Category: Sports

Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo and former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey were included in the Ghana squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026 as coach Carlos Queiroz left it to the last minute to finalise his 26-man selection.

Ghana face Wales in Cardiff on Tuesday in a friendly before flying to North America for their fifth World Cup appearance, where they are in a tough Group L with England, Croatia, and Panama.

The midfield includes Villarreal’s Partey, 32, who is due to stand trial in the UK at a later date on rape and sexual assault charges. He has pleaded not guilty.

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Veteran Leicester City attacker Jordan Ayew will captain the Black Stars, who will be without Tottenham winger Mohammed Kudus because of injury.

The 26-year-old Semenyo scored 11 goals in 27 games for City after moving from Bournemouth in January for an initial £62.5 million (72 million euros).

The World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico kicks off on June 11, with Ghana facing Panama in their opener six days later.

Ghana squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s)

Defenders: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Rennes), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Jerome Opoku (Basaksehir), Jonas Adjetey (Wolfsburg), Kojo Oppong Peprah (Nice), Derrick Luckassen (Pafos)

Midfielders: Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Augustine Boakye (Saint Etienne), Caleb Yirenkyi (Nordsjaelland), Abdul Fatawu (Leicester), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta)

Forwards: Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry), Prince Adu (Viktoria Plzen), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Jordan Ayew (Leicester)

READ: South Korea defender Cho Wi-je gets late World Cup 2026 call

Cho Wi-je played in South Korea’s second division last year, but now he is heading to the FIFA World Cup 2026 after being called up as a late injury replacement.

The 24-year-old defender has been drafted into South Korea’s squad after Cho Yu-min was ruled out with a foot injury following the 5-0 friendly win over Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday.

Cho Wi-je was already with the squad as a training partner, and now he is in contention to play against South Korea’s Group A opponents South Africa, the Czech Republic and co-hosts Mexico.

After turning out for Busan IPark in K League 2 until January this year, he was still trying to make sense of his rapid rise when he spoke to reporters on Monday.

“If someone told me last year that I would be going to the World Cup in 2026, I would never have believed that,” he said at the team’s training camp in Utah. “This feels like a dream.”

Cho joined South Korean champions Jeonbuk at the start of the year and impressed in his first taste of top-flight football.

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He is now with the national team alongside Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae, the central defender who has played at Europe’s top level for years and has almost 80 caps for his country.

“He has so much experience battling top European players, and I want to pick his brain about that,” Cho said.

“Min-jae is so much quicker than most players, and I have to be quicker on my feet to get to that level.”

Cho got his chance after Cho Yu-min’s World Cup dream ended less than two weeks before their World Cup opener against the Czechs on June 11.

“Yu-min played such an important role in helping us qualify for the World Cup, and it was really tough to see him leave,” said Cho. “To fill his void, I just have to perform as well as I can.”

South Korea squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

Goalkeepers: Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan), Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo), Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk)

Defenders: Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Kim Tae-hyon (Kashima Antlers), Park Jin-seob (Zhejiang), Seol Young-woo (Red Star Belgrade), Jens Castrop (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon), Lee Tae-seok (Austria Wien), Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), Cho Wi-je (Jeonbuk)

Midfielders: Kim Jin-gyu (Jeonbuk), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Paik Seung-ho (Birmingham), Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic), Eom Ji-sung (Swansea), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Forwards: Son Heung-min (LAFC), Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besitkas), Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland)

READ: Aryna Sabalenka overpowers Naomi Osaka to reach French Open quarter-finals

World number one Aryna Sabalenka took down fellow four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in straight sets in Monday’s night-session match to reach the French Open quarter-finals.

Sabalenka produced an impressive display, hitting 39 winners and 12 aces, against a battling Osaka to win 7-5, 6-3 and reach the last eight for a 14th consecutive major tournament.

The Belarusian is the only Grand Slam champion left in either the men’s or women’s singles draws at Roland Garros.

She made it three straight wins against Osaka this year, having lost their only previous meeting at the 2018 US Open.

Sabalenka will next take on Russian Diana Shnaider as she continues her bid for a maiden French Open crown and to banish the memories of her painful final defeat last year by Coco Gauff.

Japanese star Osaka, again sporting the sequined gold dress she likened to the Eiffel Tower at night, has to make do with her best-ever run in Paris, ending in the last 16.

It was the first women’s match to feature in the French Open night session since 2023, after a run of 32 consecutive men’s ties which drew repeated criticism of tournament organisers.

Aryna Sabalenka has previously criticised the lack of women’s matches under the lights, saying last year that the WTA stars “deserve equal treatment” to the men.

“I hope that this is the beginning, today’s match. It’s like we open up that door for woman night sessions,” she said Monday.

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The players traded early breaks in a power-packed opening, before Sabalenka levelled the first set at 2-2 with a service hold featuring three aces, the last with a second serve.

