The Economic Times

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, aims to defend their World Cup title. Algeria makes a return after a decade. Austria seeks to advance past the first round for the first time in decades. Jordan makes its debut. These teams are gearing up for the global football tournament.

Football fans gear up for the World Cup. France, a top contender, seeks a third championship. Norway enters the tournament with star striker Erling Haaland. Senegal, making its third consecutive appearance, faces a dispute over its African champion status. Iraq returns to the World Cup after a long absence. The tournament promises exciting matches and potential upsets.

Iran's World Cup squad arrived in Tijuana, Mexico, wearing lapel pins. These pins commemorated 168 victims, mostly children, of a missile strike on a school in Minab. The team had previously honored the victims before a warmup game. The incident has drawn international criticism. Iran's World Cup journey faces visa processing delays for entry into the United States.

India secured a dominant innings-and-300-run victory over Afghanistan in their one-off Test. Centuries from Rahul and Gill propelled India to 564, before their bowlers, led by debutant Manav Suthar, dismissed Afghanistan twice for low scores. This win, however, does not impact India's World Test Championship standings as the fixture was outside the WTC cycle.

Manav Suthar impressed on his Test debut. India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak praised the BCCI's talent identification system. Suthar took seven wickets in the match. India secured a massive innings victory over Afghanistan. Sai Sudharsan also scored a valuable 81. The team's batting lineup remains a topic of discussion.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will bring billions to host nations. Analysts expect a surge in spending on hotels, airlines, and retail. Beer sales are also set to rise. Media companies and online betting platforms will see increased revenue. This global event is poised to boost economies significantly.

India's U-18 women's hockey team secured a bronze medal at the Asia Cup. Coach Rani Rampal sees this team as the foundation for future Olympic squads in 2032 and 2036. Top scorer Nousheen Naz and captain Sweety Kujur expressed pride and lessons learned. The team showcased attacking flair and resilience, aiming for higher achievements.

Brazil has made a World Cup roster change. Right back Wesley is out due to a thigh muscle injury. Midfielder Ederson will join the team. Forward Neymar is also sidelined with a calf injury. Brazil begins World Cup group play on Saturday.

The Indian women's cricket team faces challenges heading into the T20 World Cup, with recent series losses exposing weaknesses in batting and bowling. Despite positive body language, concerns linger over the form of key players and the bowling attack's effectiveness, potentially necessitating individual brilliance for a title challenge.

India crushed Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs, wrapping up the one-off Test in just three days. Spinners Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav were on fire, grabbing seven wickets combined. Debutant Manav Suthar also shone, taking a brilliant 6-33 in the second innings to seal the dominant victory.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has urged cricket fans and experts to give 15-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi time and space to grow after his historic India call-up.

India's FIFA World Cup aspirations remain distant. Despite widespread passion, the nation struggles to produce elite footballers. Experts point to a lack of structured grassroots development, inconsistent governance, and a severe coaching shortage. A long-term, transparent system is crucial for India to compete globally. Building strong foundations and integrating football into schools and universities are key steps forward.

Alexander Zverev has secured his maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open. Tennis legend Boris Becker applauded Zverev's achievement after years of hard work and disappointment. Zverev becomes the first German man to win a Slam in three decades. He has now joined an elite group of German male Grand Slam champions.

Tamim Iqbal has been elected President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board. He is the youngest to hold the position for a four-year term. Iqbal previously led an ad-hoc committee. He aims for transparency and honesty within the board. Constitutional reforms will be discussed with councillors. Iqbal seeks time to implement structural changes.

Two-time Olympic-medallist PV Sindhu aims to end her title drought at the Australian Open. Rising star Ayush Shetty spearheads the men's singles campaign. Several other Indian players are competing across various categories. The tournament begins on Tuesday. Sindhu faces a favorable draw as she seeks her first BWF World Tour title since 2024. Shetty starts against a qualifier.

India has enforced the follow-on against Afghanistan. Afghanistan was bowled out for 152 runs in their first innings. India had declared their first innings at 564 for eight. Debutant Manav Suthar took six wickets for 33 runs. Afghanistan trails India by 412 runs. The match is being played in Mullanpur.

Young Indian racer Atiqa Mir met Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The 11-year-old achieved recent success in Greece. Mandaviya offered full support for her journey to Formula 1. Atiqa is the first Indian supported by F1 Academy. She swept Round 2 of the Champions of the Future Academy. The minister wants to bring Formula 1 back to India.

