News for 'First World'

FIFA World Cup: South Africa seek to silence critics against Czech Republic

FIFA World Cup: South Africa seek to silence critics against Czech Republic

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

South Africa will look to bounce after a 2-0 loss to co-hosts Mexico in their opening FIFA World Cup match.

Eustaquio's late strike takes Canada past South Africa to World Cup last 16

Eustaquio's late strike takes Canada past South Africa to World Cup last 16

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

Stephen Eustaquio scored a dramatic 92nd-minute goal to secure a 1-0 victory for Canada over South Africa, propelling the co-hosts into the World Cup last 16 for the first time. The tense match in Los Angeles saw few clear chances until Eustaquio's late strike, ending Canada's frustration and sending them to face either the Netherlands or Morocco in the quarter-finals. South Africa, despite a strong defensive effort, exited the tournament.

FIFA World Cup: 'Messi's feats are no longer surprising'

FIFA World Cup: 'Messi's feats are no longer surprising'

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

With a dazzling hat-trick against Algeria, Lionel Messi once again defied age, expectations and logic at the World Cup, prompting coach Lionel Scaloni to call his performances "inexplicable" and admit he is simply no longer surprised by the Argentine legend's brilliance.

SRK's Knight Riders Play First Match At New Cricket Ground In Los Angeles

SRK's Knight Riders Play First Match At New Cricket Ground In Los Angeles

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

The Knight Riders Cricket Ground in Pomona, Los Angeles, which is set to host cricket at the 2028 Olympics, recently held its inaugural competitive match.

'Anything is possible': Cape Verde's fairytale run continues at World Cup

'Anything is possible': Cape Verde's fairytale run continues at World Cup

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

Cape Verde, a tiny island nation, has made history by advancing to the round of 32 in the FIFA World Cup.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Ruben Dias backs Cristiano Ronaldo amid growing scrutiny

FIFA World Cup 2026: Ruben Dias backs Cristiano Ronaldo amid growing scrutiny

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

The Portugal squad are shutting out criticism of the team and captain Cristiano Ronaldo following an underwhelming draw in their World Cup opener against Democratic Republic of Congo, defender Ruben Dias said on Friday.

Roberto Mancini returns for second stint as Italy national team coach

Roberto Mancini returns for second stint as Italy national team coach

Rediff.com3 hours ago

Former Italy manager Roberto Mancini is set to return for a second spell as the national team coach, replacing Gennaro Gattuso, who departed after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time.

World Cup 2026 Set to Shatter All-Time Sports Gambling Records

World Cup 2026 Set to Shatter All-Time Sports Gambling Records

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

World Cup 2026 is on track to become the biggest betting event in history, with global wagers expected to exceed $50 billion as sportsbooks report record-breaking activity driven by the expanded tournament format and growing legal gambling markets.

Gujarat Confident Of Hosting World Athletics Championship

Gujarat Confident Of Hosting World Athletics Championship

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed optimism about the state securing hosting rights for the World Athletics Championship 2031 after meeting a delegation from the international governing body. The delegation is assessing Gujarat's sports infrastructure and readiness for both the 2028 U20 Championships and the 2031 senior championships, highlighting the state's growing ambition to host major global sporting events.

Unbeaten Iran denied World Cup knockout berth after last-gasp equaliser

Unbeaten Iran denied World Cup knockout berth after last-gasp equaliser

Rediff.com28 Jun 2026

Iran's bid for a first World Cup knockout stage appearance ended dramatically after Austria's late equaliser against Algeria denied them a spot. Despite remaining unbeaten, the team faced significant logistical challenges and travel restrictions due to their conflict with the U.S., which captain Mehdi Taremi described as a "disaster."

Morocco edge Netherlands on penalties to reach World Cup last 16

Morocco edge Netherlands on penalties to reach World Cup last 16

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

Morocco triumphed over the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout to advance in the World Cup after a drama-filled 1-1 draw in their Round of 32 clash on Monday.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Ronaldo runs riot as Portugal thrash Uzbekistan

FIFA World Cup 2026: Ronaldo runs riot as Portugal thrash Uzbekistan

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cups and Portugal's all-time leading marksman at the global finals with two goals in Tuesday's emphatic 5-0 Group K win over Uzbekistan in Houston.

Oyarzabal double powers Spain past Austria to World Cup last 16

Oyarzabal double powers Spain past Austria to World Cup last 16

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

Spain secured their spot in the World Cup Round of 16 with a convincing 3-0 win over Austria, featuring two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal. The dominant performance saw Spain maintain their perfect defensive record, setting up a clash with either Portugal or Croatia in the next stage.

Australia whip England, win Women's T20 World Cup title for record-extending 7th time

Australia whip England, win Women's T20 World Cup title for record-extending 7th time

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

Australia beat England by seven wickets to win the Women's T20 World Cup for a record-extending seventh time at Lord's on Sunday.

