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Spurred on by World Cup 2026 fever, US President Donald Trump said Friday that American football should be renamed as the game played with a round ball, soccer, was the one true football.

“We have a little bit of a conflict with another thing that’s called football, but when you think about it, shouldn’t it really be called … football, there is no question,” Trump said at the World Cup draw.

“We have to come up with another name for the NFL (National Football League). It really doesn’t make sense when you think about it.”

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For Americans, the word “football” refers to American football, a sport primarily played with the hands, unlike what the rest of the world calls football.

Almost the entire country tunes in each year to the NFL championship final, the Super Bowl, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino made sure to emphasise on Friday to Americans that the World Cup 2026 would be the equivalent of 104 Super Bowls.

An all-round sports enthusiast, Trump has developed a particular affection for soccer that continues to grow as the World Cup 2026, which will take place next summer in the United States of America (USA), Mexico, and Canada, approaches.

READ: FIFA unveils groups for the World Cup 2026

The path to glory at the FIFA World Cup 2026 has now been laid out after the final groups were revealed during Friday’s draw ceremony in Washington.

The US President Donald Trump received FIFA’s new peace prize on stage at the Kennedy Centre before the draw for the first 48-team World Cup, which offered kind starts to the tournament for holders Argentina and much-fancied Spain in particular.

While the make-up of the groups was revealed along with the potential path through the knockout rounds for all the potential winners, the precise schedule for the competition will only be confirmed later on Saturday.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino will unveil the venues and kick-off times for all games from 1700 GMT, after which the teams will be able to focus on fine-tuning their preparations with barely six months left until the World Cup kicks off on June 11.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina will begin their defense of the trophy they won in Qatar in 2022 by facing Algeria, and will also play Austria and debutants Jordan in Group J.

Reigning European champions Spain will kick off their campaign against first-time qualifiers Cape Verde before also taking on Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group H.

Thomas Tuchel’s England, seeking to win a first World Cup since 1966, will be expected to top Group L ahead of 2018 finalists Croatia, Ghana and Panama.

Two-time winners France face awkward tests against Senegal and Erling Haaland’s Norway in Group I, which will be completed by a play-off winner from either Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname.

For the first time, the draw was done in such a way as to ensure the four highest-ranked nations were kept apart. Spain, Argentina, France and England cannot meet before the semi-finals, if all top their groups.

However, the path to that stage, with an extra knockout round now following the group phase, looks perilous.

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If the top seeds all win their groups, England could find themselves playing co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City in the last 16 and then Brazil in the quarter-finals, before a semi against Argentina.

Other possible match-ups include France and Germany being on a last-16 collision course and a potential meeting between Messi’s Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the quarter-finals.

The tournament will be held across the USA, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19, with 16 more teams added to the global showpiece, up from the 32 nations involved in 2022.

While the US will host most matches, including the final at MetLife Stadium outside New York, three of the 16 venues will be in Mexico and two in Canada.

The opening game sees Mexico play South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil and surprise 2022 semi-finalists Morocco will meet in Group C, which also features Scotland and Haiti.

Notably, Scotland and Brazil will meet for the fifth time at a World Cup.

Germany’s opponents in Group E will be the Ivory Coast, Ecuador and Caribbean minnows Curacao, while Portugal face Uzbekistan, Colombia and a play-off winner.

The United States got a manageable draw, with Paraguay, Australia and a European play-off winner in Group D.

The top two teams in each group advance to the last 32, joined by the eight best third-placed teams.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Draw

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Winner of UEFA play-off D*

Group B: Canada, Winner of UEFA play-off A*, Qatar, Switzerland

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Winner of UEFA play-off C*

Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Winner of UEFA play-off B*, Tunisia

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

Group I: France, Senegal, Winner of Fifa play-off 2*, Norway

Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Group K: Portugal, Winner of Fifa play-off 1*, Uzbekistan, Colombia

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

*UEFA play-off A: Italy, Wales, Bosnia-Herzegovina or Northern Ireland

*UEFA play-off B: Ukraine, Poland, Albania or Sweden

*UEFA play-off C: Turkey, Slovakia, Kosovo or Romania

*UEFA play-off D: Denmark, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland or North Macedonia

*Fifa play-off 1: DR Congo, Jamaica or New Caledonia

*Fifa play-off 2: Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname

READ: Justin Greaves 202* leads West Indies to draw first New Zealand Test

CHRISTCHURCH: Justin Greaves scored an epic unbeaten double century to earn the West Indies a valiant draw in the first Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval on Saturday.

