Italy's technical director Paolo Maldini revealed that the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) first approached Carlo Ancelotti for the national team coaching job before engaging with Pep Guardiola, as they seek to rebuild the Azzurri after failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.
Gulveer Singh has made history by becoming the first Indian to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the men's 10,000m event, securing a silver on a rain-soaked track in Glasgow.
World number one Magnus Carlsen is set to compete in the pilot event of the FIDE-approved Total Chess World Championship Tour in November, a precursor to a global season launching in March 2027.
Cape Verde's World Cup star goalkeeper Vozinha has agreed to join Chilean club Colo Colo, pending a medical. The 40-year-old free agent's move follows his impressive performances at the recent World Cup, where he was part of FIFA's fan-selected dream team.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha and Norway striker Erling Haaland have been named in the fan-voted FIFA World Cup dream team, with both rewarded for standout performances during unexpected runs by their teams.
India is sending a 125-member contingent to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with established stars like Neeraj Chopra, Mirabai Chanu, and Lovlina Borgohain, alongside rising talents such as Aryan Nehra and Gurindervir Singh, expected to lead the nation's medal charge across 13 disciplines.
Two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu has reached her first Super 750 semifinal in nearly three years at the Japan Open after Nozomi Okuhara withdrew. She will now face Tokyo Olympic champion Chen Yufei in the semifinals.
Indian long jumper Murali Sreeshankar secured his second consecutive Commonwealth Games silver medal in Glasgow with a leap of 8.09 metres. This achievement marks an emotional comeback for the athlete, who battled a career-threatening knee injury in 2024, forcing him to miss the Paris Olympics. Despite his disappointment at not winning gold, Sreeshankar views this medal as a crucial stepping stone for the upcoming Asian Games.
The challenge thrown by the youth movement creates the opportunity for a more consequential debate on India's economic trajectory because it must remain centered on India's youth as its driving impulse, asserts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
Indian weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu clinched India's first gold medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in the women's 48kg category. She achieved a record total lift of 190kg, including new Commonwealth and Games records in snatch (85kg) and clean and jerk (105kg). This marks her third consecutive gold at the CWG, following her wins in 2018 and 2022, and she also secured a silver in 2014.
World Cup champions Spain climbed back to the top of the FIFA men's rankings released on Monday, while runners-up Argentina slipped to second following their defeat in the final.
Punjab FC has announced the double signing of forward Gurkirat Singh and defender Nishchal Chandan, bolstering their squad for the 2026-27 Indian Super League season. Both players have signed two-year agreements, bringing significant experience and talent to the Shers.
Frenchman Alireza Firouzja has won the fourth edition of the Chennai Grand Masters chess tournament, securing the title with a draw against Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi in the final round. Firouzja finished with 4.5 points, taking home a prize purse of Rs 25 lakh.
Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra secured a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with a season-best throw of 85.83m. Debutant Yashvir Singh surprised with a personal best of 85.41m on his final attempt, earning a bronze medal. Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage won gold with an 89.75m throw despite challenging cold and windy conditions.
Indian wrestlers Nikita Sehrawat, Kamna Babal, and Garima secured three medals at the U17 World Championships in Baku. Nikita Sehrawat clinched a silver medal in the 57kg category, while Kamna Babal (49kg) and Garima (73kg) each earned bronze medals, showcasing strong performances on the international stage.
Joe Root has returned as England's Test captain, succeeding Ben Stokes, and cited Stephen Fleming's appointment as the new Test coach as a significant factor in his decision. Root expressed excitement about Fleming's vision for the team and their shared goal of building something special.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma has called for the state to become a hub for Indian futsal, producing players capable of leading the national team to the FIFA Futsal World Cup. Speaking at a felicitation for Tlangnuam Futsal Club, he emphasised nurturing talent for international success and highlighted government investment in sports infrastructure.
FIFA's proposal to create a $20 billion subsidiary for the World Cup highlights the intricate balance of power in global football, where the governing body's authority is often challenged by the significant commercial strength of UEFA, particularly in Europe.
Indian javelin thrower Rohit Yadav admitted that his 'overconfidence' and attempt to outdo both Sri Lankan gold winner Rumesh Pathirage and compatriot Neeraj Chopra during the Commonwealth Games final led to his seventh-place finish, stating he should have curbed his ambition.
