Lewis Hamilton returns to one of his happiest hunting grounds this weekend with a chance to head into Formula One’s August summer break on a high, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli arrives in Hungary determined to strengthen his growing hold on the title amid mounting concerns over Mercedes teammate George Russell’s struggles.

The Hungaroring has long been a special venue for Hamilton, who has won a record eight races at the Budapest circuit. A victory on Sunday would see the Ferrari driver equal his own Formula One record of nine wins at a single track, matching his remarkable success at Silverstone.

Hamilton also claimed his most recent pole position in Hungary in 2023, making the tight and twisty circuit an ideal opportunity for Ferrari to continue its recent resurgence.

Antonelli, meanwhile, enters the final race before the summer break in complete control of the championship. The 19-year-old Italian has won six of the season’s first 10 races, converting all six of his pole positions into victories and opening a commanding 45-point lead over Hamilton in the standings.

His latest triumph at Spa-Francorchamps further reinforced his rapid rise, with the young Mercedes driver adapting superbly to Formula One’s new hybrid era, where AI-controlled energy deployment and battery management have become increasingly important. Antonelli’s aggressive driving style has allowed him to maximize the performance of Mercedes’ power unit and establish himself as the benchmark in 2026.

While Antonelli continues to flourish, Russell’s season has taken a dramatic downturn.

The Briton began the year as the championship favorite and earned the nickname “Mr. Consistency,” but arrives in Budapest under heavy pressure after retiring in Belgium following an opening-lap collision with former Mercedes teammate Hamilton. It marked his third scoreless race of the campaign and left him 50 points behind Antonelli.

Russell’s difficulties have become one of the biggest talking points in the paddock, with recurring straight-line performance issues costing him significant time compared to his rivals. The contrast between the Mercedes teammates has become increasingly evident as Antonelli continues collecting victories.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the team’s frustrations but insisted both drivers will continue receiving equal support despite Antonelli’s championship advantage.

“We’ve shown at every race so far that the performance is there,” Wolff said. “But we haven’t converted enough of that potential into results. We’ve lost points through self-inflicted issues and we know we need to improve.”

Wolff also dismissed any suggestion that Mercedes would prioritize Antonelli in the title fight.

“We don’t want the drivers taking time away from each other. We don’t want any yo-yoing and then to have Ferrari or Red Bull breathing down our necks and lose victories,” he said. “We’ll never take a victory away from either driver, whether it’s Kimi or George who is ahead.”

The Mercedes boss also brushed aside speculation linking Antonelli with Ferrari, saying the Italian manufacturer had missed its chance years ago.

“We’re aware of the interest, but Kimi has been a Mercedes driver since he was 11,” Wolff said. “Ferrari should have done the job six or seven years ago.”

Ferrari arrive in Hungary encouraged by a noticeable improvement in form.

Charles Leclerc won at Silverstone before finishing runner-up in Belgium, while Hamilton claimed victory in Barcelona, finished third at Silverstone and fourth at Spa. The Hungaroring’s slow, technical layout is expected to reduce Ferrari’s engine deficit, potentially making the Scuderia an even stronger contender.

Still, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur warned against expecting an easy weekend.

“Every weekend we start from scratch,” Vasseur said. “It’s about setup and tire management. Budapest should suit us better than Spa because engine power matters less, but nothing is guaranteed. We still have to execute everything properly.”

Antonelli also expects one of the most competitive races of the season, predicting a four-team battle involving Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull.

“It’s going to be another track a bit like Monaco where you simply try to drive as fast as you can,” he said. “It will be very tight between all of us, so putting everything together will be crucial.”

McLaren could emerge as Ferrari’s biggest challenger after announcing a substantial upgrade package for Hungary, including a revised floor and new aerodynamic components. The team will also continue evaluating an experimental rear wing, while reigning champion Lando Norris returns to the circuit where he won last season ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri.

Italian reserve driver Leonardo Fornaroli, the reigning Formula Two champion, will take part in Friday’s opening practice session for McLaren in place of Piastri.

Red Bull also expects to remain firmly in contention after Max Verstappen’s podium finish in Belgium, while Aston Martin hope a long-awaited chassis upgrade designed by Adrian Newey can help revive a disappointing season.

The team, however, must wait until the Dutch Grand Prix after the summer break before introducing Honda’s latest engine package.

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Türkiye recovered from a slow start to defeat Canada 3-1 on Thursday and book their place in the semifinals of the 2026 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League Finals, continuing the country’s rise as one of the sport’s global powers.

