Sports

Empty Seats at World Cup Match Renews Concerns over Ticket Prices

Sports 11 June 2026, Mexico, Mexico city: A general view bfore the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match between Mexico and South Africa at the Azteca Stadium (Mexico City Stadium). Photo: Tom Weller/dpa

Empty Seats at World Cup Match Renews Concerns over Ticket Prices

FIFA reported an attendance of 44,985 for Thursday's World Cup match between South Korea and the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, but swathes of empty seats…

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Sports Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Belgium Training - Seattle Sounders FC Performance Center and Clubhouse, Renton, Washington, US - June 11, 2026 Belgium's Thibaut Courtois with Seattle Sounders' Max Anchor during training. (Reuters)

Belgium Keeper Courtois Thinking about Retiring from National Team after World Cup

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois ‌is thinking about ending his international career after the World Cup, he said on Thursday as his team prepared for…

Sports Sergej Barbarez, head coach of Bosnia and Herzegovina, attends the press conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Getty Images/AFP)

Bosnia Will Play with Hearts in World Cup Opener, Says Coach Barbarez

Bosnia and Herzegovina know they are underdogs heading into their World Cup Group B opener against co-hosts Canada, coach Sergej Barbarez said on Thursday, but…

Sports FILED - 08 June 2006, Berlin: FILE PHOTO - Brazilian soccer legend Brito attends at a press conference in Berlin. Photo: Jens Kalaene/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa

Brito, Who Helped Brazil Win the 1970 World Cup, Dies at 86

Brito, a center back on Brazil’s 1970 World Cup-winning team, has died at age 86. The Brazilian Football Confederation announced that Brito died Thursday. It…

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Sports Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group A - South Korea v Czech Republic - Estadio Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico - June 11, 2026 South Korea's Oh Hyeon-gyu scores their second goal REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

World Cup 2026: South Korea Coach Hails Team Unity after Comeback Win over Czechs

South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo said his team had followed his pre-match instructions to the letter after they staged a 2-1 comeback victory over the Czech…

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Sports CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 05: Lennart Karl of Germany looks on during a Team Germany Training session at Soldier Field on June 05, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images/AFP

Germany Starlet Karl Ruled Out of World Cup

Teenage Germany forward Lennart Karl has been ruled out of the World Cup after sustaining an injury in training, the German Football Federation (DFB) said on…

Sports Canada's head coach Jesse Marsch runs his drills during the selection camp for Canada’s national soccer team, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C., ahead of the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)

Co-hosts Canada Held by Ireland Ahead of World Cup

World Cup co-hosts Canada were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw with Ireland on Friday despite dominating their final warm-up friendly before the tournament…

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Sports Real Madrid's President Florentino Pérez presents his campaign for the club's elections, under the slogan "A lot of history yet to be made", in Madrid, Spain, 27 May 2026. (EPA)

Florentino Pérez Faces First Election for Real Madrid Leadership in 20 Years

For the first time in 20 years, Florentino Pérez's Real Madrid reign will be challenged at the ballot box. The world’s most valuable and most successful…

Sports Barcelona's Spanish forward #10 Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on April 11 , 2026. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP)

Barcelona Teenager Yamal Wins LaLiga Player of the Season Award

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has been named LaLiga Player of the season, the Spanish league announced on Friday. The 18-year-old helped Barca retain their…

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Sports 04 June 2026, Canada, Toronto: A General view of the Toronto Stadium, during a media tour one week ahead of the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Photo: Leonardo Ramirez/eyepix via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

FIFA Cancels Dozens of World Cup Tickets Issued for Free by Mistake

FIFA canceled World Cup tickets for about 60 fans who mistakenly received them for free because of a website error. The governing body's acknowledgment of the…

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Sports  Spain's coach Luis De La Fuente during an international friendly soccer match against Iraq in A Coruna, Spain, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP)

De la Fuente Pleased with Injury-Free Friendly as Spain Turn Focus to US

Coach Luis de la Fuente was ‌happy Spain came through their final home friendly without injuries and used the opportunity to hand debuts to several…

Sports  Ivory Coast's Amad Diallo, center, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the international friendly match between France and Ivory Coast in Nantes, France, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP)

France Brush Off Ivory Coast Loss, Call It Timely World Cup Reminder

France brushed aside concerns after ‌suffering a surprise 2-1 defeat by Ivory Coast in a World Cup warm-up match on Thursday, insisting the setback would…

Sports Iran's Saeid Ezatolahi, right, poses for a photo with a fan after a friendly soccer match between Iran and Mali, in Antalya, southern Türkiye, Thursday, June 4, 2026, ahead of the World Cup soccer tournament. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Iran Beats Mali in Last World Cup Warm-up Before Heading to Tijuana

Iran will head off to their World Cup base this weekend with a spring in their step after beating Mali 2-0 in a friendly in Türkiye on Thursday, even if some…

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Sports Football - International Friendly - Spain v Iraq - Riazor stadium, A Coruna, Spain - June 4, 2026 Iraq's Merchas Doski celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates. (Reuters)

Second-String Spain Held by Iraq in Low-Key World Cup Send-off

European champions Spain were ‌held to a 1-1 draw by Iraq in a World Cup warm-up in A Coruna on Thursday, with manager Luis de la Fuente resting several…

Sports (FILES) US player Serena Williams returns the ball to France's Harmony Tan during their women's singles tennis match on the second day of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 28, 2022. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

