The North American bid to host the 2026 World Cup has asked FIFA for a decision in June 2018, two years ahead of schedule. In a letter seen by the Associated Press, the soccer federations from the United States, Canada, and Mexico asked FIFA to consider their request next month in Bahrain at its annual congress. The proposal calls for the North American neighbors to be given a clear run without rival candidates until next year, and is item 14.1 on the congress agenda that FIFA published Tuesday. The bid, launched Monday in New York, is likely the only realistic option for FIFA’s 211 member federations who are scheduled to choose the 2026 host in May 2020. That timetable could be fast-tracked on May 11 in Manama. The added agenda item, written in the letter dated March 11, asks FIFA members to make a ‘‘principle decision’’ for the 2026 tournament to be ‘‘jointly and cooperatively organized’’ in North America . . . Barcelona forward Neymar has been handed a two-game suspension for sarcastically applauding an assistant referee and will miss Barcelona’s April 23 game against Real Madrid in the Spanish league.

The ban comes in addition to a one-game suspension he was automatically required to serve after being sent off in a 2-0 loss at Malaga on Sunday

. . . Argentina fired newly appointed national head coach Edgardo Bauza after just eight months (and eight matches) in charge, as the team struggles in qualifying matches for next year’s World Cup in Russia . . . LA Galaxy goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, 34, retired after a 10-year MLS career and will join the Galaxy’s front office and broadcasting teams.

baseball

Yankees valued at $3.7b

Forbes ranks the New York Yankees as baseball’s most valuable team for the 20th straight year and lists the Tampa Bay Rays with the lowest valuation. Forbes said it estimates the Yankees are worth $3.7 billion, up 9 percent from last year. The Dodgers are next at $2.75 billion, a 10 percent increase. The Red Sox were third at $2.7 billion, followed by the Cubs ($2.675 billion), Giants ($2.65 billion), and Mets ($2 billion). At the bottom were the Rays ($825 million), A’s ($880 million), Reds ($915 million), and Indians ($920 million) . . . ­Giants catcher Buster Posey was placed on the seven-day disabled list with concussion symptoms, a day after he was struck in the helmet by a 94-mile-per-hour fastball from Arizona’s Taijuan Walker . . . Braves outfielder Matt Kemp was placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to Saturday because of a right hamstring strain . . . The Mariners put shortstop Jean Segura on the 10-day DL with a strained right hamstring.

. . . Marlins president David Samson says talks with multiple parties interested in buying the team are in the ‘‘fourth inning,’’ leaving lots of uncertainty about the future of the franchise. Hours before the Marlins’ home opener Tuesday, Samson said owner Jeffrey Loria might sell before the end of the season — or not at all. ‘‘There’s not a guarantee that a transaction will happen,’’ Samson said. Loria, 76, bought the Marlins for $158.5 million in 2002 from John Henry

College basketball

Four Hoosiers to test NBA

OG Anunoby and three of his Indiana teammates have declared for this year’s NBA Draft. Anunoby plans to hire an agent and will not return for his junior year. He is projected to be a first-round pick despite getting a season-ending knee injury Jan. 18. Junior guards James Blackmon Jr. and Robert Johnson and sophomore center Thomas Bryant will not hire agents, making them eligible to continue their college careers. The moves come less than two weeks after Archie Miller was named coach . . . Other players declaring for the draft included LSU guard Antonio Blakeney and Gonzaga center Zach Collins, who became the first one-and-done player in Zags history . . . Louisville reserve center Matz Stockman will transfer after three seasons under coach Rick Pitino to play for Pitino’s son, Richard, at Minnesota. ­

The ­7-foot junior from Norway must sit out next season per NCAA transfer rules before playing his final year with the Big Ten school.

Football

Cardinals need sponsor

The Cardinals are looking for a new naming-rights partner for their stadium as the University of Phoenix wants to ends its 20-year sponsorship with about nine years remaining on the contract. The University of Phoenix won the naming rights in 2006. The $154.5 million deal paid the Cardinals an average of $7.7 million per year . . . Redskins linebacker Junior Galette has been arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and failure to comply following a fight over the weekend in Mississippi. Sergeant Jackie Rhodes, a Biloxi Police Department spokesman, says an officer saw the 29-year-old Galette strike another man during an altercation at a spring break event Friday night at MGM Park. Rhodes says Galette was told to stop but fled on foot. The officer chased Galette, used a stun gun to subdue him and took him into custody. Galette has missed the past two seasons because of Achilles’ tendon injuries . . . The Jaguars released 30-year-old linebacker Dan Skuta, continuing to purge defensive players. The Jaguars also traded fourth-year defensive end Chris Smith to the Bengals for a conditional pick in the 2018 NFL draft.

HOCKEY

Surgery for Rozsival

Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival has undergone surgery to repair facial fractures. The team says Rozsival is expected to make a full recovery, though it did not say how long he will be out . . . Jeff Blashill of the Red Wings was named coach of the US men’s team that will compete in the world championships next month in a key tuneup ahead of next year’s Winter Olympics . . . Michigan State has hired Danton Cole as its coach. The 50-year-old Cole worked previously with USA Hockey’s national team development program . . . Late Red Wings enforcer Bob Probert has been given a little more time in the penalty box at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena. Probert’s widow, Dani, sprinkled some of the forward’s ashes in the box Sunday when the Red Wings played their final game in the stadium. Probert’s daughter, Brogan, tweeted Sunday that she ‘‘can’t think of a better place’’ for her father’s ashes.

Probert logged hours in the box as one of the NHL’s most penalized players. During the 1987-88 season, he led the league with 398 minutes in penalties. He is fifth all time with 3,300 total penalty minutes in his 16-season career. Nine of those seasons were spent in Detroit. Probert retired in 2002 and died of a heart attack in 2010 at the age of 45.

Miscellany

Curry’s jersey a top seller

Stephen Curry has the best-selling jersey in the NBA, according to ­NBAStore.com, for the second consecutive year — and the Warriors have the best-selling merchandise as a franchise this season. Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas appears in the top 15 in jersey sales for the first time at No. 14 . . . For the second straight year, the Cavaliers will sign 36-year-old swingman Dahntay Jones on the final day of the regular season, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. Jones has to sign with the team before the last regular season game to be eligible for the playoffs . . . Former Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly has had surgery on his right wrist just weeks before the NFL Draft and won’t be able to throw for three months. Kelly’s agent, Vance McAllister, said James Andrews performed the surgery Monday to repair a ruptured ligament.