The reigning European champions dropped the opening set before taking control of the match in Macao, China, winning the next three sets through disciplined defense, aggressive serving and a balanced attack to keep their title hopes alive.

After Canada edged the first set 25-22, Türkiye responded with back-to-back 25-21 victories before pulling away in the fourth set for a convincing 25-17 finish.

The victory sends the “Sultans of the Net” into the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the United States and China quarterfinal.

Match summary

Türkiye 3, Canada 1

Daniele Santarelli’s side showed their trademark resilience after falling behind early.

They tightened their blocking, improved their serve pressure and found greater attacking efficiency as the match wore on, leaving Canada with few answers in the final two sets.

The fourth set was particularly dominant, with Türkiye opening a comfortable lead before closing out the contest to secure another semifinal appearance on the international stage.

Another deep run for Türkiye

Türkiye entered the knockout stage after finishing fourth in the preliminary round with nine wins and 25 points, earning one of the eight places in the VNL Finals.

Canada also impressed during the league phase to reach the quarterfinals, but their campaign ended against a Turkish side that has consistently delivered on the biggest stages in recent years.

The latest victory adds another milestone to a golden era for Turkish women’s volleyball. The national team captured both the 2023 Volleyball Nations League title and the 2023 CEV European Championship, establishing themselves among the world’s elite alongside Italy, Brazil, the United States and China.

Led by a talented core that includes Melissa Vargas, Zehra Güneş, Hande Baladın, Ebrar Karakurt, Gizem Örge and Ceren Özbay, Türkiye once again demonstrated the depth and composure that have become hallmarks of the program.

Momentum builds

The Women’s Volleyball Nations League features the world’s top national teams and offers valuable FIVB ranking points ahead of future international competitions, including the World Championship and Olympic qualification cycles.

By advancing to the final four, Türkiye not only keep their championship ambitions alive but also reinforce their status as one of the strongest teams in international volleyball.

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President Donald Trump wants FIFA President Gianni Infantino to become the next secretary-general of the United Nations, according to a report by the New York Post, a move that would elevate one of his closest international allies from global soccer to international diplomacy.

The report says Trump believes Infantino has earned worldwide respect through his leadership of FIFA and his role in organizing the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

According to a source cited by the Post, Trump views the Swiss executive as someone with a unique ability to unite people across political and cultural divides.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and FIFA has not publicly addressed the report.

Trump and Infantino have built a close relationship over the past several years, particularly during preparations for the expanded 48-team World Cup.

Their partnership has been highly visible throughout the tournament, with Trump playing an unusually prominent role in FIFA events.

Infantino awarded Trump FIFA’s inaugural Peace Prize in December, while the U.S. president later presented the FIFA Club World Cup trophy at MetLife Stadium. On Sunday, Trump joined Infantino on the field again to hand Spain captain Rodri the World Cup trophy after Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the final.

During the championship match, Trump watched from a suite alongside First Lady Melania Trump and Infantino, with the World Cup trophy displayed nearby before the postmatch ceremony.

The next UN secretary-general will be selected later this year and will take office on Jan. 1, 2027, replacing Antonio Guterres, whose second term ends in December.

Any bid by Infantino would face significant political hurdles. Candidates must first secure the backing of all 15 members of the UN Security Council, where any of the five permanent members can veto a nomination, before receiving approval from the General Assembly.

It also remains unclear whether Infantino has any interest in pursuing the position.

According to the Post, Trump believes Infantino would be a stronger candidate than a field that could include former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi of Argentina.

Grossi’s candidacy could reportedly face resistance from the United Kingdom because of longstanding tensions with Argentina over the Falkland Islands.

Trump’s special envoy for global partnerships, Paolo Zampolli, endorsed the idea, arguing that Infantino’s experience managing FIFA’s global membership makes him well suited for the UN’s top diplomatic role.

“At the United Nations, you have to deal with 193 member states. In FIFA, there are over 200 members. Gianni’s great record shows he knows how to manage,” Zampolli told the Post.

Zampolli, a former Dominican ambassador to the UN, has previously worked with FIFA on international initiatives. Earlier this year, he reportedly suggested replacing Iran with Italy at the World Cup in an effort to ease diplomatic tensions between the Trump administration and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Despite his global profile, Infantino’s leadership has not been without controversy.

