Reuters Sports News Summary

The World Cup's return to Mexico after 40 years has sparked mixed emotions among locals, with some feeling left out of the excitement.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

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.

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.

Soccer-Canada seeking to take control early in Qatar World Cup showdown

Canada will be looking to learn the lessons from their 1-1 opening draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina and to stamp ‌their authority on their World Cup Group B match with Qatar in Vancouver on Thursday. All four teams in the group - Canada, Qatar, Switzerland and Bosnia & Herzegovina - have one point, one goal scored and one conceded ahead of Thursday's games, with the Swiss taking on Bosnia & Herzegovina ahead of Canada's clash with Qatar.

WTA roundup: Paula Badosa bounces Coco Gauff in Berlin

Spain's Paula Badosa, the 142nd-ranked player in the world, shocked No. 5 seed Coco Gauff 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday to advance to the Berlin Tennis Open quarterfinals. Gauff, the world's No. 7 player, owned a 12-4 advantage in aces, but Badosa went 4-for-5 on break points in the last two sets ⁠while Gauff converted just ​1 of 2. Badosa, who was ranked as high as No. ⁠2 in 2022, is 5-3 all-time vs. Gauff.

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.

Report: Wizards' Trae Young to become free agent after declining option

Trae Young appears headed for the open market, though his short stay with the Washington Wizards may not be over. Young plans to decline his $48.97 million ​player option for the 2026-27 season and will become an unrestricted free agent on Monday, according to a report from Andscape on Wednesday. Washington is the favorite to retain the four-time All-Star guard, but multiple teams are expected to show ⁠interest once he enters free agency, per the report.

Athletics-Former Olympic medallist Simpson hospitalised after collapse at track event

American Olympic medallist and former world champion Jenny Simpson is receiving medical care at a hospital, the Sir Walter Running team said on Wednesday, a day after she collapsed during an event in Raleigh, North Carolina. The 39-year-old was pacing a mile ⁠group ​during a community track event hosted by Sir Walter Running when she collapsed and required CPR.

Soccer-Mexico coach Aguirre warns no more room for opening-match nerves

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said on Wednesday that any patience regarding his players' opening-match nerves has expired as the co-hosts prepare for a high-speed World Cup encounter against South Korea. Both teams enter the Group A clash at the Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday with three points following opening victories, with South Korea beating the Czech Republic 2-1.

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.

Soccer-Fans boo hydration breaks during World Cup matches in US, Canada

Loud boos during hydration breaks echoed around World Cup Group L matches on Wednesday as fans signalled their disdain for the innovation, first at Dallas Stadium for England's clash with Croatia and later ‌in Toronto where Ghana faced Panama. FIFA's mandatory ‌three-minute breaks, one in each half, have proved controversial since being introduced for the first time at this World Cup to help players ​deal with the heat and humidity of the North American summer.