Sports News Today: World Cup Ratings Explode, Collier Nears Her Return and a Full Night of Baseball Awaits
By Refocused Newsroom
July 22, 2026
The World Cup may be over, but its impact continues to shake the American sports landscape.
Nearly 63 million viewers in the United States watched Spain defeat Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final, delivering a record-setting audience for soccer. Meanwhile, one of the WNBA’s biggest stars could return to action today, Major League Baseball’s trade market is beginning to simmer, and fans have a crowded Wednesday schedule featuring MLB, WNBA and MLS competition.
Here is what is making news and what to watch later today. All game times below are listed in Central Time.
World Cup Final Draws Nearly 63 Million U.S. Viewers
Spain’s 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina attracted nearly 63 million viewers across Fox, Telemundo and Peacock, making it the most-watched World Cup final in U.S. television history.
Fox’s English-language broadcast averaged 38.9 million viewers, while the Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo and Peacock added approximately 23.9 million. The combined audience was nearly three times larger than the 22.3 million Americans who watched the 2022 final in Qatar.
The final remained scoreless until Spain broke through in the 106th minute at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The enormous audience offers more evidence that soccer has moved beyond its former niche status in the United States. England’s Round of 16 meeting with Mexico attracted nearly 45 million viewers, outperforming recent deciding games in both the World Series and NBA Finals.
With the World Cup staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada, favorable kickoff times, high-profile stars and packed stadiums helped turn the tournament into a major American television event.
Napheesa Collier Could Make Her 2026 WNBA Debut
Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier is listed as probable for today’s game against the Seattle Storm, putting her in position to make her first appearance of the 2026 season.
Collier has not played since suffering ligament damage in her left ankle during Minnesota’s September 2025 playoff loss to Phoenix. She later underwent surgery on both ankles.
Minnesota has remained the WNBA’s strongest team without her, entering today at 21-6. Rookie guard Olivia Miles has helped carry the Lynx by averaging 19.6 points, six assists and 4.8 rebounds per game, while Kayla McBride is averaging 18.1 points.
A healthy Collier returning to the league’s top team could significantly change the championship picture. Today is also the final day of regular-season games before the WNBA pauses for its All-Star break.
MLB Trade Deadline Pressure Begins to Build
The August 3 MLB trade deadline is approaching, and teams must soon decide whether they are contenders, sellers or somewhere inside baseball’s foggy middle ground.
The New York Mets remain one of the most closely watched clubs after entering the second half at the bottom of their division. However, rookie Zac Thornton gave New York a lift Tuesday, throwing six scoreless innings to earn his first major-league victory in a 4-0 win over Milwaukee.
The Mets have now won three of their first five games following the All-Star break, creating at least a small window for management to reconsider how aggressively it should sell before the deadline.
Houston also continued its strong play Tuesday, defeating Miami 5-3 behind six effective innings from Tatsuya Imai. The loss was Miami’s eighth consecutive defeat.
Names linked to the developing trade market include starting pitchers, relievers and impact position players who could alter postseason races during the final two months of the season. Expect the rumor mill to turn into a blender over the next two weeks.
Cleveland’s Future WNBA Team Lands Historic Sponsorship
Progressive Insurance has purchased both available jersey sponsorship placements for Cleveland’s incoming WNBA franchise.
It marks the first time one company has secured both the upper-left and front-center sponsorship positions on a WNBA uniform. Cleveland’s expansion team is scheduled to begin playing in May 2028.
More than 9,000 season-ticket deposits have already been collected, despite the team still being almost two years away from its debut. The franchise’s name is expected to be revealed in the coming months.
The agreement is another sign of the accelerating business value surrounding women’s professional sports.
Games to Watch Today
MLB: Detroit Tigers at Chicago Cubs
Time: 7:10 p.m. CT
Television: ESPN
The Cubs look to build upon Tuesday’s dominant 11-2 victory over Detroit. Chicago entered today with a 57-44 record and remains firmly involved in the National League postseason race.
This is the night’s featured national baseball broadcast.
MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies
Time: 5:40 p.m. CT
Two heavyweight National League organizations meet in Philadelphia in one of the strongest matchups on Wednesday’s schedule.
Los Angeles won Tuesday’s game 2-1, setting up another potentially tight contest between clubs carrying serious postseason expectations.
