News for 'Star Sports'

Inside Kolkata's FIFA Gully, India's unique tribute to the FIFA World Cup

Inside Kolkata's FIFA Gully, India's unique tribute to the FIFA World Cup

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

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.

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.

World Cup: Spain And Portugal Set For Iberian Derby In Texas

World Cup: Spain And Portugal Set For Iberian Derby In Texas

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

Spain and Portugal are set to clash in the World Cup Round of 16 in Texas, a rematch of last year's Nations League final. The match features a generational battle between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lamine Yamal, with Spain entering unbeaten in 34 matches and Portugal looking to overcome recent struggles.

Murali Sreeshankar, Rohit Yadav Lead Record-Breaking National Athletics Meet

Murali Sreeshankar, Rohit Yadav Lead Record-Breaking National Athletics Meet

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

The National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships concluded with star long jumper Murali Sreeshankar and javelin thrower Rohit Yadav delivering top-class performances.

Egypt Coach Hossam Hassan Blames 'Unfair' Refereeing for World Cup Elimination

Egypt Coach Hossam Hassan Blames 'Unfair' Refereeing for World Cup Elimination

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

Egypt's national football coach, Hossam Hassan, has vehemently blamed 'unfair' refereeing decisions and 'external factors' for his team's dramatic World Cup elimination by Argentina, stating he will no longer watch the tournament.

Young Indian Boxers Shine, Assure Six Medals In Asian Championships

Young Indian Boxers Shine, Assure Six Medals In Asian Championships

Rediff.com11 Jul 2026

India has secured six medals in the U-19 men's category at the Asian U-19 and U-23 Boxing Championships in Jakarta. Six Indian boxers advanced to the semifinals after impressive quarterfinal victories, showcasing the nation's emerging talent in the sport.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina's passion faces Spain's precision in final showdown

FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina's passion faces Spain's precision in final showdown

Rediff.com17 Jul 2026

The World Cup final offers football's grandest stage a deliciously odd pairing: Argentina, all pulse, fire and Lionel Messi, against Spain, the European champions who appear to treat chaos as an administrative error and have turned control into something close to an art form.

FIFA World Cup: 'Messi is above Pele, Maradona and Cruyff'

FIFA World Cup: 'Messi is above Pele, Maradona and Cruyff'

Rediff.com23 Jun 2026

Former football player Zlatan Ibrahimovic has lauded Lionel Messi for breaking the all-time FIFA World Cup goal record, stating that the Argentinian ace is in a 'category of his own', surpassing even legends like Pele, Diego Maradona, and Johan Cruyff due to his numbers, longevity, and trophies.

Kolkata Goes Messi Crazy as Football Legend Turns 39

Kolkata Goes Messi Crazy as Football Legend Turns 39

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

Lionel Messi, celebrating his 39th birthday, continues to be a dominant force in football, leading Argentina and achieving new milestones. Fans in Kolkata marked the occasion with grand tributes, including a 30-foot portrait and neighbourhood decorations, honouring the football legend.

FIFA World Cup: What France's chess post really means before Morocco

FIFA World Cup: What France's chess post really means before Morocco

Rediff.com9 Jul 2026

France is preparing for a FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final against Morocco, a rematch of the 2022 semi-final. Les Bleus, strong favourites with a perfect record and a dangerous attacking unit led by Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise, are anticipating a tactical battle. Morocco, unbeaten in their last 10 matches, aims to make history for African football and secure their first-ever win against France.

New Liverpool Boss Iraola Demands More Signings For Upcoming Season

New Liverpool Boss Iraola Demands More Signings For Upcoming Season

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has expressed his impatience to secure more player signings to bolster the squad ahead of the upcoming season. Having already signed two players, Iraola emphasised the club's ongoing efforts to bring in additional talent to improve upon last season's fifth-place finish. He also faces the challenge of managing without key player Mo Salah and addressing several long-term injuries.

What went wrong for France: 'Technically, we were second best'

What went wrong for France: 'Technically, we were second best'

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

France's World Cup campaign ended in a 'devastating' 2-0 semi-final defeat to Spain, with coach Didier Deschamps admitting his team was 'technically, second best' and star players like Michael Olise failing to perform.

Why tennis stars are furious with French Open

Why tennis stars are furious with French Open

Rediff.com8 May 2026

Top tennis players, including Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff, are threatening to boycott the French Open due to dissatisfaction with the current prize money distribution, claiming a lack of respect and a decreasing share of tournament revenue.

