is leaving Benfica for Rosario Central after the Club World CupCredit: Getty
ST: EDINSON CAVANI (BOCA JUNIORS)
Another former United player, Cavani will feel he did not do himself justice during his two seasons in England.
Having also struggled at Valencia, the 38-year-old is now leading the way for Argentine giants Boca Juniors
20 goals in 39 games last year showed Cavani still has an eye for goal.
And although his pace may have gone, the experienced Uruguayan’s sheer physicality and clever movement will surely see him in the mix for the Golden Boot.
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Edinson Cavani had a mixed two years at Man UtdCredit: PA
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He now bangs in goals for Boca JuniorsCredit: AFP
ST: OLIVIER GIROUD (LAFC)
Last but not least, Giroud will face off against old side Chelsea later this month.
His extra-time assist helped LAFC book their place at the tournament ahead of Club America.
Giroud has already become a talisman for his Californian side, preferring the role of creator to goalscorer.
And his cunning know-how could help the experienced poacher nick a goal when he faces off against a young Blues defence.
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Olivier Giroud will face old side Chelsea in the group stageCredit: Getty
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He helped LAFC qualify for the tournament with a last-gasp assistCredit: Getty
Confirmed squad list for the 32 teams ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
The 21st edition of the FIFA Club World Cup begins in the United States on Saturday with the tournament opener between Inter Miami and Egyptian club Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida.
Manchester City are the defending champions after winning the last tournament in December 2023.
The 32 teams have now announced their full squads for the new-look, monthlong expanded intercontinental club competition.
Here is the confirmed squad list of all the teams in a tournament which features mega clubs Real Madrid, Boca Juniors, Inter Milan, PSG, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Flamengo:
FIFA Club World Cup 2025 confirmed squads – all teams and players
Goalkeepers: Drake Callender, Rocco Rios Novo, Oscar Ustari, William Yarbrough
Defenders: Jordi Alba, Noah Allen, Tomas Aviles, Israel Boatwright, Maximiliano Falcon, Ian Fray, Gonzalo Lujan, Tyler Hall, David Martinez, Ryan Sailor, Marcelo Weigandt
Midfielders: Yannick Bright, Sergio Busquets, Benjamin Cremaschi, Santiago Morales, Federico Redondo, Baltasar Rodriguez, David Ruiz, Telasco Segovia
Forwards: Leo Afonso, Tadeo Allende, Lionel Messi, Allen Obando, Fafa Picault, Luis Suarez
Forwards: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Goncalo Ramos, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Lee Kang-In, Bradley Barcola, Ibrahim Mbaye
Seattle Sounders (USA): full squad
Goalkeepers: Stefan Frei, Andrew Thomas, Jacob Castro
Defenders: Travian Sousa, Nouhou Tolo, Jon Bell, Alex Roldan, Kim Kee-hee, Jackson Ragen, Yeimar Gomez Andrade, Cody Baker, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi
Midfielders: Joao Paulo, Cristian Roldan, Albert Rusnak, Obed Vargas, Reed Baker-Whiting, Danny Leyva
Forwards: Jesus Ferreira, Pedro de la Vega, Jordan Morris, Paul Rothrock, Danny Musovski, Ryan Kent, Georgi Minoungou, Osaze de Rosario
Star forward Ousmane Dembele will lead the newly crowned UEFA Champions League title holders Paris Saint-Germain at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 [Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters]
