The Times of India

Africa is celebrating its finest FIFA World Cup performance, with a record nine nations advancing to the Round of 32. Morocco, South Africa, and Senegal are among the teams making history. Debutants DR Congo secured their first-ever World Cup win, while Cabo Verde continued their fairytale run by progressing without a group stage victory. This marks a significant leap for African football on the global stage.

DR Congo's iconic football fan, Lumumba Vea, missed a crucial World Cup match against Uzbekistan due to a US visa denial. Known for his unique tribute to Patrice Lumumba, his absence was felt, though the team secured a historic 3-1 victory, advancing to the Round of 32 for the first time. His journey to the tournament was already hampered by travel restrictions.

Argentina concluded their group stage with a perfect record, defeating Jordan 3-1. Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez found the net before Lionel Messi, coming off the bench, added a historic free-kick goal. This victory secured Argentina's top spot in Group J, setting them up for a Round of 32 clash against Cape Verde.

James Rodrguez became Colombias all-time World Cup appearance leader during the 2026 draw with Portugal, marking his 11th tournament game. The milestone came as Colombia topped Group K unbeaten, with James once again pulling the creative strings. Despite a VAR disallowed late goal, Colombias dominance ensured progress, adding another historic chapter to their captains enduring World Cup legacy.

Lionel Messi etched his name in World Cup history, becoming the first player to score in seven consecutive matches with a stunning free-kick against Jordan. This remarkable goal, his 19th in the tournament, extended his all-time scoring record. The Argentine captain, rested for the start, came off the bench to secure a 3-1 victory, showcasing his enduring impact on the global stage.

Colombia topped Group K at the 2026 World Cup after a historic 0-0 draw with Portugal in Miami, their first ever goalless match in 23 World Cup games. Despite dominating chances and forcing Diogo Costa into multiple saves, they were held by Cristiano Ronaldos side. The result confirmed both teams progression, with Colombia finishing unbeaten group leaders.

Colombia topped Group K at the 2026 World Cup after a dominant but goalless draw with Portugal in Miami. Despite 26 shots and relentless pressure, Diogo Costas heroics and a late VAR offside call denied a winner. Ronaldo was largely contained as James Rodrguez orchestrated play for Colombia. Both teams advance, but Colombia finish unbeaten group leaders.

Born months after the Fukushima nuclear disaster forced his parents to leave Japan, Ethan Vaz's journey to becoming India's 96th Grandmaster at just 14 has been defined by sacrifice and remarkable family support. From replacing cartoons with chess to navigating financial uncertainty, Ethan's rise mirrors both extraordinary talent and a family's all-in pursuit of a dream.

England decisively ended New Zealand's Women's T20 World Cup reign with a nine-wicket victory. Opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge starred with an unbeaten 89, powering England's chase after New Zealand posted 163/6. Wyatt-Hodge's stellar performance also saw her break the tournament record for most runs in a single edition. The defeat marked the end of international careers for New Zealand veterans Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, and Lea Tahuhu.

Indian cricket captain Shubman Gill recently shared a memorable encounter with football legend Ronaldinho at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States. This meeting of sporting icons has captivated fans online. Gill's career is soaring, having recently reached No. 2 in the ICC ODI batting rankings. Meanwhile, Ronaldinho is making headlines again with a new signing in Italian football.

Former captain Dilip Vengsarkar believes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has a bright international future, urging him to emulate Sachin Tendulkar's discipline and focus. Despite not debuting against Ireland yet, Sooryavanshi's IPL success has drawn comparisons to Tendulkar. Vengsarkar is confident the young batter will seize his opportunity, highlighting his immense potential and unique style, though cautioning that his Test capabilities remain to be seen.

Portugal face Colombia in a decisive Group K clash at the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Cristiano Ronaldo set to start as Roberto Martnezs side chase top spot. Colombia, led by James Rodrguez, have already qualified after two wins. Ronaldo arrives in form after a record-breaking goal, while Colombia aim to finish unbeaten and secure first place.

Liverpool and Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo has requested privacy after he and partner Noa van der Bij announced the loss of their unborn son during pregnancy. The couple shared the heartbreaking news while Gakpo remains with the Netherlands squad at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Despite personal grief, he had featured in all group games as Netherlands topped Group F.

