A top U.S. special envoy, Paolo Zampolli, told the Financial Times he suggested to President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino that four-time champions Italy should replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup. The proposal, reported on April 22-23, 2026, was framed as a bid to repair relations between Washington and Rome after a spat between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Italian sports officials and politicians rejected the idea as impractical and offensive: Sports Minister Andrea Abodi said qualification must be earned on the pitch, and Olympic Committee president Luciano Buonfiglio said Italy would feel “offended.” FIFA has repeatedly indicated Iran will participate and Infantino said the team is “coming, for sure.” Iran’s football federation and government say the squad is preparing for “proud and successful participation.” FIFA regulations grant the organisation wide discretion to replace a withdrawn team, but continental bodies would likely lobby for an Asian replacement (the UAE was cited as a possible candidate). The tournament begins June 11 in the United States, Canada and Mexico; Iran is scheduled to play group games in U.S. cities in mid-June.

The Milwaukee Bucks are finalizing a deal to hire Taylor Jenkins as their next head coach, multiple U.S. media outlets reported on April 23, 2026. Jenkins, 41, returns to Milwaukee where he spent the 2018-19 season as an assistant under Mike Budenholzer. He went on to coach the Memphis Grizzlies from 2019-25, compiling a 250-214 record and leading the team to multiple playoff appearances before being dismissed late in the 2024-25 season. The hire follows Doc Rivers’ departure on April 13 after a 32-50 season that ended the Bucks’ nine-year playoff streak. Ownership and general manager Jon Horst reportedly pursued Jenkins aggressively, meeting him in Memphis and Milwaukee. The move comes amid major questions about the future of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has had limited communication with team brass and could either sign a four-year extension in October or be traded. The club also heads into the 2026 draft lottery with one of the poorer records in the league, setting up a critical offseason of personnel and strategy decisions.

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said on April 22 he will begin counseling this weekend and will not be with the team for Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft after photos emerged earlier this month showing him with longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini. Page Six first published images from a Sedona, Arizona resort showing Vrabel and Russini hugging and holding hands; newly released photos from March 2020 published April 23 appear to show the pair kissing in a New York City bar. Russini resigned from The Athletic amid an internal review. The Patriots confirmed Vrabel will be present for the first three rounds of the draft on Thursday and Friday, then step away on Saturday; team executives including Eliot Wolf will lead Day 3. The NFL has said it is not investigating Vrabel under its personal conduct policy. Vrabel, who is married, issued a statement saying he sought counseling to be "the best husband, father and coach" and that he has had "difficult conversations" with family and the organization.

The 2026 NFL Draft opens April 23 in Pittsburgh with the Las Vegas Raiders widely expected to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza at No. 1. First-round coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network; rounds 2-3 follow Friday and rounds 4-7 on Saturday. The New York Jets hold the No. 2 pick and five selections in the top 103, leaving open the prospect of staying put or trading. Oddsmakers and sportsbooks have shifted attention to edge rusher David Bailey — who tied for the NCAA lead with 14.5 sacks last season — overtaking Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese as the favorite to go No. 2 after rapid betting-market moves. Other top prospects include Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., Ohio State’s Sonny Styles and Spencer Fano. The league shortened first-round pick windows to eight minutes this year, tightening trade and negotiation timelines. Pittsburgh is hosting large fan festivities near Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park, with heightened security, road closures and expanded transit as hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected.

A U.S. special envoy, Paolo Zampolli, told the Financial Times he had proposed to President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup. The suggestion, reported on April 22-23, has been widely rejected by Italian officials who said qualification should be earned on the pitch. FIFA has repeatedly said Iran will participate and Infantino has affirmed the team is “coming, for sure.” Iran’s football federation and government have also said the squad is preparing for the tournament, which begins on June 11 in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Italy failed to qualify after losing a playoff and has no formal route into the competition. FIFA’s regulations grant it discretion to replace a withdrawn or excluded team, but confederation practice and political pressures make an Italy-for-Iran swap unlikely. Observers note the proposal appears aimed at smoothing diplomatic ties between Trump and Italy’s prime minister following recent disagreements, and resurrects prior attempts to use sporting decisions for political ends.

The Philadelphia Phillies released veteran right-hander Taijuan Walker on April 23, 2026, ahead of a game in Chicago and recalled right-hander Nolan Hoffman from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Walker, 33, was in the final year of a four-year, $72 million contract and had struggled to start the season, beginning 2026 at 1-4 with a 9.13 ERA in five appearances. Reports indicate he allowed 25 runs (23 earned) in roughly 22 2/3 innings this year. The move came as the Phillies endured an eight-game losing streak; the club also optioned RHP Alan Rangel to Triple-A to clear a roster spot. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said the team attempted to trade Walker’s contract but found no takers and framed the decision as performance-based, while manager Rob Thomson and teammates praised Walker’s effort and clubhouse presence. With ace Zack Wheeler due back to the rotation, the club elected to cut ties rather than keep Walker as rotation or bullpen depth, and will cover the remaining guaranteed salary for 2026 as reported.