Here are the top sports stories and upcoming coverage plans for Reuters text service as of 2:30 p.m. ET/ 6:30 p.m. GMT. For a full schedule of news and events, go to our editorial calendar on Reuters Connect.
TOP STORIES
IRAN-CRISIS/SOCCER-TURKEY-INFANTINO $(TV)$
Soccer-Infantino promises FIFA backing for Iran to play at World Cup
March 31 (Reuters) - FIFA president Gianni Infantino threw his support behind Iran's World Cup preparations on Tuesday, attending their 5-0 friendly win over Costa Rica in Turkey even as their tournament participation is in limbo due to Middle East tensions.
SOCCER-ENGLAND-TOT/DEZERBI
Soccer-Relegation-battling Spurs appoint De Zerbi as manager
LONDON, March 31 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur have appointed Roberto De Zerbi as their manager on a long-term contract, the Premier League club said on Tuesday, and the Italian coach has seven games to steer the North London side to safety.
SOCCER-FRIENDLY-AUS-CUW/IRANKUNDA
Soccer-Socceroos thriller Irankunda gloves up for Jackson celebration
MELBOURNE, March 31 (Reuters) - Australia winger Nestory Irankunda stole the show with a dazzling double and a Michael Jackson-inspired celebration as the Socceroos warmed up for the World Cup with a 5–1 rout of tournament debutants Curacao on Tuesday.
UPCOMING SPORTS
SOCCER
SOCCER-WORLDCUP-CZE-DNK/ (PIX)
FIFA World Cup - European Qualifiers - Czech Republic v Denmark
Czech Republic face Denmark in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with the winners securing their place at this year's tournament.
31 Mar 14:45 ET / 18:45 GMT
SOCCER-FRIENDLY-ENG-JPN/ (PIX)
International Friendly - England v Japan
England play Japan in an international friendly at Wembley Stadium
31 Mar 14:45 ET / 18:45 GMT
SOCCER-WORLDCUP-SWE-POL/ (PIX)
FIFA World Cup - European Qualifiers - Sweden v Poland
Sweden play Poland in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with the winners securing their place at this year's tournament.
31 Mar 14:45 ET / 18:45 GMT
SOCCER-FRIENDLY-NLD-ECU/ (PIX)
International Friendly - Netherlands v Ecuador
The Netherlands play Ecuador in a friendly match to tune up for the forthcoming World Cup .
31 Mar 14:45 ET / 18:45 GMT
SOCCER-WORLDCUP-BIH-ITA/ (PIX)
FIFA World Cup - European Qualifiers - Bosnia and Herzegovina v Italy
Bosnia and Herzegovina face Italy in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with the winners securing their place at this year's tournament.
31 Mar 14:45 ET / 18:45 GMT
SOCCER-WORLDCUP-KVX-TUR/ (PIX)
FIFA World Cup - European Qualifiers - Kosovo v Turkey
Kosovo play Turkey in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers with the winners securing their place at this year's tournament.
31 Mar 14:45 ET / 18:45 GMT
SOCCER-FRIENDLY-ESP-EGY/ (PIX)
International Friendly - Spain v Egypt
Spain play Egypt in a friendly match to tune up for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.
31 Mar 15:00 ET / 19:00 GMT
SOCCER-WORLDCUP-AFRICA/ROUNDUP
African friendly internationals wrap-up
A wrapup of friendly international matches involving the African countries who are heading to the World Cup later in the year
31 Mar 16:00 ET / 20:00 GMT
SOCCER-WORLDCUP-COD-JAM/ (PIX) (TV)
FIFA World Cup - Inter-Confederation Playoffs - DR Congo v Jamaica
DR Congo play Jamaica in the World Cup Inter-Confederation Playoffs at Estadio Akron, Guadalajara. The winner will qualify for the World Cup.
31 Mar 17:00 ET / 21:00 GMT
SOCCER-FRIENDLY-USA-POR/
International friendly - United States v Portugal
The United States host Portugal for an international friendly in Atlanta as both sides fine-tune for the 2026 World Cup.
31 Mar 19:00 ET / 23:00 GMT
SOCCER-FRIENDLY-BRA-CRO/
International Friendly - Brazil v Croatia
Brazil play Croatia in a friendly match to tune up for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.
31 Mar 20:00 ET / 00:00 GMT
SOCCER-FRIENDLY-MEX-BEL/
International friendly - Mexico v Belgium
Mexico face Belgium in an international friendly in Chicago as both sides fine-tune for the 2026 World Cup.
