With the school year drawing to a close, Irish fans will have to wait patiently for Notre Dame athletics to return in the fall. However, there is plenty of sport going on to keep us entertained, both nationally and globally. Here are the biggest events to look forward to.
World Cup
The major sporting event that will rock the globe this summer is the FIFA World Cup, which is returning to North America for the first time since 1994. This summer marks the first iteration of the expanded 48-team format, with 104 games taking place over 39 days across 16 host cities.
In terms of teams to watch, we cannot look reigning champion Argentina in what is surely Lionel Messi’s final World Cup, as it looks to repeat its heroics from Qatar 2022. Its fellow South American powerhouse Brazil has looked shaky in the build-up to the tournament, but it’s hard to rule out the nation that has won this tournament more than any other.
Across the pond, France and Spain both come into this tournament with a lot on the line. Spain will be desperate to build upon its dominant Euro 2024 victory, and the French are out for revenge after their heartbreaking loss to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final, a thrilling 3-3 draw which saw French talisman Kylian Mbappé record only the second-ever World Cup final hat trick.
Pressure is mounting for the English after back-to-back Euros final losses, with all eyes on new manager Thomas Tuchel to finally bring them over the line to end their 60 years of hurt. Captain Harry Kane is in incredible form for Bayern Munich, with 62 goals in 55 games for club and country this season — a big tournament for him would solidify him as the Ballon d’Or frontrunner.
Finally, Messi is not the only great player in their last tournament; his longtime rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, is set to compete in his sixth and final tournament for Portugal.
In terms of the host nations, Mexico will be looking to finally get over its hurdle of reaching the quarterfinals for the first time since 1986, and will look to use its overwhelming home support to get over the line. Canada is appearing in back-to-back World Cups for the first time ever, and is in the hunt for its first-ever World Cup win. For the US, a solid showing at Qatar 2022 and the most talented squad in history have raised high expectations as it looks to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2004.
The World Cup will kick off with Mexico versus South Africa at the Estadio Azteca on June 11 and will conclude at MetLife Stadium on July 19.
NBA Playoffs
The NBA Playoffs are in full swing, and with the first round of matches drawing to a close, there’s still plenty of basketball to look forward to as we head into summer break.
In the East, it’s been volatile and unpredictable as the No. 1 seed Pistons couldn’t carry their regular-season success into the postseason, currently trailing the Magic 3-2. The Celtics look to pose a real threat post the return of Jayson Tatum from injury, although the 76ers and Joel Embiid aren’t going away quietly. The Knicks are out for revenge after their Eastern Conference Finals loss last year, whilst the Cavaliers and Raptors are both dark horses to go far.
In the West, the Thunder and Spurs look unstoppable. If we do see that highly anticipated Western Conference Final, it will be a game for the ages. However, the No. 4 seed Lakers are on flying form, with playoff LeBron at his finest. The Nuggets and Timberwolves are locked in an intense series, and whichever side advances will put up a serious fight against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.
The NBA Finals will kick off on June 3.
Tennis
There are two majors to look forward to, starting with Roland Garros, which kicks off in mid-May. The big news before the tournament is reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal due to a wrist injury, opening the door wide open for archrival and world No.1 Jannik Sinner. The two have won the last nine slams between them, and with no Alcaraz, this is Sinner’s biggest opportunity to claim redemption for last year’s loss in the final and complete the career slam. However, it also presents an incredible opportunity for the next generation to break through and claim their maiden slams. Can world No. 3 Alex Zverev finally win his first slam, or will it be time for one of the next generation of Arthur Fils, Lorenzo Musetti or Joao Fonseca? We can never rule out Novak Djokovic either, as he looks to add a 25th Grand Slam title.
Looking to Wimbledon, Alcaraz is expected to return, so it is hard to look past him or Sinner to take home the trophy. The same challengers are expected, but it would need a monumental run to upset tennis’ big two.
For the women, Roland Garros sees some superstar names come in with high expectations. Current world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is looking to win her fifth slam, and her first on a natural surface. Her biggest competition is four-time champion Iga Światek, and a fifth title would surely cement her status as the great clay courter of her generation.
Reigning champion Coco Gauff is one to keep an eye on, alongside American counterparts Jessica Pegula and Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova. Young Mirra Andreeva is also tipped by many to make her first real push for a slam, despite being only 19 years of age.
For Wimbledon, Sabalenka is the favorite once again, but this time, Elena Rybakina is tipped to be her biggest contender. The world No. 2 has won at the All-England club before, and her flat hitting and strong serve suit the grass perfectly. Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu holds the home hopes, as the current world No. 27 has found her most consistent form since that shocking victory in New York.
The French Open will take place from May 18 to June 7, whilst Wimbledon will be held from June 29 to July 12.
Golf
Off the back of Rory McIlroy’s historic back-to-back Masters Championship, the golf world watches on eagerly to see how the remaining three majors will pan out.
Up first, from May 14 to 17, the PGA Championship will take place at Aronimink Golf Club, Pennsylvania. Aronimink is a grueling course that favors powerful ball-strikers. The favorites are undoubtedly World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and No. 2 McIlroy, alongside now-ranked No. 3 Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick is the “form” pick after defeating Scheffler in a playoff to win the RBC Heritage last week. The spotlight will also be on Jordan Spieth, who is still just one PGA Championship win away from the career slam. A Spieth win on Sunday would see cheers erupt from across the globe.
After the PGA Championship, the golfing world heads to Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. A historic tournament venue, Shinnecock is a links-style course which requires accuracy in harsh conditions and is notorious for its firm, windy and fast conditions. Again, eyes are on Scheffler and McIlroy, but the LIV Golf pair of Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka are ones to watch. Koepka won the last time the U.S. Open was held here, and Rahm has excelled on more technical courses in recent times.
Finally, the major calendar ends with a trip to North England and Royal Birkdale. One of the fairer courses on the Open rotation, Birkdale’s difficulty often presents itself when the wind from the Irish Sea kicks in. The last winner there was Spieth, and Scheffler again presents himself as the bookies’ favorite. The home favorite is Tommy Fleetwood, who grew up streets from the course, and to pick up his first major at Birkdale would be one of the greatest stories in golfing history.
It is a summer packed with sporting action, so while there may not be any Irish sports to watch, there is plenty to keep us glued to our screens until it’s time to enter Notre Dame stadium again come September.
