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If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

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If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Overhead.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

ALOFT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Community.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for Juy 7, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

UNITY

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Hurdle Word 3 hint

Premiere

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 7 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 7, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

DEBUT

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Blanket.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

DUVET

Final Hurdle hint

Head skin.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

SCALP

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you played high school sports.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for July 7, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Investigative board game

• Green: High school sports

• Blue: Unexpected

• Purple: PBS legends

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Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Rooms in Clue

• Green: Student-athlete designations

• Blue: ___ Twist

• Purple: Ending in "Sesame Street" characters

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #1122 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Rooms in Clue: CONSERVATORY, HALL, KITCHEN, STUDY

• Student-athlete designations: ALL-AMERICAN, JOCK, LETTERMAN, TEAM CAPTAIN

• ___ Twist: FRENCH, LEMON, OLIVER, PLOT

• Ending in "Sesame Street" characters: BERNIE, COLBERT, DISCOUNT, SAN ANSELMO

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 7, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're always on the go.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 7, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Hitching a ride

The words are related to travel.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe transportation.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Summertime.

NYT Strands word list for July 7

• Wagon

• Cart

• Buggy

• I Get Around

• Sleigh

• Stagecoach

• Carriage

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you've broken an arm.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 7, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for July 7, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To fling.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SLING

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

TL;DR: Bring home your own Apple MacBook Pro for only $394.97 (reg. $1,799) now through July 19.

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Our time is pretty valuable, so don’t let a slow laptop steal precious moments. A MacBook Pro lets you spend less time waiting and more time getting things done, so you can get back to the things that really matter.

Right now, you can get one of Apple’s most powerful laptops for a fraction of the usual price — just $394.97 — until July 19, while supplies last.

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There’s a reason the MacBook Pro typically comes with a hefty price tag. It’s packed with the bells and whistles you love from Apple, in a portable, 3.1-pound frame that can tag along anywhere.

This particular model comes equipped with a 2GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 processor that can handle all your multitasking, with turbo boost capabilities up to 3.8GHz. There’s also 16GB of RAM that can help you tackle more demanding tasks, like video editing and coding.

A 512GB SSD gives you speedy, reliable storage for files and apps, with room to grow. You’ll be doing everything on the MacBook Pro’s 13.3-inch Retina display with True Tone technology, so you’ll enjoy vibrant visuals and Apple’s signature technology that adjusts the screen color to prevent eye strain.

The Magic Keyboard makes typing comfortable on this MacBook Pro, and the Apple Touch Bar feature provides easy access to shortcuts. You’ll also have convenient connectivity options with four Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports. And a full charge provides 10 hours of battery life, so you’re not searching for an outlet halfway through your day.

You’re saving over $1,300 on this device thanks to its Grade A refurbished rating, which means it will arrive on your doorstep in near-mint condition with minimal to zero scuffing on the case.

Get an Apple MacBook Pro for just $394.97 now through July 19, while supplies last.

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SAVE OVER $20: As of July 6, the Lego Technic 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (42210) is down to its lowest-ever price of $111.99 at Amazon. That's $28 off its full price of $139.99.

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$139.99 Save $28.00   Get Deal

Lego is always a fun gift idea, and if you're shopping for a Fast & Furious fan right now, Amazon has a great offer on a build. As of July 6, the retailer has discounted the awesome Lego Technic 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R down to $111.99.

That's a solid discount of $28 off this set's usual price of $139.99. It's also its lowest-ever price at Amazon.

SEE ALSO: Lego's Olivia Rodrigo collab just dropped: Where to buy, preorder details, price

The Lego Technic 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R is quite a detailed build. It comes with 1,410 pieces that create the car from the movie 2 Fast 2 Furious, including fun elements like functioning steering, a 6-cylinder engine, front and rear suspension, opening doors, and more. According to the store page, it even features the first-ever LEGO Technic drift mechanism, so you can recreate iconic street racing scenes.

Given its more complex assembly and detailing, this set is recommended for adults. However, if you know someone younger than 18 who's interested in it, just help them out with the build.

If it's caught your eye, don't miss out on this opportunity to grab the Lego Technic 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R at its lowest-ever price at Amazon.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

SAVE $15: As of July 6, the Fire TV Stick HD is on sale for $19.99 at Amazon. That's a 43% discount on the list price.

