FIDE's decision to shortlist the All India Chess Federation for a prestigious FIDE Excellence Award has ignited a fierce debate within the Indian chess community.
Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi scored second-half goals as Switzerland beat Canada 2-1 on Wednesday to qualify for the knock-out stage of the World Cup as Group B winners, with the tournament co-hosts also progressing as runners-up.
Switzerland secured a vital 2-0 victory over Algeria propelling them into the Round of 16.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni lauded his team's ability to 'suffer without losing belief' after their dramatic 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland in the World Cup quarter-finals, highlighting their growth in navigating challenging situations.
Breel Embolo became the first player in 20 years to be sent off at a World Cup for a second yellow card for simulation, a decision that proved a turning point in Switzerland's 3-1 extra-time defeat to Argentina in the quarter-finals.
Riyad Mahrez, the Algerian football star, has announced his retirement from international football following Algeria's elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 by Switzerland. Mahrez confirmed his decision after Algeria's 2-0 defeat, concluding a distinguished career with 119 appearances, 40 goals, and 45 assists, including a pivotal role in Algeria's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations victory.
From supporting young talents financially to earning global recognition, Indian chess is making its presence felt like never before.
Two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu will miss the Swiss Open as she recovers from travel disruptions in Dubai. H S Prannoy and Kidambi Srikanth will lead the Indian challenge.
Qatar snatched their first ever World Cup point with a stoppage-time goal to draw 1-1 with Switzerland in an energetic and one-sided Group B opener on Saturday.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced that the governing body will discuss expanding the World Cup to 64 teams for the 2030 edition, following the already planned increase to 48 teams in 2026. Infantino believes a larger tournament encourages smaller nations and highlights the success of previous expansions, with the 2030 event already set to be hosted across six nations on three continents.
German footballers at their FIFA World Cup base camp in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, are concerned about venomous snakes, specifically copperheads, after spotting one. Captain Joshua Kimmich expressed worries about potential bites, a sentiment echoed by Swiss and Norwegian teams, highlighting an unusual distraction for players preparing for the tournament.
India's Senior B and Men's A bridge teams have successfully advanced to the semifinals of the fifth Asia Cup Bridge Championship, held in Panaji. The Senior B team topped the Swiss league, while the Men's A team secured a third-place finish, setting the stage for Friday's knockout rounds.
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.
Indian cricketer Shubman Gill draws parallels between Carlos Alcaraz's deceptive drop shot and his own short-arm jab, expressing admiration for Roger Federer and revealing his dream dinner guests.
Kiran George defeated Loh Kean Yew at the Swiss Open, while other Indian shuttlers experienced mixed fortunes in the tournament.
A former FIFA referee has questioned the new VAR protocol after fresh controversy involving Argentina, warning that fan confidence in World Cup officiating has been "completely eroded."
Qatar celebrated their first World Cup point after a late own goal forced a 1-1 draw against Switzerland and sent the Gulf nation into jubilation on Saturday.
Former UEFA president Michel Platini has initiated civil and criminal legal proceedings in France against FIFA and its current president Gianni Infantino.
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia believes Lionel Messi needs to win the 2026 World Cup to truly equal Diego Maradona's legendary status, despite Messi's 2022 triumph. Bhutia rates Maradona higher due to his single-handed 1986 World Cup victory, while also tipping Spain as slight favourites over Argentina in the upcoming final.
A top Swiss official has emphasised the growing importance of science and technology in international affairs, leading Switzerland to prioritise anticipatory science diplomacy in its foreign policy. Collaboration with India reflects a shared vision between two global innovation leaders.
Lionel Messi's unparalleled influence extends beyond his on-field performance, transforming opponents into admirers. This phenomenon, dubbed the 'Messi effect,' sees rival players expressing awe and seeking mementos after matches, highlighting his profound impact on the current generation of footballers.
Algeria's coach Vladimir Petkovic attributed his team's 2-0 defeat to Switzerland and subsequent World Cup exit to costly defensive errors. He acknowledged the higher level of competition at the tournament and praised his team's overall performance, considering their return to the World Cup after 12 years and reaching the group stage a success despite the elimination.
Johan Manzambi continued his superb FIFA World Cup campaign by setting up Switzerland's opener in a 2-0 win over Algeria, ending the Swiss side's 88-year wait for a World Cup knockout victory and securing a place in the Round of 16.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are reportedly heading to Switzerland for a new round of US-Iran negotiations, following a recently announced memorandum of understanding to end hostilities in West Asia and a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
IOC Vice-President Juan Antonio Samaranch says new Olympic Charter amendments are vital to protect the IOC's independence amid growing political pressures.
Novak Djokovic added another chapter to his Wimbledon legacy on Sunday as the Serb fought past Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin 7-6(6), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to earn a record 106th match victory at the All England Club and reach another quarterfinal.
US Vice President JD Vance on Sunday generated significant online traction after making a light-hearted reference to two "very, very important" Indian and Pakistani people in his life - his wife Usha Vance and Pakistani Army chief Asim Munir, on the sidelines of the US-Iran diplomatic deliberations in Switzerland.
Devika Sihag won the women's singles title at the Azerbaijan International badminton tournament, marking her second consecutive international victory. Sathwik Reddy K and Radhika Sharma also secured the mixed doubles title.
Colombia defeated Ghana 1-0 in a crucial World Cup Round-of-32 match, with Jhon Arias scoring the decisive goal in the 14th minute. This victory propels Colombia into the last 16, where they will face Switzerland.
The United States and Iran are scheduled to hold their initial round of talks in Switzerland on Friday, following a ceasefire agreement virtually signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Following the signing of a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iran, US President Donald Trump reiterated the terms for a 60-day negotiation period, vowing that Tehran will receive "not ten cents" in financial relief.
Tennis legend Roger Federer is set to make a highly anticipated return to the U.S. Open for an exhibition match in August, seven years after his last appearance. The event, titled 'Roger Federer: An Icon Returns to New York,' will feature other tennis greats like Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi, and John McEnroe, celebrating Federer's illustrious career and upcoming Hall of Fame induction.
The fourth season of the Mumbai FIDE rated All India Classical Chess Masters tournament is set to take place from May 23 to 28, featuring top seed Shreyansh Somaiya and a strong mix of experienced and emerging chess players.
Novak Djokovic defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime in a five-set thriller lasting over five hours to reach his eighth consecutive Wimbledon semi-final, setting a new record.
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.
Indian stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded in early trade, driven by a decline in crude oil prices, supportive global cues, fresh foreign fund inflows, and buying in blue-chips like Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank. Track Sensex, Nifty movement on June 22, 2026.
Star Indian men's doubles badminton pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have withdrawn from the Indonesia Open mid-match due to a recurring shoulder injury to Satwik. This comes shortly after their Singapore Open victory, raising concerns about their fitness for upcoming tournaments.
Star Indian men's doubles badminton pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have withdrawn from the Indonesia Open mid-match due to a recurring shoulder injury to Satwik. This comes shortly after their Singapore Open victory, raising concerns about their fitness for upcoming tournaments.
Top leaders from the US, Iran, and Pakistan, along with other nations, have gathered in Switzerland for high-level talks aimed at restoring peace in West Asia. These negotiations follow a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran, initiating a 60-day window for a deal. Discussions focus on Iran's nuclear programme and the fragile interim peace deal, amidst renewed tensions and the fluctuating status of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Indian stock market's movement this week will be significantly influenced by the outcome of US-Iran talks, global crude oil prices, and the trading activities of foreign institutional investors (FIIs), according to market analysts.
