Washington, D.C., could host some World Cup games after all.

In 2031.

The still-to-be-built Washington Commanders stadium was among 14 U.S. sites listed as potential hosts for the women’s World Cup in 2031 in the bid book submitted Friday, Nov. 28, to FIFA by the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica. The four countries have the only bid for what will be an expanded, 48-team tournament, and FIFA will officially announce the host April 30, 2026.

FIFA also released the bid book for the 2035 tournament, a joint bid by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. That tournament also will be awarded in April.

The United States and Mexico are co-hosting the men’s World Cup with Canada next summer, and the 2031 tournament would make use of many of the same stadiums. But Charlotte, Denver, Minneapolis, Nashville, Orlando, San Diego and Washington, D.C., are also on the list of cities and stadiums for FIFA to evaluate as possible 2031 hosts.

Washington was famously snubbed when the final list of host cities for the men’s World Cup in 2026 was released, the omission blamed on the state of Northwest Stadium and the toxicity of then-Commanders owner Dan Snyder. But Snyder is gone, and new Commanders owner Josh Harris is planning a $3.7 billion stadium on the old RFK Stadium site.

Washington is also an epicenter for women’s soccer in the United States. The Washington Spirit played in the NWSL final for a second consecutive year last weekend, and Spirit owner Michele Kang has invested heavily in the game in the United States and Europe.

‘Washington will use this platform to create safe places to play, elevate women in leadership, and ensure every girl can see herself in the game,’ according to the description of Washington in the bid book.

Seattle, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and New York/New Jersey, all of which will hold games in 2026, are also listed as potential hosts. Mexico added Torreón to 2026 hosts Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.

Costa Rica and Jamaica identified one host city each, San José in Costa Rica and Kingston in Jamaica.

The tournament will be held in mid-June through late July, though specific dates were not given. The bid book also did not specify which countries would host which games. Given Costa Rica and Jamaica’s stadiums seat a maximum of 37,000, however, it’s likely the United States would host the latter knockout-round games, including the final.

In 2026, Mexico and Canada are hosting games through the round of 16. The quarterfinals, semifinals and final are all in the United States, with the final to be played at MetLife Stadium.

As Nebraska football’s 2025 season draws to a close with a second bowl-eligible squad under Matt Rhule, it looks like the Cornhuskers will have to grapple with one major question: Will quarterback Dylan Raiola — whose season ended with a broken fibula Nov. 1 against USC — return for his junior year or will he enter the transfer portal?

The question was piqued by a CBS Sports report that Raiola may be considering hitting the portal to steer a team looking to make a College Football Playoff run, a position Nebraska simply isn’t in for the moment. Though the Cornhuskers can compete with most teams in the country with regards to NIL, they’re playing for bowl appearances at the moment.

Fueling the rumors is Raiola’s younger brother Dayton decommitted from Nebraska and reopened his recruitment. Dayton is a 3-star prospect who may well end up heading to a lower-FBS school where he’ll be able to compete for playing time.

With regards to the rumors about Dylan, Rhule told reporters he was outside the loop of any conversation about a possible Raiola transfer.

‘I haven’t seen that report. Yeah, I haven’t seen that,’ he said to the media Nov. 26 when the rumors surfaced. ‘I would never get up here and talk about a player. I love Dylan like I love all my guys. He’s in there in treatment right now. So I don’t know about that. I don’t know anything about that.’

Raiola threw for 2,000 yards with a 72.4% completion percentage in 2025, along with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions, three of which in a four-touchdown showing against Maryland. He was perceived to have taken real strides from 2024, where he threw for 2,819 yards on 67.1% passing with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Nebraska closes out its season on Black Friday, Nov. 28 against Iowa, as the Cornhuskers look for their first eight-win season since 2016 when Mike Riley won nine games and went 6-3 in the Big Ten.

The transfer portal opens Jan. 2 and will close Jan. 16, 2026.

The Milwaukee Bucks are in the midst of a losing streak and their star player is pushing team officials to return from injury as fast as possible.

Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t played in an NBA game since suffering a strained adductor in the Bucks’ Nov. 17 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee is winless since then as it enters another NBA Cup matchup against the New York Knicks on Friday, Nov. 28. But he wants to return soon. So soon that Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers and the Bucks’ medical team elected to slow Antetokounmpo down before their most recent setback, a three-point loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday.

Antetokounmpo’s injury status was nonetheless upgraded earlier this week, and he wants to come back with the Bucks sliding down the Eastern Conference standings after an encouraging start to the 2025-26 season. Here’s the latest on Antetokounmpo’s injury situation as Milwaukee tries to snap its six-game losing skid:

Is Giannis Antetokounmpo playing today?