He recently faced criticism from several soccer organizations after FIFA overturned a red card shown to United States forward Folarin Balogun before the Americans’ Round of 16 match against Belgium. Trump later acknowledged that he personally contacted Infantino to request a review of the decision, which ultimately allowed Balogun to play.

Infantino is also approaching an important vote within FIFA. Delegates at the FIFA Congress are expected to decide in March 2027 whether he will receive a fourth term as president.

If he remains at FIFA, his attention will quickly shift to the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil before preparations intensify for the centennial 2030 Men’s World Cup.

That tournament will make history by spanning six countries across three continents, with opening matches in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay before the competition moves primarily to Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

Trump has repeatedly criticized the United Nations since returning to office, reducing U.S. funding to the organization and withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization, UNESCO and the UN Human Rights Council.

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A new season brings renewed hope for Beşiktaş, who launch their 2026-27 campaign Thursday with a high-stakes UEFA Europa League second qualifying round clash against Denmark’s FC Midtjylland, as Vincenzo Italiano takes charge of his first competitive match while the club continues pursuing a blockbuster move for Mohamed Salah.

The first leg at Tüpraş Stadium marks the beginning of Beşiktaş’s bid to return to the European stage after several disappointing seasons.

The winner of the two-legged tie will move one step closer to the Europa League league phase, with three qualifying rounds separating both clubs from the main competition.

The match also represents a fresh start for a Beşiktaş side desperate to restore its status after finishing a distant fourth in the Turkish Süper Lig last season.

Once again overshadowed by fierce rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe in the domestic title race, the Black Eagles also endured another disappointing European campaign.

Those struggles prompted a managerial change, with Sergen Yalçın making way for Italiano, whose reputation was built through successful spells with Bologna and Fiorentina, guiding both clubs deep into European competitions.

Beşiktaş have not lifted the Turkish league title since 2021 and have failed to reach the group or league phase of a UEFA competition since 2023, placing immediate pressure on Italiano to revive one of Türkiye’s biggest clubs.

The Italian coach has already overseen an active summer rebuild. German goalkeeper Alexander Nübel, midfielder Salih Özcan, defender Kassoum Ouattara and youngster İlhan Fakili have all joined the squad and are available for Thursday’s match.

Belgian international Leandro Trossard, one of the club’s marquee signings this summer, will miss the opener after being granted additional leave following Belgium’s participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Beşiktaş’s preseason offered mixed encouragement. The Istanbul club won only two of five friendlies, beating Gyirmót and Mattersburg but suffering defeats to Spartak Trnava and Widzew Lodz before settling for a 1-1 draw against Dynamo Malzenice.

Italiano will also be without suspended defender Felix Uduokhai, while captain Orkun Kökçü is expected to anchor midfield alongside Wilfred Ndidi.

The biggest selection question remains in attack, where South Korean striker Oh Hyeon-gyu is competing with academy product Semih Kılıçsoy, who returned after a mixed loan spell at Serie A side Cagliari.

Midtjylland arrive in Istanbul carrying considerably stronger momentum.

The Danish club has won four of its last five preseason matches, including emphatic victories over Cardiff City and Odense by a combined score of 10-1.

Despite being founded only in 1999, Midtjylland have established themselves as one of Denmark’s leading clubs, winning four league titles while building a growing reputation in Europe.

Their Europa League campaign last season was among the club’s finest. Victories over Celtic, Nottingham Forest and Dinamo Zagreb helped Mike Tullberg’s side finish third in the league phase before suffering a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Forest in the round of 16.

Rather than allowing that disappointment to derail their campaign, Midtjylland finished runners-up in the Danish Superliga and defeated Copenhagen to lift the Danish Cup.

Advancing past Beşiktaş would set up a third qualifying round meeting with either Norway’s Tromsø or Czech side Hradec Králové.

Tullberg’s attack remains dangerous despite growing transfer interest in several of his stars.

Guinea-Bissau international Franculino Dju, who has scored 55 goals in 107 appearances for the club, has returned from a knee injury and found the net in each of Midtjylland’s last two friendlies. Chilean winger Dario Osorio, who has attracted reported interest from Arsenal, is also expected to start.

Summer arrivals Rasmus Kristensen and Friday Etim could make their competitive debuts, although captain Mads Bech Sørensen faces a late fitness test and Brazilian wing-back Paulinho has departed for Botafogo.

Salah pursuit dominates headlines

Away from the pitch, Beşiktaş continue pursuing one of the most ambitious transfers in Turkish football history.

