The Economic Times

Initial skepticism about the U.S. co-hosting the World Cup is giving way to positive experiences for international fans. Discoveries of American hospitality, unique retail culture, and friendly locals are emerging, even in less-visited cities. While some concerns like heat and high costs persist, these personal encounters are reshaping perceptions of the United States, potentially boosting its global image.

Brazil secured their place in the knockout stage of the World Cup with a dominant 3-0 victory over Haiti. Matheus Cunha was the star of the show, netting a brace, while Vinicius Junior contributed with a goal and an assist. The win guarantees Brazil's progression, while Haiti becomes the first team eliminated from the tournament.

The United States secured their spot in the World Cup knockout stage with a convincing 2-0 victory over Australia. An early own goal and a header from Alex Freeman sealed the win, showcasing the US's dominant performance. Despite Australia's attempts to rally in the second half, the US maintained control, advancing with a game to spare and positioning themselves to top Group D.

Ismael Saibari's lightning-fast goal, just 72 seconds into the match, secured a crucial 1-0 victory for Morocco against Scotland. This win keeps Morocco's hopes alive for a second consecutive World Cup knockout stage appearance. Despite a strong effort from Scotland, Morocco's early offensive pressure proved decisive. Both teams now look ahead to their final group stage matches.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 race heats up on June 20 with crucial group-stage matches. Favorites Brazil and Netherlands seek their first wins, while USA and Australia aim to solidify their knockout stage prospects. Scotland faces Morocco in a key clash, and Trkiye and Paraguay battle for their initial points. The Netherlands and Sweden's encounter promises high stakes for qualification.

If staying up through the night to watch the FIFA World Cup has left you sleep-deprived, you're far from alone. Around 56% of the world's populationlargely across Asia and the Pacificlives in time zones where matches in the North America-hosted tournament kick off at inconvenient hours. An ET analysis of the last 15 FIFA World Cups explores whether history offers any clues or parallels.

Neeraj Chopra commenced his 2026 season with a fourth-place finish at the Doha Diamond League, also securing Commonwealth Games qualification. This follows his second-place finish at the 2025 Diamond League. Despite a rare dip at the Tokyo World Championships, Chopra's 2025 season was marked by a historic 90.23m throw in Doha and multiple victories, solidifying his status as a national icon.

Johan Manzambi's impactful substitute performance, scoring twice, secured Switzerland's 4-1 World Cup victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 20-year-old midfielder expressed his elation at netting his career-first brace on the global stage, crediting his coach's advice to let my talent shine. Coach Murat Yakin lauded Manzambi's versatility and unpredictability, hinting at a potential starting role for the dynamic player who aims to build on this success.

India is sending 125-130 athletes to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, competing in eight able-bodied and four para sports. This scaled-down event follows Victoria's withdrawal, with Glasgow stepping in as host. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is also planning for the much larger Asian Games and remains in dialogue with the IOC regarding India's 2036 Olympic bid.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has urged the UIDAI to permanently preserve Aadhaar date-of-birth update histories, citing rampant age fraud. Following the disqualification of around 500 wrestlers for being overage at a recent tournament, the WFI highlighted instances where birth dates were allegedly altered by several years. The federation seeks stricter measures to prevent such modifications, emphasizing the critical need for transparency in sports.

India is aiming to host Formula 1 by 2030. The country also plans to bring MotoGP and a World Rally Championship round by 2028. The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India is working with the Sports Ministry on this. The focus is on developing Indian drivers and motorsports infrastructure.

Kunal Upreti, also known as Spark, is the only Indian player to qualify for the Esports World Cup in Trackmania. He secured his spot through the Asia and Oceania qualifiers. Spark will represent India and his organization S8UL at the prestigious tournament. Trackmania is a highly skilled racing esports title.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has stated that discussions regarding India's 2027 World Cup plans are confidential. He emphasized that strategic decisions are made by all stakeholders and are not for public disclosure. Saikia also clarified that the BCCI follows the Indian government's policy on bilateral sporting events, irrespective of the political situation in other countries.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah will visit Colombo to meet President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with Sri Lanka Cricket's interim committee appointment high on the agenda. The ICC views the committee as contrary to its rules and has reportedly urged democratic elections for SLC's governance. This follows a previous ICC suspension due to government interference.