⚽ Group C: Auckland City, Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors, Benfica
Defenders: Adam Mitchell, Christian Gray, Nikko Boxall, Regont Murati, Nathan Lobo, Jordan Vale, Dylan Connolly, Adam Bell, Alfie Rogers, Ryan Ellis
Midfielders: Gerard Garriga, Mario Ilich, Dylan Manickum, Jeremy Foo, Joe Lee, Jerson Lagos, Matt Ellis, Tong Zhou, Michael Den Heijer, David Yoo, Haris Zeb, Jackson Manuel, Paris Domfeh
Forwards: Myer Bevan, Angus Kilkolly, Ryan de Vries
Bayern Munich (Germany): full squad
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Daniel Peretz, Jonas Urbig, Leon Klanac
Defenders: Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah, Raphael Guerreiro, Cassiano Kiala, Josip Stanic, Kim Min-Jae, Sacha Boey
Midfielders: Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Joao Palhinha, Tom Bischof, Konrad Laimer, Jama Musiala, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Lennart Karl, David Santos Daiber
Forwards: Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman, Thomas Muller, Maurice Krattenmacher, Michael Olise, Jonah Kusi-Asare, Harry Kane
Benfica (Portugal): full squad
Goalkeepers: Antonily Trubin, Diogo Ferreira, Andre Gomes
Defenders: Alvaro Carreras, Antonio Silva, Samuel Dahl, Nicolas Otamendi, Rui Silva, Goncalo Oliveira, Joshua Wynder, Leandro Santos, Adrian Bajrami
Midfielders: Fredrik Aursnes, Orkun Kokcu, Leandro Barreiro, Florentino Luis, Joao Veloso, Rafael Luis, Joao Rego, Renato Sanches, Diogo Prioste
Forwards: Angel di Maria, Vangelis Pavlidis, Kerem Akturkoglu, Andrea Belotti, Andreas Schjelderup, Gianluca Prestianni, Bruma, Tiago Gouveia, Eduardo Fernandes
Boca Juniors (Argentina): full squad
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Leandro Brey, Javier Garcia, Augustin Marchesin
Defenders: Marcelo Saracchi, Marcos Rojo, Nicolas Figal, Marco Pellegrino, Rodrigo Battaglia, Luis Advincula, Frank Fabra, Lautaro Blanco, Juan Barinaga, Aryton Costa, Mateo Mendia, Lautaro di Lollo, Lucas Blondel, Walter Molas
Midfielders: Carlos Palacios, Ignacio Miramon, Malcom Braida, Williams Alarcon, Agustin Martegani, Alan Velasco, Andre Herrera, Kevin Zenon, Tomas Belmonte, Camilo Rey Domenech, Milton Delgado, Santiago Dalmasso, Joaquin Ruiz
Forwards: Exequiel Zeballos, Milton Gimenez, Edinson Cavani, Lucas Janson, Miguel Merentiel, Brian Aguirre
⚽ Group D: Chelsea, ES Tunis, Flamengo, Los Angeles FC
Chelsea (England): full squad
Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Mike Penders, Gaga Slonina
Defenders: Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Mamadou Sarr, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Aaron Anselmino, Josh Achaempong
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris, Thomas Hasal, David Ochoa, Cabral Carter
Defenders: Eddie Segura, Marlon, Sergi Palencia, Lorenzo Dellavalle, Ryan Raposo, Ryan Hollingshead, Maxime Chanot, Artem Smoliakov, Aaron Long, Kenny Nielsen, Nkosi Tafari
Midfielders: Igor Jesus, Marky Delgado, Timothy Tillman, Yaw Yeboah, Frankie Amaya, Adam Saldana, Jude Terry, Matt Evans, Odin Holm
Forwards: Olivier Giroud, Jeremy Ebobisse, Javairo Dilrosun, Nathan Ordaz, David Martinez, Afrian Wibowo, Denis Bouanga
England international Harry Kane will lead the line for Bayern Munich in the Club World Cup [Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images]
⚽ Group E: Inter Milan, Monterrey, River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds
Inter Milan (Italy): full squad
Goalkeepers: Yann Sommer, Raffaele Di Gennaro, Josep Martinez, Alessandro Calligaris
