Author: AFP

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente confirmed that Lamine Yamal is fit but will begin the European champions’ World Cup 2026 opener against Cape Verde on the bench.

Barcelona superstar Yamal has not played since suffering a hamstring injury on April 22.

There were fears the 18-year-old could miss Spain’s opening two games of the World Cup, but he has trained all week and is set to feature in Atlanta on Monday.

“He is available, but not to start the game. He is in perfect condition to play some minutes,” De la Fuente told a press conference on Sunday.

Wingers Nico Williams and Victor Munoz are also fit enough only for a place on the bench, limiting De La Fuente’s options in wide areas.

“They are fine to play tomorrow without setting them back. If it was not like that they would not even sit on the bench,” added De la Fuente.

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For the first time, Spain head into a World Cup without a single Real Madrid player in the squad. But that could change in the coming days after the Spanish giants reportedly reached an agreement with Chelsea for the signing of Marc Cucurella for 55 million euros ($63 million).

De La Fuente, though, said he was not concerned his players could be distracted by speculation over their future during the tournament.

“I know the commitment, the professionalism they all have. This happened at the Euros, too, with some of our group, and we lived with it. It has not generated any uncomfortable situation,” he added.

“I can guarantee you that no one in the team would jeopardise the good of the team. And if it is good news for Cucu, or anyone else during the tournament, we will celebrate it.”

Despite limited expectations pre-tournament, La Roja stormed to victory at Euro 2024, beating hosts Germany, France and England in the latter stages.

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This time, they are considered among the favourites to win a second World Cup.

De la Fuente did little to quell expectations as he talked his players up as the best squad in the tournament.

“For me, with all due respect to the rest, it is the best team in the world. The best players,” he said. “To see the level of footballers we have, you only have to see the ones I leave out.

“But the players understand their role and accept it. That is the luck this team has.”

After facing tournament debutants Cape Verde, Spain will also take on Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H.

READ: Germany break Brazil’s World Cup record after 7-1 win over Curacao

Japan fans left the stands spotless after their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against the Netherlands at Dallas Stadium in Texas on Sunday, saying it was “Japanese culture” to tidy up after themselves.

Spectators stayed behind after the 2-2 draw to make sure they left the stadium as they found it, meticulously picking up litter and stuffing it into blue plastic bags.

It is a habit first learned at primary school, and Japan fan Eita Tanaka told AFP that “we have to think about everyone”.

“Japanese people think that when we use a certain place, we were told that you have to make that place look tidier when you leave than it was when you arrived,” said the 20-year-old, clasping a beer and a couple of cups, and wearing Japan’s blue shirt.

“For example, at school in our classrooms we tidy it up after ourselves without our teacher telling us.”

Japan are appearing at their eighth straight FIFA World Cup, and their fans’ cleanliness has become their international calling card.

NFL quarterback Jameis Winston could even be seen joining in the clean-up after Sunday’s game, wearing a blue Japan shirt with his name on the back.

Japan fan Futo Hagiwara said he was proud that the behaviour of his countrymen had been recognised in a positive light.

“This is our culture, that means everywhere we go we need to clean it after ourselves, it’s our spiritual way, our attitude,” he said.

Sociologist and philosopher Masachi Ohsawa believes a mix of social responsibility and peer pressure is behind the fans’ behaviour.

“While Japanese people tend not to take much interest in justice on a large scale, issues like global inequality, conflict or climate change, they are extremely sensitive to moral considerations on a smaller scale,” he said.

“When it comes to people who they share the same space with or have direct personal contact with, they feel a strong desire not to cause them any trouble or make them feel uncomfortable.”

In Japan, cleaning chores are integrated into the education system from a young age, with children seen daily scrubbing floors and tables at schools.

Public waste bins are rare in the country, so people are expected to take their garbage home with them. Disposing of household waste can be a complex process, as it involves sorting rubbish into various categories.

Scott North, emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Osaka, said he and his neighbours get together twice a year to pull out weeds and rake up cuttings.

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He said such groups are organised into leaders and followers, and operate in a similar way to Japanese football supporters.

