News for 'World Group'

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal eye fast start against Congo

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal eye fast start against Congo

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

Portugal's latest bid for World Cup glory begins in Houston on Wednesday when they take on the Democratic Republic of Congo in a Group K clash.

'Tired' Messi savours record night as Argentina march on

'Tired' Messi savours record night as Argentina march on

Rediff.com6 days ago

Lionel Messi has become the most prolific scorer in World Cup history, netting two goals in Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria. This achievement, which saw him surpass Brazilian great Marta's record of 17 goals, also secured Argentina's place in the knockout stage with a game to spare. Despite missing a penalty, Messi expressed satisfaction with the team's performance and the crucial win.

'I am back': Record-breaker Ronaldo silences critics in style!

'I am back': Record-breaker Ronaldo silences critics in style!

Rediff.com4 days ago

Cristiano Ronaldo silenced his critics in spectacular fashion, becoming the first player to score in six World Cups.

Dalot Defends Ronaldo, Claims Portugal Facing Unwanted Negativity

Dalot Defends Ronaldo, Claims Portugal Facing Unwanted Negativity

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

Portugal defender Diogo Dalot has defended Cristiano Ronaldo and insisted the squad remains united despite criticism following their World Cup draw with DR Congo, claiming some people are actively hoping Portugal fail.

Neymar suffers minor calf injury but expected to join Brazil camp ahead of World Cup

Neymar suffers minor calf injury but expected to join Brazil camp ahead of World Cup

Rediff.com21 May 2026

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.

Chess Legend Viswanathan Anand Receives Prestigious SJFI Medal

Chess Legend Viswanathan Anand Receives Prestigious SJFI Medal

Rediff.com4 days ago

Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand was awarded the Sports Journalists' Federation of India (SJFI) medal, joining a distinguished list of Indian sports legends. Anand expressed pride in being a catalyst for chess growth in India.

FIFA To Offer Reassurance To Iran Over World Cup Participation

FIFA To Offer Reassurance To Iran Over World Cup Participation

Rediff.com16 May 2026

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.

Shock omission! Maguire dropped from England's World Cup squad

Shock omission! Maguire dropped from England's World Cup squad

Rediff.com22 May 2026

Harry Maguire was left shocked after being omitted from England's World Cup squad by Thomas Tuchel, while Phil Foden and Cole Palmer were also reportedly dropped ahead of Friday's announcement.

'Always United': Ronaldo Sends Message as Portugal Back Captain Amid Criticism

'Always United': Ronaldo Sends Message as Portugal Back Captain Amid Criticism

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo called for unity ahead of Portugal's crucial World Cup clash against Uzbekistan, while teammate Ruben Dias dismissed criticism of the veteran forward following a difficult tournament opener.

FIFA Confident Of Iran's World Cup Participation After 'Positive Meeting'

FIFA Confident Of Iran's World Cup Participation After 'Positive Meeting'

Rediff.com17 May 2026

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.

Will India miss out on FIFA World Cup Broadcast?

Will India miss out on FIFA World Cup Broadcast?

Rediff.com19 May 2026

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.

Raman: Mature Harmanpreet Leading India's Most Complete Women's Team

Raman: Mature Harmanpreet Leading India's Most Complete Women's Team

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Former India coach WV Raman believes the current women's team is the strongest in the country's history and has all the ingredients to win a maiden T20 World Cup, provided the pace attack delivers in key moments.

Cristiano Ronaldo To Play Sixth World Cup At 41

Cristiano Ronaldo To Play Sixth World Cup At 41

Rediff.com19 May 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to participate in his sixth World Cup at the age of 41, as announced by Portugal coach Roberto Martinez.

Neymar returns for Brazil but there's a new Junior in town

Neymar returns for Brazil but there's a new Junior in town

Rediff.com3 days ago

Neymar Junior returned to international football after a 981-day absence, playing 20 minutes as a substitute in Brazil's 3-0 World Cup victory over Scotland.

Why DR Congo Changed World Cup Plans Due To Ebola Outbreak

Why DR Congo Changed World Cup Plans Due To Ebola Outbreak

Rediff.com21 May 2026

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.

