Sports
Behind McKenzie Long's Olympic moment, a mother's love and a profound grief
The fabric was so soft and official. The polyamide-spandex blend hugged, yet still breathed. The speedsuit’s pink piping and yellow Adidas logo practically glowed against the kit’s deep purple, a color Adidas dubs “preloved fig.” McKenzie Long put it on and modeled in the nearest mirror, seeing how it complimented her skin tone, her muscles, the tattoo sleeve covering her right arm.
This speedsuit could be bought for about $300. But her cost was much more. Her price was all of her discipline. An untold number of brutal workouts. The pain in every defeat. The hunger remaining after victory. A life devoid of typical indulgences. But her reward, one of them, came shortly before the U.S. Olympic track and field trials. Long turned pro and signed an endorsement deal with the sports apparel giant. The inaugural donning of her speedsuit punctuated the milestone.
Oh, what she’d have given for her mother to lay the first eyes on it, have the honor of first reaction.
But Tara Elizabeth Jones, neé Murphy, died on Jan. 29 of a heart attack. She was a little over two months from her 46th birthday. When Long left her mother’s home in Hawaii over Christmas break, they both envisioned the success Long would capture. Mom spoke her Olympic dreams into existence, breathing confidence into her daughter’s hidden areas of doubt. Mrs. Jones earned this breakthrough as much as her daughter.
“When I first put this pro uniform on,” Long, 24, said last month. Her voice trembled until it cracked. Tears welled to the brim of her mascara. “I was like, ‘I really wish you could see me in my pro uniform.’”
Grief is reputed for its sucker punches. A master in the art of unbeknownst, its specialty is sneaking up on the grieving, pouncing on the smallest triggers. A song. A piece of candy. A similar laugh. A certain word or how it’s delivered. A random gesture.
Long is increasingly familiar with grief’s stealthy ways. Just before the women’s 100-meter final at trials, she waited in a designated area before the race. One of the officials at Hayward Field, on the campus of the University of Oregon, used the opportunity to gift Long a bracelet. This unknown person learned of Long’s story, how she’d sprinted into notoriety despite the recent death of her mother, and was moved to kindness. The bracelet she gave Long included an encouraging message and was delivered with comforting words.
Suddenly, Long’s focus shifted from pre-race intensity to a brewing sadness she struggled to suppress.
“It was a stone bracelet, and it had a meaning behind it,” Long said. “And I was reading it. … It was, like, an empowerment bracelet. She said, “You’re in my prayers’ and all this sentimental stuff. I was like, ‘Dang, I’m trying to lock in.’”
But grief is also bold enough to show up in significant times. To wait in the open. To stare its targets in the face, challenging them to handle the deluge of emotion.
“When I first put this pro uniform on,” Long said last month, “I was like, ‘I really wish (my mom) could see me in my pro uniform.’” (Patrick Smith / Getty Images)
It sure keeps meeting Long in her biggest moments. At the 2024 NCAA outdoor championships, where she became a hot name in the world of track and field by winning a national title in the 100 meters, the 200 meters and the 4×100 relay. In her room in Eugene, Ore., after she missed making the women’s 100-meter final at trials (by .07 seconds) and could’ve used a bosom on which to collapse from the disappointment. After she’d taken third in the 200-meter final, beating out Sha’Carri Richardson for a spot on her first Olympic team.
The next climax of Long’s journey is upon her in Paris. This is the part carved from her fantasies, what’s been driving her on this incredible run. It’s full of monumental occasions. Arriving at the Olympic Village. Putting on her red, white and blue uniform with “USA” across her chest. Stepping to the blocks on this most massive stage, against the best in the world.
“That’s gonna be another monumental moment,” she said. “Another hard-reality moment.”
Grief will certainly stalk her in those times, prey on her desire for her mother’s presence and anchoring voice. Mom always knew just what to say to calm Kenzie down when she was going haywire before a meet.
Or turn her up.
“You’re McKenzie Long. They should be afraid of you.”
“Piece of cake” has become their mantra. That’s how mom classified her favorite sprinter’s lofty ambitions.
That’s why Long is so determined to make sure her mother is with her. Every step of the way. She’s been known to find a private spot in the stands before the race so she could talk to her mom. The conversation continues at the starting block.
“Let’s do this, mom.”
