On July 3, 2026, U.S. men's national soccer team head coach Mauricio Pochettino threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Seattle Mariners game. The event highlighted the diversity of America, with Pochettino extending birthday wishes not just to player Folarin Balogun, who turned 25, but also to the country they represent, emphasizing the team's connection to American identity.

Iran's national football team experienced a delay of 25 minutes during their trip to Seattle, as assistant coach Mehdi Taremi and another team member, Alhoei, were held up by US officials for an undisclosed reason, according to Al Jazeera.

According to Al Jazeera, several protesters have been sentenced to decades in prison in the United States due to their alleged ties to antifa, following a protest outside the Prairieland Detention Center. Civil liberties advocates have raised concerns regarding the implications of this case for free speech and protest rights.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile is visiting China to enhance trade and investment relations between the two countries. He is accompanied by Deputy Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Zuko Godlimpi and other officials during this diplomatic mission.

A judge has prohibited federal immigration agents from making arrests at immigration courts, marking a significant setback for the Trump administration's policy changes initiated after President Trump's inauguration. This ruling addresses the controversial practice that emerged under the administration, which reversed a long-standing policy against such arrests, according to AP.

Eight individuals convicted of terrorism charges related to a shooting outside a Texas immigration detention center have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms. One demonstrator, Benjamin Song, received a 100-year sentence for shooting and wounding a police officer during the incident on July 4. Other protesters, linked to antifa, were also sentenced to multiple decades in federal prison, according to AP.