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World Cup Round of 16: Full list of matches, potential Quarterfinals games The Round of 32 is underway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.And the Round of 16 is starting to take shape.Several teams have already clinched spots in the next stage of the knockout round, and those teams — and their supporters — can start dreaming of a run to the Quarterfinals.Here are the matches in the Round of 16, with a look ahead at how the Quarterfinals could shape up.Here is the Round of 32 bracket, from FOX Sports:If you are reading this, you probably know that some teams — Paraguay, Canada, Morocco, and Brazil — have clinched spots in the Round of 16 already.Let’s start working through those potential matchups.Here are the Round of 16 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Paraguay’s dramatic win against Germany moved them into the Round of 16.Their reward? A match against France, who looked as dominant as ever in a 3-0 win over Sweden.The first match fully set in the Round of 16? That would be Canada versus Morocco. Morocco advanced to the Round of 16 with a dramatic win over Netherlands during penalties, while Canada was the first team to move on to the Round of 16 with a win over South Africa.Portugal/Croatia vs. Spain/AustriaThis match will be set on Thursday. One side of this Round of 16 match will be the winner of Thursday night’s match between Portugal and Croatia. That team will take on the winner of Spain vs. Austria, which will kick off action on Thursday at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.US/Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. BelgiumBelgium takes on Senegal on Wednesday afternoon, and the winner of that match will take on the winner of Wednesday night’s match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina.Update: Belgium’s 3-2 win over Senegal has filled out one half of this match.This Round of 16 match is set as well, with Brazil moving on to the next round after a win over Japan. They will meet Erling Haaland and Norway, who advanced with a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast.One of the host nations clinched a spot in the Round of 16 on Tuesday night, when Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0. England defiantly came back against DR Congo after trailing at halftime to set up a match against El Tri. The Three Lions will have to be miles better if they want to beat Mexico in front of a raucous home crowd.Argentina/Cabo Verde vs. Australia/EgyptLionel Messi and company are through to the Round of 32, but will need to defeat tournament darlings Cabo Verde to move on to the Round of 16.The winner of that match will meet the winner of Australia vs. Egypt in the Round of 16.Switzerland/Algeria vs. Colombia/GhanaThe final Round of 16 match? That will see the winner of Switzerland vs. Algeria take on the winner of Colombia vs. Ghana.Potential quarterfinals gamesLet’s work through the potential Quarterfinals matchups, starting in the upper-left of the bracket. We can use this image fromUSA Today as helpful guidance.Match 97 will see the winners of Match 89 (between France and Paraguay) take on the winners of Match 90, between Canada and Morocco. Given France’s performance against Sweden, one has to think Les Bleus are the favorites heading into the Quarterfinals, and beyond …Match 98, in the bottom left of the bracket, could be where the United States lands.This match will see the winner of Match 93 take on the winner of Match 94. Match 93 will feature the winner of Portugal vs. Croatia taking on the winner of Spain vs. Austria. Then, over in Match 94, the winner of Belgium/Senegal will take on the winner of Wednesday night’s clash between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina.Working over to the upper right side of the bracket, Match 99 will see the winners of Match 91 take on the winners of Match 92. Brazil and Norway are set to meet in Match 91, while Match 92 will see Mexico take on the winners of England vs. DR Congo.Moving now to the bottom right of the bracket, we find the final quarterfinals match, Match 100. This match will see the winner of Match 95 take on the winner of Match 96.As for Match 95, that will feature the winner of Argentina vs. Cabo Verde playing the winner of Australia vs. Egypt. Then on the other side, Match 96 will come down to the Switzerland/Algeria winner playing the Colombia/Ghana winner. #World #Cup #Full #list #matches #potential #Quarterfinals #games

World Cup Round of 16: Full list of matches, potential Quarterfinals games

The Round of 32 is underway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

And the Round of 16 is starting to take shape.

Several teams have already clinched spots in the next stage of the knockout round, and those teams — and their supporters — can start dreaming of a run to the Quarterfinals.

Here are the matches in the Round of 16, with a look ahead at how the Quarterfinals could shape up.

Here is the Round of 32 bracket, from FOX Sports:

If you are reading this, you probably know that some teams — Paraguay, Canada, Morocco, and Brazil — have clinched spots in the Round of 16 already.

