The Czech Republic secured their 12th Billie Jean King Cup title by defeating Ukraine 2-0 in the final. Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova delivered dominant singles victories, with Muchova sweeping Anhelina Kalinina and Noskova overcoming Elina Svitolina. This victory marks the Czechs' first title since 2018, solidifying their position as the second-most successful nation in the competition's history.
Spain winger Lamine Yamal has been appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, becoming one of the youngest footballers to take on the global role ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is optimistic of Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Victor Munoz to be fit to play in their World Cup opener against Cape Verde on June 15.
Players who participated in the 2026 World Cup generated over $3.3 billion in international transfer fees during the recent mid-year transfer window, contributing to a record $9.89 billion spent in men's football, FIFA announced.
Coco Gauff, the fourth seed, defeated Spain's Cristina Bucsa 6-3, 6-4 in the third round of the U.S. Open, securing her spot in the second week for the fifth consecutive year. Despite some struggles with her serve, Gauff maintained control and delivered 15 winners, showcasing her defensive skills and ability to change pace. She now awaits her next opponent, either Iva Jovic or Alexandra Eala.
India's title defence at the Chess Olympiad suffered a setback after a loss to hosts Uzbekistan, leaving them two points behind the leaders.
George Russell secured pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with a dominant performance, setting a lap time significantly faster than his rivals. His Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli crashed out during qualifying, paving the way for Russell's 12th career pole. Other top contenders like Max Verstappen faced issues, while several drivers incurred grid penalties, setting the stage for a potentially unpredictable race on the challenging Baku street circuit.
Spain's teenage winger Lamine Yamal says he has plenty of improvement left in his fledgling career with fans not yet having seen the best.
Lionel Messi has made the 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlist after another prolific season, while five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo was omitted despite helping Al-Nassr secure the Saudi Pro League title.
Kylian Mbappe has asserted his belief that he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or this year, despite not securing any club or international silverware. The French forward highlighted his individual performances, including becoming the World Cup's all-time leading scorer, and praised new France coach Zinedine Zidane.
Lamine Yamal exploded into view at 16 and became an integral part of Spain's record fourth European Championship triumph in 2024.
Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41, remains confident in his ability to contribute to the Portugal national team under new coach Jorge Jesus, targeting both the UEFA Nations League title and his 1,000th career goal. He addressed his international future post-World Cup, his motivation, and dismissed critics, asserting he is not yet ready to retire.
Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes has labelled his 10-match ban, imposed by FIFA following an altercation with Spanish players after the World Cup final, as 'excessive' and believes it can be reduced upon appeal.
The Indian men's chess team, seeded second, is set to face sixth-seeded Holland in the fifth round of the 46th Chess Olympiad after a mixed start. While players like D Gukesh and Nihal Sareen have performed well, top board players R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi are looking to find their form. The Indian women's team, with a perfect score, will play Poland, with B Savitha Shri being a standout performer.
McLaren's Lando Norris took pole in the qualifying race after seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton crashed his Ferrari during the final practice session at the Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid's challenging new circuit.
Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has received a reduced one-month suspension for testing positive for cocaine at an ATP Tour event in Mallorca. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed the ban, which was lessened after Kyrgios entered a treatment program. He admitted to social cocaine use before the event, and will forfeit prize money and ranking points from Mallorca.
Ben Shelton achieved a career-defining victory by defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling five-set match at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Shelton overcame losing the first set to win in a super tiebreak, ending Alcaraz's title defence in a dramatic upset.
New Portugal manager Jorge Jesus included 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo in his first squad for upcoming Nations League matches, emphasising that team selection will strictly depend on current performance.
Lionel Messi has been called up by Argentina for a farewell appearance in a home friendly on October 6 against Benin, following his international retirement. Argentina will play three home friendlies in total, with the squad list also announced.
England football icon David Beckham has paid tribute to Lionel Messi, calling him a 'credit to himself' and an 'inspiration for millions' after the Argentina legend announced his retirement from international football.
World number two Elena Rybakina defeated Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2 6-4 to progress to the third round of the U.S. Open. Rybakina, aiming for a third Grand Slam title and the top WTA ranking, showcased a dominant performance despite a late service break. She expressed happiness with her win and her recovery from fitness doubts, setting up a clash with Yuliia Starodubtseva.