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$34.99 Save $15.00   Get Deal

Fire TV Stick is one of the simplest ways to add streaming apps to a TV, and right now, one of the most affordable models has dropped in price at Amazon.

As of July 6, the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD is back on sale for $19.99, saving you $15. This streaming device is ideal for HD TVs without built in apps, or if you simply prefer the Amazon Fire TV experience.

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Recently upgraded in 2026, the HD Fire Stick is now faster than ever, giving you full HD picture quality with WiFi 6 support for more stable streaming. The updated model also features a new, easier to use interface, with dedicated categories and more personalized recommendations, all assisted by Alexa+. And like all streaming devices, you'll have easy access to platforms like Netflix and Prime Video, alongside a huge selection of free, ad-supported content.

This device is easy to take with you anywhere, saving you having to log into your accounts on unfamiliar devices. And for even more ease, this device no longer requires a wall outlet to be powered. Just plug it into your TV’s USB-C port and you're ready to start streaming.

Head to Amazon now to get this streaming deal.

SAVE $230: As of July 6, the HP OmniBook 5 16-inch AI laptop is down to $749 at Walmart. This deal saves you $230 on list price.

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$979 Save $230   Get Deal

The HP OmniBook 5 16-inch AI laptop is on sale for $749 at Walmart. Thta's marked down from $979, saving you $230. It’s a decent price drop on a large-screen Windows 11 laptop built for everyday work and AI-assisted features.

The Omnibook 5 laptop is built for everyday use with a focus on speed and responsiveness, whether you’re working, studying, or streaming. It’s powered by an AMD Ryzen AI 7 processor, which helps handle demanding tasks while also enabling newer AI-assisted features in Windows.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best battery-life laptops of 2026. This HP OmniBook shocked me.

The 16-inch 2K touchscreen has a taller 16:10 layout, so you get extra vertical space for documents, web pages, and spreadsheets. It also delivers sharp detail and natural-looking color, which makes it better for reading, browsing, and media work.

The HP OmniBook 5 16-inch AI runs Windows 11 and includes Copilot+ PC features designed to speed up everyday tasks and bring AI tools directly into the system experience. It comes bundled with limited-time extras like Xbox Game Pass and Microsoft 365, which add some immediate value out of the box.

Grab the HP OmniBook 5 at Walmart while it’s still in “good deal” territory.

TL;DR: Lock in 20TB of cloud storage forever with this Scramble Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription, on sale now for just $349.95 (reg. $1,440).

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Right now, you can even lock in 20TB of cloud storage that you actually own for life for only $349.95 — that’s less than you would pay for 6 months of 12TB with iCloud.

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Looking for a better way to keep your digital life secure? Scramble Cloud Storage lets you pay once and own your cloud storage for life, saving you from expensive and endless subscriptions.

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Waymo passengers in San Francisco got the ride of their life over the July 4th weekend — when their car ran over a lit firework.

The riders appear to have filmed the incident from the back seat as they approached an intersection with people lighting illegal fireworks.

SEE ALSO: What you need to know about autonomous vehicles rolling out across the U.S.

The autonomous vehicle then drove into the hazard. Passenger Rose Peterson told local affiliate ABC7 the incident was terrifying.

"The more me and my fiancé were talking about it, something really bad could have happened to us, something bad could have happened to the people around us," Peterson said. "It was a very scary situation."

The video caught one of the passengers uttering the remark: "Are we on fire, dude?"

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A Waymo spokesperson told Mashable there were no injuries or vehicle damage. The company has also contacted the rider about their well-being.

"We're committed to keeping our riders safe and earning the trust of the communities where we operate," the spokesperson said in a statement. "We take situations like this seriously and are committed to evaluating and learning from these events."

Elsewhere in San Francisco on July 4, Waymo cars stalled when they lost power amidst heavy traffic congestion. Drivers reported being trapped in an hours-long traffic jam as they waited for the autonomous vehicles to be towed.

At CES earlier this year, Hyundai and Boston Dynamics introduced the world to their Atlas humanoid robot. Atlas walked out on stage at Hyundai's keynote event and wowed the crowd so much that Mashable, along with the rest of the CNET Group, declared that Atlas was the "Best Robot" at the show.

Now, just a few months removed from the big technology event, Atlas made its big debut on perhaps the biggest stage of all: The 2026 FIFA World Cup.

