Defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, have shown remarkable resilience in the World Cup knockout stages, overcoming a 2-0 deficit against Egypt and needing extra time against Cape Verde to reach the quarter-finals against Switzerland.
Barcelona have signed midfielder Rodri from Manchester City on a deal until June 2030, the LaLiga champions announced on Tuesday, ending the Spaniard's glittering, trophy-laden spell with the Premier League club in a major coup for the Catalan side.
Indian hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh has called for a complete 60-minute performance from his squad in their "do-or-die" FIH World Cup match against Olympic champions Netherlands. Both Harmanpreet and coach Craig Fulton believe India can upset the hosts by playing smartly, maintaining impeccable defense, and capitalising on their underdog status.
South Africa international midfielder Jayden Adams, who played a key role in his country's 2026 World Cup campaign, has died at the age of 25, with no cause of death immediately provided.
Former Arsenal manager and FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger has backed Kylian Mbappe's France to win the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, saying Spain are the only team capable of stopping the two-time champions because of their superior technical quality.
Cape Verde coach Bubista expressed immense pride in his team's performance at their first World Cup, despite their 3-2 extra-time loss to three-time champions Argentina in the last-32. He highlighted their draws against Spain and Uruguay, and the character shown by his players, many of whom are not from elite leagues, in taking Argentina to the wire. Bubista emphasised that their World Cup campaign was about showcasing the island-nation's spirit and identity.
Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem is embroiled in a controversy with the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) for travelling to South Africa for training without obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC). This unapproved travel could impact his participation in upcoming international competitions like the World Ultimate Athletics Championship and the Asian Games.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has urged football fans to maintain peace during the FIFA World Cup final and announced special permissions for hotels and restaurants to screen the match live until 3:30 AM. He is also set to join a public screening event in Koramangala, organised by the KSFA and DYES, to watch the final between Argentina and Spain with other enthusiasts.
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.
Teen Indian batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was named Player of the Match and Series after India's 3-0 T20 series sweep against Zimbabwe. Sooryavanshi scored 151 runs, including a rapid 50 and an 81, crediting his natural T20 game and team support for his success. Captain Shreyas Iyer praised the young team's fearless energy, while Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza highlighted the valuable experience gained by his side.
Lionel Messi shared insights into Argentina's World Cup preparations in Miami, posting training moments on Instagram. The defending champions are gearing up for their Round of 32 clash against Cabo Verde, with Messi, at 39, remaining a pivotal figure for the team's success.
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.
India's Vivaan Vishal and Turkmenistan's Shohradova Lala won the Open and Girls sections, respectively, at the Asian Junior Rapid Chess Championship in Mumbai. Vivaan secured his title with a strong finish, while Shohradova claimed victory after a tie-break against India's Pratitee Bordoloi. The event now moves to the Classical Championship.
Thibaut Courtois, Belgium's goalkeeper, expresses confidence in his team's ability to surprise Spain in the upcoming World Cup quarter-final. Despite a shaky group stage, Belgium has shown improved form, and Courtois believes they have the qualities to challenge the European champions. He acknowledges Spain's strengths but highlights Belgium's potential for an upset, drawing on his personal experience playing in Spain.
What do you need to know about the MetLife Stadium that will host the 2026 World Cup final?
Former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova has been banned for four years after missing a doping test, leading the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) to demand a greater say for athletes in anti-doping regulations. Vondrousova cited safety concerns for not opening her door to a doping control officer late at night, while the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) maintains that unpredictable testing is crucial for clean sport.
The Indian mixed trap teams had a disappointing performance at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup in Lonato, Italy, failing to qualify for medal matches. Despite this, the Indian contingent concluded the event with one gold medal, placing them joint third in the medal table alongside Australia. Italy topped the table with two golds.
Antonelli won the 17-lap sprint ahead of Hamilton, a record nine-times winner at Silverstone in a career that started in 2007, to go 43 points clear of Briton Russell in the standings.
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.
Arsenal have officially signed England international Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa on a long-term contract for a reported 55 million, significantly boosting their defensive options ahead of their Premier League title defence.
Switzerland players have heaped praise on Lionel Messi ahead of Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against Argentina, but said they have identified weaknesses in the defending champions and believe they can cause an upset.