Greaves was not out on 202, and Shai Hope made 140 as the visitors, chasing a target of 531, were 457-6 at close, the second-highest Test fourth innings.

Greaves battled for almost 10 hours and faced 388 deliveries, bringing up his maiden double century in the penultimate over.

Kemar Roach was unbeaten on his Test best of 58, which included facing 72 dot balls when he was on 53.

The pair put on a gutsy 180 for the seventh wicket.

A draw seemed a distant prospect for the tourists when the top order failed to fire yet again, and they slumped to 72-4.

But New Zealand were down on firepower as injuries to Matt Henry and Nathan Smith reduced their pace attack in the second innings to just Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes.

Both were playing only their second Test.

The placid pitch was also of little assistance to the spinners, allowing Shai Hope and Greaves to cash in for the fifth wicket, amassing 196 runs in a 64-over stand.

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The West Indies resumed the final day at 212-4 with a confident Hope and Greaves adding 23 in six overs of spin before blunting the new-ball attack for more than 12 overs, before Hope was dismissed for 140.

A short ball from Duffy outside the leg stump tempted Hope to hook, but the ball climbed, grazed the glove, and a diving Tom Latham took a stunning one-handed catch to complete the dismissal.

Tevin Imlach came and went quickly, lbw to Foulkes for four, and New Zealand felt the initiative had swung their way again with the West Indies 277-6.

But when Roach joined Greaves, the pendulum swung back the other way as West Indies reached 399-6 at tea, needing a further 132 with four wickets remaining if they were to achieve a historic victory in the final session.

Luck was with Roach, who received five lives. He was dropped on 30 and 47 and survived a run-out when the throw went wide of the stumps.

He was given not out to an lbw appeal and again for a caught behind, both off Michael Bracewell, when television replays showed he was out both times.

Duffy was New Zealand’s most successful bowler with 3-122 to go with his five wickets in the first Test.

The second Test starts in Wellington on Wednesday.

READ: Fakhar Zaman penalized for ICC Code of Conduct breach

CAPE TOWN: Laura Wolvaardt’s sublime century powered South Africa women to a big win over Ireland women here at Newlands Cricket Ground on Friday.

Set a daunting 221, Ireland’s batting lineup faltered under pressure and were skittled for 118 in 18 overs.

The Proteas women inflicted a miserable start on the visitors, reducing them to 4-2 at the end of the first over. Sune Luus picked up both of the opening wickets.

After early hiccups, skipper Gaby Lewis and Leah Paul tried to put chase back on track, adding 42 for the second wicket.

Lewis made 30 from 30 with the help of five boundaries, whereas Paul continued until the first ball of the 11th over.

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Paul scored 34 from 23 balls, striking six fours.

The wicket sparked a collapse Ireland could not recover from, and they ended up losing the match by a big margin of 105 runs.

For South Africa, Sune Luus picked up a four-wicket haul in her quota of four overs.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, South Africa piled up a mammoth 220-2 in their allotted 20 overs.

Skipper Laura Wolvaardt starred with the bat, smashing an unbeaten 115 from 56 balls, studded with four sixes and 15 boundaries.

Sune Luus remained the other notable contributor with 81 off 51 balls, which included 11 fours and a six.

For Ireland, Ava Canning and Jane Maguire picked up one wicket each.

The second T20I of the three-match series will be played on Sunday, 7 December at Paarl.

READ: Sloppy England swings Gabba Test Australia’s way

A relentless Australia took a 44-run lead over England in the day-night second Ashes Test in Brisbane on Friday, with aggressive opener Jake Weatherald and Steve Smith leading the charge.

