Neymar has suffered a minor calf injury but is expected to recover in time to join Brazil's camp next week ahead of the World Cup starting on June 11 in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Ousmane Dembele delivered a sensational first-half hat-trick for France against Norway in their final Group I match, overshadowing the anticipated clash between Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.
Didier Deschamps is flying back to France to attend his mother's funeral and will not coach the team's last Group I game at the World Cup against Norway, the French federation said on Tuesday.
Debutants Cape Verde have made history by qualifying for the World Cup round of 32 after a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia. This unexpected achievement sets up a clash with defending champions Argentina. Despite a low-quality match, Cape Verde secured second place in their group, sparking celebrations among players and fans, while Uruguay and Saudi Arabia were eliminated.
The Indian men's football team experienced a disappointing debut in the Unity Cup, losing 2-0 to Jamaica in the semi-finals held in London.
Dropped Iran striker Sardar Azmoun has posted a heartfelt message on social media proclaiming his love for his country and wishing the World Cup squad well at the tournament without him.
German investigators have launched nationwide searches, including at the DFB soccer association offices, as part of a probe into suspected ticket and hospitality violations related to the 2024 European Championship. The investigation targets illegal allocation of thousands of tickets and hotel invitations to preferred guests, with one municipal employee suspected of receiving benefits worth 2,400.
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to participate in his sixth World Cup at the age of 41, as announced by Portugal coach Roberto Martinez.
India's men's volleyball team achieved an unbeaten run to the AVC Men's Volleyball Cup semi-finals, propelling them to World No. 42. Head coach Dragan Mihailovic attributes this success to discipline and a structured system but stresses the need for consistent international exposure, longer national camps, and a robust development pathway to sustain and build upon this momentum, especially amidst administrative uncertainty in Indian volleyball.
Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of football's greatest players, celebrated his 39th birthday. The article chronicles his journey from humble beginnings in Rosario to becoming a global superstar, highlighting his unparalleled success at Barcelona, his international triumphs with Argentina including the 2022 World Cup, his individual accolades like eight Ballon d'Or awards, and his current impact with Inter Miami, cementing his legacy as a record-breaking legend.
The Democratic Republic of Congo plans to continue its preparations for the 2026 World Cup despite a warning from the United States about a potential Ebola outbreak.
Japan's coach Hajime Moriyasu expressed confidence ahead of their World Cup last-32 clash against Brazil in Houston, stating his team will not be pushovers. He cited their previous 3-2 victory over Brazil as proof of their progress and readiness to challenge the five-time champions. Japan secured their spot by finishing second in Group F after a 1-1 draw with Sweden, a result Moriyasu strategically preserved. He also highlighted the significance of Japan's advancement for Asian football and the growth of the sport in his country.
'Thank you Los Angeles for your hospitality'
Iran hosted a large send-off rally for its World Cup team in Tehran, despite ongoing concerns about visa issues for entry into the United States, where the team is scheduled to play its group matches.
Indian golfers Vishnu Vardhan Bhati and Ankush Saha achieved podium finishes at the Czech Disabled Golf Masters in Prague. Bhati secured second place, while Saha clinched third, showcasing strong performances in the Nett Stroke Play event.
Carlo Ancelotti has recalled Neymar to Brazil's squad for next month's FIFA World Cup, backing the veteran forward's fitness and experience despite his injury-disrupted recent years.
Guillermo Ochoa said he has entered his final Mexico training camp as the veteran goalkeeper closes in on a historic sixth FIFA World Cup appearance in 2026.
Neymar Junior returned to international football after a 981-day absence, playing 20 minutes as a substitute in Brazil's 3-0 World Cup victory over Scotland.
FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom expressed confidence in Iran's participation in the upcoming World Cup after a meeting with Iran's FA President Mehdi Taj, despite concerns over visa issues and political tensions.
Egypt's coach Hossam Hassan expressed pride in his team's performance after a 1-1 draw against Belgium in their World Cup opener. Despite coming close to a historic win, Hassan highlighted the team's quality, ambition, and the strong contributions of players like Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, asserting that Egypt is not just there to "make up the numbers." The draw is seen as a significant step in reinventing the national team's identity.