P V Sindhu secured the Japan Open women's singles title, defeating Akane Yamaguchi in straight games.
The Indian Blind Women's T20 World Cup-winning team met President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Tenth seed Karolina Muchova snuffed out the Wimbledon hopes of friend and 2024 champion Barbora Krejcikova on Sunday, winning 7-5, 5-7, 6-3 in a tight battle for Czech supremacy and a place in the quarterfinals. The 32-year-old Pegula said beforehand she had expected the 18-year-old Jovic to come at her hard and so it proved, but after a scrappy first set, she won 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 to reach the quarterfinal and equal her best Wimbledon run.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will conclude with a spectacular closing ceremony at New Jersey Stadium, featuring performances by global superstars like Tom Cruise, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams, and IShowSpeed. Jennifer Hudson will perform the US national anthem. The ceremony will celebrate the journey of 48 teams across three host countries and 16 cities, marking the end of a record-breaking tournament.
World Cup-winning Spanish footballer Gerard Pique has become a strategic shareholder in the Global Chess League franchise American Gambits. Pique, known for his illustrious football career, expressed his long-standing fascination with chess and his ambition to elevate the sport's global appeal. The fourth edition of the Global Chess League, featuring top grandmasters, is scheduled for September 3-13.
Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has opened up about the challenging 10 months he faced battling multiple injuries, including an adductor muscle issue. Despite the setbacks, the two-time Olympic medallist made a strong comeback at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, securing a silver medal. He expressed gratitude to his support staff for their crucial role in his recovery and return to competition.
Delhi golfer Shaurya Bhattacharya maintained his two-shot lead after shooting a one-under 71 in Round 3 of the PGTI Kolar Open. He now aggregates 10-under 206, with Chandigarh's Angad Cheema and Hyderabad's Mohammed Azhar tied for second at eight-under 208. Bhattacharya faced challenging weather conditions but secured a crucial birdie on the final hole to restore his advantage for the final round.
Former Spain defender Joan Capdevila has appealed to President Donald Trump for help after being denied permission to enter the United States for Sunday's World Cup final between Spain and defending champions Argentina.
The second edition of the Coal India Open golf tournament is set to begin in Kolkata, featuring a strong field of leading Indian and international professionals competing for a prize purse of Rs 1 crore. Defending champion Angad Cheema and other notable golfers will participate at the Tollygunge Club.
The FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina garnered nearly 63 million viewers in the United States, setting new viewership records and highlighting football's increasing popularity in the country.
India women's hockey players urge the Sports Ministry and corporates to save the Women's HIL, saying the league is vital for developing future talent.
Former Olympic and World Championship gold medallist Neeraj Chopra secured a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026, describing it as a special achievement following a challenging 10-month recovery from multiple injuries. He credited his support system for his successful return to competition.
Indian men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh believes his side is capable of ending the country's five-decade-long World Cup medal drought, drawing parallels with the team's success at the Tokyo Olympics.
Six-time world champion and Olympic bronze-medallist M C Mary Kom believes Indian pugilists will secure a 'reasonably good medal haul' at the Commonwealth Games, though gold might be elusive, while expressing less certainty for the Asian Games. She also criticised the Boxing Federation of India's functioning and selection policies.
Five Indian tennis players were excluded from the Asian Games squad because they did not meet the Sports Ministry's stringent international ranking criteria, a decision that has drawn criticism from veteran players like Rohan Bopanna but is being upheld by authorities to maintain administrative integrity.
SAI has defended the exclusion of five Indian tennis players from the Asian Games squad, saying they failed to meet the prescribed continental ranking criteria.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has reached her first final in over two years at the Japan Open after her opponent, Tokyo Olympics champion Chen Yufei, retired due to injury during their women's singles semifinal. Sindhu was leading the match when Chen pulled out, setting up a final clash against either Akane Yamaguchi or Putri Kusuma Wardani.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is campaigning for re-election by positioning himself as the advocate for less wealthy football nations, while UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has ruled out running against him but anticipates an opposition candidate.
Spain's national football team, La Roja, has reached their second World Cup final, sparking widespread celebrations across the country. Tennis stars Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, along with the Spanish Royal Family, extended their congratulations, highlighting the national unity and pride surrounding this historic achievement.
