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Charles Barkley says US men’s basketball team 'can't come back' stateside if they fail to win gold at Olympics

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Charles Barkley says US men’s basketball team 'can't come back' stateside if they fail to win gold at Olympics

Charles Barkley made his expectations for the US men’s basketball team clear. 

The legendary NBA player wants to see Team USA return from the Paris Olympics with the gold medal in their possession. Barkley was so steadfast in his belief that he suggested the players should find another country to call home if they somehow fall short of his expectations.

“Listen, if they lose, we can’t let them back in the country,” Barkley said during a recent appearance on Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George’s “P Podcast.” “We can’t. I’ll tell them. You can’t come back.”

February 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio: NBA great Charles Barkley is honored for being selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. (Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

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Barkley is a two-time Olympic gold medalist. He was a member of the U.S. men’s national basketball team during the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona. The 1992 team was better known as the “Dream Team.” Barkley and Team USA also won gold on American soil during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Many fans and others have attempted to draw comparisons between the 2024 edition of the U.S. men’s basketball team and the storied roster from 1992. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, and other all-time basketball greats played on the “Dream Team.”

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This year’s team is led by four-time NBA champion LeBron James and also features 2014 NBA MVP Kevin Durant, Los Angeles Lakers’ forward Anthony Davis, and rising NBA star Anthony Edwards, among others.

Basketball: 1996 Summer Olympics: USA Charles Barkley victorious with medals after winning Men’s Gold Medal Game against Yugoslavia at the Georgia Dome. Atlanta, GA. 8/3/1996 (Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

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On Tuesday, Team USA took another step in the right direction by defeating Brazil in the quarterfinals. The team returns to the court on Aug. 8 for a game against Serbia.

After winning the bronze medal at the Athens Olympics, the men’s basketball team took care of business in the next four games, which were held in Beijing, London, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.

Leo Meindl of Team Brazil and LeBron James of Team United States in action during the Men’s Quarterfinal match between Team Brazil and Team United States on day eleven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at the Bercy Arena on August 6, 2024, in Paris, France.  (Tom Weller/VOIGT/GettyImages)

The Americans will have to overcome a strong field of competitors this summer if they want to bring home the gold. Barkley acknowledged the challenges the team faces, but he still does not believe the US team should finish the Summer Games in any place but first.

Kevin Durant of the United States reacts during the Men’s Basketball Quarterfinal match between Brazil and the United States of America on day eleven of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 6, 2024, in Paris, France.  (Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)

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“Have the international teams gotten better, 100%,” Barkley said. “They still not better than the United States. You take away Joker (Nikola Jokic) and Giannis (Antetokounmpo) and Luka (Doncic). All three guys are great, great players. Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander) is great also, but we still got the next 10 best players in every game.”

Barkley also praised Team USA’s depth.

“Ain’t nobody bringing anybody off the bench better than Jayson Tatum,” Barkley said. Tatum earned All-NBA First Team honors this past season and helped the Boston Celtics win the NBA title in June.

“Ain’t nobody bringing anybody off the bench better than Kevin Durant,” he continued. “The international teams have gotten better, but there’s never an excuse for the United States not to win the gold medal. We got the best team, we’ve got the best players by far.”

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2026 World Cup knockout round TV schedule, game previews and results

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2026 World Cup knockout round TV schedule, game previews and results

Group play is over and it’s knockout time at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The round of 32 is in progress, with several teams already moving on the round of 16, including tournament co-hosts Canada and Mexico. The U.S. will be looking to do the same when it faces Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday.

Here’s everything you need to know about World Cup knockout stage matches being played Wednesday, Thursday and Friday across the U.S., Mexico and Canada (all times Pacific).

Wednesday’s round of 32 matches

England vs. DR Congo

England's Jude Bellingham celebrates with teammates after scoring against Panama on June 27.

England’s Jude Bellingham celebrates with teammates after scoring against Panama on June 27.

(Steve Luciano / Associated Press)

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Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Time: 9 a.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo

The buzz: England was unbeaten in group play, but it looked sluggish, failing to score in a goalless draw with Ghana then needing two second-half scores to beat Panama. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have combined for five of England’s six goals while Jordan Pickford hasn’t given up a goal since the opening half of the first game. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, playing in the World Cup for the first time since 1974, made it out of the group stage for the first time ever by beating Uzbekistan with three second-half goals.

Belgium vs. Senegal

Belgium's Leandro Trossard celebrates after scoring against New Zealand on June 26.

Belgium’s Leandro Trossard celebrates after scoring against New Zealand on June 26.

