The Kerala Sports Department has submitted its confidential inquiry report regarding the controversy surrounding the proposed visit of football legend Lionel Messi and the Argentina team to the state during the previous government's tenure.
Brazil's head coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed disappointment after the team's FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 defeat to Norway, but stated the team would use the exit as motivation for future improvements. He highlighted the need for new midfield talent as key players like Neymar are expected to retire from international football.
Iran cannot participate in the 2026 World Cup after co-host the US launched airstrikes alongside Israel, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Wednesday.
Julian Quinones continued his remarkable FIFA World Cup campaign with his third goal as Mexico defeated Ecuador to reach the last 16, ending a 40-year knockout drought and inspiring fresh belief among the home fans.
FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina says the World Cup's new anti-time-wasting rules have been a major success, speeding up play, reducing injuries and improving discipline while defending VAR's controversial decisions.
Cape Verde, a tiny island nation, has made history by advancing to the round of 32 in the FIFA World Cup.
The Indian women's football team lost 0-2 to Kenya in the semifinal of the FIFA Series 2026. Martha Emedot and Tereza Obunya scored for Kenya.
France return to No.1 in FIFA rankings after wins over Brazil and Colombia, while Spain drop to second and Argentina slip to third in the latest standings.
Mexico's national football team secured a significant 2-0 victory over South Africa in their World Cup opening match at the Azteca Stadium. Midfielder Erik Lira expressed confidence, stating 'the sky is the limit' for the team, despite the emotionally challenging game which saw a record three red cards.
Under US protocols, play is suspended immediately if lightning is detected within an eight-mile (13-km) radius of a stadium and can only resume after 30 minutes have passed without a further strike.
Cristiano Ronaldo's sister, Katia Aveiro, has indicated that the FIFA World Cup 2026 could be the Portugal captain's final international tournament, referring to it as his "last dance" with the national team. She clarified her comments specifically referred to his Portugal career, not overall retirement.
Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal to a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan at the FIFA World Cup 2026, scoring two goals. His performance was overshadowed by a viral post-match moment where he appeared to ignore a question about Lionel Messi. Ronaldo also made history by becoming the first player to score in six different World Cups and surpassed Eusebio as Portugal's all-time leading scorer in the tournament.
Canada's national football team is preparing for their World Cup Group B match against Qatar in Vancouver, aiming to improve on their opening draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina. Coach Jesse Marsch emphasizes setting the tone early and confirms Alphonso Davies' fitness for the crucial game.
Videos circulated online showed Senegal players being screened by airport security before travelling from Raleigh, North Carolina to San Antonio, Texas for a warm-up friendly against Saudi Arabia ahead of the tournament.
Former India internationals analyse Spain's dominant performance and tactical discipline that led them to the FIFA World Cup final, highlighting their defensive solidity and adaptability.
Caleb Yirenkyi scored a stoppage-time winner to earn Ghana a 1-0 win over Panama in a chilly and lively World Cup game in which the African side were forced to play the second half without starting goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi on Wednesday.
Paraguay's President Santiago Pena declared a national holiday to celebrate the country's stunning 4-3 penalty shootout victory over four-time world champions Germany in the World Cup round of 16.
Legendary Indian goalkeeper Brahmananda Sankhwalkar reflects on the emotional FIFA World Cup exits of Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Junior. He discusses their unfulfilled World Cup dreams, their rivalry with Lionel Messi, and the circumstances of their respective team's eliminations, highlighting their enduring legacy despite the absence of a World Cup trophy.
Harry Kane has surpassed Gary Lineker's long-standing record to become England's all-time leading goal scorer at World Cups.
Norway made history at the FIFA World Cup by fielding three sons of former World Cup players in the same match: Erling Haaland, Alexander Sorloth, and Kristian Thorstvedt. This mirrored a 1994 World Cup match where their fathers played together. Erling Haaland marked his debut with a brace, leading Norway to a 4-1 victory over Iraq.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final saw a galaxy of stars on the field and off it.
Iraq's participation in the inter-confederation play-offs in Mexico that will decide two berths at this year's FIFA World Cup is in doubt because of the travel chaos triggered by the conflict in neighbouring Iran.
Brazilian footballer Micael was sent off before his Copa Paulista match for Sao Jose after the referee witnessed him urinating next to the substitutes' bench, an act for which his club later issued an apology.
Global players' union FIFPRO has highlighted a "growing pattern of abuse," including racist and discriminatory attacks, against players at the World Cup, both online and in person. The union is demanding urgent collective action from football stakeholders, law enforcement, and social media platforms to protect players and ensure meaningful consequences for perpetrators.
Four-time champions Germany suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Ecuador in a FIFA World Cup group stage match, marking a historic upset. This loss highlighted Germany's persistent defensive issues, as they have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine World Cup games. Despite an early lead, Germany succumbed to Ecuador's determined comeback, which secured Ecuador's progression to the round of 32.
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.
Lionel Messi's Argentina take on Jude Bellingham's England in a blockbuster FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final, reviving one of football's greatest rivalries with a place in the final on the line.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti says Neymar's 2026 FIFA World Cup selection will depend on fitness and form rather than sentiment as he weighs a crucial squad decision ahead of Brazil's campaign.
An emotional Stale Solbakken praised Norway's historic FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign after a 2-1 extra-time defeat to England ended their dream run in the quarter-finals.
An Argentine war veterans federation has urged football fans to prioritise the World Cup semi-final against England as a sporting event, rather than using it to reignite sovereignty claims over the Falkland/Malvinas Islands. They emphasised diplomacy for territorial disputes and called for respect for fallen soldiers without promoting hatred.
England manager Thomas Tuchel acknowledged Jude Bellingham's 'great shift' in the World Cup quarter-final win over Norway but insisted the team 'can and must improve' their performance, despite reaching the semi-finals.
South Korean goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, 35, missed the birth of his daughter to prepare for his fourth World Cup, which he believes might be his last. He is determined to perform well to make up for his absence and faces competition for the starting spot as South Korea prepares for their Group A matches.
The deaths of a 44-year-old man, a 48-year-old woman and a 19-year-old woman from suffocation have been confirmed by authorities.
Mexico manager Javier Aguirre said he was leaving with pride despite the pain of elimination after losing to England in the FIFA World Cup.
Pedro Porro has emerged as a pivotal player for Spain in the World Cup, transforming the right-back position into a strength. His exceptional performance against France in the semi-final, where he scored and was named MVP, has solidified his place, drawing parallels to Marc Cucurella's rise. Porro's defensive prowess and attacking contributions have been crucial for Spain's journey to the final against Argentina.
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.
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.
A dominant 6-0 victory for Canada over Qatar in a World Cup 2026 Group B match in Vancouver was marred by a heated post-game confrontation between players and coaching staffs. Tensions escalated after two red cards for Qatar and Canada's continued attacking play, leading to a fiery exchange between coaches Jesse Marsch and Julen Lopetegui.
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.
Keegan's family and Newcastle announced in January that the two-time European Footballer of the Year was undergoing cancer treatment, without disclosing details of his illness.