Can Senegal Stop Haaland? Thiaw Faces Major Selection Dilemma

Can Senegal Stop Haaland? Thiaw Faces Major Selection Dilemma

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

Senegal face a major defensive selection dilemma ahead of their World Cup clash with Norway as coach Pape Bouna Thiaw weighs whether to drop Kalidou Koulibaly in a bid to stop Erling Haaland and keep knockout hopes alive.

Coach Dragan Mihailovic's Vision For Indian Volleyball's Future

Coach Dragan Mihailovic's Vision For Indian Volleyball's Future

Rediff.com1 days ago

India's men's volleyball team achieved an unbeaten run to the AVC Men's Volleyball Cup semi-finals, propelling them to World No. 42. Head coach Dragan Mihailovic attributes this success to discipline and a structured system but stresses the need for consistent international exposure, longer national camps, and a robust development pathway to sustain and build upon this momentum, especially amidst administrative uncertainty in Indian volleyball.

Four Indian Boxers Promoted To TOPS Core Group

Four Indian Boxers Promoted To TOPS Core Group

Rediff.com22 Apr 2026

Four Indian boxers have been promoted to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Core group following their impressive performances at the 2026 Asian Boxing Elite Championships, while three others have been inducted into the Development group.

DR Congo Unlikely To Change FIFA World Cup Plans Despite Ebola Warning

DR Congo Unlikely To Change FIFA World Cup Plans Despite Ebola Warning

Rediff.com23 May 2026

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.

Argentina's title defence faces first test against fearless Algeria

Argentina's title defence faces first test against fearless Algeria

Rediff.com15 Jun 2026

Argentina start their bid for back-to-back World Cups on Tuesday with a side full of familiar faces from Qatar 2022, facing an Algerian team buoyed by warm-up wins and featuring a 20-year-old rising star nicknamed after Diego Maradona.

Araujo saves Uruguay the blushes in draw with Saudi Arabia

Araujo saves Uruguay the blushes in draw with Saudi Arabia

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

Maxi Araujo scored a late equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw for Uruguay in their World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia on Monday, preventing another stunning upset in Group H after Spain's earlier goalless draw with Cape Verde.

Amad Diallo strikes late as Ivory Coast stun Ecuador

Amad Diallo strikes late as Ivory Coast stun Ecuador

Rediff.com15 Jun 2026

Manchester United's Amad Diallo struck in the 90th minute as Ivory Coast stunned Ecuador 1-0 in their World Cup Group E opener on Sunday.

'Captaincy Burned Me Out': Ben Stokes to Retire After Third Test

'Captaincy Burned Me Out': Ben Stokes to Retire After Third Test

Rediff.com4 hours ago

England captain Ben Stokes will retire from international cricket after the third Test against New Zealand, saying the demands of captaincy had burned him out after a remarkable career featuring World Cup glory and Ashes heroics.

Vedanta Aluminium Metal set to be top performer post-demerger

Vedanta Aluminium Metal set to be top performer post-demerger

Rediff.com4 days ago

The demerger of Vedanta's four new entities - Vedanta Aluminium Metal, Vedanta Oil & Gas, Vedanta Power, and Vedanta Iron & Steel - has led to a 16% appreciation in aggregated market capitalisation, with Vedanta Aluminium Metal identified as a likely near-term top performer due to its scale, low production costs, and favourable commodities cycle.

Why Sweden's Yasin Ayari Didn't Celebrate His Goal Against Tunisia

Why Sweden's Yasin Ayari Didn't Celebrate His Goal Against Tunisia

Rediff.com15 Jun 2026

Yasin Ayari -- the son of a Tunisian father and a Moroccan mother -- chose not to celebrate his opener, briefly raising his hands in acknowledgement rather than joining the jubilant scenes around him.

Neymar earns Brazil World Cup recall under Ancelotti

Neymar earns Brazil World Cup recall under Ancelotti

Rediff.com19 May 2026

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.

