Sports News - Page 17
Has the FIFA World Cup ever been played amid war? A look back at history
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins amid fresh US-Iran strikes, here's a look at other times football's biggest tournament was played in the shadow of war and political conflict.
World Cup is football's crown jewel. The 2026 tournament risks leaving its biggest supporters behind
As the FIFA World Cup expands to 48 teams and three host nations, concerns over soaring ticket prices, travel costs and visa barriers have sparked debate over whether football's biggest tournament remains accessible to ordinary fans. Has the World Cup drifted away from its promise of uniting the world?
FIFA World Cup 2026 FAQs: Full guide to schedule, format, teams, venues and title contenders
From the tournament format and host cities to live streaming details, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and title contenders, here's everything you need to know about the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is set to kick start on Friday morning with the opening game between Mexico and South Africa.
FIFA World Cup 2026: From Cristiano Ronaldo to Erling Haaland, top five strikers to watch out for
From Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland to Harry Kane, here are five strikers who could shape the destiny of their nations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA World Cup 2026: From Bruno Fernandes to Pedri, top five midfielders to watch out for
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, we take a look at five midfielders who could be crucial to their nations' hopes of winning the tournament. The World Cup begins early on Friday morning with co-hosts Mexico playing South Africa in the opening game.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Where to watch tournament in India, subscription price, experts panel, full schedule in IST & more
The 2026 FIFA World Cup set to get underway on 11 June and will mark the first time the showpiece event features 48 teams and is hosted across three nations. Here's everything you need to know about the tournament's coverage in India...
Infantino asked if he is embarrassed by World Cup chaos in US, FIFA boss fires back: 'It’s good to just chill, relax'
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the 2026 World Cup amid criticism over US travel restrictions, visa issues, and this edition of the tournament being the most unwelcoming despite being the largest-ever with 48 teams.
FIFA World Cup 2026: From Gabriel Magalhaes to Nuno Mendes, top five defenders to watch out for
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which gets underway on 11 June with co-hosts Mexico facing South Africa in the opener at the Azteca Stadium, we take a look at five defenders who could play a key role in helping their teams make a deep run at the upcoming tournament.
FIFA World Cup 2026: From Emi Martinez to Manuel Neuer, top five goalkeepers to watch out for
Ahead of the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup, which the United States will be co-hosting with neighbours Mexico and Canada from 11 June to 19 July, we take a look a five goalkeepers worth keeping an eye on.
Who is Srishti Kiran? The Indian tennis prodigy ranked highest among U-13 players worldwide
Rising Indian tennis star Srishti Kiran achieved her career-best ITF Junior ranking of 357 after a sensational run in recent months, making the Indian prodigy the highest-ranked among Under-13 players.
Ahead of Real Madrid return, Jose Mourinho pens heartfelt farewell message to Benfica: 'An honour and a privilege'
Jose Mourinho, who is expected to return to Real Madrid later this summer, parted ways with Benfica after helping the Lisbon-based club finish third on the Primeira Liga table following an unbeaten season.
ISL 2026-27, Durand Cup start date revealed: Here's when India's top football competitions will get underway
After a truncated season earlier this year, the Indian Super League is expected to have a full season for the 2026-27 edition with home-and-away fixtures following the AIFF's decision to accept a club-led model "in principle" for the next two seasons at least.
D Gukesh says Javokhir Sindarov's presence at Norway Chess was 'kind of funny'
World champion D Gukesh and Fide Candidates winner Javokhir Sindarov, who will be challenging the Indian Grandmaster for his title later this year, were in Oslo for the Norway Chess that concluded just last week. Only one of them, however, was a participant in the prestigious tournament.
FIFA World Cup 2026 guide for new fans: Everything you need to know
Here's a complete FIFA World Cup 2026 guide for new fans as the tournament gets ready for a grand opening on June 11. Check out the format, teams, groups, venues, debutants, title contenders and star players including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal.
