The Economic Times

Indian javelin ace Neeraj Chopra is gearing up for an exciting start to his season at the Doha Diamond League. Following his recovery from a troublesome back injury, he shared that hes feeling stronger than ever. Last year's World Championships were a test of resilience for him while competing under pain.

World Cup coaches are strategically using different formations to win matches. These formations, like 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1, aim to balance defense and attack. Some formations focus on offense with more forwards, while others prioritize defense. Teams are adapting their tactics to gain an edge. These setups are crucial for success on the field.

US Open 2026 Golf Tournament live streaming: The 2026 US Open golf championship begins June 18 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. Top golfers like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler will compete. Indian fans can stream the event on FanCode. The tournament concludes June 21. J. J. Spaun is the defending champion.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed parents will accompany 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on Ireland and England tour. This decision aims to ease the young cricketer into the senior team environment. Sooryavanshi earned his maiden call-up for the T20 setup. Saikia compared the situation to Sachin Tendulkar's early career. The board believes this support will help the young talent adjust.

The BCCI is considering advancing the IPL window to March 10May 15 from next year to avoid extreme heat and pre-monsoon disruptions during the latter stages of the tournament. Secretary Devajit Saikia said the move aims to improve conditions for players and fans.

The World Cup is showcasing unheralded players alongside global stars. Livano Comenencia scored Curacao's first World Cup goal. Boualem Khoukhi helped Qatar earn a point. Jovo Lukic netted the first World Cup goal in Canada. Elijah Just scored twice for New Zealand. Emam Ashour earned man of the match for Egypt. These players are making their mark.

Colombia secured a 3-1 victory against Uzbekistan in their World Cup Group K debut. Daniel Munoz, Luis Diaz, and Jaminton Campaz scored for Colombia. Uzbekistan responded in the second half with their first World Cup goal. The match took place at the Estadio Azteca. Colombia extended their strong group-stage record.

India clinched a fantastic 3-1 victory against Germany during the intense FIH Hockey Pro League clash. Manpreet Singh made headlines by becoming India's all-time most capped player. Goals from Mandeep Singh, Shilanand Lakra, and Nilakanta Sharma highlighted a powerful performance, while a steadfast defense held the line.

England kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Croatia. Harry Kane was instrumental, scoring twice, including a retaken penalty, to lead England's charge. Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also contributed goals, securing a strong opening win for Thomas Tuchel's side.

England and Ghana kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaigns with victories in Group L. England triumphed 4-2 over Croatia in a thrilling encounter, with Harry Kane scoring twice. Ghana secured a dramatic 1-0 win against Panama thanks to a late goal from Caleb Yirenkyi, placing them second in the group.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by debutants Congo in their opening World Cup match. Joao Neves opened the scoring for Portugal, but Yoane Wissa equalized for Congo in stoppage time, marking their first-ever World Cup goal. Ronaldo, appearing in his sixth World Cup, missed opportunities to become the first player to score in six tournaments.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage continues with four key matches on June 18, featuring England vs. Croatia, Ghana vs. Panama, Uzbekistan vs. Colombia, and Czechia vs. South Africa. Crucial points are at stake as teams vie for early group control and to revive their campaigns.

Norway striker Erling Haaland made a strong World Cup debut with two goals against Iraq. His impressive performance secured a 4-1 victory for Norway. This win marks Norway's return to the World Cup finals after a long absence. Haaland's goals set the tone for his team's campaign. The team aims to improve for future matches.

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 has begun with record-breaking attendance and viewership. Over 44,000 fans attended matches in the opening weekend. The India-Pakistan game drew a sell-out crowd and massive digital viewership. Broadcast figures in India and the UK also show significant interest. Digital engagement across ICC platforms has surged, indicating growing popularity for women's cricket.

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 has kicked off with record-breaking attendance and viewership. The opening weekend saw nearly 45,000 fans, while the India vs. Pakistan match garnered over 25 million unique viewers in India. UK viewership on Sky Sports also reached an all-time high for a WT20WC match, signaling a historic start for women's cricket.

Already qualified for the semifinals, the Indian women's hockey team aims to finish the pool stage undefeated against Uruguay. India seeks to regain their Pro League spot by winning the FIH Nations Cup, with coach Marijne looking for improved field goal performance and defensive solidity ahead of major tournaments.

Noah Lyles, Olympic gold medalist, shattered the world best time in the 150 meters at the Golden Spike meet with a blistering 14.67 seconds. The four-time world champion in the 200m showcased his speed to defeat a field including Australian prodigy Gout Gout. This performance surpassed the previous record held by Kishane Thompson.

Shohei Ohtani's leadoff home run in the sixth inning secured a 1-0 victory for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Tampa Bay Rays. Pitcher Justin Wrobleski delivered six scoreless innings, allowing only three hits. The Dodgers' bullpen closed out the shutout, marking their eleventh home win since May 13.

