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Northwest Sports Update: FIFA World Cup groups announced, Seahawks travel to Atlanta, WWU women eye sixth-straight win and more

Northwest Sports Update: FIFA World Cup groups announced, Seahawks travel to Atlanta, WWU women eye sixth-straight win and more

President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney holds their countries' name during the draw for the 2026 soccer World Cup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) Photo: Associated Press


FIFA World Cup News

The groups have been set for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The United States will face Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in California on June 12 in their first World Cup match on home soil in over 30 years.

Their next game will take place in Seattle, when the US will face Australia on June 19. Their third and final match of group-stage play will also take place at SoFi against either Turkey, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo on June 25.

The newly-expanded World Cup will run from June 11 through July 19 at 16 venues throughout North America, including Seattle and Vancouver.

Seattle will also host three other group-stage matches besides US-Australia, in addition to a pair of knockout stage matches.

Kraken News

The Kraken will look to snap their current skid when they return home this weekend.

Seattle’s coming off a 9-4 loss to the Edmonton Oilers last night for their fourth straight loss. Connor McDavid had a hat trick and the Kraken gave up their most goals of the season in the road defeat.

With the win, the Oilers overtook the struggling Kraken for fifth place in the Pacific Division.

Seattle will try to make up the lost ground against the Detroit Red Wings tomorrow night in the start of a three-game homestand. Coverage begins at 6:30 and puck drops at 7:00 on KPUG.

Seahawks News

A key player in the race for the NFC playoffs may have bitten the dust last night.

The Detroit Lions beat the Dallas Cowboys 44-30 on Thursday Night Football. Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs ran for three touchdowns to help Detroit stay in contention for a playoff berth.

The Cowboys dropped to 6-6-1 with the loss and have a nearly impossible road to the playoffs from here.

Coming up on Sunday, the Seahawks are on the other side of the country to face the Atlanta Falcons. Seattle will look to get its third straight win and stay in first place in the NFC West, while the Falcons will try to break out of their struggles after losing six of their last seven.

Coverage begins at 8 am and kickoff is at 10 on KPUG.

WWU Vikings News

Western’s men’s basketball team dropped a close one in a barnburner last night.

The Vikings fell to Northwest Nazarene 101-92 in their GNAC opener at Carver Gym. Sophomore guard Aidan Rice scored a career-high 37 points, while NNU’s Easton Reagon countered with 34 in a battle of two of the top scorers in the conference. 

The Viks will look to snap their four-game skid tomorrow night against Central Washington at Carver.

The Western women are still on the road, they’ll face Seattle Pacific tonight with a chance to earn their sixth straight win.

UW Huskies News

Meanwhile, Huskies basketball is back on the radio tomorrow night when Washington heads south to play #24 USC. Coverage begins at 2:30 and tipoff is at 3:00 on KPUG.

The 21st nationally ranked Huskies women are also in for a big game this weekend when they put their undefeated record on the line against #16 USC on Sunday.

HS Basketball News

Taking a look at high school basketball scores from last night…

The Squalicum boys beat Sultan 62-45.

The Sehome boys fell to Holy Cross Regional Secondary 67-63.

And the Meridian boys lost another tight one to Mount Vernon Christian, also 67-63.

 

Coming up tonight…

The Squalicum girls are hosting Sehome.

The Lummi boys and girls are both traveling to play Grace Academy. 

The Mount Baker girls are at Mount Vernon Christian.

And the Ferndale girls are on the road against Jackson.

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