With just 16 days to go until the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, anticipation is building as about 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories prepare to compete in one of the world’s biggest multi-sport events.

Nations will battle for honours across 10 sports and 215 medal events during the Games, which will be held from 23 July to 2 August in Glasgow, Scotland.

The streamlined edition of the Games will be staged across four existing venues, reflecting a more sustainable and cost-effective model while retaining elite international competition.

With Nigeria set to star, among the participating teams are traditional Commonwealth sporting powerhouses such as Australia, England, India, Canada, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, Wales, Jamaica, Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The 2026 edition will also welcome Gabon and Togo, taking the total number of competing Commonwealth nations and territories to 74. Glasgow previously hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and returns as host city 12 years later, with organisers aiming to deliver a compact Games that showcases world-class sport while making use of existing infrastructure.

As the countdown enters its final 16 days, athletes across the Commonwealth are putting the finishing touches to their preparations, with thousands set to converge on Glasgow in pursuit of Commonwealth glory.

• Folarin Balogun played against Belgium but with limited impact.

Belgium produced a commanding display to defeat the United States 4-1 and book a FIFA World Cup quarter-final meeting with Spain.

The last-16 encounter in Seattle was overshadowed by controversy surrounding USA striker Folarin Balogun’s eligibility after FIFA suspended his one-match ban before kick-off.

Balogan was permitted to play, despite receiving a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina, after U.S. President Donald Trump’s unprecedented intervention but he barely had an impact on the pitch.

Belgium ignored the off-field distractions and dominated the opening exchanges with aggressive pressing and swift attacking football.

Charles De Ketelaere gave Belgium the lead in the ninth minute with a simple tap-in, taking full advantage of a nervous start by the U.S. to quickly deflate the partisan crowd.

Malik Tillman’s deflected free kick levelled the game in the 31st minute, but De Ketelaere restored Belgium’s lead almost immediately with a back-post header.

The U.S. improved after the break until a calamitous error from goalkeeper Matt Freese allowed substitute Hans Vanaken to score in the 57th minute.Romelu Lukaku then added a fourth in added time to send U.S. fans streaming for the exits and Belgium into the quarter-finals. The goal was Lukaku’s 93rd for Belgium and his seventh in FIFA World Cup finals.

The ‌U.S. defeat ⁠means all three co-hosts are out of the tournament, after Canada and Mexico lost their last-16 games.

“In the moments that we were doing well (in the tournament), we felt amazing,” U.S. midfielder Tyler Adams said.

“And then obviously, an opportunity like today, we didn’t grasp it – and it’s gonna sting.”

USA manager Mauricio Pochettino admitted his side never recovered after conceding immediately following their equaliser.

“From the beginning, we didn’t connect with the game. Even when we scored the goal, we conceded in the next action,” Pochettino said.

Paris FC on Tuesday announced that Liam Rosenior was taking over as coach.

“The English manager has signed a contract with the club until June 2028 and will take up his post on Thursday 9 July, when team training resumes,” said a club statement.

Rosenior replaces Antoine Kombouare, who joined the Parisian side, owned by the LVMH luxury group, in February and steered them clear of the relegation battle to finish 11th, with notable wins over Monaco and champions Paris Saint-Germain.

“Following this season and after discussions between all parties involved, it was decided to bring this collaboration to an end in order to open a new chapter in the club’s history,” said the club statement.

It will be Rosenior’s third club in under a year. He was sacked as Chelsea manager after less than four months in charge in April after leaving Strasbourg, where his free-flowing game lifted the club into the top third of Ligue 1.

Aged 41, Liam Rosenior already has a wealth of experience at the highest level,” said Paris FC.

“He has quickly established himself as one of the most promising coaches of his generation.”Antoine Arnault, representative of the Arnault family which owns the club, expressed his enthusiasm for Rosenior.”

(AFP)