Defenders: Denzel Dumfries, Stefan de Vrij, Francesco Acerbi, Benjamin Pavard, Carlos Augusto, Yann Aurel Bisseck, Federico Dimarco, Matteo Darmian, Gabriele Re Cecconi, Matteo Cocchi, Nicola Zalewski, Alessandro Bastoni
Midfielders: Petar Sucic, Piotr Zielinski, Davide Frattesi, Hakan Calhanoglu, Kristjan Asllani, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Nicolo Barella, Valentin Carboni, Thomas Berenbruch
Forwards: Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez, Luis Henrique, Rodrigo Palacio, Giacomo De Pieri, Sebastiano Esposito, Francesco Pio Esposito, Mehdi Taremi
Monterrey (Mexico): full squad
Goalkeepers: Esteban Andrada, Luis Cardenas, Santiago Mele, Santiago Perez
Defenders: Ricardo Chavez, Gerardo Arteaga, Victor Guzman, Carlos Salcedo, Erick Aguirre, Hector Moreno, Luis Reyes, Gustavo Sanchez, Tony Leone, Stefan Medina, Sergio Ramos
Midfielders: Fidel Ambriz, Nelson Deossa, Oliver Torres, Sergio Canales, Jesus Corona, Jordi Cortizo, Lucas Ocampos, Jorge Rodriguez, Iker Fimbres
Forwards: German Berterame, Alfonso Alvarado, Johan Rojas, Alfonso Gonzalez, Roberto de la Rosa, Joaquin Moxica
River Plate (Argentina): full squad
Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Jeremias Ledesma, Lucas Lavagnino, Santiago Beltran
Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Fabricio Bustos, German Pezzella, Federico Gattoni, Paulo Diaz, Leandro González Pirez, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Lautaro Rivero, Marcos Acuna, Milton Casco
Midfielders: Enzo Perez, Kevin Castano, Matias Kranevitter, Rodrigo Aliendro, Santiago Simon, Maximiliano Meza, Ignacio Fernandez, Manuel Lanzini, Gonzalo Martínez, Matias Rojas, Giuliano Galoppo, Franco Mastantuono, Santiago Lencina, Giorgio Costantini
Forwards: Miguel Borja, Facundo Colidio, Sebastian Driussi, Gonzalo Tapia, Ian Subiabre, Bautista Dadin
Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan): full squad
Goalkeepers: Shusaku Nishikawa, Ayumi Niekawa, Shun Yoshida, Alex Keita Malcolm.
Forwards: Peter Shalulile, Lucas Ribeiro, Arthur Sales, Lebogang Mothiba, Kutlwano Letlhaku, Iqraam Rayners
Ulsan HD (South Korea): full squad
Goalkeepers: Jo Hyeonwoo, Moon Jungin, Ryu Seongmin
Defenders: Kang Minwoo, Seo Myunggmuan, Kang Sangwoo, Kim Yonggwon, Yoon Jonggyu, Park Minseo, Lee Jaeik, Milosz Trojak, Choi Seokhyun
Midfielders: Jung Wooyoung, Darijan Bojanic, Ko Seung-beom, Kim Minwoo, Um Wonsang, Lee Jinhyun, Lee Huigyun, Gustav Ludwigson, Kim Minhyeok, Lee Chung-yong, Yoon Jaeseok, Matias Lacava, Park Sangjun, Back Inwoo, Erick Farias
Forwards: Heo Yool, Yago Cariello
Jhon Arias will be Fluminense’s player to watch at the Club World Cup 2025 [File: Silvia Izquierdo/AP]
⚽ Group G: Al Ain, Juventus, Manchester City, Wydad
Goalkeepers: Michele Di Gregorio, Carlo Pinsoglio, Giovanni Daffara, Giovanni Garofani
Defenders: Alberto Costa, Gleison Bremer, Federico Gatti, Lloyd Kelly, Pierre Kalulu, Daniele Rugani, Andrea Cambiaso, Nicolo Savona, Jonas Rouhi, Javier Gil Puche
Midfielders: Manuel Locatelli, Teun Koopmeiners, Weston McKennie, Filip Kostic, Khephren Thuram, Douglas Luiz, Stefano Turco, Augusto Owusu
Forwards: Francisco Conceicao, Dusan Vlahovic, Kenan Yildiz, Nico Gonzalez, Arek Milik, Vasilije Adzic, Randal Kolo Muani, Timothy Weah, Lorenzo Anghele, Alessandro Pietrelli, Samuel Mbangula, Nicolo Cudrig, Tommaso Mancini
Manchester City (England): full squad
Goalkeepers: Marcus Bettinelli, Stefan Ortega Moreno, Ederson
Defenders: Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Vitor Reis, Josep Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, Abdukodir Khusanov, Rico Lewis
Midfielders: Tijjani Reijnders, Jeremy Doku, Nico, Rodrigo, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Matheus Nunes, Rayan Cherki, Claudio Echeverri, Phil Foden, Oscar Bobb, Nico O’Reilly