By stumps, the hosts had not only reeled in England’s first-innings 334 but raced clear, ending a draining day two on 378-6 in front of a big crowd at a humid Gabba.

A decent lead is shaping as crucial, with the pitch likely to deteriorate in the coming days.

Alex Carey, who was dropped first ball and again on 25, was not-out 46 with Michael Neser on 15, but England’s pace cartel made in-roads under lights in the evening session.

Australia were cruising at 291-3 before the expensive Brydon Carse removed Cameron Green (45) and Smith (61) in four deliveries to rekindle hope as England’s short-ball tactics paid off.

The bowlers, though, lacked consistency and were guilty of too many loose deliveries, with Australia plundering 51 boundaries, while four easy catches were put down.

Weatherald, in only his second Test, slammed 12 fours and a six in a punchy knock before being trapped lbw by Jofra Archer with an angled yorker.

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Marnus Labuschagne — Australia’s form batter in recent months with a slew of centuries in domestic cricket — was similarly assured, cracking 65 as the shadows moved over the ground.

But as he looked destined for another ton, England captain Ben Stokes got the crucial breakthrough with a nick to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.

Steve Smith, wearing black adhesive anti-glare strips under his eyes to help with the Gabba lights, as is common in American sports, was the big wicket.

Once he got in, the veteran skipper appeared immovable, but Carse tempted him into a hook shot that Will Jacks caught spectacularly at backward square leg.

Travis Head, Australia’s wrecking-ball hero in the first Test win at Perth, fell before tea for 33.

England were dismissed in the second over of the day with Joe Root the last man standing on 138.

They resumed on 325-9 after he guided them from a precarious 5-2 with his maiden century on Australian soil and 40th overall in a gripping day one.

He added nine to the overnight score with partner Archer before the number 11 fell for a career-best 38, caught brilliantly by a diving Labuschagne in the deep to end a valuable 10th-wicket partnership of 70.

Veteran Mitchell Starc took 6-75.

Head smashed an explosive 69-ball century to help Australia stun England by eight wickets in Perth, but was more reserved this time after being retained as opener in place of the injured Usman Khawaja.

It took him 15 balls to get going before a huge escape on three when Smith fluffed a sitter off an edge from Archer.

The scare woke him up, and he let rip in the next over, but his luck ran out when he sent an edge high to Gus Atkinson off Carse, with England breathing a sigh of relief as he walked off.

Weatherald quickly found his rhythm with a series of early boundaries, cutting and driving with ease.

Three of them came in five balls off Atkinson as the outfield ran fast and he brought up an impressive 50 from 45 balls, before Archer worked his magic.

Labuschagne picked up where he left off, reaching a 25th Test half-century, with 10 boundaries in his 65.

It was then down to Smith, who produced a series of high-quality shots to pass 50 for a 44th time and, oozing confidence, looked set for a big score before Carse again pounced, then Stokes removed Josh Inglis (23).

READ: Five-star Saqib helps Karachi Blues crush Sialkot to win QEAT 2025

LAHORE: Abdullah Fazal and Haroon Arshad’s sparkling centuries, backed by a splendid bowling display from pacer Saqib Khan — who took a five-wicket haul in the second innings and nine in the match — helped Karachi Blues clinch the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QEAT) 2025-26 title.

With this, Karachi Blues won their record third title in the tournament’s history as Sialkot failed to defend their crown.

Chasing a daunting 533-run target, Sialkot were eventually bundled out for 314 on the final day here at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Friday.

Saqib, who remained the chief tormentor, started with the wicket of opener Azan Awais, who was trapped lbw for 11. The pair could only add 23 from their overnight score of 12.

After the early blow, Abdullah Shafique and Muhammad Hurraira tried to steady the innings with a 46-run partnership, which brought the total to 81.

However, the stand eventually culminated with Hurraira’s wicket, who was caught behind for 39 with the aid of five boundaries.

Despite the wickets, Abdullah held firm at one end and stitched together multiple stands with middle-order batters. However, his resistance ended after he notched up 59 off 98 balls, laced with five fours and a six.