“Since everyone comes together, there’s an expectation that they’ll act as a group,” said North, an American who has lived in Japan for about 40 years. “And when the leaders break out the bags and say here you go, nobody is going to say no.”

Sociologist Ohsawa said such behaviour could be explained by what Japanese people refer to as “reading the air”.

“In Japan, even if one person starts picking up litter, those around them feel they simply cannot help but join in,” he said. “That’s because if they don’t, the people they are with will think they are a bad person.”

He said peer pressure was a powerful social force.

“In this case, the primary motivation isn’t so much a desire to keep the stadium clean or to avoid causing trouble for the people who have to clean the stadium afterwards,” he said. “It’s more a desire not to be seen as a nuisance in one’s own group.”

Whatever the reasons, Japan’s fans will continue to clean up as long as their team remains in the tournament. Their next match is against Tunisia in Mexico on Saturday, and once again, Japan fans are expected to clean up the stadium.

Fan Hagiwara is eager to continue leading by example.

“We usually don’t tell children they should do it,” he said. “We just show our actions and behaviour, and other people follow.”

READ: Somali referee Omar Artan to receive full World Cup fee

Manchester United’s Amad Diallo struck in the 90th minute as the Ivory Coast stunned Ecuador and their huge support to edge a tight affair 1-0 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener on Sunday.

The Group E encounter had looked set to finish 0-0, hardly a surprise given Ecuador’s incredible defensive record during qualifying, and that result may well have suited both teams.

But the 23-year-old Diallo, who had been introduced in place of Bazoumana Toure shortly before the hour mark, had other ideas as he finished first-time from a right-wing cross right just as the game was heading for injury time.

It is the Ivory Coast’s first win at a World Cup in exactly 12 years, since they beat Japan in Brazil in 2014, and they can now be confident of making the knockout phase at the tournament for the first time.

It was a disappointing way to start for Ecuador, who had the majority of the 68,274 crowd at the packed Philadelphia stadium kitted out in yellow and backing them.

They hit the bar twice in the first half, through John Yeboah and Alan Minda, while Elye Wahi struck the same crossbar for the Ivorians after half-time.

Ivory Coast, African champions in 2024, will now hope to build on this when they play Germany in their next game in Group E in Toronto on Saturday.

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The Ecuadorians will look to bounce back when they head to Kansas City the same day to play Curacao, the debutant minnows who were hammered 7-1 by Germany earlier in Houston.

Ecuador, coached by Argentinian Sebastian Beccacece, had a remarkable record in South American qualifying as they finished second behind Argentina.

With a defence marshalled by Paris Saint-Germain’s Willian Pacho and Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo patrolling the midfield, they conceded a miserly five goals in 18 qualifying games, but scored only 14.

Remarkably, eight of their 18 matches ended in 0-0 draws, and six featured a single goal.

Ivory Coast were nevertheless confident of causing their opponents problems with exciting young RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande a danger on the flanks and recent French-born recruit Wahi leading the line.

A match watched by US rap mogul Jay-Z was cagey at times but came to life midway through the first half as the frame of the goal was rattled for the first time.

Yeboah, the former German youth international who plays in Italy’s Serie B for Venezia, pounced on uncertain defending at the edge of the box and crashed a shot off Yahia Fofana’s bar.

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The Ivory Coast’s goal was living a charmed life as Ecuador struck the woodwork again on the half-hour mark, Pedro Vite slipping in Minda to be denied this time.

Emerse Fae’s Ivorians looked dangerous intermittently, notably when Nicolas Pepe was denied by a last-ditch challenge after Diomande had raced away from Piero Hincapie.

The Elephants had never reached the World Cup knockout phase in their three previous appearances but surely knew a win here would practically secure their passage to the next round.

Wahi, who finished the club season at Nice in France, turned a Diomande cross from the right onto the bar shortly after the restart.

Seko Fofana forced a save from Hernan Galindez in the Ecuador goal, but the match seemed to be petering out to a goalless conclusion until the late drama.

Wilfried Singo went on a rampaging run from defence down the Ivorian right, before delivering a low centre for Diallo to score with a sidefoot finish, and silence the Ecuador support.