Forwards: Omar Marmoush, Erling Haaland, Savinho
Wydad (Morocco): full squad
Goalkeepers: Omar Aqzdaou, Youssef El Motie, El Mehdi Benabid
Midfielders: Ismail Moutaraji, Oussama Zemraoui, Mehdi Moubarik, Zakaria Fatihi, Thembinkosi Lorch, Stephane Aziz Ki, Ismael Benktib, Pedrinho, Arthur, Mickael Malsa
Forwards: Mohamed Rayhi, Samuel Obeng, Selemani Mwalimo, Cassius Mailula, Nordi Amrabat, Hamza Hannouri
⚽ Group H: Al-Hilal, FC Salzburg, Pachuca, Real Madrid
Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia): full squad
Goalkeepers: Mohammed Al-Rubaie, Yassine Bounou, Ahmad Abu Rasen, Abdulelah Al-Ghamdi
Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly, Khalifah Al-Dawsari, Ali Al-Bulaihi, Yasser Al-Shahrani, Joao Cancelo, Moteb Al-Harbi, Rayan Al-Ghamdi, Saleh Barnawi, Saud Haroun, Saad Al-Muthary, Ali Lajami, Hassan Altambakti, Hamad Al-Yami
Midfielders: Renan Lodi, Khalid Al-Ghannam, Ruben Neves, Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Musab Al-Juwayr, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Kaio Cesar, Mohamed Kanno, Salem Al-Dawsari, Mohammed bin Muhaysh, Abdulaziz Hadhood, Malcom, Abdulelah Almalki
Forwards: Aleksandar Mitrovic, Marcos Leonardo, Turki Al-Ghumayl, Abdullah Al-Hamdan
FC Salzburg (Austria): full squad
Goalkeepers: Alexander Schlager, Jonas Krumrey, Christian Zawieschitzky, Salko Hamzic
Defenders: Jacob Rasmussen, Samson Baidoo, Frans Kratzig, Stefan Lainer, Joane Gadou, John Mellberg, Tim Trummer, Jannik Schuster
Midfielders: Soumaila Diabate, Sota Kitano, Maurits Kjaergaard, Mamady Diambou, Takumu Kawamura, Mads Bidstrup, Oscar Gloukh, Valentin Sulzbacher, Moussa Yeo
Forwards: Karim Onisiwo, Yorbe Vertessen, Edmund Baidoa, Petar Ratkov, Adam Daghim, Enrique Aguilar, Dorgeles Nene
Pachuca (Mexico): full squad
Goalkeepers: Sebastian Jurado, Carlos Moreno, Jose Eulogio
Defenders: Sergio Barreto, Alonso Aceves, Eduardo Bauermann, Bryan Gonzalez, Carlos Sanchez, Federico Pereira, Jose Castillo, Gustavo Cabral, Luis Rodriguez, Jorge Berlanga
Midfielders: Pedro Pederaza, Santiago Homenchenko, Israel Luna, Agustin Palavecino, Eduardo Lopez, Alan Bautista, Brian Garcia, Elias Montiel, Victor Guzman
Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, Fran Gonzalez, Sergio Mestre
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Lucas Vazquez, Fran Garcia, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, Dean Huijsen, Yusi, Jacobo Ramon, Raul Asencio, Diego Aguado
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde, Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Dani Ceballos, Chema Andres, Mario Martin
Real Madrid’s star forwards Kylian Mbappe, left, and Vinicius Junior play their first group match against Al Hilal on June 18 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium [Mahmud Hams/AFP]
Grants have also recently been made available towards the cost of any fertility treatment, and earlier this year the WTA introduced paid maternity leave for the first time.
More than 320 players are now eligible for up to 12 months paid leave – with everyone receiving the same amount, irrespective of their ranking.
Returning to the tour after maternity leave started to become easier when the WTA changed the rules before the 2019 season.
New mothers are able to use their previous ranking to enter 12 tournaments over a three-year period from the birth of their child.
The WTA also offers access to a health team, which offers physical assessments, mental health support and guidance on a staged return to play for new mothers and pregnant players.
