Category: Sports

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has provided a significant update on Neymar’s recovery, casting doubt over the star forward’s availability for the Selecao’s opening FIFA World Cup 2026 fixture against Morocco.

Neymar has been sidelined since suffering a grade-two muscle tear in mid-May, an injury that forced him to miss Brazil’s final preparations ahead of the tournament.

The 34-year-old has already sat out the team’s two World Cup warm-up matches, including victories over Panama and Egypt.

Speaking ahead of Brazil’s Group C opener, Ancelotti confirmed that Neymar is making progress but is not yet ready to return to full training.

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“He is working hard to recover as quickly as possible,” Ancelotti said. “We hope he can return to full training next week.”

Notably, Morocco arrive at the tournament with growing confidence after their historic run to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2022.

The clash is also notable as the only group-stage fixture featuring two nations currently ranked inside FIFA’s top 10, with Brazil sixth and Morocco seventh.

While Brazil defeated Morocco 3-0 during the group stage of the 1998 World Cup, the gap between the two nations has narrowed significantly in recent years.

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Neymar last appeared in competitive action on May 17 for Santos in the Brazilian league before sustaining the injury that interrupted his preparations for the World Cup.

Despite the fitness concerns, Ancelotti stressed the importance of Neymar’s presence within the squad, highlighting both his footballing quality and leadership qualities.

“We called him up not only for his football ability, which is indisputable, but also for the experience and example he can give to the younger players in the group,” Ancelotti said.

Should Neymar feature later in the tournament, he would become only the ninth Brazilian player to appear in four FIFA World Cups, joining an elite list that includes legends such as Pele and Ronaldo.

READ: FIFA World Cup 2026: Canada secure historic point in draw with Bosnia

Co-hosts Canada grabbed a second-half equalizer to draw 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday in the first World Cup finals game ever played on Canadian soil.

Cyle Larin got Canada’s goal after Jovo Lukic put Bosnia ahead with a header in the 21st minute in Toronto.

The result gave Canada its first point in World Cup history.

Canadian sides had a perfect record of futility at two previous tournament appearances in 1986 and 2022, with six losses.

Lukic’s goal from a corner sent the small but enthusiastic Bosnian contingent at the Toronto Stadium into a frenzy.

Canada had the majority of play in the first half but failed to generate any real chances.

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The stadium erupted in the 17th minute when forward Jonathan David had a clear shot on goal, but it was easily handled by Bosnian keeper Nikola Vasilj.

Canada’s Ismael Kone had a golden opportunity in the 30th minute, but sailed his strike well over the net, prompting groans from tens of thousands of Canadians who blanketed the stadium in a sea of red.

The second half began in similar fashion, with Canada largely on the attack, but unable to find the net.

Bosnia’s veteran defender Sead Kolasinac saved a certain goal when he diverted a strike from David onto the crossbar, extending Canada’s agony.

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But Larin’s strike in the 78th minute marked a high point in Canada’s limited World Cup history, causing a mostly Canadian crowd of 43,000 to erupt.

Canada threatened to go ahead in the final minutes, narrowly missing a goal near the final whistle.

Canadian entertainment royalty attended the match at the home of the MLS’s Toronto FC, including film star Ryan Reynolds, from Vancouver, and Saturday Night Live and Austin Powers star Mike Myers, a Toronto native.

READ: Pele’s 1958 World Cup medal to fetch £500,000 at auction

Ghana player Thomas Partey, who is facing trial in Britain on rape charges, has been denied a visa to enter Canada to play in the World Cup, FIFA said on Friday.

“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s Team Base Camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” world football’s governing body said.

FIFA said it was “not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas”.

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“As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country,” it added.

It is believed that Partey will however be eligible to play in Ghana’s subsequent Group L games against England and Croatia, which will both take place in the United States.

Partey, a former Arsenal midfielder who plays for Spanish side Villarreal, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022.

The 32-year-old is due to stand trial next year.

READ: Pele’s 1958 World Cup medal to fetch £500,000 at auction

TORONTO: The second opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicked off at the Toronto Stadium on Friday, with Bollywood star Nora Fatehi among the headline performers.

The ceremony began with a tribute to the culture of the aboriginal communities who first inhabited Canada.

Later on, Nora Fatehi, Vegedream, and Sanjoy also lit up the ceremony with their performance. Jessie Reyez and Elyanna are also performing ‘Illuminate’, one of 18 official 2026 World Cup songs.

Nora Fatehi dressed in red and white suit performed her popular FIFA World Cup anthem “Siir Siir” with Sanjoy.

A day earlier, the tournament’s first opening ceremony took place in Mexico City, headlined by Shakira and numerous other international stars.

The highlight of the ceremony was Colombian star Shakira and Burna Boy performing “Dai Dai”, the official song of the tournament, eliciting roars from the crowd.

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J Balvin and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli were among the other performers before kickoff as the noise levels ramped up.

This is the first time that three separate opening ceremonies across three host nations have been held on two consecutive days have been held.

The final and most anticipated ceremony will take place at the Sofi Stadium in Inglewood ahead of the USA’s opening clash against Paraguay.

