Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed optimism about the state securing hosting rights for the World Athletics Championship 2031 after meeting a delegation from the international governing body. The delegation is assessing Gujarat's sports infrastructure and readiness for both the 2028 U20 Championships and the 2031 senior championships, highlighting the state's growing ambition to host major global sporting events.
Japan delivered a commanding 4-0 win over Tunisia in the World Cup's 1,000th match on Saturday to move to the brink of the knockout stages, while the North Africans were eliminated after a second successive defeat in Group F.
Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran has offered advice to World Champion D Gukesh ahead of his title defence against Javokhir Sindarov. Sasikiran highlights Gukesh's tendency for time trouble due to complex play and suggests improving technique, speed, and defensive accuracy. He also advises Gukesh to identify and exploit opponent weaknesses, while acknowledging Sindarov's strong preparation and reliance on memory and speed.
Merlin, the pet duck in a mini Mexico shirt who has become a viral sensation and an unofficial mascot of the World Cup, met Mexico's president on Monday.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has already seen eight red cards, matching the combined total of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. This surge in dismissals, including six straight red cards, highlights a significant increase in disciplinary actions compared to recent editions, with Belgium's Nathan Ngoy being the latest player sent off.
Lionel Messi equalled the men's World Cup all-time scoring record with a hat-trick in Argentina's Group J opener against Algeria on Tuesday.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is set to be football's largest tournament but will unfold against a backdrop of significant geopolitical tensions, including conflicts, strained alliances, and complex immigration policies, challenging its traditional role as a symbol of global unity.
Lionel Messi became the all-time leading scorer in men's FIFA World Cup history on Monday, netting his 17th tournament goal during Argentina's match against Austria.
This year's WAGs include influencers, models, actors, and lifelong companions whose own careers and stories are drawing as much attention as the football itself.
Alireza Beiranvand produced seven saves, including a stunning contender for save of the tournament, as Iran held Belgium to a 0-0 draw at the FIFA World Cup.
The performance capped an extraordinary journey from poverty and homelessness to national hero.
Norwegian parliamentarians recreated the Viking rowing celebration made famous by their soccer fans, showing cross-party unity in support of the national team during the World Cup.
Lionel Messi is poised to further cement his legendary status as Argentina faces Austria in a crucial FIFA World Cup Group J match. Following a record-breaking hat-trick against Algeria, Messi is on the verge of equalling or surpassing several all-time World Cup records, including consecutive goals, total goals, and match victories. The football world watches as he leads Argentina against a formidable Austrian side.
Cape Verde, making their World Cup debut, have defied expectations by drawing with football giants Spain and Uruguay.
Mostafa "Zico" Mohamed, initially planning a summer vacation, received an unexpected call-up to the Egyptian national team for the World Cup. He has since become a standout performer, scoring and assisting in Egypt's historic 3-1 victory over New Zealand, their first-ever World Cup win, and is now crucial to their knockout stage aspirations.
India's newly appointed T20I captain Shreyas Iyer has showed his love for football, backing five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026.
The 2026 World Cup has witnessed an unusual number of own goals in its opening 10 days, with seven already recorded, making it the second-highest tally in tournament history. The United States has benefited from two such incidents. This trend is notable given the tournament's expansion and could surpass the 2018 record of 12 own goals. Several players from different nations have contributed to this statistic, highlighting a peculiar aspect of the early matches.
Points Table Of FIFA World Cup 2026.
With customers queued up and spilling onto the sidewalk at Cookieteria by Lovely, eager to grab fresh World Cup-themed conchas, baker Erika Lopez is worried about letting some down.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the 12th International Day of Yoga celebrations in Kolkata, highlighted yoga's dual benefits: boosting personal health and fostering world peace. He emphasised its role in promoting a balanced lifestyle, mental well-being, and healthy ageing across all generations, citing the Bhagwat Gita.
