Germany's World Cup campaign ended in a shocking penalty shootout loss to Paraguay, marking another early exit for the four-time champions. This defeat highlights a concerning pattern of underperformance in major tournaments since 2014, raising questions about coach Julian Nagelsmann's future and the team's overall direction.
Amid the sea of green that washed over Mexico City after the country's World Cup victory over Ecuador on Tuesday, one shop defiantly hoisted the Ecuadorian flag and welcomed all the downtrodden fans of Mexico's opponents to a place of refuge. Welcome to the Losers Cafe, a coffee shop in the cosmopolitan neighbourhood of Condesa that is comforting fans of the losing teams.
India skipper Shreyas Iyer said his bowlers had the Irish batters on tenterhooks early on but rued the lack of execution in the middle overs after the visitors suffered a shock 34-run defeat in the opening T20I in Belfast on Friday.
Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo has been given a five-match ban after receiving a red card for a tackle which seriously injured Canada midfielder Ismael Kone, FIFA said on Wednesday.
Morocco's coach Mohamed Ouahbi expressed immense pride after his team defeated the Netherlands in a penalty shootout to advance to the World Cup last 16.
Ishan Kishan believes India must solve their middle-overs slowdown and adapt better to English conditions to find the extra runs after suffering a four-wicket defeat against England in the second T20 International in Manchester on Saturday.
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.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has confirmed Tehran's participation in Pakistan-facilitated peace talks with the US in Islamabad, according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This development follows a conditional ceasefire agreement and aims to address regional tensions.
Despite the World Cup returning to their country for the first time in four decades, many in Mexico said they feel excluded, priced out of stadiums, forced to pay for expensive TV subscriptions and constrained by strict licensing rules.
'My wife was disturbed. She didn't know how to sleep next to me. It was traumatising.' 'I remember having a frankie at a roadside stall, and a lady came to me and shouted, 'Oh my God!'' 'I said, 'No, no, no... I'm just an actor'.
High costs, visa hurdles, and logistics for the World Cup are deterring fans, leading to a disappointing boost for US hotels, airlines, and the travel industry.
Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi scored second-half goals as Switzerland beat Canada 2-1 on Wednesday to qualify for the knock-out stage of the World Cup as Group B winners, with the tournament co-hosts also progressing as runners-up.
England white-ball captain Harry Brook on Tuesday said it would be a "privilege" for him to lead the country in Test cricket if offered the job following Ben Stokes' retirement.
Australia's assistant coach Hayden Foxe states that the Socceroos are mature enough to handle media hype and social media comments ahead of their World Cup match against co-hosts the United States. Despite being written off by some US commentators, the team is confident after a strong start to the tournament, having defeated Turkey 2-0. Players are focused on the upcoming game, drawing motivation from past criticisms while remaining grounded.
Harry Kane struck in the closing stages to rescue England from a shock World Cup exit, sealing a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over DR Congo and a place in the Round of 16, as emotional scenes unfolded in the stands with his family celebrating his match-winning heroics.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has announced its World Tour Calendar for 2027 and 2028, featuring a 35-tournament global circuit. The India Open Super 750 will see its dates shifted to February 2027 and January 2028, while the Syed Modi India International has been downgraded to a Super 100 event. The new calendar also introduces a 3x15 scoring system and extended competition windows to enhance player welfare and global reach.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has announced its World Tour Calendar for 2027 and 2028, featuring a 35-tournament global circuit. The India Open Super 750 will see its dates shifted to February 2027 and January 2028, while the Syed Modi India International has been downgraded to a Super 100 event. The new calendar also introduces a 3x15 scoring system and extended competition windows to enhance player welfare and global reach.
India's snooker team, featuring Pankaj Advani and Aditya Mehta, narrowly lost 3-2 to hosts China 'A' in the World Team Snooker Championship final. Despite Advani's strong performance, Aditya Mehta's loss in the decisive frame cost India the gold medal in a challenging, error-ridden contest.