German Tatjana Maria, who is ranked 81st in the world, has two children and returned to the tour after both pregnancies.
The 37-year-old welcomed the action by the WTA but believes more can be done to assist mothers on tour.
“I think there is still opportunities to help the WTA players and the mums on tour,” she told BBC Radio 5 live.
“Even now having two kids on tour there are still issues. The WTA could change a little bit, whether it is [related to] hotel rooms or accreditation to make life easier.
“It is helpful to help [as they are doing] but also to help the mums on tour.”
Tennis is not the first sport to offer support to women wishing to freeze their eggs, with the American basketball league the WNBA offering up to $60,000 (£52,500) reimbursement to players for fertility treatment including egg freezing.
High-profile athletes have spoken about their decision to freeze their eggs, including England cricket captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and former England netballer Geva Mentor.
With the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 about to get under way on Saturday, the football league in the host nation United States (US) finds itself at odds with players from its three participating clubs over monetary compensation from the tournament.
Three Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs – Inter Miami, Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles FC – are among the 32 teams that have qualified for the tournament running from June 14 to July 13 across 11 venues in the US.
Players from the three clubs, represented by the MLS Players Association (MLSA), have protested over the amount of compensation they are promised from the tournament by the MLS.
Here’s a breakdown of the ongoing tussle between the MLS and its players:
What’s the Club World Cup pay dispute between the MLS and its players?
The players are demanding an increased share of the tournament prize money in addition to the participation fee they are set to receive.
The players’ association has accused the MLS of refusing to engage in a negotiation so far, while the league has said it has offered the clubs an “enhanced structure” for the players.
How have the players registered their protest?
On June 1, players of Seattle Sounders FC brought attention to the issue by wearing shirts that read “Club World Cup Ca$h Grab” during their warm-up session before their match against Minnesota United FC.
A number of players from the three clubs also posted on social media with the hashtag #FairShareNow, causing fans to take notice and engage in social media conversations.
How much money will MLS clubs receive at the Club World Cup?
Every MLS team will earn a participation fee of $9.55m, but can win additional prize money based on its performance.
Each win or draw during the tournament will also bring in additional prize money, which can increase further should the club advance to the next stages. Since LAFC beat Club America to qualify for the tournament in a playoff game, they won an additional $250,000 in prize money.
What part of the prize money will go to the players?
According to the existing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the MLS and MLSPA, the players are eligible to receive 50 percent of the prize money in undefined tournaments such as the Club World Cup.
The MLS, on Sunday, said it has proposed an enhanced structure for the Club World Cup “to reward both participation and competitive achievement in the tournament.”
According to the MLS, this is what’s on offer in the revised proposal: “In addition to the guaranteed $1m per team for qualifying, 20 percent of all prize money earned from the group stage onward would be allocated to players. If an MLS club wins the Club World Cup, its players could collectively receive more than $24m in performance bonuses.”
What do the MLS players want?
They seek a better deal than the one put forward by the MLS in its latest proposal, and for the league to engage with its players in a negotiation.
The players’ association says the latest proposal offered by MLS does not include any additional participation bonuses for the players and offered “below-standard” back-end compensation.
The MLSPA has also accused the league of asking for unrelated concessions to the CBA.
As things stand, the CBA includes a provision that caps the amount of prize money that can go to players at $1m. The MLSPA believes the players are entitled to a bigger share of the funds.
“The timing, substance and retaliatory nature of the proposal sends a clear message: MLS does not respect or value players’ efforts with regard to this tournament,” the MLSPA said in a statement on Sunday.
It further added that the proposed 20 percent share of the compensation amount is “below international standard”.
“Although not surprised, the players and the MLSPA are deeply disappointed by this message,” the MLSPA said.
An update on Club World Cup Bonuses.
MLS spent most of last week making threats and promising retaliation against the MLSPA and players because Seattle players wore t-shirts that expressed frustration over the league’s refusal to engage about Club World Cup compensation.
How has the MLS responded to the players’ demands?
Neither side has issued any further statements, but players have continued posting on social media with the #FairShareNow hashtag.
Reports in US media said the talks between the two sides were ongoing.
The league’s last statement said that MLS owners believe that performance-based incentives are appropriate given the expanded format and increased prize pool for the tournament.
