Sports

Portugal Changes How No. 7 Is Written to Honor Cristiano Ronaldo

Sports Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the 1-2 goal during the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Hungary, in Budapest, Hungary, 09 September 2025. (EPA)

Portugal Changes How No. 7 Is Written to Honor Cristiano Ronaldo

The Portugal football team is making a change to how the No. 7 is written to honor the recently-retired Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo, who wore the number and…

Sports Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho waves during Ravenna FC’s team presentation for the 2026-27 season in Marina di Ravenna, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. (AFP)

Ronaldinho Poised for Ravenna Start and, Perhaps, One Last Goal

Ronaldinho will roll back the years this weekend when the 46-year-old Brazilian starts his first competitive match in over a decade, and in the unlikely…

Sports Mirra Andreeva plays Diana Shnaider during day six of the FAGE WTA Finals at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on November 13, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

Andreeva Says She Is Learning to Move on Faster from Defeats After WTA Finals Sweep

Mirra Andreeva said she has learned to recover more quickly from setbacks after the Russian teenager completed an unbeaten run through the WTA Finals round…

Sports  Uruguay's players celebrate after Argentina's Leonardo Balerdi scored an own goal during an international friendly soccer match in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. (AP)

Uruguay Beats Argentina 2-1 in the First Match Since Messi’s Retirement

The post-Messi era began with an Argentina defeat on Friday. Argentina fell 2-1 to Uruguay on Friday in an international friendly at La Bombonera in Buenos…

Sports Elina Svitolina of Ukraine serves to Aryna Sabalenka during day six of the FAGE WTA Finals at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on November 13, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

Svitolina Stuns Sabalenka to Reach WTA Finals Semis

Elina Svitolina overwhelmed Aryna Sabalenka in the deciding set to seal a 6-3 3-6 6-1 upset on Friday to reach the semi-finals of the season-ending WTA Finals…


Sports Supporters wave for Norway's national football team at Radhusplassen in Oslo after their return to Norway from the US on July 13, 2026. (AFP)

Norway Turn World Cup Heartbreak into Celebration as Huge Crowds Pack Capital

More than 100,000 fans flooded the streets of the Norwegian capital Oslo on Monday to give their football team a heroes' welcome, turning the heartbreak of…

Sports  Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Spain Press Conference - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US - July 13, 2026 Spain coach Luis De La Fuente during the press conference. (Reuters)

Lamine’s Great World Cup Day Still to Come, Says Spain’s De la Fuente

Spain coach Luis de la ‌Fuente has told Lamine Yamal to pack away the birthday candles and any nerves, saying the teenager's grandest World Cup moment may…

Sports Lionel Messi of Argentina holds an Argentinian football pennant ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals match Argentina vs Switzerland, in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, 11 July 2026.  EPA/CHRISTOPHER NEUNDORF

Messi Meets England at Last with World Cup Final Place on the Line

Lionel Messi has done just about everything possible in a glorious career, but the 39-year-old Argentinian great has never taken on England -- he will finally…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Spain Press Conference - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US - July 13, 2026 Spain's Lamine Yamal during the press conference REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

France and Spain Prepare to Duel at World Cup

France's exciting attack led by Kylian Mbappe take on a technically accomplished Spain team in the first semi-final of the World Cup on Tuesday. France have…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Andoni Iraola, the new manager for English Premier League football side Liverpool, poses as he meets the media at the team's training ground in Kirkby, Liverpool, north-west England on July 13, 2026. (AFP)

Iraola Vows to Remain True to Himself at Liverpool

Andoni Iraola said on Monday he wants to enjoy the "magic" linked with being the manager of Liverpool but is determined his Anfield appointment does not change…

Sports The then-Chelsea’s player Andrey Santos celebrates after scoring during a Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Tottenham in London, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wiggleswort, File)

Manchester United Signs Andrey Santos from Chelsea to Fill Midfield Hole Left by Casemiro

Manchester United has a Brazilian presence in central midfield again after signing Andrey Santos from Chelsea on Monday to replace the departed Casemiro. …

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports A firefighter sprays water from an aerial platform onto the roof of the Badminton Theater as smoke rises following a fire, in Athens, Greece, July 12, 2026. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

Former Athens Olympic Hall Gutted by Fire

Fire has severely damaged a badminton hall built for the Athens 2004 Olympics, causing the roof to cave in. The fire department said it sent nearly 40…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Cruz Hewitt of Australia returns the ball to Jordan Lee of the United States in the boy's singles final at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Sunday, July 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Cruz Hewitt Sets Sights on Playing Australian Open after Losing Wimbledon Boys' Final

After being beaten by American Jordan Lee in Sunday's Wimbledon boys' final, Lleyton Hewitt's son Cruz said his next goal is to make the men’s main draw of the…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe are on a World Cup collision course as Spain take on France in the semi-finals on Tuesday. Patrick T. FALLON, Angela WEISS / AFP

Yamal Aims to Steal Mbappe's World Cup Thunder in Semi-final Showdown

Lamine Yamal is hoping to emulate Kylian Mbappe by winning the World Cup as a teenager, but first his Spain side will have to get the better of France and…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports FILED - 22 June 2026, US, East Rutherford: FILE PHOTO - Senegal coach Pape Thiaw looks dejected after the 2026 FIFA World Cup group I soccer match between Norway and Senegal at the New York New Jersey Stadium. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa

Senegal Fire Coach after World Cup Elimination

Senegal have terminated the contract of head coach Pape Thiaw after the country's elimination in the 2026 World Cup. The Senegalese Football Federation…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 04: Ibrahima Konate #15 of France arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Paraguay and France at Philadelphia Stadium on July 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dan Mullan/Getty Images/AFP

France Do Not Fear Spain but Respect their Quality, Players Say

France are not afraid of Spain going into their World Cup semi-final on Tuesday, defender Ibrahima Konate said on Sunday, but they are conscious of their…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Alpecin - Premier Tech team's Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel celebrates on the podium after winning the 9th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 154,6 km between Malemort and Ussel in central France, on July 12, 2026. (Photo by Loic VENANCE / AFP)

Van der Poel Wins Shortened Tour de France 9th Stage

Cobbled classics specialist Mathieu van der Poel won his third Tour de France stage on Sunday with victory in the ninth stage, which was shortened due to…

Asharq Al Awsat (Paris)
Sports Swiss supporters react after Switzerland's defeat by Argentina in their 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final match in Geneva, Switzerland, 12 July 2026.  EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI

Swiss Fans Salute Team after World Cup Run Ends in Defeat by Argentina

Swiss soccer fans saluted their team in the early hours of Sunday after their World Cup run came to an end with a 3-1 defeat by Argentina in the quarter-finals…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Jude Bellingham celebrates England's victory over Norway in a World Cup quarterfinal soccer match in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

England, Argentina Set Up World Cup Showdown after Quarter-final Wins

England and Argentina set up a blockbuster World Cup semi-final showdown on Saturday after battling past Norway and Switzerland to book their passage to the…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports  Cape Verde's Vozinha celebrates after the match in Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, US, June 15, 2026. (Reuters)

African Results Justify World Cup Slots Increase Amid Criticism

When four-time World Cup winners Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 tournament, then head coach Gennaro Gattuso lamented that Africa had so many places at…

Sports England's forward #09 Harry Kane gives an MD-1 press conference at Miami Stadium in Miami on July 10, 2026, on the eve of the 2026 World Cup football tournament quarter-final match between Norway and England. (AFP)

‘Beast’ Haaland a Different Player to Me, Says Kane

England captain Harry Kane labelled Erling Haaland "a machine" but said he and Norway's "beast" of a number nine are completely different players as they…

Sports Ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup final (stubhub website)

World Cup Quarterfinal Resale Prices Drop, FIFA Selling Nearly 1,200 More Seats for Final at $7,380

World Cup ticket resale prices dropped for quarterfinal matches following the elimination of co-hosts United States and Mexico, and FIFA has nearly 1,200 seats…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 – Quarter-final - Spain v Belgium - Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California, US - July 10, 2026 Belgium's Thibaut Courtois looks dejected as he applauds fans after the match following their elimination from the World Cup. (Reuters)

Courtois ‘Proud’ as Sun Sets on Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’

Thibaut Courtois said he was proud of Belgium's fabled "Golden Generation" on Friday as their final shot at winning a major title ended in a World Cup quarter…

Sports Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain points at the bis scoreboard while his brother Keyne is on the screen after the 2-1 win during the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final match between Spain and Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium on July 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

My Goals Don’t Matter if We Win World Cup, Says Yamal

Lamine Yamal said if Spain wins the World Cup nobody will care about his failure to score, after the teen superstar was again absent from the scoresheet in his…

Sports  A shirt depicting Norway striker Erling Haaland on sale at a store, as his performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the buzz he has generated on social media drive demand for merchandise featuring his image, in Lima, Peru, July 10, 2026. (Reuters)

Erling Haaland Is Norway’s World Cup Machine — and the Internet’s Favorite Meme

Erling Haaland stands at 6 feet, 5 inches, an intimidating force who can make fellow soccer players look tiny in stature and talent. Scoring seven goals across…

Sports Norway's forward #09 Erling Braut Haaland smiles after winning the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Brazil and Norway at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 5, 2026. (AFP)

It’s England Against Norway in the World Cup Quarterfinals, With All Eyes on Erling Haaland

Everyone knows that England's master plan coming into the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday will revolve around stopping Norway striker Erling Haaland. As…

Sports Karolina Muchova of Czech Republic celebrates her victory against Naomi Osaka of Japan in their quarter-final women's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Muchova, Noskova Put Friendship on Hold to Fight for Wimbledon Title

Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova will fight for the Wimbledon title on Saturday, but the Czech pair's bond will remain intact no matter who wins their first…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports French fans celebrate their team on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, France, after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match against Morocco, 10 July 2026.  EPA/Fadi Yousef

Girl Dies in France Celebrating World Cup Win

A 17-year-old girl fell off a truck and died while celebrating France's World Cup quarter final win over Morocco, emergency services said Friday. …

Asharq Al Awsat (Paris)
Sports DALLAS, TEXAS - JULY 07: Lamine Yamal #19 of Spain reacts during the training at Cotton Bowl on July 07, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images/AFP

Spain Aim for World Cup Date with France by Beating Belgium

European champions Spain are on a World Cup collision course with Kylian Mbappe's France if they can beat Belgium in the quarter-finals on Friday. At the…

Asharq Al Awsat