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The lineup includes pop star Katy Perry, global K-pop star LISA, Nigerian Afrobeats artist Rema, Brazilian pop artist Anitta, and hip-hop artist Future.

For the unversed, host Mexico began the 48-team tournament in style with a 2-0 victory over South Africa in the opening match.

Later on, South Korea edged Czech Republic by 2-1 in the second match of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

READ: Pele’s 1958 World Cup medal to fetch £500,000 at auction

Pele’s 1958 FIFA World Cup winners’ medal is expected to fetch £500,000 ($670,000) when it is auctioned in England later this month.

The medal, won by the Brazilian legend when he was a teenager, is part of a catalogue of 450 World Cup-related items being sold by sporting memorabilia specialists BUDDS, which estimates they will fetch £2 million in total.

A Brazil shirt won by Pele in the 1958 final is estimated to sell for more than $6 million in a separate auction at Sotheby’s in New York, which runs June 29 to July 16 — three days before this year’s World Cup final.

Pele, then just 17 years old, scored two of Brazil’s five goals in the 1958 final against host nation Sweden.

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The victory marked the first of Brazil’s record five World Cup titles, three of which were spearheaded by the striker known as “The King”.

Pele, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, died in December 2022 at the age of 82 after being diagnosed with colon cancer.

Other lots in the British auction include the shirt worn by England goalkeeper Gordon Banks when he made his famous save from Pele at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

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The auction also features memorabilia from England’s 1966 World Cup triumph, including Banks’ winners’ medal and Alan Ball’s shirt from the final.

“This is the largest collection of World Cup memorabilia ever offered at auction, and it is difficult to imagine many sales that could rival it in terms of historical significance,” said David Convery, head of sporting memorabilia at BUDDS.

An online auction is running from June 1 to 21 featuring shirts from the nations competing at the 2026 World Cup, before a live sale on June 25 at BUDDS’s auction rooms in Wellingborough, central England.

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo ‘very positive’ ahead of FIFA World Cup opener

India ace batter Virat Kohli has paid tribute to New Zealand’s retiring batter Kane Williamson in a social media post. 

Kohli to the social media platform, recalling cherished memories alongside Williamson.

“From an opponent to a friend over the years. It’s been a pleasure watching you bat and compete against you over so many years but more than that, I value our friendship and shared perspectives on the game and beyond,” he wrote.

“I continue to cherish every time we speak or meet. Wishing you nothing but the best always brother. You’ve done your bit, you deserve to enjoy all of it now and put your feet up. Well done mate, life’s only just begun,” he added.

Earlier, Kane Williamson called time on his glittering international career spanning 15 years before the second Test against New Zealand at the Oval Cricket Ground.

Williamson made his debut for New Zealand in 2010 against India at Ahmedabad. He finished as the White Ferns’ highest run scorer, amassing 19,346, including 48 centuries and six double-centuries.

Widely regarded for his leadership style on the field, Kane finished his Test career at  9,515 runs at an average of 54.06, including 33 centuries.

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His leadership style was much admired, and he captained the side in all three formats during a golden period from 2016 to 2024.

During that time, New Zealand reached two World Cup finals and three semi-finals, and won the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021.

He was named as the ICC Cricketer of 2015 and Test player of the year in 2019, while also winning the domestic Sir Richard Hadlee Medal on a record four occasions.

READ: Babar Azam pens heartfelt message on Kane Williamson’s retirement

Cristiano Ronaldo said on Friday that he was feeling “very positive” before flying out of Lisbon with the Portuguese team to their World Cup base camp in Palm Beach, Florida.

“We’re approaching this competition with a lot of hope,” said the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“The preparation has been very good, tiring, because we have worked hard,” continued the veteran Portugal captain who insisted he was “physically good”.

“I am very positive, I believe things will go well and that we will put in a good performance.

“It’s a very good generation… which will bring a lot of joy to the Portuguese people,” the forward said of the squad around him.

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“The most important thing is to start well, with the first match, then follow up with the second and third… finish top of the group and from there, take it one match at a time,” he added.

Portugal open their World Cup campaign on June 17 in Houston against the Democratic Republic of Congo, before facing Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K.

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At 41, Ronaldo will be heading to his record sixth World Cup, but there are concerns in some quarters that his presence will prevent Roberto Martinez’s strong side from flourishing.

Portugal played two friendly matches in recent days against Chile and Nigeria, winning both 2-1, but Ronaldo failed to score.

Portugal finished third in the 1966 World Cup and reached the quarter-finals four years ago in Qatar.

READ: Babar Azam pens heartfelt message on Kane Williamson’s retirement

Pakistan top-order batter Babar Azam has shared his reaction to New Zealand’s legendary batter Kane Williamson’s retirement from international cricket. 

Earlier today, Williamson called time on his international cricketing career ahead of the second Test at The Oval against New Zealand.

In a statement from New Zealand Cricket, the stalwart confirmed his retirement and revealed the reason for calling time on his glittering career.

Babar took to the social media platform X to acknowledge Williamson’s impact on global cricket.

