Cristiano Ronaldo wastes easy opportunities (Screengrab) Portugal wrapped up their FIFA World Cup preparations with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in a friendly match, but it was not a perfect evening for Cristiano Ronaldo.The veteran forward had several good chances to score but failed to find the net. Ronaldo, who holds the men’s record for…
Omar Artan and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino During a press conference on Wednesday before the opening match of the expanded 48-team World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the case of Somali referee Omar Artan. Artan was set to become the first Somali official to work at a World Cup. However, he was denied entry…
NEW DELHI: Argentina’s preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 were overshadowed by a reported security lapse that exposed the passport details of every player in the squad, including captain Lionel Messi.According to Reuters, the passport numbers appeared on an official team sheet that was distributed ahead of Argentina’s friendly against Iceland in Alabama. The…
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and his father Sanjeev Sooryavanshi (Imag credit: Special arrangements) NEW DELHI: Long before the batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was born, his father, Sanjeev Sooryavanshi, inherited a piece of ancestral land in Bihar – not just a property, but a symbol of roots and memories. In most villages across India, land is far more…
The 2026 FIFA World Cup (Getty Images) The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the largest tournament in football history, featuring 48 teams, 104 matches and three host nations. It will also be the most lucrative. FIFA has approved a record financial package worth $871 million for the tournament in the United States, Canada and…
India’s women shone at the Australian Open Super 500 badminton tournament on Wednesday, with PV Sindhu leading the charge and teenager Tanvi Sharma registering a notable win to reach the second round.Sindhu, Tanvi Sharma, Malvika Bansod, Isharani Baruah and Tanya Hemanth all advanced to the women’s singles round of 16. However, it was a disappointing…
NEW DELHI: For years, football fans have tried all sorts of ways to predict World Cup winners. Some trusted expert opinions, others believed in superstitions, and many still remember Paul the Octopus, who became famous for correctly predicting match results during the 2010 World Cup.Now, a group of statisticians has used artificial intelligence to make…
TimesofIndia.com in Mohali: Day after getting a green signal from the Centre of Excellence (CoE), Rohit Sharma looked in fine touch during India’s optional training session at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium in Mohali on Wednesday.Rohit Sharma was the first to step out of the team bus, and security officials and Punjab Police personnel took…
Referee Omar Artan, center, of Somalia, is confronted by players after calling a penalty kick during the CAF Champions League final soccer match between AS FAR Rabat and Mamelodi Sundowns, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo) Somalian referee Omar Artan, who was set to become the first official from his country to…
Arjuna Award trophy, being held by a recipient, during the National Sports and Adventure Awards 2023 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi. (left), and Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya (Photo/Agencies) More than six months after the selection committee submitted its recommendations, the National Sports Awards for 2025-26 are yet to be announced, leading to…
