In a word, football! Or perhaps you prefer futbol. Or soccer. Reader’s preference.
Brace yourself (for the puns, at least) as this weekend is stacked with the world’s most popular sport. In addition to the Women’s World Cup in France, prepare to span the globe with a hat trick (yeah, couldn’t help it) of men’s tournaments – the Gold Cup in North America, Copa America in South America and the Africa Cup of Nations.
But football/futbol/soccer isn’t the only event on the sporting calendar; another golf major is underway, and the NCAA championship season continues with the College World Series.
So just kick back (OK, that’s the last one) and settle in for the weekend’s biggest sports events:
Women’s World Cup
Now is when things get serious.
It’s time for the knockout stage, and that means win or go home. The key question: Can anyone compete with the United States? Use this weekend to scout potential future opponents.
Pool play wrapped up Thursday, with the Americans defeating rival Sweden to win Group F. In their most difficult test thus far, the defending champions came through unscathed with a comfortable 2-0 victory. In its first three wins, the US hasn’t conceded a goal, and no team has ever scored more in the group stages than the 18 goals netted by the Americans.
Tougher tests will come but probably not until the quarterfinals, where the US could face France on June 28. The US next plays Spain on Monday in the round of 16.
Watch it:
Saturday: Germany vs. Nigeria at 11:30 a.m. ET and Norway vs. Australia at 3 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
Sunday: England vs. Cameroon at 11:30 a.m. ET and France vs. Brazil at 3 p.m. ET on Fox.
International viewers should check their local listings.
Gold Cup
The US men’s national team is in action as well. The Gold Cup is held every two years by the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football to determine the continental champion of that region.
The US, the defending champion, has won six times, while Mexico has the most Gold Cup titles with seven. It’s the 15th edition of this event, dating back to 1991. Group stage continues this weekend.
Watch it:
Friday: El Salvador vs. Jamaica at 7 p.m. ET and Honduras vs. Curacao at 9:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
Saturday: Guyana vs. Panama at 5:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 2; United States vs. Trinidad and Tobago at 8 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
Sunday: Canada vs. Cuba at 6 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 2; Martinique vs. Mexico at 8:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
International viewers should check their local listings.
Copa America
The 2019 Copa America, a men’s soccer tournament that determines the continental champion of South America, began June 14 and runs through July 7 in Brazil. Since the 1990s, teams from North America and Asia have been invited to complete in the 12-team field. This year Japan and Qatar have joined 10 South American nations that are part of CONMEBOL, South American football’s governing body.
Chile is the defending champion, from 2016. Uruguay has won this event the most, with 15 cups.
Watch it:
Friday: Ecuador vs. Chile at 7 p.m. ET on Telemundo and ESPN+.
Saturday: Bolivia vs. Venezuela at 3 p.m. ET on Universo and ESPN+; Peru vs. Brazil at 3 p.m. ET on Telemundo and ESPN+.
Sunday: Qatar vs. Argentina at 3 p.m. ET on Telemundo and ESPN+; Colombia vs. Paraguay at 3 p.m. ET on Universo and ESPN+.
International viewers should check their local listings.
Africa Cup of Nations
Previously, this biennial tournament was held in January and February, but it was moved to June and July this year, adding to an already busy international soccer schedule.
Defending champion Cameroon was originally scheduled to host the 32nd edition. Instead, it was moved to Egypt. The Pharaohs, led by Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, are the front-runners. They’ve had the most success in this tournament, winning it seven times. Other contenders in the field, which expanded from 16 to 24 teams this year, include Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria.
Watch it:
Friday: Opening ceremony at 3 p.m. ET and Egypt vs. Zimbabwe at 4 p.m. ET on beIN Sports.
Saturday: Democratic Republic of Congo vs. Uganda at 10:30 a.m. ET, Nigeria vs. Burundi at 1 p.m. ET and Guinea vs. Madagascar at 4 p.m. ET on beIN Sports.
Sunday: Morocco vs. Namibia at 10:30 a.m. ET, Senegal vs. Tanzania at 1 p.m. ET and Algeria vs. Kenya at 4 p.m. ET on beIN Sports.
International viewers should check their local listings.
KPMG Women’s PGA Championship
The third major of the year (out of five) on the women’s golf calendar, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship has a strong field, including nine past champions. One of those is 2018 champion Sung Hyun Park, who won with a 9-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole at Kemper Lakes Golf Club in Kildeer, Illinois.
The year’s event is at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. The purse is $3.85 million. Australian Hannah Green held the lead after Thursday’s first round.
Watch it:
Friday at 6 p.m. ET on the Golf Channel.
Saturday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.
Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.
International viewers should check their local listings.
College World Series
The semifinals are set for Friday after Louisville defeated Mississippi State with a walk-off win on Thursday night. Michigan and Vanderbilt, both 2-0, each need one win to advance to the national championship series. Louisville and Texas Tech each would need to win Friday and Saturday to advance.
The best-of-three finals begin Monday in Omaha, Nebraska.
Watch it:
Friday: Texas Tech vs. Michigan at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN; Vanderbilt vs. Louisville at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Saturday (if necessary): Michigan vs. Texas Tech at either 2 or 7 p.m. ET on ESPN; Louisville vs. Vanderbilt at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
International viewers should check their local listings.