31 Mar 22:00 ET / 02:00 GMT
SOCCER-WORLDCUP-IRQ-BOL/ (PIX) (TV)
FIFA World Cup - Inter-Confederation Playoffs - Iraq v Bolivia
Iraq play Bolivia in the World Cup inter-confederation playoffs at Estadio BBVA, Monterrey with the winner qualifying for the finals in Canada, Mexico and the U.S in June
31 Mar 23:00 ET / 03:00 GMT
BASEBALL
BASEBALL-MLB-BAL-TEX/ (PIX)
MLB - Baltimore Orioles v Texas Rangers
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
31 Mar 18:35 ET / 22:35 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-PHI-WAS/ (PIX)
MLB - Philadelphia Phillies v Washington Nationals
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
31 Mar 18:40 ET / 22:40 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-CIN-PIT/ (PIX)
MLB - Cincinnati Reds v Pittsburgh Pirates
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
31 Mar 18:40 ET / 22:40 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-MIA-CHW/ (PIX)
MLB - Miami Marlins v Chicago White Sox
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - loanDepot park, Miami, Florida
31 Mar 18:40 ET / 22:40 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-TOR-COL/ (PIX)
MLB - Toronto Blue Jays v Colorado Rockies
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
31 Mar 19:07 ET / 23:07 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-ATL-OAK/ (PIX)
MLB - Atlanta Braves v Athletics
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia
31 Mar 19:15 ET / 23:15 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-CHC-LAA/ (PIX)
MLB - Chicago Cubs v Los Angeles Angels
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
31 Mar 19:40 ET / 23:40 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-MIL-TB/ (PIX)
MLB - Milwaukee Brewers v Tampa Bay Rays
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - American Family Field, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
31 Mar 19:40 ET / 23:40 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-STL-NYM/ (PIX)
MLB - St. Louis Cardinals v New York Mets
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
31 Mar 19:45 ET / 23:45 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-HOU-BOS/ (PIX)
MLB - Houston Astros v Boston Red Sox
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - Daikin Park, Houston, Texas
1 Apr 20:10 ET / 00:10 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-SD-SF/ (PIX)
MLB - San Diego Padres v San Francisco Giants
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - Petco Park, San Diego, California
1 Apr 21:40 ET / 01:40 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-ARI-DET/ (PIX)
MLB - Arizona Diamondbacks v Detroit Tigers
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
1 Apr 21:40 ET / 01:40 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-SEA-NYY/ (PIX) (TV)
MLB - Seattle Mariners v New York Yankees
The Seattle Mariners play the New York Yankees in the MLB at T-Mobile Park.
31 Mar 21:40 ET / 01:40 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-LAD-CLE/ (PIX)
MLB - Los Angeles Dodgers v Cleveland Guardians
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California
1 Apr 22:10 ET / 02:10 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-ATL-OAK/ (PIX)
MLB - Atlanta Braves v Athletics
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia
1 Apr 12:15 ET / 16:15 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-BAL-TEX/ (PIX)
MLB - Baltimore Orioles v Texas Rangers
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland
1 Apr 12:35 ET / 16:35 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-CIN-PIT/ (PIX)
MLB - Cincinnati Reds v Pittsburgh Pirates
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
1 Apr 12:40 ET / 16:40 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-PHI-WAS/ (PIX)
MLB - Philadelphia Phillies v Washington Nationals
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1 Apr 13:05 ET / 17:05 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-TOR-COL/ (PIX)
MLB - Toronto Blue Jays v Colorado Rockies
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario
1 Apr 13:07 ET / 17:07 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-MIA-CHW/ (PIX)