As the Round of 16 match between Norway and Brazil was about to enter the second half, Atlas emerged from the player tunnel and showed off its moves on the pitch. While Atlas has previously performed dance routines, the humanoid robot had a more appropriate showing at the World Cup, mimicking player celebrations, including those of Norway's star player, Erling Haaland.

Atlas's Haaland celebration Credit: Hyundai

Atlas wasn't just there for entertainment either. Hyundai's robot played a crucial role at the end of the half, delivering the match ball to the referee so the game could continue.

Mashable was at the World Cup match at New York-New Jersey Stadium to witness Atlas. The robot carried out its duties without a hitch. And, most importantly, the crowd seemed enamored by the robot. Spectators held out their smartphones, snapping photos and taking videos of Atlas doing its best player impersonations.

“As part of Hyundai's 'Next Starts Now' campaign, we wanted Atlas's performance on the world's biggest stage to demonstrate that the future isn't something we imagine — it starts now," said Hyundai's Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer Sungwon Jee. "At Hyundai, we are committed to developing human-centered innovation that integrates seamlessly into everyday life, and to presenting a new vision of future mobility expanded through robotics — showing that robotics can be a trusted partner in humanity's progress through diverse and creative brand experiences.”

Atlas hands off the match ball to the ref at the half. Credit: Hyundai

According to Hyundai, Atlas was powered by "several core robotics capabilities that enable advanced movement and real-world interaction." Retargeting technology allowed Atlas to analyze and adapt to human movements. Reinforcement Learning was used to train Atlas through thousands of simulations on how to move, and Whole-Body Control was deployed to coordinate movement across the robot's body.

"The way we trained Atlas to perform these fun movements at the match is similar to how we teach the robot to take on real-world industrial applications," said Boston Dynamics Director of Robotics Behaviour Alberto Rodriguez. "It’s a great way to introduce people everywhere to the incredible potential of today's AI-enabled robots.” 

It turned out that Atlas picked a perfect celebration to imitate at halftime. At the end of the match, Norway emerged victorious, upsetting Brazil 2-1. Both of Norway's goals were scored by Haaland. So, between Haaland and Atlas's impersonation, fans got to see plenty of Viking-esque celebrations on the pitch this past Sunday.

TL;DR: Get the FileLu Cloud Storage Premium Plan with 1TB of lifetime encrypted cloud storage for $94.97 (reg. $350).

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Running out of storage always seems to happen at the worst possible time … it can be right before a big upload, an important backup, or when you’re trying to free some space on your laptop. The FileLu Cloud Storage Premium Plan offers 1TB of lifetime cloud storage for a one-time payment of $94.97 (reg. $350), making it a smart alternative to recurring monthly storage subscriptions.

FileLu combines encrypted cloud storage, file sharing, and automatic backups into one platform. It’s a great tool that’s built for professionals, creators, and families managing documents, photos, videos, and other important files.

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If security is one of your top priorities then you’ll find it useful that every file transfer is protected with SSL encryption, while stored files can be secured with FileLu’s Secure-SoloCypher Encryption (SSCE). The SSCE gives users control of their own encryption key which means even FileLu can’t access encrypted files. The service also supports end-to-end encrypted folders for an additional layer of privacy.

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TL;DR: Live stream USA vs. Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to a dramatic conclusion, with the quarter finals just days away. USA and Belgium are set to battle it out for a spot in this late stage. It would be the first time USA has reached the quarter finals in 24 years.

USA are bolstered by the inclusion of Folarin Balogun — a key player in the squad — whose one-match ban for a red card has been lifted. USA should feel confident, particularly as Belgium haven't looked particularly sharp in this tournament. Still, they possess the talent to advance.

If you want to watch USA vs. Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is USA vs. Belgium?

USA vs. Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on July 6. This fixture takes place at the Seattle Stadium.

How to watch USA vs. Belgium for free

USA vs. Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream USA vs. Belgium for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Watch USA vs. Belgium for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream USA vs. Belgium (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money-back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of the World Cup.

Live stream USA vs. Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

America has a Monday night football game to watch in the middle of July. Only this time, there are no helmets.

Tonight, the U.S. men's national team faces Belgium in a prime-time World Cup knockout match, with a quarterfinal spot on the line and a team the country actually wants to root for.

