Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia says FIFA's expanded 48-team World Cup format significantly improves India's chances of qualification while creating new opportunities for emerging football nations across Asia and beyond.
From proven champions seeking to cement their legacy to hungry contenders chasing a maiden major crown, Roland Garros opens its gates to a field brimming with intrigue.
The 42-year-old Arbeloa inherits a side trailing Barcelona by four points in LaLiga and reeling from a 3-2 defeat in Sunday's Spanish Super Cup final.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe said Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni should be banned from the Champions League after the Argentine was accused of directing a racist slur at Vinicius Jr.
Jannik Sinner, the world number one, showcased his dominance by defeating Alexander Zverev in straight sets to win the Madrid Open, marking his fifth successive ATP Masters 1000 title.
Lionel Messi congratulated FC Barcelona after their 29th La Liga title win over Real Madrid, recalling his legendary trophy-laden legacy with the Catalan giants.
Iga Swiatek and Alexander Zverev are set to compete in their fourth-round matches at the French Open, while Casper Ruud and Elina Svitolina will also be in action.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has suffered a hamstring injury, the LaLiga club said on Monday, weeks before the start of the World Cup.
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.
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.
Alexander Zverev's French Open final against Flavio Cobolli will carry a personal twist, after their friendship grew at the Laver Cup and the support of the Italian's father in difficult moments on tour deepened ties heading into Sunday's showdown.
Blockx converts late Madrid call-up into breakthrough semi-final run even as Zeverev joins Federer, Nadal in elite list.
The World No 3, who last won a clay court title at the French Open final in 2024, targets success on the red dirt with a new coach and renewed zeal.
Aryna Sabalenka arrives at the French Open as world number one, but her clay court form and a recent injury raise doubts about her chances of winning her first Grand Slam title on the surface.
Indian archers Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Dhiraj Bommadevara will use upcoming Archery World Cup stages to experiment with new equipment ahead of the Asian Games in Japan.
Mbappe fires Real Madrid to the summit, Bayern lose at home and Dortmund stay in the title hunt.
Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid, winning 2-1 on aggregate, to reach the Champions League final for the second time in their history. Bukayo Saka's goal proved decisive in a tense semi-final clash.
Jannik Sinner was two games away from the Italian Open final when heavy rain suspended his semi-final match against Daniil Medvedev, with Sinner leading 6-2, 5-7, 4-2.
World number one Jannik Sinner powered into the Madrid Open final with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Arthur Fils on Friday, keeping alive his bid for a record fifth successive ATP Masters 1000 title.
Cristiano Ronaldo, playing his 6th FIFA World Cup, headlines the Portugal squad that has a glittering supporting cast that includes Vitinha, Joao Neves, Bruno Fernandes and Nuno Mendes.
Atletico Madrid and Arsenal played to a 1-1 draw in their Champions League semi-final first leg, with both goals coming from penalties. Julian Alvarez equalised for Atletico after Viktor Gyokeres had given Arsenal the lead.
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.
Iga Swiatek's French Open campaign ended in a stunning defeat to Marta Kostyuk, adding to the series of upsets at Roland Garros.
Barcelona moved to the brink of retaining the LaLiga title after Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres struck late in a 2-1 victory at Osasuna.
Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, has revealed the immense health risks he took to prolong his tennis career, battling a chronic foot injury and other complications.
Yan Diomande, a 19-year-old winger from the Ivory Coast, has experienced a meteoric rise in the world of football, going from playing in a Florida high school to representing his country at the World Cup. His journey involved overcoming cultural challenges and excelling in both the United States and Europe, ultimately leading to his selection for the Ivory Coast national team.
Flavio Cobolli reached the French Open final after his semifinal opponent, fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi, withdrew from the match on Friday due to a virus.
Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup after an intense 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in Sunday's final in Jeddah.
Novak Djokovic begins his quest for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Alexander Zverev hopes to finally break through and win his first major. The tournament starts amid tensions over prize money and player influence.
Barcelona continued their march towards the LaLiga title with a 2-0 victory at Getafe on Saturday, as goals from Fermin Lopez and Marcus Rashford secured them a ninth consecutive league win.
Lamine Yamal exploded into view at 16 and became an integral part of Spain's record fourth European Championship triumph in 2024.
'We've hit rock bottom; we've been knocked out by a second division team.'
Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk made short work of Oksana Selekhmeteva with a 6-2, 6-3 victory in the first round of the French Open on Sunday and said she was proud of how she remained focused even as the war in her country hit closer to home.
Magnus Carlsen reflects on the challenges of ageing and memory as he struggles at the Norway Chess tournament, revealing his reliance on coffee and longing for a distraction with the Champions League final.
Venus Williams expresses her desire to participate in the French Open after competing on clay for the first time in five years at the Madrid Open, where she lost in the first round.
UEFA rejects Barcelona's complaint over a controversial refereeing decision in their Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, ruling the protest inadmissible ahead of the second leg.
Paris St Germain retained the Champions League title after a penalty shootout victory over Arsenal, showcasing resilience and determination.
Nico O'Reilly's opportunistic strike and Erling Haaland's penalty helped Manchester City to fight back to beat Real Madrid 2-1 in a tense Champions League contest at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Indian archers Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Dhiraj Bommadevara plan to use the upcoming Archery World Cup stages as testing grounds for equipment changes ahead of the Asian Games later this year. Both archers are part of the 12-member Indian squad for the Asian Games, scheduled to begin in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan from September 19.
Carlos Alcaraz will not defend his French Open title next month after tests on his injured wrist revealed he would not be ready in time, the world number two said on Friday.