Lionel Messi has equalled Miroslav Klose's FIFA World Cup goal tally. He achieved this after scoring a hat-trick in Argentina's win against Algeria. Messi stated that numbers are just statistics and he feels honoured. He also spoke about his emotional reaction to scoring, attributing it to recent difficult times. Argentina will next play Austria.

Tennis star Serena Williams faced a setback in her comeback at the Berlin Open, losing her opening doubles match. Despite the loss, fans showed immense support. Williams also received a doubles wild card for Wimbledon alongside her sister Venus. The legendary player is contemplating a singles return at the prestigious tournament.

The United States has defended its handling of Irans World Cup travel arrangements after the team complained it was forced to leave immediately after its opening match instead of staying overnight for recovery. US officials said the schedule was pre-decided, requiring teams to depart on match day and return to their base camps shortly after games. Irans coach and captain criticised the arrangement, citing disrupted recovery routines and visa-related issues affecting staff and players, while US a

Argentina's football champions are back on the World Cup stage. Dedicated fans have traveled thousands of miles, some by bicycle, to support their team. Many are spending significant amounts of money to witness the matches. Lionel Messi, a legendary player, is a major draw for global fans.

Brazilian football star Neymar has returned to training with his World Cup squad. He is recovering from a leg injury sustained earlier. Neymar participated in physical conditioning sessions. He is not expected to play in the upcoming match against Haiti. Brazil's World Cup campaign began with a draw against Morocco. The team continues its preparations for the tournament.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice, surpassing Pele's World Cup goal tally with 14, as France defeated Senegal 3-1 in their opener. After a quiet first half, Mbappe's brace and a late goal from Bradley Barcola secured the win. Ibrahim Mbaye scored Senegal's lone goal in stoppage time.

Lionel Messi became the first man to play in six World Cup tournaments when he started for Argentina in their opening match against Algeria in Kansas City on Tuesday. Messi made his World Cup debut as a teenager at the 2006 tournament in Germany and announced the 2022 edition would be his last.

France vs Senegal India live streaming: France, seeking redemption after a 2022 final loss, kicks off their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Senegal at MetLife Stadium. Led by stars like Kylian Mbappe, the French are strong contenders. Senegal, aiming for an early upset, hopes to build on their previous World Cup performance and advance deeper into the tournament.

A renowned World Cup prediction model, which accurately forecast the last three winners, suggests Argentina's reign as champions will end in the 2026 quarter-finals. Despite Lionel Messi's expected decisive role against Turkey, the model predicts Portugal's deeper squad will overcome the defending champions in a blockbuster clash.

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh is backing his revamped side in the three-match T20 series against Bangladesh after the visitors suffered a bitter 2-1 defeat in their one-day internationals. Australia struggled against Bangladesh's pace-heavy attack in the ODIs, losing the first two matches before salvaging some pride with a narrow win in the final match in Mirpur.

Tehran residents gathered in cafes to watch Iran's World Cup match against New Zealand. Despite the early morning kick-off, fans showed excitement for their team. The game unfolded amidst political tensions and a recent agreement between Iran and the United States. The team's performance, marked by a draw, brought cheers. Preparation challenges for the team were also highlighted.

Cape Verde's Vozinha became a global sensation after a remarkable goalkeeping display against Spain. The 40-year old goal keeper made seven crucial saves to secure a historic 0-0 draw against Spain. This achievement marked a significant moment for the small island nation on the world's biggest football stage. Vozinha's journey from street football to this global spotlight is an inspiring tale of resilience and belief.

US President Donald Trump will present the World Cup trophy. FIFA has approved his participation in the ceremony. This follows his role at the Club World Cup. Officials from Mexico and Canada will also attend. Trump is expected at the World Cup final on July 19. He will join the winners on the podium.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Iran fought back twice to lock in a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their World Cup debut, demonstrating grit in the face of social unrest. The match, charged with emotion, saw both teams overcoming hurdles in preparation for this grand stage.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Brazil faces the prospect of Neymar missing the entire World Cup group stage as medical staff prioritize his fitness for later rounds. The veteran forward is recovering from a calf injury and is unlikely to feature against Haiti or Scotland. The team aims for his return in the knockout stages, with his availability dependent on his recovery and Brazil's performance.

Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni and defender Nicolas Otamendi emphasized Lionel Messi's crucial role ahead of their World Cup opener. Scaloni stated that everyone wants to see the icon play, dismissing concerns about his fitness. Otamendi described Messi as the est player in history and a competitive animal who inspires the team.

Egypt's bid for a first World Cup win was thwarted by Belgium. Emam Ashour scored early for Egypt. Romelu Lukaku came on and immediately forced an own goal to level the score. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Mohamed Salah made a World Cup goal involvement on his birthday.

As Japan takes the stage in the World Cup, their journey reflects a deep-rooted passion for football that captivates fans worldwide. Their recent duel with the Netherlands highlighted a blend of technical finesse and strategic gameplay. This impressive showing is rooted in a vibrant athletic culture that thrives at schools and universities.