READ: Japan stun Netherlands to salvage draw in FIFA World Cup 2026

Japan scored an 88th-minute equaliser as they twice fought back to rescue a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in front of 69,285 in Texas on Sunday to open their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaigns.

A match that had bubbled away in the first period sparked into life in the second half.

Netherlands skipper Virgil van Dijk scored with a fine header, only for Keito Nakamura to quickly level, before winger Crysencio Summerville’s delicious curled finish into the bottom corner just after the hour.

The Dutch looked like they would hold on, but Japan levelled at the death with Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada credited with the goal after a deflection.

Sweden face Tunisia in a competitive-looking Group F later Sunday.

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Japan and the Netherlands are in North America missing key players through injury, but on paper this was still one of the more attractive fixtures in the group stage.

Both have been touted as dark horses capable of going far at the tournament — the Dutch have been runners-up three times whereas Japan have never gone beyond the last 16.

The Netherlands made a confident start and nearly took the lead after three minutes, Donyell Malen allowed to swivel inside the box and forcing a smart save from Zion Suzuki.

The impressive air-conditioned arena is usually home to the Dallas Cowboys, and at the hydration break the NFL team’s cheerleaders were shown on the massive screen hanging over the pitch performing one of their routines.

The stoppage seemed to help Ronald Koeman’s side and Roma forward Malen again worked Suzuki with a header from a corner, then Cody Gakpo fired wildly over the bar.

Japan’s fans, who had hardly stopped singing and outnumbered the Dutch contingent, were briefly silenced.

The first real chance for Hajime Moriyasu’s team came a few minutes before the break when a cross evaded the backtracking Summerville but Nakamura pulled his low effort wide.

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The Dutch had looked most threatening in the air, so it was no surprise when Liverpool talisman Van Dijk rose to plant a well-placed header into the bottom corner after a pinpoint cross from club team-mate Ryan Gravenberch on 51 minutes.

The lead lasted just six minutes, Nakamura wriggling free and firing low past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, the ball taking a small deflection off Jan Paul van Hecke.

In a madcap period of play, the Dutch forged ahead once more on 64 minutes when West Ham’s Summerville beat his man on the right wing and curled into Suzuki’s bottom-right corner with his left foot.

Both teams rang the changes and had chances to score again, before Kamada’s chaotic leveller from a corner.

READ: Germany thrash Curacao 7-1 to send FIFA World Cup 2026 warning

Lewis Hamilton claimed his first victory for Ferrari on Sunday at the Barcelona-Catalunya Formula One Grand Prix, ending championship leader Kimi Antonelli’s five-race winning streak.

The seven-time world champion finished ahead of George Russell and Lando Norris, while Antonelli was forced to abandon in the final stages because of a technical problem.

Hamilton, 41, cut down Antonelli’s title lead to 41 points by triumphing on a Sunday nearly two years after he last won a race.

“It’s not over, that’s for sure,” said Hamilton, also second in Monaco last weekend, of the championship race.

Mercedes polesitter Russell came in 19 seconds behind Hamilton, with Norris completing an all-British podium, the first since the 1968 United States Grand Prix.

“You have helped me so much to achieve this dream, I cannot thank you enough,” said Hamilton over team radio, after becoming the first driver for a team other than Mercedes to win a race this season.

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“To the fans, thank you for reminding me who I am. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

Russell, pre-season favourite for the championship, arrived in Barcelona bemoaning bad luck for his recent struggles but after team-mate Antonelli edged in front of him late on he had some good fortune to cut the gap on the teenager to 50 points after the Italian abandoned.

“Good to be back on the podium and have a clean race, but Ferrari were mighty today so we need to keep pushing,” said Russell.

“The last stints were difficult, but it’s good to be back here. The pace today was insane from Lewis, they are coming I think.”

With track temperatures up at 51 degrees Celsius, Hamilton opted for a three pit-stop strategy and it worked to perfection, with the third of those fortuitously coming while the virtual safety car was deployed.

Ferrari’s heavily upgraded car may well have been fast enough for Hamilton to triumph anyway, as he recorded the 106th victory of his career.