The set stayed on serve until the 11th game, when Sabalenka made her move with a blistering backhand winner to bring up two break points, with Osaka netting on the first.

The top seed closed it out in style with a ruthless hold to love.

Osaka gamely managed to hang onto her serve early in the second set, staving off a break point in a marathon game to lead 3-2.

Sabalenka had only dropped six points in her previous seven service games, but was pushed hard by Osaka in game six before eventually holding with a clever drop-shot.

That proved to be a crucial moment, as Osaka’s resistance was finally broken in the next game, a brilliant low volley at the net helping Sabalenka put one foot into the quarters.

An Osaka double-fault brought up match point two games later, and Sabalenka sealed victory with a brutal return.

READ: Paraguay name FIFA World Cup 2026 squad

Paraguay on Monday named a FIFA World Cup 2026 squad featuring Brighton midfielder Diego Gomez while his former club teammate Julio Enciso, now with Strasbourg, will lead the attack.

Argentinian coach Gustavo Alfaro called up 20-year-old left-back Alexandro Maidana, who only made his full international debut in March, to fill in for the injured Mathias Villasanti.

Paraguay face joint hosts the United States in their opening Group D game on June 12 in Los Angeles before taking on Turkey on June 19 and Australia on June 25, with both matches in Santa Clara.

They are returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 when they reached the quarter-finals in South Africa.

Paraguay squad:

Goalkeepers: Roberto Fernandez (Cerro Porteno), Orlando Gill (San Lorenzo de Almagro/ARG), Gaston Olveira (Olimpia)

Defenders: Gustavo Velazquez (Cerro Porteno), Juan Jose Caceres (Dinamo Moscow/RUS), Gustavo Gomez (Palmeiras/BRA), Omar Alderete (Sunderland/ENG), Fabian Balbuena (Gremio/BRA), Jose Canale (Lanus/ARG), Junior Alonso (Atletico Mineiro/BRA), Alexandro Maidana (Talleres/ARG)

Midfielders: Diego Gomez (Brighton/ENG), Andres Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN), Damian Bobadilla (Sao Paulo/BRA), Matias Galarza (Atlanta United/USA), Braian Ojeda (Orlando City/USA), Mauricio Magalhaes (Palmeiras/BRA), Alejandro Romero Gamarra (Al-Ain/UAE)

Forwards: Gustavo Caballero (Portsmouth/ENG), Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United/USA), Julio Enciso (Strasbourg/FRA), Ramon Sosa (Palmeiras/BRA), Antonio Sanabria (Cremonese/ITA), Alex Arce (Independiente Rivadavia/ARG), Gabriel Avalos (Independiente/ARG), Isidro Pitta (Bragantino/BRA)

READ: Ghazi Ghori responds to Mohammad Rizwan’s replacement talk

LAHORE: Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Ghazi Ghori has addressed talk surrounding Mohammad Rizwan’s replacement in the ODI side. 

Speaking ahead of the second ODI against Australia, Ghori said Rizwan remains the senior player despite his omission from the ongoing series.

“It’s not like that I am replacing Rizwan bhai, he is our most senior player, and only he is our first-choice wicketkeeper,” he told reporters.

He also spoke about receiving support from team management, noting that during Bangladesh tour, the coaches and captain advised him to stay ready for any oppurtunity.

“I have been receiving significant support from the coach and the captain. When I played in Bangladesh, they advised me to stay prepared as I could be given an opportunity anytime and also that I must avail it. So, the captain and coach supported me a lot,” he explained.

Ghori who scored a calculated fifty in the series opener, credited Babar Azam for guiding him through the difficult phase of the innings.

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“It gives a lot of confidence when a senior player is already in the middle, and to bat alongside someone like Babar bhai, who has performed so well over the years, gives a different kind of confidence and eases the pressure a bit from the youngster,” Ghazi revealed.

“Because as a senior player, he was dealing with the difficult tasks by himself and kept me at ease. So, when you’re batting alongside someone like Babar bhai, things get easier,” he concluded.

It is worth mentioning that Rizwan was omitted from Pakistan’s squad for the home series, sparking widespread debate about his future in ODI cricket.

Pakistan have included Rohail Nazir and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori as their specialist wicketkeeping options for the Australia series, with the team management looking to assess alternatives ahead of the next ODI World Cup cycle.

Rizwan’s omission comes after a disappointing ODI series against Bangladesh earlier this year, where he managed just 54 runs in three innings at an average of 19.33.

Despite the recent struggles, the experienced wicketkeeper remains one of Pakistan’s most accomplished ODI performers. Since making his debut in the format, Rizwan has scored 2979 runs in 94 ODI innings at an average of 40.80, including four centuries and 19 half-centuries.

