Irans's players pose for a team photo before an Asian group A qualifying soccer match against North Korea for the 2026 World Cup, June 10, 2025, at Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, file)

WADA to weigh

barring Trump

The World Anti-Doping Agency is considering rewriting its rules to try barring President Donald Trump and all U.S. government officials from attending the LA Olympics in 2028. It’s a move that could also have implications for the World Cup being hosted by the U.S. this summer.

The proposal is on the agenda for next Tuesday’s meeting of the global drug-fighting watchdog’s executive committee. It marks the latest maneuver to come out of a yearslong refusal of the U.S. government to pay its annual dues to WADA. The refusal is part of the American government’s unanimous, bipartisan protest of the agency’s handling of a case involving Chinese swimmers and other issues.

Iran team

pushes back

GENEVA (AP) — Pushing back on U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments, Iran’s national soccer team says “no one can exclude” it from playing in the men’s World Cup in the United States.

Instead, a post on the team’s official Instagram account Thursday suggested maybe the U.S. team should be excluded after Trump indicated that the host country couldn’t guarantee the safety of the Iranian players. Trump wrote in a social media post Thursday it was not safe or appropriate for Iran to come to the World Cup.

The Iran team’s riposte on Instagram confirmed it still wants to play in the tournament. Iran is set to play all three of its World Cup group games in the U.S., which is co-hosting the tournament with Mexico and Canada.

WNBA talks

run long

NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA and its players’ union were back negotiating for a new collective bargaining agreement for the fourth straight day, hours after a 16-hour marathon session ended. The two sides have spent nearly 40 hours discussing a new CBA since first getting together in-person Tuesday.

Thursday’s long session spent more time focused on other items besides revenue sharing — the biggest sticking point between the two sides — according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the discussions.

Gudas faces

suspension

NEW YORK (AP) — Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas faces a suspension of up to five games for his knee-on-knee hit that injured Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. Gudas was having a hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety on Friday.

Because the hearing is a conference call and not on Zoom, the league cannot suspend Gudas for more than five games. The 35-year-old was given a 5-minute major penalty and ejected from the game Thursday night. Matthews needed help getting off the ice and did not return.

Paralympians

ski in shorts

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — At this month’s Milan Cortina Paralympics, some athletes competed in shorts, T-shirts and even tank tops. One skier lamented conditions as “tropical,” while a snowboarder complained about soft, slow snow he thought put him at a disadvantage. And some worried about something more important: their safety.

They are now asking the same question as the International Olympic Committee: Should these Games be moved to earlier in the year when cold temperatures are more reliable? The International Paralympic Committee says moving the dates sounds easier than it could be, but it may be necessary to ensure the best conditions.