(Abbie Parr / Ap Photo/abbie Parr)

Where: Lumen Field, Seattle
Time: 1 p.m.
TV: FS1, Telemundo

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The buzz: Unbeaten Belgium didn’t score a goal of its own until routing New Zealand 5-1 in its group-play finale. That allowed it to finish atop of its group and advance to the knockout stages, something it failed to do four years ago. Senegal started with consecutive losses, but routed Iraq 5-0, giving it the best goal differential of all third-place teams and allowing it to advance.

U.S. vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Inglewood, CA - June 25, 2026: United States of America forward Christian Pulisic.

U.S. forward Christian Pulisic shoots during a loss to Turkey at the World Cup on June 25.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.
Time: 5 p.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo

The buzz: The U.S. won its group, winning twice in the first round for the first time since 1930. But it has won just once beyond the group stage in its history and hasn’t beaten a European team in 12 tries dating to November 2022. Bosnia-Herzegovina beat Qatar in its group-stage finale to advance to the knockout rounds for the first time. Ermin Mahmic has two of the team’s five goals.

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Thursday’s round of 32 matches

Spain vs. Austria

Austria's Marko Arnautovic celebrates after a goal against Algeria on June 27 at the World Cup.

Austria’s Marko Arnautovic celebrates after a goal against Algeria on June 27 at the World Cup.

(Reed Hoffmann / Associated Press)

Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
Time: Noon
TV: Fox, Telemundo

The buzz: Spain did not allow a goal in the group stage with keeper Unai Simón making just four saves in the three shutouts. But No. 3 Spain has struggled offensively; leave out its 4-0 rout of Saudi Arabia and it scored just once. Austria needed a goal deep in stoppage time to draw Algeria and finish second in its group, advancing to the second round for the first time since 1982. Marko Arnautovic has two of the team’s six goals.

Portugal vs. Croatia

Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo attempts an overhead kick against Colombia at the World Cup on June 27.

Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo attempts an overhead kick against Colombia at the World Cup on June 27.

(Robert Cianflone / Getty Images)

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Where: BMO Field, Toronto
Time: 4 p.m.
TV: FS1, Telemundo

The buzz: Call this the Geritol Cup. Unbeaten Portugal finished second in its group with Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, becoming the second-oldest male to score in a World Cup and the only man to score in six consecutive tournaments while Croatia saw Luka Modric become the oldest player in history to record a World Cup assist. Croatia has reached the semifinals of the last two tournaments, but its golden generation is aging. Portugal, a quarterfinalist in 2022, is hoping to give Ronaldo the one title he’s missing.

Switzerland vs. Algeria

Switzerland's Johan Manzambi heads the ball against Canada at the World Cup on June 24.

Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi heads the ball against Canada at the World Cup on June 24.

(Abbie Parr / Associated Press)

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Where: BC Place, Vancouver
Time: 8 p.m.
TV: FS1, Telemundo

The buzz: Unbeaten Switzerland held off Canada in its last game to win its group for the first time since 2006. The Swiss have not won a knockout-round game since 1954. Midfielder Johan Manzambi, the team’s youngest player at 20, has three of Switzerland’s seven goals. Algeria drew Austria in its group-play final to advance as a third-place team. Riyad Mahrez, 35, had a brace in that game and leads Algeria with two goals.

Friday’s round of 32 matches

Australia vs. Egypt

Egypt's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring against New Zealand at the World Cup on June 21.

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring against New Zealand at the World Cup on June 21.

(Alex Grimm / Getty Images)

Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Time: 11 a.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo

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The buzz: Australia finished second to the U.S. in its group but stumbled into the round of 32, going 195 minutes without a goal. It’s the first time since 1974 Australia has gone scoreless in consecutive World Cup games. The Socceroos are playing in the knockout stage for the third time in 20 years but have yet to win an elimination game. Unbeaten Egypt also finished second in its group, on a goal-differential tiebreaker. Its five goals have come from five different players. The Pharaohs, Africa’s oldest national team, will be playing in the second round of the World Cup for the first time.

Argentina vs. Cape Verde

Argentina's Lionel Messi, left, and Jordan's Noussair Mazraoui battle for the ball at the World Cup on June 27.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi, left, and Jordan’s Noussair Mazraoui battle for the ball at the World Cup on June 27.

(Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press)

Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
Time: 3 p.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo

The buzz: The last World Cup loss for Argentina came in its 2022 opener, making its nine-game unbeaten run the longest under one coach since 1986, the year it won its second championship. Speaking of streaks, when Lionel Messi came off the bench to score in the group finale, it gave him goals in a record seven consecutive World Cup games. He is tied with France’s Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race, having scored six of Argentina’s eight goals. Unbeaten Cape Verde is playing in the World Cup for the first time, advancing to the knockout stages behind three straight draws, two of them clean sheets by Vozinha, the team’s 40-year-old keeper. It is the first debutant to go unbeaten in the group stage since Senegal in 2002. The smallest country ever to advance out of World Cup group play, Cape Verde had just seven shots on target in the group stage, according to FIFA.

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Colombia vs. Ghana

Colombia's Gustavo Puerta reacts during a match against Portugal at the World Cup on June 27.

Colombia’s Gustavo Puerta reacts during a match against Portugal at the World Cup on June 27.

(Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press)

Where: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.
Time: 6:30 p.m.
TV: Fox, Telemundo

The buzz: Unbeaten Colombia won its group but scored just once in its final two games. It’s 59 shots are tied for third in the tournament but just four of those found the back of the net. Goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, on the other hand, has been called on to make just five saves. Ghana is back in the knockout stages for the first time since 2010, advancing as a third-place team.

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2026 World Cup Quarterfinal Odds: Which Squads Will Make Final 8?

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2026 World Cup Quarterfinal Odds: Which Squads Will Make Final 8?

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Winning two knockout stage games? That means you’re really in the running to win the World Cup.

Let’s check out the updated odds for which countries will make it to the quarterfinals at FanDuel Sportsbook as of July 1.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

To Reach Quarterfinals

France: -1250 (bet $10 to win $10.80 total)
Argentina: -425 (bet $10 to win $12.35 total)
Morocco: -260 (bet $10 to win $13.85 total)
Brazil: -240 (bet $10 to win $14.17 total)
England: -175 (bet $10 to win $15.71 total)
Spain: -140 (bet $10 to win $17.14 total)
Colombia: -105 (bet $10 to win $19.52 total)
USA: +105 (bet $10 to win $20.50 total)
Mexico: +140 (bet $10 to win $24 total)
Norway: +160 (bet $10 to win $26 total)
Portugal: +175 (bet $10 to win $27.50 total)
Canada: +180 (bet $10 to win $28 total)
Belgium: +185 (bet $10 to win $28.50 total)
Switzerland: +195 (bet $10 to win $29.50 total)
Senegal: +370 (bet $10 to win $47 total)
Algeria: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)
Egypt: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)
Ghana: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)

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The USA is currently one of the favorites to reach the World Cup quarterfinals (Getty Images).

Here’s what to know about this oddsboard. 

Recent History: The quarterfinals are kinda a given for France, at least in recent years. The French have made it to at least the quarterfinals in five of the last seven World Cups, and they have made the final in four of the last seven years, winning the tournament twice. Les Bleus are now heavy favorites at -1250 to beat Paraguay and get back to the quarterfinals.

The Host Nations: Before this summer, Canada had never won a World Cup match in two tournament appearances. But that has all changed. Canada is through to the Round of 16 after beating South Africa in the Round of 32. As for Mexico, it has recorded four straight scoreless wins to start the tournament for the first time in its nation’s history. El Tri will look to get back to the quarterfinals for the first time in 40 years after dominating Ecuador in the Round of 32. After its win over Ecuador, Mexico jumped from +290 to +140 to make the quarters. The U.S. looks to replicate the other two host nations’ knockout stage performances against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday.

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Walter Alston, Dave Roberts and everyone in between: The 10 managers in L.A. Dodgers history

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Walter Alston, Dave Roberts and everyone in between: The 10 managers in L.A. Dodgers history
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Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda celebrates after the Dodgers beat the Montreal Expos to win the NL pennant in 1981.

(Associated Press)

Years as manager: 1976-1996

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Record: 1,599-1,439, .526 win pct

After serving as the team’s third base coach for four seasons, Lasorda took over as manager late in the 1976 season when Alston announced his retirement. He led the Dodgers to the National League pennant in his first two full seasons, losing both times to the Yankees in the World Series. He won his first World Series in 1981, knocking off the Yankees, and rallied his team to a surprise title in 1988 in which the Dodgers beat the heavily favored Athletics. Lasorda was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, his first year of eligibility.

A fiery and vibrant presence who spent 71 years with the Dodgers, Lasorda managed nine players who won the NL rookie of the year award. The Dodgers also opened the Japanese player pipeline on his watch. Hideo Nomo, the first Japanese big leaguer to permanently relocate to the U.S., joined the Dodgers in 1995. Three decades later, the team features Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on its star-studded roster.

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