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 FIFA’s regulations grant it discretion to replace a withdrawn or excluded team, but confederation practice and political pressures make an Italy-for-Iran swap unlikely.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.

On April 23, 2026 the BBC announced it will end long‑running Saturday lunchtime programme Football Focus at the close of the 2025‑26 season after 52 years on air. Launched in 1974, the magazine show — which has been presented by figures including Bob Wilson, Gary Lineker, Dan Walker and currently Alex Scott — has provided interviews, features and pre‑match analysis ahead of the afternoon kick‑offs. The corporation cited “changing audience behaviours” and a long‑term decline in linear television viewing since 2018 as the rationale, and said it will expand multi‑platform and digital output, including exclusive YouTube shows. The BBC said the decision was taken before a recent announcement on wider savings and that Scott will remain with the corporation and be involved in a new project. Schedule changes next season will see Kelly Somers’ The Football Interview move to 12:45 BST on Saturdays and Final Score start earlier at 15:45. Reported audience figures have fallen markedly in recent years — from roughly 849,000 in 2019 to about 564,000 by 2023 — underscoring the shift to on‑demand and social platforms.

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.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves was upgraded to "questionable" for Game 3 of the first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, team reports said April 23-24, 2026. Reaves has been sidelined since suffering a Grade 2 left oblique strain on April 2; he was cleared for on-court work this week and has progressed from one-on-one to further rehab steps. The 27-year-old averaged a career-high 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds in the regular season. Luka Dončić remains out with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and is listed as unavailable for Game 3. Houston’s Kevin Durant was also listed as questionable with a left ankle sprain after missing Game 1 with a knee contusion and returning for Game 2. The Lakers hold a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference series as it shifts to Houston for Games 3 and 4, where Reaves’ availability could materially affect rotations and matchups for both teams.

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.

Tiago Tomás scored a sensational 119th-minute backheel to send VfB Stuttgart into the DFB-Pokal final after a 2-1 extra-time win over SC Freiburg at the MHP Arena on April 23, 2026. Matthias Ginter’s header created a chance that Maximilian Eggestein converted in the 28th minute to put Freiburg ahead. Deniz Undav levelled for the hosts in the 71st minute, finishing a counter set up by substitute Bilal El Khannouss. With penalties looming, substitute Badredine Bouanani’s cross found Tomás, who flicked the ball with his heel past Freiburg goalkeeper Florian Müller to clinch victory. The result booked Stuttgart a meeting with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich at Berlin’s Olympiastadion on May 23. Stuttgart extended a club-record cup run with the win, while Freiburg — despite the cup exit — retain a European focus with a Europa League semi-final to come. The match featured notable goalkeeping and late drama, handing the holders a dramatic defence of their trophy.