“You got this baby girl.”
When Long crosses the finish line, she’s got more words for the maternal spirit she keeps close. Then in interviews, she speaks of her freely, though it may hurt. Because keeping her mother present is preserving a critical element of how she made it here.
Grief can be a consumer of energy, a larcenist of zeal, powerful enough to buckle the strongest. Many people need it to run its course and vacate before resuming their usual excellence. Long, though, is among those who can forge through grief and emerge better than ever. A heavy heart hasn’t slowed her down.
She’s been nothing short of spectacular the last couple of months. She had a dominant final season at Ole Miss, capped by a performance at the NCAA championships that put her name on the marquee. Then she was one of the darlings of the Olympic trials. She is convinced it’s with the aid of her mother. She can hear her voice in the wind. Feel her like a sensation.
It seems, for Long, the same thing that makes you fast makes you cry.
“Going into these past couple months,” Long explained, “(I’m) just not separating my mom, including her in everything that I do. … Doing the little things that remind me of my mom and include that into the track and field world. And, honestly, that’s helped me so much. Letting me feel her. Letting me include her. Hearing her voice play back in my head. It pushes me through.”
Gabby Thomas and McKenzie Long embrace after the 200-meter at U.S. Olympic trials. Both qualified for Paris, where competition begins Sunday. (Patrick Smith / Getty Images)
Jones’ death has been a crushing blow for many in her circle. In addition to her four children — Jake, Isaiah, McKenzie and Karmen — Jones spent her life helping people, including the most in need. As a psychiatric travel nurse, she provided care and support for people struggling with mood and psychotic disorders, substance abuse and even dementia. Travel Psych RNs work everywhere from hospitals to homes, clinics to schools.
Jones’ career matched her reputation as empathetic. It was reciprocated in February as 92 people donated towards her funeral expenses, raising more than $6,700 for her service back in Ironton, Ohio.
“Tara was a cherished friend whose infectious laughter and genuine empathy brightened the lives of those around her,” her husband wrote. “Whether lending a listening ear or offering words of encouragement, Tara’s presence had a profound impact on everyone she encountered.”
No one mistook her kindness for weakness, though. Jones was a straight shooter with little to no hesitancy speaking her heart. She celebrated her ninth wedding anniversary with a transparent post to listeners of the Cup of Jones podcast with her husband about the hurt she’s endured in her marriage. She talked openly about having bariatric surgery — an operation that alters the digestive system to induce weight loss — last August and what she deemed a harmful relationship with food. The surgery seemed to be a physical and emotional success. She created a playlist for her workouts — “Don’t Be A Lazy B—” is what she titled it — including songs by Lizzo and Cardi B. Long was listening to it during trials.
The jewels of a queen’s crown are her children. Jones’ oldest, Jake Long, played football at West Virginia, and now he’s an entrepreneur. Jones moved the family from Ironton to Columbus so he could train at a higher level. Isaiah is a dancer and rave thrower who openly talks about thriving with autism. Karmen, the baby, is a burgeoning model.
And, of course, the nation now knows her beloved Kenzie.
Her explosion onto the scene wasn’t a fluke. It’s been a slow grind. Steady progression made sturdy by adversity. Long spent four years in North Carolina State’s prestigious program, working her way into an All-American. In May of 2021, she had hip surgery to correct an issue bad enough for hip replacement to be considered. A year later, she set North Carolina State’s record in the 200 meters (23.00 seconds). But she didn’t qualify for NCAAs.
With two years of eligibility remaining, Long left NC State — with two bachelor’s degrees, one in psychology, the other in communication. She transferred to Ole Miss as a graduate student.
As a Rebel, she grew into elite.
Her best 100-meter time at N.C. State: 11.49 seconds. At Ole Miss, she dropped it 11.00 in 2023. In the 200 meters, she never posted a time below 23 seconds time at N.C. State. But in 2023 at Ole Miss, she got it down to 22.31.
Running for Ole Miss, McKenzie Long was 2024 NCAA outdoor champion in the 100- and 200-meter. She’ll run the 200 in Paris. (Morgan Engel / NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Then came the NCAA championships. Long looked like a future star, best in America. She won a national title in the 100 meters (with a personal best time of 10.91 seconds) and in the 200 meters (another personal best, 21.83 seconds). She also ran the anchor leg for Ole Miss’ national title in the 4×100 relay. All of this went down in about 90 minutes. Piece of cake.