'Back Our Own Strengths': Shafali's Simple Plan To Beat Australia

'Back Our Own Strengths': Shafali's Simple Plan To Beat Australia

Rediff.com1 days ago

Shafali Verma believes that keeping the game plan simple is the best way for India to get the better of Australia in their must-win Women's T20 World Cup clash at Lord's on Sunday.

Shabnim Ismail Returns To South Africa Squad For T20 World Cup

Shabnim Ismail Returns To South Africa Squad For T20 World Cup

Rediff.com12 May 2026

South African pacer Shabnim Ismail reverses her international retirement to join the squad for the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in the UK, bringing valuable experience to the team.

Former Olympic medallist Jenny Simpson Collapses During Race Event

Former Olympic medallist Jenny Simpson Collapses During Race Event

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

American Olympic medallist and former World champion Jenny Simpson collapsed during a community track event in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is now receiving medical care in hospital.

India U-17 Football Team Eye World Cup Spot

India U-17 Football Team Eye World Cup Spot

Rediff.com9 May 2026

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.

Shafali On Why She Loves Batting With Smriti Mandhana

Shafali On Why She Loves Batting With Smriti Mandhana

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

Indian women's team opener Shafali Verma credited vice-captain and opening partner Smriti Mandhana for helping her stay calm at the crease in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

No Foden, Palmer as Tuchel unveils bold England World Cup squad

No Foden, Palmer as Tuchel unveils bold England World Cup squad

Rediff.com22 May 2026

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.

German Footballers Step Up To Cover Fan Travel Costs

German Footballers Step Up To Cover Fan Travel Costs

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

German national team players are reportedly funding bus transport for 600 fans to their final World Cup Group E game against Ecuador in New Jersey, addressing concerns over significantly increased public transport costs during the tournament.

Heard Shakira's New FIFA World Cup Song Yet?

Heard Shakira's New FIFA World Cup Song Yet?

Rediff.com8 May 2026

Colombian singer Shakira has released 'Dai Dai', the official song for the 2026 World Cup, featuring Nigerian singer Burna Boy.

SEE: How K-Pop, Cuisine and Football United South Korea and Mexico

SEE: How K-Pop, Cuisine and Football United South Korea and Mexico

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

Thanks to major companies like Kia, Mexico has seen a huge influx of South Korean population in places like Monterrey, with Korean cuisine and K-Pop becoming major influences in the country.

Pharaohs Prove Mettle With Impressive Belgium Draw

Pharaohs Prove Mettle With Impressive Belgium Draw

Rediff.com16 Jun 2026

Egypt's coach Hossam Hassan expressed pride in his team's performance after a 1-1 draw against Belgium in their World Cup opener. Despite coming close to a historic win, Hassan highlighted the team's quality, ambition, and the strong contributions of players like Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, asserting that Egypt is not just there to "make up the numbers." The draw is seen as a significant step in reinventing the national team's identity.

Neymar likely to return for Scotland match as Ancelotti eyes bigger picture

Neymar likely to return for Scotland match as Ancelotti eyes bigger picture

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

Brazil's coach Carlo Ancelotti says Neymar could return for Scotland game and insists the team will work on improving as the tournament progresses.

Ivory Coast's Elye Wahi Misses Germany Match Amid Betting Probe

Ivory Coast's Elye Wahi Misses Germany Match Amid Betting Probe

Rediff.com18 Jun 2026

Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi will not participate in the upcoming World Cup match against Germany in Canada.

US win over Paraguay built on collective approach: Pochettino

US win over Paraguay built on collective approach: Pochettino

Rediff.com13 Jun 2026

US coach Mauricio Pochettino praised his team's collective effort after their historic 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their World Cup opener. Folarin Balogun scored two goals, a first for a U.S. player since 1930, though Christian Pulisic's calf injury raised concerns. Pochettino credited extended training time for the team's strong start.

Japan score late to hold Netherlands in Texas thriller

Japan score late to hold Netherlands in Texas thriller

Rediff.com15 Jun 2026

Japan showed their battling qualities to eke out a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in their World Cup Group F opener on Sunday, as Hajime Moriyasu's side backed up their desire to make an impact at the tournament with a gritty display.