Despite a prolonged climate delay throughout Philadelphia’s World Cup match between France and Iraq on Monday, that didn’t cease people from soaking in the festivities — even when it meant driving out the storm for about two hours.
And as soon as the sport resumed, the efficiency on the pitch didn’t disappoint. France dominated Iraq, 3-0, with French star Kylian Mbappé tallying two goals.
French supporters stuffed the space. Even although the rain washed out the FIFA Fan Festival, followers of Les Bleus unfold out to completely different corners of the metropolis to look at their facet. Before the storm, Gov. Josh Shapiro checked out the sights and sounds at Lemon Hill Park.
The metropolis has actually develop into soccer-infused this summer season.
Center City bars have been packed Monday afternoon hours earlier than the sport, banners hung from City Hall, and the Broad Street Line carried followers to Philadelphia Stadium (aka Lincoln Financial Field). But 50 years in the past, soccer was nonetheless discovering its footing in Philadelphia. Now, the metropolis’s World Cup love affair reveals how far we’ve come.
— Isabella DiAmore, @phillysport, [email protected].
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❓With the group stage wrapping up, what are your ideas on the World Cup — and any early predictions? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.
Tonight is the first spherical of the NBA draft, and this yr’s class is full of top-level expertise — AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cam Boozer are all worthy of the No. 1 decide — in addition to depth all through the first spherical.
The Sixers will begin the Mike Gansey period with the twenty second decide, and the new president of basketball operations plans to make their choice primarily based on a mixture of best player available and fit.
Also, Pennsauken’s Yaxel Lendeborg will seemingly be a first-round choice. The Michigan star had one in every of the most unbelievable rises to the draft. If it wasn’t for his mother, Yissel, Lendeborg would have by no means performed Division I basketball, a lot much less become a potential lottery pick.
What we’re …
👀 Watching: The 14-year-old Phillies fan who grabbed a Mets residence run ball on Sunday and went viral for making a crafty swap.
🏒 Learning: The Flyers introduced their 2026-27 preseason schedule. Let’s take a look at who they may play in the four-game slate.
🍻 Cheering: Jason Kelce’s sixth annual movie star bartending fundraiser is returning to Ocean Drive in Sea Isle City this week.
📖 Reading: Alexander Command feels a reference to the Flyers. But will he be there at No. 21 on draft day?
⚽ Following: The subsequent large query for the USMNT: Managing yellow playing cards in the World Cup group stage finale.
The Eagles have received two straight NFC East titles and 5 in the final 10 years. They have dominated the division in current reminiscence, and there’s no motive to suppose 2026 will probably be any completely different, proper?
But issues really feel slightly completely different. The Eagles had a transformative offseason, with the greatest change being that they now not have their No. 1 weapon in extensive receiver A.J. Brown.
All the whereas, virtually all of their NFC East foes took steps ahead, at least on paper.
For years, Don and Preston Mattingly have been “in the same industry, but you’re light years apart.”
So, they needn’t be reminded, particularly on Father’s Day weekend, of the uniqueness as the first father-son manager-GM mixture in baseball historical past.
Last week, Preston Mattingly joined Phillies Extra, The Inquirer’s baseball podcast, to debate what it’s wish to work along with his dad, Andrew Painter’s demotion, the state of the Phillies’ farm system, and getting ready for the trade deadline.
Ahead of Monday’s sport towards the Nationals, the Phillies referred to as up Alan Rangel from triple-A Lehigh Valley, as a approach to tackle their fifth spot in the rotation for the time being.
Save for Brandon Marsh’s solo residence run, the Phillies’ offense struggled in a rain-delayed 4-1 loss to the Nationals in Monday’s series opener in Washington.
Villanova’s offseason had a transparent goal: “We wanted to make sure that we just didn’t get manhandled the way we got manhandled last year against the top teams,” stated Kevin Willard.
Now with the roster set, the second-year coach believes he’s carried out simply that, and with the signing of 7-foot-3 heart Luigi Suigo, it has carried out greater than elevate the program’s expectations in the 2026-27 season.
🧠 Trivia time
Which of those sporting occasions recorded the largest attendance at Lincoln Financial Field?
A) Temple vs. Notre Dame on Oct. 31, 2015
B) Flyers vs. Penguins on Feb. 23, 2019, in the NHL Stadium Series
C) Mexico vs. Jamaica on July 26, 2015, in the CONCACAF Gold Cup last
D) Brazil vs. Haiti on June 19, 2026, in the group stage of the World Cup
What you’re saying about Bryce Harper
We requested: Where does Bryce Harper rank in your eyes amongst all-time Phillies gamers? Among your responses:
Harper might be nonetheless behind Schmidt, Carlton and Robin Roberts for me. Harper wants extra consistency when counts, i.e. the playoffs. — Tom G.
Behind Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton and Rich Ashburn. — Jim G.
I feel Bryce ranks amongst the greatest Phillies of my time. Too unhealthy he needed to spend 7 years with Washington earlier than becoming a member of the Phillies for the final 8 years. He got here with no consideration fielder however then after struggling the arm harm he virtually flawlessly moved to 1st base. He doesn’t match up with Mike Schmidt stat sensible nor have the energy of Dick Allen or Ryan Howard however positively one in every of our greatest ever. I’ve after all by no means been in the clubhouse with our guys, however I’ve a sense that he’s the Phillies chief who has that distinctive present of management. Who can ever neglect his “Lets give them something to remember” to Kevin Long after which went up and smashed a house run to beat the Padres that despatched the Phils to the World Series. — Everett S.
In my thoughts, Bryce Harper is near the prime of the all time Phillies gamers. He has a .279 lifetime batting common, will finally hit over 500 residence runs (almost certainly), and is a two time MVP, corridor of fame credentials. He is at present the face of the franchise and will probably be for a number of years to return. His #3 will little question be added to the Phillies wall of fame in the future. — Tom E.
We compiled right this moment’s e-newsletter utilizing reporting from Ryan Novozinsky, Kerith Gabriel, Matt Breen, Gina Mizell, Jeff Neiburg, Ariel Simpson, Jackie Spiegel, Gabriela Carroll, Lochlahn March, Scott Lauber, Owen Hewitt, and Jonathan Tannenwald.
By submitting your written, visible, and/or audio contributions, you conform to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, together with the grant of rights in Section 10.
Thanks for studying! Have your self an exquisite Tuesday. Kerith will probably be again in your inbox tomorrow. — Bella