Japan leaves injured Kaoru Mitoma off World Cup roster

Japan left injured midfielder Kaoru Mitoma off the 26-man World Cup roster announced by coach Hajime Moriyasu on Friday.

Mitoma suffered a hamstring injury during Brighton's Premier League match against Leeds on Saturday, leaving his World Cup status in serious doubt. That was confirmed with Friday's reveal of Japan's roster.

"The medical team assessed that it would be difficult for him to get back to fitness during the tournament," Moriyasu told reporters Friday.

Monaco forward Takumi Minamino also will miss out on the World Cup after the 31-year-old suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in December.

Moriyasu did take a chance on some other players dealing with injury issues, with Wataru Endo, Ko Itakura and Takehiro Tomiyasu included on the roster. Ajax defender Tomiyasu has dealt with multiple injuries that have led to him not appearing for Japan for nearly two years, while Liverpool midfielder Endo has only played in eight Premier League matches this season due to an ankle injury.

Sporting CP defensive midfielder Hidemasa Morita did not make the roster after totaling seven appearances in World Cup qualifiers.

Meanwhile, defender Yuto Nagatomo will make his fifth World Cup appearance.

"I was able to select only 26 players, but I feel sorry that I couldn't select many other players," Moriyasu told reporters Friday. "However, I selected these 26 based on their past performances and through conversations with the coaching staff, believing that this is our best squad right now. I think I have chosen the best 26 players in order for Japan to win on the world stage at this moment."

Advertisement

Mitoma, 28, has nine goals in 31 appearances for Japan.

Japan has won five consecutive matches ahead of its final pre-World Cup friendly against Iceland in Tokyo on May 31. The Japanese will then travel to the team's base camp in Nashville, Tenn., where they will train at the Nashville SC Training Center.

They begin their Group F play against the Netherlands in Arlington, Texas on June 14, followed by matches against Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico on June 20 and Sweden back in Arlington on June 25.

JAPAN WORLD CUP ROSTER

Goalkeepers: Tomoki Hayakawa, Keisuke Osako, Zion Suzuki

Defenders: Ko Itakura, Hiroki Ito, Yuto Nagatomo, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara, Junnosuke Suzuki, Shogo Taniguchi, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Tsuyoshi Watanabe

Midfielders: Ritsu Doan, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Takefusa Kubo, Keito Nakamura, Kaishu Sano, Ao Tanaka

Forwards: Keisuke Goto, Daizen Maeda, Koki Ogawa, Kento Shiogai, Yuito Suzuki, Ayase Ueda

--Field Level Media

byJastin

in

May 15, 2026

Japan leaves injured Kaoru Mitoma off World Cup roster

Japan left injured midfielder Kaoru Mitoma off the 26-man World Cup roster announced by coach Hajime Moriyasu on Friday. Mitoma s...

Read More

Peter Jackson explains why he isn't directing the next “Lord of the Rings ”movie

Peter Jackson said he "didn't really think about the idea" of directing The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.

Key Points

• Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in the previous films, is helming the project instead.

• "I thought, well, this story would actually be more interesting if Gollum himself directed it — and Andy is about as close as you can get," Jackson said.

Peter Jacksondoesn't think he's the right man to helm the next Middle-earth outing.

TheKing Kongfilmmaker discussed whyAndy Serkis, whom he directed in theLord of the RingsandHobbitmovies, was taking over as director on the franchise's upcoming installment,The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.

"I thought, well, this story would actually be more interesting if Gollum himself directed it — and Andy is about as close as you can get," Jackson said on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, where he accepted an honorary Palme d'Or, according toThe Hollywood Reporter.

"The film is very much an internal story about Gollum's psychology and his sort of addiction. It's a very personal story to Gollum the character. And so I thought, well, Andy knows this guy better than anybody," Jackson said.

Jackson is producing the film, which will see the return ofIan McKellenas Gandalf,Elijah Woodas Frodo, andLee Paceas Thranduil.Jamie Dornanis taking over fromViggo Mortensento play Aragorn (credited as "Strider"), whileKate Winsletand Leo Woodall are portraying new characters Marigol and Halvard, respectively.

Jackson said that he never even considered helming the project himself.

"I didn't really think much about the idea of me doing it at all," he said. "I thought the most exciting version of this movie is going to be if Andy Serkis makes it, because he's going to put a Gollum psychology on screen that you cannot imagine."

