Page 4 - Sports News

UEFA head Ceferin faces criticism over Fifa World Cup expansion remarks

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin was criticised Sunday by soccer governing bodies in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean for allegedly saying the expanded 48-team World Cup creates uninteresting matches. The associations of Cape Verde, Congo, Curacao, Haiti, Jordan and Uzbekistan issued a joint statement they said was in solidarity with the federations of Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia. "Football does not belong to a select group of nations. Its strength comes from its universality," the statement said. "For many countries, participation in the FIFA World Cup is not only a sporting achievement. It is a moment that inspires a generation, accelerates football development and creates memories that last a lifetime." The statement didn't cite the comment by Ceferin. He was quoted by the Slovenian websites Zurnal 24 and Dosi as remarking on the subject last Monday at a conference in Ljubljana. "We have a huge number of matches that are complete

Dhiraj's road to archery World Cup double gold built on family sacrifice

Two years ago, Dhiraj Bommadevara walked away from Paris heartbroken after narrowly missing what would have been India's first Olympic archery medal. Leading 2-0 in the recurve mixed team semifinal alongside Ankita Bhakat, Dhiraj watched the match slip away against South Korea's Kim Woojin and Lim Sihyeon. But in Antalya on Sunday, Dhiraj stood atop the podium twice after scripting one of the finest days in Indian archery. The 24-year-old defeated arch-nemesis South Korea twice en route to a historic double gold haul at the Archery World Cup Stage 3 -- first in the recurve mixed team event alongside 17-year-old Kumkum Mohod and then individually against Paris Olympics bronze medallist Lee Woo Seok. Never before had the country won two gold medals at a World Cup stage, overcoming South Korea. The journey ========= For Dhiraj, however, this triumph was about something far more personal. It was the reward for his father's unusual decision to become an archery judge to support him

Australia edge Bangladesh with 1-wicket win in 3rd ODI to avoid sweep

Opener Cooper Connoly hit his maiden century as Australia overcame a six-wicket haul by pacer Shoriful Islam for a hard-fought one-wicket victory against Bangladesh in the third cricket one-day international to avoid a clean sweep on Sunday. The hosts won the first match by 86 runs and the second game by five wickets, both on the DLS method, to register their first ODI series victory against Australia. Chasing a target of 275, Connolly batted resolutely to hit 149 off 134 balls as Australia appeared set for a victory with ease. Connolly struck 13 fours and six sixes, including three sixes in a row against pacer Taskin Ahmed in the 45th over, an over in which he scored 21 runs to leave the side needing just 9 runs off 30 balls. Shoriful returned for his last spell and took three wickets in two overs to finish with a career-best 6-48, briefly raising the prospect of a Bangladesh victory. But Connolly anchored the innings throughout to bail the side out against a vaunted Bangladesh .

India stun Olympic champions Korea twice for historic World Cup double

A fearless new generation of Indian recurve archers announced its arrival in style on Sunday as India defeated archery powerhouse South Korea twice in a single day to secure a historic double gold haul at the Archery World Cup Stage 3 here. Paris Olympian Dhiraj Bommadevara emerged the star of the campaign, first combining with 17-year-old Kumkum Mohod to stun the Olympic champions in the recurve mixed team final before overcoming Paris Olympics bronze medallist Lee Woo Seok to clinch his maiden individual World Cup gold. It was the first time India had won two gold medals at a single World Cup stage by defeating South Korea, long considered their nemesis in recurve archery. The performance helped India finish second in medals tally behind China (three gold, one bronze), while Korea were pushed to fourth spot (1-2-1). Mexico were third. The twin triumphs also underlined India's new-found resurgence in the recurve section, where has now beaten the Koreans twice in successive World .

Diallo scores in 90th minute to lift Ivory Coast past Ecuador 1-0 in WC

Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute to lift Ivory Coast to a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in its first World Cup appearance in a dozen years. The teams combined to hit the crossbar three times before the Manchester United winger - who entered as a substitute in the 56th minute - broke through with a left-footed shot from just inside the penalty area that beat diving goalkeeper Hernan Galindez. Wilfried Singo set up the goal with a strong run down the right side. Making its fourth appearance in the World Cup and first since 2014, Ivory Coast took a step toward reaching the knockout stage for the first time. Ecuador saw its 19-game unbeaten streak end with its first loss since a 1-0 decision against Brazil on Sept. 6, 2024. Elye Wahi hit the crossbar in the 52nd minute for Ivory Coast after Ecuador's John Yeboah and Nilson Angulo did the same in the opening half. Ecuador, making its fifth World Cup appearance and looking to reach the knockout round for the second time, was playing a ..

Fifa World Cup 2026: Germany begin WC quest; Curacao make historic debut

Germany, four-time world champions, begin their campaign against World Cup debutants Curaçao, a Caribbean island of just 158,000 people and the smallest nation ever to reach football's biggest stage

India's Sports Passport: What it'll mean for football, Olympics and beyond

While discussions around overseas-origin athletes have existed for years, particularly in football, this is perhaps the first time the idea has been explored as part of a wider sports strategy.

Fifa WC 2026: Hwang inspires Korea comeback as Czechs wilt in Group A match

The result leaves the Koreans level on points with co-hosts Mexico, who defeated South Africa 2-0 in the tournament opener earlier in the day.

Rs 799 to watch Fifa World Cup on Zee5: Five things fans must know

Zee5 has introduced two dedicated subscription plans for the Fifa World Cup 2026: a quarterly Fifa World Cup 2026 + All Access pack priced at Rs 799 and an annual version costing Rs 1,699.

Six in 10 Indians plan to watch Fifa World Cup 2026: Ipsos survey

According to the Ipsos survey, 59 per cent of Indians plan to follow the Fifa World Cup 2026, placing India among the world's most engaged markets. Argentina leads global interest at 79 per cent.

Fifa's biggest payday: The economics behind Football World Cup 2026

More recent projections suggest FIFA's total revenue for the 2023-26 commercial cycle could reach $13 billion, with nearly $8.9 billion - or about two-thirds of the total - expected to come from the 2

Fifa World Cup 2026 begins in Mexico today amid growing controversies

Football World Cup 2026 opening ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10.30 pm IST today, while the opening match between Mexico and South Africa will start at 12.30 am IST on Friday.

FIFA World Cup: The beautiful game meets ugly realities before kick-off

Referees deported, players detained and fans denied entry - Football World Cup 2026 is already mired in controversies that have little to do with football.

Sumit credits Neeraj Chopra for helping him break record during Para games

Legendary Neeraj Chopra's priceless advice during the World Para Championship last year resulted in his world record-obliterating effort of 74.82m, said two-time Paralympic gold medallist Sumit Antil. Antil shattered his own world record of 73.29m by an incredible 1.53 metres in the men's javelin F64, to claim the gold at the 8th Indian Open Para Athletics International Championship in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The silver medalist -- Maharashtra's Sandip Sargar with 62.88m was almost 12 metres short of him. "Neeraj bhai guides me from time to time. He came to see my throw at the Para World Championship in New Delhi last year. He pointed out a few shortcomings to me. So, I am benefiting from that here," Antil told PTI in an exclusive Zoom interview from his hometown in Sonipat on Saturday. "My coach and Neeraj bhai are good friends, and they talk to each other about my technique. So, all of us together are breaking the world records again and again. And 75 metres for a para-athlete is

Odisha to host World and Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in 2028

Bhubaneswar's Kalinga Stadium will host the Asian and World Indoor Athletics Championships in 2028, boosting Odisha's stature as a global sports hub

How football quietly became India's second sporting obsession among youth

New audience research released by global leader in audience measurement and data analytics, Nielsen highlights the growing popularity of football in India, where the sport ranks just behind cricket.

India's Asian Games gold medallist Randhir Singh passes away aged 79

Veteran sports administrator and India's first shooting gold-medallist in Asian Games, Randhir Singh, died here on Wednesday after battling age-related ailments. He was 79 and had undergone hospitalisation for several days before breathing his last at his residence here. Singh recently quit his position as the President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) due to health issues. He was elected for a four-year term in 2024. "With deep sorrow, we share the sad news of the passing of Raja Randhir Singh, who left for his heavenly abode today, on 27th May 2026," Secretary of the National Rifles Association of India (NRAI), Rajiv Bhatia stated. "A distinguished Olympian, Arjuna Awardee, and one of the most respected sports administrators in India, Asia, and the International Olympic Committee, Raja Randhir Singh, made invaluable contributions to the development of shooting sports and the Olympic movement. "The National Rifle Association of India and the entire shooting fraternity mourn

Govt notifies rules for National Sports Tribunal, National Sports Board

The Sports Ministry on Tuesday notified the rules of operation for the soon-to-be-formed National Sports Tribunal (NST) and the National Sports Board (NSB), stating that a dedicated portal would be set up for submission of disputes and maintenance of legal records. In separate notifications addressing the roles of the two bodies, which will be formed under the National Sports Governance Act passed last year, the Sports Ministry reiterated that a search-cum-selection committee is in the process of being formed under the cabinet secretary. The National Sports Board, which will function as the central authority for granting recognition to National Sports Bodies and ensuring compliance with governance, financial and ethical standards, will comprise a Chairperson and two members. It will have a three-year term. The Tribunal's strength has not been specified by the government. The rules also incorporate techno-legal measures for digital implementation. "(These include) notification of a

Gurindervir Singh scripts history, clocks 10.09s in 100m at Federation Cup

The Federation Cup saw three national records being broken, with two of them falling within a span of just 30 minutes, underlining a remarkable day for Indian athletics

Enhanced Games: Everything to know about 'Steroid Olympics' in Las Vegas

The idea reportedly came from Australian entrepreneur Aron D'Souza after observing steroid use in gyms across the United States.