Portugal and their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo were left frustrated after being held to a 1-1 draw by Group K rivals Democratic Republic of Congo in their World Cup clash in a sodden Houston.
Harry Kane struck twice while Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford delivered the knockout blows as England survived a back-and-forth battle to beat Croatia 4-2 on Wednesday and launch their World Cup campaign in a heavyweight clash that lived up to its billing.
The International Olympic Committee has provisionally lifted its ban on the Russian Olympic Committee, which was imposed in 2023. This decision opens the door for Russian athletes to return to international competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, though the use of national symbols remains undecided.
Nicolas Pepe justified his World Cup selection with two goals on Thursday, coming out of the cold to restore his reputation as a key striker for the Ivory Coast.
After a stellar performance in the World Cup, Norwegian striker Erling Haaland enjoyed an incognito break in New York City with his partner. Despite his global fame, he managed to explore Times Square and Katz's Deli largely unnoticed, attributing his disguise to a baseball cap and sunglasses. His team, Norway, is preparing for an upcoming match against Senegal.
Kylian Mbappe became France's all-time leading scorer with a double to power his team to victory against Senegal on Tuesday.
Mexico secured a narrow 1-0 victory over South Korea in a Group A football match in Guadalajara. Luis Romo scored the decisive goal following a goalkeeping error, and Mexico's defence, backed by goalkeeper Ral Rangel's late saves, held firm against South Korean pressure.
Former champions India began their World Team Snooker Championship campaign with a narrow 2-3 defeat to hosts China 'B'. The loss in the opening Group 'B' match means India must win their next game against Turkey to stay in contention. Aditya Mehta lost the deciding frame to Zhou Jinhao after Pankaj Advani had earlier levelled the scores.
Sabri Lamouchi's dismissal as Tunisia coach after a single game at the World Cup places him on an ignominious list that includes one of the most successful coaches in tournament history.
A Ghanaian witch doctor says he has "released" England captain Harry Kane from his spell after the striker failed to find the net in Tuesday's goalless draw at the World Cup.
Brazilian defender Wesley has been ruled out of the World Cup squad due to a left thigh muscle injury sustained during a friendly match.
India's rich culture and shared Commonwealth values will be prominently featured during the Glasgow Commonwealth Games closing ceremony's handover segment on August 2. This event will welcome Ahmedabad as the host of the 2030 centenary edition, showcasing India's biggest music and dance stars, including a tribute to Vande Mataram, a unique sitar-pipes Jugalbandi, and a grand finale celebrating Gujarat's heritage.
Sweden trio Yasin Ayari, Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres were all on target as they cruised to a 5-1 victory over Tunisia in Monterrey on Sunday.
FIDE's decision to shortlist the All India Chess Federation for a prestigious FIDE Excellence Award has ignited a fierce debate within the Indian chess community.
Monday marks 40 years since Diego Maradona's defining performance in Argentina's 2-1 win over England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium.
Brazil is preparing for their World Cup opener against Morocco without star forward Neymar, who is recovering from a calf injury.
Portugal's World Cup squad will wear commemorative wristbands in tribute to their late former teammate Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last year. Midfielder Vitinha discussed the team's approach to the upcoming tournament, acknowledging logistical challenges and expressing his personal ambition to win the World Cup.
The business value of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has surged by over 11% to $20.6 billion this year, according to U.S.-based investment bank Houlihan Lokey. This growth is driven by its robust commercial model, attracting significant investor interest, as evidenced by recent franchise ownership changes and a diversified commercial ecosystem.
Ahead of England's World Cup clash in Mexico, discover the remarkable 200-year-old story of how Cornish miners introduced football and the famous Cornish pasty to the country, shaping Mexico's sporting and cultural identity.
Rudi Garcia's comments about Senegal's tactical structure, along with other pundit remarks, have reignited scrutiny over racially coded language in World Cup commentary, drawing criticism from scholars and anti-racism advocates who argue such language perpetuates harmful stereotypes about Black players and African teams.
Australia is set to host Bangladesh in a two-match Test series in the country's tropical north, marking the first time since 2003.
Carlos Ancelotti's Brazil commence their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against plucky Morocco, who come into the mega event on the back of some pre-tournament turbulence.
Zinedine Zidane, the 1998 World Cup hero and former Real Madrid manager, has been appointed to lead the France national team, with the primary goal of converting recent near-misses into major trophies, starting with the 2028 European Championship.
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.
The official 26-man squads for FIFA World Cup 2026.
Scotland captain Andy Robertson has announced he will dedicate his performance at the upcoming World Cup to his late former Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota, following an emotional letter from Jota's widow.
Germany gave debutants Curacao a reality check, as the former champions won 7-1 to kick-start their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a big win.
Belgium have their full squad available for the Round of 32 match against Senegal but are not taking Senegal for granted, said coach Rudy Garcia.
Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman stood by his tactical decisions and substitutions after Japan struck late to earn a 2-2 draw in their opening Group F match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Sunday.
Mexico have failed to progress beyond the Round of 16 for the last 32 years. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil, they hope to finally end the 'quinto partido' curse.
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 Portugal squad are shutting out criticism of the team and captain Cristiano Ronaldo following an underwhelming draw in their World Cup opener against Democratic Republic of Congo, defender Ruben Dias said on Friday.
Balogun scored and celebrated in style before a VAR review turned his night around for the worse, as he was sent off for a foul. Even with 10 men, the United States stayed disciplined and beat Bosnia 2-0. Malik Tillman sealed the win with a free-kick goal. The result sends the U.S. into the last 16 against Belgium. Balogun is suspended for that match.
Roberto Mancini has returned for a second spell as Italy coach, vowing to revive the Azzurri's fortunes after the nation missed the last three World Cups and failed to win a major trophy since Euro 2020 under his previous leadership.
Iran's football federation has requested FIFA to clarify the timeline for issuing tournament visas after relocating their World Cup training camp from Arizona to Tijuana due to diplomatic friction and visa complications.
Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin believes team chemistry will be vital for Fyers American Gambits' success in the upcoming Global Chess League. The tournament, featuring elite players and a unique team format, will also serve as preparation for the Chess Olympiad. Sarin highlights the challenge and excitement of integrating diverse playing styles into a cohesive unit.
The 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup is provisionally scheduled to be held from October 4 to November 21 across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo.
Despite initial challenges like unsold tickets and a rained-out fan festival, visitors are flocking to Toronto for the first-ever World Cup soccer match in Canada. Fans are drawn by factors such as lower drinking age compared to the US, cultural similarities, and Canada's diverse immigrant population, creating a unique and determined atmosphere for the tournament.
Luka Modric is expected to lead Croatia at what could be his final World Cup as Zlatko Dalic's side aim to continue their remarkable record of success on football's biggest stage despite fitness concerns over their captain.
England manager Thomas Tuchel believes they are in good shape heading into the FIFA World Cup and can "dare to dream" about lifting the trophy.
