Carlo Ancelotti has spent weeks warning that grit and resilience would decide a long, complicated World Cup. On this evidence, Brazil have been listening -- even if, for much of the match against Japan, they seemed determined to test the theory to destruction.
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.
Thekua, a very representative sweet snack of Bihar and Jharkhand, Nepal too, recently gained special attention after it was presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a gift to Richard Rai, speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, when he visited India.
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."
Chaats are among India's most loved street food. The reason is simple: They represent the entire spectrum of much-loved Indian flavours and textures in a single bite -- spicy, tangy, chatpata, khara, meetha. That's what keeps people coming back for more.
New Zealand defeated England by 160 runs at Trent Bridge to clinch the three-Test series 2-1, as Ben Stokes' international career ended in defeat following his surprise retirement announcement during the match.
'A lot of women in their late 30s have healthy babies and there are prenatal screenings and tests that can help families make informed choices,' says rediffGURU Dr Shakeeb Ahmed Khan.
Tennis legend Serena Williams' highly anticipated return to competitive action at Wimbledon after a four-year hiatus concluded with a 6-3 6-7(6) 6-3 defeat to Australian qualifier Maya Joint in the first round. Despite flashes of brilliance and fighting back from a match point, Williams was unable to overcome the 20-year-old, who secured the most significant victory of her career.
The grieving parents of Sarthak Mattoo, who died in an alleged hit-and-run incident in southwest Delhi, have made an emotional video appeal for justice, questioning the pace of the police investigation and demanding strict action against those responsible.
Political observers said the announcement assumes significance as the state prepares for the assembly elections, with political parties stepping up outreach to various community groups.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu secured her spot in the women's singles semi-finals of the Australian Open Super 500 badminton tournament after a dominant victory over Chen Su Yu. She will now face top seed Akane Yamaguchi.
France captain Kylian Mbappe became his country's all-time leading scorer with a double against Senegal at the World Cup on Tuesday.
Minions & Monsters entertains with its cinematic nostalgia baits, even if it never quite escapes the franchise's familiar storytelling flaws.
Tiny Curacao battled to a 0-0 draw with Ecuador to earn the first World Cup point in the Caribbean island's history on Saturday after an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Eloy Room.
The recently concluded TATA IPL 2026 season achieved a record viewership of 1.2 billion, marking a seven per cent year-on-year growth. The final, where RCB secured their second consecutive title, became the most-watched IPL match ever, contributing to 870 billion minutes of watch-time and significant digital growth across platforms.
If Wednesday's World Cup match marked the last time Guillermo Ochoa appears in Mexico colours, the 40-year-old goalkeeper could not have wished for a better send-off.
Indian-origin forward Nishan Velupillay made his FIFA World Cup debut for Australia on June 14, coming on in the second half of their 2-0 victory over Turkiye. The 25-year-old, whose journey from academy football has been rapid, is considered one of Australia's most exciting attacking prospects. He now has eight international appearances and three goals for the Socceroos.
Kidambi Srikanth ended his impressive run with a runner-up finish at the US Open Super 300 badminton tournament after going down fighting in three games to Chinese Taipei's Su Li-yang.
As India awaits Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's senior debut, experts urge cricket to remember the 15-year-old is still a child, highlighting the challenges of balancing extraordinary talent, growing fame and emotional well-being.
England coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed Bukayo Saka is fully fit and available for the World Cup clash against Ghana, while also voicing concerns that FIFA's mandatory hydration breaks are disrupting the flow and identity of football.
Following a dominant group stage performance, Argentina is now preparing to face Cape Verde in the Round of 32.
Karnataka's G Sindhushree, an unheralded pole vaulter, achieved a new national record of 4.25m at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar. This performance not only secured her a gold medal but also a spot in the Asian Games. Overcoming personal hardships, Sindhushree dedicated her achievement to her late father. The event also saw other athletes like Animesh Kujur, Harshita Bhadra, Manpreet Kaur, Gowthami Jayaraman, Mohammed Afsal, and N Thowfeeq qualify for the Asian Games in various disciplines.