“(All of them are) special in their own way but this one is something else,” said Hamilton.

“When I was young, I watched Ferrari have all their success on TV. I always wondered what it would feel like — and it’s come.”

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen came in fourth, ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Isack Hadjar in the other Red Bull.

Russell got off to the perfect start from pole, holding off Hamilton on softs, with the Ferrari driver cutting off Antonelli.

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Hadjar, who started in position six, was slow off the line and overtaken by eight cars.

Charles Leclerc, in the second Ferrari, admitted he was “ashamed” by his crash in qualifying which left him starting in 10th but expertly weaved his way up to sixth, although he was later forced to retire.

Hamilton took an early pit stop on lap 12 to swap his softs for hards, with Mercedes responding on the following lap with hards for Russell.

Russell was worried his stop “exposed” him to Antonelli but retook the lead from Hamilton with his teenage team-mate back in third after his own stop to bolt on the hards.

With Hamilton 2.3 seconds behind Russell he said “we are on Plan C” over team radio.

The seven-time champion pitted for the second time in the 28th lap, with Mercedes deciding not to do the same because of the threat of 2025 champion Norris.

Antonelli moved right behind Russell, who was forced to fend off his team-mate.

Russell was called in for fresh hards before Antonelli followed suit, allowing Hamilton into the lead, with Ferrari telling the Briton this was the “critical time” for his race.

Home favourite Alonso, in what he said was probably his final appearance in Barcelona which is not in the calendar next year, was forced to retire because of a suspected battery issue.

It brought out a yellow flag with the virtual safety car deployed, offering Hamilton an ideal chance for a cheap stop.

That worked brilliantly for Hamilton who emerged from his third stop with fresh rubber 2.6s ahead of Russell with 24 laps remaining.

With clean air Hamilton was able to stretch his lead comfortably to triumph in style.

The victory was sweetened further by late drama as Antonelli retired from second place in the 62nd lap to blow open the championship.

READ: Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak stuns De Minaur for first ATP title

Polish outsider Kamil Majchrzak clinched his first ever ATP tennis tour title Sunday, stunning world number six Alex de Minaur 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7/5) in a nail-biting final on the ‘s-Hertogenbosch grass.

The win capped a fairytale run for the world number 76, who had already overcome two top-10 players in consecutive rounds in Felix Auger-Aliassime (world rank four) and Daniil Medvedev (world rank eight).

Both players battled blustery conditions but Majchrzak was the more aggressive player, taking more risks and eventually grinding down the obdurate de Minaur in a match lasting two hours 25 minutes.

“This is a very emotional moment for me, I’ve been waiting for this moment all my career,” said the 30-year-old as he collected his trophy.

“I played some of the best players in the world, so this one feels really good, it feels really special. To beat three players from the top 10 is an unbelievable run for me.”

The Pole got off to a flying 3-0 start in the first set, breaking De Minaur’s first service game as the Australian appeared to struggle with the swirling wind on serve.

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That early break proved to be enough, as Majchrzak wrapped up the first set 6-3 with a high backhand volley at the net.

Losing his first set of the tournament appeared to galvanise the Australian, who broke Majchrzak’s first service game of the second set with a crosscourt forehand pass.

But this time the Pole responded immediately, getting the set back on serve with a break of his own as De Minaur pushed a ground stroke long.

A series of unforced errors from Majchrzak at 3-2 however gifted De Minaur another break of serve and the Australian sealed the set 6-2 with another break as the Pole drifted a forehand drive wide.

The deciding set went on serve until the crucial seventh game, when Majchrzak seized the initiative, breaking the Australian’s serve courtesy of a double fault.

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But the stubborn de Minaur broke back immediately and won his next service game with a brilliant backhand pass up the line, one of the shots of the match.

A final-set tie-break seemed a fitting way to decide such a tight match.

De Minaur kicked off the breaker with a double-fault and Majchrzak gratefully accepted the gift to race into a 3-0 lead.

With a first title in his sight, the Pole tightened up somewhat, allowing the Australian to scrape back to 5-5, but a brave serve and volley gave him championship point.

