Iranian footballer Mohammad Mohebi's goal celebration during a World Cup match against New Zealand sparked controversy after some interpreted his hand gesture as a 'gun signal'. Mohebi denied any political intent, stating it was a spontaneous reaction.
India faced a 2-4 defeat against England in their second Pool D match of the men's Hockey World Cup. Despite taking a 2-1 lead, India conceded three goals in the second half. This loss puts India in a precarious position, requiring a win or draw against Pakistan in their next match to qualify for the second round.
A stampede occurred in central Amman during a crowded gathering of fans watching Jordan's World Cup match against Algeria, resulting in one death and eight injuries. The incident took place at Hashemite Square due to heavy congestion and crowd movement.
Spain defender Aymeric Laporte has questioned some refereeing decisions involving Argentina ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, saying aggressive play should not go unpunished.
India played an impressive opening match at the Women's Hockey World Cup, securing a 2-2 draw against Olympic silver medallists China, with goals from Navneet Kaur and Deepika.
Lionel Messi scored twice against Austria to become the FIFA Men's World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer with 18 goals as his family celebrated the historic moment from the stands.
With customers queued up and spilling onto the sidewalk at Cookieteria by Lovely, eager to grab fresh World Cup-themed conchas, baker Erika Lopez is worried about letting some down.
Mexico's national football team secured a significant 2-0 victory over South Africa in their World Cup opening match at the Azteca Stadium. Midfielder Erik Lira expressed confidence, stating 'the sky is the limit' for the team, despite the emotionally challenging game which saw a record three red cards.
England's football team has reached the World Cup semi-finals, demonstrating significant resilience by overcoming setbacks. They are set to face old rivals Argentina, a match steeped in history. The team's success is largely attributed to the partnership of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who have scored a combined 12 goals. Coach Thomas Tuchel acknowledges the team's fighting spirit but also sees room for improvement as they aim to end a 60-year wait for a World Cup title.
Lionel Messi, nearing 39, has broken the World Cup all-time goal-scoring record with 18 goals, surpassing Marta and Miroslav Klose. This latest achievement adds to his illustrious career, which includes numerous club and international titles, cementing his status as one of football's greatest players.
Belgium look to have found their best playing style at the World Cup after thrashing co-hosts the US 4-1 on Monday, but the successful tinkering of coach Rudi Garcia has come at a cost to his top players.
Argentina assistant coach Roberto Ayala has apologised for his altercation with Spain midfielder Dani Olmo following the chaotic World Cup final, an incident now under investigation by FIFA.
India are not lacking in self-belief after their historic women's ODI World Cup triumph last year and they are the "favourites" to win the upcoming T20 World Cup in England, says star batter Jemimah Rodrigues.
Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has been ruled out of Friday's World Cup match against Iraq due to a knee injury sustained during a recent loss to Norway. Medical examinations are ongoing to assess the full extent of the ligament issue. Both Senegal and Iraq are entering the Group I game with two losses each.
The Indian women's hockey team secured a silver medal at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship in Muscat, losing 2-4 to China in the final. Despite the loss, their strong performance, including an 8-1 semi-final win against Kazakhstan, earned them a qualification spot for the FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup. Hockey India also announced cash prizes for the team and support staff.
The International Cricket Council, UNICEF UK, and England and Wales Cricket Board are collaborating to host a special matchday takeover at Lord's during the Women's T20 World Cup 2026. The event, featuring England vs West Indies, aims to raise 100,000 for UNICEF's global children's projects and will include actor Nabhaan Rizwan and former pacer Isa Guha.
India's spin maestro Ravichandran Ashwin has urged the ICC to integrate lower-ranked teams into every bilateral series, arguing that this is crucial for the sport's global expansion, beyond just expanding World Cup formats.
Atlanta Police are implementing enhanced security measures for the World Cup semi-final between Argentina and England, a match deemed high-risk due to the historical animosity between the two nations.
Morocco's impressive rise in global football is uniquely funded by its vast phosphate reserves, with the state-owned OCP Group investing heavily in national team development. This strategic investment, driven by a royal directive, supports training academies and infrastructure, contributing to the nation's recent successes like reaching the 2022 World Cup semi-finals and hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The country's abundant phosphate resources provide a stable economic base for these ambitious sporting endeavours.
Cape Verde, a tiny island nation, has made history by advancing to the round of 32 in the FIFA World Cup.
The number 10 shirt worn by Brazil's Pele in the 1958 World Cup final, where he scored twice against Sweden, has been sold for $4.9 million at a Sotheby's auction, making it the most valuable piece of memorabilia linked to the football legend.
Spain have knocked Portugal out of the World Cup after Mikel Merino's late goal sealed a dramatic 1-0 victory, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's final World Cup campaign.