Taking to the social media platform ‘X’, Babar reflected on the mutual respect between the two players and praised Williamson’s consistency, sportsmanship, and leadership that left a lasting impact on world cricket.

“Kane Williamson it was an honour to share the field with you. Every contest taught me something new. You leave the game better than you found it. Thank you for the standard you set champ! Happy retirement,” Babar wrote.

Williamson made his debut for New Zealand in 2010 against India at Ahmedabad. He finished as the BlackCaps highest run scorer, amassing 19,346, including 48 centuries and six double-centuries.

Widely regarded for his leadership style on the field, Kane finished his Test career at  9,515 runs at an average of 54.06, including 33 centuries.

Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!

His leadership style was much admired, and he captained the side in all three formats during a golden period from 2016 to 2024.

During that time, New Zealand reached two World Cup finals and three semi-finals, and won the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021.

He was named as the ICC Cricketer of 2015 and Test player of the year in 2019, while also winning the domestic Sir Richard Hadlee Medal on a record four occasions.

READ: Ex-pacer tips Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to surpass Tendulkar, Kohli

Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn predicted that teenage India sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi would surpass batting icons Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.

Speaking during the South Africa 20 (SA20) media interaction, Steyn made a bold prediction, saying that Sooryavanshi could eclipse the achievements of both Tendulkar and Kohli by the end of his career.

“You think of guys like Sachin, Virat, and this kid is going to explode. He’s going to be bigger than both of them put together at the end of his career,” Steyn said.

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He praised the 15-year-old batter, describing the left-hander as a generational talent for India.

“Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is a different gravy. He’s better than most international players right now. He’s a genuine boy wonder and a treasure for Indian cricket,” he added.

However, Steyn cautioned that the youngster would need to be managed carefully to ensure his long-term development.

“So I’d be very careful about how he’s managed and looked after. With great responsibility comes great reward, but there’s also a risk that you could lose him along the way if he isn’t handled properly,” he said.

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The 42-year-old also admitted that South Africa currently has no teenage prospect capable of matching Sooryavanshi’s talent.

“As for South Africa, no, we don’t have a 14- or 15-year-old who can rival him right now. But we do have some exceptional talent, including a lot of players in their twenties who will push through and represent South Africa in the years ahead,” he concluded.

For those unaware, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi rose to prominence during IPL 2025, where he smashed the second-fastest IPL century. His batting at higher strike rates got praise from global cricketing icons.

Earlier this year, he also helped India lift the U19 World Cup, smashing his way to 175 off just 80 balls against England in the final.

He carried his batting brilliance in the IPL 2026, finishing the tournament with 776 runs in 16 innings at a staggering strike-rate of 237.30 for the Rajasthan Royals.

Apart from securing the Orange Cap, he also collected the Best Emerging Player award, becoming the first cricketer in IPL history to win both the MVP and Emerging Player honors in the same season.

READ: New Zealand great Kane Williamson retires from international cricket

New Zealand’s most prolific run-scorer and arguably greatest batter Kane Williamson announced his immediate retirement from international cricket on Friday in the middle of their series against England.

The 35-year-old former skipper called time ahead of the second Test at The Oval next week. He played in the Black Caps’ defeat in the first Test at Lord’s, making 0 and 18.

“I’ve thought about it for a while, but over the last few days it’s become clear now is the right time,” he said.

“I’ve always felt a strong drive and hunger for international cricket, and I take pride in knowing I’ve given it my all in every match I’ve played for New Zealand.

“Continuing with anything less wouldn’t be right and I feel fortunate to step away on my own terms.

Williamson said he felt “optimistic” about the team’s direction.

“There’s a huge amount of talent and a real desire to do something special with this New Zealand team,” he said.

Williamson made his international debut in 2010 and played 378 games for his country, finishing as New Zealand’s all-time leading run-scorer with 19,346 including 48 centuries and six double-centuries.

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He played 110 Tests, smacking 33 centuries on his way to 9,515 runs at an average of 54.06.

His leadership style was much admired and he captained the side in all three formats during a golden period from 2016 to 2024.

During that time, New Zealand made two World Cup finals, three semi-finals, and won the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021.

“Anyone who’s had the privilege of working with Kane understands he is a very special player and person,” said New Zealand coach Rob Walter.

“His numbers and batting skills speak for themselves, but it’s what he means to this Black Caps team, as well as world cricket — that will be his legacy.

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“His impact on the culture and standards of this team will remain embedded in its DNA.”

Williamson’s list of accolades is immense, including being named the ICC Cricketer of 2015 and Test player of the year in 2019, while also winning the domestic Sir Richard Hadlee Medal on a record four occasions.

New Zealand great Hadlee hailed him as “a wonderful player and fine leader”.

“He’s demonstrated a willingness to continually advance his game to the highest level in all three formats and he rightfully finishes as one of the best players of his era,” he said.

“The way he prepared himself physically and mentally was perhaps the most impressive part. He was always committed to working hard and developing his technique to ensure he was ready to be a world class player.

“He’s been an unflappable leader and the architect of some of our greatest moments in cricket.”

READ: Thibaut Courtois likely to retire after FIFA World Cup 2026