Deadspin | Reports: Steve Kerr discussing coaching future with team brass Apr 17, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) with forward Draymond Green and head coach Steve Kerr against the Phoenix Suns during the closing seconds of the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr met with owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy on Monday for two hours to discuss his future with the franchise, according to multiple reports on Wednesday. The meeting was productive, according to reports, despite many hurdles still to sort out. The three men will reportedly meet again next week. Kerr is not under contract for next season. He has been Golden State’s coach for 12 seasons and has guided the franchise to four NBA titles (2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022). He has a 604-353 (.631) regular-season record. However, the Warriors missed the playoffs this season when they lost a play-in game against the Phoenix Suns. It is the second time in three seasons that the team didn’t make the playoff field. Also, the Warriors were 37-45 to finish below .500 for just the second time in Kerr’s tenure. When Golden State was eliminated earlier this month, the 60-year-old Kerr understood it might have been his last game as coach. “I still love coaching, but I get it,” Kerr told reporters. “These jobs all have an expiration date. There is a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas.” Adding to the situation is that longtime stalwarts Stephen Curry and Draymond Green may not want to go into a rebuilding or reloading phase under a new head coach. Perhaps another element is Kerr’s penchant for speaking out on touchy political situations, typically expressed with the franchise banner and logo right behind him. SF Gate reported last week that top-level members of the organization have not been happy with Kerr’s repeated comments — which include criticisms of President Donald Trump. The report said Kerr’s continued verbal attacks have caused “internal frustration.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Reports #Steve #Kerr #discussing #coaching #future #team #brass

Scattered across the globe after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the country’s ‌exiled women footballers are daring to dream of uniting on the Olympic stage after being given a path back to international football.

Global ⁠governing body FIFA approved a rule change on Wednesday allowing them to play official international matches, building on the FIFA-backed Afghan Women United team set up last year for players living ‌outside their homeland.

Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.

“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.

“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”

READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments

Prior to the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan had 25 women players under ‌contract, most of whom now live in Australia.

Afghan Women United is currently undergoing a selection process, with FIFA hosting regional selection camps in England and Australia.

While Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in ‌Brazil next year, it could still compete in qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“Thinking about all those (opportunities) coming up, (those) events will be the greatest thing that could happen for the team,” said ⁠Yousufi, who plays for South Melbourne FC while studying.

“So hopefully we will make that.”

HARROWING EXIT

Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s sport has effectively disappeared in ‌Afghanistan, while access to education and employment opportunities for women have been severely curtailed.

Like a number of her teammates, Yousufi’s departure from Afghanistan was harrowing.

Toting only a backpack with a few clothes and a bottle of water, Yousufi was evacuated on a plane from Kabul to Dubai with assistance from the Australian government.

She arrived in Australia in a daze, thinking about everything she had lost.

“Even our identity, ‌we had to delete everything. We had to, you know, disappear from the public to be just safe during the time,” she said.

“It was such a dangerous time, but I’m glad we made it alive and we made it ⁠out here and today we’re playing.”

Yousufi has since been reunited with her parents and ⁠all of her siblings in Melbourne.

Life as an immigrant in Australia has been a major adjustment but the footballing goals remain the same.

“In Afghanistan, ‌I was dreaming of seeing the Afghanistan team in the World Cup,” she said.

“And I think if we are going to make that happen, it will be the greatest thing that could happen for Afghanistan women’s soccer.”

