Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw expressed confidence in his team's ability to overcome their group-stage struggles as they prepare to face Belgium in the World Cup round of 32. Despite a shaky start with two losses, Senegal qualified as a best third-placed team after a decisive win against Iraq. Thiaw emphasised that the knockout phase is a fresh start, dismissing past results and individual errors, while also confirming goalkeeper Edouard Mendy's injury and temporary absence from play.
A 24-member Indian Junior women's hockey team has travelled to the United Kingdom for an exposure tour, playing matches against junior teams from England, Scotland, the United States, and Belgium, as well as the Scotland senior women's team, to prepare for upcoming international tournaments like the Junior Asia Cup.
Brazilian footballer Micael was sent off before his Copa Paulista match for Sao Jose after the referee witnessed him urinating next to the substitutes' bench, an act for which his club later issued an apology.
Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha has publicly questioned Hockey India's decision to switch the national team's jersey colour to orange, arguing that the team's identity and legacy have always been associated with blue.
The Indian U-21 men's hockey team is set to undertake a crucial tour of Belgium, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands in July 2026. This tour, featuring six high-intensity matches, is a vital preparation phase for the upcoming men's junior Asia Cup under new coach Frederic Soyez, aiming to build team cohesion and identity.
Former Manchester City and Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has turned down the opportunity to coach the Italy national team, a source familiar with the discussions said on Friday, confirming media reports.
India's men's hockey team has announced its 20-member squad for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, featuring one change with midfielder Raj Kumar Pal replacing Aditya Arjun Lalage. Led by Harmanpreet Singh, the team aims for gold and direct qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics.
U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino were booed by spectators as they took to the field for the World Cup trophy ceremony at the New York New Jersey stadium, where Spain defeated Argentina 1-0.
Belgium, who missed a slew of scoring chances against Iran on Sunday, have taken only two points from their opening two matches despite entering the tournament as favourites to progress from the group.
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.
Morocco's coach Mohamed Ouahbi expressed disappointment after their 2-0 World Cup quarter-final loss to France, acknowledging they faced a better team but stressing the need for self-criticism and progress despite leaving a 'good image'.
World Cup champions Spain climbed back to the top of the FIFA men's rankings released on Monday, while runners-up Argentina slipped to second following their defeat in the final.
Indian men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh believes his side is capable of ending the country's five-decade-long World Cup medal drought, drawing parallels with the team's success at the Tokyo Olympics.
McLaren's Lando Norris secured pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix, narrowly beating Lewis Hamilton, who is now under investigation for potentially impeding another driver during qualifying.
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.
Second seed Elena Rybakina was defeated by Elise Mertens in the third round of Wimbledon, ending her bid for a second Grand Slam title this year and the world number one ranking. Mertens dominated after winning the first set tiebreak, securing a 7-6(4) 6-1 victory.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals are set, featuring a diverse lineup of one South American, one African, and six European teams, including defending champions Argentina and France, alongside surprise packages like Morocco and Norway, all vying for football's ultimate prize.
Iran's players say adversity has united Team Melli after a resilient 0-0 draw against Belgium kept their World Cup knockout hopes alive. A win over Egypt could secure a historic first-ever place in the last 32.
France showcased their tactical superiority and attacking prowess to defeat Morocco in the World Cup quarter-final, effectively neutralising Morocco's usually exhilarating offensive style with a dominant midfield and relentless pressure.
FIFA has strongly defended Brazilian referee Raphael Claus after US President Donald Trump questioned his integrity following a controversial red card shown to US striker Folarin Balogun at the World Cup.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has already seen eight red cards, matching the combined total of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. This surge in dismissals, including six straight red cards, highlights a significant increase in disciplinary actions compared to recent editions, with Belgium's Nathan Ngoy being the latest player sent off.
Balogun scored his third goal of the tournament but was later sent off, becoming only the fourth player to score and receive a red card in a FIFA World Cup knockout match.
Iran's Football Federation will lodge an official protest with FIFA after the United States reportedly denied the national team's request to travel to Los Angeles two days before their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match against Belgium, citing geopolitical tensions and previous visa issues.
France coach Didier Deschamps expressed unwavering confidence in his team's ability to advance in the World Cup quarter-final against Morocco, even after Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty and several other chances in the first half.
Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes secured his sixth victory of the season at the Belgian Grand Prix, extending his Formula One championship lead over Lewis Hamilton. The race saw incidents including a collision between George Russell and Hamilton, and Hamilton later faced investigation for an unsafe pitstop release. Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen completed the podium.
Indian men's hockey team chief coach Craig Fulton is focused on ending the 51-year World Cup medal drought, aiming for consistency and a strong performance at the upcoming tournament in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final sees Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, take on a strong Spanish unit featuring teenage star Lamine Yamal, with Messi aiming for back-to-back titles at a venue holding past painful memories.
Kylian Mbappe admitted VAR confusion distracted him before his missed penalty against Morocco but said France's talented squad still has plenty to prove despite reaching the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals with a 2-0 victory.
Veteran Indian hockey midfielder Manpreet Singh, despite numerous accolades including Olympic medals, is determined to win a World Cup medal before concluding his illustrious career after the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Fernando Alonso's main focus for the Belgian Grand Prix weekend will be making sure he gets home in time to watch Spain play Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday.
France take on Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final aiming for a third consecutive World Cup final, with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele leading Les Bleus against Europe's champions.
The Indian women's hockey squad for the upcoming World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands has been announced, featuring the same 20 players selected for the Asian Games. Led by Salima Tete and coached by Sjoerd Marijne, the team is described as well-balanced, combining experienced players with promising young talent, fresh off an unbeaten victory at the FIH Nations Cup.
Former India captain Subrata Paul asserts that goalkeepers were instrumental in the success of teams at the recent FIFA World Cup, often outshining attacking players. He highlights specific goalkeepers like Vozinha, Unai Simon, Emiliano Martinez, and Thibaut Courtois for their exceptional performances and discusses the evolving role of modern goalkeepers in tactical play.
The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has officially confirmed the departure of national team coach Roberto Martinez and his coaching staff following the expiry of his contract. Martinez had previously announced his intention to leave after Portugal's World Cup Round of 16 defeat to Spain.
Senegal's football federation president, Abdoulaye Fall, has claimed the national team's doctor at the recent World Cup in North America was 'trained as a gynaecologist', raising concerns among players about medical support during their disappointing campaign. The Senegalese Association of Sports Medicine has rejected these allegations as 'unfounded and defamatory'.
Indian women's hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne acknowledges the tight schedule between the World Cup and Asian Games but expresses confidence in the team's ability to manage the physical demands. Former captain MM Somaya also highlighted the importance of the World Cup as preparation for the Asian Games, where a gold medal secures a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Indian men's football team will embark on its first-ever tour of New Zealand in November for two international friendlies. This historic visit, part of '100 Years of Unity Through Sport' initiatives, marks India's return to an Oceania Football Confederation nation after nearly two decades and offers a valuable challenge against a FIFA World Cup-experienced side.
Mo Salah allayed fears of Egypt supporters, giving glimpses of his fitness with photos of his training session on Tuesday.
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.
From Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to Cape Verde's fairytale run, VAR controversies and unforgettable fan moments, relive the memories that made the 2026 FIFA World Cup the biggest and most dramatic tournament in history.
