Former Italy under-20 international Cristian Volpato has decided to represent Australia and will join the Socceroos' training camp in Los Angeles ahead of the World Cup, Football Australia said on Friday.
Iran will play their final World Cup warm-up behind closed doors in Turkey on Thursday before departing for their tournament base in Mexico on Saturday.
Amritsar police have successfully dismantled a cross-border illegal arms and drug smuggling module, arresting two individuals and recovering over 2 kg of heroin and six sophisticated pistols. The arrested accused were reportedly receiving consignments via drones from across the border for distribution within Punjab.
Amritsar police have successfully dismantled a cross-border illegal arms and drug smuggling module, arresting two individuals and recovering over 2 kg of heroin and six sophisticated pistols. The arrested accused were reportedly receiving consignments via drones from across the border for distribution within Punjab.
Turkey's 14-year-old Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus is set to surpass the 2,700 rating mark, a level unofficially known as 'super grandmaster', after defeating former world champion Veselin Topalov with four wins and two draws at an event in Monaco.
Former Nigeria forward Michael Eneramo died on Friday after collapsing on the pitch during a friendly match in Kaduna. The 40-year-old, who won 10 caps for the Super Eagles, appeared to have suffered cardiac arrest.
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.
US President Donald Trump announced a finalised peace deal between the US and Iran, set for signing on June 19 in Switzerland, with key figures like J D Vance, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner from the US side, and Abbas Araghchi and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf representing Iran, alongside Pakistani mediators Field Marshal Asim Munir, Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar, and Mohsin Naqvi, playing crucial roles in the diplomatic breakthrough.
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.
With Kylian Mbappe's depth and experience, economists predict France are tipped to edge Spain to lift World Cup.
With two wins from two games, Spain top Group E on six points, while Turkey and Georgia follow with three apiece.
Fresh from their Singapore Open victory, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are set to compete in the Thailand Open Super 1000 badminton tournament, while other Indian shuttlers including PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen will also participate.
Kosovo is on the brink of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time, a significant achievement after overcoming a sporting ban during Serbian rule in the 1990s.
For Iran's team, the FIFA World Cup has been marred by fraught politics at home, the war with the US, and tensions over whether they would actually be able to set foot on US soil to play their games.
A 44-year-old Iranian woman with a US Green Card was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on suspicion of trafficking weapons on behalf of the Iranian government and is expected to appear in court on Monday.
Punjab Police have arrested a suspect linked to an alleged firearms and narcotics trafficking module, recovering seven sophisticated pistols and 2.1 kg of heroin.
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.
Indian compound men's and women's teams, considered strong medal contenders, endured a disappointing outing in Stage 2 of the Archery World Cup, failing to secure a podium finish after crumbling in crunch situations.
According to a statement issued by the Turkish ministry of defence, search and rescue operations were launched immediately after the crash, leading to the recovery of the wreckage and the bodies of those onboard.
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.
A high-stakes memorandum for a 60-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran is in its final stages, with negotiators working to close remaining gaps and avert further escalation in the region, including reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of Iranian oil sales, according to an Axios report citing US officials.
India's Under-17 men's team faces Uzbekistan in their final AFC U-17 Asian Cup group match, with a win potentially securing qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
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.
Hungarian tennis player Panna Udvardy said she received threats targeting her family during a tournament in Antalya and reported the matter to the WTA and Turkish police.
The United States' historical strategic alignment with Pakistan, dating back to the Cold War, has consistently aimed to create a political and military parity with India, despite India's significantly larger size and resources. This long-standing relationship continues to influence regional dynamics, particularly in West Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a supplementary chargesheet against Areeb Majeed, adding a charge of raising funds for terrorist activities in connection with the 2014 ISIS link case.
If Iran and Oman choose to charge a fee for rendering services to vessels using their territorial waters, so be it. The US is indulging in an irrationally self-destructive act, notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
Punjab Police have arrested six individuals involved in two separate cross-border arms and drug smuggling operations with connections to Pakistan-based smugglers. The operation resulted in the recovery of sophisticated weapons and heroin.
Indian compound men's and women's archery teams faced disappointment at Stage 2 of the Archery World Cup in Shanghai, failing to secure a podium finish. Recurve archers showed signs of recovery, but the compound teams' struggles raise concerns ahead of the Asian Games.
Kidambi Srikanth faced a first-round defeat at the Orleans Masters Super Badminton tournament, while Anmol Kharb and Tanvi Sharma advanced to the round of 16 in the women's singles event.
A fugitive wanted in a major narcotics case was brought back from Azerbaijan by the Special Cell of Delhi Police, who secured his extradition in coordination with the CBI.
Members of Iran women's football team returned home after five players withdrew asylum claims in Australia, ending a tense journey amid safety concerns.
"It is shocking to note that Turkey, the second-largest arms supplier to Pakistan after China, has played a key role in modernising Pakistan's navy and enhancing its aerial warfare capabilities. "This defence collaboration is not just commercial; it is ideological, targeting the stability of South Asia and emboldening Pakistan's military adventurism," SJM national co-convenor Ashwini Mahajan said in a statement.
The official 26-man squads for FIFA World Cup 2026.
Salim Dola, a close associate of mafia kingpin Dawood Ibrahim and a key figure in his drug empire, has been deported to India from Istanbul following an intelligence operation.
Delhi Police have dismantled an international arms smuggling ring with links to Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, arresting 10 individuals and seizing a cache of sophisticated foreign-made weapons.
Indian shooters are set to compete in the Rifle/Pistol World Cup in Granada, Spain, facing a strong international field in both 10m air rifle and air pistol events. The competition serves as a crucial assessment opportunity ahead of the Asian Games and the World Championships, where Olympic quotas will be awarded.
Iran's men's national soccer team wore black armbands and held schoolbags as their anthem played ahead of a match in Turkey on Friday, in what a team official said was a protest over the killing of schoolgirls on the first day of the Iran war.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's 'X' handle was hacked, with images of Pakistan and Turkey flags posted. The account was recovered in 45 minutes. Congress leader Nana Patole raised concerns about cyber security.
'India's security challenges are no longer confined to the Line of Control or the Line of Actual Control.'
'They also span cyber networks, economic systems, information warfare, technology ecosystems, maritime routes, and internal social cohesion.'
