Here is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Football and Brazil favorites to win the World Cup in Qatar
Brazil are the favorites to win the 2022 World Cup according to bookmakers after the five-time champions were drawn on Friday along with Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon in the group stage of the showpiece event in Qatar. William Hill set up Brazil, who rose to the top of the world rankings this week, as 5-1 favorites to win the tournament ahead of France (11-2), England (6-1), England (6-1), Spain (15-2) and Argentina. (11-1).
NFL-Kaepernick to pitch past NFL scouts at Michigan spring game
Free quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s quest for a return to the National Football League (NFL) will continue this weekend when he puts on a halftime display of shots at the University of Michigan Spring Game Saturday. Draft-eligible players will receive Kaepernick’s passes and NFL team personnel in attendance will be allowed to watch the event, the NFL said on its website.
Former US goalkeeper Solo arrested on suspicion of DWI
Former US goaltender Hope Solo was arrested Thursday in North Carolina on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, a police department spokesperson said Friday. Solo was arrested in a Walmart parking lot in Winston-Salem and charged with impaired driving (DWI), resisting arrest and misdemeanor child abuse, the Winston-Salem Police Department said.
Soccer-England will face the United States at the World Cup on November 25
England will face the United States on November 25 and four-time champions Germany will face Spain two days later in two of the most anticipated matches of the World Cup group stage, according to a schedule released on Friday. . The action kicks off on November 21 with hosts Qatar taking on Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium, England taking on Iran and Senegal taking on the Netherlands. The United States will also face the winner of a playoff match between Wales, Scotland and Ukraine.
Exclusive-Auto racing-Vegas focus on Monaco’s future, says Brown
Las Vegas will be a stunning addition to the Formula 1 calendar next year, but will also be a focus on the future of the Monaco Grand Prix, according to McLaren boss Zak Brown. It’s long been a given that the sport needs the heritage and glamor of the Mediterranean principality, with its casino and superyachts, but this week’s announcement from Las Vegas offers glitz on another level.
Football-Brazil fear lack of European matches will cost them in Qatar
Brazil are the bookies’ favorites to win the World Cup, but their lack of friendlies against European opponents over the past four years has coach Tite unsettled, who fears it could cost them Qatar. Brazil were drawn in Group G on Friday and will face Switzerland, Serbia and Cameroon in the final.
Tennis-Norway’s Ruud ends Cerundolo’s run to reach Miami Open final
Norway’s Casper Ruud ended Francisco Cerundolo’s unexpected run to the Miami Open semifinals with a 6-4 6-1 win on Friday. Eighth-seeded Ruud converted a late break point in the first set after nerves seemed to kick in for world number 103 Cerundolo, who was in his first Masters 1000 tournament main draw.
World Cup-winning Cricket-Experience can lift England, says Knight
England captain Heather Knight hopes the experience gained from winning the Women’s World Cup in 2017 can help her side beat favorites Australia for this year’s title in Christchurch on Sunday. England – champions after beating India in the final five years ago – face an Australian side who have dominated them in recent encounters and are looking to claim the country’s seventh crown from 50 overs.
Motor racing and F1 chief says he has no plans to drop Saudi Grand Prix
Formula 1 will continue to stage the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix despite an attack on an oil storage facility near the track ahead of last weekend’s race and criticism over the country’s rights record of humans, CEO Stefano Domenicali told Reuters. The attack by the Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen has cast doubt on the progress of Sunday’s race in Jeddah, but after discussions F1 and the drivers have collectively decided to continue after receiving security assurances Saudi authorities.
Iran and the United States, geopolitical enemies of football, will face off again at the World Cup
After more than 40 years of soured relations and months of struggle to restore a nuclear deal, the United States and Iran are now set to meet on the soccer field at this year’s World Cup. after landing together in Group B in Friday’s draw. Iranian and American coaches avoided political uproar, saying they were focused on the tournament and its ability to bring people together. England and the winners of a European playoff – Ukraine, Scotland or Wales – complete the group.
(With agency contributions.)