Kolkata's iconic 'FIFA Gully' has transformed a small neighbourhood lane into a colourful World Cup attraction, with murals and giant cut-outs of Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar and other football stars celebrating the city's enduring love for the beautiful game.
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.
The World Cup has seen a shift to a more lenient refereeing style, prioritising game flow and reducing stoppages. This, combined with stronger, faster players, has led to a quicker, more physically demanding tournament with higher scoring. While welcomed, experts warn that this intensity tests players' physical limits, increasing injury risks, especially for those not fully fit.
Balogun scored his third goal of the tournament but was later sent off, becoming only the fourth player to score and receive a red card in a FIFA World Cup knockout match.
Indian para badminton star Pramod Bhagat clinched the men's singles SL3 gold medal at the British & Irish International, defeating compatriot Nitesh Kumar in the final. Bhagat also secured a bronze in mixed doubles. Tokyo Paralympic champion Krishna Nagar added a silver and two bronze medals to India's tally, highlighting a strong performance by the Indian contingent in Dublin.
FIFA's digital watchdogs uncovered 89,000 abusive posts on social media during the group stage of the World Cup, marking a 13-fold increase from the 2022 edition in Qatar, world soccer's governing body said on Wednesday.
After yet another failure for Sanju Samson -- his third in a row -- 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could make his India debut in the second T20I against England on Saturday.
The Durand Cup football tournament will feature 24 teams, including seven debutants, across five cities from July 25 to August 23. Kolkata remains the primary hub, hosting the final, while Ranchi, Imphal, Shillong, and Guwahati will also host matches, bringing together a diverse mix of Indian and overseas teams.
Ishan Kishan has ascended to the No.1 spot in the ICC T20I batting rankings, surpassing Abhishek Sharma after strong performances, including at the T20 World Cup. Jasprit Bumrah now leads the Test bowling rankings, while Travis Head is the top Test batter. The latest ICC rankings also show significant movements for other players across T20I and Test formats.
Legendary Indian cricketer Kapil Dev has lauded young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, comparing his talent to that of Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. Dev emphasised that Sooryavanshi's ability, not his age, should be the primary factor in his selection for the national team, while also cautioning against excessive hype around the 15-year-old.
'My fans don't mind me hamming.'
Sharvari is set to star opposite Kartik Aaryan in an intense love story directed by Luv Ranjan.
Jacob Bethell guided England to an impressive four-wicket victory in the second T20 against England on Saturday as 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made his eagerly-awaited India debut at Old Trafford.
India is set to host the 26th Asian Fencing Championships, which will also serve as a qualifier for the Asian Games. The Sports Ministry has sanctioned Rs 6 crore for the event, taking place at the Bharat Mandapam complex, featuring over 400 athletes from 30+ countries.
Merlin, the pet duck in a mini Mexico shirt who has become a viral sensation and an unofficial mascot of the World Cup, met Mexico's president on Monday.
Explore the fascinating journey of Tamil cinema's iconic duo, Vijay and Trisha, from their blockbuster films to persistent rumours of their link-up.
The Khashaba teaser leaves behind the feeling that Marathi cinema is gearing up for something monumental, notes Mayur Sanap.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has rebranded as World Tennis, announcing an ambitious vision to increase global participation by 30% to 140 million players by 2035. The organisation, which governs the sport and runs major competitions, plans to reinvest 85% of its income annually for the next decade to achieve its strategic goals, including powering future stars and elevating national competitions. The name change aims to enhance recognition and foster greater collaboration within the sport.
ISRO has issued an Announcement of Opportunity, inviting Indian scientists and researchers to submit proposals for accessing data from its XPoSat Mission. Launched in January 2024, XPoSat is India's first satellite dedicated to X-ray polarimetry measurements, designed to study extreme astronomical X-ray sources like black holes and neutron stars, thereby enhancing understanding of celestial emissions.
Netherlands striker Cody Gakpo and his partner experienced the tragic loss of their unborn son. The national team, including coach Ronald Koeman and captain Virgil van Dijk, has offered immense support, allowing Gakpo time off with his family during the World Cup. Despite the personal tragedy, Gakpo is expected to play in the upcoming match against Morocco, showing remarkable fortitude.
