U.S.: Discrimination no issue for Cup ’26

The Trump administration guaranteed to FIFA there will be no discrimination around entry to the United States at a World Cup in 2026.

The North American bid has faced questions about the impact of attempts by U.S. President Donald Trump to implement a ban on travel to the United States by residents of six majority-Muslim countries.

An independent human rights report commissioned by the bid warned there could be “some potential discrimination in relation to travel restrictions for some citizens from certain states.”

The report was submitted to FIFA in March as part of bidding requirements but the United States offered fresh assurances to world football’s governing body around the bearing of immigration policies on the World Cup.

“All eligible athletes, officials and fans from all countries around the world would be able to enter the United States without discrimination,” the U.S. government told FIFA in a letter last week.

ROONEY EYEING MOVE TO MLS >> English star Wayne Rooney is in serious talks about joining D.C. United this summer, according to a report in the Washington Post. Rooney, 32, has scored 10 goals for Everton in the Premier League this season after spending 13 years with Manchester United. He is the greatest scorer in English national team history with 53 goals in 119 appearances between 2003 and ’16.

NHL

BRIND’AMOUR TO COACH CAROLINA >> The Carolina Hurricanes hired former captain and current assistant Rod Brind’Amour as their head coach. The team also announced team president Don Waddell will take over as the full-time general manager after serving as the acting GM.

NFL

INGRAM GETS 4-GAME BAN FOR PEDS >> The NFL said New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram was suspended for the first four regular season games of 2018 because of a violation of the league’s performance enhancing drug policy.

Colleges

STANFORD SHARES GOLF REGIONAL LEAD >> The second-seeded Stanford women’s golf team shared the lead after the second round of the NCAA Regional Championships at TPC Harding Park. Stanford went 1-under (287) on the par-72 course to move from fourth after the opening round. The Cardinal, 2-under through 36 holes, shares the lead with Kent State. Cal is in 13th place.

Motorsports

FRANCE STATUS ADDRESSED >> NASCAR President Brent Dewar told employees the France family “remains dedicated to the long-term growth of our sport.” The memo was sent to employees one day after a media report said the France family was exploring the sale of its stake in the nation’s top auto racing series.

Cycling

FROOME FALTERS >> Chris Froome fell farther behind as Belgian Tim Wellens won the fourth stage of the Giro d’Italia. Froom finished 21 seconds behind Wellens, pushing the four-time Tour de France champ to 20th.