Argentina's veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi has announced his retirement from international football after a 17-year career, which included winning the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles.
The Glasgow Games will be held across four venues. India's campaign opens with two bowls matches before the opening ceremony later in the day.
Anahat Singh has made history by becoming the first Indian to win the World Junior Squash Championship, defeating Egypt's Ruqayya Salem in the final.
IPL 2026 champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have no immediate plans to follow rivals and buy franchises in overseas leagues, co-owner Satyan Gajwani said.
India's men's hockey team has announced its 20-member squad for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, featuring one change with midfielder Raj Kumar Pal replacing Aditya Arjun Lalage. Led by Harmanpreet Singh, the team aims for gold and direct qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics.
Indian MMA fighter Sangram Singh is set to face Pakistan's Mohammed Abid Ali for the prestigious STRIKE Asia Champion Title in Kuala Lumpur. This highly anticipated fight marks a significant step in Singh's transition from professional wrestling to MMA, where he holds an unbeaten 3-0 record.
Jannik Sinner and Linda Noskova captivated tennis fans with their dance moves at the Wimbledon Champions' Ball, upholding a cherished tradition after their respective singles title victories.
Ahmedabad, India, has been confirmed as the host for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, a significant step in India's ambition to become a global sporting capital and potentially host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi has moved into a joint lead with French GM Alireza Firouzja at the Chennai Grand Masters after defeating world champion D Gukesh. With only two rounds remaining, the tournament sees intense competition, including GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov also in contention, vying for a significant prize purse and FIDE Circuit points.
India's men's doubles coach Tan Kim Her has expressed concern over Satwiksairaj Rankireddy's recurring shoulder injury ahead of the BWF World Championships, despite the pair's recent Singapore Open victory.
Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has voiced his deep disappointment over Jamshedpur FC's decision to withdraw from the upcoming Indian Super League season. Describing the move as "a punch in the gut," Chhetri urged the Tata Group, owners of the club, to reconsider, highlighting their crucial role in Indian football development. The club's withdrawal, influenced by a new AIFF administrative fee, means the ISL will proceed with 13 teams.
Indian boxer Jadumani Singh secured a dominant unanimous decision victory against Scotland's Aaron Cullen in the men's 55kg category at the Commonwealth Games.
Indian badminton players Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, Devika Sihag, and Kiran George have successfully advanced to the quarterfinals of the Taipei Open Super 300 tournament. While these rising stars secured impressive victories, seasoned players HS Prannoy and Anmol Kharb faced defeats, ending their campaign.
Punjab is set to host the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in October, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann assuring full support to Hockey India for organising the event. The tournament will be played in Jalandhar and Mohali, featuring the top six men's teams from the Asian Games.
Zinedine Zidane, the 1998 World Cup hero and former Real Madrid manager, has been appointed to lead the France national team, with the primary goal of converting recent near-misses into major trophies, starting with the 2028 European Championship.
Zimbabwe Cricket has announced a 15-man squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against India, featuring three changes from their recent series against Bangladesh, including the return of all-rounder Wessly Madhevere and a maiden T20I call-up for wicketkeeper-batter Tafadzwa Tsiga.
Former India captain Gouramangi Singh offers his expert analysis on the upcoming FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. He highlights Spain's aggressive pressing game and defensive transitions against Argentina's champion's mentality and composure, predicting the match will be decided by small margins. Singh also discusses the individual strengths of both teams and downplays the Messi vs. Yamal narrative.
India's Minerva Academy FC has been crowned the World Youth Cup 2026 Champions, defeating Brazil's RS Sports 2-1 in the Under-12 final in Gothenburg, Sweden, marking their third youth world title and becoming the first Indian academy to achieve this feat.
Having registered a ninth-place finish in the 2023 edition held at Bhubaneswar, India will be aiming to bring the gold home, riding on the back of the momentum of two back-to-back Olympic bronze medals, an Asia Cup title win, two Asian Champions Trophy wins and an Asia Cup gold.
India's boxing contingent for the Commonwealth Games faced a significant setback when nearly half of their luggage, including essential training gear and ceremonial outfits, was left behind in Belfast. This incident occurred just days before the boxing competition is set to begin in Glasgow.
Indian javelin throwers Neeraj Chopra and Yashvir Singh secured silver and bronze medals respectively at the Commonwealth Games, marking a historic 2-3 finish for India.