England captain Harry Kane continued his record-breaking run, scoring a match-winning brace against DR Congo in the FIFA World Cup. His goals not only secured England's progression but also saw him surpass football legends like Pele in World Cup goals and join Cristiano Ronaldo as only the second player with 20+ goals across both FIFA World Cup and Euro Championships. England now faces Mexico in the Round of 16.
Thibaut Courtois, Belgium's goalkeeper, expresses confidence in his team's ability to surprise Spain in the upcoming World Cup quarter-final. Despite a shaky group stage, Belgium has shown improved form, and Courtois believes they have the qualities to challenge the European champions. He acknowledges Spain's strengths but highlights Belgium's potential for an upset, drawing on his personal experience playing in Spain.
France defender Ibrahima Konate says Les Bleus fear no one ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final against Spain, while acknowledging the challenge posed by Lamine Yamal and the tournament's best defence.
Born in African refugee camps and raised in Australia, Mohamed Toure, Nestory Irankunda and Awer Mabil are carrying the Socceroos' World Cup hopes while showcasing the nation's increasingly diverse football identity.
The Democratic Republic of Congo secured a spot in the World Cup knockout stage after a thrilling 3-1 comeback victory against Uzbekistan. Yoane Wissa scored twice, including a crucial penalty, and Fiston Mayele added another goal to seal their progression. This win marks DR Congo's return to the World Cup knockouts after 52 years, setting up a clash with England.
King Philippe of the Belgians visited the national football team to offer his support and encouragement ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final match against Spain. He shared a meal, received a signed jersey, and praised their performance, expressing confidence in their victory. Both teams have had strong runs to the quarter-finals, with Belgium overcoming several challenges and Spain maintaining an unbeaten record.
A national high-performance shooting camp has commenced in New Delhi, bringing together 35 Indian athletes for intensive training. The camp is crucial preparation for the upcoming ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China, and the Asian Games in Japan, featuring top talent and international coaching expertise.
With a dazzling hat-trick against Algeria, Lionel Messi once again defied age, expectations and logic at the World Cup, prompting coach Lionel Scaloni to call his performances "inexplicable" and admit he is simply no longer surprised by the Argentine legend's brilliance.
Four-time champions Germany suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Ecuador in a FIFA World Cup group stage match, marking a historic upset. This loss highlighted Germany's persistent defensive issues, as they have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine World Cup games. Despite an early lead, Germany succumbed to Ecuador's determined comeback, which secured Ecuador's progression to the round of 32.
Arjun Singh and Veer Shah have been selected as captains for India's U-18 and U-14 pickleball teams, respectively, for the upcoming World Cup in Da Nang, Vietnam. The squads were finalised after selection trials in Ahmedabad, with officials expressing confidence in the team's potential to perform well.
Cabo Verde's World Cup dream ended in defeat, but their story had already become one of the tournament's defining moments. After the debutants stretched defending champions Argentina to extra time, football greats Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry saluted the tiny island nation for proving that belief can outweigh size and reputation.
Fans at the World Cup are vocally protesting FIFA's newly introduced mandatory three-minute hydration breaks, booing the stoppages during matches in Dallas, Toronto, and Boston. Critics argue these breaks disrupt game flow and serve commercial interests, with one match seeing a team concede a goal shortly after a break.
New Zealand's football coach Darren Bazeley lauded his team's performance in a 2-2 draw against Iran at the World Cup, where they came close to securing their first-ever win. Elijah Just scored twice for New Zealand, but Iran equalised late, leaving all Group G teams with one point.
Rodri delivered a midfield masterclass against France, anchoring Spain's 2-0 victory and securing their place in the World Cup final. His performance marked a significant return to his pre-injury form, reminiscent of his dominant displays for Manchester City, as he frustrated France's attacking efforts and dictated play.
England's World Cup journey ended in heartbreak after their decision to sit back defensively against Argentina in the semi-final allowed Lionel Messi to orchestrate a stunning comeback, exposing the perils of premature defensive play, according to manager Thomas Tuchel.
From losing his father to terrorism and watching conflict tear apart his family, to nearly abandoning football before leading Iraq back to the World Cup, Aymen Hussein has overcome obstacles that would have broken many others.
England bagged third place at the World Cup after beating France 6-4 on Saturday, while Les Bleus' captain Kylian Mbappe became the tournament's all-time top scorer with 22 goals on coach Didier Deschamps' last game after 14 years in charge.
Alireza Beiranvand produced seven saves, including a stunning contender for save of the tournament, as Iran held Belgium to a 0-0 draw at the FIFA World Cup.
The performance capped an extraordinary journey from poverty and homelessness to national hero.
