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Republicans fear of 'fatal mistake' in must-win Platner race
Senate Republicans are warning that scandal-plagued oysterman Graham Platner could still defeat Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, if the party fails to take the race seriously.
Republicans are defending several seats in expectedly close races, including Nebraska, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas, while seeking to flip Georgia. Maine is different: Sen. Susan Collins' seat is the only Republican-held Senate seat in a state won by Kamala Harris in 2024, making it Democrats' most direct path to returning Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., to the majority leader's office, Republicans said in a memo circulated Wednesday.
"It is a fatal mistake to assume Platner is too damaged to win," the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) memo obtained by Fox News — addressed to "Interested Parties" — read.
The NRSC agreed that Maine is the "linchpin" of the 35 seats up this year and that despite Platner’s Nazi tattoo, allegations of misogynist violence, arousal from biocide in port-a-johns, and his socialist policy platform, he remains a credible threat to the middle-of-the-road Collins.
"Senator Collins has won tough races before and can win this one, but only if we meet this moment with total urgency," the NRSC said.
"Because Democrats cannot win the majority without [Collins’ seat], they have fully rallied around Graham Platner, an extremely flawed, far-left candidate who secured the nomination last night. Platner has captured his party’s financial backing, outraising Senator Collins in every quarter since entering the race. We must match both the energy and the money to retain the seat," the memo said.
The NRSC said Democrats don’t view Platner’s race as being about the flawed candidate but rather about usurping power.
COLLINS SECURES GOP NOD IN MAINE SENATE BATTLE THAT COULD DECIDE GOP MAJORITY
The committee said any one of Platner’s multiple scandals would have ended most campaigns, but Democrats remain united around him. The NRSC reported that after former girlfriend Lyndsey Fifield’s allegations against Platner broke, Platner raised $200,000 in one day in what the campaign said was its best haul of the cycle.
"The political fundamentals in Maine remain challenging, and it is a fatal mistake to assume Platner is too damaged to win," the NRSC said.
Collins is the last remaining federal Republican in New England and the only Republican in the Senate north or east of Pennsylvania.
The NRSC reported that Platner is beating Harris’ own margins by seven points while noting Collins has won tough races in the past, but this one is different.
Collins won her last race against former Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon by about eight points, and her last electoral loss was way back in 1994 when now-Sen. Angus King Jr., I-Maine, won the governorship in a four-way contest.
Republicans said in the memo that the biggest story in the past week about Platner is not his latest scandal, but the fact that Democrats are circling the wagons around him even more tightly and "propping him up."
WATCH: DEM SENATORS EXCUSE PLATNER'S CONDUCT AT CRISIS HUDDLE WITH EMBATTLED MAINE CANDIDATE
They cited Silicon Valley Rep. Ro Khanna visiting Maine to hold a gushy interview-slash-ad with Platner and the fact that Democrats keep claiming Collins and Trump are worse than the left-winger.
"Gotta do what you gotta do," the NRSC quoted former Biden deputy campaign manager Rob Flaherty, while noting that Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse publicly claimed Platner’s foibles are a "lot of nothing."
They also pointed to one of the most influential Democratic operatives claiming that Platner’s flaws actually bolster his qualifications.
Platner had disparaged former Pennsylvania lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Teddy Daniels after video of the Purple Heart recipient being besieged and gravely wounded by the Taliban surfaced several years ago.
"We’ve got a f---ed up guy who could be 100 times more f---ed up than he is and he’d never be as f---ed up as what we’ve got in Washington," said 1992 Bill Clinton campaign architect James Carville, who suggested that Platner’s apparent PTSD should be a symbol on the Hill as to why neoconservatives have been wrong about war powers.
"This is not a party abandoning its nominee. This is a party rationalizing, accepting, and preparing to fight," the NRSC said.
"Republicans need to match that urgency immediately. Define Platner. Defend Collins. Resource Maine," they said. "Senator Collins has proven time and time again, through her work ethic and commitment to the people of Maine and America, that she will prevail."
"This race can be won, but it will not win itself."
Fox News Digital reached out to the NRSC, DSCC, Platner campaign and Collins campaign for further comment.