This isn't the norm, at least in the U.S. For decades, soccer in the States has been treated as the next big thing that never sticks. The World Cup arrives, casual fans tune in, the conversation swells for a few weeks, and then the country usually returns to its regular rotation of football, basketball, baseball, and whatever officiating scandal people are talking about.

But this tournament has been different. The U.S. opener against Paraguay drew an average audience of 18 million across Fox's platforms with another 7 million watching on Spanish-language Telemundo. FIFA has also said attendance surpassed 3.6 million in the first two weeks of the tournament, breaking the record set in 1994, the last time the U.S. hosted the men's World Cup. So if soccer has been trying to prove it belongs in the American sports conversation, this tournament is making a pretty strong case.

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Part of the buzz comes down to logistics. The games are being played on American soil and in American time zones, which means the U.S. team is not asking casual fans to wake up at 5 a.m. or plan their entire day around a match happening halfway across the world. A prime-time game is an easier sell. It can be watched at bars, at home, in group chats, after work — the way Americans already watch big sports events.

Part of it is timing. The U.S. reached this stage during a summer already wrapped in red, white, and blue, as the country marked its 250th birthday and host cities turned World Cup matches into something that looked a lot like an extended Fourth of July weekend. Across the country, the scene has been hard to miss: packed fan zones, pop-up shops selling soccer gear, viewing parties in parks, shopping centers, and museums, and U.S. fans showing up in jerseys, flags, and face paint.

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There is also the fact that the U.S. team has given people a reason to keep watching.

Striker Folarin Balogun has been at the center of that, giving the U.S. the kind of scoring threat it has not always had on the World Cup stage. But the entire roster is one of the clearest examples yet of what modern American soccer looks like, from Christian Pulisic to Chris Richards and Weston McKennie.

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Plus, players like Tim Weah, Sergiño Dest, Malik Tillman, and others reflect a U.S. program built from several pipelines at once: players developed abroad, players connected to immigrant families, players with eligibility for multiple national teams, and players shaped by European club soccer, MLS academies, and the American youth system. Several could have represented other countries and chose the United States instead. For casual fans, that makes the team easier to get behind.

And then there is the controversy, because nothing pulls Americans into a sporting event faster than a good scandal.

During the U.S. team's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun was sent off the pitch after a VAR review for a challenge on defender Tarik Muharemović. The red-card decision initially meant he would miss the Belgium match, taking the U.S.'s top scorer out of its biggest game of the tournament. Then, after a conversation between Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, FIFA changed course.

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The red card itself was not erased, but FIFA suspended Balogun’s one-game ban, clearing him to play in the round of 16. The decision came after Trump reportedly called FIFA president Gianni Infantino and asked for the play to be reviewed, saying Monday that he did not think it was a foul. The decision, though controversial, has sparked debate on the internet.

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The betting market is moving, too. Sportsbooks have seen unusually strong activity around U.S. matches, with games involving the USMNT drawing far more action than other World Cup matches on the same day. Betting volume does not prove long-term fandom, but it does show that the U.S. team has moved from background programming to something people are actively tracking as part of the broader American sports calendar.

However, the increase in interest for the sport did not start with this match, or even the World Cup in general. A Nielsen study found North America's soccer fan base has grown 10.9 percent over the past five years to more than 136 million people. The U.S. now has the fourth-largest soccer fan base in the world, with 62.5 million followers, according to the same report. The tournament is surely helping interest, with nearly seven in 10 North American fans saying their fascination with the sport had increased in the last three years as the World Cup approached, while 64 percent expected their interest to grow further.

Locally, youth soccer clubs have reported new sign-ups and renewed interest from families during the tournament. In Houston, HTX Soccer said hundreds of children signed up in recent weeks, a jump the club connected to World Cup excitement. In Florida, the soccer team Tampa Bay Rowdies has been using watch parties and youth outreach programs to turn World Cup attention into something more lasting.

That still does not mean soccer has overtaken football, basketball, or baseball in the U.S. But it does mean this World Cup arrived at a moment when the sport was already gaining ground. Lionel Messi's move to Inter Miami also helped push MLS further into the mainstream, building on the celebrity and global attention David Beckham has been cultivating since becoming one of the club's owners. MLS has grown to 30 teams across the U.S. and Canada. Premier League and La Liga broadcasts have helped make the U.S. the biggest foreign market for several major European leagues. Streaming, social media, FIFA video games, and shows like Ted Lasso and Welcome to Wrexham have made the sport more familiar to American audiences who did not necessarily grow up watching it.