In the end, De Minaur handed him the title with a double fault, Majchrzak sinking to his knees in triumph after the biggest win of his life.

READ: Ancelotti urges patience as Brazil make slow World Cup start

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said that “you don’t win a World Cup based on your first match” after the five-time champions laboured to a 1-1 draw with Morocco on Saturday.

The Selecao were in danger of losing their opening game at a World Cup for the first time since 1934 after falling behind to Ismael Saibari’s goal in New Jersey.

Vinicius Junior struck a superb equaliser to earn a point for Brazil, but Ancelotti admitted it was not the type of performance expected from his team.

“I think this was a tough match, especially in the beginning. I think the team was a bit anxious and nerves were all over the place,” said Ancelotti.

“We didn’t play well, but we cannot lose heart. This is the first match in the World Cup and we can’t… think the team is doing perfectly from the get-go.

“This was the result we had. It wasn’t bad, but we’ll keep picking up from the second match on. You don’t win a World Cup based on your first match.”

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Ancelotti tipped Vinicius to excel at the tournament as the leader of the attack, a role he will fulfil even when Brazil’s all-time record scorer Neymar returns from a calf injury.

“He did well. He was very dangerous and I think he has everything in his power to have a great World Cup,” Ancelotti said of the Real Madrid forward.

However, Vinicius rued Brazil’s sluggish start against a Morocco side that had been told by their coach to approach the match with no fear.

“We started on a really bad note,” said the 25-year-old.

“We conceded that first goal and after that happens it’s hard to get it going, you know, it’s the first match, it’s always hard.

“But we’ve got to improve and continue to grow because the competition is only but starting. This is the World Cup, there are no easy matches.

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“But I don’t think there’s a lot to say now. I think we really have to improve.”

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi praised the display of the 2022 semi-finalists, who suggested they will again be a tough proposition in North America.

“Proud of the effort of the team, we drew, but we are happy for the performance of us. We still have to improve every game, so that is what we’re going to be focused on right now,” Hakimi told Fox.

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi was left with the feeling that his team could, and perhaps should, have taken more from the contest though.

“It was a good match, it’s a point. We would’ve hoped to have more but we’ll take the point,” said Ouahbi. “We’re happy, we’re not sad today, but we would have liked to win.”

READ: FIFA World Cup 2026: Vinicius earns Brazil draw with Morocco

Vinicius Junior scored a brilliant equaliser for Brazil in a 1-1 draw with Morocco on Saturday as the five-time FIFA World Cup winners made an uncertain start to the 2026 edition in New Jersey.

Ismael Saibari ran through to give Morocco a 21st-minute lead with a clever scoop in the Group C opener, but Vinicius produced a moment of magic to ensure Brazil came away with a point.

Brazil are chasing a record sixth World Cup title, 24 years after last lifting the trophy, but this performance suggests there is a lot of work to be done by Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Kaka were all members of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning squad and were among those in attendance at MetLife Stadium.

Brazil have turned to the hugely successful Ancelotti in a bid to end the country’s title drought. He is the first foreign coach to lead Brazil at football’s biggest tournament.

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A fifth-placed finish in South American qualifying underlined the scale of the challenge facing Ancelotti. However, the Italian insists Brazil possess a squad capable of competing with anyone in the expanded 48-team tournament.

He was without Neymar for the start of the competition, with Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer still recovering from a calf injury, having not played for his country since 2023.

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi urged his players not to fear Brazil, and his message appeared to resonate as the 2022 semi-finalists started brightly in one of the standout matches of the first round.

After Neil El Aynaoui and Achraf Hakimi threatened the Brazil goal, Saibari made the breakthrough when he latched onto a fine pass from Brahim Diaz.

The PSV Eindhoven forward raced beyond Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes, holding his nerve with a clinical chipped finish over the advancing Alisson Becker.

Brazil drew level 11 minutes later through Vinicius, who will have a vital role to play if Brazil are to shine this summer.

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The Real Madrid star received the ball from Bruno Guimaraes on the left side of the area before cutting back onto his right foot and hammering into the far corner past Yassine Bounou.