LISTEN: Dispatch audio captures frantic hunt for suspect in Penn State senior's fatal shooting
FIRST ON FOX: A Penn State senior was gunned down just feet from his Philadelphia home after chasing suspects who allegedly stole his cellphone, leaving a 22-year-old journalism student dead months before graduation.
Police dispatch audio obtained by Fox News Digital captures the chaotic moments after the June 6 shooting of Billy Schmidt, including officers reporting a shell casing recovered at the scene, broadcasting a suspect description and relaying that the alleged gunman turned and fired before fleeing.
The Philadelphia Police Department told Fox News Digital that information broadcast over police radio is unverified and emphasized that the homicide investigation remains ongoing. No arrests have been made.
"I hope they find these animals and put them in cages for the rest of their lives," the victim's sister, Anna Schmidt, told Fox News' CB Cotton. "I don't care how old they are. They deserve to spend the rest of their life in jail for taking away my brother. I don't think anyone will ever understand this pain that they have caused."
WATCH: Family of slain Penn State student speaks out after fatal shooting
POLICE HUNT SUSPECT AFTER RECENT BUSINESS SCHOOL GRADUATE KILLED IN DOWNTOWN SHOOTING
"He was unarmed. And all this for a phone? It just doesn't even make sense."
The dispatch audio reveals the frantic response after the shooting.
"It's going to be one man shot in the chest," an officer can be heard reporting in one dispatch transmission.
Minutes later, another transmission provided new details from the scene.
"We have one male shot, one confirmed chest so far," a dispatcher said, adding that one casing was found in front of the address.
The audio also captures officers relaying witness information about the shooting.
"The offender then turned around and shot the male once in the chest and ran," an officer said over police radio.
PHILADELPHIA TEENAGERS CHARGED IN SERIES OF 'UNPROVOKED' ATTACKS WITHIN AN HOUR
Responding officers also broadcast a description of the suspected shooter as a Black male wearing a light-colored hoodie, black pants and black sneakers.
In a later transmission, police described the suspect as a thin-built Black male approximately 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-9 who was last seen running westbound on DeFord Street.
Anna Schmidt said she believes someone knows who is responsible for her brother's death.
"I need everyone to help find them because someone knows them," she said. "Someone has to know who did it. Just bring some peace to my family. I pray every day that they find them."
According to investigators, Schmidt was walking home after watching the NBA Finals with friends when the robbery unfolded around 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
Surveillance video previously released by investigators appears to show Schmidt saying, "Give me my phone," before chasing after the suspects. Additional footage shows a cellphone being thrown before Schmidt runs after the individuals. Moments later, a gunshot rings out.
Responding officers found Schmidt suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead at 1:47 a.m., police said.
Schmidt was a journalism student through Penn State World Campus and was on track to graduate in December.
FIANCÉ OF TEACHER FOUND WITH 20 STAB WOUNDS SUGGESTS WHAT LED TO HER 'SUICIDE'
"We are heartbroken over the tragic death of William Schmidt and we share our deepest condolences with his family and friends," Penn State said in a statement.
The city of Philadelphia is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Billy's father, Bill Schmidt, told Cotton he found his son's cellphone shortly after the shooting and turned it over to investigators.
"I found the phone on 19th," he said. "I called police after. I didn't realize I touched it."
WATCH: Penn State student shot and killed near family's home in Philadelphia
Bill Schmidt said investigators are attempting to recover DNA and fingerprint evidence from the device.
"They're trying to get DNA, and they have a print on the phone, but they don't know if it's mine, Billy's, or the person who threw it," he said. "But they're trying to get DNA off the phone."
The elder Schmidt described his son as a sports-loving Phillies and Eagles fan who sold baseball cards and was looking forward to graduating from Penn State.
TEEN GIRL GUNNED DOWN IN POSH CHICAGO ENCLAVE AS POLICE RUSH TO NAB HER KILLER
"He loved sports. He was selling baseball cards. He was a senior at Penn State," Bill Schmidt said. "All he used to do was watch the Phillies and Eagles."
"He was just a really nice kid. I'm surprised he even went to chase, because he's not an aggressive kid at all. He's a wonderful kid."
The loss remains almost impossible for the family to comprehend.
