England manager Thomas Tuchel has defended his tactical decisions in the World Cup semi-final against Argentina, despite widespread criticism after his team lost 2-1. Tuchel stated he has no regrets, trusting his instincts, and attributed some performance issues to player fatigue and extensive travel. He is now focused on the third-place playoff against France, viewing it as an opportunity for England to prove their standing among top teams.
The expanded World Cup is being dominated by superstar performances from Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland, who are leading the scoring charts. Young talent like Lamine Yamal is also making a significant impact, while Harry Kane continues to impress. The tournament is shaping up to be a thrilling display of individual brilliance, with a potential repeat of the last final between Messi and Mbappe.
In Peru, there is a wave of new baby Haalands. In Argentina, Lionel has raced up the rankings, and in Mexico a girl was reportedly named after three soccer players. Parents in Latin America are already christening a new generation of babies after the stars of the World Cup.
England bagged third place at the World Cup after beating France 6-4 on Saturday, while Les Bleus' captain Kylian Mbappe became the tournament's all-time top scorer with 22 goals on coach Didier Deschamps' last game after 14 years in charge.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni lauded his team's ability to perform under pressure, stating they 'play its best football when it's under pressure' after their dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against England secured a spot in the World Cup final.
Indian golfers Diksha Dagar, Aditi Ashok, Avani Prashanth, and Pranavi Urs have all successfully made the cut at the Hulencourt Women's Open in Belgium. Diksha Dagar is in a strong position, tied for third, while Aditi Ashok is also within the top 10.
Lionel Messi's profound influence, marked by crucial assists and strategic play, was instrumental in Argentina's victory over England, securing their spot in a second successive World Cup final. Despite not scoring, his collective contribution and energy preservation were key to the team's success, culminating in two late assists for the equaliser and winning goal.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly expressed his excitement over Argentina's dramatic 3-2 comeback victory against Egypt in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, highlighting the team's ability to snatch victory from a 0-2 deficit.
France and England, reeling from World Cup semi-final defeats, will compete in the third-place playoff. The match marks Didier Deschamps' final game as France coach and offers Kylian Mbappe a chance to pursue the Golden Boot and the tournament's all-time scoring record. Both teams are expected to rotate their squads.
Dempo Goa Challengers secured a thrilling 8-7 victory over HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades in Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7, with Bernadette Szocs clinching the decisive final game. The win maintains Goa's unbeaten record, highlighted by strong performances from Szocs and teenage sensation Abhinandh PB.
Dempo Goa Challengers secured a thrilling 8-7 victory over HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades in Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7, with Bernadette Szocs clinching the decisive final game. The win maintains Goa's unbeaten record, highlighted by strong performances from Szocs and teenage sensation Abhinandh PB.
Dempo Goa Challengers secured a thrilling 8-7 victory over HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades in Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7, with Bernadette Szocs clinching the decisive final game. The win maintains Goa's unbeaten record, highlighted by strong performances from Szocs and teenage sensation Abhinandh PB.
The Finalissima match between Spain and Argentina in Doha is in doubt after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
Punjab FC has announced the signing of Spanish forward Alfred Planas Moya on a one-year contract until May 2027. Moya, who previously played for Inter Kashi FC and Gokulam Kerala, brings experience from various Spanish clubs and will aim to bolster Punjab FC's performance.
Cristiano Ronaldo became the oldest scorer in a FIFA World Cup knockout match, but Portugal coach Roberto Martinez's bold decision to substitute his captain paid off as Goncalo Ramos scored a dramatic late winner against Croatia.
'We have to pull 80 million workers out of agriculture and go back to where we were in 2014. That itself is going to be a huge task.' 'We have already lost time, and that is a catastrophe impending.''
Candidates who prefer the paper-based format will be able to register for the final three test dates scheduled in July and August, after which the option will no longer be available in the country.
Four matches, four draws and a slice of World Cup history.