Jude Bellingham: Mexico Win 'Best Night of My England Career'

Jude Bellingham: Mexico Win 'Best Night of My England Career'

Rediff.com6 Jul 2026

England's star midfielder Jude Bellingham described the thrilling 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 as the 'best night of his England career', after the Three Lions secured their place in the quarter-finals despite playing much of the second half with 10 men.

From Widow's Bay to Raakh: Must Watch Shows of 2026 to Fill the Post-World Cup Void

From Widow's Bay to Raakh: Must Watch Shows of 2026 to Fill the Post-World Cup Void

Rediff.com7 days ago

As the FIFA World Cup concludes, we give you a curated list of the most impressive Hindi and English shows from 2026 to fill the OTT void.

IPL 2026: Krunal Pandya's Wild Celebrations Anger Hardik?

IPL 2026: Krunal Pandya's Wild Celebrations Anger Hardik?

Rediff.com13 Apr 2026

Fans pointed out that this was probably the first time Krunal Pandya had celebrated his brother Hardik's wicket in the IPL.

Kostyuk, Noskova break new ground, enter Wimbledon semifinals

Kostyuk, Noskova break new ground, enter Wimbledon semifinals

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk and Czech teenager Linda Noskova powered into their first Wimbledon semifinals on Wednesday, with both players producing dominant straight-set victories in sweltering conditions at the All England Club.

FIFA World Cup: Argentina's bizarre ritual to stop Kane before semis

FIFA World Cup: Argentina's bizarre ritual to stop Kane before semis

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

Ahead of their World Cup semi-final clash against England, Argentina fans are engaging in traditional 'cabalas' or superstitions, including freezing captain Harry Kane's name, to bring their national team good fortune on the pitch.

Unbeaten Spain eye Italy's all-time record in World Cup semi-final vs France

Unbeaten Spain eye Italy's all-time record in World Cup semi-final vs France

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

Spain take a 36-match unbeaten run into their FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final against France, with Lamine Yamal calling it the biggest match of his career as La Roja chase Italy's all-time record.

From Cowboy to Viking: Haaland's viral FIFA World Cup moment

From Cowboy to Viking: Haaland's viral FIFA World Cup moment

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

Norway's star striker Erling Haaland celebrated his team's FIFA World Cup Round of 16 qualification with viral cowboy and Viking-themed social media posts after scoring a dramatic late winner against Ivory Coast. He also marked becoming the fastest player to score 60 goals for his national team.

Indian Shuttlers Ready For Japan Open Challenge

Indian Shuttlers Ready For Japan Open Challenge

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

India's top badminton players, including the men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, singles stars Lakshya Sen, P V Sindhu, and rising talent Ayush Shetty, are set to compete at the USD 950,000 Japan Open Super 750 tournament. The event marks a crucial stage for many Indian shuttlers to make significant runs on the BWF World Tour.

FIFA World Cup: WAGs Grab Attention

FIFA World Cup: WAGs Grab Attention

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

This year's WAGs include influencers, models, actors, and lifelong companions whose own careers and stories are drawing as much attention as the football itself.

Rafa Mir Convicted: Spanish Footballer Gets 8.5 Years For Sexual Assault

Rafa Mir Convicted: Spanish Footballer Gets 8.5 Years For Sexual Assault

Rediff.com15 Jun 2026

Spanish footballer Rafa Mir has been sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of sexual assault and assault causing injury by a court in Valencia. The verdict, which can be appealed, follows a complaint filed in September 2024 and highlights the sensitive issue of women's rights in Spanish sports.

Manika Batra Demands Answers, Threatens Legal Action Over Asian Games Snub

Manika Batra Demands Answers, Threatens Legal Action Over Asian Games Snub

Rediff.com24 Jun 2026

Indian table tennis star Manika Batra has threatened legal action against the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) if she is not provided a 'factual explanation' for her omission from the Asian Games squad.

T20 is here to stay, not too sure about ODIs, says Ashwin

T20 is here to stay, not too sure about ODIs, says Ashwin

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

European T20 Premier League (ETPL) is a necessary addition in the existing assortment of franchise-based tourneys as the format is here to stay unlike ODIs, said Indian spin bowling legend Ravichandran Ashwin on Thursday.

FIFA World Cup semis: Tuchel reveals England's plan to stop Messi

FIFA World Cup semis: Tuchel reveals England's plan to stop Messi

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

England manager Thomas Tuchel insists his players are not focusing on the historical rivalry with Argentina ahead of their World Cup semi-final, stating the occasion itself is significant enough and their preparation centres on the game at hand.