"I would just tell him how much I love him and miss him, and to come home," Anna Schmidt said. "He needs to be here."
Bill Schmidt said investigators are attempting to recover forensic evidence from the device.
The grieving father also called on city leaders to do more to combat violent crime.
"They gotta clean the city up," he said. "To stop the violence. This can't happen every day."
Police have not announced any arrests in the case and continue to ask anyone with information to come forward.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.
Indiana Republican senator moves to block kids from accessing porn online
EXCLUSIVE – Republican lawmakers are pushing to require pornography websites to verify users' ages, arguing that children can access explicit material online "with just a few clicks" and that parents need stronger tools to keep minors off commercial porn platforms.
Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., introduced the Safety and Age Filtering Enforcement (SAFE) for Kids Act on Tuesday, legislation that would require pornography websites to implement age-verification measures before users can access sexually explicit content.
"Kids should not be exposed to pornography with just a few clicks," Banks told Fox News Digital in a statement. "The SAFE for Kids Act helps parents protect their children and bring commonsense safeguards nationwide."
SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS TEXAS LAW REQUIRING AGE VERIFICATION ON PORN WEBSITES
A 2023 national survey by Common Sense Media found that 73% of teen respondents aged 13–17 had watched pornography online, and over half, 54%, said they first viewed pornography by the time they turned 13.
The legislation, which Banks’ office says is supported by a "broad coalition of organizations and advocates," including the American Principles Project, Heritage Action, Institute for Family Studies, National Decency Coalition, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and Concerned Women for America, would require commercial entities that distribute pornography on the internet to have age verification on their sites.
It also extends enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission through consumer protection law, gives the Department of Justice authorization to investigate platforms that intentionally violate the law and allows people, including parents and legal guardians, to sue companies or organizations that violate the law.
TEXAS BILL PUSHES STRICTEST SOCIAL MEDIA BAN FOR MINORS IN THE NATION
The Common Sense Media survey also found that 15% of teens who responded to the survey said they first saw online pornography at age 10 or younger, and the average age reported for first viewing pornography was 12.
Additionally, the survey suggested that pornography may play a larger role in exploration for LGBTQ+ teens, with two-thirds of LGBTQ+ teen respondents saying they viewed pornography intentionally.
Banks’ office said that over 25 states have enacted age verification requirements for pornography websites, and highlighted that the Supreme Court upheld these laws in Free Speech Coalition vs. Paxton, "recognizing the government’s interest in protecting children from sexual material online."
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Kevin Roberts, president of Heritage Action, said, "Congress must act now to protect our children from adult content on the internet. No more excuses. While Washington drags its feet, kids across the nation are being exposed to vile, pornographic images and ads with no meaningful safeguards to prevent it. Americans are angry that their kids are being indoctrinated into a left-wing ideology intended to infiltrate their hearts and corrupt their moral center."
"Parents deserve laws that empower them to protect their children," Roberts added. "The SAFE for Kids Act is a necessary solution that will finally hold individuals and companies liable if they fail to implement meaningful safeguards to prevent minors from being exposed to explicit content. Congress has a duty to act, and the time to do so is now."
'The Social Reckoning' trailer drops with Jeremy Strong as Zuckerberg in Aaron Sorkin's Facebook sequel
The first preview has arrived for the highly anticipated sequel to "The Social Network."
Basic info:
"The Social Network" is easily one of the best films released over the past 20 years. If I remember correctly, I saw it twice in theaters while living in Montana when it came out in 2010.
'SOCIAL NETWORK' STAR BRISTLES AT BEING ASSOCIATED WITH 'PROBLEMATIC' MARK ZUCKERBERG
The Aaron Sorkin film chronicles the rise of Facebook and its founders, specifically Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) and Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield).
Well, Sorkin is now going back to the well 16 years later with "The Social Reckoning." This time, Jeremy Strong plays Zuckerberg and the film isn't about Facebook's rise.
It's about the impact it had on society and the controversy surrounding the popular social media site. Judging from the preview, it has the potential to be every bit as good as the original.
Give the preview a watch below, and let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.
What do we all think about the trailer? I think this movie looks amazing, and it's not because I care about Facebook one way or another. I couldn't care less about the social media site.