Maybe. For the second game in a row, the Bucks have listed Antetokounmpo as questionable ahead of their NBA Cup game against the New York Knicks on Friday, Nov. 28.

Antetokounmpo was listed as questionable before the Bucks’ NBA Cup game on Wednesday, but was ruled out before tip off as Milwaukee suffered a 106-103 loss to the Miami Heat.

Giannis Antetokounmpo injury update

The 30-year-old forward has missed Milwaukee’s past four games after suffering an adductor strain in a Nov. 17 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Antetokounmpo was initially expected to miss one to two weeks of action, according to ESPN, and he’s made tangible progress in recent days.

After Antetokounmpo was upgraded to questionable for the Heat game after participating in a pregame workout before the Bucks’ loss to the Portland Trail Blazers two days earlier. He participated in shootaround at Kaseya Center in Miami, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, but coach Doc Rivers told reporters Antetokounmpo did not finish the session. Rivers later clarified this was at the behest of the medical staff, and to his relief, and not related to a setback in Antetokounmpo’s recovery.

‘I was very happy we decided what we decided,’ Rivers said after the Bucks’ Nov. 26 game against the Heat. ‘I was very uncomfortable with it. He really wanted to push, and that’s who Giannis is. I was very happy with our medical team today. They decided at the end of the day, let’s wait. And, obviously as a coach I can’t get involved but so much, but I told Giannis that, this morning, it should be a no tonight. Then the medical team told him as well. What makes Giannis great is it (is) yes from him. We just thought it was the right thing to do.”

Giannis stats

Antetokounmpo is averaging 31.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists in 13 games for the Bucks this season.

Survivor Series is one of the most prominent premium live events in WWE and could give huge momentum going into the new year.

So, who will seize the opportunity?

There will be plenty of big names in the two WarGames matches taking place in San Diego on Saturday, Nov. 29, and each of them needs a victory to maintain their status in the pecking order of the company. Meanwhile, can John Cena go into the final match of his career with the Intercontinental Championship in his possession? That, plus Stephanie Vaquer defending her title against Nikki Bella, could lead to ramifications for the Royal Rumble in January.

What will happen at Survivor Series 2025? USA TODAY Sports’ wrestling experts gives their predictions on what will happen at Petco Park:

Men’s WarGames match

Jordan Mendoza: Even with CM Punk, Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns leading a stacked squad, The Vision desperately need to assert themselves as an elite group without Seth Rollins. The addition of Brock Lesnar makes a big difference as WWE doesn’t seem interested in him looking inferior. Winners: Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Brock Lesnar, Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre.

Richard Morin: Team Vision has the advantage and simply possesses too much firepower to lose this match. Infighting between Rhodes, Punk and Reigns will ultimately fell their team. Winners: Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Brock Lesnar, Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre.

Women’s WarGames match

Jordan Mendoza: We know one thing is going to happen: Iyo Sky is going to fly in a match she thrives in. She and Rhea Ripley really want to best The Kabuki Warriors, and this match felt like it could go either way for a while. But when AJ Lee joined the fold, that sealed the result. Winners: Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair and AJ Lee.

Richard Morin: It’s a shame this story didn’t get the proper build due to Ripley’s injury, but what we got is still great. Ripley and Sky are deserving of a major tandem push and that should be the focal point in wake of this match. We should also set up an entertaining singles feud between Lee and Lynch. Winners: Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair and AJ Lee.

Women’s World Championship match: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Nikki Bella

Jordan Mendoza: Stephanie Vaquer’s meteoric rise on the main roster has kind of calmed down, which presents a prime opportunity for a veteran like Nikki Bella to knock her from the top of the women’s division. Bella will have some chances with some sneaky tactics, but Vaquer is just too dominant in the ring. It be a bad mistake to strip her of the title, as this win likely means Vaquer heads into WrestleMania season as a champion. Winner: Stephanie Vaquer.

Richard Morin: Keeping the belt on Vaquer might seem like the logical move, but there is an opportunity here to build a fun, long-term story and give Petco Park a shocking result. Vaquer never got a proper championship build — due to Naomi vacating the title — so the best long-term play may actually be for a heel Bella to steal the title and for Vaquer to chase it back down. Bella has said this will be her final run in WWE, so it isn’t crazy for WWE to give her one more title reign before putting over Vaquer down the road. Winner: Nikki Bella.

