Category: Sports

West Indies have recalled pace bowlers Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph for their upcoming two-match ICC World Test Championship (WTC) series against Sri Lanka, as the Caribbean side named a strong 15-member squad.

The fast-bowling pair return to the Test setup after last featuring in the format in July 2025, strengthening a West Indies side eager to revive its fortunes in the ongoing WTC cycle.

Captain Roston Chase will continue to lead the team, while Joshua Da Silva and Amir Jangoo have also earned recalls following impressive performances in domestic cricket.

Jangoo, who played his only Test against Pakistan in Multan in January 2025, has forced his way back into contention after a prolific domestic campaign.

The wicketkeeper-batter amassed 411 runs in seven innings during the West Indies Championship, finishing second on the run-scoring charts.

Da Silva enjoyed an equally productive tournament, topping the batting standings with 413 runs from seven innings to secure his return to the national side.

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The two-match series will be played entirely at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, with the first Test scheduled from June 25 to 29 and the second from July 3 to 7.

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy expressed confidence in his squad and viewed the series as an important opportunity for the team to continue its development in red-ball cricket.

“Every Test series is an opportunity for us to grow as a team and strengthen our identity,” Sammy said. “Sri Lanka are a quality side, so we know we’ll have to be at our best, but we’re excited about the challenge ahead.”

The former West Indies captain stressed the importance of discipline and resilience as his side looks to improve its standing in the World Test Championship.

“For us, it’s about playing with discipline, showing character when the game gets tough, and representing the West Indies with pride. The players have been putting in the work, and we’re looking forward to putting on a strong display for our fans across the Caribbean,” he added.

The series comes at a crucial time for the West Indies, who currently sit at the bottom of the nine-team WTC table after suffering seven defeats in their eight matches so far in the current cycle.

West Indies squad: Roston Chase (captain), John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Amir Jangoo, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales and Jomel Warrican.

READ: World Cup goals record ‘just a number’, says Lionel Messi

Midfield great Luka Modric said on Tuesday that he was determined to enjoy every second of his last FIFA World Cup and had been “rejuvenated” by being with Croatia for a fifth time on football’s biggest stage.

Croatia face England on Wednesday in Texas in one of the most attractive fixtures of the group stage in North America.

The 40-year-old Modric will lead out Croatia, who beat England in the World Cup semi-finals in 2018, and will pull the strings once more in midfield.

Along with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, this will be the last dance for one of the most acclaimed players in the world over the past 20 years.

Modric, now with AC Milan after more than a decade at the heart of Real Madrid’s midfield, is set to win his 200th cap for his country in North America.

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“Every game, every tournament is special at 40 with the national team,” Modric said on the eve of the England clash.

“My aim in this tournament is to enjoy it, to do my best, but enjoy it,” he added. “I want to enjoy each match, every training with these guys.”

Croatia strolled through qualifying but came into the World Cup with little fanfare, much like at other recent major tournaments. But England will underestimate them at their peril, even if the Croatia squad is one of the older ones at the tournament.

Another veteran of past campaigns, 37-year-old winger Ivan Perisic, is also in the squad alongside Manchester City pair Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic.

There is excitement about defender Luka Vuskovic, 19, who is expected to start against England, and Modric said, “There are a lot of young players, so I feel rejuvenated with them.”

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Long-serving coach Zlatko Dalic is looking forward to facing England once more, and seeing how his men stand up to an attack led by the prolific skipper Harry Kane.

“The opponent is high quality,” he said.

“We know their quality, we analysed them, and they know us too… they’re very dangerous.

“They have the best strikers in the world. They have Kane — Kane can do a lot, a hell of a lot,” he added, saying he was also wary of the threat posed by Thomas Tuchel’s side from set-pieces.

“We are quite prepared for that,” he said.

READ: Austria earn FIFA World Cup win against debutants Jordan

SANTA CLARA: Austria were given a scare by tournament debutants Jordan on Tuesday before securing a 3-1 win, in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, rounded off by a penalty in added time from veteran forward Marko Arnautovic.

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The Austrians went ahead at Levi’s Stadium, currently known as San Francisco Bay Area Stadium for the World Cup, near San Francisco, when Romano Schmid produced a brilliant opening goal, smashing in a shot from distance.