Lionel Messi led Argentina to a dominant 3-0 victory over Iceland in a FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up friendly, scoring a penalty and contributing to another goal after recovering from muscle fatigue.
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.
The Indian men's hockey team, currently in the Dutch leg of the FIH Pro League, aims to conclude their campaign on a high note against hosts Netherlands. This tournament serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming World Cup and Asian Games, with coach Craig Fulton focusing on testing resources and addressing issues like conceding late goals. The team also looks forward to significant matches against England and arch-rivals Pakistan in London.
Manchester United's Amad Diallo struck in the 90th minute as Ivory Coast stunned Ecuador 1-0 in their World Cup Group E opener on Sunday.
Argentina, having secured top spot in Group J, will face Jordan in their final group match with an eye on the knockout stage. Coach Lionel Scaloni is expected to rotate the squad, potentially resting Lionel Messi, while Jordan aims to conclude their debut World Cup campaign on a positive note despite early elimination.
Nicolas Pepe scored two goals to lead Ivory Coast to a 2-0 victory over Curacao, securing their first-ever qualification for the World Cup knockout phase. Curacao, the smallest nation to qualify, was eliminated. Ivory Coast will now face the second-place team from Group I (France or Norway) in Arlington, Texas.
Brazil's World Cup Round of 32 meeting with Japan on Monday comes with the chance for revenge for Carlo Ancelotti's squad and a test of how far he has taken his team since a Tokyo collapse early in his tenure.
Mexico secured a narrow 1-0 victory over South Korea in a Group A football match in Guadalajara. Luis Romo scored the decisive goal following a goalkeeping error, and Mexico's defence, backed by goalkeeper Ral Rangel's late saves, held firm against South Korean pressure.
Canada achieved their first-ever World Cup finals victory, thrashing nine-man Qatar 6-0, with Jonathan David scoring a hat-trick. The win boosts Canada's chances in Group B, despite an injury to midfielder Ismael Kone.
Indian women's doubles pair Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand advanced to the second round of the US Open Super 300 badminton tournament. Rounak Chouhan also secured a spot in the men's singles main draw, while other Indian players like Kidambi Srikanth and several women's singles participants are set to compete.
Luka Modric scored to put Croatia ahead before they edged Slovenia 2-1 in the international friendly before the World Cup.
Four matches, four draws and a slice of World Cup history.
Lionel Messi has become the most prolific scorer in World Cup history, netting two goals in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria. This achievement, which saw him surpass Brazilian great Marta's record of 17 goals, also secured Argentina's place in the knockout stage with a game to spare. Despite missing a penalty, Messi expressed satisfaction with the team's performance and the crucial win.
Ecuador's World Cup nightmare turned into a dream, as La Tri's once seemingly doomed campaign was resurrected against Germany in a remarkable conclusion to Group E on Thursday.
Spain arrive into their Group H clash against Saudi Arabia needing a sharper attacking display after being held to a shock 0-0 draw by World Cup debutants Cape Verde in their opening match in Atlanta.
As the World Cup kicks off, sports enthusiasts are witnessing a fascinating transition from the familiar rhythms of cricket to the exhilarating dynamics of football, bringing with it new terminology, fan reactions, and game rules to master.
A lift operator in Gurugram was brutally thrashed by six youths, allegedly rupturing his eye, after four of them were briefly trapped in an elevator. Despite a complaint being lodged, police have reportedly not yet registered a formal case, raising concerns about justice for the severely injured operator.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led thousands in a yoga session at Kolkata's Red Road to celebrate the 12th International Day of Yoga, actively participating and assisting attendees. Several dignitaries also joined the mass demonstration, continuing a tradition Modi has upheld since the event's UN adoption in 2015.