The other notable partnership was between Hamza Nazar and wicket-keeper batter Afzal Manzoor, who added 112 for the sixth wicket, which provided Sialkot some relief.

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The duo batted impressively while chasing an uphill task and brought the total above the 250-run mark. But, spinners Rameez Aziz and pacer Mushtaq Ahmed dismissed both batters in quick succession, which put Karachi Blues on the cusp of victory.

Afzal 63 off 48 was peppered with 13 fours while Hamza hit nine fours on his way to 56 off 84 balls.

It was only a matter of time for Karachi as Saqib, who started the proceedings, bowled Mohammad Hasnain to take his side to a memorable victory.

Saqib Khan took five for 86 in 20.1 overs and finished as the second-highest wicket-taker with 47 wickets to his name in nine matches at an impressive average of 20.59.

For his 88 and 114, Abdullah Fazal was named the player of the match in the final.

READ: Fakhar Zaman penalized for ICC Code of Conduct breach

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday fined Pakistan ace batter Fakhar Zaman 10 per cent of the match fee for the Code of Conduct breach during the Tri-Series final against Sri Lanka.

Zaman violated Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Support Personnel, which relates to showing dissent at an umpire’s decision.

The left-handed batter has been handed one demerit point, which is his first offence in a 24-month period.

“Zaman was found to have breached Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match,” the ICC wrote in his press release.

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Last month, Pakistan outplayed Sri Lanka in the final by six wickets.  The incident occurred in the 19th over of Pakistan’s innings, when Fakar, who made three runs, was seen arguing with the on-field umpires after his dismissal.

The sanction was proposed by Reon King of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees.

On-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Asif Yaqoob, along with third umpire Rashid Riaz and fourth umpire Faisal Afridi, levied the charge.

The 35-year-old admitted the offence and accepted the sanction, hence eliminating the need for a formal hearing.

For the unversed, Pakistan emerged victorious in the final after a thrilling performance with the bat and ball.

Mohammad Nawaz and Shaheen Afridi starred with the ball, picking up three wickets each, which bundled out Sri Lanka for a mere 114-run total in 19.1 overs.

In reply, Pakistan chased down the target in 18.4 overs, losing four wickets in the process.

Babar Azam remained the top-scorer with 37* from 34 balls laced with two fours and a six. Saim Ayub was the other notable contributor with 36 from 33 balls, striking six boundaries.

READ: Joe Root surpasses Asad Shafiq’s Test record against Australia

BRISBANE: England ace batter Joe Root surpassed former Pakistan batter Asad Shafiq’s record of the highest individual score against Australia in a pink-ball Test.

Shafiq, who retired in 2023, hit 137 during Pakistan’s tour of Australia in 2016 in a day/night Test.

Notably, Faf du Plessis, who is set to feature in the forthcoming PSL 11, also scored 118* in Adelaide back in 2016.

However, earlier today, Root shattered the long-standing record with an unbeaten 138 during day two of the second Ashes Test, playing a major role in bringing England’s total to 334.

Highest individual score vs Australia in Day/Night Tests

• 138* – Joe Root, Gabba 2025  
• 137 – Asad Shafiq, Gabba 2016
• 118* – Faf du Plessis, Adelaide 2016
• 113 – Yasir Shah, Adelaide 2019
• 104 – Stephen Cook, Adelaide 2016

For the unversed, Joe Root ended his long wait for a Test century on Australian soil with a fighting hundred on day one of the second Ashes Test at The Gabba on Thursday.

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Coming into the contest under heavy scrutiny after twin failures in Perth, where England were bundled out inside two days, the former captain delivered a statement knock under pressure.

He walked in with his side in early trouble at 5-2 after a hostile opening burst from Mitchell Starc and immediately shifted the momentum with a composed, authoritative display.

Root rebuilt the innings with a crucial 117-run stand alongside opener Zak Crawley, who contributed 76, before continuing the fight almost single-handedly as wickets fell regularly at the other end.