Jordan never stopped chasing the game, and Ali Olwan’s glancing header nearly put them level before he scored the first World Cup goal in his country’s history, and it was worth the wait.

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He cut in and directed a superb right-footed shot at Austria’s keeper, Alexander Schlager and off the post.

But Austria regained the lead in the 76th minute thanks to an own goal from Yazan al-Arab before 37-year-old former West Ham man Arnautovic added a stoppage-time penalty to make the game safe.

READ: World Cup goals record ‘just a number’, says Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi savoured a “beautiful moment” after claiming the World Cup’s joint all-time leading goalscorer record on Tuesday, but said, “ultimately, it is just a statistic, nothing more”.

The 38-year-old Argentina captain etched another memorable chapter in his glittering career with a brilliant hat-trick in the South Americans’ 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City.

Messi’s hat-trick, his first ever at a World Cup, vaulted him alongside Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the top scorer in the tournament’s history with 16 goals.

Next on the list is Brazilian great Ronaldo, with 15 goals, one ahead of Gerd Muller and current France star Kylian Mbappe.

“To enjoy this with my family, with my teammates, the ones who are always there, is a really beautiful moment,” Inter Miami star Messi said. “I’m happy.”

“It’s an honour to be there, given what it means to stand alongside Klose or the others.

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“Ronaldo is there too, but I don’t think it means anything — Mbappe as well, who scored two today (in a 3-1 win against Senegal).

“In the end, it’s just a statistic and nothing more.”

Messi’s razor-sharp eye for goal augurs well for Argentina’s hopes of becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cup titles.

“The squad, it’s a very united, very strong group,” he said.

“I feel good. We were lucky enough to win a tough match. It’s important to start off with a win in the first game.

“I’m grateful to the fans, because once again they’ve shown that Argentina is crazy about this — we packed the stadium again.”

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Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he no longer had “the words to describe Messi.”

“For 20 years, he’s had us used to seeing things like this, and he inspires everyone who watches him play,” he said of Messi’s masterclass.

Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister said Messi was still the heartbeat of the team despite his veteran status.

“If anyone thought this group was better off without Leo, today it became clear that Leo is the most important of them all,” he said.

Rodrigo De Paul, who supplied the pass for the first goal on Tuesday, described the former Barcelona star as “a beast”.

READ: Argentina beat Algeria 3-0 as Messi ties World Cup goals record

KANSAS CITY: Lionel Messi scored a dazzling hat-trick for Argentina on Tuesday to equal Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16 goals at World Cups as the defending champions swept Algeria aside 3-0.

On a night for the ages in Kansas City, the records kept tumbling for Argentina’s miracle man, considered by many to be the greatest footballer of all time.

When the match kicked off at the home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, Messi became the first player to feature in six World Cup tournaments in his 200th international match.

And the 38-year-old lit up the occasion with three goals in a clinical display by the reigning world champions.

Messi produced a majestic finish from distance in the 17th minute, sparking a frenzy among his adoring fans, who had turned the match into a virtual home game.

Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of France great Zinedine Zidane, got his hands to the ball, but could not keep it out.

Messi netted again in the second half from close range, gobbling up a rebound to take him just one goal behind the all-time record held by Germany’s Klose.

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And he completed his first hat-trick at a World Cup with an unstoppable finish in the 76th minute. The diminutive genius was substituted shortly afterwards, forcing Argentine fans to wait to see their hero have a shot at the outright record.

The Group J match in the open-air stadium started at a frantic pace, and both sides had early goals ruled out for offside, including one from Messi.

But Argentina took the lead when Rodrigo De Paul played a beautifully measured through ball, which Messi picked up before driving at goal and unleashing a fierce drive from outside the penalty area that curled away from Zidane.

The South American team were largely in control of the match, fluid in attack with their Number 10 pulling the strings.

But as the clock ticked towards half-time, Algeria enjoyed a better spell, with Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez forced to parry a shot from Fares Chaibi from a tight angle.

Messi curled another effort over the bar in the early minutes of the second half, and Zidane kept out a shot from Lautaro Martinez.

But the crowd did not have to wait long to celebrate another goal from the veteran forward, who plays for MLS side Inter Miami.