Cristiano Ronaldo has called for a lifetime ban on football fans who chanted the name of deceased former teammate Diogo Jota at Ruben Neves during a Saudi Pro League match. The incident, which occurred during a game between Al-Taawoun and Al-Hilal, deeply affected Neves, a close friend of Jota.
Lionel Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022 and the final in 2026, is retiring from international football, he said on Monday.
India's Under-16 tennis star Ribhav Saroha will captain the national team at the upcoming junior Davis Cup Finals in Cairo, Egypt. The team, also featuring Hruthik Katakam and Tavish Pahwa, will compete against top international sides from November 2 to 8.
Lionel Messi's mother, Celia, shared an emotional statement reflecting on the deep connection her late husband, Jorge Messi, shared with their son's footballing journey, noting the bittersweet timing of Messi's international retirement just weeks after his father's passing.
French football superstar Kylian Mbappe has ended his long-standing partnership with Nike to join the rapidly expanding Swiss sportswear brand On, a move that provides On with a high-profile figure for its entry into football and marks another significant defection for the US giant.
Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar lauded American tennis player Ben Shelton's thrilling five-set victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open quarter-finals, while also expressing sympathy for Alcaraz's tough luck after returning from injury.
India's top-ranked Under-16 tennis player, Tavish Pahwa, will captain the national team at the Junior Davis Cup Finals in Cairo, scheduled for November 2-8. The team also includes Ribhav Saroha and Hruthik Katakam, with Rana Banerjee as coach.
Stefanos Tsitsipas revealed he was not surprised by Nick Kyrgios's recent drug suspension, stating he 'pretty much expected' it and knew about the positive cocaine test before the official announcement.
In 100 days in office, Chief Minister V D Satheesan has ordered five SITs. This would appear to be some kind of a record, points out Aditi Phadnis.
Indian karting sensation Atiqa Mir achieved two top-four finishes in Round 1 of the WSK Final Cup in Franciacorta, Italy, despite facing setup issues and a crash in the final. Her performance showcased resilience and race craft against a competitive field of 72 drivers.
India's Pranavi Urs finished Tied-9 after the rain-affected first round of the La Sella Open golf tournament in Spain, carding a 3-under score. Italian Anna Zanusso leads the field, while other Indian golfers like Diksha Dagar, Avani Prashanth, Vani Kapoor, and Hitaashee Bakshi also competed, with varying results.
Indian golfer Pranavi Urs expresses confidence in the women's team for the Asian Games, emphasising consistency, strong driving, and creating birdie opportunities over chasing specific low scores. She highlights the team dynamic with Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar and discusses her preparation, international experience, and areas for improvement in her game.
Paris St Germain have signed Spain's World Cup-winning forward Ferran Torres from Barcelona on a contract until 2031, the two clubs announced on Saturday.
Glimpses of the August 12, 2026 solar eclipse as the Moon crossed the Sun over Europe and beyond.
The UK has announced a comprehensive sanctions regime against Israeli settlements in the West Bank, banning the import of goods and targeting entities involved in settlement expansion. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband condemned the "ethnic cleansing of Palestinians" and highlighted international support for the UK's stance, while Israel reacted strongly with counter-measures.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has made three changes to his starting XI for the World Cup semi-final against Argentina, bringing Reece James and Djed Spence into the defence, while Argentina's Lionel Scaloni makes one switch, with Giuliano Simeone replacing Rodrigo De Paul.
European champions Spain will travel to next month's World Cup with plenty of Barcelona swagger but no-one from Real Madrid after manager Luis de la Fuente named a 26-man squad on Monday built around eight players from the Catalan club.
The 2026 Hockey World Cup saw Argentina break the Netherlands' dominance in women's hockey, while Germany successfully defended their men's title. The tournament, co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium, featured simultaneous men's and women's events, highlighting shifting hierarchies and India's mixed performance with promising women's results and disappointing men's outcomes.
McLaren's Lando Norris delivered a stunning 'wonder lap' to snatch pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix, beating championship leader Kimi Antonelli by a mere 0.011 seconds.