Somali referee reacts after Trump administration crashes his World Cup dream: 'There is no other place I want to be'
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has broken his silence after being denied entry to the United States for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Gukesh drops bombshell on his poor form ahead of Sindarov clash: 'The truth is I care. I do get affected'
World Champion D Gukesh has opened up about the pressure of holding the title, motivation issues and his recent poor form ahead of his defence against challenger Javokhir Sindarov.
Messi returns from injury and needed just two minutes to remind the world of his genius: 'One of the coolest penalties'
Lionel Messi made a successful return from injury by scoring a cheeky penalty in Argentina's 3-0 win over Iceland in their last warm-up match before the start of FIFA World Cup 2026.
Serena opens up on Wimbledon return plans after stunning comeback win: 'I'm tired of sitting at home'
Serena Williams has opened up on her plans for whether she will play at Wimbledon after making a winning return to competitive tennis nearly four years after her last match. The 23-time Grand Slam champion made the comments after reaching the quarter-finals of the Queen's Club Championships in London.
Visa denials, travel restrictions: How teams, fans are being made feel unwelcomed in Trump's World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was supposed to be a celebration of football's global unity. Instead, visa denials, entry restrictions and travel hurdles have left players, officials and fans questioning whether everyone is truly welcome in the United States, which is going to conduct the most games among the three countries picked as host nations.
Messi left out of starting XI in final World Cup warm-up despite Scaloni confirming Argentina return
Lionel Messi has been benched for Argentina's final FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up match against Iceland despite Scaloni earlier confirming he would feature. Messi is continuing to recover from a hamstring issue and his team would hope that he gains full fitness before their opening game of the tournament.
Anand advises Gukesh to take cues from Praggnanandhaa ahead of world title defence: 'Seems to be stuck a bit'
Viswanathan Anand has offered pointed advice to the struggling GM D Gukesh ahead of his World Chess Championship title clash with Uzbek GM Javokhir Sindarov.
Real Madrid bids farewell to Arbeloa, opens doors to Mourinho's dramatic comeback
Coach Álvaro Arbeloa and Real Madrid CF have part ways, with Jose Mourinho poised to make a dramatic homecoming at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Serena Williams ignites comeback buzz with Queen's Club triumph, ponders Wimbledon bid
Serena Williams made a spectacular comeback at the Queen’s Club event on Tuesday, teaming up with Victoria Mboko to defeat Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe.
FIFA in turmoil after 180,000 World Cup tickets appear on resale platforms: Report
Global football body FIFA is staring at a major seat-filling crisis, with 180,000 World Cup tickets still unsold on resale platforms just three days before kick-off.
In Photos | Brazil, Argentina and other teams likely to reach 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States and its neighbours Mexico and Canada and gets underway on 11 June, we take a look at the team that have the best chances of reaching the quarter-finals.
After Somali referee was denied US entry, FIFA confirms official will miss World Cup debut
FIFA has confirmed on Monday that Somalian referee Omar Artan would miss out on the upcoming 2026 World Cup tournament after being denied entry to the United States.
Under-fire Fifa president Gianni Infantino slapped with criminal complaint days before World Cup
Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who has been facing a barrage of criticism in the build-up to the first-ever 48-team football World Cup, has been named in a criminal complaint field by his former boss at UEFA.
Iran calls out US over alleged withdrawal of World Cup ticket allocation for its supporters
The Iranian football federation has alleged that the United States withdrew its ticket allocation for supporters ahead of the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday.
NBA finals watch party goes haywire after fans clash with police at Bryant Park | WATCH VIDEO
A watch party for the NBA Finals Game 3 between Knicks and Spurs turned violent, leading to the NYPD deploying officers to bring order in NYC's Bryant Park.
ISL likely to return to normal schedule, home-and-away format after AIFF accepts club-led model in landmark meeting
The Indian Super League is likely to return to its usual September-May window in the next season after the All India Football Federation accepted the club-led model in a meeting convened by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.