⚽ Weather the storm | Sports Daily Newsletter

Despite a lengthy weather delay during Philadelphia’s World Cup match between France and Iraq on Monday, that didn’t stop folks from soaking in the festivities — even if it meant riding out the storm for about two hours.

And once the game resumed, the performance on the pitch didn’t disappoint. France dominated Iraq, 3-0, with French star Kylian Mbappé tallying two goals.

French supporters filled the area. Even though the rain washed out the FIFA Fan Festival, fans of Les Bleus spread out to different corners of the city to watch their side. Before the storm, Gov. Josh Shapiro checked out the sights and sounds at Lemon Hill Park.

The city has certainly become soccer-infused this summer.

Center City bars were packed Monday afternoon hours before the game, banners hung from City Hall, and the Broad Street Line carried fans to Philadelphia Stadium (aka Lincoln Financial Field). But 50 years ago, soccer was still finding its footing in Philadelphia. Now, the city’s World Cup love affair shows how far we’ve come.

— Isabella DiAmore, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

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❓With the group stage wrapping up, what are your thoughts on the World Cup — and any early predictions? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

Tonight is the first round of the NBA draft, and this year’s class is packed with top-level talent — AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cam Boozer are all worthy of the No. 1 pick — as well as depth throughout the first round.

The Sixers will start the Mike Gansey era with the 22nd pick, and the new president of basketball operations plans to make their selection based on a combination of best player available and fit.

Also, Pennsauken’s Yaxel Lendeborg will likely be a first-round selection. The Michigan star had one of the most improbable rises to the draft. If it wasn’t for his mom, Yissel, Lendeborg would have never played Division I basketball, much less become a potential lottery pick.

👀 Watching: The 14-year-old Phillies fan who grabbed a Mets home run ball on Sunday and went viral for making a crafty swap.

🏒 Learning: The Flyers announced their 2026-27 preseason schedule. Let’s look at who they will play in the four-game slate.

🍻 Cheering: Jason Kelce’s sixth annual celebrity bartending fundraiser is returning to Ocean Drive in Sea Isle City this week.

📖 Reading: Alexander Command feels a connection with the Flyers. But will he be there at No. 21 on draft day?

⚽ Following: The next big question for the USMNT: Managing yellow cards in the World Cup group stage finale.

The Eagles have won two straight NFC East titles and five in the last 10 years. They have dominated the division in recent memory, and there’s no reason to think 2026 will be any different, right?

But things feel a little different. The Eagles had a transformative offseason, with the biggest change being that they no longer have their No. 1 weapon in wide receiver A.J. Brown.

All the while, almost all of their NFC East foes took steps forward, at least on paper.

For years, Don and Preston Mattingly were “in the same industry, but you’re light years apart.”

So, they need not be reminded, especially on Father’s Day weekend, of the uniqueness as the first father-son manager-GM combination in baseball history.

Last week, Preston Mattingly joined Phillies Extra, The Inquirer’s baseball podcast, to discuss what it’s like to work with his dad, Andrew Painter’s demotion, the state of the Phillies’ farm system, and preparing for the trade deadline.

Ahead of Monday’s game against the Nationals, the Phillies called up Alan Rangel from triple-A Lehigh Valley, as a way to address their fifth spot in the rotation for the time being.

Save for Brandon Marsh’s solo home run, the Phillies’ offense struggled in a rain-delayed 4-1 loss to the Nationals in Monday’s series opener in Washington.

Villanova’s offseason had a clear objective: “We wanted to make sure that we just didn’t get manhandled the way we got manhandled last year against the top teams,” said Kevin Willard.

Now with the roster set, the second-year coach believes he’s done just that, and with the signing of 7-foot-3 center Luigi Suigo, it has done more than raise the program’s expectations in the 2026-27 season.

Which of these sporting events recorded the largest attendance at Lincoln Financial Field?

A) Temple vs. Notre Dame on Oct. 31, 2015

B) Flyers vs. Penguins on Feb. 23, 2019, in the NHL Stadium Series

C) Mexico vs. Jamaica on July 26, 2015, in the CONCACAF Gold Cup final

D) Brazil vs. Haiti on June 19, 2026, in the group stage of the World Cup

We asked: Where does Bryce Harper rank in your eyes among all-time Phillies players? Among your responses:

Harper is probably still behind Schmidt, Carlton and Robin Roberts for me. Harper needs more consistency when counts, i.e. the playoffs. — Tom G.

Behind Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton and Rich Ashburn. — Jim G.

I think Bryce ranks among the best Phillies of my time. Too bad he had to spend 7 years with Washington before joining the Phillies for the last 8 years. He came as a right fielder but then after suffering the arm injury he almost flawlessly moved to 1st base. He does not match up with Mike Schmidt stat wise nor have the power of Dick Allen or Ryan Howard but definitely one of our best ever. I have of course never been in the clubhouse with our guys, but I have a feeling that he is the Phillies leader who has that unique gift of leadership. Who can ever forget his “Lets give them something to remember” to Kevin Long and then went up and smashed a home run to beat the Padres that sent the Phils to the World Series. — Everett S.

In my mind, Bryce Harper is close to the top of the all time Phillies players. He has a .279 lifetime batting average, will eventually hit over 500 home runs (most likely), and is a two time MVP, hall of fame credentials. He is currently the face of the franchise and will be for a few years to come. His #3 will no doubt be added to the Phillies wall of fame in the future. — Tom E.

We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Ryan Novozinsky, Kerith Gabriel, Matt Breen, Gina Mizell, Jeff Neiburg, Ariel Simpson, Jackie Spiegel, Gabriela Carroll, Lochlahn March, Scott Lauber, Owen Hewitt, and Jonathan Tannenwald.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

Thanks for reading! Have yourself a wonderful Tuesday. Kerith will be back in your inbox tomorrow. — Bella