India's Olympic body is tackling doping with a new medical panel. Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala will lead the initiative. The panel will work with sports federations to educate athletes. This comes after India's poor anti-doping record. Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra is also involved in athlete education. The focus is on patience and hard work for success.

Neeraj Chopra's foundation has partnered with the Indian Olympic Association to launch an anti-doping campaign, aiming to educate athletes. Chopra emphasized patience and the long-term dedication required for success, sharing his personal commitment to clean sport. This initiative comes as India has led the WADA list of dope offenders for three consecutive years.

Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could spark a Test cricket revival, according to former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth. Srikkanth urged fans to avoid over-analyzing the youngster's performances. Sooryavanshi has earned a maiden call-up to the Indian T20 squad for tours of Ireland and England. Srikkanth believes Sooryavanshi's aura and ability to attract audiences are remarkable.

India aims for significant scores from KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the final ODI against Afghanistan. Jaiswal seeks a big knock to secure his top-order spot amidst competition. Rahul faces a shift in batting position due to team combination changes. Harshit Rana joins the squad, potentially replacing Arshdeep Singh. Afghanistan seeks to end the series with a stronger performance.

Qatar faced its worst World Cup night with a 6-0 loss to Canada. The team played with nine men after two red cards. A serious injury to Canadian player Ismael Kone cast a shadow over the game. Despite the heavy defeat, Qatar can still advance. They play Bosnia-Herzegovina next.

World Cup fans face major ticket troubles. Many are missing games after buying from resale sites like StubHub. Tickets are not transferring to FIFA's app. Some sellers may not have had tickets. FIFA blames resale platforms, while StubHub points to FIFA's technology. Fans are left disappointed and out of pocket.

Tim Payne, a New Zealand defender, will play for Club Olimpia in Paraguay. Payne gained viral fame after a soccer influencer highlighted him. This led to interest from clubs across South America. He has signed a one-year deal with Olimpia. Payne expressed excitement about testing himself in top South American competitions. Olimpia is a major club with a rich history.

During a hard-fought battle in Atlanta, South Africa and the Czech Republic ended their clash in a 1-1 stalemate. Teboho Mokoena's late penalty salvaged a point for South Africa after an opening goal from Michal Sadilek put the Czechs ahead. This result ensures that both teams remain in contention for a spot in the World Cup knockout rounds.

Mexico secured a 1-0 victory over South Korea to top Group A. Luis Romo scored the decisive goal in the second half after a goalkeeping error. Mexico will now face Czech Republic in the knockout stage. South Korea, with three points, will play South Africa. The win guarantees Mexico's progression.

Canada achieved a historic 6-0 victory over Qatar, marking their first-ever World Cup win. Jonathan David was the star, netting a hat-trick in a dominant performance. The team's triumph, fueled by goals from David, Larin, and Saliba, alongside a Qatar own goal, saw them secure crucial points in Group B. Despite an injury concern, Canada's historic achievement resonated deeply.

Colombian footballer Luis Diaz celebrated a goal and assist in his World Cup debut. This moment marked a significant achievement after his father's recent kidnapping and subsequent release. Diaz's performance, watched by his father, signifies a personal triumph. He expressed feeling at ease and at his best, achieving a long-held dream.

Cristiano Ronaldo's missed chances in Portugal's draw against DR Congo fuel debate about his current form. Coach Roberto Martinez defended the forward, emphasizing his experience and ability to attract defenders. Ronaldo's place in the starting lineup remains a talking point as Portugal prepares for upcoming matches against Uzbekistan and Colombia.

Mexico vs Korea Republic FIFA World Cup 2026 lineup: Mexico and South Korea clash in a vital World Cup Group A match following opening wins. Both teams aim to secure a strong position for the knockout stage, with Mexico's possession play set against South Korea's pace and counter-attacks. This fixture promises an exciting tactical battle and a chance for a breakout star to shine.

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.