Recent UFC interim lightweight title winner, Justin Gaethje, is confident he knows what championship bout is headlining the prospective event on the lawns of The White House in Washington D.C., tentatively scheduled for June, to coincide with US President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday as well as the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
The American striker earned interim status for dominating his bloody battle with Paddy Pimblett, earlier this year. And, when the regular champ Ilia Topuria posted Thursday on Instagram that he was returning to the Octagon, with the worst of his public divorce seemingly behind him, it only accelerated speculation that a unification fight between him and Gaethje was on the horizon.
And Gaethje has now gone public with the ideal date for Topuria vs Gaethje.
One of the greatest UFC fighters of all time may never be able to fight again.
Justin Gaethje Talks Ilia Topuria Unification Fight
UFC boss Dana White has made no secret about the magnitude expected of The White House event, but has always expressed caution when it came to fights likely landing on the card, as he instead has said matchmaking for that show will only begin in the coming weeks. Until then, it appears everything is speculation.
However, when speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, Gaethje made it clear that there is one fight in particular that deserves the headline spot. There’s “no other option,” he said, except him against Topuria.
“Walking out of the Oval Office, into the cage, wearing the flag. I’ve been speaking [it] into existence since I fought [Rafael] Fiziev last year. I thought it would be Topuria in January, and then I would fight and defend my belt on the White House card in June.
“Things change up [and you] can’t control everything. Ilia takes a step back, has some personal issues. I still get to fight for an interim championship, which makes me a champion on paper, which gives me Ilia Topuria on the White House in June.”
“I think we’re going to main event it.”
He added: “I think we’ll be the main event … I can’t imagine [not headlining it].”
The probability of Topuria vs Gaethje headlining perhaps only increased this week when another superstar fighter, Jon Jones, revealed a “severe” life-changing medical issue that perhaps prevents his own UFC return, possibly scuppering his own ambitions of main eventing in D.C.
Other possibilities include Conor McGregor vs Jorge Masvidal, Kayla Harrison against Valentina Shevchenko, and Bo Nickal against a to-be-determined opponent.
Liverpool are still said to have every chance of landing one of their primary attacking targets this summer. The Reds are expected to spend big again this summer after a huge outlay last summer that ended up bringing little in the way of success.
Arne Slot has paid the price for that, and now Andoni Iraola will get his turn, and he too will be backed in the market. Víctor Muñoz has already been snapped up, and there will be more to come, even at the top of the pitch.
Liverpool need to replace Mo Salah this summer, and they seem to have one particular target they want to get over the line before the end of the window.
Liverpool move to sign Diomande still on track
Action Images
RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande is one of Liverpool’s main targets, and according to a fresh report, the Reds will ‘step up’ their interest in the near future, although there is some negotiating to be done before a deal can be struck.
The Daily Mail’s Lewis Steele told the Anfield Index that Diomande is “really keen” to make the move to Anfield this summer and that Liverpool’s efforts are likely to “step up in the next week or two.” He added: “RB Leipzig are holding out for €130m (£112.1m) but Liverpool want it closer to €100m (86.3m), so they will have to shake hands somewhere in the middle.”
Diomande an ‘extraordinary’ talent
Thomas Mukoya via Reuters
Diomande has dazzled at this World Cup, but his club form already had clubs sniffing around before jetting off to North America. The 19-year-old scored 13 and provided 10 assists for Leipzig last season, which is tremendous production for such a young player.
Diomande’s now former Leipzig boss, Ole Werner, said of the winger at the end of the season: “Yes, for him to do it so consistently. Last summer when we looked at him, watched videos to get an impression of him, we had an idea he was an excellent talent.
“The question then is always how quickly someone can perform like that consistently. And the consistency he’s shown has been extraordinary for his age, and the fact that it’s his first full year in professional football.
“Yan’s a really important player for us, an excellent player who everyone here enjoys working with. And we’d like to continue working with him. It’s also clear there will be interest in a player like him, but that’s not something just down to the coach. If the coach could decide, then of course Yan would be playing here next year.
“It’s good he’s got a contract. I think he feels very comfortable here with us. And given we’ll be playing in the Champions League next season, he can continue to develop. The summer will show how things progress, but we’ll all be happy if he stays here.”
Is there a better way to announce yourself than on football’s biggest stage than by scoring at the World Cup?
Being able to deliver for one’s country at such a young age is an early marker of star power. The ability to shrug off the pressure and take the nation’s destiny by the scruff of the neck is a special quality to behold.
There have been plenty of teenage starlets who have been selected for the World Cup, but the chance to step up and take a central role is an opportunity afforded to very few players. Even if the trust and belief is there, most young players only get to play in one World Cup as a teenager before they enter their peak years.
Such is the rarity of crowning a record young World Cup goalscorer, the top 20 list is composed of modern additions as well as players dating back to the earliest editions of the tournament. Here are the class of young players who managed to immortalise themselves before their football careers had ever really begun.
20-11
Youngest World Cup Goalscorers (20-11)
No.
