The Economic Times

Four-time winners Germany thrashed World Cup debutants Curacao 7-1 in their first group game on Sunday. Kai Havertz got two goals and Nico Schlotterbeck, Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav also scored in Houston to secure Germany's first opening-match win at a World Cup since their successful 2014 campaign in Brazil, after Livano Comenencia had briefly cancelled out Felix Nmecha's opener. nf/gj

Lionel Messi is set to make history. He will become the first player to participate in six World Cups. This marks a remarkable achievement for the legendary Argentine forward. Messi confirmed his participation for the upcoming tournament. He continues to enjoy playing football. His presence promises an exciting event for fans worldwide.

Dhiraj Bommadevara secured two gold medals at the Archery World Cup Stage 3 in Antalya. He defeated South Korea in both the recurve mixed team and individual events. This historic achievement marks a significant moment for Indian archery. His parents' sacrifices were instrumental in his journey. This win fuels his motivation for future competitions.

India secured a dominant 64-run victory over Pakistan in their ICC Women's T20 World Cup debut. Deepti Sharma's exceptional bowling performance, taking five wickets, was key. Smriti Mandhana's strong batting contributed significantly to India's total. Pakistan was bowled out while chasing India's score. The Indian spinners proved too strong for the Pakistan batters.

Germany will target a winning start to their FIFA World Cup campaign, something they have not achieved since 2014, against tournament debutants Curacao in Houston. While Germany are expected to start with a victory, manager Julian Nagelsmann sees Curacao as dangerous since they are not heading into the 2026 World Cup as favourites.

Somali referee Omar Artan will receive his full World Cup fee despite being denied entry to the United States. Artan, a top official, was deemed inadmissible due to vetting concerns upon arrival. FIFA stated it does not handle immigration processes. UEFA has shown respect for Artan's skills, appointing him to the Super Cup.

India posted a competitive 170 for 6 against Pakistan in their Women's T20 World Cup debut. Smriti Mandhana starred with a brilliant 68. Richa Ghosh provided a quickfire cameo, scoring 34 off just 17 balls. Their efforts helped India set a challenging target for their arch-rivals in the opening encounter.

Lewis Hamilton achieved a historic victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, marking his first win with Ferrari. At 41, he is now Formula One's oldest race winner since 1970. This triumph ended Kimi Antonelli's winning streak. George Russell secured second place for Mercedes, with Lando Norris finishing third for McLaren. Hamilton's remarkable career continues to break records.

Dhiraj Bommadevara achieved a significant Archery World Cup victory in Antalya. He secured his first individual gold medal by defeating South Korea's Lee Woo Seok. This triumph followed his earlier win in the recurve mixed team event with Kumkum Mohod. Bommadevara displayed composure under pressure throughout the competition. His performance marks a career breakthrough.

Harmanpreet Kaur, India's women's cricket captain, followed a policy of not shaking hands with Pakistan's Fatima Sana at the T20 World Cup toss. This practice began after a terror attack. Both players focused solely on cricket during pre-match discussions. The teams had previously avoided handshakes in other matches. The focus remains on the game itself.

Turkey's World Cup journey began with a disappointing 2-0 loss to Australia. Coach Vincenzo Montella acknowledged a slow start from his team. Despite dominating possession, Turkey struggled to penetrate Australia's defense. The team now faces Paraguay needing a win to advance. Turkey's return to the World Cup after 2002 did not start as planned.

India's athletics team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is announced. The 32-member squad includes star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra. Athletes like Tejas Shirse, who set a new national record, are also part of the team. The women's contingent features strong contenders in various track and field events. This team aims for glory in Glasgow.

India and Pakistan are set to face off in a marquee ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 clash at Edgbaston in Birmingham. While rain is not expected to significantly impact the contest, weather conditions could influence playing conditions early in the match. Check the latest Birmingham weather forecast, pitch report, probable playing XIs, head-to-head record, match timings and other key details ahead of the high-profile encounter.

Iran's national soccer team, Team Melli, is training in Tijuana, Mexico for the World Cup. This unusual choice comes amid visa challenges with the United States. The small Iranian community in Tijuana reflects broader diaspora divisions, particularly over national symbols. Despite political differences, support for the team remains strong as they prepare for their upcoming matches.