Indian squash players Ananya Narayanan, Pooja Arthi Raghu, and Anika Dubey secured victories in the women's first round of the HCL Squash PSA Challenger Tour in Chennai. The tournament also saw international players from Sri Lanka, Egypt, Spain, Malaysia, Kuwait, and Scotland competing in both men's and women's categories.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp criticised the VAR decision that disallowed Jonathan Tah's goal, leading to Germany's early exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026. He also took a dig at Arsenal regarding their set-piece goals, suggesting many would be ruled out if Tah's goal was illegal.
'Maybe Sobers was upset that he could not touch Gavaskar, and when he came out to bat, he got dismissed off the first ball by me.'
Dempo Goa Challengers secured a thrilling 8-7 victory over HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades in Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7, with Bernadette Szocs clinching the decisive final game.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has acknowledged the possibility of expanding the World Cup to 64 teams, a move that could significantly alter the sport's economics and logistics, despite opposition from major confederations like UEFA and AFC.
Lionel Messi will face England for the first time in his career when Argentina meet the Three Lions in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final, ending a 20-year wait for one of football's most anticipated match-ups.
'After that the burdens of an ageing population will be upon us, and the share of working age population will shrink.'
New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has expressed his impatience to secure more player signings to bolster the squad ahead of the upcoming season. Having already signed two players, Iraola emphasised the club's ongoing efforts to bring in additional talent to improve upon last season's fifth-place finish. He also faces the challenge of managing without key player Mo Salah and addressing several long-term injuries.
Spanish footballer Rafa Mir has been sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of sexual assault and assault causing injury by a court in Valencia. The verdict, which can be appealed, follows a complaint filed in September 2024 and highlights the sensitive issue of women's rights in Spanish sports.
AFC Executive Committee member Shaji Prabhakaran advocates for a balanced, long-term strategy for integrating OCI and PIO players into Indian football, stressing it's not a complete solution but a part of broader development. He also analyses recent World Cup semifinals, highlighting Spain's tactical dominance and Argentina's fighting spirit.
Ravichandran Ashwin praised Cabo Verde on X, urging fans to "Remember the name" after their spirited performances.
Following a dominant group stage performance, Argentina is now preparing to face Cape Verde in the Round of 32.
Argentina, one of football's most successful teams, is also one of its most polarising, inspiring both devotion and irritation due to its history, iconic players like Maradona and Messi, and a national identity often perceived as arrogant by rivals.
Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad, who has Indian ancestral roots, attributes the rise of young athletes like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi across global sports to advancements in technology and better access to information from an earlier age.
India's hopes for a comeback in the FIH Men's Pro League were thwarted by a 2-0 defeat to Spain, marking a continuation of their struggling form. Goals from Ignacio Abajo and Ignacio Cobos secured the victory for Spain, who displayed both clinical finishing and strong defense.
India went down fighting 3-4 in the penalty shootout against Spain following a tense 1-1 draw in regulation time during the FIH men's Pro League 2025-26 match in Hobart on Tuesday.
Ousmane Dembele expressed his delight after scoring and helping France reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals, stating he is gaining confidence and momentum as the tournament progresses and the team remains focused on going all the way.
Cape Verde pulled off a stunning 2-2 draw against two-time World Cup winners Uruguay in Miami on Sunday.
Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in a dramatic World Cup match, with Goncalo Ramos scoring the winning goal in stoppage time after Cristiano Ronaldo had equalised from a penalty. The victory ends Luka Modric's fifth World Cup bid, and Portugal now advances to face Spain in the round of 16.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature four sets of brothers playing for different countries.
Cape Verde, a tiny island nation, has made history by advancing to the round of 32 in the FIFA World Cup.
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj shared an emotional tribute to football icon Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal's exit from the FIFA World Cup. Siraj, a long-time admirer, stated that Ronaldo's greatness transcends a single game and thanked him for inspiring millions globally, including himself, often using Ronaldo's mindset and celebration as motivation.
