Reuters Sports News Summary

Portugal's World Cup opener against DR Congo ended in a 1-1 draw, with Cristiano Ronaldo's team unable to secure a win despite taking the lead early in the match.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Soccer-Portugal held to 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their World Cup opener

Portugal and their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo were left frustrated ​after Democratic Republic of Congo fought back to earn a 1-1 draw on Wednesday in the African nation's ​return to the World Cup stage after 52 years. It looked like it would be a ‌long ​afternoon for DR Congo with Portugal taking the lead inside six minutes when Pedro Neto crossed for Joao Neves who headed home from 15 metres.

The World Cup returned to Mexico after 40 years. Many locals feel left out

Born in 1986, the last time Mexico hosted a World Cup, Eduardo Marin likes to joke that he’s measured his life not in years, but in ‌soccer tournaments. In 1994, as a young kid, he watched with his family as Mexico crashed out on penalties to Bulgaria. In 2006, by then at college, Marin recalls the heartbreak of Argentina's Maxi Rodriguez smashing home a volley from outside the box in extra time, knocking out one of the best Mexico teams in recent memory. And in 2018, in his early 30s, Marin and eight friends painted a bus in Mexico’s green, white and red and drove from Germany to Russia in support of 'El Tri.' The bus appeared on ‌TV channels across the globe and secured the friend group, for a moment, viral fame.

Explainer-Soccer-How soccer’s eligibility rules work and their impact on the World Cup

Morocco’s impressive performance against Brazil on the opening weekend of the World Cup and the shock ‌draw that tiny Cape Verde forced against Spain came from a foundation of studious assimilation of players from around Europe, vastly strengthening their side with talent from the diaspora. All 11 Morocco starters were born outside the country and developed at European clubs, save for Canadian-born but home-grown goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

Soccer-US game on Juneteenth gives chance to showcase team's diversity

The United States' clash with Australia on Friday presents the co-hosts with the chance to not only book a place in the World Cup knockout phase, but also celebrate Black history and showcase the diversity of the team and Seattle. The match falls on Juneteenth, which marks the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans ⁠and became a ​U.S. federal holiday in 2021. A series of events in and ⁠around Seattle will combine a local love of soccer with social awareness.

Aces' A'ja Wilson, Wings' Paige Bueckers lead early All-Star Game voting

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson and Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers lead all players in voting for this summer's WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago after the first batch of fan ⁠votes were announced on Wednesday by the league. Wilson, a seven-time All-Star and four-time league MVP, leads the league in points (25.6 per game) and blocks (2.2) and received the most votes (308,249).

Knicks accept invitation to visit White House after win, owner says

Knicks owner James Dolan said on Wednesday the New ​York basketball team has accepted an invitation to the White House following last week's championship win. "We just did receive an invitation from the White House, which we accepted. We still have to figure out the details," Dolan said during ⁠an interview on WFAN Sports Radio.

Soccer-Kane draws level with Lineker as England outgun Croatia

Harry Kane struck twice while Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford delivered the knockout blows as England survived a back-and-forth battle to beat Croatia 4-2 on Wednesday and launch their World Cup campaign in a heavyweight clash that lived up to its billing. The Group L ⁠meeting ​carried heavy expectations long before kickoff, given the history between the sides, with Croatia's extra-time victory over England in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals adding an extra edge to the occasion.

Soccer-US hope Pulisic can face Australia after calf injury

United States players said they hope Christian Pulisic will be available for their Group D World Cup clash against Australia on Friday after the forward was substituted at halftime in their opener with a left calf injury. Team officials told reporters at U.S. base camp on Wednesday that Pulisic ⁠was still being evaluated daily and remains in a "modified training program," doing individual work both in the gym and on the field.

Soccer-Scorching Miami heat could push World Cup players to the brink, expert warns

Players arriving in Miami for World Cup matches may ⁠find themselves battling more than just opposing teams, as sweltering heat and humidity ⁠threaten to turn the tournament into a test of endurance as much as skill. Teams from cooler climates face particular risks if they have not had time to acclimatise to Miami's punishing conditions, warned Dr Jason Kostrna, an assistant professor and graduate kinesiology program leader at Florida International University. Kinesiology is the study of movement, exercise, and physical performance.

WNBA expanding to 50-game regular season in ‌2027

The WNBA is expanding the regular season ‌from 44 games to 50 games starting with the 2027 campaign, the league announced Wednesday. During its inaugural season in 1997, each ​of the league's eight members played only 28 regular season games.