The club remains in negotiations with Mohamed Salah and is reportedly developing a sponsor-backed financial package modeled after the structure Juventus used to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid in 2018.

Rather than financing the move entirely through club resources, Beşiktaş hope to secure a major commercial sponsor willing to cover a significant portion of Salah’s salary and related costs, making the deal financially sustainable.

Reports indicate Salah has reduced his initial salary expectations from approximately €15 million ($17.1 million) per year to around €10 million plus performance bonuses, with discussions focusing on a one-year contract that includes an option for a second season.

Club executives believe the Egyptian superstar’s arrival would transform Beşiktaş both competitively and commercially.

Beyond adding one of football’s most prolific forwards, Salah would boost shirt sales, increase ticket demand and strengthen the club’s commercial reach across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Negotiations remain active despite disagreements over agent commission fees, reportedly as high as 35%, which Beşiktaş consider excessive.

Club officials have dismissed speculation that an agreement has already been reached, emphasizing that talks are continuing and no deal will be finalized until every financial detail has been resolved.

Salah is expected to visit Istanbul with his family on Aug. 2 to attend Egyptian music legend Amr Diab’s concert at Ataköy Marina Open-Air Stage, a trip that has intensified speculation Beşiktaş officials could hold further face-to-face discussions during his stay.

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The fallout from the 2026 FIFA World Cup has escalated into one of the biggest leadership challenges of Gianni Infantino’s presidency, with senior figures across European football accusing FIFA of putting commercial gain and political influence ahead of the long-term health of the sport.

Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory over defending champion Argentina in the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on July 19 brought the curtain down on the first 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

While Infantino hailed the competition as “the greatest human, social and cultural event that mankind has witnessed,” the tournament has instead fueled growing criticism over fixture congestion, governance, commercialization and political interference.

Leading that criticism is La Liga president Javier Tebas, who on Tuesday said Infantino should step down, accusing FIFA of “destroying the football industry” by prioritizing an expanded international calendar over the domestic leagues that underpin the global game.

“The football industry isn’t just the World Cup,” Tebas told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “National competitions sustain this sport. They generate tens of thousands of jobs. They are destroying the football industry for an event that lasts 40 days and involves only a minority of players.”

Tebas renews attack on FIFA

Tebas has been one of Infantino’s fiercest critics for years, regularly opposing FIFA’s efforts to expand international competitions. His latest remarks come as FIFA continues to evaluate a proposal from South American governing body CONMEBOL to increase the 2030 World Cup from 48 to 64 teams.

According to Tebas, further expansion would only worsen an already overcrowded football calendar.

“Increasing the number of national teams makes no sense,” he said. “Everything cannot revolve around the World Cup.”

Asked whether Infantino should remain FIFA president, Tebas left little doubt.

“In my opinion, his time is up,” he said.

“He has the support of the system and the federations, so there’s not much more to add. There is no opposition candidate because nobody wants to stand just to lose. The system is rotten at its core.”

Tebas argued that many influential figures privately share his concerns but refuse to challenge FIFA publicly.

“I’ve heard many people who are against Infantino,” he said. “They say it, but then they do nothing. I don’t know what’s worse, the silence or the complicity.”

Over-commercialization

Among Tebas’ biggest complaints were several changes introduced during the World Cup that he believes prioritized television revenue and entertainment over the sport itself.

He dismissed the tournament’s hydration breaks as little more than commercial opportunities.

“Hydration breaks are a lie,” he said. “In La Liga we use them only when it’s genuinely hot. Here, the stadiums in Dallas, Los Angeles and Atlanta had air conditioning. They were simply advertising breaks.”

The breaks, introduced midway through each half to help players cope with summer temperatures across North America, drew criticism from some coaches and supporters who argued they disrupted the rhythm of matches while giving teams additional tactical timeouts.

Tebas also criticized the World Cup final’s extended halftime, which reportedly lasted about 27 minutes instead of the traditional 15, saying it unnecessarily disrupted the match and further highlighted FIFA’s emphasis on commercial programming.

Political interference

Tebas also pointed to the controversial handling of United States forward Folarin Balogun’s suspension as evidence of what he believes is growing political influence over football.

Balogun’s red-card suspension was lifted after intervention linked to U.S. President Donald Trump, who publicly acknowledged speaking with Infantino about the matter.

Although Belgium later eliminated the United States from the tournament, Tebas argued the incident exposed serious governance concerns.