Let’s start working through those potential matchups.

Here are the Round of 16 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Paraguay’s dramatic win against Germany moved them into the Round of 16.

Their reward? A match against France, who looked as dominant as ever in a 3-0 win over Sweden.

The first match fully set in the Round of 16? That would be Canada versus Morocco. Morocco advanced to the Round of 16 with a dramatic win over Netherlands during penalties, while Canada was the first team to move on to the Round of 16 with a win over South Africa.

Portugal/Croatia vs. Spain/Austria

This match will be set on Thursday. One side of this Round of 16 match will be the winner of Thursday night’s match between Portugal and Croatia. That team will take on the winner of Spain vs. Austria, which will kick off action on Thursday at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

US/Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Belgium

Belgium takes on Senegal on Wednesday afternoon, and the winner of that match will take on the winner of Wednesday night’s match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Update: Belgium’s 3-2 win over Senegal has filled out one half of this match.

This Round of 16 match is set as well, with Brazil moving on to the next round after a win over Japan. They will meet Erling Haaland and Norway, who advanced with a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast.

One of the host nations clinched a spot in the Round of 16 on Tuesday night, when Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0. England defiantly came back against DR Congo after trailing at halftime to set up a match against El Tri. The Three Lions will have to be miles better if they want to beat Mexico in front of a raucous home crowd.

Argentina/Cabo Verde vs. Australia/Egypt

Lionel Messi and company are through to the Round of 32, but will need to defeat tournament darlings Cabo Verde to move on to the Round of 16.

The winner of that match will meet the winner of Australia vs. Egypt in the Round of 16.

Switzerland/Algeria vs. Colombia/Ghana

The final Round of 16 match? That will see the winner of Switzerland vs. Algeria take on the winner of Colombia vs. Ghana.

Potential quarterfinals games

Let’s work through the potential Quarterfinals matchups, starting in the upper-left of the bracket. We can use this image fromUSA Today as helpful guidance.

Match 97 will see the winners of Match 89 (between France and Paraguay) take on the winners of Match 90, between Canada and Morocco. Given France’s performance against Sweden, one has to think Les Bleus are the favorites heading into the Quarterfinals, and beyond …

Match 98, in the bottom left of the bracket, could be where the United States lands.

This match will see the winner of Match 93 take on the winner of Match 94. Match 93 will feature the winner of Portugal vs. Croatia taking on the winner of Spain vs. Austria. Then, over in Match 94, the winner of Belgium/Senegal will take on the winner of Wednesday night’s clash between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Working over to the upper right side of the bracket, Match 99 will see the winners of Match 91 take on the winners of Match 92. Brazil and Norway are set to meet in Match 91, while Match 92 will see Mexico take on the winners of England vs. DR Congo.

Moving now to the bottom right of the bracket, we find the final quarterfinals match, Match 100. This match will see the winner of Match 95 take on the winner of Match 96.

As for Match 95, that will feature the winner of Argentina vs. Cabo Verde playing the winner of Australia vs. Egypt. Then on the other side, Match 96 will come down to the Switzerland/Algeria winner playing the Colombia/Ghana winner.

#World #Cup #Full #list #matches #potential #Quarterfinals #games

Sports news

The Round of 32 is underway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

And the Round of 16 is starting to take shape.

Several teams have already clinched spots in the next stage of the knockout round, and those teams — and their supporters — can start dreaming of a run to the Quarterfinals.

Here are the matches in the Round of 16, with a look ahead at how the Quarterfinals could shape up.

Here is the Round of 32 bracket, from FOX Sports:

If you are reading this, you probably know that some teams — Paraguay, Canada, Morocco, and Brazil — have clinched spots in the Round of 16 already.

Let’s start working through those potential matchups.

Here are the Round of 16 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Paraguay’s dramatic win against Germany moved them into the Round of 16.

Their reward? A match against France, who looked as dominant as ever in a 3-0 win over Sweden.

The first match fully set in the Round of 16? That would be Canada versus Morocco. Morocco advanced to the Round of 16 with a dramatic win over Netherlands during penalties, while Canada was the first team to move on to the Round of 16 with a win over South Africa.