Suddenly, Long — who is also leaving Ole Miss with two master’s degrees, one in criminal justice and one in public health — emerged as one of the fastest women in the world and was named a semifinalist for the coveted Bowerman Award.
“I have to do a double take,” Long’s dad, Michael, told WSAZ News in their hometown. “Because, like, that’s my daughter. It absolutely blows my mind. … She really didn’t have a lot of time to grieve and go through the grieving process. To push through that, I just look forward to seeing her compete with those Olympians.”
Something’s revealing about her best event being the 200 meters. Speed with a shot of endurance. Long’s fast enough for the 100. Her personal best time would’ve gotten her to the final at trials, where anything is possible. She was so close, she spent the next day or so crying from the letdown.
But the 100 was just the appetizer for her main course. The 200 also requires elite speed, but something more. Running the curve demands additional technique and makes lane position more relevant. But the 200 can also be more forgiving. Rough starts aren’t quite as punishing. Because the 200 is about finishing. Exploding out of the turn. Digging deep for the final stretch. Hitting top speed and holding it. The last 100. The last 60. The last 20. It’s a test of strength and will, to be fast farther.
The finish is when Long’s potential becomes visceral. Determination chisels her jaw. Power concentrates in her eyes. Sometimes, you can see her dig deeper. Summon something extra.
She knows from where that extra comes. Whenever she grabs her phone, she kisses the picture of her mother on the screen before unlocking it. Mrs. Jones looks so happy in that picture, smiling on a beach in Hawaii.
“Mom, I made a commitment to you, and as the strong woman you raised, there is no excuses,” Long wrote on Instagram a week before her mother’s “Celebration of Life” service. “I got a very powerful guardian angel by my side through it all and I know you will never fail me. I live through you. I got you. I got us.”
An open book like her mother, she’s talked of her bouts with anxiety, and how overwhelming the transition to professional has been. Not to mention the daunting prospect of running against fellow American Gabby Thomas, Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson, Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred and Great Britain’s Daryll Neita.
All of this while grief nips at her heels.
“I’m so inspired by her story,” Gabby Thomas said of Long. “I watched her at the NCAAs. There are so many amazing female athletes in our sport, and some of them just really stick out and stand out. And she’s one of them. I’m so touched by her season and how hard she’s worked and what she’s overcome. … She has something. She has something really special.”
She could very well earn her first Olympic medal. At a minimum, her story will be told to millions while she’s in Paris, her name increasingly known in the track and field world and in her home country.
Long could be one of the star American women in track and field. She’s got the talent for it. She’s got the drive for it. She’s got the resilience for it.
She’s also got the mom for it. Piece of cake.
GO DEEPER
Gabby Thomas, Olympic 200-meter favorite, is firmly in the spotlight — and ready for it
(Top photo of McKenzie Long during U.S. Olympic trials: Charlie Neibergall / AP)
Sports
Thunder lose star Jalen Williams for Western Conference Finals Game 7 as hamstring injury lingers
Spurs force Game 7 vs. Thunder, SGA struggles, Will Wemby carry this momentum? | The Herd
Victor Wembanyama scored 28 points and 10 rebounds in the San Antonio Spurs’ 118-91 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the WCF. Jason McIntyre says that Wemby showed up in the biggest moments, and asks if he can carry this momentum into Game 7. Plus, he discusses Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s struggles and asks if he will cost the Thunder the series.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder will be shorthanded in Saturday’s pivotal Game 7, as one of Oklahoma’s key contributors has been sidelined with an injury.
OKC guard Jalen Williams has been ruled out for Game 7 with a hamstring issue, ESPN reported on Friday. Williams appeared to aggravate his left hamstring during the Thunder’s 122-113 victory in Game 2. He missed the next three games before returning for Game 6, but logged just 10 minutes off the bench in Oklahoma City’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, which forced a winner-take-all Game 7.
“He’s obviously not 100%,” Mark Daigneault, the head coach of the Thunder, said.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams watches during the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in Game One of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 18, 2026. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Daigneault applauded Williams for fighting through the injury and doing everything he could to help Oklahoma City.