“The League values the continued dedication and commitment of its players and looks forward to supporting them as they represent their clubs – and Major League Soccer – on the global stage this summer,” it added.
What happens if the players and MLS don’t reach an agreement?
Should both sides remain at loggerheads, it is unlikely that the players will refuse to take the field for their games in a tournament hosted in their clubs’ home country.
If they do, the players risk being fined and reprimanded by the league in accordance with its rules.
How does the MLS pay dispute impact the FIFA Club World Cup?
It is unlikely to impact the tournament directly unless the players refuse to take the field for their clubs.
However, the controversy has added what would be considered unwelcome attention to the MLS’s pay structure and the Club World Cup, a tournament that has already faced plenty of criticism from football players and officials.
Why aren’t players from other leagues protesting?
It remains unclear how other leagues and teams are compensating their players for their participation in the Club World Cup.
The breakdown and distribution of the prize money and participation fee vary across leagues.
THE NATIONS LEAGUE semi-final clash between Germany and Portugal had to be delayed by 10 minutes due to “adverse weather conditions” in Munich.
The situation became so unbearable that players had to protect themselves from hailstones.
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The Nations League semi-final clash between Germany and Portugal had to be delayed by 10 minutes
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Players had to protect themselves from hailstones
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Players were overwhelmed by the weather conditions
That match was initially expected to start at 9pm (7pm BST) local time in Germany.
Thus, the game kicked off at 9:10pm local time (7:10pm BST).
Earlier in the day, UEFA warned match goers of possible thunderstorms in the Bavarian capital forecast.
Around an hour before the originally scheduled kick-off time, a storm swept across northern Munich.
And it lashed the stadium with rain, leaving the arena grass carpeted in hailstones.
Goalkepeers from both sides had begun their warm-up when the storm hit.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
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A Football Association report into the circumstances surrounding the death of former Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack found several players “did not feel supported and felt unable to raise concerns” at the club.
A hearing on Tuesday at Chesterfield Coroners’ Court was told the copy of the report that had been shared with the family and others was “provisional”, and would only be finalised at the conclusion of the inquest.
However, Dean Armstrong KC – representing the Cusack family – quoted excerpts from it, including that “most [players] particularly did not feel supported and felt unable to raise complaints against their manager and others”.
He also read another part of the report that stated “the investigation has shed light on the resourcing issues particularly acute in the women’s game and the related welfare and safeguarding issues that might arise”.
Nottingham-born Cusack was the first player to reach 100 appearances for Sheffield United, having started her career at Aston Villa and had spells at Birmingham and Leicester City.
Ex-Blades manager Jonathan Morgan, who was appearing via video link, accused Cusack’s family of “manipulating information” and fuelling a “narrative” in the 18 months since she died.
He said witnesses put forward by the family were “very one-sided” and there was “no-one to challenge the credibility of those individuals”.
Morgan added people who did not “echo” the views of the family had been “cast aside”, and requested that he be permitted to put forward witnesses.
More than 520 additional former rugby players have joined a concussion lawsuit against the sport’s authorities, according to the law firm bringing the case.
Rylands Garth says there are now more than 1,100 former players involved, with 784 from rugby union and 319 from rugby league.
Steve Thompson, Mark Regan and Phil Vickery – part of England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning squad – former Wales stars Gavin Henson, Colin Charvis and Ryan Jones and England and British and Lions scrum-half Harry Ellis are among those seeking damages from World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union.
In November, former British and Irish Lions duo Lee Byrne and Phil Greening were confirmed to have joined the concussion lawsuit.
The former players claim the governing bodies were negligent in failing to take reasonable action to protect them from serious brain injuries.
A similar action is being taken against the Rugby Football League (RFL) and the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA).
“Players continue to play almost all-year round, with many elite players soon to embark on extremely physical summer tours across the rugby world. We will continue to fight for justice for those who gave so much to the game,” a Rylands Garth spokesperson said.
THE 1% Club left contestants scratching their heads after a devilishly tricky maths question saw just 13 players pass just to make it through.
The hit ITV quiz show, fronted by funnyman Lee Mack, threw in a numbers puzzle that had the players panicking.
