World Cup fever in Argentina, home of the defending champions, has boosted sales of counterfeit jerseys and soccer trading cards, sparking protests from retailers who are already under pressure from President Javier Milei's market-opening policies.
Inspirational Lionel Messi would like to end his glittering career on a high as Argentina begin their World Cup defence on June 17 against Algeria in their Group J encounter.
Lionel Messi will lead defending champions Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after coach Lionel Scaloni named a 26-man squad featuring 17 players from the 2022 title-winning team.
Multi-champions Brazil, Argentina and Germany all won their preparatory games for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday, although by small margins, with former champion England and hopeful Portugal also securing victories.
Lionel Messi is dealing with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring less than three weeks before the start of the World Cup, Inter Miami said on Monday after the Argentine forward was forced off in his final club match before the tournament.
Lionel Messi sparked injury concerns after he left the field in the 73rd minute of Inter Miami CF's 6-4 victory over Philadelphia Union
The Indian women's hockey team concluded their four-match tour of Argentina with a 2-2 draw, showcasing resilience and determination after a challenging start to the series.
Lionel Messi led Argentina to a dominant 3-0 victory over Iceland in a FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up friendly, scoring a penalty and contributing to another goal after recovering from muscle fatigue.
Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman has accused the Argentina football team of deceiving the state by failing to play a match after allegedly receiving payment.
Argentina has significantly increased its LPG exports to India to help mitigate shortages caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. This partnership is becoming increasingly important for India's energy security.
The Indian senior women's hockey team will tour Argentina for a four-match series in Buenos Aires, offering crucial preparation for the FIH Hockey World Cup and Asian Games later this year.
Packed with legendary players and remarkable milestones, these fascinating FIFA World Cup facts offer a glimpse into the tournament's rich history.
Salima Tete will lead India's 24-member women's hockey squad for the Argentina tour, with Deepika and Savita returning to the team.
Star goalkeeper Savita Punia returns to the Indian women's hockey team after a 10-month break, while Salima Tete misses the Argentina series due to illness. The tour serves as crucial preparation for upcoming major tournaments.
Qatar take on Switzerland in their World Cup opener on Saturday eager to shake off the pressure of expectation, coming in as back-to-back Asian champions with an urgent need to make amends for a dismal debut as hosts of the 2022 tournament.
Since the FIFA World Cup's inaugural tournament in 1930, 22 competitions have occurred up to 2022. Interestingly only eight different countries have succeeded in claiming the famous trophy.
The 23rd FIFA World Cup, to be staged across the Americas from June 11 to July 19, has once again ignited excitement across the globe. India, despite its national football team languishing at 139th in the FIFA rankings, has been swept up in the tournament's magic.
David Beckham has tipped Japan as a dark horse for the 2026 FIFA World Cup while backing England to end their 60-year wait for glory. The former captain also highlighted France, Spain, Argentina and Brazil as title contenders.
For the expanded 2026 tournament, FIFA has gone a step further and introduced an extra amnesty for yellow cards, effectively wiping the slate clean twice.
The 'Finalissima' match between Spain and Argentina that was scheduled to be held in Qatar has been cancelled due to the conflict in the Middle East while the South American side rejected multiple alternatives, UEFA said on Sunday.
Points Table Of FIFA World Cup 2026.
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia says FIFA's expanded 48-team World Cup format significantly improves India's chances of qualification while creating new opportunities for emerging football nations across Asia and beyond.
The complete schedule of FIFA World Cup 2026 in IST.
The Finalissima match between Spain and Argentina in Doha is in doubt after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
Pochettino expects a "very tough game" against Paraguay, praising their aggression and discipline.
With Kylian Mbappe's depth and experience, economists predict France are tipped to edge Spain to lift World Cup.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma received a signed Lionel Messi jersey and expressed his excitement on social media.
India slumped to a crushing 0-8 defeat against Argentina in the FIH Men's Pro League in Rourkela, with Tomas Domene scoring four goals at the Birsa Munda Stadium.
Pope Leo may have traded his life in Chicago for the ornate apartments at the Vatican's apostolic palace, but he still plans to root for his old national team at the World Cup this month.
India's Yuki Bhambri and his partner Michael Venus of New Zealand were defeated by the Italian pair of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in the men's doubles second round of the French Open.
Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos successfully defended their French Open men's doubles title, defeating Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten in straight sets to secure their third Grand Slam crown together.
A record eight players aged 40 or older have been selected to play at the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States - one more than at all the past 22 tournaments combined.
The 70-foot statue of Lionel Messi in Kolkata, West Bengal, is set to be dismantled due to safety concerns after being found unstable in the wind.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation has paid its players daily allowances and bonuses in advance for the upcoming FIH Pro League matches and the Hockey World Cup, aiming to boost morale and focus. This move includes clearing PKR 4.5 million in dues and increasing daily allowances to USD 110, following their qualification for the World Cup after an eight-year absence.
Indian women's hockey team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne emphasises the importance of discipline for consistent performance in upcoming tournaments, following an impressive outing against Argentina. The team is preparing for the FIH Nation's Cup in New Zealand and the Asian Games.
India's N Sriram Balaji and his Brazilian partner Marcelo Demoliner secured a second-round victory in the men's doubles at the French Open, while Yuki Bhambri and his partner Michael Venus were defeated.
Former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola will take over as Liverpool's manager on a two-year deal, the Premier League club said on Thursday.
With hot weather due and memories fresh of the scorching 2025 Club World Cup, FIFA has for the first time mandated three-minute hydration breaks in each half for all 104 matches of the World Cup starting this week in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
Morocco, Norway, Turkey, Colombia, Mexico and Japan are among the leading dark horses for FIFA World Cup 2026, with each side possessing the talent and momentum to challenge football's traditional powers.
Matteo Berrettini reached the French Open quarterfinals by ousting giant-killer Juan Manuel Cerundolo, while Felix Auger-Aliassime and Flavio Cobolli sealed their last-eight spots with contrasting wins.
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