FIFA World Cup: Cape Verde keeper sets up dream clash with Messi

FIFA World Cup: Cape Verde keeper sets up dream clash with Messi

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Cabo Verde's star goalkeeper Vozinha has expressed confidence ahead of their FIFA World Cup round of 32 clash against Argentina, vowing to make history. The debutant nation has impressed with three draws in the group stage, becoming the smallest country to reach the knockout phase. Vozinha also achieved a rare feat, becoming only the third goalkeeper over 40 to register multiple clean sheets in the tournament. Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni has acknowledged Cabo Verde as a tough opponent.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Yamal ignites Spain's goal rush in 4-0 rout of Saudi Arabia

FIFA World Cup 2026: Yamal ignites Spain's goal rush in 4-0 rout of Saudi Arabia

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

Inspired by Lamine Yamal, Spain strolled to a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Group H on Sunday, where Mikel Oyarzabal restored his reputation with two goals and Luis de la Fuente's side found their groove after an underwhelming World Cup opener.

FIFA World Cup: 'We were treated unfairly' vs Portugal: Croatia coach

FIFA World Cup: 'We were treated unfairly' vs Portugal: Croatia coach

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

Croatia's World Cup exit sparked controversy after coach Zlatko Dali launched a furious attack on the refereeing following their 2-1 defeat to Portugal.

FIFA World Cup: Who is DR Congo's viral 'statue fan'?

FIFA World Cup: Who is DR Congo's viral 'statue fan'?

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, DR Congo's famous 'statue fan', was seen supporting his team during their 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K clash. Colombia secured their place in the Round of 32 with a hard-fought victory, while DR Congo still has a chance to qualify.

Rise of India Adds New Twist to Women's T20 World Cup

Rise of India Adds New Twist to Women's T20 World Cup

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 begins in England with Australia chasing a seventh title and India targeting a historic double. England, South Africa and New Zealand add to what promises to be the most competitive edition yet.

How AITA's New Digital Platform Will Transform Indian Tennis

How AITA's New Digital Platform Will Transform Indian Tennis

Rediff.com5 hours ago

The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has launched a new digital platform in partnership with World Tennis Number, creating a unified ecosystem for Indian tennis. This platform will streamline registrations, tournament entries, and provide access to rankings, aiming to modernise the sport's administration and player experience.

FIFA World Cup PIX: Thousands of Colombia Fans Paint Mexico Yellow

FIFA World Cup PIX: Thousands of Colombia Fans Paint Mexico Yellow

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

Thousands of Colombian football fans transformed Mexico City into a vibrant yellow sea, celebrating their national team's 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan in their World Cup opener. The city's streets and restaurants buzzed with supporters enjoying Colombian food, music, and a strong cultural connection, making the Estadio Azteca feel like a home venue for the victorious team.

FIFA World Cup: Austria return in style with dramatic 3-1 win over Jordan

FIFA World Cup: Austria return in style with dramatic 3-1 win over Jordan

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

Austria made a winning return to the World Cup after 28 years, defeating debutants Jordan 3-1 in a Group J opener. The victory was secured with a second-half own goal and a late penalty, following a tense match where Austria initially led, was equalised, and had a goal disallowed by VAR.

FIFA WC FINAL: Singer Post Malone, Robbie Williams headline closing ceremony

FIFA WC FINAL: Singer Post Malone, Robbie Williams headline closing ceremony

Rediff.com20 Jul 2026

The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina is set to kick off in New Jersey, with fans flocking to the stadium despite high ticket prices and enhanced security measures, as both teams vie for the coveted title.

Messi Magic Powers Argentina To World Cup Knockouts

Messi Magic Powers Argentina To World Cup Knockouts

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

Argentina booked their place in the World Cup knockout stage on Monday as Lionel Messi recovered from an early penalty miss to score a record-breaking double in a 2-0 victory over Austria.

Gueye double keeps five-star Senegal's World Cup hopes alive

Gueye double keeps five-star Senegal's World Cup hopes alive

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

Senegal kept their World Cup knockout hopes alive in dominant fashion on Friday with a 5-0 victory over 10-man Iraq, who were eliminated from the tournament.

Ivory Coast Gear Up For Haaland Challenge In World Cup Clash

Ivory Coast Gear Up For Haaland Challenge In World Cup Clash

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

Ivory Coast is set to face Norway in a World Cup Round of 32 match, with much attention on Norway's star striker Erling Haaland. While Ivory Coast's defence, featuring Ousmane Diomande, will focus on containing Haaland, their coach Emerse Fae also plans to unleash their own array of attacking talent, including Yan Diomande and Nicolas Pepe, to challenge Norway.

FIFA World Cup: Haaland knocks Ivory Coast out with last-minute winner

FIFA World Cup: Haaland knocks Ivory Coast out with last-minute winner

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

Erling Haaland struck a dramatic last-gasp winner to send Norway through to the next round of the 2026 World Cup, knocking Ivory Coast out in heartbreaking fashion.

