champion

But while Ronaldo and Ochoa have gone home, Messi will be playing in his third semifinal in four tournaments Wednesday when Argentina, the reigning champion, faces England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

The World Cup is here, on our own soil for the first time — the United States, Canada and Mexico — and Lionel Messi is playing as the defending champion in his sixth tournament.

From Salon ● Jul. 15, 2026

"The course is primed for an amazing week. It's as linksy as links gets," 2014 champion Rory McIlroy told BBC Sport's Iain Carter.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

The defending European champion, with its endless pipeline of talent, now awaits the winner of England vs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

Draws wouldn’t count, and in case of a 9–9 tie, the reigning champion would retain his title.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

The Argentine squad — reigning world champions led by seemingly ageless superstar Lionel Messi — faces off Wednesday in a semifinal match against England.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams' lack of fitness has forced manager Luis de la Fuente to tweak Spain's style - the European champions created chaos down the wings, whereas the current side prioritise control.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

Despite injuries and a slump from their stars, the two-time defending World Series champions reached the All-Star break with MLB’s best record—and they’re about to get even better.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

India, the reigning world champions, were awful in the T20s, yet were always going to be a different proposition given the star power in this ODI XI.

From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026

He felt they sensed each other’s frayed loneliness as past champions, a nostalgia to which few could relate.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Sheeran championed the scheme to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy last year, as they visited the non-profit arts organisation Brighten The Corners, in Ipswich.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

A handful of California species recoveries have been championed as success stories under the Endangered Species Act, including southern sea otters, peregrine falcons, humpback whales, bald eagles and green sea turtles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2026

He championed progressive policies like universal health care and affordable housing, and won over many frustrated Democratic voters with his critique of the party's establishment.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026

Former canoe racer David Hearn is accused of pulling at a layer of peeling sealant used in a renovation project that President Trump had personally championed and later claimed was targeted by vandals.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

Paisley scarf championed with attitude around her neck.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

Despite Deena’s reassurance and Jake’s championing, Maddie can’t see herself as one of GourMaybe’s recipe developers.

From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026

Ms. Saxbe is sarcastic about the “visible” work men do, dismissing the physical effort and planning required by, say, roof and plumbing repairs, while championing the more challenging “invisible labor” that women perform.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026

The new amphitheater represents a years-long dream of Mayor Rex Richardson, who began championing an outdoor performance venue on the waterfront in 2023.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2026

The Conservative candidate for the Makerfield by-election has promised to dedicate his time to championing the community rather than using the contest as a "stepping stone".

From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2026

They wouldn’t remember that my picture was there because of my fervor in championing Mr. Muhammad.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey