
25 2026 World Cup Players With U.S. College Experience
An overview of the 25 athletes who will represent six nations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting their college achievements and professional pathways.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning UC Santa Barbara across Baseball, Basketball, Soccer.

An overview of the 25 athletes who will represent six nations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting their college achievements and professional pathways.

The upcoming 2026 MLB Draft in Philadelphia will see notable changes in the early rankings, with Vahn Lackey emerging as a strong alternative to the once‑clear No. 1 pick Roch Cholowsky, while the Pittsburgh Pirates eye Jackson Flora with the fifth selection.

The 2026 season will be remembered for Cal Poly's breakout performance, highlighted by All‑American selections for Ryan Tayman and Nick Bonn, record‑setting statistics, and a conference sweep that propelled the Mustangs into the national spotlight.

Baseball America’s annual survey of the sport’s most promising bench bosses has turned its spotlight on thirty coaches who are positioned to take the next step in their careers.

At 22, right‑hander Tyler Bremner boasts a 1.37 ERA and a 39% strikeout rate in High‑A, but experts urge the Los Angeles Angels to let him hone his fastball and breaking pitches before a 2027 big‑league arrival.

Texas Longhorns basketball enters its second year under Sean Miller with a revamped squad that blends veteran returners and high‑profile newcomers, positioning the team as a preseason Top‑10 contender.

Austria’s national team holds an open training session at UC Santa Barbara ahead of the 2026 World Cup, showcasing key players and outlining their Group J prospects

The Austrian soccer squad practiced at UC Santa Barbara’s Harder Stadium, attracting local fans, youth teams, and community leaders, highlighting the city’s role as a World Cup training hub.

The upcoming NCAA Austin Super Regional will feature a clash between the No. 11 Oregon Ducks and the No. 2 Texas Longhorns, highlighting historic performances and emerging storylines.

The Austrian squad held a public training session in Santa Barbara, offering autographs, merchandise and a clinic for local youth, while previewing their Group J matchup against Jordan.

A new robotic system from Turf Tank is speeding up soccer field maintenance at UC Santa Barbara, allowing the campus to host the Austrian national team’s World Cup training while reducing labor and material waste.

After a celebrated tenure at Chino Hills, Steve Baik is back in the Southland, taking the helm of the Calabasas High boys basketball team. His decision is rooted in family and a deep connection to the local basketball culture.

Sam Cozart, a 6‑foot‑6 right‑hander for the Texas Longhorns, becomes the first freshman ever to be a finalist for the Stopper of the Year Award, highlighting a breakout season marked by elite statistics and conference dominance.

After a storied career that includes a perfect 35‑0 season and a CIF State Open Division title, Steve Baik succeeds Jon Palarz as the new boys basketball coach at Calabasas High.

After a series of stunning upsets, Cal Poly advances to the Morgantown Super Regional, where they will meet West Virginia in a best‑of‑three showdown.

The Pittsburgh Pirates hold the fifth pick in the 2026 MLB Draft and the biggest signing bonus pool, positioning them to select from a strong class of prospects that could redefine the franchise.

The Ducks will face Texas in the Austin Super Regional, seeking their first CWS appearance since 1954, while the Longhorns bring a six‑title legacy and a shaky bullpen.

The Mountaineers are one win away from hosting a super regional for the first time, driven by a resilient comeback over Kentucky and a determined coach.

The Texas Longhorns clinched the NCAA Regional title on Saturday, edging out UC Santa Barbara 6-4 in a tightly contested game that showcased the team’s depth and poise. Aiden Robbins emerged as the tournament’s most outstanding player, delivering a decisive two‑run homer in the seventh inning that swung momentum in Texas’s favor. Coach Jim Schlossnagle’s tactical adjustments on the mound, including a timely switch to a reliever who limited the Gauchos’ rally, proved pivotal in sealing the victory. The win propels the Longhorns into a super regional matchup against Oregon, a program that has repeatedly tested Texas in recent years, with seven of the last nine Texas super regional teams advancing to the final eight. UC Santa Barbara’s head coach Andrew Checketts praised the Longhorns’ talent and infrastructure, likening the team’s setup to that of the New York Yankees, a testament to the program’s national reputation. Texas enters the next round with a team batting average of .376 and a slugging percentage of .761, numbers that underscore the offensive firepower that will be tested against the Ducks. Looking Ahead to the Super Regional, the upcoming series will feature a blend of veteran arms and fresh talent, with pitchers Luke Harrison, Sam Cozart, Rowan Kelly, Ruger Riojas, Carson Tinney and Temo Becerra all expected to see action. Their performances will be crucial as the Longhorns aim to extend their storied postseason run.

After a gritty 6-4 win that tested their mettle, the Longhorns, led by Most Outstanding Player Aiden Robbins and veteran coach Jim Schlossnagle, prepare for a super regional against an Oregon squad that has swept its own regional.

The Gauchos' season ended in Austin as Texas rallied late to win 6-4, with Montgomery's early dominance giving way to a decisive Longhorn surge.

The Longhorns rallied in the final innings, scoring all six runs to defeat the Gauchos and secure a spot in the next round of the NCAA tournament.

The Texas Longhorns defeated UC Santa Barbara 6-4 in the Austin Regional Final, advancing to the Super Regional for the first time since 2023. Aiden Robbins' timely home run and a strong pitching performance set the stage for a potential showdown in Eugene.

UC Santa Barbara's women's basketball program is adding eight new players, retaining star forward Zoe Borter, and focusing on development to contend for a Big West title.