Serena Williams to Partner Canada's Victoria Mboko on Competitive Return at Queen's Club

Serena Williams will partner Canada's Victoria Mboko in her long-awaited return to professional tennis in the women's doubles at next week's Queen's Club…

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Sports (FILES) SSC Napoli head coach Antonio Conte reacts at the end of the Italian Serie A football match between Como and SSC Napoli at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia stadium in Como on May 2, 2026. (Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP)

Napoli Officially Announces Conte's Departure

Italian Serie A runners-up Napoli confirmed on Thursday that coach Antonio Conte will leave the club after two years with former AC Milan manager Massimiliano…

Sports FILE -Bobby Tambling, is seen on middle row, extreme left as the Chelsea football team pose for a group photograph at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground, London, May 12, 1967. (AP Photo/Frank Leonard Tewkesbury, File)

Bobby Tambling, Chelsea's Former All-time Leading Goal Scorer, Dies at 84

Bobby Tambling, the Chelsea great who held the English club’s all-time scoring record for decades, has died. He was 84. Tambling's death was confirmed…

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Sports FIFA World Cup signage is displayed at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles, California, USA, 03 June 2026. EPA/CHRIS TORRES

FIFA Bans Reusable Bottles at World Cup Venues Citing Safety Concerns

Attendees of the World Cup will not be allowed to carry reusable water bottles into venues due to safety concerns, FIFA said on Thursday, following a last…

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Sports FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - Liverpool v Paris St Germain - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - April 14, 2026 Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate reacts Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith/File Photo/File Photo

Konate Opens Up on Depression after Deaths of Jota and Father

France defender Ibrahima Konate said on Wednesday he battled depression following the deaths of Liverpool teammate Diogo Jota and his father while continuing…

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Sports Spanish national soccer player Lamine Yamal attends the training session of the team in Las Rozas, Madrid, Spain, 31 May 2026. (EPA)

Spain Coach Confident Lamine Yamal Will Be Fit for World Cup Opener

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente expects Lamine Yamal to be fit to play in the team's World Cup opener. De la Fuente said Wednesday that Yamal will not play in…

Sports  Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus walks off the court after the quarterfinal tennis match against Russia's Diana Shnaider at the French Open in Paris, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP)

Sabalenka Implodes as Shnaider Books French Open Semi with Chwalinska

Aryna Sabalenka saw her golden opportunity to claim a maiden French Open title go by on Wednesday as the world number one fell into a "deep, dark hole" against…

Sports  Brazil's forward Endrick attends a training session at the Granja Comary training center in Teresopolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 29, 2026, ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. (AFP)

5 Up-And-Coming Teenagers Who Could Emerge at the World Cup

Some famous teenagers have had their breakthrough moment at the World Cup, including Pelé, who became one of football's all-time greats. Pelé was 17 when he…

Sports FILE PHOTO: File Photo: Soccer Football - International Friendly - Iran v Gambia - Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya, Türkiye - May 29, 2026  Iran players REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo/File Photo

Iran to Play World Cup Warm-up Behind Closed Doors

Iran will play their final World Cup warm-up behind closed doors in Türkiye on Thursday before departing for their tournament base in Mexico on Saturday, the…

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Sports Formula One F1 - Canadian Grand Prix - Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, Quebec, Canada - May 22, 2026 Ferrari's Charles Leclerc arrives ahead of practice. (Reuters)

Leclerc Staying with Ferrari for Years to Come

Charles Leclerc will race for Ferrari for years to come after the Italian Formula One team announced a long-term contract extension on Wednesday ahead of his…

Sports Jun 2, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Brazil midfielder Casemiro speaks to media after arriving for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Newark Liberty International Airport. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-Imagn Images

Casemiro Says Not Being Favorites at World Cup Will Keep Brazil on their Toes

Brazil midfielder Casemiro believes being a "step behind" other World Cup favorites could actually work in the team's favor when the tournament kicks off next…

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Sports  Morocco's players celebrate after Morocco's #11 Ismael Saibari (R) scored his teams' first goal during the friendly football match between Morocco and Madagascar at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on June 2, 2026. (AFP)

Saibari Nets Double as Morocco Hit Four in World Cup Warm-up

Ismael Saibari scored twice as Morocco eased to a 4-0 victory over Madagascar in a friendly on Tuesday, delivering a confident performance ahead of the World…

Sports (FILES) Former England footballer David Beckham (L) poses next to his wife singer and fashion designer Victoria Beckham (R) with his medal after being appointed as a Knight Bachelor (Knighthood) for services to sport and charity at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on November 4, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Matthews / POOL / AFP)

David Beckham to Get Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Football superstar David Beckham is to be honored with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, organizers announced Tuesday, as the United States readies to host…

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Sports Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP)

Algeria Hope to Turn Talent into Results on World Cup Return

Algeria return to ‌the World Cup for the first time since 2014 carrying the familiar mix of promise, pressure and unpredictability that has long defined…

Sports Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Third Round - Group B - South Korea v Jordan - Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea - March 25, 2025 Jordan coach Jamal Sellami before the match. (Reuters)

Forward Al‑Tamari Headlines Jordan’s First World Cup Squad

Jordan coach Jamal Sellami has announced his 26-man squad for the World Cup in North America, the country’s first appearance in the tournament. Sellami will…