“FIFA arranges things as it wants, for its own interests, certainly not for football,” he said.

The controversy echoed broader concerns voiced by former FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who has warned that political involvement risks undermining the credibility and independence of world football.

UEFA boycott exposes widening divide

Relations between FIFA and UEFA also appeared to reach a new low during the tournament.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin did not attend the World Cup final, marking the first time a UEFA president has skipped football’s biggest match.

Ceferin attended the tournament opener in Mexico City but stayed away from the final amid growing frustration over several issues, including the Balogun disciplinary case, refereeing operations, match management and what UEFA viewed as increasing political influence over FIFA decision-making.

His absence was widely interpreted as a public protest and underscored the widening divide between European football’s governing body and FIFA.

Supporters demand structural reform

Criticism has not been limited to football executives.

Football Supporters Europe (FSE), the UEFA-recognized umbrella organization representing supporters across Europe, issued a strongly worded statement calling for sweeping reforms to FIFA’s governance.

Describing the tournament as “a World Cup that failed supporters,” FSE said FIFA had prioritized spectacle and commercial interests over fans and the traditions of the game.

“The 2026 World Cup should have been a celebration of football and the supporters who give it life,” the organization said. “Instead, it became a case study in what is so deeply wrong with football today.”

The group criticized historically high ticket prices, soaring travel costs, limited transparency, changing regulations and what it described as the growing influence of political figures over football operations.

It also called for structural reforms that would return greater decision-making authority to FIFA’s Council and Congress while ensuring clubs, leagues, players and supporters play a larger role in shaping the sport’s future.

“The future of the game cannot rest in the hands of a man who has proven yet again that he puts financial and political interests ahead of football,” the statement said.

Infantino remains firmly backed

Despite mounting criticism, Infantino’s position appears secure.

More than 200 of FIFA’s 211 member associations are reported to support his bid for a fourth term when presidential elections are held in Morocco on March 18, 2027.

The FIFA president has consistently defended the tournament, arguing that disciplinary decisions were made independently under FIFA regulations while highlighting record attendance, global audiences, commercial success and unprecedented worldwide interest.

Infantino has also praised cooperation with the Trump administration on security and logistics throughout the tournament.

Critics, however, contend that the World Cup accelerated the commercialization of football through dynamic ticket pricing, extended broadcast windows and growing political involvement, while placing additional strain on players and domestic competitions.

With calls for reform now coming from league officials, supporters’ groups and former FIFA leaders, the debate surrounding the 2026 World Cup has evolved beyond a single tournament into a broader battle over who controls football’s future.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin skipped Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final in an apparent protest against FIFA, according to British media reports published Monday.

The move is the latest sign of growing tensions between European football’s governing body and FIFA, the global governing body of football.

One major source of friction was FIFA’s controversial decision to overturn the suspension of United States forward Folarin Balogun before the Americans’ World Cup match against Belgium.

Balogun had been sent off in the previous game, but FIFA reinstated him after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged FIFA president Gianni Infantino to “review” the red card.

UEFA was unhappy that Infantino bowed to what it viewed as political pressure from the tournament hosts. It called FIFA’s disciplinary committee decision “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable” and said it “crossed a red line.”

Other sources of tension included FIFA’s acquiescence after U.S. authorities refused to allow Somali referee Omar Artan to enter the country. UEFA responded by appointing Artan to officiate the UEFA Super Cup next month.

FIFA was also unable to ensure Iran was treated the same as other teams playing in the United States. Coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team were the “most oppressed” at the World Cup. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said he “danced a happy dance” when Iran were knocked out.

UEFA has also, so far, refused to adopt some of FIFA’s World Cup innovations, including hydration breaks, the “mistaken identity” VAR protocol that led to Breel Embolo’s sending-off in Switzerland’s quarter-final loss to Argentina, and yellow cards for players who cover their mouths while speaking to an opponent.

Ceferin also criticized the expanded 48-team tournament before it kicked off.

“We have a lot of matches that are completely uninteresting,” he was quoted as saying by a newspaper in his native Slovenia.

Ceferin has also been publicly critical of World Cup ticket prices.

UEFA has said it will continue to offer two “fan first” ticket categories at the 2028 European Championship in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It said 40% of tickets will either be priced below 30 pounds ($40) or below 60 pounds. It has also promised not to adopt dynamic pricing.

Ceferin attended the tournament’s opening match in Mexico City on June 11.

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