Sports
FIFA likely to increase funding, fees for teams
Jun 21, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; The FIFA Club World Cup logo is seen before the game between CF Monterrey and CA River Plate during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images In response to requests by European teams to increase prize money and to assist with costs associated with their participation this summer in the World Cup, the world governing body and World Cup organizer is set to fulfill those wishes — for all 48 participating countries.
FIFA has had discussions with national associations to boost funding, and the proposals are expected to be approved at the FIFA Council meeting April 28 in Vancouver.
The World Cup, which will run from June 11 to July 19, is expected to bring in revenue in excess of $11 billion.
UEFA, European football’s governing body, contacted FIFA after hearing from several of its member associations regarding the costs of participating in the World Cup, including travel, operations and taxes, particularly in the United States. Canada and Mexico are the other host countries this summer.
FIFA in December announced a record World Cup prize fund of $727 million, with the winner taking home $50 million and each team receiving at least $10.5 million. Since that December announcement, FIFA and national associations have engaged in talks and aim to resolve the issue before April 30, when the FIFA Congress meets.
Last month, The Athletic reported that FIFA had trimmed more than $100 million from its World Cup operating departments, causing concern for host cities and their plans, which had already been scaled down due to budgeting issues.
Among U.S. host cities, only Houston and Philadelphia are going ahead with their original plans for the 39-day-long festival.
“Ahead of a FIFA Council meeting in Vancouver, Canada, on 28 April 2026, FIFA can confirm it is in discussions with associations around the world to increase available revenues,” a FIFA spokesperson told The Athletic.
“This includes a proposed increase of financial contributions to all qualified teams for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and of development funding available to all 211 member associations.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Rapids sign French M Youssef Maziz
Apr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; General view of a match MLS soccer ball during the first half between the Inter Miami CF against the Colorado Rapids at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images The Colorado Rapids announced the signing of French midfielder Youssef Maziz on Friday.
Maziz, 28, is signed through 2027-28 with an option for 2028-29 and will occupy an international roster slot.
He spent the past three seasons with Belgian first-division side OH Leuven, logging 15 goals and 16 assists in 114 appearances across all competitions.
“Youssef is a player who brings creativity and football intelligence that we believe will have a real impact on our attack,” Rapids president Padraig Smith said. “He has the vision and technical quality to unlock opposition defenses, create chances for those around him, and elevate the players alongside him.”
OFFICIAL: The club has signed French midfielder Youssef Maziz to a contract through the 2027-28 MLS season, with a club option for 2028-29.
Bienvenue au Colorado, Youssef ???
?? » https://t.co/Z3E5WHzuHd pic.twitter.com/qMUWtUyTg8
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) July 31, 2026
Maziz previously played for FC Metz, tallying nine goals and seven assists in 50 appearances from 2017-23 and helping the club earn promotion to Ligue 1 in 2022-23.
“Youssef is the exact type of character we have been looking to bring to the club. He has fantastic experience playing in high level games and will be a great addition to our young midfield group,” Rapids coach Matt Wells said. “He is a very creative player; always looking to make and score goals but, crucially, he combines this with high intensity pressing out of possession.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Goldeneyes move Cara Gardner Morey from GM to head coach
A general view of hockey sticks. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images The Vancouver Goldeneyes are moving Cara Gardner Morey to head coach after serving as general manager during their inaugural PWHL season in 2025-26.
Gardner Morey, 47, previously served as head coach of the women’s ice hockey team at Princeton from 2017-25.
“I’m excited to return to coaching,” she said in a news release on Thursday. “Over the course of the offseason, I spent a lot of time reflecting and discussing what was best for our team and for me personally. Through that process, I realized how much I missed being behind the bench.
“While I continue to be incredibly proud of what we built in Vancouver during our inaugural season, coaching is where I know I can make the biggest impact. To have the opportunity to coach the roster we’ve assembled is an incredible privilege, and I can’t wait for us to take the ice later this year.”
Coach Cara ??
°The Vancouver Goldeneyes announced today that Cara Gardner Morey has been named Head Coach after serving as the team’s General Manager during its inaugural season.
°A search for the team’s next General Manager will begin now.
Details: https://t.co/urKPuV7R3B pic.twitter.com/JeymVedqjx
— Vancouver Goldeneyes (@PWHL__Vancouver) July 30, 2026
Gardner Morey helped Princeton win an Ivy League title and capture its first ECAC Tournament championship during her time with the Tigers.
Under previous head coach Brian Idalski, the Goldeneyes finished in sixth place in the PWHL standings during their debut season with 37 points. Idalski is now the head coach of the women’s team at Syracuse.
The league will lead the search for Vancouver’s next general manager.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Zach Johnson grabs first-round lead at Portugal Invitational
Zach Johnson participates in the trophy presentation after winning the Kaulig Companies PGA Championship Final Round, July 12, 2026, at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. PGA Tour Champions rookie Zach Johnson carded an 8-under-par 64 on Friday to take the first-round lead at the Portugal Invitational in Algarve.
Johnson posted nine birdies and one bogey at The Els Club Vilamoura to build a one-shot lead against Slovakia’s Rory Sabbatini, who is in solo second place after a bogey-free round with seven birdies.
Alex Cejka of Germany, Charlie Wi of South Korea, Padraig Harrington of Ireland and Mikael Lundberg of Sweden are tied for third place at 6-under-par, with six golfers another shot behind in a tie for seventh place.
Johnson, 50, already has won three times on the senior tour this season, including two of his last three tournaments at the Principal Charity Classic and Kaulig Companies Championship. He finished T7 at last week’s Senior Open.
“I would argue it’s the best tour in the world,” he said. “I’m enjoying it. I would love to have my family out more, but I know my wife’s enjoying it as well. She likes to watch golf and take a nap, so that works out well.”
Johnson opened with birdies at the first three holes, suffered his only bogey at the par-4 13th hole and grabbed the clubhouse lead with another birdie at the par-4 18th. He birdied all five par-5s on the course.
“It was just solid,” Johnson said. “There were very few stressful situations. I hit an errant tee shot on 13, just complete brain meltdown, just lack of focus on the tee shot, and it cost me a bogey. But other than that, it was a very simple day.”
Sabbatini started on the back nine and also played the par-5 holes in 5-under.
“The par-5s are scoring opportunities but you still have to be very cautious because if you try and be overly aggressive on them, they tend to bite you pretty hard,” Sabbatini said. “So you’ve got to try and remain within yourself on those holes and give yourself opportunities, but be prepared that if you try and take off a little bit more than you should, it’s probably going to result in either a par if you’re lucky and sometimes some bogeys.”
This is the first PGA Tour Champions tournament ever held on Portuguese soil.
Sixty-four of the 78 golfers shot even par or better on Friday. In addition to Harrington, the field includes World Golf Hall of Famers Retief Goosen, Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie.
–Field Level Media
Rapids sign French M Youssef Maziz
Goldeneyes move Cara Gardner Morey from GM to head coach