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Zidane could not handle a sizzling Alexis Mac Allister strike from distance, and Messi was there to sweep home in the 60th minute.

Time stood still six minutes later as Messi was through again, but this time Zidane pushed the ball over the bar. However, he was not to be denied, completing his hat-trick after being set up by substitute Nico Gonzalez.

Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina are seeking to become the first back-to-back winners since Brazil managed the feat in 1962.

Algeria are hoping to reach the knockout round for only the second time, in a group that also includes Austria and Jordan.

Earlier, the roads around the Kansas City Stadium were clogged as tens of thousands of Argentine fans streamed towards the ground dressed in blue and white, many with Messi’s name on the back of their shirts.

Argentina’s all-time top-scorer is just the third man to reach 200 caps after Cristiano Ronaldo and Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa.

Ronaldo will equal Messi’s record of six World Cup appearances if he plays for Portugal against DR Congo on Wednesday.

READ: Zidane Iqbal becomes first footballer of Pakistani heritage to play at World Cup

KANSAS CITY: Argentina captain Lionel Messi added another remarkable chapter to his legendary career on Tuesday, equalling the all-time men’s FIFA World Cup scoring record with a sensational hat-trick in his side’s tournament opener against Algeria.

The 38-year-old forward struck three times to move level with German great Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals, placing himself at the summit of the competition’s all-time scoring charts.

Messi, who is featuring in a record sixth FIFA World Cup, opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a long-range effort that gave Argentina control of the contest.

He doubled his tally shortly after the hour mark with a close-range finish before completing his hat-trick in the 76th minute, sparking wild celebrations among Argentina supporters in Kansas City.

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The three-goal performance saw Messi overtake Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario, who scored 15 World Cup goals, and move alongside Klose, whose record had stood alone since the 2014 tournament.

The latest milestone came just hours after France striker Kylian Mbappe had climbed the rankings with a brace of his own.

Mbappe moved past Messi’s pre-match tally of 13 goals to reach 14, drawing level with German icon Gerd Müller. However, Messi’s hat-trick dramatically reshuffled the standings and restored him to the top of the all-time list.

Most goals in FIFA World Cup history 

• Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 16
• Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 16
• Ronaldo (Brazil) – 15
• Kylian Mbappe (France) – 14
• Gerd Müller (West Germany) – 14
• Just Fontaine (France) – 13

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In addition to matching Klose’s record, Messi also became the oldest player ever to score both a brace and a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup match.

The previous record for the oldest World Cup hat-trick scorer belonged to Cristiano Ronaldo, who netted three times for Portugal against Spain at the 2018 World Cup at the age of 33 years and 130 days.

READ: Zidane Iqbal becomes first footballer of Pakistani heritage to play at World Cup

BOSTON: Iraq midfielder Zidane Iqbal etched his name into football history on Tuesday by becoming the first player of Pakistani heritage to feature at a FIFA World Cup.

The 23-year-old made the landmark appearance after coming on as a second-half substitute during Iraq’s 4-1 defeat to Norway in their Group I clash at Boston Stadium.

While the match was dominated by Norway striker Erling Haaland, who marked his World Cup debut with two goals, Iqbal’s introduction in the 59th minute represented a significant moment for football fans in Pakistan and across the global Pakistani diaspora.

Born in England to an Iraqi mother and a Pakistani father, Iqbal has represented Iraq at the international level and played a key role in the country’s journey to the World Cup.

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Speaking to BBC Sport, the former Manchester United midfielder admitted he was unaware of the milestone until it was highlighted on social media.

“To be honest, I didn’t even know it myself,” Iqbal said.

“I followed the account that posted it and sent it to my dad straight away. I think we were both surprised. When I tried to qualify for the World Cup with Iraq, I didn’t think of anything like this.”

Zidane Iqbal paid tribute to his father, describing him as the most influential figure in his football journey.

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“My dad is Pakistani. He’s my father, the man I respect the most in my life, who helped me so much in my career,” he said.

“I play for Iraq, grew up in England, but my dad was born in Pakistan. My grandad was a first-generation there, so I have a lot of respect for that side of my family.”

The midfielder also revealed that he proudly honours both sides of his heritage whenever he steps onto the pitch.

Iqbal wears the Iraqi flag on one side of his boots and the Pakistani flag on the other, symbolising his connection to both nations.