“He didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know what to expect. So, it was a matter of getting him out there in kind of an insulated role and see what he can bring to the team. He’s an All-Star player, he’s an All-NBA player. He hasn’t done a full return to play [protocol] like he would if this was the regular season, and yet, he just wants to do whatever he can to try to contribute whatever he can to the team.”
BLOCKBUSTER GAME 7 SHOWDOWN: FOUR BEST BETS FOR SAN ANTONIO SPURS AT OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
“I give him a lot of credit to get himself out there. He did the best he could. He’s certainly not the reason we lost.”
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams reacts to a shot by forward Luguentz Dort in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during game one of the Western Conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on May 18, 2026. (Alonzo Adams/Imagn Images)
Williams did not talk to reporters after Thursday’s game in San Antonio.
Williams underwent surgery last offseason to repair a wrist injury but still played a key role in the Thunder’s run to the NBA Finals last season. He appeared in just 33 regular-season games before this year’s playoffs.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams drives into the paint during the first quarter of Game Two of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 20, 2026. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
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The winner of Saturday’s Game 7 will advance to the NBA Finals to face the New York Knicks. New York snapped a nearly three-decade Finals drought by sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals.
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CLOVIS — Cool conditions produced a bunch of fast times Friday at the CIF state track and field championships.
Rosary Academy sprint coach Jon Gilmer was worried 4×100-meter relayers Tra’via Flournoy, Justine Wilson, Pfeiffer Lee and Maliyah Collins might get complacent at prelims, but the Royals were the top qualifiers in 45.13 seconds — nearly a full second faster than Canyon Country Canyon (46.07) — at Buchanan High School.
“It’s different not having Calabasas here,” Gilmer said. “Now we’ve got to push ourselves.”
Rosary set a state record (44.23) at the Arcadia Invitational on April 11, but lost to the Coyotes one week later at the Mt. SAC Relays. However, the anticipated state finals clash was not to be as Calabasas dropped the baton in the Southern Section finals and failed to advance.
Collins had a huge lead by the time she received the stick for the anchor leg Friday.
“This is maybe our fourth- or fifth-fastest time but we just wanted to make finals,” said Wilson, who ran the second leg before handing off to Lee. “We want to run faster tomorrow when we go for a PR, the meet and the state record.”
Calabasas might be out of the relay, but three Coyotes remain in contention in the 100, led by Malia Rainey (the top qualifier in 11.54), Marley Scoggins (11.63) and Olivia Kirk (11.63).
Calabasas sprinter Marley Scoggins, center, wins her 100-meter heat at the CIF state track and field preliminaries on Friday.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Collins won her heat in 11.62, the third-fastest time.
Servite won the first heat in the boys 4×100 relay in 40.29 — two hundredths off its winning time at last year’s state finals — and is primed to defend its title in the event. Concord De La Salle (40.81) was the second-fastest qualifier, followed by the other heat winners, Rancho Cucamonga (40.87) and Loyola (40.93).
“We got the stick around pretty good today,” said Jorden Wells, who ran the first leg Friday instead of his customary second leg, which was run by Jaelen Hunter. “Did it feel different? Not really, I’ve done it before.”
Wells said his twin brother Jace will run the first leg Saturday, he will run the second while Kamil Pelovello and Benjamin Harris will stay in the third and fourth positions.
Harris, the favorite to win the 100 meters, won his heat in a wind-legal 10.36, but three others were fractions faster in wind-aided times — Elk Grove’s Cy Lugo (10.20), Will Wood’s Deshawn Seymour (10.34) and De La Salle’s Damari Dean (10.34). Newbury Park’s Jaden Griffin won the last heat in 10.37, setting the stage for an exciting finals sprint as all nine qualifiers ran under 10.48.
Harris put himself in position for a Saturday double by winning his 200 heat in 21.10 but as he did in the 100, Lugo (the Sac-Joaquin Section record holder) had the fastest time (20.73), followed by Seymour (20.88), Camren Hughes (20.93) of Palos Verdes and Jace Wells (21.02). Jordan Wells (21.11) also made the cut.
Newbury Park’s Jaden Griffin, center, shouts after winning his heat in the 100 meters at the CIF state track and field preliminaries on Friday.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Servite (3:15.43) had the second-fastest qualifying time in the 4×400-meter relay behind only El Cerrito (3:14.96) of the North Coast Section.
