With less than a month to go, football fans have all fingers -- and toes -- crossed, notes Kanika Datta.
World Bank President Ajay Banga has advocated for the deployment of 'Small AI' locally deployed artificial intelligence running on inexpensive hardware to address daily problems faced by farmers and rural communities in emerging markets.
European champions Spain will travel to next month's World Cup with plenty of Barcelona swagger but no-one from Real Madrid after manager Luis de la Fuente named a 26-man squad on Monday built around eight players from the Catalan club.
India's Pranati Nayak won a silver medal in the women's vault event at the FIG World Challenge Cup 2026 in Tashkent. The 31-year-old gymnast secured an average score of 13.025. Vietnam's Thi Quynh Nhu Nguyen won gold, and Uzbekistan's Shakhinabonu Yusufova took bronze.
Former world blitz and rapid champion Anna Muzychuk discusses the upcoming World Chess Championships, highlighting the importance of psychological momentum and pressure handling for Indian players D Gukesh and R Vaishali.
Australian legend Ricky Ponting believes Indian superstars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are capable of playing until the ODI World Cup in 2027, citing their passion and determination.
The whirlwind knock drew wide admiration, with batting legend Sachin Tendulkar lauding his fluent bat swing and describing the innings as "spectacular", underlining the growing stature of a youngster fast becoming the face of fearless modern T20 batting.
New York City will offer residents a chance to buy $50 World Cup tickets through a lottery system, including free transport to New Jersey matches, amid soaring tournament ticket prices.
The Democratic Republic of Congo's national team has been forced to cancel World Cup buildup events in Kinshasa due to the Ebola virus outbreak and will instead continue preparations in Belgium.
FIFA officials are visiting India this week to try and resolve a deadlock over broadcast rights for next month's World Cup, with millions of Indian soccer fans potentially missing out on the tournament.
Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald backs the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to play the 2027 ODI World Cup, but admitted that Cricket Australia (CA) need to invest in their bodies to set the star pacers up for 2027.
The Democratic Republic of Congo plans to continue its preparations for the 2026 World Cup despite a warning from the United States about a potential Ebola outbreak.
Ronald Koeman says the Netherlands have the quality to beat any team at the World Cup despite not being favourites, while injury concerns linger over Jurrien Timber and Memphis Depay.
Yan Diomande, a 19-year-old winger from the Ivory Coast, has experienced a meteoric rise in the world of football, going from playing in a Florida high school to representing his country at the World Cup. His journey involved overcoming cultural challenges and excelling in both the United States and Europe, ultimately leading to his selection for the Ivory Coast national team.
Carlo Ancelotti has recalled Neymar to Brazil's squad for next month's FIFA World Cup, backing the veteran forward's fitness and experience despite his injury-disrupted recent years.
England manager Thomas Tuchel made several bold selection calls for the World Cup, leaving out Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Harry Maguire while recalling Ivan Toney and backing a new-look squad built on chemistry and trust.
Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. shares his emotional response to being included in the FIFA World Cup squad, expressing gratitude for the support he received during his journey.
Iran's national soccer team attended visa appointments in Ankara, Turkey, applying for Canadian visas and some players also submitting applications for US entry ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom will meet Iranian FA officials in Istanbul to offer reassurance over Iran's participation in the World Cup, amidst concerns raised by recent geopolitical tensions and visa issues.
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to participate in his sixth World Cup at the age of 41, as announced by Portugal coach Roberto Martinez.
Dropped Iran striker Sardar Azmoun has posted a heartfelt message on social media proclaiming his love for his country and wishing the World Cup squad well at the tournament without him.
Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana shares insights into the Indian women's cricket team's preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup, emphasising the team's good form and hard work ahead of the tournament in England and Wales.
FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom expressed confidence in Iran's participation in the upcoming World Cup after a meeting with Iran's FA President Mehdi Taj, despite concerns over visa issues and political tensions.
Elon Musk, already the world's richest person, may soon become the first trillionaire as his space and AI company, SpaceX, prepares for a public listing. The IPO is expected to be the largest ever, surpassing Aramco's 2020 listing, but recent filings reveal a challenging financial picture for SpaceX.
India's singles challenge at the World Squash Championships concluded with the defeats of Ramit Tandon and Velavan Senthilkumar. Veer Chotrani is the only Indian left in the competition.
Neymar has suffered a minor calf injury but is expected to recover in time to join Brazil's camp next week ahead of the World Cup starting on June 11 in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
India's Veer Chotrani was defeated by Egypt's Mostafa Asal in the second round of the World Squash Championships, ending India's participation in the tournament.
Carlo Ancelotti has extended his contract as the manager of the Brazilian national football team until the 2030 World Cup.
Football's global players' union has renewed concerns about the potential impact of heat on the 2026 World Cup, following a scientific analysis indicating a high likelihood of dangerous temperatures for both players and fans.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary felicitated Ishan Kishan with a cheque of Rs 1 crore for his contribution to India's 2026 T20 World Cup victory.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary felicitated cricketer Ishan Kishan with a cheque of Rs 1 crore for his contribution to India's 2026 T20 World Cup victory. The ceremony took place in Patna, with top officials and Kishan's relatives in attendance.
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.
FIFA's Technical Study Group believes set-pieces are unlikely to dominate the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Gilberto Silva predicting tighter, transition-based football due to limited preparation time for national teams.
D Gukesh showcased his World Championship preparations by defeating his title challenger, Javokhir Sindarov, and drawing with Wesley So at the Grand Chess Tour's Super Rapid and Blitz event.
Travel is heady and magical and is about the joy of seeing new places. The journey to these destinations, that you have never been to before, is part of the fun. And then there are rail voyages on the world's most luxurious trains that are the last word in travel. Here are a few of the world's best, according to Travel + Leisure, many operate in India.
Colombian singer Shakira has released 'Dai Dai', the official song for the 2026 World Cup, featuring Nigerian singer Burna Boy.
Asia No. 1 trap shooter Zoravar Singh Sandhu has been left out of the Indian shotgun contingent for the Asian Games, despite his World Championships bronze medal and top international scores.
Global pop stars Shakira, Madonna and Korean sensation BTS will headline the first-ever halftime show at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final with proceeds going towards a global education initiative.
Fans are travelling from across cities just to be in the stadium on days Rajasthan Royals play -- on the off-chance they get to watch him bat. Television numbers spike the moment he walks out to the crease. And there's a pattern that have quietly started to notice: The moment Sooryavanshi is dismissed, a significant chunk of viewers switch off.
Sahil Jadhav, the reigning World University Games champion, secured his first Archery World Cup medal, a bronze in the compound men's event at Stage 2 in Shanghai, defeating Denmark's Martin Damsbo.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances