admin
Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Vice President of the UAE Olympic Committee, met on Monday morning with a delegation from the UAE Athletics Federation, in recognition of the outstanding results achieved by the national
admin
Australia's Maya Joint shakes hands with Serena Williams of the U.S. after winning her first round match at Wimbledon in London, Britain, on June 30, 2026. (Reuters) US player Serena Williams waves as he leaves
admin
France’s forward Kylian Mbappe scores his team’s third goal during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 match against Sweden at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on June 30, 2026. (AFP) Kylian Mbappe extended his red-hot scoring streak to fire France past Sweden and into the last 16 of the World Cup on Tuesday. France's flamboyant attack might have reached double figures were it not for the woodwork and a series of near-misses measured in millimetres.Paraguay lie in wait, and the exhilarating football France produced here will do little to help the South Americans sleep before their last-16 meeting.At the heart of it all was French captain and talisman Kylian Mbappe. From the start it had been clear he was a man on a mission.Mbappe's two goals lifted his World Cup finals tally to 18, one behind Lionel Messi on the all-time list. Remarkably, those goals have come in just 18 matches, with his double here taking him to six for the tournament.By the final whistle Sweden looked less like beaten men, more like beaten-up men, after 90 minutes hauling themselves round the New York-New Jersey pitch trying to keep up with the precise French passing.The temperature on the pitch felt even hotter than the 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) officially recorded in East Rutherford, but for Sweden it might as well have been the surface of the sun as they visibly wilted under a relentless French onslaught.Mbappe was at the centre of everything. He had a long range shot saved in the 16th minute and had the ball in the net four minutes later. The effort was ruled out for offside, but Sweden had been warned. HYDRATION BREAK BOOSThe match was scoreless by the time the packed stadium roundly booed the hydration break, as has become customary among soccer fans angered by the effective introduction of four quarters to a game traditionally separated by two halves. For once, though, nobody could doubt the justification as the haggard Swedes looked out on their feet.The jeering fans were swiftly distracted by a deafening rendition of Jon Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer" before the match resumed but there was to be no divine intervention for the Scandinavians.Mbappe rattled the post just after the half-hour as he inched ever closer and finally broke the deadlock on 45 minutes when, from a pass by Ousmane Dembele, he jinked and skipped and slammed a right-foot shot past Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.The pair have now combined for six goals at World Cup finals, more than any duo in tournament history, moving clear of Germany's Michael Ballack and Miroslav Klose, and Poland's Grzegorz Lato and Andrzej Szarmach.The French among the more than 86,000 in the stadium erupted and Mbappe, followed by the entire French team, ran to Didier Deschamps on the touchline to embrace the coach just back in the U.S. after attending his mother's funeral.France came out for the second half in the same fashion. Sharp, precise and dangerous.After squandering a handful of gilt-edged chances by the finest of margins France finally recalibrated their slide-rule precision in the 53rd minute, when Bradley Barcola lofted the ball past the Swedish goalkeeper to double their lead.Twenty minutes later Mbappe had his second, clipping the ball past the keeper from a deft through-ball from Michael Olise.In the 84th minute, Deschamps brought Mbappe off and the captain left to rousing cheers from the crowd after a masterclass that hammered out France's intentions.