Intercontinental Championship match: John Cena (c) vs. Dominik Mysterio

Jordan Mendoza: We’ve known this was the path for Cena for awhile. Cena finally got the one title that’s eluded him, but does it make sense for him to still hold the title going into his final match? It doesn’t make much sense, and should be the chance for Mysterio to shine back in his hometown. He reclaims the title and get thrusted further to stardom by pinning the 17-time WWE Champion, even if it takes some lying, cheating and stealing. Winner: Dominik Mysterio.

Richard Morin: Cena putting over Mysterio in the former’s final PLE appearance is the correct call. WWE undoubtedly views Mysterio as someone who can be the company’s top heel for the next 20 years. The only wrinkle here is Mysterio’s father, Rey Mysterio, who does not have a match at his hometown Survivor Series. The guess here is Rey attempts to help Cena but has his efforts ultimately thwarted. Winner: Dominik Mysterio.

Don’t sleep on ‘Sunday Night Football’ this week. Join USA TODAY Sports for a live Q&A instead.

The Nov. 30 NFL slate wraps with the 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff between the Denver Broncos and Washington Commanders. Break through your Thanksgiving leftover lull to talk all things NFL during the game and heading into the Week 13 ‘Monday Night Football’ showdown between the New York Giants and New England Patriots.

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Today’s Egg Bowl feels less about Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State, and more about Lane Kiffin and what happens after the game.

Kiffin is a clear target for LSU and Florida as the SEC rivals look to fill their coaching vacancies.

Ole Miss AD Keith Carter said on Nov. 21, ‘an announcement on Coach Kiffin’s future is expected the Saturday following the game.’

So is this it for Lane in Oxford? If he does go, will he stick around the College Football Playoff? (Assuming the Rebels take care of business against Bulldogs today.) Or will Lane stay and surprise some folks? The intrigue.

‘Today is about this game,’ Kiffin told SEC Network’s Marty Smith prior to Friday’s game. ‘Eleven wins, potentially for the first time in school history. That’s the first time with 11 wins in the state for any program. A lot on the line. Our guys are focused and ready to play. And this noise thing you’ve been referring to, this has been going on for weeks. This is nothing new for us.’

Asked about a timeline, Kiffin responded, ‘I’m looking forward to kickoff in an hour, that’s all I’m worried about today, and after that let’s go watch Knox (Kiffin) beat Tupelo in high school.’

As for today’s game, it’s a win-and-you’re-in for Ole Miss (10-1, 6-1 SEC). Beat Mississippi State (5-6, 1-6) for a third straight time and the Rebels can carry the Golden Egg Trophy into the CFP.

Kickoff is scheduled for a noon EST from Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville.

After that? Who knows…

The Oklahoma City Thunder are off to the best start in the NBA again and the defending champions are about to get their second-leading scorer.

Jalen Williams, who emerged as a vital sidekick beside league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during the Thunder’s rise to the top of the standings, has yet to play this season ahead of Oklahoma City’s 20th game on the schedule against the Phoenix Suns in NBA Cup action on Friday, Nov. 28. But that appears to be changing soon after the team upgraded the status of their second-leading scorer earlier this week.

Here’s the latest on Williams’ potential 2025-26 season debut, as well as an injury update now that the Oklahoma City Thunder are preparing to welcome him back to the lineup:

Is Jalen Williams playing today?

Yes. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard is set to make his 2025-26 season debut against the Phoenix Suns in an NBA Cup game on Friday, Nov. 28.

Jalen Williams injury update

The Thunder removed Williams from their injury report for the first time this season before Friday’s game against the Suns, an indication the 24-year-old has been given full clearance to return to NBA action.

Williams underwent offseason surgery on his right wrist after playing through a torn ligament during last year’s championship run. He then had an additional procedure on Oct. 31 to remove a screw that had been causing irritation during the final portions of his rehab process. Thunder officials said at the time he would be re-evaluated in 10 to 14 days.

Thunder coach Mark Daignault told reporters on Wednesday Williams was ‘day-to-day’ and praised his work ethic in getting back onto the court.

Jalen Williams contract

Jalen Williams stats

Williams averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game during the 2024-25 regular season last year. He averaged 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists during the 2025 NBA playoffs. Williams also earned all-NBA and all-defense honors for the first time last season.

Oregon State hired Alabama co-offensive coordinator JaMarcus Shephard as its next head football coach, the school announced Friday.

ESPN reports that Shephard will receive a five-year deal. No financial terms were disclosed.

‘I’m honored to lead the Oregon State University football program and to join a community that cares so deeply about its student-athletes,’ Shephard, who will be introduced on Tuesday, said in a statement. ‘We will build a culture rooted in toughness, integrity, and relentless effort, and I’m excited to get to work with our players, staff, and supporters to write the next great chapter of Beaver football.’