Coming off a state-record 3:33.83 at the Masters Meet in Moorpark, Long Beach Wilson’s 4×400 girls relay had the fourth-fastest qualifying time (3:46.73) without two out of its best runners (Clara Adams and Saniah Varnado), taking second in the first heat behind San Luis Obispo (3:45.85) and safely advancing to the finals along with Heat 2 runner-up Rosary (3:45.08) and Heat 3 winner Canyon Country Canyon (3:46.77).
Having broken the Southern Section record in the 400 meters six days earlier in 51.98, Adams put it in cruise control to win her heat in 53.53, the fastest qualifying mark. Joining her in the final will be her three relay teammates Varnado (54.42), Wilson (54.57) and Fowler (54.62). Adams later won her 200 heat in 23.60, a tenth of a second behind fastest qualifier Naiaja Sizemore of Vanden.
San Jacinto Valley Academy’s Kaahliyah Lacy ran a wind-legal 13.59 for the top qualifying spot in the girls 100 hurdles and Varnado (40.85) was the top qualifier in the 300 hurdles.
Another showdown is brewing in the boys 400, where Loyola’s Ejam Yohannes (47.08) and Hunter (47.21) won their heats in the two fastest times Friday. Hunter clocked 46.32 to set a California freshman record last spring, but lost to Yohannes by 11 hundredths of a second at the Masters Meet.
City Section champion Jayden Rendon showed good form in his bid to defend the state 300 hurdles crown, posting the fastest prelims time (36.80). He also advanced to the finals in the 110 hurdles with a 13.83 effort. Moorpark’s Davis Benson (14.03) nabbed the last spot.
Corona Santiago’s Braelyn Combe, right, wins the first heat of the 800 meters at the CIF state track and field preliminaries on Friday.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Corona Santiago senior Braelyn Combe won her 1,600 heat in 4:46.88 and is set for a four-lap battle with San Diego Section champion Chiara Dailey of La Jolla, who won the second heat in 4:46.00. Combe is the defending champion, having edged Hanne Thomsen of Santa Rosa Montgomery by five hundredths of a second in the finals last year.
“I just wanted to advance with as little effort as possible,” Combe said. “It was not as hard as I expected. I don’t want to leave any regrets. I’m taking it one race at a time.”
Combe also had the fastest time (2:08:25) of three heats in the 800 meters.
Venice senior Lawrence Kensinger, who set the City Section shot put record with a state-leading throw of 65 feet 11 inches last week, had the third-best mark at prelims (59-6¾) and easily advanced to the finals. Defending state high jump champion JJ Harel of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame tied nine others for the second-best mark (6-6) heading into the second day.
Aliso Niguel senior Jaslene Massey had the top marks in the girls shot put (51-3¾) and discus (175-6) and transgender athlete AB Hernandez from Jurupa Valley was the leading qualifier in the girls long jump (20-5½) and triple jump (41-8½) and was one of 13 qualifiers in the high jump.
AB Hernandez competes at the CIF state track and field preliminaries at Buchanan High School on Friday.
(Tomas Ovalle / For The Times)
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We’re approaching the biggest sporting event North America has ever hosted.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup takes place across the USA, Canada and Mexico in 13 days.
Bettors and fans already have their sights set on the global spectacle, which will kick off on June 11. The World Cup final will be held at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.
After the World Cup groups were announced in December, Spain opened as the favorite at +450, followed by England (+550) and France (+750).
Now, with less than two weeks to go, Spain has slightly drifted to +475, with both France and England making up ground on the oddsboard.
Let’s dive into the odds via DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 29.
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2026 World Cup winner odds
Spain: +475 (bet $10 to win $57.5 total)
France: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
England: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)
Brazil: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)
Argentina: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)
Portugal: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Germany: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Netherlands: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)
Norway: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Belgium: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Colombia: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Morocco: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Uruguay: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
United States: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Switzerland: +6500 (bet $10 to win $660 total)
Japan: +6500 (bet $10 to win $660 total)
Mexico: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Croatia: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Ecuador: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)
Senegal: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)
Sweden: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
HOST NATIONS
United States
The United States is led by Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and Chris Richards, with several players competing in Europe’s top leagues. The U.S. has appeared in 11 previous World Cups, with its best finish coming in 1930 when the team reached the semifinals.
