Sports

Dembele Says Criticism of France Captain Mbappe Has Gone Too Far

Sports  France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe takes part in a training session during the 2026 World Cup football tournament at Bentley University in Waltham, Boston on June 11, 2026. (AFP)

Dembele Says Criticism of France Captain Mbappe Has Gone Too Far

France forward Ousmane Dembele has defended captain Kylian Mbappe, saying criticism of the Real Madrid striker has become excessive as the national team…

Sports Mercedes' Italian driver Kimi Antonelli is seen during the first practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya ahead of the Catalonia Formula One Grand Prix in Montmelo, on the outskirts of Barcelona on June 12, 2026. (AFP)

F1 Sensation Antonelli Has Teammate Russell Against the Wall Heading Into Barcelona

This was supposed to be George Russell ’s chance to shoot for the Formula 1 title. Coming into the season as Mercedes’s presumptive lead driver, with his…

Sports  Demonstrators place missing person flyers on the trailer of a mounted police truck during a protest outside Azteca Stadium ahead of the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City, Mexico, June 11, 2026. (Reuters)

Head of Palestinian Football Not Granted US Visa to Attend World Cup

The head of the Palestinian Football Association is waiting in Mexico City for permission to enter the United States with other federation heads attending the…

Sports Tunisia's French head coach Sabri Lamouchi takes part in a training session at Rayados Training Center in Santiago, Nuevo Leon state, Mexico on June 9, 2026, ahead of the 2026 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)

Sweden Strike Force Faces Tough Tunisia Test in World Cup Opener

Sweden boast a formidable strike partnership in Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, but the two will have their work cut out in their opening World Cup Group F…

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 (FILES) Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi gives a thumbs-up during the friendly football match between Peru's Alianza Lima and the US' Inter Miami at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium in Lima on January 24, 2026. (Photo by Connie FRANCE / AFP)

In-form Messi Hits Brace as Miami Win 5-3 at Cincinnati in MLS

Lionel Messi scored twice and had a hand in two others as Inter Miami fought back to beat FC Cincinnati 5-3 away in the MLS on Wednesday. With the World Cup…

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Sports The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host the July 19 final of the 2026 World Cup, the largest and most complex edition of the tournament ever staged. AL BELLO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

A Quarter of World Cup Games Risk Searing Heat, Say Scientists

One in four 2026 World Cup games could take place in very hot conditions as climate change has increased the risk of extreme heat in North America since the US…

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Sports Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 13, 2026 Italy's Luciano Darderi reacts during his quarter final match against Spain's Rafael Jodar REUTERS/Claudia Greco

Darderi Outlasts Jodar in Late-night Epic to Reach Italian Open Semi-finals

Home favorite Luciano Darderi battled past Spanish teenager Rafael Jodar 7-6(5) 5-7 6-0 in a three-hour epic that stretched into the early hours of Thursday to…

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Sports General view of the MetLife stadium during the Club World Cup semifinal soccer match between Fluminense and Chelsea in East Rutherford, NJ, Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (AP)

World Cup Transit Fares to New Jersey Stadium Cut Again After Backlash

Officials have once again lowered the ticket price for trains and buses from New York to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for World Cup matches, after an outcry…

Sports Venus Williams, of the United States, plays a backhand return to Olga Danilovic, of Serbia, during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP)

45-Year-Old Venus Williams to Play in French Open Women’s Doubles with Hailey Baptiste

Venus Williams will play in the women's doubles at the French Open this month together with Hailey Baptiste, who is 21 years her junior. The American pair…

Sports Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Community Ambassador, speaks during the 30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026 media event at SoFI Stadium before the pitch installation and temporary renaming to Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California on May 12, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)

Magic Johnson Urges Fans to Make Los Angeles their World Cup Destination

Los Angeles sports royalty and former NBA great Earvin "Magic" Johnson on Tuesday urged fans from around the world to make Los Angeles their World Cup…

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Sports Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gestures during the English Premier League match between Manchester City and Brentford FC, in Manchester, Britain, 09 May 2026. EPA/GARY OAKLEY

Man City Boss Guardiola: VAR Decisions Like the Flip of a Coin

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola compared the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system to the flip of a coin on Tuesday and said his side must play well…

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Sports Saudi players celebrate (Saudi National Team)

Saudi National Team Advances to AFC U-17 Asian Cup Quarterfinals as Group Winner

The Saudi Arabian under-17 football team advanced to the quarterfinals of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup as the top team in Group A with seven points, following a 5-5…

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Sports  International Friendly - England v Uruguay - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - March 27, 2026 England's Ben White concedes a penalty against Uruguay's Federico Vinas Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Arsenal's White Ruled Out for Rest of Season with Knee Injury

Arsenal defender Ben White has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a significant medial knee ligament injury, the Premier League club…

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Sports FC Barcelona player Lamine Yamal holds a Palestinian flag as he celebrates with his team atop a bus after winning the Spanish La Liga title in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, May 11, 2026. (AP Photo)

Barcelona Star Lamine Yamal Waves Palestinian Flag during Title Parade

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal waved a Palestinian flag during an open top bus parade as the team celebrated winning the Spanish title. The 18-year-old winger,…