admin
Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric will make history when two outfield players aged over 40 face off for the first time in a World Cup as Portugal take on Croatia in Friday's last-32 clash.But both men are facing questions over whether their status as national heroes is now more of a burden than a boost to their countries' hopes of progressing far in the competition.Prior to this tournament, only Cameroon's Roger Milla had played in a World Cup as an outfield player after turning 40.Ronaldo and Modric, who won four Champions Leagues in six seasons together at Real Madrid, have long defied Father Time but have shown their age in what will almost certainly be their final flourish on the global stage.At 41, Ronaldo defiantly screamed "I'm back" after netting twice against Uzbekistan as he became the first player to ever score at six World Cups.Yet either side of a 5-0 romp over a team ranked 60th in the world, Portugal failed to beat the Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia and fell into a tougher section of the draw as a result."It's already 23 years I've been a professional and whenever things don't go well it's 'Cristiano, he's finished, he's old'," Ronaldo said earlier in the tournament.The forward played every minute of the group stages and outgoing Portugal boss Roberto Martinez shows no sign of taking the bold call to sit the five-time Ballon d'Or winner on the bench."There is not an issue physically or mentally for Cristiano in today's game to play the 90 minutes," Martinez said after Ronaldo managed just two touches in the Colombia box. Protecting Ronaldo's ego After a slow start to the World Cup four years ago, Ronaldo was eventually dropped by Fernando Santos in favour of Goncalo Ramos.The AC Milan striker immediately scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 demolition of Switzerland, but a 1-0 defeat to Morocco in the quarter-finals meant Ronaldo's time out of the side was short-lived and Santos was removed as coach.The impression that Martinez is wasting a richly talented generation just to protect Ronaldo's ego grows with every pedestrian performance.Portugal's depth of midfield talent meant Paris Saint-Germain's Joao Neves and Bernardo Silva, now of Real Madrid, started on the bench against Colombia.Yet even with one of the World Cup's strongest midfields behind him, Ronaldo's strikes against Uzbekistan are his only non-penalty goals in his past 14 games at major tournaments.Modric, 40, similarly showed his age in Croatia's tournament opener, which ended in a 4-2 defeat to England in Dallas.Caught on his heels, Modric conceded a penalty when chopping down Noni Madueke for England's opening goal and was sacrificed by Zlatko Dalic before the hour mark.Croatia bounced back to celebrate Modric's 200th cap, edging past Panama 1-0.In doing so, Modric became the fourth man to reach a double century of international appearances, joining Ronaldo.The AC Milan midfielder then provided the assist for Nikola Vlasic's winner as Croatia beat Ghana 2-1.Finalists in 2018, Croatia also reached the semi-finals four years ago.Modric was the driving force behind those incredible runs for a country of less than four million people.A likely last-16 meeting with Spain and one final shot at glory awaits the winners in Toronto.But for one of football's all-time greats, the World Cup curtain will come down in Canada. Related Story
admin
Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi takes part in a training session ahead of their World Cup round of 32 match against Cape Verde at Sporting KC Training Centre in Kansas City. (AFP) Few imagined that three years after making the move to Miami, Lionel Messi would be leading Argentina's charge to defend the title and smashing records at his sixth World Cup. The 39-year-old returns to the Florida city he now calls home for a last 32 clash against the surprise package of the tournament Cape Verde on Friday after scoring six times in the group stages. In doing so Messi became the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 19 and is on a record seven-game scoring streak in the competition. Many believed the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was headed for semi-retirement when he swapped top level European football for Major League Soccer after ending his long to wait to win the World Cup in Qatar. But Messi has defied expectations, both with his impact on soccer Stateside and his ability to continue deciding games at international level. Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham and only formed in 2018, had never won a trophy prior to his arrival. Messi's arrival instantly made one of MLS's newest franchises a go-to destination for European stars. Aided by his former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, Messi led Inter to victory in the Leagues Cup, a knockout competition between clubs in the MLS, Mexican and Canadian leagues, in his first season. Last year Messi and Miami went one better in securing the club's first MLS title.The Messi efect The influence of a player widely considered the greatest of all time extends far beyond the pitch. "Messi marked a before and after for what soccer means here. From 2023 onwards, everyone became an Inter fan," explains Juan Pugin, a coach at the Revo Soccer academy in Doral, near