There were certainly no shortage of headlines coming out of the world of sports this week. (Credit: Chris Tanouye/Getty Images, Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images/Yahoo Canada Illustration)
There’s definitely some withdrawal after the high of the 2026 men’s FIFA World Cup but that doesn’t mean the action has stopped elsewhere.
Canadians are representing well at the Commonwealth Games, the Toronto Blue Jays are into the second half of their season, and Toronto Tempo star Marina Mabrey just showcased her skills at the WNBA All-Star Weekend.
The show always goes on in the world of sports and there was plenty that went on the last little while.
Here’s everything you need to know about the week that was among Canadian sports teams and athletes.
Canada off to strong start at Commonwealth Games
Elsabeth Black of Canada celebrates with her gold medal after winning the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s All-Around Final during day three of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Picture date: Sunday July 26, 2026. (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)
Ellie Black and Josh Liendo made it a super Sunday for Canada at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as both claimed gold. Black finished with gold in the all-around women’s gymnastics competition while Liendo claimed his in the swimming pool at the men’s 100-metre butterfly event.
Having won gold back at the 2018 Games, Black became the first gymnast – male or female – to win two Commonwealth Games all-around titles. Canada sits third in the medal tally with four golds, four silvers, and three bronze.
Australia is sitting pretty in first place with 40 medals including 17 golds to this point.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games has downsized since the 2022 edition, featuring 215 medal events compared to 280 four years ago. Beach volleyball, field hockey, and wrestling are among the sports that have been axed citing rising costs. These Games were originally slated to be held in Victoria, Australia, but the state backed out in 2023.
It was then that Glasgow stepped in and took over hosting duties.
Blue Jays staring down the barrel as trade deadline approaches
BOSTON, MA – JULY 26: Kevin Gausman #34 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park on July 26, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
The Toronto Blue Jays have nowhere to hide now. With the trade deadline on Aug. 3 at 6 p.m., the writing appears to be on the wall for a team that is now 10 games under .500 and last in the American League East division.
It’s hard to believe this is where things stand for Canada’s MLB team fresh off a run to the World Series, and they now look set to be sellers at the trade deadline and that could include star starting pitcher Kevin Gausman.
Needing a hot stretch coming out of the all-star break to build some momentum and show they can be in the mix, the Jays have now instead lost seven of their last 10 games. Making matters worse, up and coming outfielder Addison Barger was ruled out for the remainder of the season as he requires surgery on his right elbow.
If there was a bright spot this week, it was Dylan Cease pitching a one-hit shutout against Boston Red Sox, with 12 strikeouts over nine strong.
Shane Bieber also looks to be rounding into form after returning from injury, giving up just one earned run over his last 13 innings of work.
Mabrey represents Tempo at WNBA All-Star Weekend
Toronto Tempo star Marina Mabrey had quite the weekend, making her all-star debut and erupting for 23 first-half points in the all-star game including five three-pointers. Looking on course to challenge for the game’s MVP award, she unfortunately went scoreless in the second half. She was representing Team Coop, which lost 129-122 to Team Spoon – which featured Caitlin Clark and eventual MVP winner Jonquel Jones, who finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds.
Mabrey participated in the three-point contest as well but was unable to make it past the first round.
Canada’s Bridget Carleton made the most of that opportunity, though, getting through to the final where she was upstaged by rookie Azzi Fudd.
Athlete of the Week: Kylie Masse
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JULY 26: Kylie Masse of Team Canada is seen on the podium after taking silver in the Women’s 100m Backstroke during day three of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at Tollcross International Swimming Centre on July 26, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Swimmer Kylie Masse, who has won two silver medals and three bronze at the Olympics, claimed her 10th Commonwealth Games medal with a silver in the women’s 100-metre backstroke.
She is now the most decorated female Canadian swimmer of all-time at the Commonwealth Games.
Canada Soccer announces first matches post-World Cup
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JULY 4: Stephen Eustaquio of Canada during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between Canada and Morocco at Houston Stadium on July 4, 2026 in Houston, United States. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
Soccer fans suffering withdrawal from the end of the World Cup have been given something to look forward to later this year. Canada Soccer confirmed that the men’s national team will return to action Sept. 29 in Toronto to take on Chile. They will also play Oct. 6 against Peru in Montreal.
Even though they are friendlies, every match now has implications for the journey to qualify for the 2030 World Cup. Each match is an opportunity to improve their current FIFA ranking of 30th and at minimum get into the top 24 so that they can be a second pot team. They were in the first pot by virtue of being hosts for this past World Cup and thereby made for a less challenging group stage.
Sinner, Djokovic withdraw from National Bank Open in Montreal
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 10: Jannik Sinner (left) embraces Novak Djokovic after winning their semi-final match on day twelve of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Both World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and the all-time leading Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic have withdrawn from the National Bank Open scheduled to begin Aug. 1 in Montreal.
Sinner cited managing his fitness and fatigue as his reason for withdrawal while it is believed that the 39-year-old Djokovic did so for similar reasons as well. Carlos Alcaraz was already ruled out previously as he recovers from a wrist injury that has already seen him miss the French Open and Wimbledon.
Canada’s transition to a two-week format for their Masters 1000 event appears to have taken a toll on players’ willingness to participate and tournament director Valerie Tetrault released a statement in an effort to seek a resolution. Seven of the nine Masters 1000 events are now two weeks long.
The National Bank Open is soon followed by the Cincinnati Masters, which then leads up to the US Open, forcing players into a difficult predicament in terms of managing their schedules.
Raptors inch closer to clarity on pending Leonard trade
INGLEWOOD, CA – APRIL 15: Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, #2, walks off the court after their season-ending loss to the Golden State Warriors during an NBA play-in-tournament at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Toronto Raptors fans getting anxious over what might and might not happen with the paused trade for Kawhi Leonard may have felt a bit of relief this past Thursday.
Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic reported that the law firm investigating Aspiration, the Los Angeles Clippers, and Kawhi Leonard for possible cap circumvention is believed to have completed its process and that the NBA is now sifting through its findings.
The initial deal that was agreed upon would send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and second round picks in 2030 and 2033 to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Leonard.
Raptors GM and vice-president Bobby Webster elected to hold off on completing the deal as the team was informed any punishment for Leonard stemming from the investigation would carry over to Toronto. For example, if Leonard were to be suspended for a period of games, he would have to still serve that. His contract getting voided is also considered a remote possibility, and that would mean he would immediately become a free agent.