King Philippe of the Belgians visited the national football team to offer his support and encouragement ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final match against Spain. He shared a meal, received a signed jersey, and praised their performance, expressing confidence in their victory. Both teams have had strong runs to the quarter-finals, with Belgium overcoming several challenges and Spain maintaining an unbeaten record.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has acknowledged the possibility of expanding the World Cup to 64 teams, a move that could significantly alter the sport's economics and logistics, despite opposition from major confederations like UEFA and AFC.
Philippe's outing in Perth was his first International appearance on home soil after years of playing overseas, including most of his 15 previous games in COVID-19 bubbles.
Didier Deschamps is flying back to France to attend his mother's funeral and will not coach the team's last Group I game at the World Cup against Norway, the French federation said on Tuesday.
France captain Kylian Mbappe was honoured for reaching 100 international appearances, receiving a commemorative jersey from coach Didier Deschamps. Deschamps himself was celebrated for becoming the most successful manager in FIFA World Cup history with 17 victories. Despite their dominant performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage, both Mbappe and Deschamps cautioned against complacency ahead of their Round of 16 match against Paraguay.
France arrive in Philadelphia as the World Cup's most feared attacking force, but Kylian Mbappe and coach Didier Deschamps have warned that acclaim, records and a seemingly clear path mean little if they fail to stay grounded against Paraguay in Saturday's last-16 clash.
France's march into the World Cup last 16 has been built on an attacking force so relentless that comparisons with some of the greatest forward lines in football history are no longer sounding premature.
France's formidable attack has propelled them through the World Cup group stage, but coach Didier Deschamps is focused on resolving issues on the team's left side before their Round of 32 match against Sweden.
Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori overcame a first-set deficit to defeat Evan King and Gabriela Dabrowski in a closely contested French Open mixed doubles final.
Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca defeated Casper Ruud to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final at the French Open, continuing his impressive run in the tournament.
Crystal Palace claimed their first European trophy as Jean-Philippe Mateta's second-half goal secured a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano in the final of the Conference League
Flavio Cobolli started slowly in wild and windy conditions at the French Open before blowing away Canadian fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday, making the semifinals at Roland Garros for the first time.
Delhi-born Nikhil Chaudhary, who played for Punjab till 2016-2017, was called up to the Australian T20 squad for a three-match tour to Bangladesh next week.
Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva powered into her maiden Grand Slam final with a ruthless 6-1 6-3 victory over Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk in a politically charged French Open semifinal on Thursday.
Paris St Germain players presented their Champions League trophies to the French Open crowd on Monday, two days after winning Europe's premium club competition for the second time in a row.
Marta Kostyuk defeated Elina Svitolina in an emotional all-Ukrainian match at the French Open, dedicating her victory to the Ukrainian people.
Mirra Andreeva, a Russian teenager, secured her spot in the French Open semi-finals with a decisive victory over Sorana Cirstea, continuing her impressive run in a tournament that has seen several top players eliminated.
Defending champion Coco Gauff was defeated by Anastasia Potapova in the French Open, with Potapova winning 4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4 to advance to the fourth round.
Flavio Cobolli left everything on Court Philippe Chatrier as he chased a first Grand Slam title on Sunday, but the Italian admitted the pressure of playing on the biggest stage ultimately proved decisive in a heartbreaking defeat.
Alexander Zverev will play his fourth grand slam final on Sunday and will hope to end his wait for a Major title when he meets Flavio Cabolli at the French Open final on Sunday.
Four years after leaving Roland Garros in a wheelchair with seven broken bones in his foot and two years after suffering the agony of being beaten in the Paris final by Carlos Alcaraz, Zverev finally claimed the trophy that had long eluded him.
Russian Diana Shnaider caused a major upset at the French Open, defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals.
Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska became only the second qualifier in the Open era to reach the Roland Garros semi-finals - and the sixth to achieve the feat at a Grand Slam.
Novak Djokovic overcame some stiff resistance from home player Valentin Royer to move into the third round of the French Open with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (7), 6-3 victory on Wednesday.
Four-time champion Iga Swiatek cantered into the second round of the French Open, dispatching Australian wildcard Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-2 in quick time under a beaming sun.
The claycourts of Roland Garros were transformed into a complex geopolitical chessboard on Tuesday as they produced a French Open semi-final lineup featuring a number of emotionally charged matches in the shadow of Russia's war in Ukraine.
Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska continued her fairytale run with a 76(4), 64 win over Diana Shnaider on Thursday, reaching her maiden Grand Slam final at the French Open and booking a title showdown with Russian Mirra Andreeva.
Alexander Zverev moved to within touching distance of a long-coveted maiden Grand Slam title, as the German fought past 26th seed Jakub Mensik 7-5, 6-2, 36, 6-3 on Friday to reach the French Open final again.
Diane Parry defeated Amanda Anisimova in a thrilling three-set match to advance to the fourth round of the French Open, marking her first time reaching this stage in a Grand Slam tournament.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka brushed aside Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in straight sets in the opening round match.
Aryna Sabalenka said she fell into a "deep, dark hole" during her three-sets loss to Russian Diana Shnaider in the French Open quarterfinals on Wednesday, after the world number one let her opportunities slip in the second set.
Seventh seed Taylor Fritz was stunned by fellow American Nishesh Basavareddy in the first round of the French Open on Sunday.
Russia's Mirra Andreeva became the youngest Roland Garros women's singles winner since Monica Seles in 1992, to claim the French Open title and her maiden Grand Slam crown.
Alexander Zverev finally ended his long wait for a Grand Slam title by winning the French Open men's singles crown on Sunday, defeating Italy's Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 6-7(5), 6-1 in a keenly contested final.
Mirra Andreeva and qualifier Maja Chwalinska have both reached the French Open women's singles final, ensuring a new Grand Slam champion will be crowned. Andreeva defeated Marta Kostyuk, while Chwalinska overcame Diana Shnaider. The tournament has seen early exits for top seeds, paving the way for these new contenders. Additionally, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori successfully defended their mixed doubles title.
Novak Djokovic began his latest bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title by crossing a milestone and a tricky hurdle with a 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 French Open first-round victory over local hope Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Sunday.
Mirra Andreeva announced herself as the latest member of women's tennis's elite on Saturday, defeating surprise finalist Maja Chwalinska to become the youngest French Open champion in more than three decades.
Anna Kalinskaya reached her maiden French Open quarterfinal with a 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (10-7) win over 28th seed Anastasia Potapova on Monday, marking only the second time the Russian has entered that stage of a Grand Slam.
World number one Jannik Sinner started his campaign for a maiden French Open title in merciless fashion, beating Frenchman Clement Tabur 6-1, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the second round on Tuesday.
Gael Monfils brought the party to Roland Garros on Thursday, teaming up with his wife Elina Svitolina to win a lively, star-studded exhibition match as he prepared for his final appearance at his home Grand Slam.