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Many players were stumped on a maths questionCredit: ITV
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Lee was shocked to learn 13 players used their passCredit: ITV
Instead of testing players on their general knowledge, 100 contestants try their luck at solving riddles within 30 seconds.
On The 1% Club, they are whittled down round by round as they are tasked with using their logic, reasoning skills, and common sense.
With every player that gets eliminated, £1,000 gets added to the prize pot as the players try to answer questions that certain percentages of the public would get right.
The players that remain at the end will fight to win a potentially huge jackpot prize and a chance at joining the prestigious one percent club.
But the the 35% question saw a whopping 13 players use their pass.
Lee showed a picture of a coloured pie chart with numbers and asked: “What number replaces the question mark when you read it clockwise from the start?”
The remaining players faces looked puzzled as they tried to figure out the answer within the 30 seconds.
Lee then revealed the right answer was 27 as they alternate segments reveal consecutive multiples of three and 27 is the next number in the three times table.
Lee was stunned to see that a massive 13 players used their pass to get through to the next round.
The episode also saw an ‘easy’ common sense riddle knock out 23 people earlier on in the show.
The 1% Club players stumped by ‘easy’ question that knocks out 23 people – would you have got it-
When Lee moved onto the 70% question, he asked the remaining players to solve a question.
Lee said: “John writes with his right hand and the last word he’d right if he was writing this sentence would be be.
“If Keith writes with his left hand, what would be the last word he would write in the sentence above?”
Of course the answer was the word ‘be’, as a different writing hand would not change the last word, something which many viewers playing along got correct.
Hardest Quiz Show Questions
Would you know the answers to some of quizzing TV’s hardest questions
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire – Earlier this year, fans were left outraged after what they described as the “worst” question in the show’s history. Host Jeremy Clarkson asked: “From the 2000 awards ceremony onwards, the Best Actress Oscar has never been won by a woman whose surname begins with which one of these letters?” The multiple choice answers were between G, K, M and W. In the end, and with the £32,000 safe, player Glen had to make a guess and went for G. It turned out to be correct as Nicole Kidman, Frances McDormand and Kate Winslet are among the stars who have won the Best Actress gong since 2000.
The 1% Club – Viewers of Lee Mack’s popular ITV show were left dumbfounded by a question that also left the players perplexed. The query went as follows: “Edna’s birthday is on the 6th of April and Jen’s birthday falls on the 15th of October, therefore Amir’s birthday must be the ‘X’ of January.” It turns out the conundrum links the numbers with its position in the sentence, so 6th is the sixth word and 15th is the fifteenth word. Therefore, Amir’s birthday is January 24th, corresponding to the 24th word in the sentence.
The Chase – The ITV daytime favourite left fans scratching their heads when it threw up one of the most bizarre questions to ever grace the programme. One of the questions asked the player: “Someone with a nightshade intolerance should avoid eating what?” The options were – sweetcorn, potatoes, carrots – with Steve selecting sweetcorn but the correct answer was potatoes.
However, a whopping 23 players in the studio answered the riddle incorrectly and they were eliminated from the game.
Viewers took to social media in droves as they couldn’t believe so many players left the game after such an ‘easy’ question
One wrote: “How t* have 23 gone out?? Being left handed doesn’t mean you write words in the wrong order.”
Another added: “Too many people thinking too hard on that one #The1PercentClub.”
A third penned: “TWENTY THREE out on THAT?!?!”
The 1% Club is available to watch on ITV1 and stream on ITVX.
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Many viewers said the question was ‘easy’ – but would you have got it right?Credit: itv
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The different hands would not have effected the structure of the sentenceCredit: ITV
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23 players were eliminated from The 1% Club in a shocking roundCredit: ITV
Major League Baseball has been trying for years to increase the number of Black players participating in the sport, creating such programs as the Compton Youth Academy and the DREAM Series. There were 59 Black players on opening day MLB rosters, a slight increase from the previous year but far from the numbers in the 1980s.
St. John Bosco’s baseball team, which plays for a Southern Section Division 1 championship on Friday against Santa Margarita at Cal State Fullerton, offers hope for the future with five Black players in the starting lineup.
“Definitely something to be proud of,” center fielder Miles Clark said.