I like great films, and "The Social Network" was outstanding on all levels. It appears likely that will be the case here.
The cast is also outrageously loaded. Mikey Madison, Jeremy Strong, Jeremy Allen White, Bill Burr and Billy Magnussen are all great.
White and Strong are the definition of elite, and the latter seems to have nailed Zuckerberg's voice. I also have no doubt hype for "The Social Reckoning" will only grow now that the trailer is out.
You can catch "The Social Network" in theaters starting Oct. 9, and make sure to let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.
Tracking America's World Cup journey: How and when to watch the US Men's National Team
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is almost here, and fans stateside are starting to feel the excitement.
For the next month, some of the best soccer players and teams the world has to offer will duke it out on North American soil for the right to hoist the World Cup.
The U.S. Men's National Team in particular is an exciting young soccer squad that is looking to make some noise on their home turf, and their road to the knockout stage couldn't have been much easier (with all due respect to their fellow group members).
The Stars and Stripes will begin their quest for a World Cup on Friday, June 12, at 9 p.m. Eastern against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
US MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM GETS FAVORABLE GROUP MATCHUPS AT WORLD CUP DRAW
The Paraguayans will be making their return to the World Cup stage for the first time since 2010, and have been giant killers throughout their qualifying rounds, taking down the likes of South American heavyweights Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil.
Next on the docket, the U.S. will face off against Australia on Friday, June 19, at 3 p.m. Eastern in Seattle.
The Socceroos will try their best to muck it up and play a very defensive brand of soccer against America, while also boasting a great goalkeeper in Matthew Ryan.
SEATTLE, VANCOUVER COORDINATE CROSS-BORDER PLANNING FOR 2026 WORLD CUP TOURISM
Goals will be at a premium for anyone who plays Australia in this tournament.
To conclude group play, the United States will play Turkey on Thursday, June 25, at 10 p.m. Eastern back in Los Angeles.
Fresh off a quarterfinals appearance in Euro 2024, this is a very talented Turkey who may not have the star power of a France or Brazil, but will be a very dangerous out for anyone in the World Cup.
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Though the subject of who moves on may already be decided when Türkiye and the United States square off, these are the two heavyweights of Group D and should make for an exciting conclusion to group play.
All three games will be streaming on Fox Sports and Fox One, with both the Australia and Paraguay matchups available on Fox (blackout restrictions may apply).
Additionally, the U.S.-Paraguay matchup will be available for free on Tubi.
Happy World Cup, everyone, and go, go USA!
Karmelo Anthony verdict draws anti-white rage and lies from radical Dem congresswoman, angry activists
A Texas congresswoman is leading the voice of online activists enraged over the guilty verdict in Karmelo Anthony's murder trial, and is spreading outright lies and racially inflammatory rhetoric after the 19-year-old was sentenced to 35 years in prison for stabbing Austin Metcalf to death.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a rare radical Democrat elected in deep red Texas, took to her podcast after Tuesday's verdict to make false claims about the trial and its jury as she continues to stir up racial hatred.
"I’m not necessarily convinced — not that I could tell you the name of one person on this jury — that we had 12 impartial White folk out of Collin County sitting on a jury for this young black man," she said, exhibiting her empathy for the convicted murderer.
Her claim about the jury is patently false.
Sources close to the trial confirmed to Fox News Digital that the jury was not made up only of white people, despite Crockett's claim, which has been parroted by activists online.
Of the 12 jurors, three were racial minorities, including Asian and Indian, eight were women and four were men. They confirmed that of the 18 total jurors, including alternates, six were minorities.
KARMELO ANTHONY JURY REACHES VERDICT IN MURDER TRIAL IN TEXAS TRACK MEET STABBING
The jury in the trial, which spanned nine days in a Collin County, Texas, courtroom this month, found that Anthony intentionally stabbed Metcalf, then 18, to death on April 2, 2025.
The murder took place after Anthony entered the Memorial High School track team's tent at a meet in Frisco, and refused 15 times to leave when asked. Witnesses testified that Metcalf lightly shoved Anthony in an attempt to remove him from the tent, after which the teen reached into his bag, pulled out a knife, and stabbed Metcalf in the chest.