Portugal/Croatia vs. Spain/Austria

This match will be set on Thursday. One side of this Round of 16 match will be the winner of Thursday night’s match between Portugal and Croatia. That team will take on the winner of Spain vs. Austria, which will kick off action on Thursday at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

US/Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Belgium

Belgium takes on Senegal on Wednesday afternoon, and the winner of that match will take on the winner of Wednesday night’s match between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Update: Belgium’s 3-2 win over Senegal has filled out one half of this match.

This Round of 16 match is set as well, with Brazil moving on to the next round after a win over Japan. They will meet Erling Haaland and Norway, who advanced with a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast.

One of the host nations clinched a spot in the Round of 16 on Tuesday night, when Mexico defeated Ecuador 2-0. England defiantly came back against DR Congo after trailing at halftime to set up a match against El Tri. The Three Lions will have to be miles better if they want to beat Mexico in front of a raucous home crowd.

Argentina/Cabo Verde vs. Australia/Egypt

Lionel Messi and company are through to the Round of 32, but will need to defeat tournament darlings Cabo Verde to move on to the Round of 16.

The winner of that match will meet the winner of Australia vs. Egypt in the Round of 16.

Switzerland/Algeria vs. Colombia/Ghana

The final Round of 16 match? That will see the winner of Switzerland vs. Algeria take on the winner of Colombia vs. Ghana.

Potential quarterfinals games

Let’s work through the potential Quarterfinals matchups, starting in the upper-left of the bracket. We can use this image fromUSA Today as helpful guidance.

Match 97 will see the winners of Match 89 (between France and Paraguay) take on the winners of Match 90, between Canada and Morocco. Given France’s performance against Sweden, one has to think Les Bleus are the favorites heading into the Quarterfinals, and beyond …

Match 98, in the bottom left of the bracket, could be where the United States lands.

This match will see the winner of Match 93 take on the winner of Match 94. Match 93 will feature the winner of Portugal vs. Croatia taking on the winner of Spain vs. Austria. Then, over in Match 94, the winner of Belgium/Senegal will take on the winner of Wednesday night’s clash between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Working over to the upper right side of the bracket, Match 99 will see the winners of Match 91 take on the winners of Match 92. Brazil and Norway are set to meet in Match 91, while Match 92 will see Mexico take on the winners of England vs. DR Congo.

Moving now to the bottom right of the bracket, we find the final quarterfinals match, Match 100. This match will see the winner of Match 95 take on the winner of Match 96.

As for Match 95, that will feature the winner of Argentina vs. Cabo Verde playing the winner of Australia vs. Egypt. Then on the other side, Match 96 will come down to the Switzerland/Algeria winner playing the Colombia/Ghana winner.

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Deadspin | Larry Fitzgerald thanks all of Arizona: ‘You gave me a home’ Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026. One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home. After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl. Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison. Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad: People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life. But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story. It’s a thank-you letter. I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today. The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes. I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention. You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word. For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it. Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from. It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry. You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain. On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way. When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough. Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for. Belonging. And that sense of belonging changed me. After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own. So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton. It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything. Thank you, Arizona. Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own. Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man. You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football. You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong. Most of all, you gave me a home. With love and gratitude, (signed) Larry Fitzgerald HOF 26 –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #homePro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026.

One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home.

After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl.

Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison.

Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad:

People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life.

But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story.

It’s a thank-you letter.

I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today.

The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes.

I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention.

You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word.

For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it.

Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from.

It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry.

You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain.

On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way.


When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough.

Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for.

Belonging.

And that sense of belonging changed me.

After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own.

So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton.

It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything.

Thank you, Arizona.

Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own.

Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man.

You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football.

You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong.

Most of all, you gave me a home.

With love and gratitude,

(signed)

Larry Fitzgerald

HOF 26

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home">Deadspin | Larry Fitzgerald thanks all of Arizona: ‘You gave me a home’ Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026. One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home. After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl. Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison. Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad: People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life. But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story. It’s a thank-you letter. I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today. The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes. I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention. You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word. For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it. Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from. It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry. You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain. On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way. When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough. Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for. Belonging. And that sense of belonging changed me. After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own. So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton. It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything. Thank you, Arizona. Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own. Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man. You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football. You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong. Most of all, you gave me a home. With love and gratitude, (signed) Larry Fitzgerald HOF 26 –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it. #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8 Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026 #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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