Qatar snatched their first ever World Cup point with a stoppage-time goal to draw 1-1 with Switzerland in an energetic and one-sided Group B opener on Saturday.
Cabo Verde goalkeeper Josimar 'Vozinha' Dias's mother, Ana Candida Evora, was welcomed by FIFA in Miami, ahead of Cabo Verde's FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H clash against Uruguay. This heartwarming gesture followed Vozinha's emotional revelation about his family's visa issues preventing them from attending his historic 0-0 draw against Spain. US authorities, in coordination with the State Department, the Cape Verde government, and FIFA, facilitated her travel, allowing her to support her son and the 'Blue Sharks' in person.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka was defeated by American Jessica Pegula in the Berlin Open semi-finals. Sabalenka struggled with her rhythm
England and Ghana, both coming off opening wins, are set to clash in a crucial Group L World Cup match in Boston.
India delivered a commanding performance at the World Boxing Cup 2026 (Stage 2) in Guiyang, China, securing six medals after a strong showing in the quarterfinals. Prachi (57kg), Minakshi (51kg), Deepak (70kg), and Nikhil (55kg) were among the Indian boxers who advanced to the semifinals, guaranteeing podium finishes.
Iran's football federation announced its World Cup ticket allocation has been revoked just days before the tournament, leaving many fans unable to attend.
German central defender Nico Schlotterbeck has been ruled out of the remainder of the World Cup and will be sidelined for several months due to an ankle ligament injury sustained during their Group E victory over Ivory Coast. Despite the setback, coach Julian Nagelsmann remains confident in the team's central defence options.
Teenage shooter Anvii Rathord won a bronze medal in the women's 10m air rifle at the ISSF Junior World Championship in Suhl, Germany. However, India's campaign was marred by a team disqualification due to a breach of equipment stiffness standards by Shambhavi Shravan Kshirsagar. Despite this setback, India continues to lead the medal tally. The championship also saw another Indian shooter, Vanshika Chaudhary, miss a potential gold due to a costly error.
France captain Kylian Mbappe became his country's all-time leading scorer with a double against Senegal at the World Cup on Tuesday.
Iran's Football Federation will lodge an official protest with FIFA after the United States reportedly denied the national team's request to travel to Los Angeles two days before their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match against Belgium, citing geopolitical tensions and previous visa issues.
Japan v Tunisia marks 1,000th FIFA World Cup match
FIFA's 'Debut FIFA World Cup' sleeve patch for the 2026 tournament is designed to celebrate first-time players and personalise kits.
FIFA's new hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup have sparked controversy, with coaches including Marcelo Bielsa and Gustavo Alfaro claiming they disrupt football's rhythm and serve commercial interests more than player welfare.
Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup record fell as Lionel Messi scored a historic hat-trick and reached 16 tournament goals.
Morocco outmuscled Scotland for a 1-0 win thanks to the tournament's fastest goal on Friday, taking control of Group C in the World Cup and moving into top spot with one match left to play.
The BWF World Championships are returning to India after 17 years, to be held in New Delhi from August 17-23. Tickets, priced from Rs 499 to Rs 5,500, are now on sale through BookMyShow, with various categories and early bird discounts available. Indian stars like Lakshya Sen and PV Sindhu, alongside international badminton greats, are set to compete.
Football superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have taken to social media to share their preparations for crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage matches. Messi, fresh off a hat-trick, is fine-tuning for Argentina's clash against Austria, while Ronaldo, after a frustrating draw, is refocusing for Portugal's game against Uzbekistan.
Iran's coach and their key player said the national team will strive to bring joy and unity to Iranian people around the world, despite war and other tensions making their FIFA World Cup adventure uniquely challenging.
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, confirmed that the US will continue to assess Iran's travel arrangements for the tournament despite their complaints about restrictions.
Germany secured a spot in the World Cup knockout stage after a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against Ivory Coast.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has stated that Jude Bellingham faces significant competition for a starting position in the upcoming World Cup, despite being considered a potential starter.