The victim bled to death in front of his twin brother and teammates, many of whom testified at the trial.
Crockett surmised the jury likely convicted Anthony because residents of Collin County are upset that, "so many black folk are moving up there in the first place."
The congresswoman, who will not retain her seat in the House after redistricting in Texas pushed her district red, bizarrely compared black women in America to the victim's family.
"Black women, especially black women who have black male children, live in fear and agony every single day," she lamented. "A fear and agony that I promise you the Metcalfs probably had never spend a day living that way."
That comment was branded as "psychotic" by White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller on X.
KARMELO ANTHONY TRIAL CONSUMED BY RACE AND SELF-DEFENSE, BUT HIDDEN HURDLE COULD BE KEY: EXPERT
Crockett, an attorney, also claimed that the knife Anthony used to kill Metcalf was not a deadly weapon, and downplayed its size.
Activists outside the courthouse sounded off after the verdict was handed down.
Dominique Alexander, a local Black Lives Matter activist who has been involved with the Anthony family since Karmelo's arrest, slammed injected racial rhetoric into the conversation.
"What this process did is show that black lives do not matter in Collin County," he said. "This trial showed that it put emotions over the law. After Trayvon Martin and so many countless names, it has shown us that Black life is not safe in Collin County."
Martin was killed by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida, in 2012. A jury in that case found that Zimmerman acted in self-defense.
Alexander also claimed without evidence that the judge in the case "interfered in this process," and repeated the false claim that the jury was "all white."
Bree Newsome, an online far-leftist, insisted that race was a factor in the case.
"Karmelo Anthony would be treated totally different by the legal system were he a white boy killing a black boy," she said. "That’s the whole point. That’s what matters. Stop pretending there’s anything Black people can do in our behavior to prevent racism. Racism defines the entire system."
Crockett's office did not return Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Americans born after 1970 face higher death rates from several major causes in middle age
Americans born after 1970 are dying faster than their parents did, data shows.
New analysis from Tufts University reveals that Gen Xers and millennials are failing to outlive their predecessors, dying at higher rates from common chronic illnesses and external causes than previous generations did when they were the same age.
Data shows that U.S. life expectancy has steadily improved for most of the 20th century, meaning each generation generally lived longer than the one before it.
RARE CANCER DIAGNOSES SURGE DRAMATICALLY AMONG MILLENNIALS AND GEN X
However, that changed starting with individuals born in the 1950s. While Americans born in the 1940s experienced steadily improving survival rates at every stage of life, those born in the 1950s saw that progress slow or reverse.
The downward trend has continued with each subsequent generation, with the biggest change seen in Americans born after 1970.
The research, which tracks 45 years of American mortality data from 1979 to 2019, was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, according to a Tufts press release.
Between the ages of 30 and 49, Americans born after 1970 experience higher death rates from heart disease, cancer and external causes (such as drug overdoses, suicide, homicides and traffic accidents) compared to older generations when they were in that same age bracket.
SECRETS OF LONGEVITY FROM THE WORLD'S 'BLUE ZONES'
Because the study focused on mapping patterns rather than conducting clinical trials, researchers say it can’t point to a single definitive cause for the decline.
However, the study points out two distinct issues affecting American life expectancy. The first is generational decline, meaning that newer generations are entering middle age while carrying higher risk factors than their predecessors.
Additionally, a separate, nationwide setback began around 2010, negatively impacting almost every living adult simultaneously, regardless of their birth year. Researchers say this period was marked by a slowdown of decades-long progress against cardiovascular disease.
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U.S. life expectancy improved by just 0.26 years between 2010 and 2019. In comparison, the country gained an average of 1.78 years of life expectancy per decade over the previous 50 years, according to the analysis.
This has caused the U.S. to fall further behind on a global scale. The life expectancy gap between the U.S. and the top-performing nation grew from 2.6 years in 1983 to 4.7 years by 2009.
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Earlier generations were heavily impacted by cigarette smoking. In contrast, younger generations face rising obesity rates and related conditions, such as colon cancer, data shows.
The researchers noted that the rise of the opioid epidemic also significantly accelerated overdose deaths for post-1970 generations starting in the late 1990s.