For once, the question about soccer in the United States is not whether people can be persuaded to care. It feels like a lot of them already do.

An hours-long traffic jam in San Francisco on Saturday July 4 was partly the result of stalled Waymo vehicles, the autonomous car company has confirmed.

Alleged videos of the gridlock surfaced on X, where drivers posted angrily about Waymo cars that wouldn't move.

SEE ALSO: Smooth, silent, strange: What it's really like to hail a robotaxi

A Waymo spokesperson confirmed to Mashable that the city's 4th of July celebration at the Golden Gate Bridge led to traffic disruptions, a high volume of travelers, and unexpected road closures nearby.

While some of the autonomous vehicles remained operational, others ran out of charge while idling and were towed as a result.

"Our priority is keeping San Francisco moving safely, especially during major city celebrations," the Waymo spokesperson said in a statement. "Our team is always evaluating ways to strengthen Waymo's resilience in major traffic disruptions."

This isn't the first time that stalled Waymo cars have caused traffic jams in the city by the Bay.

Last December, a power outage gave San Francisco Waymo vehicles trouble at intersections without functioning stoplights, and the company had to temporarily suspend its service.

Ironically, two days before the 4th of July gridlock, Waymo posted a video on X about the simplicity of hailing one of its cars.

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"Because after a night out, getting home should be the easiest part," the video's caption reads.

For millennials, a trip to Claire's was practically a rite of passage.

It was where ears were pierced, friendship necklaces were split in half, and every trip to the mall somehow ended with an armful of glittery accessories you probably didn't need but absolutely had to have. Long before "girlhood" became an internet buzzword, Claire's had already built an empire around it.

But nostalgia alone isn't enough to sustain a retailer in 2026.

After years of financial struggles, shifting shopping habits, and the slow decline of the American mall, Claire's has spent the past several years redefining itself for a generation that's more likely to hang out with friends on Roblox than at the mall. Its newest customer isn't a millennial looking for a nostalgia fix — she's Gen Alpha, discovering the brand through YouTube, social media, and online gaming platforms.

SEE ALSO: A parent's guide to keeping kids safe on Roblox

That strategy was on full display at this year's VidCon, where Claire's unveiled its latest collaboration with Roblox YouTuber Lana's Life, which just hit stores nationwide. The collection, inspired by the wildly popular game Dress To Impress, is more than another creator merchandise drop. It's part of a broader effort to position Claire's as what Chief Brand Officer Michelle Goad calls "an inspiring playground for modern girlhood."

"Girls feel very rushed to grow up," Goad told Mashable at the convention. "Because they have access to everything on social. They're seeing grown women in their algorithm, and they feel this urgency to grow up faster. We took a counterculture position and said, 'We're actually going to take a beat and cherish girlhood.'"

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For Claire's, that starts with understanding how Gen Alpha differs from the generation before it. While Gen Z embraced louder colors, edgier aesthetics, and more maximalism, Goad says today's tween shoppers are gravitating toward something noticeably softer.

"They're really feminine," she said. "They like a very pastel aesthetic."

She believes part of that shift comes from growing up with millennial parents. "If mom is in her beige era," she joked, "your daughter is probably into something really girly."

That insight has shaped everything from Claire's merchandising to the creators it partners with.

Rather than signing a traditional celebrity ambassador, the company looked to Lana's Life, whose 9.5 million subscribers know her through Roblox roleplay videos, beauty content, and Dress To Impress. Claire's had already seen strong demand for Dress To Impress-inspired products in stores. Lana, Goad said, was the obvious person to help bring that audience into the physical world.

The decision reflects a broader shift in how brands think about influence. "This consumer demands a two-way conversation and a true relationship with their community," Goad said. "You're going to want to engage and be a fan of someone who's actually there, showing up in the comments and doing the work."

Claire's debuted its Lana's Life collaboration at VidCon 2026. Credit: Courtesy of Claire's

For Gen Alpha, creators often feel more accessible than celebrities. They're present in comment sections, livestreams, and community posts in ways movie stars and musicians rarely are. And that trust and connection hold more weight than a traditional celebrity endorsement. With millions of followers, Lana offers both the scale of a celebrity and the intimacy of a creator, which is exactly the combination Claire's is betting on.

