FIFA's 'Debut FIFA World Cup' sleeve patch for the 2026 tournament is designed to celebrate first-time players and personalise kits.
The World Cup has seen a shift to a more lenient refereeing style, prioritising game flow and reducing stoppages. This, combined with stronger, faster players, has led to a quicker, more physically demanding tournament with higher scoring. While welcomed, experts warn that this intensity tests players' physical limits, increasing injury risks, especially for those not fully fit.
Following a dominant group stage performance, Argentina is now preparing to face Cape Verde in the Round of 32.
Vijaya Mehta's eyes were always twinkling, her smile was always warm, her sari usually a collector's piece. She put on no elder statesman airs. But when she was in director mode, she allowed her actors and technicians no slack. Deepa Gahlot doffs her hat to the undisputed doyenne of Marathi theatre and one of India's most influential directors and actors, who shaped the landscape of Indian experimental theatre.
Serena Williams' highly anticipated comeback in doubles at the Queen's Club WTA event has been temporarily halted after her partner, Victoria Mboko, withdrew due to a knee injury sustained during a singles match. Williams, who had won her first match with Mboko, is expected to continue her return to tennis in Berlin next week and might seek a Wimbledon wildcard.
Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is set to make his competitive return at the Doha Diamond League on June 19 after recovering from a back injury. He had previously achieved a 90m throw at the same venue last year and has been named in India's Commonwealth Games squad.
Frances Tiafoe is the first American since 1993 to lift the ATP 500 grass-court trophy.
Austria and Algeria played out a dramatic 3-3 draw in their final World Cup Group J match, with two stoppage-time goals ensuring both teams progressed to the Round of 32, while eliminating Iran. Argentina topped the group, with Austria finishing second and Algeria advancing as a best third-placed side.
Tennis legend Serena Williams is set to make her highly anticipated return to Wimbledon, facing Australia's Maya Joint in the first round.
'We may be able to wind back some of the schedule reductions we'd taken in recent months.'
Argentina booked their place in the World Cup knockout stage on Monday as Lionel Messi recovered from an early penalty miss to score a record-breaking double in a 2-0 victory over Austria.
Lionel Messi is poised to further cement his legendary status as Argentina faces Austria in a crucial FIFA World Cup Group J match. Following a record-breaking hat-trick against Algeria, Messi is on the verge of equalling or surpassing several all-time World Cup records, including consecutive goals, total goals, and match victories. The football world watches as he leads Argentina against a formidable Austrian side.
Teenager Pritam Kendre won a gold medal in the men's 10m air rifle at the ISSF Junior World Championship in Suhl, Germany, contributing to India's growing medal tally of 11, including five golds. India also secured a bronze in the women's 25m pistol team event, showcasing strong performances from its young shooting contingent.
It is only the second time a tournament run by world football's governing body FIFA has featured as many as 48 teams.
The Delhi High Court has upheld the Equestrian Federation of India's (EFI) selection process for the Asian Games dressage team, dismissing petitions from riders Anush Agarwalla and Sudipti Hajela. The court found no arbitrariness or procedural impropriety, reinforcing the principle that judicial interference in expert selection bodies is limited. Challenges regarding Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs), criteria interpretation, and bias were all rejected.
Alexander Zverev will play his fourth grand slam final on Sunday and will hope to end his wait for a Major title when he meets Flavio Cabolli at the French Open final on Sunday.
Indian golfer Avani Prashanth finished the Amundi German Masters in T-49 place after carding a bogey-free round of 2-under 71. Germany's Leonie Harm secured her first title.
Japanese player Naomi Osaka raised the fashion stakes in Paris on the third day of the Grand Slam when she walked onto Court Suzanne Lenglen in a black Kevin Germanier skirt, before unveiling her layered yellow-brown and gold Nike match dress.
Indian archer Dhiraj Bommadevara secured a golden double at the Archery World Cup in Antalya, winning his maiden individual gold by defeating Paris Olympics bronze medallist Lee Woo Seok, hours after claiming the recurve mixed team title.
Seattle's LGBTQ community members say they hope that this Friday's World Cup "Pride Match" between Egypt and Iran, two countries where homosexuality is criminalised, can be an opportunity to change minds.
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.
Rising study-abroad costs are prompting families to use education loans strategically while preserving savings, liquidity and long-term financial stability, says Yogesh Rawat
Kylian Mbappe scored two goals, equalling Miroslav Klose's World Cup record, as France defeated Iraq 3-0 to advance to the last 32. The match was significantly delayed by thunderstorms, but France maintained control with Ousmane Dembele also scoring. Iraq's chances of progressing now depend on their final group match and other results.
The Centre on Thursday informed the Delhi high court that the Telegram messaging app was being exploited for illegal activities ranging from cybercrime and financial frauds to terrorism and circulation of leaked examination papers.
India lose 1-3 to Germany at Junior Women's World Cup
Jaspal Rana, the acclaimed Indian shooter and high-performance coach, has passed away at 49. Known for mentoring Olympic medallists like Manu Bhaker and other young talents, Rana's contributions significantly shaped Indian shooting. He was a Dronacharya Award recipient.
Qatar's resilience against Switzerland owed much to goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada, whose key saves kept them in the game, a remarkable comeback for a player once close to retirement due to a serious back injury.
Torrent Pharma has emerged as a top sectoral pick for brokerages, driven by healthy growth in India revenues and improved gross margins, leading to a 44 per cent stock return over the past year.
Germany secured a place at next year's World Cup by crushing Slovakia 6-0 in their final qualifier on Monday.
With Kylian Mbappe's depth and experience, economists predict France are tipped to edge Spain to lift World Cup.
England begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Arlington, Texas on Wednesday, a heavyweight Group L opener that could set the tone for both teams' tournament ambitions.
Kylian Mbappe became France's all-time leading scorer with a double to power his team to victory against Senegal on Tuesday.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay honoured Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa with a Rs 50 lakh cash incentive and played a friendly game of chess with him at the Secretariat, where the young prodigy checkmated the CM. Praggnanandhaa recently made history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess title.
Qatar take on Switzerland in their World Cup opener on Saturday eager to shake off the pressure of expectation, coming in as back-to-back Asian champions with an urgent need to make amends for a dismal debut as hosts of the 2022 tournament.
Pope Leo may have traded his life in Chicago for the ornate apartments at the Vatican's apostolic palace, but he still plans to root for his old national team at the World Cup this month.
Germany dominated the first leg of their Nations League final against Spain on Friday but could not find the back of the net as they were held to a scoreless draw ahead of Tuesday's second leg in Madrid.
Germany beat Spain in shoot-out to win eighth FIH Junior WC title
A peace deal between the US and Iran, set to be signed in Geneva, faces significant hurdles over the release of Iran's USD 12 billion in frozen assets, with conflicting reports from both sides on the conditions for their release.
The Adani Group-owned Navi Mumbai International Airport is slated to commence international passenger and freighter operations from July 15. This marks a significant expansion for the airport, which began domestic services last December. Air India Express and IndiGo are expected to operate international flights, with customs readiness reviews already completed. The airport anticipates a substantial increase in daily passenger footfall and air traffic movements by the year-end.
Harmanpreet Singh returns to captain a 24-member Indian men's hockey squad for the European leg of the FIH Pro League, a crucial preparatory competition ahead of the World Cup in August.