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The team cited widening economic inequality, social instability and chronic stress as larger issues that could be driving multiple causes of death at the same time.
Because Americans born after 1970 are still in the middle stages of life, the full impact of these elevated mortality rates has not yet fully registered in overall national life expectancy figures, they noted.
"Although this study does not provide direct evidence, we can speculate about some interventions to explore," lead study author Leah Abrams, an assistant professor of community health at Tufts University, said in the press release.
"To reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease, we may want to address risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Addressing colon cancer mortality among younger individuals may involve related factors and benefit from improving diet."
Looking ahead, the researchers plan to analyze newly released 2024 mortality data to understand how the pandemic may have affected U.S. mortality trends.
Barring garbage officiating, the Knicks will get revenge over the Spurs in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals
The San Antonio Spurs (and officials) served the New York Knicks a slice of humble pie Monday in Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals. San Antonio got on the board in the finals, taking Game 3 115-111 and snapping New York's 13-game playoff win streak.
Besides President Donald Trump's trip to Madison Square Garden, the biggest storyline from Game 3 was the officiating, which sucked for a second straight game. Even though I'm a Knicks fan, I try to be objective, and the officiating was objectively inconsistent Monday.
First of all, the Spurs got three times more free-throw attempts in the second half. Second, the referees somehow missed 7-foot-5 Victor Wembanyama shoving Jalen Brunson's head at the top of the key, a few feet away from the ball.
KNICKS LEGEND CAUGHT EATING FRIES LIKE BONE-IN WINGS DURING NBA FINALS, AND FANS CAN'T LOOK AWAY
Also, Brunson got a flagrant foul for being in the Spurs forward Julian Champagnie's landing space on a three-point shot. But the refs didn't call anything on Wembanyama when he did the same thing to NYK wing Josh Hart earlier in the game.
Between the hooligan-ish behavior in New York City, San Antonio's desperation not to go down 3-1 and the chippiness of this series, Game 4 of the NBA Finals should be the most intense basketball game so far this season.
At DraftKings, New York is -135 on the moneyline and a cheap -2.5 favorite on a 217.5-point total as of 1:30 p.m. ET Wednesday. Now that the stage is set, let's discuss my best bet and a player prop for the Spurs-Knicks Game 4.
Again, I've already mentioned that I'm a Knicks fan, so if you want to ignore this bet or fade it, no worries. All I can do is show my math, so to speak, and explain why I'm wagering on New York for Game 4.
However, free-throw attempt rate is the only one of the "four factors" in which San Antonio is leading in the NBA Finals. The Spurs have 23 more free throws in this series, which is misleading because they have intentionally sent Knicks backup C Mitchell Robinson to the foul line eight times.
Eventually, the free-throw discrepancy should even out, and the most likely time that happens is at Madison Square Garden Wednesday or if the series goes to a Game 6. Otherwise, New York is leading San Antonio in shooting, rebounding and ball security in the finals.
Meanwhile, NYK had a seven-point lead at halftime of Game 3 and only lost by four points despite looking like they had never played basketball before in the first quarter, Brunson playing terribly, Karl-Anthony Towns having little impact, Mikal Bridges no-showing and sketchy officiating.
While it was fun for Knicks fans to talk about a sweep, I said in my 2026 NBA Finals betting preview that New York would win the title in six games. With that in mind, I got NYK winning their last two games at the Garden, starting with Game 4.
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Follow me on X @Geoffery-Clark, and check out my "OutKick Bets Podcast" for more betting content and random rants.
How do teams advance in the 2026 World Cup? Tiebreaker rules and Round of 32 format explained
The 2026 World Cup is finally upon us, and while it marks the 23rd edition of the global tournament that takes place every four years, this edition of the event is unlike any of its predecessors.
For starters, the 2026 World Cup marks the first time that the event has been co-hosted by three separate countries, with the United States, Canada and Mexico sharing honors. The widely spread-out host sites across North America aren't the only unique factors, however.
The 2026 World Cup will also feature an expanded field of teams, going from the traditional 32-team field to 48. With the addition of 16 teams also comes modified Group Stage play, ways to advance and tiebreaker scenarios that will be worth closely monitoring throughout the tournament.