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Afghanistan #exiles #dream #Olympic #stage #FIFA #recognition">

Afghanistan exiles dream of Olympic stage after FIFA recognition Scattered across the globe after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the country’s ‌exiled women footballers are daring to dream of uniting on the Olympic stage after being given a path back to international football.Global ⁠governing body FIFA approved a rule change on Wednesday allowing them to play official international matches, building on the FIFA-backed Afghan Women United team set up last year for players living ‌outside their homeland.Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournamentsPrior to the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan had 25 women players under ‌contract, most of whom now live in Australia.Afghan Women United is currently undergoing a selection process, with FIFA hosting regional selection camps in England and Australia.While Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in ‌Brazil next year, it could still compete in qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.“Thinking about all those (opportunities) coming up, (those) events will be the greatest thing that could happen for the team,” said ⁠Yousufi, who plays for South Melbourne FC while studying.“So hopefully we will make that.”HARROWING EXITSince the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s sport has effectively disappeared in ‌Afghanistan, while access to education and employment opportunities for women have been severely curtailed.Like a number of her teammates, Yousufi’s departure from Afghanistan was harrowing.Toting only a backpack with a few clothes and a bottle of water, Yousufi was evacuated on a plane from Kabul to Dubai with assistance from the Australian government.She arrived in Australia in a daze, thinking about everything she had lost.“Even our identity, ‌we had to delete everything. We had to, you know, disappear from the public to be just safe during the time,” she said.“It was such a dangerous time, but I’m glad we made it alive and we made it ⁠out here and today we’re playing.”Yousufi has since been reunited with her parents and ⁠all of her siblings in Melbourne.Life as an immigrant in Australia has been a major adjustment but the footballing goals remain the same.“In Afghanistan, ‌I was dreaming of seeing the Afghanistan team in the World Cup,” she said.“And I think if we are going to make that happen, it will be the greatest thing that could happen for Afghanistan women’s soccer.”Published on Apr 30, 2026 #Afghanistan #exiles #dream #Olympic #stage #FIFA #recognition

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Scattered across the globe after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the country’s ‌exiled women footballers are daring to dream of uniting on the Olympic stage after being given a path back to international football.
Global ⁠governing body FIFA approved a rule change on Wednesday allowing them to play official international matches, building on the FIFA-backed Afghan Women United team set up last year for players living ‌outside their homeland.
Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.
“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.
“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”
READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments
Prior to the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan had 25 women players under ‌contract, most of whom now live in Australia.
Afghan Women United is currently undergoing a selection process, with FIFA hosting regional selection camps in England and Australia.
While Afghanistan will not be eligible to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in ‌Brazil next year, it could still compete in qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Thinking about all those (opportunities) coming up, (those) events will be the greatest thing that could happen for the team,” said ⁠Yousufi, who plays for South Melbourne FC while studying.
“So hopefully we will make that.”
HARROWING EXIT
Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s sport has effectively disappeared in ‌Afghanistan, while access to education and employment opportunities for women have been severely curtailed.
Like a number of her teammates, Yousufi’s departure from Afghanistan was harrowing.
Toting only a backpack with a few clothes and a bottle of water, Yousufi was evacuated on a plane from Kabul to Dubai with assistance from the Australian government.
She arrived in Australia in a daze, thinking about everything she had lost.
“Even our identity, ‌we had to delete everything. We had to, you know, disappear from the public to be just safe during the time,” she said.
“It was such a dangerous time, but I’m glad we made it alive and we made it ⁠out here and today we’re playing.”
Yousufi has since been reunited with her parents and ⁠all of her siblings in Melbourne.
Life as an immigrant in Australia has been a major adjustment but the footballing goals remain the same.
“In Afghanistan, ‌I was dreaming of seeing the Afghanistan team in the World Cup,” she said.
“And I think if we are going to make that happen, it will be the greatest thing that could happen for Afghanistan women’s soccer.”
Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Afghanistan #exiles #dream #Olympic #stage #FIFA #recognition">Afghanistan exiles dream of Olympic stage after FIFA recognition

Goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi, now based in Melbourne with many of the exiles, said the players were overwhelmed when they heard ‌the news.

“One hundred percent emotional. Tears of joy — because we never stopped representing ‌Afghanistan ⁠in our hearts,” the 24-year-old told Reuters in a video call.

“And ⁠now the world is finally recognising that. But at the same time … many girls in Afghanistan still don’t have this opportunity, so this moment is also for them.”

READ | Afghan women’s refugee team allowed to play in FIFA tournaments