Bellingham will be a hotspot next year for what’s been called the biggest international sporting event of all time.

The Seattle-based organizing committee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup announced today that Bellingham was selected as one of nine locations across the state to be an official fan zone of the event.

As a fan zone, the city will host watch parties, live entertainment and interactive experiences for fans.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be spread across the US, Canada and Mexico, featuring 16 host cities.

Bellingham will be right in the middle of the action, with six matches taking place in Seattle and seven more in Vancouver from June 13 through July 7.

 

The Los Angeles Rams beat the Minnesota Vikings 27-9 last night in the final Wild Card matchup of Round 1.

Matthew Stafford threw two touchdown passes and the Rams overwhelmed the Vikings, sacking Sam Darnold an NFL playoff record-tying nine times.

LA will now travel to Philly to face the Eagles in the Divisional Round on Sunday.

 

Another name has come up in the Seahawks’ search for a new offensive coordinator.

The NFL Network reports that Seattle has requested to interview Vikings assistant offensive coordinator and assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski.

The 28-year-old is in his third season with Minnesota and helped Sam Darnold have a career year with the Vikings.

He joins Detroit Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley, Chicago Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown and New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as the reported candidates to replace Ryan Grubb.

 

The Kraken are back tonight in the second-to-last match of their long road trip.

Seattle is playing the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins, who have lost six of their last seven.

The Kraken are in the midst of a rough patch themselves, having lost 10 of their last 12.

It’s the first meeting of the season between the two teams.

The game is already underway on KPUG.

 

It’s been a very active past 24 hours for the Mariners, as the club made a pair of moves to boost their infield depth.

First, Seattle signed Donovan Solano to a 1-year, $3.5 million contract yesterday.

The 37-year-old hit .286 with eight homers and 35 RBIs in 96 games for the Padres last season.

Then, earlier today, they sent cash to the Cubs in exchange for Miles Mastrobuoni.

The 29-year-old hit .194 with four RBIs in 50 games for Chicago last season.

Both utility infielders are expected to fill in as the Mariners continue to search for answers at first, second and third base.

 

Speaking of trades, the Sounders have made another blockbuster move.

Seattle acquired veteran midfielder and 2022 MLS All-Star Paul Arriola in a swap with FC Dallas yesterday.

In exchange, the Sounders sent their 2026 first-round draft pick and up to $300,000.

As part of the deal, the 29-year-old Arriola agreed to a three-year contract with Seattle that includes a club option in 2028.

It comes less than a week after the Sounders acquired 2x MLS All-Star Jesus Ferreira from FC Dallas as well.

 

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

The Nooksack Valley boys won a 54-53 thriller over Meridian thanks to a last-second shot by senior Caden Heutink.

The Trojan girls got revenge with a 58-42 win over the Pioneers.

The Squalicum girls dusted Mount Vernon 68-32.

The Storm boys lost a close one to Mount Vernon, 68-67.

The Bellingham girls fell to Lakewood 68-45.

And the Bayhawk boys got doubled up by Lakewood in a 70-35 loss.

 

We’ve got more prep hoops coming up on the radio tonight.

The 12-1 Lynden Christian boys are traveling to face Mount Baker in a cross-county matchup.

Coverage begins at 7:00 and tipoff is at 7:15 on KGMI with Randy Farmer and Rick Todd on the call.

 

Elsewhere in the county tonight…

The LC girls host Mount Baker.

The Blaine boys host Anacortes, while the Borderite girls travel to play the Seahawks.

And the 13-1 Lummi boys are on the road against Providence Classical Christian.