That said, Jackson also noted that he's happy to assist Serkis, who has previously directed movies likeVenom: Let There Be CarnageandAnimal Farm.

Advertisement

"I mean, I'm there to help when I can help," he said. "If I can be of assistance at certain times and answer questions, I'm there. But I don't interfere."

Since finishing theHobbittrilogy in 2014, Jackson has worked exclusively on documentary projects likeThe Beatles: Get BackandThey Shall Not Grow Old. However, at the Cannes event, he revealed that he has plans to return to narrative filmmaking with a sequel to a prior project.

"We're actually writing the nextTintinfilm now," Jackson said. "The deal was that Steven [Spielberg] directs one and I direct another. So Steven did his film, and then for 15 years I haven't made mine."

Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with ourEW Dispatch newsletter.

Jackson produced 2011'sThe Adventures of Tintin, in which Serkis portrayed Captain Haddock via performance capture. The filmmaker said he doesn't feel good about how long it has taken him to fulfill his promise to make a sequel to the animated film, which was based on the Belgian comic series by Hergé.

"I feel very awkward about that," Jackson said. "Steven's gracious enough not to sort of push me, but I know that I want to make it right. So I've been working with Fran [Walsh] on anotherTintinscript. I was writing it in the hotel room here just a couple of days ago."

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollumhits theaters on Dec. 17, 2027.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byJastin

in

May 14, 2026

Peter Jackson explains why he isn't directing the next “Lord of the Rings ”movie

Peter Jackson said he "didn't really think about the idea" of directing The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum . ...

Read More

Francisco Alvarez exits Mets game vs Tigers with apparent injury

NEW YORK — The injury bug continues to take a bite out of the Mets' starting lineup.

Francisco Alvarez exited Tuesday's game in the middle of his sixth-inning at-bat after appearing to tweak his right leg on a foul ball. Alvarez talked with the trainer, took a few swings near home plate but limped back to the dugout.

Alvarez was replaced in the game by Luis Torrens, who saw three pitches including two balls to draw a walk.

The Mets extended Torrens for two more seasons earlier this week and he will play a major role behind the plate if Alvarez spends any time on the bench. Hayden Senger is the only other catcher on the Mets' 40-man roster.

Advertisement

Alvarez was busy on the bases throughout Tuesday's game, beating out a double play to score the opening run, doubling in the fourth inning and then scoring the tying run from second base on a bloop RBI single by Carson Benge in the bottom of the fourth inning.

In 37 games this season, Alvarez is slashing .241/.317/.393 with four home runs, 10 RBI, 12 runs, five doubles and 28 strikeouts.

Check back for more updates on Francisco Alvarez's status following Tuesday's early exit.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com:Francisco Alvarez injury updates as Mets C exits vs Tigers

byJastin

in

May 14, 2026

Francisco Alvarez exits Mets game vs Tigers with apparent injury

NEW YORK — The injury bug continues to take a bite out of the Mets' starting lineup. Francisco Alvarez exited Tuesday's g...

Read More

Weightlifter Aaron Williams reflects on meeting with Chiefs Coach

This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke with Team USA Weightlifter Aaron Williams.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Williams discusses his recent offseason workout withKansas City Chiefslinebacker Jack Cochrane at USA Weightlifting's National Team Camp at the Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He also reflected on meeting the Chiefs' head strength and conditioning coach/director of sports science, Ryan Reynolds, and his favorite NFL team.

"Ryan (Reynolds) was awesome. He was there, of course, and he had a blast. He was willing to let us give him some pointers here and there. " He's also very receptive," said Williams. "It shows that whenever you have a successful program, everyone tends to take in information rather than block it out and go with what they know." So it was really cool to see, also at the very high level of the NFL, that even your strength coaches are willing to take in information and then maybe even use it later on down the road for other athletes as well."

Reynolds watched Cochrane during his weightlifting workout, and is entering his 11th NFL season with the Chiefs. Williams opened up about his love for football growing up, including his favorite NFL team.

Advertisement

"It's going to sound a little cheesy, but I grew up in Germany, and the only reason that I actually wanted to play football is because my dad played football, so he would be the reason that I really wanted to play football, and then he's a Dallas Cowboys fan," said Williams, "I was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, so I don't know where we went wrong. He thought he was raising a Cowboys fan, but that was my favorite team to watch whenever I was playing football."