The sports of football and basketball have been taking away Black athletes, but St. John Bosco’s group of Clark, his twin brother James, Noah Everly, Jaden Jackson and Macade Maxwell have embraced baseball and put themselves in position to pursue college baseball and beyond.
Each player offers speed and athleticism. Maxwell had an RBI single in the semifinals against Seth Hernandez of Corona. James Clark and Everly lead the team in hitting at .394 and .347, respectively. St. John Bosco won its first Trinity League title since 2017 and is 24-5. …
Santa Margarita is much improved after getting players back from injuries, so ignore the fact it has 12 losses. Carter Enoch came back to add hitting to the Eagles’ lineup and Brennan Bauer has been the winning pitcher in all four playoff games. Seventeen seniors are graduating at 10 a.m. at the Honda Center.
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email [email protected].
Hey, everyone, welcome to the Lakers newsletter, a time for me to write a bunch a basketball items all in service of me trying to make you listen to a song of my choosing.
This week, I wanted to share kind of a common exercise I take in the summer, and how my thoughts on team building are evolving.
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The man before the man
I was speaking to a longtime NBA talent evaluator this week when we began speaking about the playoffs and the game Minnesota wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker had just played against the Thunder — 23 points, four rebounds, six assists and five made threes in eight attempts while playing the kind of on-ball defense that teams all want.
Alexander-Walker will be an unrestricted free agent after this season and due for a healthy raise from the $4.3 million he earned this season. He’s exactly the kind of player whom Lakers fans want to see the team chase.
But as I was speaking to this exec, he mentioned a saying a previous employer tasked their pro scouts to focus on: “Find the man before he becomes the man.”
See, a lot of Alexander-Walker’s value to the Timberwolves comes from how his on-court impact dwarfs his impact on the team’s salary cap. He’s currently Minnesota’s ninth highest-paid player. Next season’s full mid-level exception is $14.2 million. The taxpayer mid-level exception is $5.7 million.
The latter seems as though it’ll be too low to get a two-way wing entering his prime like Alexander-Walker, and the full number (which the Lakers aren’t projected to have available) would make him the fifth highest-paid player on the Lakers’ books next season.
All of this is to say that, in speaking with scouts and executives from around the league, the key to having the best possible roster isn’t signing Alexander-Walker — it’s adding a player who can affect your roster as he has in Minnesota.
Finding rotation players who can play on rookie and minimum contracts is one of the keys to building depth. When the Lakers won the championship in 2020, Alex Caruso, Dwight Howard and Kyle Kuzma were all on bargain deals. This year in the playoffs, the Lakers’ “cheap” players were Jaxson Hayes and Jordan Goodwin.
Although one obvious pathway for the Lakers to improve this summer is via trade, packaging a group of players with expiring contracts for higher-impact players, another is going to be on the minimum-contract market.
Trouble is that every team is looking for help like this and they’re all fishing in a free-agency pool that’s generally regarded as weak, especially when it comes to players who scouts think could be both affordable and improving.
Luckily, when it comes to this type of player, situation and opportunity, as well as system and fit, are as important as talent — maybe even more. And role players who got paid when they hit the market and didn’t live up to the paycheck, well, they can usually be had for cheap as they try to rebuild value.
With Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, the Lakers have a core that they’re familiar with and know the kind of players that work around them. Finding great role players before they get paid like great role players should be the charge of any contending front office.
Luka look
Photos of Doncic looking trimmed down in early stages of summer hit the internet this past week, with Doncic posting some himself on his Instagram, including workout photos in Lakers gear.
Without trying to gauge whether Doncic is in awesome shape or in a flattering T-shirt, I will say this: There were people in his camp who felt as though he was in store for a big offseason because of the humiliation he felt in the discussions about his work ethic and conditioning after he was traded from Dallas.
With EuroBasket getting underway in late August, the Lakers should expect a fully engaged Doncic whenever he gets back to Los Angeles.
If there’s new Wednesday or MJ Lenderman music, it’s ending up here. The steel pedal, the vocals, Lenderman on guitar … some real song of the summer stuff for me and the kind of thing I’ll have on repeat for months. Also, another great Wednesday video.
