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.
The United States football team secured its place in the World Cup knockout stage with a convincing 2-0 victory over Australia. An early own goal and an Alex Freeman header sealed the win, despite the absence of key player Christian Pulisic. The team's depth was highlighted as they dominated the match, moving to six points in Group D.
The US Department of Defence has restored the name of the US Indo-Pacific Command to the US Pacific Command, reversing an eight-year-old decision. This change honours the command's deep historical roots, established in 1947, while its vast area of responsibility, extending to India's western border, and its mission remain unchanged.
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa said the hydration breaks introduced in each half of matches at the World Cup add nothing to football while destroying the sport's cultural essence.
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.
US Vice President J D Vance confirmed that peace talks with Iran are underway in Switzerland, with negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner already present. Vance plans to join soon, expressing confidence in the US's strong negotiating position despite a delay caused by recent Israel-Lebanon firing.
The Indian government has dismissed concerns that the use of E20 fuel could affect the validity of vehicle insurance policies, stating that the ethanol blending programme remains safe, consumer-friendly, and economically beneficial.
Under US protocols, play is suspended immediately if lightning is detected within an eight-mile (13-km) radius of a stadium and can only resume after 30 minutes have passed without a further strike.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Pakistan would host the signing ceremony of a peace agreement between the US and Iran in Switzerland on June 19, calling it a "historic milestone" that ends a 107-day conflict and promises global economic stability.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization have all described the risk of Ebola to World Cup host countries as low, citing measles, COVID-19 and influenza -- which spread when large crowds gather -- as the most likely threats.
Chanmari FC scored twice in stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw against Rajasthan United FC in their final I-League Championship Phase match. Rajasthan United had led 2-0, but Chanmari's late surge earned them a point.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday signed the historic peace deal between the United States and Iran as a guarantor; the agreement will see the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the US naval blockade.
A Toronto cannabis store destroyed its World Cup trophy-inspired "FIFA Bong" after receiving a copyright infringement notice from FIFA, but the owners say the dispute generated more publicity than they ever expected.
A shooting incident in San Jose, California, near a World Cup fan zone, resulted in one fatality and one serious injury. Police are investigating the incident as a homicide, which occurred at San Pedro Square, a popular gathering spot for World Cup watch parties.
Kidambi Srikanth edged out Japan's Yudai Okimoto in a three-game thriller to progress to the men's singles final of the US Open Super 300 badminton championships in Fuller, United States.
The FIFA Fan Festival in Toronto was cancelled due to lightning risk, disappointing fans on the eve of Canada's first World Cup game.
US President Donald Trump has sharply criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the handling of military operations in Lebanon, expressing dissatisfaction with the pace of the conflict and the escalating civilian death toll.
At the Iran-Belgium FIFA World Cup match, least one attendee wearing a pre-revolutionary flag shirt was detained for trying to run onto the pitch and Iranian player Alireza Jahanbakhsh said after the match that he doesn't want to keep focusing on the challenging situations faced by his team.
Indian-American lawmakers are encouraging the diaspora to actively participate in US politics and run for public office at all levels. This call comes amidst increasing incidents of anti-India and anti-Hindu hate, with leaders emphasising that political representation is crucial to address community concerns and ensure their voices are heard.
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.
US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran's missile capabilities have been severely degraded, saying Tehran now possesses only a fraction of the arsenal it had before recent hostilities.
British tennis players faced a dismal start to Wimbledon, with 11 home players, including top hope Katie Boulter, crashing out in the first round. Boulter suffered a surprising defeat to Grand Slam debutant Tyra Caterina Grant, adding to a record number of British exits on the opening days. While Katie Swan secured a much-needed win, the overall performance has been disappointing for the host nation.
A new study projects that by 2100, only 38% of the world's population will reside in large cities, a significant reduction from previous estimates. This revised projection is based on a newly discovered urban life cycle, where the growth rate of large cities slows down as countries become more urbanised, contrasting with the rapid growth seen in less urbanised regions. The research highlights the importance of understanding these dynamics for future infrastructure and climate adaptation planning.
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.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Thursday met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss enhancing cooperation on combating terrorism and bringing criminals to justice in both countries.
US coach Mauricio Pochettino downplayed his team's 3-2 loss to Turkey in a World Cup group stage match, emphasising that the United States still finished top of Group D.
India significantly increased its crude oil imports from Russia and the United Arab Emirates in June, securing supplies as the Strait of Hormuz began to reopen, with Russian barrels remaining attractive due to discounts and UAE supplies offsetting earlier uncertainties.
A US national was arrested in Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, while allegedly attempting to cross illegally into Nepal. The individual, identified as Phelan Travis Anthony, had overstayed his visa in India and was trying to evade legal proceedings.
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup despite a valid visa, has been appointed to officiate the upcoming UEFA Super Cup match between Paris St Germain and Aston Villa. This appointment follows a cooperation agreement between UEFA and CAF.
India's junior women's hockey team is set to embark on a tour of the United Kingdom from July 5 to 14, playing seven matches against various international U-21 teams and Scotland's senior side. This tour, led by new coach Tim White, is crucial for the team's preparation for future competitions and aims to provide valuable international exposure.
The United States military and Kuwaiti air defence forces successfully intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks targeting Kuwait and Bahrain, with Iran's state broadcaster claiming American military installations in Kuwait were deliberately targeted.
US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in France, marking their first bilateral meeting since February last year. Both leaders will be attending the summit, with Trump also meeting other world leaders.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, following a ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, is expected to significantly ease India's crude oil supply risks, lower freight costs, and reduce inflationary pressures, as global oil prices have already dropped.
'...because that protects their aviation industry.' 'The Boeing 787 is one of the most widely-flown wide-body aircraft in the world, and Airbus is running neck-and-neck with Boeing.' 'Airbus is not going to let an opportunity like this pass.' 'If a software problem with the 787 is confirmed, they will use it to increase their own orders.'
Ellyes Skhiri's own goal in Tunisia's 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands on Thursday took the total number of own goals at the FIFA World Cup 2026 to 12, equalling the record for most in a single tournament.
Despite the World Cup returning to their country for the first time in four decades, many in Mexico said they feel excluded, priced out of stadiums, forced to pay for expensive TV subscriptions and constrained by strict licensing rules.
World Cup 2026 is on track to become the biggest betting event in history, with global wagers expected to exceed $50 billion as sportsbooks report record-breaking activity driven by the expanded tournament format and growing legal gambling markets.
The US and India are collaborating to de-risk global supply chains for artificial intelligence technologies, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing and critical minerals processing. This partnership is facilitated through the US-led Pax Silica initiative, which aims to address over-concentration issues and single points of failure in supply chains, fostering a resilient global economy.
Iran's World Cup football team has finally received visas to enter the United States, just days before their first match in Los Angeles.
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.