Kylian Mbappe, after scoring a double against Sweden, is nearing Lionel Messi's World Cup goal record but states his primary focus is on winning the trophy for France. He acknowledges his scoring prowess but emphasises the team's collective goal of reaching and winning the final on July 19, downplaying the individual rivalry with Messi.
As Curry Barker's Obsession arrives on OTT this week, Sreeju Sudhakaran revisits the chilling psychological horror film about the terrifying implications of a man's desire to control a woman's affections.
From Ikkis to Balan: The Boy, these are the 10 Indian films that truly deserved the loudest applause in the first half of 2026.
Indian squash players Shameena Riaz and Om Semwal have caused significant upsets at the USD 15,000 HCL-SRFI PSA Challenger tournament in Mumbai, defeating top seed Hayley Ward and third seed Diego Gobbi respectively. Riaz, a recent Asian Games team selection, rallied from a game down, while Semwal secured a five-game victory. Both players have now advanced to the quarterfinals.
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.
England's World Cup campaign has increasingly come to rest on the shoulders of Harry Kane, whose goals, link-up play and ability to deliver in decisive moments have repeatedly rescued a side still searching for fluency and conviction.
'The biggest thing I've learnt is that this journey is not linear.' 'There will be films that work, films that don't, moments where you feel confident and moments where you question yourself.'
Goa's Venkata Chigurupati has earned his maiden India Under-19 call-up for the Sri Lanka tour after a standout season of 49 wickets and 380 runs, as the fast-bowling all-rounder sets his sights on the U-19 World Cup and a future in India's Test team.
Lionel Messi's record-breaking night draws ultimate praise from former record-holder Miroslav Klose.
'Producers were ready to pay me obscene amounts of money because after Rangeela, they thought if they took A R Rahman and Ahmed Khan, the film would be a hit.' 'There were no imported cars then, no mobile phones or online shopping, no house to run or any big kharcha. I was rocking!'
Stars attend Bollywood Hungama Style Icons Summit and Awards 2026.
Six Indian women golfers, including Diksha Dagar and Avani Prashanth, are set to compete at the Czech Ladies Open. Diksha Dagar, a former champion at this event, returns in strong form, aiming for her second title, while Vani Kapoor and Ridhima Dilawari join the field via sponsor invites.
Grigor Dimitrov, the veteran Bulgarian stylist, defeated rising Czech star Jacub Mensik at Wimbledon, overcoming past injury fears. Dimitrov, who had suffered multiple Grand Slam withdrawals due to injury, showcased a masterclass performance, drawing inspiration from Roger Federer's style, to advance to the third round. He expressed his determination to push limits and compete at the highest level despite his history of injuries.
World champion D Gukesh and Indian star R Praggnanandhaa are set to compete in the Zagreb Rapid and Blitz Tournament, part of the prestigious Grand Chess Tour. Despite Gukesh's sabbatical from classical chess, he joins a strong field including recent Norway Chess winner Praggnanandhaa, promising an exciting week of high-stakes chess.
Star Indian table tennis player Manika Batra has accused the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) of violating its own Constitution during the selection of the Asian Games squad, where she was named a reserve. Batra claims a nine-member committee, exceeding the constitutional limit, finalised the team, leading to her "mental exhaustion" from the ongoing fight.
'I just want to say that this fake story which keeps coming up on social media about my father beating Zeenat Aman and her eye getting hurt, that's all hogwash.'
Legendary athlete Anju Bobby George believes it's just a matter of time before Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra delivers for the country at the big stage -- the Asian Games and 2028 Los Angles Olympic Games.
Cabo Verde's World Cup dream ended in defeat, but their story had already become one of the tournament's defining moments. After the debutants stretched defending champions Argentina to extra time, football greats Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry saluted the tiny island nation for proving that belief can outweigh size and reputation.
Retail major Trent is embarking on a robust expansion plan, aiming for significant growth through new store additions for Westside and Zudio, diversification into new formats like Samoh and Burnt Toast, and a projected recovery in like-for-like (LFL) growth.
Indian badminton players Devika Sihag, Rounak Chouhan, and Kidambi Srikanth have advanced to the semifinals of the US Open badminton tournament in Fullerton, USA. Sihag caused an upset by defeating third seed Riko Gunji, while Chouhan continued his strong performance. Srikanth's win sets up the possibility of an all-Indian final.