The USA Weightlifting Athlete Identification & Recruitment Initiative is not grassroots development and is not intended for mass participation. Its purpose is to support the high-performance pipeline by identifying outlier athletes—often nearing the end of high school or collegiate eligibility—who may be capable of transitioning into weightlifting and becoming difference-makers at the highest level of the sport.

For more information, visit the USA WeightliftingAthlete Identification & Recruitment Initiativeand learn more about Williams on hisWeightlifting profile.

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire:Weightlifter Aaron Williams reflects on meeting with Chiefs Coach

byJastin

in

May 14, 2026

Weightlifter Aaron Williams reflects on meeting with Chiefs Coach

This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke with Team USA Weightlifter Aaron Williams. In his interview with Easton Jr., Wil...

Read More

Where to watch Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves: Live stream, TV channel, odds for Thursday, May 14

The Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves end their three-game series between divisional leaders. The Braves won the first two games. Starting pitchers are scheduled to be Ben Brown for the Cubs, with a 1.82 ERA, and Chris Sale for the Braves, with a 2.20 ERA.

How to watch Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves

• Date: Thursday, May 14

• Time: 7:15 p.m. ET / 4:15 p.m. PT

• Where: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA

• TV Channels: BravesVision, Marquee Sports Network

• Live Stream:ESPN+, MLB.TV | Follow on Yahoo Sports

Team records

• Chicago Cubs: 27-16 (No. 1 in NL Central)

• Atlanta Braves: 30-13 (No. 1 in NL East)

Odds

• Spread: Atlanta Braves -1.5

• Moneyline: Atlanta Braves -162 (59.3%) / Chicago Cubs +136 (40.7%)

• Over/Under: 7.5

Starting pitchers

Chicago Cubs:Ben Brown (1-1, ERA: 1.82, K: 27, WHIP: 0.91)Atlanta Braves:Chris Sale (6-2, ERA: 2.20, K: 56, WHIP: 0.88)

Advertisement

Weather:71°F at first pitch

Ballpark:Capacity: 41,149 | Roof: Open | Surface: Grass

byJastin

in

May 14, 2026

Where to watch Chicago Cubs vs. Atlanta Braves: Live stream, TV channel, odds for Thursday, May 14

The Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves end their three-game series between divisional leaders. The Braves won the first two games. Startin...

Read More

Jaire Alexander opens up about stepping away from the NFL

Former Packers All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander has continued to open up publicly about one of the most difficult decisions of his football career. After abruptly stepping away from the NFL last season, Alexander utilizedThe Players' Tribuneto explain that the choice was driven by mental health struggles and the emotional toll surrounding his injuries and recovery process.

“Deciding to step away from the game was one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to do,” Alexander admitted. “But I absolutely did have to do it.”

The comments provide important context surrounding what became one of the NFL's more unexpected storylines during the 2025 season. Alexander originally joined the Baltimore Ravens after being recruited heavily by Lamar Jackson following his June release from theGreen Bay Packers. Baltimore signed the talented cornerback to a one-year deal, hoping a fresh environment could help him rediscover the form that once made him one of the league's premier defensive stoppers.

Instead, injuries and inconsistency quickly complicated the situation.

Alexander played in only two games with Baltimore, totaling five tackles while struggling to stay healthy throughout much of training camp and the regular season. Following a difficult performance against the Buffalo Bills, Alexander spent extended stretches either injured or inactive as a healthy scratch.

Before the NFL trade deadline, the Philadelphia Eagles acquired Alexander and a 2027 seventh-round pick from Baltimore in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round selection. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman later admitted the organization fully understood the risk involved but believed the upside justified the move after researching Alexander's situation with Baltimore.

Advertisement

The trade initially appeared to offer a potential homecoming opportunity for Alexander, who was born in Philadelphia before later moving to North Carolina as a child. However, injuries continued to prevent him from returning to the field consistently. Alexander never appeared in a game for Philadelphia following the trade. The Eagles eventually placed him on the reserve/retired list after he stepped away from football to focus on both his physical and mental health during his recovery from knee surgery.

According toESPN, Alexander later repaid approximately $889,000to Philadelphia, resulting in salary cap relief for the organization.