Canada
Canada’s key players include Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David, giving the squad top-tier pace and goal-scoring ability. Canada has made two previous World Cup appearances, and is still looking for its first win ever in the tournament.
Mexico
Mexico’s top contributors include Raul Giménez and Edson Álvarez, forming a strong mix of attacking talent and midfield stability. Mexico has played in 17 previous World Cups and reached the quarterfinals twice, in 1970 and 1986.
UEFA TEAMS TO KNOW
Spain
Spain’s top talents include Pedri, Lamine Yamal and Rodri, forming a core that blends elite playmaking with scoring depth. Spain has appeared in 16 previous World Cups and won the tournament once, lifting the trophy in 2010. The team also won the 2024 Euros.
France
France enters with Kylian Mbappé as the star player, with the 26-year-old just five goals shy of passing Miroslav Klose (16) for the most career goals at the World Cup. France has made 16 previous World Cup appearances and won the title twice, in 1998 and 2018.
England
England’s key players include Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, forming one of the nation’s strongest generations in decades. England has reached 16 previous World Cups and won the trophy once, in 1966.
Germany
Germany features Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Joshua Kimmich as central figures in a talented squad. Germany has participated in 20 previous World Cups and won four titles, most recently in 2014.
Portugal
Portugal’s top group includes Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, with Cristiano Ronaldo still involved as the team’s all-time leading scorer and cap leader. Portugal has competed in eight previous World Cups and recorded its best finish in 2006, reaching the semifinals.
Netherlands
The Netherlands features top players such as Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Denzel Dumfries, forming a core built around elite defending and midfield control. Memphis Depay should also be on the team, the country’s all-time leading goalscorer. The Netherlands has appeared in 11 previous World Cups and finished as runner-up three times, in 1974, 1978 and 2010.
CONMEBOL TEAMS TO KNOW
Argentina
Argentina is anchored by Lionel Messi, with Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez— headlining one of the most talented rosters in the tournament. Argentina has played in 18 previous World Cups and won three, including the most recent tournament in 2022.
Brazil
Brazil’s roster is led by Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha and Marquinhos, giving the team elite attacking and defensive quality. Brazil has appeared in every World Cup and holds a record five titles, with its most recent one coming in 2002.
Uruguay
Uruguay’s leading players include Federico Valverde, Darwin Núñez and Ronald Araújo, forming a core with elite midfield range and speed. Uruguay has appeared in 14 previous World Cups and won the tournament twice, in 1930 and 1950.
Colombia
Colombia is headlined by Luis Díaz and James Rodríguez, with the former playing for Bayern Munich and the latter having a decorated World Cup résumé. Colombia has made six previous World Cupsand recorded its best finish in 2014, reaching the quarterfinals.
CAF TEAMS TO KNOW
Morocco
Morocco’s key contributors include Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazaroui and Brahm Díaz, each with major European club experience. Morocco has appeared in six previous World Cups and achieved its historic best finish in 2022, reaching the semifinals.
Senegal
Senegal’s top players include Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gueye, forming one of Africa’s most experienced cores. Senegal has appeared in three World Cups and reached its best finish in 2002, advancing to the quarterfinals.
Ghana
Ghana is led by Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams, giving the squad strong playmaking and midfield presence. Ghana has competed in four previous World Cups and reached its best result in 2010, making the quarterfinals.
AFC TEAMS TO KNOW
South Korea
South Korea is headlined by Son Heung-min, supported by key players such as Kim Min-jae and Lee Kang-in. South Korea has played in 11 previous World Cups and reached its best finish in 2002, advancing to the semifinals as co-host.
Japan
Japan features Takefusa Kubo and Kaoru Mitoma as its leading players, blending top European experience with emerging talent. Japan has appeared in seven previous World Cups and reached the Round of 16 four times, its best result to date.
Australia
Australia’s top players include Jackson Irvine and keeper Mathew Ryan as its most experienced members. Australia has competed in six previous World Cups and reached the round of 16 twice, in 2006 and 2022.
OFC TEAMS TO KNOW
New Zealand
New Zealand is led by all-time leading scorer Chris Wood, with 45 international goals to his name. New Zealand has appeared in two previous World Cups (1982, 2010), and did not advance from the group stage in either appearance.
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