MLB - Miami Marlins v Chicago White Sox
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - loanDepot park, Miami, Florida
1 Apr 13:10 ET / 17:10 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-STL-NYM/ (PIX)
MLB - St. Louis Cardinals v New York Mets
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri
1 Apr 13:15 ET / 17:15 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-MIL-TB/ (PIX)
MLB - Milwaukee Brewers v Tampa Bay Rays
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - American Family Field, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1 Apr 13:40 ET / 17:40 GMT
BASEBALL-MLB-HOU-BOS/ (PIX)
MLB - Houston Astros v Boston Red Sox
2026 MLB Season (Regular Season) - Daikin Park, Houston, Texas
1 Apr 14:10 ET / 18:10 GMT
BASKETBALL
BASKETBALL-NBA-ORL-PHX/ (PIX)
NBA - Orlando Magic v Phoenix Suns
2025-26 NBA Season (Regular Season) - Kia Center, Orlando, Florida
31 Mar 19:00 ET / 23:00 GMT
BASKETBALL-NBA-BKN-CHA/ (PIX)
NBA - Brooklyn Nets v Charlotte Hornets
2025-26 NBA Season (Regular Season) - Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
31 Mar 19:30 ET / 23:30 GMT
BASKETBALL-NBA-MIL-DAL/ (PIX)
NBA - Milwaukee Bucks v Dallas Mavericks
2025-26 NBA Season (Regular Season) - Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1 Apr 20:00 ET / 00:00 GMT
BASKETBALL-NBA-HOU-NYK/ (PIX)
NBA - Houston Rockets v New York Knicks
2025-26 NBA Season (Regular Season) - Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
1 Apr 20:00 ET / 00:00 GMT
BASKETBALL-NBA-DET-TOR/ (PIX)
NBA - Detroit Pistons v Toronto Raptors
2025-26 NBA Season (Regular Season) - Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
1 Apr 20:00 ET / 00:00 GMT
BASKETBALL-NBA-LAL-CLE/ (PIX)
NBA - Los Angeles Lakers v Cleveland Cavaliers
2025-26 NBA Season (Regular Season) - Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
1 Apr 22:30 ET / 02:30 GMT
BASKETBALL-NBA-LAC-POR/ (PIX)
NBA - Los Angeles Clippers v Portland Trail Blazers
2025-26 NBA Season (Regular Season) - Intuit Dome, Inglewood, California
1 Apr 23:00 ET / 03:00 GMT
ICEHOCKEY
ICEHOCKEY-NHL-BUF-NYI/ (PIX)
NHL - Buffalo Sabres v New York Islanders
2025-26 NHL Season (Regular Season) - KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
31 Mar 19:00 ET / 23:00 GMT
ICEHOCKEY-NHL-BOS-DAL/ (PIX)
NHL - Boston Bruins v Dallas Stars
2025-26 NHL Season (Regular Season) - TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
31 Mar 19:00 ET / 23:00 GMT
ICEHOCKEY-NHL-FLA-OTT/ (PIX)
NHL - Florida Panthers v Ottawa Senators
2025-26 NHL Season (Regular Season) - Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, Florida
31 Mar 19:00 ET / 23:00 GMT
ICEHOCKEY-NHL-TBL-MTL/ (PIX)
NHL - Tampa Bay Lightning v Montreal Canadiens
2025-26 NHL Season (Regular Season) - Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, Florida
31 Mar 19:00 ET / 23:00 GMT
ICEHOCKEY-NHL-WSH-PHI/ (PIX)
NHL - Washington Capitals v Philadelphia Flyers
2025-26 NHL Season (Regular Season) - Capital One Arena, Washington, District of Columbia
31 Mar 19:00 ET / 23:00 GMT
ICEHOCKEY-NHL-NYR-NJD/ (PIX)
NHL - New York Rangers v New Jersey Devils
2025-26 NHL Season (Regular Season) - Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
31 Mar 19:00 ET / 23:00 GMT
ICEHOCKEY-NHL-PIT-DET/ (PIX)
NHL - Pittsburgh Penguins v Detroit Red Wings
2025-26 NHL Season (Regular Season) - PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
31 Mar 19:00 ET / 23:00 GMT
ICEHOCKEY-NHL-CBJ-CAR/ (PIX)
NHL - Columbus Blue Jackets v Carolina Hurricanes
2025-26 NHL Season (Regular Season) - Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
31 Mar 19:30 ET / 23:30 GMT
ICEHOCKEY-NHL-CHI-WPG/ (PIX)
NHL - Chicago Blackhawks v Winnipeg Jets
2025-26 NHL Season (Regular Season) - United Center, Chicago, Illinois
1 Apr 20:30 ET / 00:30 GMT
ICEHOCKEY-NHL-EDM-SEA/ (PIX)
NHL - Edmonton Oilers v Seattle Kraken
2025-26 NHL Season (Regular Season) - Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta
1 Apr 21:00 ET / 01:00 GMT
CURLING
CURLING-WORLD/ (PIX)
World Men's Curling Championship
Action from the World Men's Curling Championship in Ogden, United States.
1 Apr
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