On Oct. 6, 2005, roughly 17 Minnesota Vikings players chartered two houseboats on Lake Minnetonka during a bye week. What followed became one of the most notorious scandals in NFL history. Two decades on, the Love Boat scandal is back in conversation, here's exactly what happened, who was charged, and how it ended.

Ireland achieved a historic six-wicket victory over the West Indies in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, ending a 21-match losing streak. Orla Prendergast's brilliant 63 anchored the chase, securing Ireland's first-ever tournament win. This result significantly impacts the semifinal race, offering New Zealand a chance to advance. The win follows a memorable weekend for Irish cricket.

Starting the day on 113 for 2, Sri Lanka A looked well placed and reached 300 for 5 before Nabi changed the game with the second new ball. The Jammu and Kashmir seamer picked up four wickets as Sri Lanka A were bowled out for 330.

Kerala's Ancy Sojan created history by breaking Anju Bobby George's 22-year-old national long jump record with a leap of 6.88m at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar. In another landmark achievement, Sarvesh Kushare set a new national high jump record of 2.31m, surpassing Tejaswin Shankar's previous mark of 2.29m.

In the first T20I against Ireland, he bowled only one over, introduced in the 16th over of the innings, and later scored 9 off 12 balls after coming in at No. 6.

Lukaku reached the milestone during Belgium's comfortable win, which helped them finish at the top of Group G.

Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is making waves in Indian cricket after a stellar IPL 2026 and a record-breaking List A innings. Despite a maiden T20I call-up for the Ireland tour, he was benched for the first match. Teammate Abhishek Sharma praised his eagerness to learn, while the team's batting struggles in the opener have intensified calls for Sooryavanshi's debut.

The Global Chess League (GCL) Season 4 Player Draft will be held in Mumbai on June 29, with the tournament set to take place in Bengaluru from September 3-13. World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen returns after missing last season, while FIDE Women's World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh will make her debut. The player pool features 36 Grandmasters, including Viswanathan Anand and Ian Nepomniachtchi.

Marcelo Bielsa's future as Uruguay coach is under pressure after the team's early exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026. Uruguay failed to win a match in Group H, drawing against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde before losing 1-0 to Spain. Bielsa also drew attention after reacting angrily to a journalist, before later accepting responsibility for the disappointing campaign.

Sunday's matches will decide which teams from Group A reach the semi-finals. South Africa, on six points, will face Bangladesh, who have four points. India, also on six points, will then take on unbeaten Australia, who have eight points.

Following India's T20I loss to Ireland, former player Sanjay Manjrekar warns Sanju Samson about the rising competition. With young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on the horizon, Samson faces pressure to perform. While Sooryavanshi's talent is acknowledged, Manjrekar suggests he might not have single-handedly altered the game's outcome, emphasizing the difficulty of the chase and the current lack of openings at the top of the order.

Dilip Vengsarkar shares his views on Rohit Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Iyer and Sarfaraz Khan

The two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has already confirmed his participation in the Commonwealth Games, and the AFI has now made it clear that he will also be part of India's campaign at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.

Iran's football team garnered admiration for their sportsmanship, leaving a heartfelt message in the dressing room after their World Cup draw against Egypt. The note emphasized respect and fair play over victory. This follows a similar gesture after their match against Belgium. On the field, Egypt achieved a historic World Cup knockout stage qualification with the 1-1 draw.

Excitement mounts for 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's potential India debut in the second T20I against Ireland. Despite his talent, the team management, including captain Shreyas Iyer and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, opted for experienced players in the series opener. While Sooryavanshi's chance is anticipated, the focus remains on balancing opportunities with rewarding in-form players.

Teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is making waves, even before his India debut. Rajasthan Royals coach Kumar Sangakkara shared anecdotes highlighting the 15-year-old's remarkable confidence and fearless approach. Sangakkara recounted how Sooryavanshi predicted a chase victory and fearlessly took on Jofra Archer in nets, leaving seasoned players stunned by his audacious talent.