The collaboration itself was designed to blur the line between digital and physical play. Fans visiting Claire's booth at VidCon could test products before they reached stores, meet Lana in person, and purchase items that unlocked digital rewards inside Roblox.

That feedback loop is central to how Claire's says it now operates. Instead of relying solely on trend forecasting months in advance, Goad says the company watches what young girls are actually talking about online and moves quickly. Internally, she describes the strategy as being "on trend, on time."

Whether it's the rise of squishies, Dress To Impress, hackey sacks making a comeback for a new generation, or another internet obsession waiting around the corner, Claire's increasingly treats Gen Alpha communities as its research department.

"I think our job is to listen," Goad said. "What are they saying in the comments? What are they asking for? What are they excited about?"

It's a notable evolution for a retailer once synonymous with mall culture. Instead of asking young shoppers to fit into Claire's vision, the company says it's rebuilding the brand around theirs.

For a generation growing up almost entirely online, Goad hopes Claire's can still offer something increasingly rare: a place — whether that's inside a Roblox game, on social media, or in one of its stores — where girlhood isn't something to rush through, but something worth celebrating.

Elon Musk's space exploration and AI company SpaceX may be looking to compete with Apple and the iPhone, even though Musk has denied the reports.

SpaceX has been showing off a prototype of a "handset-like device" to investors recently, according to a new report from the Wall Street Journal.

The device is reportedly focused on bringing AI capabilities to users, running on the company's own operating system and integrating xAI's technology to power its AI features. It's been described as having a "sleek design" and being "slimmer than an iPhone." The device is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipset.

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However, Musk weighed in on the Wall Street Journal report, calling it "utterly false" on his social media platform, X, without elaborating any further.

Musk has previously denied reports from earlier this year that SpaceX was working on a phone that would connect directly to Starlink satellites. 

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"We are not developing a phone," Musk said in a reply on X, directed at Reuters' report that the company was developing a Starlink phone.

However, this time around, the Wall Street Journal's sources claim that there is a prototype that has been physically shown to investors.

Musk has previously voiced his dissatisfaction with Apple's iPhone and its dominance in the mobile market. 

"Man, I sure hope we don't have to make a phone," Musk said at a town hall event in October 2024. "That's a lot of work."

"The idea of making a phone makes me want to die," he continued. "But if we have to make a phone, we will. But we will aspire not to make a phone."

It's possible that Musk doesn't view SpaceX's handheld device as a smartphone, as it seems more like an AI device. It's also possible that the device does have traditional smartphone functionality and Musk is just trying to deny its existence.

According to this most recent report, SpaceX informed investors that the device is in an early stage, so things can change, including whether it ever even reaches the public.

TL;DR: Live stream Portugal vs. Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN, an Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues with arguably the biggest game of the round. There's a spot in the quarter-final stage up for grabs as Portugal play Spain.

Portugal are led by Cristiano Ronaldo in possibly his last major tournament. Spain are Euro 2024 champions and among the favorites to win the World Cup. It's got all the makings of a classic. Fans will be expecting big performances from the likes of Lamine Yamal and Bruno Fernandes.

If you want to watch Portugal vs. Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Portugal vs. Spain?

Portugal vs. Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on July 6. This fixture takes place at the Dallas Stadium.

How to watch Portugal vs. Spain for free

Portugal vs. Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Portugal vs. Spain for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Watch Portugal vs. Spain for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Portugal vs. Spain (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.

ExpressVPN's regular 30-day money-back guarantee is not available for any subscriptions purchased during the FIFA World Cup between June 10 and July 11. ExpressVPN remains our top pick for sport, but you will need to pay the monthly rate. Alternatively, Proton VPN still offers that all-important money-back guarantee.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99. That covers you for the duration of the World Cup.

Live stream Portugal vs. Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free.

Best microSD, portable SSDs, and hard drive deals to grab this week: Best microSD card deal Gigastone MicroSD Card (128GB) $49.99 (save $10) Get Deal Best portable SSD card deal Samsung T9 Portable SSD (1TB) $199.99 (save $88) Get Deal Best internal hard drive deal Samsung 990 PRO (2TB) $389.99 (save $250) Get Deal

If you've been shopping for any kind of storage device, then you're probably well aware of the ongoing global memory crisis (affectionately known as "RAMageddon"). And, like most crises, experts have confirmed that it's only going to get worse before it gets better, if ever. (Thanks, AI.)