READ: Mike Hesson breaks silence on criticism over spin-friendly pitches

Serena Williams confirmed her return to tennis after an absence of nearly four years on Monday, with the American great set to play women’s doubles at Queen’s club later this month.

The 44-year-old has not played competitively since a third-round loss at the 2022 US Open left her one short of the all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, jointly held by Margaret Court and Novak Djokovic.

Williams shared a video on social media of herself on a tennis court containing the caption: “Guess everybody heard the news”, with her phone buzzing rapidly in the background.

A post from the seven-time Wimbledon champion said: “Good news travels fast.”

“Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to begin this next chapter,” Williams said in a statement from tournament organisers.

“Grass has given me some of the most meaningful moments of my career, and I’m excited to be back competing on one of the sport’s most iconic stages.”

The women’s event at the London tournament starts on June 8.

Williams’ imminent return has been touted since it was revealed in December she had re-entered the anti-doping programme — a prerequisite to play on the tour again.

The American denied she was planning a competitive return but rumours have swirled over the past few months that she was on her way back.

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She has now been given a wild card for the women’s doubles at Queen’s, reportedly alongside young Canadian Victoria Mboko.

Djokovic predicted a return for Williams in March and a number of players have spoken about the subject at the ongoing French Open.

“I think it’s good for me. I’ll be very entertained,” said Naomi Osaka, who famously beat Williams in the 2018 US Open final, when asked if she would watch a comeback match from Serena.

Coco Gauff, who lost in the third round of the French Open on Saturday, said she would love to face Williams for the first time.

“Serena Williams is one of the greatest athletes the world has ever seen, and we’re delighted that she will be making her return to tennis at the LTA’s HSBC Championships,” said WTA tournament director Laura Robson.

“Women’s tennis made a historic return to the Queen’s Club last year and now we have an icon of the game stepping back on to court.”

The former world number one said in 2022 she did not want to use the word “retiring” but instead explained she was “evolving” away from tennis.

The American spent 319 weeks at the top of the world rankings and won 73 singles titles on the WTA Tour.

She also won 14 major Grand Slam doubles titles with older sister Venus Williams, who ended a 16-month hiatus from professional tennis last year.

Venus said the “only thing” that would have made her being.

READ: WATCH: Babar Azam reacts to AI-made song using his voice

Iraq on Monday announced a 26-member FIFA World Cup 2026 squad, set to begin on 11 June across North America. 

The squad announced by head coach Graham Arnold includes the same group of players that helped the side in qualifying through the intercontinental playoffs.

Seasoned campaigner Aymen Hussein is set to captain the side that also includes Ipswich Town’s Ali Al-Hamadi and youngsters Ali Jassim and Youssef Amyn.

Full Back Dario Naamo who previously turned out for Iraq was left-out after recently changing his sporting nationality to Finland.

The squad’s midfield selections comprise of Zidane Iqbal and Heerenveen’s Aimar Sher whereas goalkeeper Kamil Saadi will be kept as reserve during the training camp.

For the unversed, the FIFA World Cup 2026 will mark Iraq’s first appearance in 40 years at the mega event. They have been drawn in Group I alongside France, Senegal and Norway.

Iraq FIFA World Cup 2026 Squad

Goalkeepers: Fahad Talib, Jalal Hassan, Ahmed Basil

Defenders: Hussein Ali, Manaf Younis, Zaid Tahseen, Rebin Sulaka, Akam Hashem, Merchas Doski, Ahmed Yahya, Zaid Ismail, Frans Putros, Mustafa Saadoon

Midfielders: Amir Al Ammari, Kevin Yakob, Zidane Iqbal, Aimar Sher, Ibrahim Bayesh, Ahmed Qasim, Youssef Amyn, Marko Farji

Forwards: Ali Jassim, Ali Al Hamadi, Ali Yousef, Aymen Hussein, Mohanad Ali

READ: Veteran striker left out as Iran name FIFA World Cup squad

LAHORE: Star batter Babar Azam and Pakistan cricketers shared their reactions to AI-generated songs created using his voice in a light-hearted video.

The video was uploaded on Pakistan cricket social handles, with players sharing their thoughts in a light-hearted manner.

Babar said with a chuckle that he does sing, but the voice in the clip was not his own.

“I do sing, but that is not my voice. The picture looks nice though,” Babar said after listening to an AI-generated song of himself.

All-rounder Salman Ali Agha joked that he had heard worse songs than that and did not think Babar could sing better than him.

“I’ve heard worse songs than this. I don’t think Babar can sing better than me,” Salman Ali Agha said.

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Fast bowler Naseem Shah said that most AI-generated songs in Pakistan were created using Babar Azam’s voice. He added that while traveling in a car, he often comes across reels which he plays on the speaker and listens to.