Brazil romp into World Cup knock-outs after Vinicius brace

Brazil romp into World Cup knock-outs after Vinicius brace

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

Brazil secured their spot in the World Cup knockout stages with a dominant 3-0 victory over Scotland. Vinicius Jr scored twice, continuing his impressive form, while Neymar made his much-anticipated return to the national team after nearly three years. The win saw Brazil top Group C, with Matheus Cunha also contributing a goal. Scotland's hopes now rest on qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams.

Iran's World Cup team arrives in Tijuana amid US tensions

Iran's World Cup team arrives in Tijuana amid US tensions

Rediff.com8 Jun 2026

For Iran's team, the FIFA World Cup has been marred by fraught politics at home, the war with the US, and tensions over whether they would actually be able to set foot on US soil to play their games.

Maseko's goal secures historic World Cup knock-out berth for South Africa

Maseko's goal secures historic World Cup knock-out berth for South Africa

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

South Africa has made history by qualifying for the World Cup knockout phase for the first time, thanks to a decisive second-half goal from Thapelo Maseko against South Korea. This 1-0 victory places them on four points in Group A, securing their progression, while South Korea still has a chance to advance as a best third-placed team.

Frances Tiafoe First American To Win Halle Open

Frances Tiafoe First American To Win Halle Open

Rediff.com21 Jun 2026

Frances Tiafoe is the first American since 1993 to lift the ATP 500 grass-court trophy.

Hamilton celebrates first Ferrari win in Barcelona

Hamilton celebrates first Ferrari win in Barcelona

Rediff.com14 Jun 2026

Lewis Hamilton secured his first Grand Prix victory with Ferrari at the Spanish Grand Prix, ending Kimi Antonelli's winning streak. At 41, Hamilton became Formula One's oldest winner since Jack Brabham in 1970, marking his 106th career win.

Beckham tips Japan to pull off surprise at World Cup

Beckham tips Japan to pull off surprise at World Cup

Rediff.com8 Jun 2026

David Beckham has tipped Japan as a dark horse for the 2026 FIFA World Cup while backing England to end their 60-year wait for glory. The former captain also highlighted France, Spain, Argentina and Brazil as title contenders.

Guess who became the 1st Asian to reach 5 FIFA World Cups

Guess who became the 1st Asian to reach 5 FIFA World Cups

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

Japan's Yuto Nagatomo made history by becoming the first Asian player to feature in five FIFA World Cups during Japan's 1-1 draw against Sweden. This achievement places him among an elite group of players globally. The draw secured both Japan and Sweden's advancement to the Round of 32 in the 2026 tournament.

62 shots on goal but no returns: Tearful Turkey crash out of FIFA World Cup 2026

62 shots on goal but no returns: Tearful Turkey crash out of FIFA World Cup 2026

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

Goalless Turkey were ousted from the FIFA World Cup 2026 after losses to Australia and Paraguay in Group D, thwarted by poor finishing and a staunch opposition defence.

Historic! Harmanpreet Kaur First Cricketer To Play 200 T20 Internationals

Historic! Harmanpreet Kaur First Cricketer To Play 200 T20 Internationals

Rediff.com21 Jun 2026

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has become the first cricketer, male or female, to play 200 T20 Internationals, achieving this milestone during a World Cup clash against South Africa.

Own Goal Surge Marks Early Stages Of World Cup 2026

Own Goal Surge Marks Early Stages Of World Cup 2026

Rediff.com22 Jun 2026

The 2026 World Cup has witnessed an unusual number of own goals in its opening 10 days, with seven already recorded, making it the second-highest tally in tournament history. The United States has benefited from two such incidents. This trend is notable given the tournament's expansion and could surpass the 2018 record of 12 own goals. Several players from different nations have contributed to this statistic, highlighting a peculiar aspect of the early matches.

Mexico stay perfect and bounce Czechs out of World Cup

Mexico stay perfect and bounce Czechs out of World Cup

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

Mexico continued their perfect start to the World Cup with a 3-0 romp against the Czech Republic on Wednesday, finishing their group-stage campaign with a flourish.

FIFA World Cup: Canada's Larin salvages 1-1 draw against Bosnia in Group B opener

FIFA World Cup: Canada's Larin salvages 1-1 draw against Bosnia in Group B opener

Rediff.com13 Jun 2026

Canada striker Cyle Larin came off the bench to grab a 1-1 draw for his side against Bosnia and Herzegovina in a frenetic Group B opener on Friday that long looked like it would end in defeat for the World Cup co-hosts.

Belgium Star Jeremy Doku's World Cup Fatherhood Challenge

Belgium Star Jeremy Doku's World Cup Fatherhood Challenge

Rediff.com15 Jun 2026

Belgian winger Jeremy Doku faces a personal dilemma during the World Cup as his wife is due to give birth to their first child. He hopes to be present for the birth, potentially requiring him to leave the tournament.