Despite anticipation for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's debut, India's management retained their established opening pair against Ireland. Veteran spinner Ravi Ashwin endorsed this, emphasizing the learning value of observing from the sidelines. He stressed that rushing the young talent isn't beneficial, highlighting that patience and understanding team dynamics are crucial for a long, successful career, even if it means serving in a support role initially.

France topped Group I with a 4-1 win over Norway at the FIFA World Cup 2026, led by Ousmane Dembls first-half hat-trick. The match was overshadowed by Didier Deschamps absence following his mothers death and FIFAs rejection of tribute requests from France. Despite the emotional backdrop, France dominated, while Norway also progressed to the Round of 32.

India's Women's T20 World Cup semi-final hopes are bright after a win against Bangladesh. Currently second in Group A, a victory against unbeaten Australia on Sunday will likely secure their spot. Even with a loss, India could still advance depending on other results, though a significant win margin against Australia would be beneficial. The team's focus remains on a strong performance against the formidable Australian side.

Cape Verde completed a historic FIFA World Cup 2026 debut by reaching the Round of 32 after three draws, finishing second in Group H behind Spain. A 0-0 result against Saudi Arabia, combined with Spains win over Uruguay, sealed qualification. The debutants became the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout stage, setting up a clash with Argentina.

Spain topped Group H with a 1-0 win over Uruguay, secured by lex Baenas first-half goal after a costly Fernando Muslera error. Despite Uruguays late pressure and a few clear chances, Spains control and discipline proved decisive. The result sends Spain into the Round of 32 unbeaten, while Uruguay exit after a wasteful, inconsistent group-stage campaign.

Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's India debut is still pending, but the focus shifted to Ireland's historic 34-run victory in the first T20I. Despite the loss, Shreyas Iyer vowed a strong comeback. Ireland's debutants impressed, with Jai Moondra and Matt Hollard making immediate impacts, while Abhishek Sharma's quickfire fifty wasn't enough for India.

Ireland secured a historic 34-run victory over reigning T20 World Cup champions India in the first T20I at Belfast. Despite a blistering 50 off 20 balls from Abhishek Sharma, India faltered, failing to adapt to the conditions. Ireland posted 182/9, with Lorcan Tucker leading the charge. India were bowled out for 148, giving Ireland a 1-0 series lead.

To manage Lionel Messi's workload, Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni has decided to bench the captain for the last Group J match against Jordan. This tactical choice comes after their team has already clinched the top position, focusing instead on keeping Messi fit for the intense knockout stages, especially following his notable injury and outstanding performances.

Shreyas Iyer made a historic captaincy debut for India in T20Is after a significant 63-match absence, the longest such gap before leading the nation. At 31, he also became the third-oldest Indian T20I captain and the most experienced before his debut. Opting to field first in Belfast, Iyer confirmed the 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi would have to wait for his international bow, prioritising team balance.

In a groundbreaking achievement, Yuto Nagatomo has made history as the first Asian footballer to play in five FIFA World Cups. At 39, the Japanese defender's extraordinary career began in 2010, culminating in his appearance at the 2026 tournament. Nagatomo's relentless dedication and fitness now align him with legends like Ronaldo and Messi, marking a significant milestone for Asian representation in global football.

Michael Vaughan questioned India's decision to bench Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after their surprising T20I loss to Ireland. Despite a strong bowling performance initially, Ireland posted 182, with late hitting proving crucial. India's chase faltered, with only Abhishek Sharma showing brief resistance, ultimately falling short by 34 runs. The defeat has sparked debate over team selection, particularly the omission of the young batting prodigy.

FIFA has invited all 211 member associations, including Russia, to the inaugural Under-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan, marking a potential first step toward reintegration after more than four years of suspension from senior competitions following the Ukraine invasion. While senior bans remain in place, the move signals a gradual shift, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino open to revisiting Russias exclusion.

India's T20 World Cup reign began with a shock 34-run defeat to Ireland in Belfast, continuing a bizarre trend of recent champions losing their first T20I post-victory. Ireland's bowlers, including debutants, stifled India's chase after a competitive 182. This historic win for Ireland marks a disappointing start for new Indian captain Shreyas Iyer and extends an unusual statistic for T20 World Cup holders.