SEE ALSO: The best budget tablets of 2026: Testing Apple, Lenovo, and Amazon Fire tablets

During Prime Day, we saw hundreds of microSD, portable SSDs, and hard drives go on sale. But now that those deals are gone, you'll have to dig deep to find a genuine discount (read: not some inflated list price BS).

To help you out, I tracked down the best memory and storage deals you can still grab this week to beat the price hikes.

Best microSD deal Gigastone MicroSD Card (128GB) $49.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $10   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

I know a $10 discount doesn't sound like much, especially if you remember buying these things for 20 bucks a few years ago. But thanks to RAMageddon, 17% off the Gigastone 128GB Micro SD Card is basically the best deal we're going to get this week.

Bonus: It comes with a five-year warranty that includes free data recovery. If you've ever lost hours of drone footage or game saves to a corrupted card, that safety net is worth every penny.

Best portable SSD deal Samsung T9 Portable SSD (1TB) $199.99 at Amazon
$287.99 Save $88   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

If you're looking for laptop storage, the Samsung T9 (1TB) is down to $199.99 this week. That's not the lowest we've seen this portable SSD go for, but since it normally costs around $288, it's a pretty good deal considering (*gestures to everything*).

It delivers read and write speeds up to 2,000 MB/s, so you shouldn't have to wait too long on file transfers. It also features a built-in thermal guard to keep it from overheating, so that's nice. If you need even more space, you can grab the 2TB version on sale for $399.99 or the 4TB for $799.99.

Best internal hard drive deal Samsung 990 PRO (2TB) $159.99 at Best Buy
$199.99 Save $40   Get Deal at Best Buy Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Attention gamers: The Samsung 990 PRO Gen4 SSD (2TB) is on sale for $389.99 right now. That's a $250 price cut for a top-notch hard drive. Not only is the 990 PRO an "Amazon's Choice" product, but it has more than 13K reviews and a 4.7-star rating.

It hits sequential read speeds up to 7,450 MB/s, is about 50 percent more power-efficient than the older 980 PRO model, and Amazon reviewers say the performance is "unbeatable;" though some have noted that you may need a motherboard heatsink if you're going to be doing heavy video editing or 3D rendering.

More microSD, portable SSD, and hard drive deals

• Lexar ES3 External SSD (1TB) — $152.99 $169.99 (save $17)

• WD My Passport Portable External Hard Drive (5TB) — $180.49 $284.99 (save $104.50)

• Samsung T7 Portable SSD (1TB) — $219.99 $274.99 (save $55)

• Lexar ES3 External SSD (2TB) — $269.99 $299.99 (save $30)

SAVE $16.89: The Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box is on sale at Amazon for $18.10, down from the list price of $34.99. That's a 48% discount and the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box $18.10 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $16.89   Get Deal

Just like Pokémon, getting into Magic: The Gathering can take a serious investment. Instead of fretting over the price of a starter pack, check out this deal at Amazon.

As of July 6, the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box is on sale for only $18.10 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $34.99. That's a major 48% discount that shaves $16.89 off the price. It's also the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

Designed to help learn the basics of the game, the Magic: The Gathering Avatar set is the perfect option for a two-player adventure. The first game takes you on a guided battle between Aang and Zuko with two 20-card decks. There's a step-by-step guide booklet to take beginners through their first game with ease.

After that, players will combine any two of the eight 20-card half decks to form a full 40-card deck. That means players have tons of options to replay the game with new combinations and outcomes.

SEE ALSO: Score the Pokémon TCG: Mega Greninja ex Premium Collection for under $65 — save over $35

Today's box includes two packets of 100 cards, including the two 20-card tutorial decks with Aang and Zuko. The eight 20-card half-decks include Firebending, Earthbending, Waterbending, Allies, Big Creatures, Counters, Spells, and Attacking. Accessories include playerboards for both players, two spindown life counters, two beginner guides, and five double-sided tokens.

Since it's on sale for the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon, snag the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box for only $18.10. It's a great intro to the game that comes with an affordable price.