It belatedly breathed life into a lacklustre Brazil, and Lucas Paqueta saw his acrobatic effort pushed away by Bounou before half-time.

Bounou saved well from Igor Thiago as Brazil caught Morocco napping with a quick throw-in after the break, while Raphinha and Danilo shot right at Bounou as the Selecao pressed for a winner.

Morocco nearly snatched it at the death when Alisson parried a long-range effort from El Aynaoui and had to react sharply to block the follow-up from Ayoube Amaimouni.

Brazil remained unbeaten in World Cup openers since 1934. They next face outsiders Haiti while Morocco take on Scotland in their second match.

READ: Belgium beat Pakistan 7-1 in FIH Hockey Pro League

Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas said officials at “local, state and federal levels” were investigating after World Cup equipment belonging to England was stolen ahead of the squad’s arrival at their training base on Saturday.

Balls and boots are reportedly among items taken after vehicles transferring equipment to the team’s Swope Soccer Village base were broken into, according to the BBC.

Lucas issued a statement on X with the title: “Statement on heist in transit of English national team equipment”.

“Yesterday, officials in Kansas City learned that at some point between their over-the-road transport from Florida to their arrival at the training facility in Kansas City, goods belonging to the English national team were stolen from the team’s transport vehicle,” Lucas said in the statement.

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“Public safety officials at the local, state and federal levels are working to trace where in the United States the items were seized and all individuals who may have been involved. Further information will be provided by authorities at a later time.”

Thomas Tuchel’s England are due to train at Swope Soccer Village for the first time at 5:00 pm (2200 GMT) on Saturday after transferring from their pre-tournament base in Florida.

They open their World Cup campaign against Croatia on Wednesday, before further games in Group L against Ghana and Panama.

READ: Women’s T20 World Cup: Australia crush South Africa to make statement start

Skipper Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 84 and inspired bowling led India to an emphatic seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in a rain-reduced 25-overs-a-side ODI contest on Saturday.

Chasing 195 for victory, India needed Gill’s 66-ball knock to achieve the target with 13 balls to spare in Dharamsala and lead the three-match series 1-0.

The bilateral series is the first between the two nations in the 50-over format.

Afghanistan posted 194 all out despite opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 102 as the rest of the batting faltered after the match started four hours and 15 minutes late due to persistent rain.

Indian debutants Gurnoor Brar, a fast bowler, and Harsh Dubey, a left-arm spinner, took three wickets each to bowl out Afghanistan in 24.5 overs after Gurbaz’s ninth ODI century.

Batters kept up the dominance with Gill leading the charge as he put on 46 runs with veteran batter Rohit Sharma, who made 16 before being run out.

White-ball star Rohit became the oldest Indian men’s player at 39 years and 44 days to play an ODI, 37 years after Mohinder Amarnath took the field at 39 years and 36 days.

Rohit departed after a mix-up with the captain, who then put on 70 runs with wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who made 34, to lay the foundation for the chase.

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India lost Kishan and then Shreyas Iyer before Gill and KL Rahul, who struck a 19-ball 39, steered the team home in an unbeaten stand of 53.

Invited to bat first, Afghanistan lost three early wickets before Gurbaz hit back in his 51-ball knock laced with eight fours and eight sixes.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, a wicketkeeper-batter, reached his hundred off 48 balls as he leapt up in the air, kissed the ground and acknowledged the applause from the Afghan dressing room.

He put on 118 runs for the fourth wicket with skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, who made 27, after Afghanistan slipped to 26-3 in 4.3 overs.

Brar struck in his first over to send back Ibrahim Zadran for one after the batter mistimed a hit to be caught at mid-off.

Left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh then struck twice, but Gurbaz counter-attacked till his departure as he finally fell bowled to medium-pace bowler Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Shahidi became Dubey’s first wicket, and the bowler took two more, including one from a stunning catch by Gill, who dived to take a one-handed grab at first slip.

Azmatullah Omarzai hit a 16-ball 26 before the batting fell apart, and Gurnoor wrapped up the innings with his third strike.

The second match is on Wednesday in Lucknow.

READ: Mohsin Naqvi links central contracts to domestic cricket participation