Alexander Zverev is now a Grand Slam champion. He secured his maiden major title at the French Open on Sunday. Zverev defeated Flavio Cobolli in a thrilling five-set match. This victory marks a significant achievement in his career. He overcame the absence of top rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Zverev's win ends his long wait for a major trophy.

Alexander Zverev has won his first Grand Slam title. He defeated Flavio Cobolli in a thrilling five-set match at the French Open. Zverev became the first German man to win a major since Boris Becker. This victory marks a significant achievement for Zverev after several near misses in his career. Cobolli was aiming for his own historic win.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest ever, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 cities, the tournament kicks off on June 11, 2026. Iconic venues like Mexico City's Estadio Azteca and the final's host, MetLife Stadium, will welcome fans to a continental celebration of football.

Kabuni, an AI-powered cricket coaching platform, launched in Mumbai, offering personalized remote training and feedback. Featuring cricket legends like Sourav Ganguly, the platform aims to expand access to coaching for young players. Kabuni PlayOS analyzes performance data to guide development, with a national campaign targeting Indian youth aged 12-16.

Saudi Arabia is making waves in global football. Following a stunning World Cup upset, the nation attracted top stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. They secured the 2034 World Cup hosting rights. This move aims to boost revenue and improve their image. The focus is now on developing local talent for future tournaments.

Rishabh Pant impressed with a stroke-filled 81. India reached 475 for 6 against Afghanistan on day two of the one-off Test. Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel also contributed before being dismissed. Pant's dismissal ended a crowd-pleasing innings. Washington Sundar and Manav Suthar were at the crease at lunch.

Iraq's World Cup preparations were disrupted as star striker Aymen Hussein was detained and questioned for nearly seven hours upon arrival in the US. Team photographer Talal Salah faced an even longer delay and was denied entry. The incident occurred just days before Iraq's first World Cup appearance in four decades.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can have his parents travel with him on India'on Sunday, a day after the 15-year-old batting sensation earned his first senior international call-up. Sooryavanshi was named in India's T20 squad for the tours to Ireland and England, and the Asian Games, after sweeping the batting honours in this year's Indian Premier League.

The upcoming World Cup promises new stars. While legends like Messi and Ronaldo have had their moments, the focus shifts to emerging talents. Spain's Lamine Yamal is a strong contender. France's Kylian Mbappe also looks set to shine. The tournament may reveal unexpected heroes, challenging established expectations. Players face a demanding schedule, testing their endurance for glory.

Mirra Andreeva has already come a long way from the heart of Siberia, but on Saturday she fulfilled her dream, aged just 19, when she beat Maja Chwalinska in the French Open women's final. Andreeva lived up to the hype, reaching the French Open third round and then the Wimbledon last 16.

Ajit Agarkar, BCCI's Senior Men's Selection Committee Chairman, revealed Suryakumar Yadav's removal as T20I captain and squad exclusion was a tough but necessary decision for the team's future. Shreyas Iyer has been appointed the new T20I captain, with Tilak Varma as his deputy, citing form and future direction as key factors.

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva has been crowned French Open champion. The 19-year-old defeated Maja Chwalinska in the final. Andreeva is the youngest women's singles champion since Monica Seles. The men's final will see Alexander Zverev face Flavio Cobolli. This tournament has been one of the most unpredictable in recent times.

The BCCI on Saturday named Shreyas Iyer as India's new T20I captain, replacing Suryakumar Yadav despite the latter leading the side to a historic ICC Men's T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year. India became the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title and also became the first team to achieve the feat on home soil.

India is exploring the possibility of playing three T20 Internationals against Sri Lanka during their upcoming tour for a two-Test series. The BCCI has also received a request from Nepal for an A team bilateral series.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced the India A squad for upcoming multi-day matches in Sri Lanka. Dhruv Jurel will captain the team, with Devdutt Padikkal as his deputy. These matches are scheduled to take place in Galle. The squad also features promising young talents and experienced players for the red-ball assignments.

Iran has accused the United States of political interference in sport after visa denials for some of its World Cup support staff. The Iranian embassy in Turkey stated that a large number of managerial and executive staff were denied entry, escalating discriminatory treatment. Iran's Football Federation plans to pursue the matter with FIFA, citing violations of its rules.

FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule: The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest ever with 48 teams. Hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament runs from June 11 to July 19. A new format includes 12 groups and a Round of 32 knockout stage. Indian fans can expect late-night match timings. India has not qualified for this edition.

Suryakumar Yadav's removal from India's T20I squad has surprised former chief selector MSK Prasad. He believes Yadav, like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, has been rested. Shreyas Iyer will captain the team for upcoming series in Ireland, England, and the Asian Games. Prasad also advocated for Rajat Patidar's inclusion and suggested Shivam Dube needed a break.

India dominated Day 1 of the Test against Afghanistan. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul scored centuries. Sai Sudharsan also contributed significantly. India reached a strong position of 368 for 3 wickets at stumps. Rishabh Pant is batting alongside Gill. The Indian team displayed excellent batting performance.

Indian cricketers Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya will not tour Ireland and England. The selection panel is prioritizing their fitness for Test and ODI formats. Bumrah will play in the Asian Games and focus on longer formats. Pandya will also be managed for one-day cricket. This strategy aims to ensure their availability for upcoming major tournaments.

Rain halted play at Lord's on Saturday, delaying England's pursuit of victory in the first Test against New Zealand. The Black Caps, reeling at 36-3, face a daunting 218-run target. Despite early interruptions, a brighter afternoon offers hope for an extended second session, potentially deciding the match's fate.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America will be the largest ever. It will also feature the widest age range of players, from 17-year-old Gilberto Mora to 43-year-old Craig Gordon. Legends like Cristiano Ronaldo will also participate. This tournament showcases a mix of emerging talent and seasoned veterans, promising an exciting spectacle for football fans worldwide.

World Cup grounds crews are preparing immaculate grass pitches for the upcoming tournament. They are converting artificial turf fields and managing diverse climates across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The effort ensures fair play for 48 teams and 104 matches. Advanced technology, including grow lights and hybrid reinforcement, is used to maintain the grass.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America is set to face extreme heat. Several host cities, especially in the southern United States, will likely experience high temperatures and humidity. Studies warn of serious risks to players and spectators. Some stadiums have cooling measures, but protection levels vary. This expanded tournament will feature a record 1,248 players from 48 nations.

India posted 209 for 2 at tea on day one of the Test against Afghanistan. Sai Sudharsan scored 81 and KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 81. Shubman Gill was batting on 20. The Rahul-Sudharsan partnership added 139 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a start. The Indian batsmen showed confidence on a flat track.

R Praggnanandhaa has made history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess title. The young Grandmaster secured the victory with a strong late surge in Oslo. He defeated world champion Magnus Carlsen twice and achieved four consecutive wins. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay congratulated Praggnanandhaa on his remarkable achievement on X.

Yashasvi Jaiswal has been called up to the Indian squad for the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan. He replaces Virat Kohli, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Kohli sustained the injury during the IPL finals. His availability for the subsequent England series remains uncertain. The BCCI has not provided a definitive timeline for his recovery.

The BCCI has revealed the India T20 squad for the 2026 England and Ireland tour. Shreyas Iyer will lead the team as captain, with Tilak Varma as his deputy. Young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has earned a place in the squad. The team features a mix of experienced and new players for the upcoming series.

Shreyas Iyer will captain India's 15-member squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, with Jasprit Bumrah and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also included. Sooryavanshi, the youngest ever Indian player, earned his spot after a stellar domestic season. The T20 squad blends experienced players with emerging talent.

Shreyas Iyer has been named captain of India's T20I team for upcoming tours of Ireland and England. This appointment marks a significant leadership transition. Iyer's consistent performance and proven leadership in franchise cricket have earned him this opportunity. He is expected to guide a young team and build on his legacy.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has etched his name in cricket history by becoming the youngest player to represent India, surpassing the long-held record of Sachin Tendulkar. This remarkable achievement at such a tender age has thrust the young prodigy into the national spotlight as he prepares for his debut.

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa achieved his career's biggest win at Norway Chess. He defeated world number one Magnus Carlsen twice. The tournament featured an exceptionally strong field. Praggnanandhaa's victory is a landmark for Indian chess. He adjusted his strategy to play faster chess. He plans fewer tournaments but will play next in the World Rapid Team Championship.