Despite how frustrating the situation became from a football perspective, Alexander's openness about mental health offers an important reminder about the personal challenges athletes often face behind the scenes. Injuries, expectations, roster uncertainty, and constant pressure can create emotional strain that isn't always visible to the public.

At only 29, Alexander's future in football remains uncertain as he contemplates retirement. What seems most important now, however, is that one of the NFL's most talented cornerbacks recognized the need to prioritize his well-being over trying to force his way back onto the field.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire:Jaire Alexander explains difficult decision to leave football

byJastin

in

May 13, 2026

Jaire Alexander opens up about stepping away from the NFL

Former Packers All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander has continued to open up publicly about one of the most difficult decisions of his fo...

Read More

EXCLUSIVE: Princess Diana's Sex Confessions From Beyond the Grave — Radar Reveals Graphic Contents of Tragic Royal's 5 Hours of Secret Taped Confessions

Princess Dianais set to speak in her own words once more, as previously unheard recordings detailing her private life and troubled marriage toKing Charlesare prepared for broadcast – in a projectRadarOnline.comcan reveal promises to reopen one of the most scrutinized chapters in modern royal history.

The late princess,who died aged 36 in 1997in a high-speed Paris car smash, recorded more than five hours of candid audio in 1991, offering an unfiltered account of her experiences inside the royal family.

Secret Princess Diana Tapes Set for Global Release

The tapes, secretly made with the assistance of her friend Dr James Colthurst, were smuggled out of Kensington Palace and passed to author Andrew Morton, who used them as the foundation for the explosive bookDiana: Her True Story.

Now, decades later, the recordings are set to form the basis of a three-partdocumentary seriestitledDiana: The Unheard Truth, scheduled for release on August 31, 2027 – marking the 30th anniversary of her death in Paris.

A source with knowledge of the content of the tapes told us: "These recordings go far beyond anything the public has previously heard – they capture Diana at her most unguarded, speaking openly about deeply personal experiences that were largely hidden at the time.

Princess Diana's 'Very Graphic Confessions'

"There is a sense that audiences will encounter a version of her that feels immediate and strikingly human."

Another insider added: "The material is extraordinarily raw. It does not just revisit familiar headlines – it places listeners inside her perspective, offering a more complete understanding of what she endured and how she processed it in real time. They include very graphic confessions."

Radarcan reveal the secret tapes include Diana's reflections on the breakdown of her marriage to the then-Prince Charles, now king and aged 77, as well as her struggles with aneating disorder, and accounts of her mental health, includingsuicide attempts.

They also address Charles' long-standing relationship with his now-wifeQueen Camilla, 78, a central source of tension during his and Diana's marriage.

Advertisement

At the time of the recordings, Diana was navigating intense public scrutiny while attempting to reconcile her private reality with her public role.

Uncovering Three Decades of Silence

The series is being produced by Love Monday TV in collaboration with Morton and Colthurst, both of whom will appear on camera to contextualize the recordings and their significance.

Until now, less than an hour of the tapes has been made public, with most of the material remaining unheard for more than three decades.

In a statement, the production company said, "In life, when Diana spoke, the world listened. These newly uncovered recordings offer a rare opportunity to hear Diana's perspective once more."

It added the tapes reveal the tragic royal as a "resilient, perceptive and relatable young woman finding herself in the brightest of global spotlights and navigating the challenges with grace and determination."

The documentary will also explore Diana's hopes for the future, including her vision of a life beyond the constraints of royal expectations.

According to the producers, the recordings capture her imagining a "new chapter in which Charles goes off into the sunset with Camilla, leaving Diana free to carve her own path."

Filming is already underway on the upcoming show, with the series expected to draw significant attention not only for its historical value but also for its emotional impact.

One TV insider said: "There is something uniquely powerful about hearing Diana tell her own story – it cuts through interpretation and brings audiences closer to her reality in a way that written accounts alone never could."

byJastin

in

May 13, 2026

EXCLUSIVE: Princess Diana's Sex Confessions From Beyond the Grave — Radar Reveals Graphic Contents of Tragic Royal's 5 Hours of Secret Taped Confessions

Princess Dianais set to speak in her own words once more, as previously unheard recordings detailing her private life and troubled marr...

Read More