As the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to the United States, Bay Area soccer clubs and supporters hope the tournament will inspire a new generation of fans and strengthen the region's thriving grassroots football culture.
United States coach Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to extend his contract, leading the men's national team through the 2030 World Cup, following their last-16 finish at this year's finals.
IIT Delhi has reconstituted the external probe panel investigating the death of an MSc Physics student, appointing retired Delhi High Court judge Mukta Gupta as its head. This decision follows the recusal of the previous chair, Ashok Kumar, and ongoing student protests on campus. The panel includes medical experts and student representatives to examine the circumstances of the alleged suicide.
A team of yoga athletes from the United States is heading to India to participate in the maiden World Yogasana Championship to be held in Ahmedabad from June 4 to 8.
Defending champions NorthEast United FC are set to face 17-time winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the second semifinal of the Durand Cup. NorthEast United, chasing a third consecutive title, made a strong comeback in their quarterfinal, while Mohun Bagan advanced via a penalty shootout after a solid defensive campaign. Both teams are fully fit and ready for a challenging encounter.
'Being the defending champions certainly gives us confidence, but every Olympiad is a new event and starts from scratch.'
The Indian junior women's hockey team, led by Khaidem Shileima Chanu, will undertake an exposure tour of the United Kingdom from July 5 to 14. Under new coach Tim White, the 24-member squad will play seven matches against teams from Scotland, the United States, England, and Belgium, aiming to fine-tune strategies for upcoming international competitions like the Junior Asia Cup.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday her government agreed to allow the Iranian national football team to stay in Mexico during the World Cup, adding that the United States did not want to host the team.
Argentina's veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi has announced his retirement from international football after a 17-year career, which included winning the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles.
Australia secured an innings and 51-run victory over Bangladesh in the second Test, but the performance highlighted persistent issues with their top-order batting, particularly for Marnus Labuschagne, raising questions ahead of their South Africa tour.
A Delhi Police head constable was arrested by the vigilance unit for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 from a complainant in connection with a dispute involving a relative.
Harmanpreet Kaur says a winning culture is taking shape in the Indian women's cricket team as they prepare for the Asia Cup and Asian Games.
A 30-year-old nurse was found dead in a Kolkata hospital washroom, with preliminary investigations suggesting a possible overdose of an anaesthetic drug. Police are probing all angles, including mental stress, while an internal health department committee has been formed.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced a significant overhaul of its national team under party president Nitin Nabin, introducing numerous new faces and promoting prominent leaders like former Union minister Smriti Irani to general secretary and former RSS functionary Ram Madhav to vice president. The revamp aims to balance youth and experience while preparing for upcoming assembly and general elections.
Pakistan's national hockey team is facing significant challenges ahead of the final leg of the FIH Pro League in England, with captain Ammad Shakeel Butt's visa rejected and head coach Manzur-ul-Hasan also struggling to secure his travel documents. This comes amidst a dismal performance in the league and growing criticism over team management.
India's men's hockey team head coach Craig Fulton believes the squad can defeat any country if they stick to their game plan, following confidence-boosting victories against Germany and the Netherlands in the FIH Pro League, despite finishing eighth overall. The team's improved performance and maturity are seen as crucial stepping stones for upcoming major tournaments like the World Cup and Asian Games.
Harjai Milkha Singh and Krish Chawla led India to victory in the boy's team event at the APGC Junior Golf Championship in Colombo, finishing one shot ahead of South Korea and Thailand. Harjai also secured a runner-up finish in the individual category.
Iran's Football Federation will lodge an official protest with FIFA after the United States reportedly denied the national team's request to travel to Los Angeles two days before their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match against Belgium, citing geopolitical tensions and previous visa issues.
Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, renowned for his success with Chennai Super Kings, has been appointed England's new Test head coach, with Joe Root returning as captain after a comprehensive recruitment process by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi discusses D Gukesh's mental strength challenge for his World Championship defence against Javokhir Sindarov, highlighting Gukesh's recent inconsistent form. Vidit also assesses India's strong prospects for the upcoming Chess Olympiad, praising the form of players like Praggnanandhaa, Erigaisi, and Sarin, while cautioning against overconfidence. He also reflects on his Arjuna Award and the need for better organisation in chess formats.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals are set, featuring a diverse lineup of one South American, one African, and six European teams, including defending champions Argentina and France, alongside surprise packages like Morocco and Norway, all vying for football's ultimate prize.
Iran hosted a large send-off rally for its World Cup team in Tehran, despite ongoing concerns about visa issues for entry into the United States, where the team is scheduled to play its group matches.
Former Italy international Andrea Pirlo has withdrawn from contention for the national team's head coach position after his commercial ties to Russian betting company Fonbet drew significant criticism and opposition from Italian football officials and lawmakers.
A former village head in Kaushambi district, Uttar Pradesh, was critically injured after being shot by unidentified assailants on a motorcycle during his morning walk.
Turkey secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over the United States in their FIFA World Cup Group D encounter, scoring a 99th-minute winner. The USA twice came from behind, with goals from Auston Trusty and Sebastian Berhalter, but late heroics from Kaan Ayhan sealed the win for Trkiye after earlier goals from Arda Gler and Bar Alper Ylmaz. Despite the loss, the United States had already qualified for the knockout stage.
UEFA's member associations have unanimously voted to boycott the World Cup and other FIFA competitions in protest against FIFA's plan to sell stakes to external investors in a subsidiary managing its tournaments.
Teams like India do not offer too many chances and Afghanistan must learn to capitalise on the opportunities that come their way, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said.
Thousands of job aspirants in Jharkhand clashed with police during a protest against alleged exam irregularities, demanding a CBI probe and comprehensive reforms in the state's public service commissions.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide state of emergency and burn ban Saturday morning as an unprecedented wildfire crisis gripped the region, with active blazes scorching nearly 3,000 acres.
Six Arab football federations, including 2030 World Cup co-host Morocco and Qatar, have publicly declared their "full support" and "confidence" in FIFA President Gianni Infantino. This backing comes as Infantino faces significant backlash and withdrawals of support from European and Oceania federations over his failed $20 billion private investment plan for the World Cup, highlighting a growing schism within global football governance.
India's men's hockey team has announced its 20-member squad for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, featuring one change with midfielder Raj Kumar Pal replacing Aditya Arjun Lalage. Led by Harmanpreet Singh, the team aims for gold and direct qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics.
Multi-champions Brazil, Argentina and Germany all won their preparatory games for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday, although by small margins, with former champion England and hopeful Portugal also securing victories.
The Indian women's hockey team is set to face Australia in a four-match series in Perth, aiming to build momentum for the upcoming FIH Nations Cup in Auckland.
Neymar has suggested he may have played his final match for Brazil following their 2-1 defeat to Norway in the World Cup round of 16, a result that eliminated the five-time champions. The emotional 34-year-old scored a penalty but indicated his international career might be over, marking Brazil's worst World Cup performance since 1990.
'The position of Karachi depicted at that time and the intense rivalry among the factional overlords in Lyari is very close to reality.'
The top 32 teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026 are now confirmed after a dramatic and exhausting group stage that came to a close on Saturday.
Iran's national soccer team will sleep in Mexico and travel to the US on the days of its three FIFA World Cup matches after Washington declined to host the squad for the tournament.
'Our biggest opportunity lies with the younger age-group teams.' 'If you look at the senior national team, our chances are about 50-50.' 'The gap becomes smaller as you move down the age groups.' 'At the Under-20 level, it's closer to 60-40.' 'By the Under-17 level, it's around 80-20. That's where I feel we have our best chance.'
Substitute Mikel Merino scored in the 88th minute after goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled Pau Cubars's long-range effort, restoring Spain's lead and putting the 2010 champions 2-1 ahead of Belgium.
Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room made 15 saves in the 0-0 draw with Ecuador -- the most in a 90-minute match in the World Cup history.
