For the first time, winners of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will receive bespoke championship rings, a tradition inspired by American sports. These custom-designed rings, featuring the World Cup trophy and team identity, will be awarded to the champions and also made available to fans.
Spain's national football team celebrated their second World Cup victory with a massive parade through Madrid, drawing nearly two million ecstatic fans. The players, fresh from their 1-0 win over Argentina, were also greeted by King Felipe and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who praised their achievement and looked forward to future successes.
Three-time Olympic medallist and six-time world champion Jonny Brownlee has announced his retirement from professional triathlon, concluding a highly decorated career in the sport.
Eighth seed Ben Shelton defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets at the US Open, advancing to the quarter-finals. He will now face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, with Shelton expressing confidence in his game and acknowledging Alcaraz's impressive return from injury.
UEFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Fenerbahce players Matteo Guendouzi and Mason Greenwood for allegedly making provocative gestures towards Olympique Lyonnais supporters during a Champions League playoff match, which led to a brawl.
Indian squash player Anahat Singh was defeated by Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam in the women's quarterfinals of the London Squash Classic. Despite her loss, the reigning world junior champion had previously overcome a higher-ranked opponent to reach this stage and is now preparing for upcoming tournaments, including the Qatar Classic and the Asian Games.
Naomi Osaka, the 13th seed, secured a hard-fought victory over Elise Mertens at the US Open, winning 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 to progress to the fourth round. Despite moments of frustration and a medical timeout, the two-time champion showcased her resilience to clinch the win.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz overcame a challenging start against Portugal's Jaime Faria to secure his spot in the third round of the US Open.
Badminton legend Saina Nehwal has lauded PV Sindhu's significantly improved attacking game, stating that her Japan Open Super 750 victory demonstrates her enduring championship quality and potential for more titles, despite recent injury challenges.
Irish boxing legend Katie Taylor has retired from professional boxing after a stellar career, concluding with a unanimous decision victory over Flora Pili at Croke Park. Before a massive 83,000-strong home crowd, Taylor, an undisputed world super-lightweight champion, celebrated her final fight, reflecting on her journey from Olympic gold to professional dominance.
The All India Football Federation has announced a series of high-profile international friendly matches for the Indian men's national team. India will host Panama on September 26 in Bengaluru, followed by five-time world champions Brazil on October 3 and two-time world champions Uruguay on October 6, both in Kolkata. These matches represent a significant step for Indian football, offering the team a chance to compete against top-ranked global opponents.
India is hosting its first international para archery event, the third stage of the 2026 Hyundai World Archery Para Series, in Ahmedabad. The competition features 109 archers from 19 countries and serves as a crucial build-up to the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games. World number one Sheetal Devi, along with other top Indian and international archers, will be competing for titles and world ranking points.
Alexander Zverev and Coco Gauff secured their spots in the fourth round of the U.S. Open, while Naomi Osaka overcame a tough challenge. However, several prominent American players, including Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys, and Amanda Anisimova, experienced early exits, disappointing home fans at Flushing Meadows.
American Frances Tiafoe defeated former champion Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling three-set match at the U.S. Open, reaching the quarter-finals. Tiafoe, who had a poor head-to-head record against Medvedev, showcased his best form, employing strategic net play and powerful groundstrokes to secure a significant victory.
Indian squash players Anahat Singh and Ramit Tandon secured victories in their respective first-round matches at the London Squash Classic, a PSA Gold event.
Iga Swiatek secured her spot in the US Open fourth round after a challenging two-set victory over Marie Bouzkova. Despite a difficult season, Swiatek displayed resilience, winning two tie-breaks and setting up a highly anticipated rematch with Zheng Qinwen.
Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova defeated Marta Kostyuk in a hard-fought three-set match at the U.S. Open, securing her spot in the quarter-finals. Noskova, the sixth seed, overcame a mid-match fightback from Kostyuk, eventually winning 7-5 5-7 6-4 after saving two match points in the second set. She will now face world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
Masters champions Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson are confirmed to make their debut at the DP World India Championship in October. They will join a stellar field including Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, and Justin Rose, with Indian stars Shubhankar Sharma and Anirban Lahiri also participating.
Indian para archers, led by Paralympic champion Harvinder Singh, showcased a dominant performance at the World Archery Para Series in Ahmedabad. Four Indian archers each in the men's and women's recurve sections qualified directly for the pre-quarterfinals. Additionally, India secured top seedings in both men's and women's doubles events, with pairs advancing directly to the semifinals, and a strong third seeding in mixed doubles.
In the Global Chess League, Ganges Grandmasters ended FYER American Gambits' winning streak with a 9-7 victory, moving to second place. Defending champions Alpine APL Pipers secured their second consecutive win, defeating Ganges Grandmasters 11-6. Key players like Polina Shuvalova, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Koneru Humpy delivered crucial performances, while Magnus Carlsen showcased his endgame prowess with a draw against Nepomniachtchi. PBG Alaskan Knights also registered a comfortable win against CheQ Mumba Masters.
Naomi Osaka battled through an Achilles problem to beat Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 and reach the US Open fourth round.
The Indian men's football team, led by head coach Khalid Jamil, will play high-profile friendlies against Panama, five-time world champions Brazil, and two-time world champions Uruguay in September and October.
Uzbek prodigy Javokhir Sindarov is gearing up for the World Chess Championship against Gukesh Dommaraju, focusing on preparing for Gukesh's strongest form rather than his recent tournament results. Sindarov, who won the Candidates Tournament and World Cup, believes the match will be an engrossing battle and is confident in his preparations, which have delivered a successful season.
Carlos Alcaraz is set to return to the US Open after a nearly five-month absence due to a wrist injury, with fellow professionals expressing confidence in his ability to quickly regain form despite the layoff.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka secured a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over Russian qualifier Polina Iatcenko at the U.S. Open, advancing to the third round. The top seed showcased her power and precision, completing the match swiftly and expressing satisfaction with her performance.
India's junior women's hockey team commenced its Women's Junior Asia Cup title defence with a commanding 4-1 victory over South Korea. Goals from Sanika Chandrakant Mane, Purnima Yadav, Puja Sahoo, and Madhu Sidar secured the win, showcasing India's strong offensive and defensive play throughout the match.
Uruguay has announced a star-studded squad, including Real Madrid's Federico Valverde and Liverpool's Darwin Nunez, for an international friendly against India in Kolkata on October 6. The match will also mark Diego Forlan's debut as head coach for Uruguay, who will also face Panama and Brazil in other friendlies.
Indian squash sensation Anahat Singh, ranked 20th globally, secured a significant victory over world No. 11 Nele Gilis to reach the quarterfinals of the London Squash Classic. This marks a major achievement for the reigning world junior champion in the USD 144,000 PSA Gold event.
Former champion Stan Wawrinka lost to Italy's Matteo Berrettini in the first round of the US Open, marking the end of the 41-year-old Swiss national's Grand Slam career before his retirement at the end of the season.
Former Brazil captain Cafu discussed India's upcoming friendly against Brazil, highlighting the learning opportunity despite ranking differences. He also suggested India popularise football among children for growth, commented on Brazil's World Cup drought, and reflected on the evolving role of fullbacks in modern football.
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz has spoken about the "intrusive thoughts" he experienced during his nearly five-month layoff due to a wrist injury. Ahead of his U.S. Open title defence, the Spaniard revealed the mental challenges of not knowing his return date, especially after missing major tournaments. He is now set to compete, though his rival Jannik Sinner has withdrawn.
Four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel drove Michael Schumacher's legendary Ferrari F2002 at Monza, paying an emotional tribute to his childhood idol.
A three-day 'AI Champions for Digital Governance' programme has commenced in New Delhi, hosted by ITDC, SCOPE, and LBSNAA. The initiative aims to train senior leadership and operational teams in applying artificial intelligence within public sector organisations, aligning with the IndiaAI Mission. Experts highlighted AI's role in improving efficiency, productivity, and public service delivery, while also emphasising responsible adoption and data quality. The programme seeks to build an AI-ready nation and contribute to India's vision of future-ready governance systems.
A three-day 'AI Champions for Digital Governance' programme has commenced in New Delhi, hosted by ITDC, SCOPE, and LBSNAA. The initiative aims to train senior leadership and operational teams in applying artificial intelligence within public sector organisations, aligning with the IndiaAI Mission. Experts highlighted AI's role in improving efficiency, productivity, and public service delivery, while also emphasising responsible adoption and data quality. The programme seeks to build an AI-ready nation and contribute to India's vision of future-ready governance systems.
Kolkata's passionate football fans have shown immense enthusiasm for the upcoming India-Brazil friendly, with lower-priced tickets selling out within an hour of going online. India is set to play five-time world champions Brazil on October 3, followed by a match against two-time world champions Uruguay, providing a significant test for the Indian squad ahead of crucial Asian Cup qualifiers.
Indian pace bowler Mohammed Shami will be felicitated by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) for completing 100 first-class matches. The felicitation will take place in Chennai ahead of the Duleep Trophy final, recognising his significant domestic career achievements and his ongoing efforts to return to the national team.
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 Dhruv Sitwala won a silver medal at the Pan Am Cup billiards championship in Winnipeg, Canada, after losing to Singapore's Peter Gilchrist in the final. Despite an early lead, Sitwala couldn't maintain his advantage against Gilchrist's strong performance.
Daniil Medvedev overcame a bizarre bird interruption and a brief umpire spat to defeat Sebastian Gorzny 6-1, 6-3, 7-5 and reach the US Open third round.
Tennis icon Roger Federer was presented with his International Tennis Hall of Fame ring at the US Open's Arthur Ashe Stadium, two days after his induction. The ceremony, led by Kim Clijsters, saw Federer display his ring to an erupting crowd, celebrating his illustrious career which includes 20 major titles and a record 310 weeks as world No. 1.
