
World Cup 2026: Early Upsets, Comebacks and a $5 Billion Betting Boom
Live updates from the 2026 FIFA World Cup highlight early shocks, star comebacks, and a record‑breaking betting surge.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Santa Ana, California, United States across Soccer, Basketball, Football.

Live updates from the 2026 FIFA World Cup highlight early shocks, star comebacks, and a record‑breaking betting surge.

After Mexico's narrow win over South Korea, Mexican American neighborhoods across Southern California erupted in celebration, especially in Santa Ana, where a year of immigration raids gave way to a night of music, dance, and defiant pride.

The 2026 preseason rankings spotlight IMG Academy at the summit, with St. Frances Academy and Buford close behind. Notable players and early schedule challenges hint at a fiercely competitive season.
Kansas’ latest transfer additions, including Leroy Blyden Jr. and Keanu Dawes, were left unranked by ESPN, while the incoming freshman class earned a top‑three national ranking.

The U.S. national soccer team has selected Irvine’s Championship Soccer Stadium as its World Cup training base, displacing the local club while sparking hopes of naming‑rights revenue.

North Carolina’s latest scholarship offer to DeMarcus Henry adds a coveted five-star prospect to its roster, highlighting a family rooted in football and a competitive landscape of elite program interest.

DeMarcus Henry, a 6‑foot‑7 forward at Compass Prep in Santa Ana, California, has accepted a basketball scholarship from the University of North Carolina, with coach Michael Malone extending the invitation. His father, Chris Henry, a former NFL player, adds a unique family narrative to the recruit's profile.