“In my opinion, most AI-generated songs in Pakistan are made using Babar Azam’s voice. I often travel in a car, and reels come up in front of me, which I play on the speaker and listen to. The [AI] voice is even better. We have already heard all his AI songs,” he said.

“Babar should try singing in his real voice at least once. Fans love Babar because his name keeps coming up no matter what, whether it’s singing or cricket,” he concluded.

For the unversed, Pakistan is currently involved in a three-match ODI series against Australia. The Men in Green dominated the series opener, winning the fixture by five wickets, thanks to Arafat Minhas’ fifer on debut and Babar Azam’s composed half-century.

The second ODI will be played tomorrow at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

READ: Mike Hesson breaks silence on criticism over spin-friendly pitches

Iran has announced a 26-member squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, set to begin on 11 June across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. 

The squad announced by head coach Amir Ghalenoei features a blend of youngsters and seasoned players, with veteran striker Sardar Azmoun the notable omission.

Azmoun who appeared in 91 internationals and scored 57 goals was left out of the initial squad and did not make the final squad despite Iran’s Vice president urging him to return.

The 31-year-old was reportedly omitted from the Iran team in March for a perceived act of disloyalty to the government.

The 32-year-old Winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh will lead the side, with Alireza Beiranvand, Milad Mohammadi, Saeid Ezatolahi, and striker Mehdi Taremi strengthening the squad.

The upcoming event will mark Iran’s seventh appearance at the FIFA World Cup, as they look to advance past the group stage for the first time.  In total, Iran has won only three of 19 matches in their previous appearances.

Iran, slotted in Group G, will begin their campaign against New Zealand on 15 June before locking horns against Belgium on 21 June. They will play their final group game against Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.

Iran Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand (Tractor), Hossein Hosseini (Sepahan), Payam Niazmand (Persepolis)

Defenders: Danial Eiri (Malavan), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan), Saleh Hardani (Esteghlal), Hossein Kanaani (Persepolis), Shoja Khalilzadeh (Tractor), Milad Mohammadi (Persepolis), Ali Nemati Omid Noorafkan (Foolad), Ramin Rezaeian (Foolad)

Midfielders: Rouzbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal), Saeid Ezatolahi (Shabab Al-Ahli), Mehdi Ghaedi (Al-Nassr), Saman Ghoddos (Kalba), Mohammad Ghorbani (Al-Wahda), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Dender), Mohammad Mohebi (Rostov), Amir Mohammad Razzaghinia (Esteghlal), Mehdi Torabi (Tractor), Aria Yousefi (Sepahan)

Forwards: Ali Alipour (Persepolis), Dennis Dargahi (Standard Liege), Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh (Tractor), Shahriyar Moghanlou (Kalba), Mehdi Taremi (Olympiacos)

Iran Schedule

15 June – New Zealand (9 pm EST)
21 June – Belgium (3 pm EST)
26 June – Egypt (11 pm EST)

READ: Carlo Ancelotti’s son Davide named new Lille coach

DA NANG: Pakistan Wrestlers delivered impressive performances to secure gold and silver medals at the U-17 Asian Beach Wrestling Championship 2026 held in Vietnam.

The achievement significantly improved Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, set to be held in Dakar.

In the 90kg category, Pakistan’s Muhammad Usman Laghari showcased exceptional skill and determination to claim the gold medal and the title of Asian Champion.

He remained undefeated throughout the event, defeating competitors from the host nation, Vietnam, in his opening bout, followed by victories against Mongolia and China.

Usman went on to defeat Kazakhstan in the semi-final and once again overcame Vietnam in the final to secure the top podium position.

In the 70kg category, Pakistan’s Hassan Ali Bhola earned the silver medal after an impressive run. He defeated two wrestlers from Jordan, one from Saudi Arabia, and two from Vietnam during the competition.

Hassan advanced to the final after overcoming a strong opponent from China in the semi-final, ultimately finishing with a well-earned silver medal for Pakistan.

Team official and coach Ghulam Farid credited the success to consistent hard work, high-quality training, and strong national spirit.

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The national team underwent a three-month intensive training camp in Lahore and Gujranwala prior to the championship, which played a key role in their international success.

Secretary General of the Pakistan Wrestling Federation, Muhammad Inam Butt, congratulated the athletes, coaching staff, and parents, stating that the young wrestlers have proven Pakistan’s ability to produce world-class talent.

He added that these Asian-level results will serve as a foundation for future international achievements.

President Arshad Sattar described the results at the U-17 Asian Beach Wrestling Championship as highly encouraging for the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026.

He noted that the gold and silver medalists have demonstrated exceptional ability, and based on their current form, Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games have significantly improved.

The Pakistan Wrestling Federation termed this achievement a major milestone for the development of wrestling in the country and expressed hope that young athletes will continue to bring further honors to Pakistan in future international events.

READ: WATCH: Panama players click selfies with Neymar after defeat against Brazil