Scotland, a late entry into the T20 World Cup, is set to face West Indies in their opening match. Scotland aims to prove their worth and cause upsets against higher-ranked teams, while West Indies look to leverage their experience and firepower.
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has expressed strong "anguish" over the Indian hockey team's decision to change its traditional blue jersey to saffron for the upcoming FIH World Cup. Patnaik, whose state government previously sponsored the team, criticised the move as "petty politics" and an attempt to erase sporting legacy, alleging pressure from the BJP government in Odisha. Hockey India stated the saffron colour symbolises courage, sacrifice, and new beginnings, inspired by the national flag.
Neymar has suggested he may have played his final match for Brazil following their 2-1 defeat to Norway in the World Cup round of 16, a result that eliminated the five-time champions. The emotional 34-year-old scored a penalty but indicated his international career might be over, marking Brazil's worst World Cup performance since 1990.
Spain captain Rodri has expressed his team's ambition and hunger ahead of the World Cup final against Argentina. He highlighted Spain's gradual growth and well-rounded team play, while acknowledging Argentina's competitive spirit and the formidable presence of Lionel Messi. Rodri anticipates a physical battle and draws inspiration from Spain's 2010 World Cup victory.
India's Esha Singh clinched the gold medal in the women's 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, outperforming Olympic-medallist Manu Bhaker, who secured the bronze. This marked a double-podium finish for India, with both shooters expressing confidence for upcoming major assignments.
The Indian Racketlon team, captained by Vikramaditya Chaufla, is set to defend its title at the Racketlon World Championships in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The six-member squad, including last year's champions, will compete in the Challenge Cup, aiming to showcase India's growing prowess in the unique multi-racket sport.
The FIDE World Championship Match 2026 will feature reigning champion Gukesh D and challenger Javokhir Sindarov in Geneva, Switzerland. Both players will be 20, making it the youngest World Championship contest in history and signalling a generational shift in chess. The match will consist of 14 classical games, with tie-breaks if needed.
India hosts the event from a position of unprecedented strength with a string of titles under its belt.
England will be heading into the T20 World Cup with a massive confidence boost following a series win across both white-ball formats in Sri Lanka under captaincy of young Harry Brook, who has switched his side's fortunes since taking over.
A lesson to be learned from this incident is participation in an event is the real exhibition of power, and winning matches elevates its credibility, observes K R Nayar.
Indian archer Sahil Jadhav, preparing for the Asian Games, has found valuable insights into managing pressure and staying focused from former Australian cricketer Shane Watson's self-help book, 'The Winner's Mindset'.
Govind Dholakia has announced diamond jewellery and solar panels as rewards for the Indian women's cricket team, which made history by winning its first-ever World Cup.
Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka but failed to qualify for the T20 World Cup semifinals due to a lower net run rate than New Zealand, who advanced from Group 2 alongside England.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the must-win match against Zimbabwe on Thursday?
Afghanistan unit will be heading into the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka with hopes of replicating their historic performance during the 2024 edition
Leading African football administrators have publicly expressed their support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, offering him crucial backing ahead of next March's presidential election, despite his recent decision to abandon a controversial plan to sell a stake in future World Cup revenue.
Namibia have qualified for the last three ICC T20 World Cups (2021, 2022 and 2024). They are one of the three hosts of the 2026 T20 World Cup, alongside South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Neymar's father has penned an emotional message urging his son to reconsider his retirement from international football, which followed Brazil's unexpected exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026. Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer, announced his decision after their Round of 16 defeat to Norway.
Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele shared a warm embrace in France training ahead of the FIFA World Cup quarter-final against Morocco, easing rumours of tension as Les Bleus chase another semi-final appearance.
Group C promises one of the most competitive battles at the T20 World Cup, with former champions England and West Indies joined by ambitious sides Scotland, Nepal and debutants Italy.
'Many of the players I played alongside like Harmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Krishan Pathak are doing very well today. Somewhere, there is regret that I could not do that.'
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.
Having finished as the second-highest run-getter in 2025 among top nations, Abhishek was touted to dominate the tournament but the law of averages seemed to be catching up with the World No. 1 T20 batter when he returned to the dugout with three ducks in as many matches.
Germany's World Cup misery continued as Paraguay stunned the four-time champions on penalties in the Round of 32, extending a decade-long decline marked by defensive frailties and major tournament disappointments since 2014.
Pakistan's mystery spinner Usman Tariq has no qualms in admitting that he returned to cricket after getting inspired by the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Brazilian football legend Neymar Jr. has announced his retirement from international football following Brazil's shocking 2-1 defeat to Norway in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. The 34-year-old forward, Brazil's all-time leading scorer, confirmed his decision after the match, marking the end of a celebrated career with the national team.
Hashmatullah Shahidi has resigned as Afghanistan's One Day International captain, citing a personal decision, though he will continue to play in the 50-over format.
'I had a feeling from within that this tournament (Asia Cup) would be something special, but I did not think that I would become the player-of-the-tournament.'
The decision was made following Germany's World Cup exit in the Round of 32 following their loss to Paraguay.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has assured the All India Football Federation of full government support to host India's biggest-ever international football fixture against five-time World Cup champions Brazil in Kolkata on October 3. This historic match will be India's first against a top-five FIFA-ranked nation, offering crucial exposure to the national team despite initial concerns over crowd management.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw expressed his disappointment, calling football a "cruel game" after his team's dramatic 3-2 defeat to Belgium in the World Cup round of 32. Senegal had held a 2-0 lead until the 85th minute but conceded two late goals, followed by a controversial penalty in extra time that led to their elimination.
The noise at the Miami Stadium belonged to one nation, but the occasion belonged to one man as Lionel Messi scooped up another Man of the Match trophy.
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.
Four-time World champions Italy now have to battle through the playoffs in March if they are to avoid missing the tournament for a third straight occasion.
A summary of Friday's action in the FIFA World Cup 2026 UEFA Qualifiers.
'But looking at our current performance, I'm confident that a medal in the World Cup is not far off.'
Beyond the boundaries drawn on maps, beyond the noise of rivalry, beyond wins and losses, friendship has found a way to endure, to grow, and to quietly prove that some connections are stronger than borders.
France striker Kylian Mbappe hit back at a Paraguayan senator, describing her as a "despicable woman" on Monday after she launched a racist attack on him following Paraguay's elimination from the World Cup.
Miloslav "Curby" Urbanec, a Czech music promoter, has transformed his three-storey house in Bukovka into a vibrant shrine dedicated to the Argentine national football team, featuring sky-blue and white paint, a Lionel Messi mural, and a Diego Maradona statue, all stemming from a childhood passion ignited by the 1978 World Cup.
This will be their first encounter after the controversy-filled the Asia Cup earlier this year, in which India refused to shake hands with the Pakistan players.