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Sports Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa celebrates their 1-0 victory at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F football match between Germany and Mexico at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 17, 2018. (AFP via Getty Images)

Veteran Goalkeeper Ochoa Joins Mexico Camp with Sixth World Cup in Sight

Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo ‌Ochoa said on Monday he had joined his final training camp with the national team as the veteran closes in on a likely sixth…

Sports  People walk past a sign that counts down the time until the tournament kicks off, ahead of the World Cup starting on June 11, in Mexico City, Mexico, May 11, 2026. (Reuters)

After Backlash, Mexico Cancels Plan to Cut School Year for World Cup

Mexico canceled plans to shorten its school year ahead of the World Cup after widespread backlash from parents, think tanks and local authorities, the…

Sports Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - May 11, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Mathys Tel celebrates scoring their first goal with Destiny Udogie. (Action Images via Reuters)

Spurs Draw with Leeds for Priceless Point in Premier League Survival Fight

Tottenham Hotspur took a small and potentially crucial step toward retaining its Premier League status after drawing at home with Leeds United 1-1 on Monday. …

Sports Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Brentford - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - May 9, 2026 Manchester City's Omar Marmoush celebrates scoring their third goal. (Action Images via Reuters)

Man City Boss Guardiola Backs Marmoush to Play Big Role in Run-in

Pep Guardiola expects Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush to have a key role in the closing stages of the English season. City have four games left this…

Sports This photograph taken in Namur on May 6, 2026, shows Panini collectible stickers featuring Belgian football players for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. (AFP)

Argentine Plazas Buzz with World Cup Sticker Trading Fever

With just under a month until the FIFA World Cup kicks off, thousands of people are filling Argentine plazas strategizing to win a different game that has…

Sports Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Arsenal - London Stadium, London, Britain - May 10, 2026 General view of the big screen after West Ham United's Callum Wilson goal that was later disallowed. (Action Images via Reuters)

West Ham’s Bowen Questions VAR Consistency After Wilson’s Equalizer Rule Out

West Ham United captain ‌Jarrod Bowen questioned the consistency of VAR reviews after Callum Wilson’s stoppage-time equalizer against Arsenal on Sunday…

Sports Omar Marmoush (C) of Manchester City celebrates his goal during the English Premier League match between Manchester City and Brentford FC, in Manchester, Britain, 09 May 2026. (EPA)

African Players in Europe: Rare Marmoush Goal Clinches City Win

A rare Omar Marmoush goal sealed a 3-0 win for second-placed Manchester City over Brentford in the Premier League at the weekend. It was only the second…

Sports  Ukraine's Elina Svitolina serves a ball to United States' Hailey Baptiste during their match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Sunday, May 10, 2026. (AP)

Ukraine’s Svitolina Saddened by IOC Decision on Belarus Athletes

Ukrainian tennis player Elina ‌Svitolina said it was painful to see the International Olympic Committee (IOC) clear the path for Belarusian athletes to…

Sports Gresini Racing MotoGP rider Alex Marquez of Spain is helped after crashing during the MotoGP race at the French Motorcycling Grand Prix in Le Mans, France, 10 May 2026. (EPA)

Ducati’s Marquez Undergoes Successful Double Surgery After French GP Crash

Reigning ‌MotoGP champion Marc Marquez underwent successful double surgery on Sunday in Madrid following his crash in Saturday's French Grand Prix sprint,…

Sports  Barcelona's German coach Hans-Dieter Flick gives a press conference on the eve of the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona on May 9, 2026. (AFP)

Barcelona Need a Point Against Real Madrid to Win La Liga

Barcelona only need a draw against Real Madrid in a high-stakes Clasico to clinch back-to-back La Liga titles later Sunday, with Madrid in disarray after a…

Sports Galatasaray supporters celebrate after their team won the Turkish Super Lig soccer tournament at Taksim square in Istanbul, Türkiye, Saturday, May 9, 2026. (AP)

Galatasaray Crowned Turkish Champions

Galatasaray secured their fourth consecutive Turkish league title on Saturday after a 4-2 home win over Antalyaspor. The Istanbul club are four points ahead…

Sports Sevilla's players celebrate their victory following the Spanish La Liga match between Sevilla FC and Espanyol in Seville, Spain, 09 May 2026. (EPA)

Sevilla Strike Late to Boost Survival Hopes, Celta Edge Atletico

Akor Adams snatched Sevilla a late 2-1 victory over Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday to increase their chances of avoiding relegation. Celta Vigo earned a 1-0…

Sports A screen displays the results of the final draw of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup during a ceremony in Diriyah, on the outskirts of Riyadh, on May 9, 2026. (AFP)

Japan Lands Defending Champion Qatar in a Tough 2027 Asian Cup Group Draw

Four-time winner Japan was grouped with defending champion Qatar at the 2027 Asian Cup in the draw on Saturday. Saudi Arabia will host the 24-team tournament…

Sports Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - May 9, 2026 Brighton & Hove Albion's Kaoru Mitoma in action. (Reuters)

Japan’s Mitoma Injured as World Cup Looms

Japan's Kaoru Mitoma could face a battle to be fit for next month's World Cup after suffering an apparent hamstring injury while playing in the English Premier…