Miami. "We've really noticed it at the academy too. Many more kids have signed up to play the sport." That passion brings a smile to the face of Lily Diaz, a 69-year-old native of Buenos Aires, who was out for a walk in Miami wearing a national team cap. She said these days she feels closer to the country she left four decades ago to settle in Florida. "It's a huge thrill to have Messi come play for Argentina. It's a source of pride; he's a role model as both an athlete and a human being," said Diaz, who has already seen the star play four times with Inter. Nearby, Johnny Fortes, 62, has traveled from Buenos Aires to follow Argentina throughout their World Cup journey all the way to a potential final. "I work an office job, but for a year-and-a-half, I drove a car at night so I could afford to come to the United States," he said. "I made sacrifices, but it was worth it." At Buenos Aires Bakery, a popular Argentine restaurant, a mix of national team fervor and business savvy has led to an entry fee of $15 and a $20 minimum spend for those wanting to watch the world champions' matches in the packed venue. Inside, Julian Franco is enjoying the Argentine food he can't find in the US city of Buffalo where he settled three months ago after moving from the Argentine province of Catamarca. Like thousands set to descend on Miami, he doesn't have a ticket for Friday's match, but wanted to soak up the atmosphere in south Florida. "You feel so excited watching Messi play," he says. "Especially knowing that he has faced failures too. "It gives you hope that not everything is lost - that you always have to give a little bit more to achieve what you want." Related Story
admin
Mexico’s forward Raul Jimenez celebrates next to teammate Julian Quinones after scoring his team’s second goal during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 match against Ecuador at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City
admin
England's Harry Brook plays a shot on the fourth day of the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on June 28, 2026. (AFP) Harry Brook said Tuesday it would be a "great honour" to succeed Ben Stokes as England's Test captain even if that meant he was responsible for leading the side in all three international formats.Brook is set to skipper England in Wednesday's first T20 against India at Chester-le-Street and found himself talking to reporters just a day after Stokes bowed out of international cricket with a thumping 160-run loss to New Zealand in the third Test at Trent Bridge.Brook, also involved in a defeat that condemned England to a 2-1 series loss to the Black Caps, is now set to be at the helm for eight white-ball matches in just 18 days against India.But Brook said he would have no qualms about succeeding Stokes, who gave him his "100 percent support" for the role of Test skipper during his final press conference as captain."It's not up to me but if I got offered it then I'd be happy to take it," the talented 27-year-old batsman told reporters."I don't know yet (if it will happen) but it would be a great honour to do it. It'd be a privilege to captain England in the highest format of our game and the pinnacle."Playing Test cricket is the greatest thing I've ever done in my life, and it's a dream, something I've always wanted to do since I could speak," added Brook, who averages an impressive 53 in the format, with 10 hundreds in 38 matches.Head coach Brendon McCullum, in charge of both red and white-ball teams, indicated Monday that England would take their time over appointing Stokes's successor given it is over a month before their next Test -- against Pakistan at Brook's Headingley home ground. CONGESTED FIXTURE SCHEDULEEngland's congested fixture schedule, allied to concerns about the detrimental impact on a player's form were he to lead the side in all three formats, has led officials to shy away from making one man the captain in Test, 50-over and T20 cricket"I think it would be a tough job, but everything's tough in cricket," said Brook. "It's a hard sport."The other leading candidate to succeed Stokes is Joe Root, who as England's Test captain from 2017 to 2022 and stepped in when Stokes was deemed unavailable for the second match of the New Zealand series following a nightclub incident subject to a disciplinary investigation.Brook is the official Test vice-captain but his altercation with a bouncer in Wellington last November -- an incident that led to the imposition of a curfew that Stokes broke -- made England wary of leaving him in charge at the Oval."Making Rooty captain that week was definitely the right decision," said Brook."He's been a stalwart for English cricket," he added of his Yorkshire team-mate. "The ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) needed him that week and he stepped up. My job was to help him as much as possible." Related Story
admin
DUBAI: The Dubai Sports Council (DSC) is set to host the grand closing and awarding ceremony for the Dubai Schools Games the largest sporting event of its kind in the emirate, on Wednesday in Hall
admin