“I wear the Iraqi flag on my left side and the Pakistani flag on my right side,” he explained.

“I think that’s because I respect both sides.

“When people ask me what I feel more connected to, I can’t answer. For me, they’re both equal. It’s about respect and something I carry with a lot of pride.”

READ: Haaland double powers Norway to FIFA World Cup win over Iraq

Erling Haaland struck his first FIFA World Cup goals as Norway beat Iraq 4-1 on Tuesday in their first game at a major tournament in 26 years.

The Manchester City striker turned in from close range to give Norway the lead on 29 minutes in Boston, but Aymen Hussein’s header brought Iraq level.

Haaland pounced on an error at the back to put Norway ahead again before half-time and take his goals tally at the international level to 57 in just 51 matches.

Leo Ostigard headed in a third for Norway moments after coming off the bench to effectively wrap up victory. Norway got a fourth deep into stoppage time through a Hussein own goal.

The win left Norway on top of Group I on goal difference, level with France on three points after Les Bleus overcame Senegal 3-1 earlier in the day. The Norwegians face the African powerhouses in their next game in New Jersey on June 22.

No team endured a longer or more perilous road to the World Cup than Iraq, who secured their place as the 48th and final qualifier in March after a 21-match campaign that stretched across 867 days.

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Hussein, scorer of the decisive goal in the play-off win over Bolivia, was then held and questioned for hours by US immigration officials after arriving with the squad ahead of Iraq’s first World Cup since 1986.

Norway last played at the tournament in 1998, when coach Stale Solbakken was a member of the squad that famously beat Brazil in the group stage before exiting in the last 16. He also featured at Euro 2000.

After breezing impressively through qualifying, twice thrashing Italy, they are hoping a golden generation of players – led by Haaland and Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard – can break new ground in North America.

Solbakken predicted Haaland would make a “very big impact” at his first major finals, and the City star was quick to deliver on that promise.

Antonio Nusa’s trickery was a problem for Iraq, and his incisive pass released the overlapping David Moller Wolfe clear before Haaland stretched to steer in the low cross from the left.

Iraq, who lost all their of group games on their only previous appearance, did not let that get to them as they equalised 10 minutes later.

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Amir Al-Ammari found space just inside the area and clipped in a cross, with Hussein rising brilliantly to power a header past Orjan Nyland.

But Iraq only had themselves to blame as they gift-wrapped Haaland’s second of the contest.

Goalkeeper Jalal Hassan was slow to react to a softly-hit backpass, his attempted clearance smacking off Haaland’s shin and ricocheting into the net.

Iraq again responded well, with Ibrahim Bayesh denied by a desperation block, Ali Al-Hamadi dribbling an effort wide and centre-back Akam Hashim lashing a spectacular volley just over the bar.

Ostigard nodded in Odegaard’s corner on 76 minutes to seal the points for Norway, before Haaland was thwarted by Hassan when another loose pass sent him clean through and seeking his hat-trick.

Haaland nonetheless had a hand in Norway’s late fourth, his looping header back across goal deflecting off Hussein before trickling over the line.

READ: Kylian Mbappe breaks Lionel Messi’s record at FIFA World Cup 2026

NEW YORK: Kylian Mbappe on Tuesday entered the record books after becoming France all-time leading goalscorer and moving above Lionel Messi on the FIFA World Cup all-time scoring chart.

The 27-year-old scored in the 66th minute for Les Blues against Senegal to go past Giroud (57) in all-time leading goal scorers for his country.

Mbappe played a pivotal role in France opening win as he broke Senegal’s resistance with a low strike before doubling the scoreline with a sensational long-range goal in stoppage time to seal victory. The Real Madrid forward’s 58 strikes came in only his 99th appearance for France.

Most Goals For France

Rank	Player	Goals	Caps (Appearances)	International Career
1	Kylian Mbappé	58	99	2017–Present
2	Olivier Giroud	57	137	2011–2024
3	Thierry Henry	51	123	1997–2010
4	Antoine Griezmann	44	137	2014–2024
5	Michel Platini	41	72	1976–1987

During the match, he also took his FIFA World Cup goal tally to 14, surpassing Pelé (12) and Lionel Messi (13). He is now only behind Brazil’s Ronaldo and Germany’s Miroslav Klose in the all-time goal scorers list.

