Luca Zidane, son of French World Cup-winner Zinedine, said his grandfather had supported him in switching international allegiance to Algeria, after playing for France at junior level.
Next year's 48-team World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
The winners of each group will join hosts Assam, last season's champions West Bengal and runners-up Kerala in the 12-team Final Round that will be hosted in Dhakuakhana and Dhemaji.
A summary of Saturday's action in the FIFA World Cup 2026 UEFA Qualifiers.
Spain secured their place at the 2026 World Cup after a nervy 2-2 draw with Turkey in Seville on Tuesday.
India produced another clinical performance against Sri Lanka in their Group H clash to inch closer to the knockout stages of the mixed team event of the BWF World Junior Badminton Championships.
England booked their place in next year's World Cup finals as captain Harry Kane scored twice in a 5-0 romp away to Latvia on Tuesday to ensure they will win qualifying Group K.
World Junior Ch'ships: India off to flying start; Sri Lanka edge UAE in thriller
East Bengal progressed to the group stage of the AFC Women's Champions League after a 1-1 draw against Hong Kong's Kitchee SC in their final Qualifiers Group E match, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Sunday.
Norway secured a commanding 5-0 win at home to Israel in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday, as Erling Haaland struck a hat-trick to celebrate his 50th international goal and helped move his side to the brink of a place at next year's tournament.
With two wins from two games, Spain top Group E on six points, while Turkey and Georgia follow with three apiece.
The centralised semi-finals and the final are scheduled for May 20 to 23, next year.
Phnom Penh Crown will next face Hong Kong's Kitchee SC on Thursday, while East Bengal take on the same opponents on Sunday.
Defending champions NorthEast United FC will face impressive hosts Shillong Lajong FC in the first semifinals of the Durand Cup, an encore of 2024 final match, in Shillong on Tuesday.
Defending champions NorthEast United FC secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Malaysian Armed Forces FT in their opening Group E match of the Durand Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Saturday.
Jamshedpur FC booked their place in the quarterfinals of the 134th Durand Cup with a clinical 2-0 victory over 1 Ladakh FC in a Group C clash in Jamshedpur on Friday.
Shillong Lajong FC began their Durand Cup campaign in commanding fashion, blanking Malaysia's Armed Forces Football Team 6-0 in the opening match of Group E, in Shillong on Saturday.
Indian Super League side FC Goa was drawn along with superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia in Group D of the AFC Champions League 2.
India were on Thursday drawn in group G along with Slovenia and the Netherlands as Karnataka will host the prestigious Billie Jean King Cup playoffs in Bengaluru from November 14 where India will strive to qualify for the finals.
Three goals in eight first-half minutes sent the Mexican side on their way to victory, with stunning long-range strikes from Nelson Deossa and Jesus Corona coming either side of German Berterame's cool finish.
Captain Mohamed Salah scored for Egypt as they eased to a 2-0 victory over Ethiopia in their 2026 World Cup qualifier on Friday, but 2022 semi-finalists Morocco needed a late winner from Bilal El Khannouss to defeat unfancied Niger.
'Following successful live operation in the Emirates FA Cup, the Premier League will look to implement the system later this season.'
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya will not be available for the league stage matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy because of personal reasons, but he will join Baroda if they progress to the knockouts.
Coach Branko Ivankovic insisted China's World Cup qualifying campaign was still alive despite back-to-back losses to Saudi Arabia and Australia over the last five days leaving them bottom of Asian qualifying Group C.
Arshdeep Singh grabbed five wickets and opener Prabhsimran Singh smashed a marauding unbeaten 150 as Punjab defeated Mumbai by eight wickets
The group stage draw of the continent's top-tier league involving 40 teams was held online in Margao.
Ruturaj Gaikwad's whirlwind 148 not out powered Maharashtra to a nine-wicket win over Services
Mohammed Shami claimed three wickets further building on his match fitness, while Abhishek Porel smashed a blistering fifty
Fifties by skipper Shreyas Iyer and veteran Ajinkya Rahane carried Mumbai to a five-wicket win over Maharashtra in a Group C match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
Around 40 schools in Delhi received a bomb threat mail Monday morning with the sender demanding US
Tilak Varma became the first batter ever to notch three successive hundreds in T20s, while Shreyas Iyer underlined his credentials with a smooth century
Continuing his fine run in his comeback from ankle surgery, India pacer Mohammed Shami will be in the spotlight as Bengal face strong challenge from a rampaging Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 quarterfinal in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
Mayank Agarawal's unbeaten 139 took Karnataka over the line against Punjab by one wicket,
Premier League champions Manchester City were drawn on Thursday with Juventus, Wydad AC and Al Ain in Group G for next year's FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Hyderabad will host the final rounds of the 78th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy for the first time in 57 years, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Wednesday.
Asian Games medallist Anush Agarwalla crashed out of the Equestrian event, finishing a below-par ninth in his group in the individual dressage category at the Paris Olympics
Shami plays sixth match in 11 days, bowls 15 dots
Mohammed Shami's first white ball outing since 2023 World Cup final was below par but Bengal survived a fine all-round effort by Arshdeep Singh
Delhi use 11 bowlers vs Manipur
Andhra's chase was anchored by right-handed opener Hebbar, who hammered six boundaries and a six, despite losing partners at the other end.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances