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 The build-up to co-hosts Mexico's clash with South Korea has seen shrouded with intrigue, with a mystery drone spotted over Korea's training ground. CARL DE SOUZA / AFP

Mexico, Korea Eye World Cup Knockout Berths

Mexico and South Korea will aim to punch their ticket to the World Cup knockout rounds on Thursday when they meet in Guadalajara knowing a win would guarantee…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Bosnia-Herzegovina's defender Nikola Katic (R) gives a press conference in Los Angeles, California on June 17, 2026, on the eve of the 2026 World Cup football match between Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina.  (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)

Bosnia Ready to Shed Underdog Reputation, Face Switzerland as Equals

Bosnia and Herzegovina ‌are fighting to dispel the notion that they are underdogs at the World Cup, key player Nikola Katic told reporters on the eve of…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Semenyo celebrates Ghana's sole goal in the match (Reuters)

Caleb Yirenki's Late Goal Gives Ghana a 1-0 Victory over Panama in the World Cup

It was a play Ghana has been practicing throughout its World Cup preparation. And after a night of missed chances, it worked. Caleb Yirenkyi tapped in a…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group K - Uzbekistan v Colombia - Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico - June 17, 2026 Colombia players salute their fans after the match REUTERS/Henry Romero

Diaz Shines as Colombia Outclass Uzbekistan

Colombia opened their World Cup Group K campaign with a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan at the Estadio Azteca on Wednesday, as Daniel Munoz, Luis Diaz and Jaminton…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group I - France v Senegal - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, US - June 16, 2026 France's Ousmane Dembele in action. (Reuters)

Ballon d'Or Winner Dembele Still Searching for a Home in France Team

If Ousmane Dembele arrived at the World Cup hoping his last two club seasons would finally establish him as one of the cornerstones of Didier Deschamps' France…

Sports Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group J - Austria v Jordan - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, California, US - June 16, 2026 Austria coach Ralf Rangnick speaks to players during a hydration break. (Reuters)

FIFA Hydration Breaks Spark Backlash, Blamed for Killing Momentum at the World Cup

Curaçao fans went wild. The Germans were in shock. Livano Comenencia had scored a goal for the smallest nation by population to ever qualify for the World…

Sports Manchester City's Bernardo Silva speaks during a farewell ceremony after his last match for the club after a Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Aston Villa in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Bernardo Silva Joins Real Madrid on 2-year Deal Following Manchester City Exit

Manchester City great Bernardo Silva has joined Real Madrid on a two-year contract, the Spanish club said on Wednesday. The Portugal international is one…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports  Jordan's head coach Jamal Sellami speaks during a news conference, Monday, June 15, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif., ahead of the World Cup Group J match between Austria and Jordan. (AP)

Jordan Can Hold Heads High Despite Debut Defeat to Austria, Coach Says

Jordan ‌can hold their heads up high after delivering an "honorable performance" on their World Cup debut, coach Jamal Sellami said following his side's 3…

Sports  Portugal's Spanish head coach Roberto Martinez smiles as he gives an MD-1 press conference at the Houston Stadium in Houston on June 16, 2026, on the eve of the 2026 World Cup Group K football match between Portugal and Congo DR. (AFP)

Ronaldo as Excited for Sixth World Cup as His First, Says Martinez

Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing for his sixth World Cup as if it was his first, said Portugal coach Roberto Martinez as he hailed the 41-year-old as "an example…

Sports  Croatia's Luka Modric reacts during a news conference ahead of his team's World Cup Group L soccer match against England, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP)

‘Rejuvenated’ Modric Determined to Enjoy World Cup Swan Song

Midfield great Luka Modric said Tuesday he was determined to enjoy every second of his last World Cup and had been "rejuvenated" by being with Croatia for a…

Sports Vladimir Petkovic, head coach of Algeria, looks on before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Getty Images/AFP)

Algeria Coach Says Errors Helped Messi Score Hat-Trick to Tie World Cup Record

Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic ‌said mistakes from his team had made it easier for Lionel Messi to score the hat-trick that saw him match the World Cup…

Sports  France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring the opening goal of his team during the World Cup Group I soccer match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP)

Mbappe Has World Cup History in Sights After Breaking France Scoring Record

Kylian Mbappe renewed his remarkable relationship with the World Cup Tuesday as he scored twice in France's 3-1 win over Senegal, leaving him within touching…

Sports SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 16: Ali Olwan #9 of Jordan celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Austria and Jordan at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. Richard Heathcote/Getty Images/AFP

World Cup First-timers Jordan Lose to Austria

Austria recorded a 3-1 win against World Cup first-timers Jordan on Tuesday, rounding off their opening match of the tournament with a penalty from veteran…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Karim Boudiaf of Qatar takes a shot on goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match Qatar against Switzerland, in San Francisco, USA, 13 June 2026. (EPA)

Qatar Seek Momentum Against Canada After Opening World Cup Draw

Qatar face ‌a stern test against co-hosts Canada in their Group B World Cup clash in Vancouver on Thursday, but the Middle Eastern side are well prepared…

Sports Hervé Renard speaks during a news conference, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Santiago Nuevo Leon, near Monterrey, Mexico, after being named the new coach for Tunisia's World Cup soccer team. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Tunisia’s Hervé Renard Embraces Challenge Against Japan in World Cup Debut

New Tunisia head coach Hervé Renard held his first practice with the squad on Tuesday, shortly after replacing Sabri Lamouchi, who was fired after the team’s 5…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group J - Argentina v Algeria - Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, US - June 16, 2026 Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)

Messi Hat-Trick Equals Scoring Record as Argentina Dazzle Against Algeria

Lionel Messi scored a majestic hat-trick to equal the all-time World Cup scoring record, answering doubts about his influence at age 38 and firing up Argentina…

Sports  Iraq head coach Graham Arnold gives instructions from the side line during the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP)

Arnold Sees Positives in Iraq’s Opening World Cup Loss to Norway

Iraq coach Graham Arnold ‌urged his players not to lose heart after their 4-1 defeat by Norway in their World Cup opener on Tuesday and reminded them they…

Sports  Norway's Erling Haaland (9) smiles as he leaves the pitch at the end of the World Cup Group I soccer match between Iraq and Norway in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (AP)

Erling Haaland Scores Twice in World Cup Debut as Norway Tops Iraq 4-1

Norway will go as far in this World Cup as Erling Haaland takes it. In his tournament debut, he showed he’s more than up for that challenge. Haaland scored…

Sports The MoU covers the exchange of programs, expertise, skills, technologies, and information, along with cooperation in sports medicine, anti-doping, and sports for persons with disabilities. SPA

Saudi Sport Minister Signs MoU with Uruguay's National Sports Secretariat

Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal has signed a memorandum of understanding …

Asharq Al Awsat (Miami)
Sports Joshua Kimmich of Team Germany talks to the media during a press conference at Donovan L. Nicol Hall of Excellence at Winston-Salem State University on June 16, 2026 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Getty Images/AFP)

We Will Know How Good We Are After Group Stage, Says Germany Captain Kimmich

Germany's seven-goal rout of ‌Curacao for their World Cup opener has triggered a wave of enthusiasm among success-starved fans, but captain Joshua Kimmich…

Sports FILE -Venus Williams, left, and sister Serena talk together, during their Women's Doubles match against Irina Spirlea and Caroline Vis, at Wimbledon, July 4, 2000. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)

Serena Williams to Play Doubles with Sister Venus at Wimbledon

Serena Williams will play at Wimbledon for the first time since 2022 after the American legend was given a wildcard to play the doubles event with her sister…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports  Palestinian football fans watch 2026 World Cup matches at a cafe in Gaza City, June 11, 2026. (Reuters)

Gazans Displaced by War Watch World Cup from the Ruins

Fadi Al-Arawi, a footballer in the Gaza Strip Premier League, hasn't been able to take the pitch since pro sports were suspended with the outbreak of war more…

Sports Ehsan Haddad of Jordan shoots during the international friendly match between Jordan and Colombia at Snapdragon Stadium on June 07, 2026, in San Diego, California. (Getty Images/AFP)

Jordan Feeling Pride Not Pressure Over World Cup Debut

Jordan are feeling pride not pressure ahead of their World Cup debut against Austria and will fight to prove their worth in what will be a new chapter in the…

Sports Algeria's Swiss Head hoach Vladimir Petkovic attends the press conference of Algeria one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas City Stadium on June 15, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Getty Images/AFP)

Algeria Embrace Kansas Fans as They Brace for Argentina Opener

Algeria will look to harness strong backing from local supporters when they open their World Cup campaign against mighty Argentina on Tuesday, with coach…