Most Goals in FIFA World Cups

Rank	Player	Country	Goals	Matches Played	Tournaments Active
1	Miroslav Klose	Germany	16	24	2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
2	Ronaldo	Brazil	15	19	1998, 2002, 2006
T-3	Gerd Müller	West Germany	14	13	1970, 1974
T-3	Kylian Mbappé	France	14	15	2018, 2022, 2026
T-3	Lionel Messi	Argentina	13	26	2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022

France will play Iraq in their next Group I game on Monday, 22 June, whereas Senegal will face Norway in New Jersey on Tuesday, 23 June.

READ: FIFA World Cup 2026: Kylian Mbappe’s brace fires France to opening win

NEW YORK: Kylian Mbappe’s brace fired France to an emphatic 3-1 opening win over Senegal in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I clash at New Jersey Stadium on Tuesday.

Real Madrid star Mbappe took his career World Cup goals tally to 14 –just two behind all-time leader Miroslav Klose- and Bradley Barcola was also on target as Les Bleus secured all three points for Didier Deschamps’ side.

Mbappe darted across the penalty area to convert a brilliant Michael Olise pass on 66 minutes to break the deadlock in a contest in which France struggled badly in the first half, but came to life after the break.

Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain then came off the bench to get the second late on, before his club colleague Ibrahim Mbaye pulled one back in stoppage time for Senegal.

But Mbappe saved the best for last, as he blasted in from long range in the 96th minute to seal the win, and become France’s all-time top scorer with 58 goals.

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The decision by coach Didier Deschamps to move Olise infield from the right wing was crucial in swinging the game the way of the two-time World Cup winners.

But it is Mbappe who grabbed the spotlight in what turned out to be a memorable 99th appearance for his country.

Mbappe renewed his extraordinary love affair with the World Cup, in which he scored in the 2018 final as France won, and netted a stunning hat-trick in their defeat on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 final in Qatar.

The 27-year-old Real Madrid striker’s double took him past Pele’s 12 and overtook the 13 of Lionel Messi and fellow Frenchman Just Fontaine.

He is now level with Gerd Mueller in the overall list, with only Klose and the Brazilian Ronaldo (15) still ahead of him.

France, one of the pre-tournament favourites, will be expected to build on this to ease into the last 32, with outsiders Iraq up next before a meeting with Erling Haaland’s Norway.

Deschamps, in his last tournament before he steps down after 14 years in charge, has been wary of overconfidence in his talented squad.

Opponents Senegal served as a warning from the past -– France went into the 2002 World Cup as holders and favourites, but lost 1-0 to the Lions of Teranga in their opening game and never recovered, going out in the group stage without scoring a goal.

Senegal showed how strong they are before a packed house of 80,545 in a game played in bright sunshine with the skyscrapers of Manhattan in the distance.

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A team led by veteran forward Sadio Mane, and featuring four starters born in France, were playing their first competitive game since the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco in January.

Pape Thiaw’s side won that in extra time, but were later stripped of their title for a walk-off protest by several players during the match. Their appeal into that is ongoing.

They were the better team in the first half, as Nicolas Jackson almost scored on the break on 25 minutes when he broke away and hit the post, before the ball ricocheted off goalkeeper Mike Maignan and went just wide.

Ismaila Sarr then put a glorious chance over the bar in first-half stoppage time, and Senegal were to regret that.

Olise and Ousmane Dembele switched positions at the interval, with the reigning Ballon d’Or moving right and leaving the area through the middle behind Mbappe to the Bayern man.

Suddenly, France came to life, with Olise being denied by Edouard Mendy and then setting up Mbappe for a chance that was saved.

France thought they had a penalty on the hour mark when Mbappe went down under a Mane challenge, but referee Alireza Faghani opted not to award a spot-kick after a review.

It didn’t matter, as Olise continued to tear apart the opposition and slipped in Mbappe for the opener.

It was a superb goal, and France struck again when Adrien Rabiot released substitute Barcola to run through and score.

Mbaye got one back on 95 minutes, but Mbappe had the last word.

READ: Neymar back in training with Brazil at FIFA World Cup 2026