This season, Alabama is averaging 33.8 points, ranking sixth in the Southeastern Conference, with its strength being its passing attack led by quarterback Ty Simpson (2,934 yards, 22 TD, 4 INT).

Shephard replaces Trent Bray, who was fired last month after the Beavers started this season with seven straight losses and posted a 5-14 record in his two seasons at the school. Shephard has also coached at Western Kentucky, Washington State, and Purdue.

Oregon State (2-9) finishes its 2025 season on Saturday with a road game at Washington State. Alabama (9-2, 6-1 SEC) will reach the SEC Championship game if it beats rival Auburn on Saturday in the Iron Bowl.

Dylan Cease’s $210 million pact with the Toronto Blue Jays was the first big free agent deal of the winter and has set the market for starting pitching.

With the bar set there, Framber Valdez can reasonably expect to break the record for a free agent lefty, a mark set last offseason by $218 million man Max Fried. The 32-year-old Valdez had a 3.20 ERA in 143 starts over the past five seasons for the Houston Astros and has tossed 85 career postseason innings.

Other top starting pitchers on the market include 30-year-old All-Stars in Zac Gallen and Ranger Suarez, and future Hall of Famers in Max Scherzer (41) and Justin Verlander (43).

Baseball’s annual winter meetings begin on Dec. 7 and could feature a flurry of free agent deals and trades.

Here’s a look at the top 10 free agent starting pitchers still available from our early November rankings:

MLB free agent rankings: Best starting pitchers

1. Framber Valdez (32, LHP, Astros)

Valdez is consistently right around 200 innings, has a championship pedigree and suppresses the home run ball. Not an ideal conclusion to his Houston era, but it’s also easy enough to hand him the ball and set your alarm clock for September.

2. Zac Gallen (30, RHP, Diamondbacks)

Kind of the poor man’s Cease, in a sense: He led the NL in WHIP (0.91) and the majors in fewest hits per nine innings (5.9) in 2022, but regressed to 1.26 and 8.3/8.1 the past two seasons. He was much better once the trade deadline passed, posting a 3.32 ERA in his last 11 starts. Citizens Bank Park seems a natural fit for the suburban Philly kid.

3. Ranger Suárez (30, LHP, Phillies)

If you have designs on making a playoff run, Suárez can be an invaluable cog. He’s never approached 200 innings as a starter and doesn’t miss bats the way they like nowadays. Yet in 11 postseason appearances, he’s posted a 1.48 ERA and 1.06 WHIP while serving as starter, bulk guy and anything else.

4. Lucas Giolito (31, RHP, Red Sox)

Giolito finally turned the page on a pair of injury-ravaged seasons to make 26 starts and post a 3.41 ERA, enough to comfortably decline his $19 million player option. Giolito completed at least six innings in 15 of his 26 starts, though he missed a playoff outing with elbow soreness.

5. Chris Bassitt (37, RHP, Blue Jays)

A little high for the reliable righty? Well, consider that there are so few Chris Bassitts out there and this one just completed a three-year, $63 million deal with numbing consistency: 32 starts a year, a 3.89 ERA, nearly six innings per start. He topped that off with a selfless stint in the playoff bullpen, where he gave up one earned run in seven appearances.

6. Merrill Kelly (37, RHP, Rangers)

Unlike his old Arizona rotation mate Gallen, Kelly won’t be subject to a qualifying offer, since he was traded to Texas this season. Though age isn’t on his side, consistency is, with at least 30 starts in three of the past four seasons and a solid 117 adjusted ERA this year.

7. Max Scherzer (41, RHP, Blue Jays)

He indicated after World Series Game 7 that he hadn’t thrown his final pitch, and he posted often enough in 2025 that the standard one year, $15.5 million deal should still be waiting for him.

8. Justin Verlander (43, RHP, Giants)

Those videos of Verlander and Scherzer playing bridge in the nursing home are gonna be wild 40 or so years from now. For now, though, they’ve got innings in their arms and for Verlander’s sake, hopefully he can find a home that’s both pitcher-friendly but also not totally lacking in run support: His 3.85 ERA resulted in a 4-11 record as he sits on 266 wins.

9. Michael King (30, RHP, Padres)

Another fascinating case. King has been outstanding more often than not as a starter, and when healthy, for the Padres, posting a 3.10 ERA in 45 starts. But injuries at the start and end of this season limited him to 15 starts. Someone will be getting a very good pitcher, just with a few unknowns attached.

10. Nick Martinez (35, RHP, Reds)

More invaluable than his peripherals indicate, Martinez took the ball 82 times over two years in Cincy, including 42 starts, and amassed 6.3 WAR and a steady 3.83 ERA.