The milestone moment arrived when Joe Root drove Scott Boland to the rope to bring up his 40th Test century, his first in Australia.

With that effort, the right-hander became only the fourth batter in history to reach the 40-century mark, joining an elite club featuring Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Sachin Tendulkar.

He has now scored Test centuries in eight of the ten countries he has played in.

READ: ICC reveals Men’s Player of the Month nominees for November

Arne Slot insisted Friday that Liverpool have taken a “step forward” in their past two matches and believes Florian Wirtz is finally finding his feet as he attempts to save the club’s season.

Liverpool’s Premier League title defence has collapsed in recent weeks, with six defeats and just two wins in their past nine league games.

But despite their disastrous run, they are just two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea ahead of Saturday’s trip to struggling Leeds.

Ninth-placed Liverpool have taken four points in their past two matches, with a 2-0 victory at West Ham followed by this week’s 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland.

That followed three thumping defeats — a 3-0 reverse at Manchester City before a 3-0 loss at Anfield against Nottingham Forest, and a 4-1 defeat at home to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

“Four points out of two games is different than the last two home games we played,” Liverpool manager Slot told reporters.

“We lost both and conceded seven goals. In the last two games, we were one deflection away from keeping two clean sheets.”

The Dutchman added: “That’s a step forward if you compare that to seven goals conceded in two games. We did not concede a set-piece in both games, which is also important.

“As a result of that, maybe we got two results, and I think there are also positives to take from the players we’ve brought in during the summer that I see they are getting more and more consistent in their performances.

“Florian (Wirtz) is maybe the most obvious one, but I see the same with Milos Kerkez as well. Alex (Alexander Isak) scored his first (Premier League) goal a game ago.

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“So there are positives to take, but of course still not where we want to be, let that be obvious and clear. But compared to where we were after the last two losses with 3-0 and 4-1, there are also things that we’ve done better.”

Liverpool spent around £450 million ($600 million) on new players in the summer transfer window, revamping their attack with the big-money arrivals of German playmaker Wirtz and Isak.

But both players have been slow to settle, with Wirtz yet to score in any competition although it was his run and shot that led to Liverpool’s equaliser against Sunderland on Wednesday. It was credited as an own goal.

Slot admitted his first aim was to get back into the top four, which brings with it a Champions League place.

He said the fact Liverpool were still within touching distance of the top four showed the strength of the Premier League.

“It gets better and better every single season, for obvious reasons, because everybody has so much money,” he said.

“And that tells you indeed how close the margins still are, but it’s definitely our first aim to come back to top four.”

READ: ICC reveals Men’s Player of the Month nominees for November

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday announced the shortlisted players for the Men’s Player of the Month award for November 2025, including Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz.

According to the ICC press release, the trio also features South Africa off-spinner Simon Harmer and Bangladesh’s leading Test wicket-taker, Taijul Islam.

“A trio of standout performers from South Africa, Bangladesh and Pakistan have been nominated for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award in November,” the cricket governing body wrote.

Harmer is shortlisted on the back of his outstanding performance in the Test series against India, where he scalped 17 wickets at a mouthwatering average of only 8.94.

His heroics played a vital role in the Proteas’ first 2-0 series win against India, marking South Africa’s first in India since 2000.

The 36-year-old Harmer broke the back of India’s batting lineup with eight wickets in the opening Test, followed by nine in the second to seal a historic series win, hence earning him the Player of the Series award.

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The second contender on the list is Taijul Islam, who starred in the two-Test home series against Ireland.

The left-arm spinner scalped 13 wickets at an average of 26.30 and finished the series as the leading wicket-taker.

The third nominee on the list is Mohammad Nawaz, who had a dream run in Pakistan’s home season across white-ball formats.

The all-rounder played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s success during the tri-series victory over Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

With the bat, he managed to score 104 ODI runs at 52 with an impressive strike rate of 114.28, alongside picking up four wickets.

In T20Is, he scored 52 runs and bagged 11 wickets at just 12.72. His decisive 3 for 17 in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka earned him the Player of the Series award.

READ: Sunil Narine enters elite T20 list with landmark feat