Youri Tielemans struck a 125th-minute penalty as Belgium rallied from two goals down and defeated Senegal 3-2 after extra time in their World Cup last 32 clash in Seattle on Wednesday to keep alive their title hopes that had looked dead and buried.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced that the Khelo India Tribal Games will be held annually in the state following the success of the inaugural edition. The event aims to provide a platform for tribal athletes to showcase their talent and gain national recognition.
India is set to host the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, featuring athletes from eight nations competing in various track and field events. The event provides a crucial platform for both established and emerging para-athletes.
Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa said the hydration breaks introduced in each half of matches at the World Cup add nothing to football while destroying the sport's cultural essence.
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Padma Awards 2026 upon a host of luminaries, including Mammootty, R Madhavan, and Alka Yagnik.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 got underway in Mexico on Thursday with Colombian superstar Shakira performing the official World Cup song Dai Dai in a spectacular opening ceremony.
Free, customizable "fan bands" have become the unexpected must-have souvenir at the 2026 World Cup, with over 700,000 distributed. Sponsored by Bank of America, these charm wristlets feature subtle branding and have gone viral, even appearing on resale platforms. This marketing strategy offers a counterpoint to the tournament's high ticket and merchandise prices, proving that unique, free items can create significant fan engagement and brand visibility.
US coach Mauricio Pochettino downplayed his team's 3-2 loss to Turkey in a World Cup group stage match, emphasising that the United States still finished top of Group D.
England are on the verge of defeat in Ben Stokes' final international match, needing 270 runs with only six wickets remaining against New Zealand at Trent Bridge. Despite Stokes' aggressive opening knock, England lost four quick wickets in their chase of 373, leaving New Zealand in a dominant position on day four. Daryl Mitchell's resilient century was a highlight for New Zealand.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi as his 'younger sister' and hailed her as a 'visionary and popular leader' during a joint press meet, where both leaders unveiled initiatives to deepen bilateral cooperation and strengthen the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
Afghanistan relying on seasoned spin trio to script first ever win over India
Anshula Kapoor and Rohan Thakkar have begun their pre-wedding celebrations in Mumbai.
The FIFA Fan Festival in Toronto was cancelled due to lightning risk, disappointing fans on the eve of Canada's first World Cup game.
India's Senior B and Men's A bridge teams have successfully advanced to the semifinals of the fifth Asia Cup Bridge Championship, held in Panaji. The Senior B team topped the Swiss league, while the Men's A team secured a third-place finish, setting the stage for Friday's knockout rounds.
India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, asserted that 'a terrorist is a terrorist' and called on the international community to collectively root out the 'murderous ideology' without seeking any justification for terrorism.
'It's really easy to get into and the kids love it.'
Morocco triumphed over the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout to advance in the World Cup after a drama-filled 1-1 draw in their Round of 32 clash on Monday.
India delivered a commanding performance against arch-rivals Pakistan, securing a resounding 7-1 victory in their FIH Pro League return leg match. Despite Pakistan taking an early lead, India quickly retaliated with goals from Harmanpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Jugraj Singh, Abhishek, Rajkumar Pal, and Dilpreet Singh, showcasing superior attacking prowess and penalty corner conversion.
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.
India's finance ministry anticipates inflation will remain relatively contained in the coming months, supported by a correction in crude oil prices and softening input costs following the cessation of the West Asia conflict, despite earlier spikes in wholesale and retail inflation.
Iran's bid for a first World Cup knockout stage appearance ended dramatically after Austria's late equaliser against Algeria denied them a spot. Despite remaining unbeaten, the team faced significant logistical challenges and travel restrictions due to their conflict with the U.S., which captain Mehdi Taremi described as a "disaster."
The Iranian football team is facing significant travel restrictions in the US during the World Cup, requiring them to enter and leave within 24 hours of matches. This has led the Football Federation of Iran to lodge a formal complaint with FIFA, citing concerns over fair play and technical preparation, while US authorities maintain the measures are for safety and security.