France's Léon Marchand competes in the 200-metres men's breaststroke heat during the French national swimming championships in Saint-Etienne, central France on June 29, 2026. (AFP) Swimming star Leon Marchand pulled out of the French nationals on Tuesday with a leg muscle issue just weeks before the European Championships.During the 200m breaststroke heats on Monday, Marchand felt sharp pain in the adductor muscle of his right leg, his team said."To avoid any aggravation and to protect his health, Leon has decided in consultation with his technical and medical staff not to continue competing," a team statement added.It was not specified whether the injury would jeopardise his participation in the European Championships from August 10-16, a competition which would mark his return to Paris two years after his triumph at the 2024 Olympics.Early on Monday, the 24-year-old had placed a surprise third in his 200m breaststroke heat in 2min 16.16sec.After swimming the first part of the race at a good pace, Marchand visibly eased with television footage showing him clutching his right thigh at the end of the race.The four-time Olympic gold medallist and seven-time world champion had gotten off to a flying start to the French championships, clocking the fifth-fastest time in history in the 400m individual medley final on Saturday.The withdrawal does not jeopardise his qualification for Europeans having already secured his spot with his performance on Saturday.He could still be selected for other events if all qualification quotas are not filled by the end of the competition in Saint-Etienne and provided he is fit. Related Story
admin
Wimbledon title rivals Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner must dust themselves down after bruising scares that exposed chinks in their armour.Relieved to survive the first round, reigning champion Sinner and seven-time winner Djokovic headline the last 64 action on Wednesday.French Open champion Mirra Andreeva faces former Wimbledon winner Barbora Krejcikova in a fascinating women's clash.AFP Sport takes a look at three matches to watch on the third day of the tournament (x denotes seeding):Novak Djokovic (SRB x7) v Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)Djokovic leads head to head 12-2Djokovic's latest attempt to make history by winning a record 25th Grand Slam singles title got off to a rocky start as he laboured against unheralded Wu Yibing in the first round on Monday.It took Djokovic over three hours to finally subdue his Chinese opponent in four gruelling sets, prompting the Serb to admit he got lucky."I dropped my level. I was really hanging on the ropes in the fourth. I probably should have lost that set to be honest. I was lucky he missed the overhead," he said."The match was toe to toe. One or two shots decided the winner. I managed to fight and stay focused till the end. It's one of these matches that we have to dig deep."Bidding to become the oldest man to win a major title in the Open era, Djokovic -- who hasn't triumphed at Wimbledon since 2022 -- has increasingly looked his age over the last two Grand Slams.The 39-year-old crashed out in the French Open third round, blowing a two-set lead against Joao Fonseca, after underwhelming displays in the first two rounds.But Djokovic can take heart from his dominance against world number 87 Tsitsipas.He has won their last 11 meetings, including the 2023 Australian Open final and the 2021 French Open final.Jannik Sinner (ITA x1) v Nuno Borges (POR)Sinner leads head to head 1-0Rattled by an unexpected bout of nerves and exposed by his lack of match action on grass this year, Sinner was fortunate to avoid becoming only the third defending men's champion to lose in the Wimbledon first round.Sinner was playing his first match since a shock second round loss against Juan Manuel Cerundolo at the French Open.The Italian world number one was in danger of another embarrassment after an awkward fall in the third set left him nursing a bloodied foot and a two-sets to one deficit.But, showing the spirit and stamina that helped him end Carlos Alcaraz's two-year reign as Wimbledon champion in 2025, Sinner scrambled out of trouble to book his date against world number 48 Borges."I got lucky there because things can go wrong very, very quickly. I try to still trust in my movement," Sinner said of his Centre Court tumble."First round is never easy, as we saw. It was very nervy, but very happy that I found a way."Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) v Mirra Andreeva (RUS x5)Andreeva leads head to head 3-1Andreeva advanced from her previous Wimbledon showdown with Krejcikova in 2023 when the injured Czech withdrew after the Russian raced into 6-3, 4-0 lead.That was Andreeva's Wimbledon debut campaign as an unknown 16-year-old, while Krejcikova was just 12 months away from winning the All England Club crown for the first time with a surprise run that culminated in final victory over Jasmine Paolini.Fast forward three years and the roles are reversed.Andreeva, 19, is now tennis royalty after fulfilling her potential by winning her maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open recently.In contrast to the fifth seed's ascent, the 30-year-old Krejcikova has plummeted to 38th in the rankings after a dismal injury-plagued run including first-round losses at the Australian and French Opens this year.Krejcikova hopes her first-round win over Hannah Klugman heralds a return to form, but Andreeva, who beat Magda Linette in straight sets to start her campaign, will be a far tougher test. Related Story