FIFA World Cup: Haaland's 8-Word Message to Messi Goes Viral

FIFA World Cup: Haaland's 8-Word Message to Messi Goes Viral

Rediff.com28 Jun 2026

Lionel Messi has set a new FIFA World Cup record for most goals scored from outside the penalty area, surpassing Brazil's Rivelino. This achievement, alongside his 7th consecutive World Cup goal, prompted a humorous reaction from Norway's Erling Haaland regarding the Golden Boot race.

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.

New Policy To Enhance Safety For Women Athletes In Maharashtra

New Policy To Enhance Safety For Women Athletes In Maharashtra

Rediff.com3 Jun 2026

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar has mandated a uniform policy for all sports grounds in the state, focusing on modern sanitation, separate changing rooms, and CCTV surveillance to ensure the safety and enhance the performance of women athletes. This directive aims to strengthen the sports ecosystem and encourage greater participation from women.

What People Munch On At Half-Time

What People Munch On At Half-Time

Rediff.com18 Jul 2026

What do we eat when we watch football?

How Preeti Pawar Balances Boxing Ambition With Artistic Hobbies

How Preeti Pawar Balances Boxing Ambition With Artistic Hobbies

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

Preeti Pawar, a 22-year-old Indian bantamweight boxer, has emerged as a promising talent, securing an Olympic quota and winning multiple international medals despite facing health setbacks. She is now focused on achieving gold at the Commonwealth Games and refining her skills for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, balancing her aggressive boxing style with calming hobbies like quilling and Mandala art.

FIFA World Cup: Is Everything OK Between Bellingham and Tuchel?

FIFA World Cup: Is Everything OK Between Bellingham and Tuchel?

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

After England's 2-1 World Cup quarter-final win over Norway, midfielder Jude Bellingham pushed back against manager Thomas Tuchel's "sloppy" performance assessment, highlighting the team's resilience and the challenging conditions. Despite the friction, Bellingham's two goals were crucial in securing England's semi-final spot, underscoring his vital role in the tournament.

Haaland, Norway train ahead of England quarter-final showdown

Haaland, Norway train ahead of England quarter-final showdown

Rediff.com10 Jul 2026

Norway forward Erling Haaland has openly challenged the media to 'put every single pressure on the English lads' ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final clash against England, following Norway's stunning upset victory over Brazil.

Why Manika Batra Misses Out On Asian Games Table Tennis Squad

Why Manika Batra Misses Out On Asian Games Table Tennis Squad

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

India's prominent table tennis player, Manika Batra, has been excluded from the national squad for the upcoming Asian Games due to her absence from domestic events, which impacted her national ranking. The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) cited adherence to its selection criteria, which prioritises both national and world rankings.

Wimbledon: Dmitrov overcomes fear and injury to stun young Mensik

Wimbledon: Dmitrov overcomes fear and injury to stun young Mensik

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

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.

Plucky Spain throttle France to reach World Cup final

Plucky Spain throttle France to reach World Cup final

Rediff.com15 Jul 2026

Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot and Pedro Porro added another goal as Spain advanced to its first World Cup final since winning in 2010 with a 2-0 victory over France on Tuesday.

FIFA World Cup: 'We Become Friends Again': Mbappe's Emotional Hakimi Message

FIFA World Cup: 'We Become Friends Again': Mbappe's Emotional Hakimi Message

Rediff.com10 Jul 2026

After France's 2-0 victory over Morocco in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal, Kylian Mbappe was seen consoling his close friend Achraf Hakimi. This moment of mutual respect between the former Paris Saint-Germain teammates quickly went viral, highlighting that fierce rivals can still share genuine friendship off the pitch, despite Mbappe's insistence on no emotions during the game.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Kounde answers Yamal as favourite debate fuels war of words

FIFA World Cup 2026: Kounde answers Yamal as favourite debate fuels war of words

Rediff.com3 Jul 2026

France defender Jules Kounde has brushed aside Spain star Lamine Yamal's comments that Les Bleus are not favourites ahead of La Roja at the FIFA World Cup 2026, saying the remarks do not bother him.

Brazil Coach Ancelotti Addresses Neymar's Frustration

Brazil Coach Ancelotti Addresses Neymar's Frustration

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that star forward Neymar is fully fit for the World Cup but acknowledged the player's frustration over limited game time. Ancelotti praised Neymar's character and confirmed he can play a full 90 minutes, indicating he will be deployed when the team needs him.

'Messi is a machine! He will remain world's best player,' says Argentina coach Scaloni

'Messi is a machine! He will remain world's best player,' says Argentina coach Scaloni

Rediff.com11 Jul 2026

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni believes 39-year-old Lionel Messi will continue to be the world's best player for as long as he desires, dismissing age concerns as Messi dominates the World Cup with eight crucial goals.