Name
Country
Age
World Cup
20
Ronald Gonzalez
Costa Rica
19 years and 319 days
Italy 1990
19
Mazzola
Brazil
19 years and 288 days
Sweden 1958
18
Moussa Wague
Senegal
19 years and 263 days
Russia 2018
17
Edmund Conen
Germany
19 years and 198 days
Italy 1934
16
Kylian Mbappé
France
19 years and 183 days
Russia 2018
15
Tostao
Brazil
19 years and 171 days
England 1966
14
Jude Bellingham
England
19 years and 145 days
Qatar 2022
13
Martin Hoffmann
East Germany
19 years and 88 days
Germany 1974
12
Divock Origi
Belgium
19 years and 65 days
Brazil 2014
11
Julian Green
USA
19 years and 25 days
Brazil 2014
10
Lionel Messi, Argentina
18 years and 357 days
It feels very apt to begin the top 10 with Lionel Messi. The Argentine ace needed just 13 minutes to score his first World Cup goal, opening his account at the 2006 World Cup against Serbia and Montenegro. The 2022 World Cup winner went on to break the record for the all-time leading World Cup goalscorer at the 2026 tournament 20 years later.
GIVEMESPORT looks at the top 10 World Cup goalscorers in history, featuring Mbappe, Messi and Ronaldo.
9
Lamine Yamal, Spain
18 years and 343 days
The Spanish wonderkid is often, unsurprisingly, compared to Messi. And Barcelona’s new prodigy scored his first World Cup goal in the group stage of the 2026 tournament, doing so just two weeks younger than his Argentinian predecessor. The goal announces Lamine Yamal on the global stage and is sure to be the first of many for his native Spain.
8
Kerim Alajbegovic, Bosnia and Herzegovina
18 years and 276 days
After scoring on his international debut last year, Kerim Alajbegovic delivered another huge moment at the 2026 World Cup that betrays his youth. The Bayer Leverkusen-bound winger scored in the 3-1 victory over Qatar, helping his nation to qualify for the knockout stage for the first time in its history.
7
Dmitri Sychev, Russia
18 years and 231 days
In appearing for Russia at the 2002 World Cup, Dmitri Sychev became the youngest ever player to represent his country. And nine days after breaking that record, he became the country’s youngest ever World Cup goalscorer with his goal against Belgium. Russia disappointingly crashed out at the group stage, but Sychev was a bright spark, adding three assists to his record-breaking goal at the tournament.
Russia have had some iconic players over the years.
6
Nicolae Kovacs, Romania
18 years and 197 days
The Romanian forward made history when he scored against Peru in the group stage of the 1930 World Cup. Nicolae Kovacs’ goal made him the youngest goalscorer in the tournament’s short history until he was surpassed by Mexico’s Manuel Rosas just five days later.
5
Michael Owen, England
18 years and 190 days
Michael Owen‘s breakout 1997-98 season for Liverpool gave England fans a reason to be excited, and the striker justified that with a record-breaking goal at the 1998 World Cup. Coming off the bench against Romania, Owen scored to become England’s youngest ever World Cup goalscorer and the then third-youngest overall. However, his incredible solo goal against Argentina is the moment he is best remembered for at the 1998 World Cup.
4
Ibrahim Mbaye, Senegal
18 years and 143 days
Paris Saint Germain forward Ibrahim Mbaye’s stock has been quietly growing over the past two seasons, and the stars seemed to align for the Senegalese striker at the 2026 World Cup. 15 minutes after coming on as a substitute, Mbaye struck against France, the country he represented from U16 to U20 level before switching to Senegal. In doing so, he became both Senegal and Africa’s youngest ever World Cup goalscorer.
3
Gavi, Spain
18 years and 110 days
Barcelona’s midfield maestro Gavi is the highest non-attacking entry on the list, but his inclusion is symbolic of the Spaniard’s great promise. After impressing for Barcelona, Gavi began to feature more and more for Spain following his first call-up in 2021. He then rewarded manager Luis Enrique’s trust by scoring his record-breaking goal against Costa Rica in their opening group game.
2
Manuel Rosas, Mexico
18 years and 93 days
Mexico’s Manuel Rosas broke a number of records at the inaugural World Cup — some sought after, some not. Against Chile, Rosas scored the first ever own goal at the World Cup. But just three days later against eventual runners-up Argentina, he scored the first ever World Cup penalty and became the youngest ever goalscorer at the World Cup. Rosas was also Mexico’s youngest ever World Cup representative until he was surpassed by Gilberto Mora at the 2026 tournament.
1
Pele, Brazil
17 years and 239 days
REUTERS
Pele’s impressive benchmark remains unbeaten after almost 70 years. Incredibly, he is the only player on the list under the age of 18. Breaking into an offensively blessed Brazil side that included Jose Alfatini, Garrincha, and Vava, among others, Pele justified his inclusion with a star-making goal. After missing the beginning of the tournament through injury, the Brazilian made his record-setting mark against Wales in the quarterfinals. He would go on to add a hat-trick in the semifinals and a brace in the final, beating hosts Sweden 5-2.
Rangers have set their sights on Hull City goalkeeper Ivor Pandur and are preparing a swap deal for the Croatian, according to Alan Nixon.
Pandur has emerged as a target as the Gers look to add a senior shot-stopper to new manager Derek McInnes’ squad. They are said to have also explored a move for Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson, but are now focused on Hull’s number one.
The 26-year-old enjoyed a fine season with the Tigers, helping them earn promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs. He has been at MKM Stadium since January 2024 and has just one year left on his contract.
Rangers Ready Swap Deal For Pandur
Nixon claims on Patreon that Rangers don’t want to pay Hull’s £10million asking price for Pandur. Instead, they are willing to send Jack Butland in the opposite direction.
The 33-year-old was Danny Rohl’s number one throughout last season, appearing 55 times across competitions. A player plus cash deal could appeal to the newly-promoted Premier League side.
Pandur is currently on international duty with Croatia at the World Cup but could be on the move during the tournament. McInnes will expect to be backed in the summer transfer window, and the Croat could be the first of many new faces to arrive at Ibrox.