India's Dhiraj Bommadevara and Kumkum Mohod secured a stunning recurve mixed team gold at the Archery World Cup Stage 3. They defeated reigning Olympic champions South Korea in straight sets. This marks a significant achievement for the young Indian duo. Dhiraj's precision in the final moments secured the victory. Kumkum also contributed to a previous gold medal win for India.

A Mexican trade association leader has lost his job. This happened after a video showed him making a racist gesture at a South Korean influencer during a FIFA World Cup match. The incident sparked widespread criticism online. The leader's actions were condemned as perpetuating harmful stereotypes. This led to his dismissal from the Jalisco Association of Surveyors and Geomatics Engineers.

Pakistan's top table tennis players are reportedly shocked after the Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) informed them they must fund their own participation in the Asian Games in Japan. Players were told they would receive no allowances for national trials and must arrange their own air tickets and daily foreign currency for the Games.

Manu Bhaker's father, Ram Kishan, fondly recalls coach Jaspal Rana's impact. Rana instilled discipline and a results-oriented approach in Manu, shaping her into a champion shooter. He was a strict but good-hearted mentor. Despite a past rift, Rana returned to coach Manu for the Paris Olympics, where she excelled. His guidance was instrumental in her achievements.

Australia defeated Turkey 2-0 in their World Cup Group D opener, with goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe. Irankunda opened the scoring in the 27th minute, and Metcalfe sealed the victory in the 75th. The win places Australia second in the group.

Morocco achieved a historic feat in the FIFA World Cup. The team fielded its first-ever starting eleven composed entirely of players born outside the country. This landmark selection was followed by an impressive 1-1 draw against five-time champions Brazil. The Atlas Lions showcased their global talent and delivered a strong performance.

Victor Wembanyama's rookie season concluded with a Defensive Player of the Year award and a Finals appearance, but ultimately, he watched the New York Knicks clinch their first championship in 53 years. Despite impressive individual statistics, key late-game mistakes in the series overshadowed his stellar performance.

The New York Knicks have won the NBA championship, ending a 53-year wait for the city. This victory marks their third NBA title. The team defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games. Owner James Dolan expressed his apologies for the long delay. This championship is a significant moment for New York sports history.

Scotland secured a 1-0 victory over Haiti in their World Cup debut. John McGinn scored the winning goal in the 28th minute. This marks Scotland's first World Cup win since 1990. The win places Scotland at the top of Group C. Haiti is still seeking its first World Cup point. Scotland will next face Morocco. Haiti plays Brazil next.

Lionel Messi is preparing for Argentina's FIFA World Cup opener against Algeria. He participated in an intense training session focusing on running and spot kicks. Messi expressed happiness with his fitness after a recent friendly victory. He is expected to start in the crucial match. Argentina aims for a strong performance in the tournament.

Qatar achieved a historic moment by securing their first World Cup point. A late own goal by Switzerland forced a 1-1 draw, sending the Qatari team and fans into jubilation. This result leaves Group B wide open. Switzerland will rue missed chances. Qatar's next match is against Canada.

Brazil and Morocco played to a 1-1 draw in a high-profile World Cup group match. Morocco took an early lead through Ismael Saibari. Vinicius Junior then scored a spectacular equalizer for Brazil. The match saw Brazil extend its unbeaten streak in World Cup openers. Neymar was absent due to injury.

The 126th US Open is set for Shinnecock Hills. Golfers will face a demanding course. Aaron Rai aims to complete a rare double. Rory McIlroy could join an elite group. Scottie Scheffler seeks a win to complete his career Grand Slam. Indian golfers like Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala are also in contention. Sudarshan Yellamaraju makes his US Open debut.

Australia's Socceroos are highlighting their immigrant players before the World Cup. This message of inclusion comes as anti-immigrant feelings grow worldwide. Players like Awer Mabil, born in a refugee camp, share their journeys. The team's stance underscores multiculturalism's impact on Australia. This initiative aims to unite people and celebrate diversity.

A Seattle youth soccer group returned World Cup tickets after a Somali referee was denied entry to the U.S. Ali Abdulla, leader of the African Youth Sports Academy, felt betrayed by the U.S. action. His organization decided to forgo the tickets to show solidarity with the referee. The tickets were reallocated to another community group.

Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur says her team is focused solely on cricket for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup match against Pakistan. She acknowledged the pressure of playing Pakistan but stressed enjoying the challenge. The team aims to perform their best and make the most of every moment on the field.

Folarin Balogun made a stunning World Cup debut for the United States. He scored two goals in their opening 4-1 win against Paraguay. The striker's performance thrilled the sold-out crowd at SoFi Stadium. Balogun's decision to represent the US has paid off handsomely. He became the first American to score multiple goals in a World Cup game since 1930.

Afghanistan scored 194 in their rain-shortened ODI against India. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the star with a rapid 102. Debutants Harsh Dubey and Gurnoor Brar took three wickets each for India. The match was reduced to 25 overs per side due to earlier rain. Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy also contributed with wickets.

George Russell has claimed pole position for Mercedes at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. His teammate Lewis Hamilton will start alongside him on the front row. Kimi Antonelli qualified third, with Lando Norris in fourth. Mercedes has achieved pole in every race this season. Russell's third pole this year follows Antonelli's four. Charles Leclerc's crash briefly stopped qualifying.

Bangladesh's cricket board is demanding a thorough investigation after Test player Nayeem Hasan alleged he was assaulted by police. Hasan stated he was physically abused and forced into a vehicle by officers in Chattogram. The board expressed deep concern and called for impartial action. Three police officers have been removed from duty pending the probe.

Germany begins its World Cup campaign against Curacao. The four-time champions seek a strong opening win to restore their international standing. Germany is on a winning streak and aims to top its group. Curacao's coach acknowledges Germany as clear favorites. Germany's goal is to be difficult to beat and advance to the knockout stage.

India secured a seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the first ODI. Pacer Gurnoor Brar impressed on debut. Captain Shubman Gill played a stellar unbeaten knock. Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored a century for Afghanistan. The match was reduced to 25 overs per side due to rain. This win marks the start of India's preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Ghana's government has strongly criticized Canada's decision to deny midfielder Thomas Partey a visa for a World Cup match. Partey faces rape charges in London later this year. Ghana is pursuing diplomatic and legal avenues to overturn the refusal. The government emphasizes the principle of presumption of innocence. Partey will be eligible to play in subsequent matches.

Indian captain Shubman Gill achieved a significant milestone on Saturday. He became the fastest Indian to reach 3,000 One Day International runs. Gill accomplished this feat in the first ODI against Afghanistan. He also scored a half-century during the match. Debutants Harsh Dubey and Gurnoor Brar impressed with their bowling. They took three wickets each.

Rohit Sharma has achieved a significant milestone in international cricket. He has now scored over 16,000 runs as an opener. This landmark was reached during India's ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamshala. The match was shortened due to rain. Sharma's achievement adds to his impressive career as a top-order batsman for India.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored a brilliant 102 against India. He credited Gautam Gambhir for his technical advice. Gurbaz received guidance from Gambhir after a previous match. He applied the advice during his innings. Gurbaz's century was a significant contribution for Afghanistan. The team was bowled out for 194. Debutant Indian bowlers performed well.

England's World Cup preparations have been hit by a theft. Training equipment was stolen from a vehicle arriving in Kansas City. Balls and boots are among the missing items. Police have taken two individuals into custody. This incident could impact England's readiness for their opening match against Croatia.

India's top badminton stars PV Sindhu and the men's doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will lead the Indian contingent at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Lakshya Sen, HS Prannoy, and Kidambi Srikanth are also set to compete. The squad features a mix of experienced players and emerging talent.

The Women's T20 World Cup is set to be a major sporting event. ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta believes it can thrive alongside the men's football World Cup. Ticket sales have already broken records, indicating strong public interest. Projections suggest attendance could reach 300,000. This tournament is poised to be one of the biggest women's sporting events ever.

The BCCI will not mediate player availability for the IPL, leaving it to franchises and players. Concerns over overseas stars pulling out due to injuries or national duty persist. Meanwhile, the board plans a gradual auction purse increase and eyes an early March start for the IPL post-2027 to accommodate more games, considering global cricket schedules and viewer fatigue.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Brazil vs Morocco India match timing date: Brazil will begin their quest for a record-extending sixth World Cup title when they face Morocco in a crucial Group C clash at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The match is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 AM IST on June 14.