MLB: Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers
Time: 7:05 p.m. CT
The Rangers enter the finale with momentum after shutting out Chicago 10-0 on Tuesday.
For Texas, every series matters as the club attempts to strengthen its position before deciding whether additional reinforcements are needed at the trade deadline.
MLB: Miami Marlins at Houston Astros
Time: 7:10 p.m. CT
Houston will try to complete another victory over a Miami team that has lost eight consecutive games.
The Astros won Tuesday’s contest 5-3 and have another opportunity to capitalize against an opponent struggling to generate momentum.
WNBA: Minnesota Lynx at Seattle Storm
Time: 2 p.m. CT
This matchup carries added significance because Collier may make her season debut.
Minnesota owns the league’s best record, while Seattle enters at 6-22 and faces a steep challenge against a Lynx roster that could finally be approaching full strength.
WNBA: Connecticut Sun at Indiana Fever
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Television: USA Network
Indiana hosts Connecticut in one of the two nationally televised WNBA games tonight. The matchup gives the Fever an opportunity to improve their position before the All-Star break.
WNBA: Dallas Wings at Portland Fire
Time: 9 p.m. CT
Television: USA Network and CNBC
The Wings visit the expansion Portland Fire in tonight’s late national broadcast.
Additional WNBA Games
The broader Wednesday schedule also includes:
- Phoenix Mercury at Los Angeles Sparks, 2 p.m. CT
- Chicago Sky at New York Liberty, 6 p.m. CT
- Las Vegas Aces at Washington Mystics, 6:30 p.m. CT
MLS: Atlanta United at Charlotte FC
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Television: FS1
MLS returns to the national television schedule following the World Cup break, with Atlanta traveling to Charlotte for a regional rivalry matchup.
MLS: Real Salt Lake at Los Angeles FC
Time: 9:30 p.m. CT
Television: FS1
LAFC hosts Real Salt Lake in the late MLS window. With the World Cup’s record audience still fresh, MLS now has an opportunity to capture some of the viewers energized by the international tournament.
Also on Today
Stage 17 of the Tour de France began Wednesday morning, continuing one of cycling’s most demanding races.
Fans can also follow early-round tennis from Kitzbühel, Estoril, Hamburg and Prague, regional Little League Softball tournaments and first-round action from The Basketball Tournament.
The Bigger Picture
Today’s sports landscape tells two connected stories.
First, soccer’s American breakthrough during the World Cup was not imaginary hype. Nearly 63 million viewers for the final represents a genuine cultural shift and creates an enormous opportunity for MLS, U.S. Soccer and future broadcasters.
Second, the summer sports calendar is moving into its pressure season. The WNBA is nearing its All-Star break, MLB teams are approaching the trade deadline, and clubs must decide whether they are building for October or beginning to dismantle their rosters.
The World Cup has handed the baton back to America’s domestic leagues. Now comes the fight to keep the audience watching.
Sources and Full Links
Reuters: World Cup final draws record U.S. television audience
https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/world-cup-final-draws-record-us-audience-signals-soccers-mainstream-moment-2026-07-22/
Reuters: Napheesa Collier listed as probable for season debut
https://www.reuters.com/sports/lynx-star-napheesa-collier-probable-make-26-debut-vs-storm--flm-2026-07-22/
Reuters: Zac Thornton leads Mets past Brewers
https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/zac-thornton-deals-six-stellar-innings-mets-blank-brewers--flm-2026-07-22/
Reuters: Astros extend Miami’s losing streak
https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/tatsuya-imai-astros-extend-marlins-losing-streak-8--flm-2026-07-22/
Associated Press: Progressive sponsors Cleveland’s future WNBA team
https://apnews.com/article/0d8699e8c22d8fdac4d1321c61d46eeb
Associated Press: Sports television schedule for July 22
https://apnews.com/article/tennis-4ab2598a11ca5da5022acc5a4b9a280d
Major League Baseball: Official July 22 schedule
https://www.mlb.com/schedule
WNBA: Official schedule
https://www.wnba.com/schedule
Major League Soccer: Official schedule and scores
https://www.mlssoccer.com/schedule/scores
Reuters Sports: Latest sports coverage
https://www.reuters.com/sports/