The top two teams from each of the 12 four-team groups will advance to the knockout stage. During the round-robin Group Stage, teams are awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a loss. This is the same format we've seen in previous World Cups, albeit with 24 teams automatically advancing from the Group Stage rather than 16.
The main difference is that there will be an additional round of knockout matches, as the eight best third-place teams from the group stage will also advance. This turns the traditional Round of 16 into the Round of 32 as the first set of matches of the knockout round.
WORLD CUP PLAYERS WHO COVER THEIR MOUTHS DURING CONFRONTATIONS COULD GET RED CARDS
With the group stage consisting of round-robin play, with each of the four teams playing the other three teams in their group once, ties in the standings will very likely occur.
If two or more teams in a group finish with an equal number of points, the following tiebreaker rules (in order) will determine which country advances:
As for how eight of the eventual 12 third-place finishing teams across the group stage advance into the single-table Round of 32, another set of tiebreaker rules will likely need to be implemented:
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The matchups for the Round of 32 will depend on which groups the eight third-place teams emerge from. From this stage forward, the tournament will feature only single-elimination matches.
The Round of 32 will begin immediately after the completion of the group stage play.
In order for a team to advance to the World Cup Final, it will have to play:
The 2026 World Cup Final will be held on July 19 at MetLife Stadium, home of the NFL's New York Giants and New York Jets, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. ET.
Purple Heart recipient mocked by Platner says PTSD does not excuse 'abhorrent behavior'
A Purple Heart recipient wounded in Afghanistan is speaking out after Reddit comments linked to Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner resurfaced, saying PTSD does not excuse mocking a wounded American service member.
Speaking on "The Ingraham Angle," Pfc. Ted Daniels, who received a Purple Heart after surviving a Taliban attack, pushed back against efforts to explain Platner's comments by citing PTSD.
"Right now it appears that Graham Platner is the poster child for people who suffer with PTSD, and it's an embarrassment to veterans, to first responders, to sexual assault victims, to everybody who deals with it," Daniels said Tuesday.
The controversy began after a Reddit comment linked to Platner resurfaced. The comment referred to a helmet-cam video of Daniels fighting Taliban operatives in 2012 before he was shot four times.
The Reddit account "P-Hustle," linked to Platner, posted, "Dumb motherf-----didn't deserve to live. At least his stupidity and fat a-- wheezing are available for all future infantrymen to witness and hold in contempt. Poor marksmanship on the Taliban's part is the only reason this mouthbreather made it home, he managed to make every possible s--- decision possible when it comes to small unit combat."
The post was deleted but remains available in the Maine Monitor's archive of Reddit posts attributed to Platner, a former U.S. Marine who served three combat tours in Iraq and a fourth in Afghanistan with the Maryland Army National Guard.
But Daniels said Platner's past does not excuse the comments.
"I can empathize with the fact that I'm sure he has PTSD. What I cannot do is excuse that for his poor decisions in life and abhorrent behavior," Daniels said.
Daniels added that since the comments surfaced, he has not heard from Platner or received an apology from his team. Daniels, however, said he believes there are other people Platner needs to apologize to first.
"I don't need an apology. Who deserves the apology is every Gold Star family out there who lost a loved one in combat because people like Graham Platner are online cheering for their death," Daniels said.
Platner addressed criticism of his past online posts in a video posted to X in October 2025, saying, "As I read through them, I read things that I absolutely do not agree with. I read through and I see things, words and statements that I abhor."
"I had PTSD. I had depression. I had all of the things that come with serving in a war, in two wars, that I eventually began to not believe in at all. It left me feeling very unmoored. It left me feeling very disillusioned, very alienated and very isolated. And I think like a lot of people, I went on the internet to post stupid things and get in fights and find some form of community in some way, some outlet for my feelings, for my rage, for my isolation," he later added.
Platner recently won Maine's Democratic Senate primary and will face GOP Sen. Susan Collins in November.
He has also faced criticism over allegations involving sexting with multiple women during his marriage and a tattoo that resembles a Nazi symbol.
Platner said he got the tattoo during a "night of drinking" while on leave in Croatia and was unaware of its meaning at the time.
Fox News Digital reached out to Platner's campaign for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
Fox News Digital’s Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.