Omar Artan and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino During a press conference on Wednesday before the opening match of the expanded 48-team World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the case of Somali referee Omar Artan. Artan was set to become the first Somali official to work at a World Cup. However, he was denied entry…
Cristiano Ronaldo wastes easy opportunities (Screengrab) Portugal wrapped up their FIFA World Cup preparations with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in a friendly match, but it was not a perfect evening for Cristiano Ronaldo.The veteran forward had several good chances to score but failed to find the net. Ronaldo, who holds the men’s record for…
NEW DELHI: Argentina’s preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 were overshadowed by a reported security lapse that exposed the passport details of every player in the squad, including captain Lionel Messi.According to Reuters, the passport numbers appeared on an official team sheet that was distributed ahead of Argentina’s friendly against Iceland in Alabama. The…
The 2026 FIFA World Cup (Getty Images) The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest tournament in football history, featuring 48 teams, 104 matches and three host nations. It will also be the most lucrative. FIFA has approved a record financial package worth $871 million for the tournament in the United States, Canada and…
India’s women shone at the Australian Open Super 500 badminton tournament on Wednesday, with PV Sindhu leading the charge and teenager Tanvi Sharma registering a notable win to reach the second round.Sindhu, Tanvi Sharma, Malvika Bansod, Isharani Baruah and Tanya Hemanth all advanced to the women’s singles round of 16. However, it was a disappointing…
NEW DELHI: For years, football fans have tried all sorts of ways to predict World Cup winners. Some trusted expert opinions, others believed in superstitions, and many still remember Paul the Octopus, who became famous for correctly predicting match results during the 2010 World Cup.Now, a group of statisticians has used artificial intelligence to make…
India’s T20 revolution had many contributors, but Surya was one of its most visible faces and its clearest expression. In a move that was as unceremonious as it was unprecedented, Suryakumar Yadav was not only removed from India’s T20 captaincy but also dropped from the squad itself, just three months after he led India to…
Referee Omar Artan, center, of Somalia, is confronted by players after calling a penalty kick during the CAF Champions League final soccer match between AS FAR Rabat and Mamelodi Sundowns, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo) Somalian referee Omar Artan, who was set to become the first official from his country to…
Ben Stokes will miss England’s second Test against New Zealand at The Oval following the nightclub incident in London, with Joe Root set to lead the side as interim captain.Stokes has been left out of the squad along with fast bowler Gus Atkinson after the pair breached the team’s midnight curfew in the early hours…
Lionel Messi (Screengrab) Lionel Messi put any lingering concerns about his fitness to rest on Tuesday, marking his return from injury with a goal as Argentina defeated Iceland 3-0 in their final warm-up match before the FIFA World Cup 2026.The Argentina captain, who had been sidelined after suffering muscle fatigue and a minor strain in…