A complaint has been filed against Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya for allegedly disrespecting the national flag during T20 World Cup celebrations. The complaint alleges inappropriate behaviour with the flag while celebrating with his girlfriend.
Thekua, a very representative sweet snack of Bihar and Jharkhand, Nepal too, recently gained special attention after it was presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a gift to Richard Rai, speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, when he visited India.
Cristiano Ronaldo silenced his critics in spectacular fashion, becoming the first player to score in six World Cups.
Unified high-performance training camps in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Guwahati played a crucial role in India's bronze medal win at the Thomas Cup, with top shuttlers benefiting from the focused preparation.
World Cup fever has gripped Houston, but across the city the unmistakable sound of leather ball on willow bat can be heard as baseball mounds give way to cricket pitches and the gentleman's game begins to take hold in Texas.
Yan Diomande, a 19-year-old winger from the Ivory Coast, has experienced a meteoric rise in the world of football, going from playing in a Florida high school to representing his country at the World Cup. His journey involved overcoming cultural challenges and excelling in both the United States and Europe, ultimately leading to his selection for the Ivory Coast national team.
FIFA's Technical Study Group believes set-pieces are unlikely to dominate the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Gilberto Silva predicting tighter, transition-based football due to limited preparation time for national teams.
Iran footballers faces cheers and jeers in their come-from-behind 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their FIFA World Cup final opener in Los Angeles on Monday.
Lionel Messi broke the FIFA World Cup scoring record, but his achievement was overshadowed by controversial refereeing decisions.
Madhya Pradesh pole vaulter Dev Meena has broken the national record for the fifth time in two years, clearing 5.46m at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships. He credited his coach, Ghanshyam Yadav, for consistently pushing him to aim for national records. Meena also successfully breached the Asian Games qualifying mark and has been named in the Indian squad for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
The Federation Cup National Senior Athletics Competition in Ranchi will serve as the selection trial for the Asian U23 Athletics Championships. Athletes aged 20-22 are eligible, and the event also serves as a qualifier for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Batting-order flexibility has become a key factor in modern white-ball cricket, and former India all-rounder Vijay Shankar believes players who can seamlessly adapt to different roles are increasingly valuable in a format driven by situational demands.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board has officially approved the qualification system for cricket at the LA Olympic 2028, marking the sport's return after 128 years. The event will feature men's and women's T20 competitions with six teams each.
India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson drew parallels between cricket and tennis legends, comparing MS Dhoni to Roger Federer and Virat Kohli to Carlos Alcaraz. He also reflected on India's recent T20 World Cup victory, crediting the women's team for inspiring the men, and discussed the challenge posed by Australia. Former tennis player Rohan Bopanna shared his Wimbledon predictions and memories.
The Indian U-21 men's hockey team is set to undertake a crucial tour of Belgium, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands in July 2026. This tour, featuring six high-intensity matches, is a vital preparation phase for the upcoming men's junior Asia Cup under new coach Frederic Soyez, aiming to build team cohesion and identity.
Reigning world champions India, Britain, South Africa and hosts United States are set to feature in the men's Twenty20 competition when cricket returns to the Olympics at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles following a qualification pathway approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The Indian trio of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat, and Kumkum Mohod secured the women's recurve team gold medal at the Archery World Cup Stage 2 in Shanghai, defeating China in a tense shoot-off. India finished the campaign with two medals, including a bronze in the men's individual compound section.
The Indian junior women's hockey team, led by Khaidem Shileima Chanu, will undertake an exposure tour of the United Kingdom from July 5 to 14. Under new coach Tim White, the 24-member squad will play seven matches against teams from Scotland, the United States, England, and Belgium, aiming to fine-tune strategies for upcoming international competitions like the Junior Asia Cup.
India's women's hockey team is preparing for the World Cup and Asian Games with a mix of overseas tours, competitive exposure, and national camps, according to chief coach Sjoerd Marijne.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has announced that athletes who fail to participate in the National Senior Athletics Federation Cup without a valid reason may be barred from future events.
