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The so-called Big Four could be reunited in Australia's bowling attack with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon returning from injuries for a two-Test cricket series next month against Bangladesh.Pace bowlers Cummins, Hazlewood and
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The Australian Open will place daily limits on cheap tickets to the tennis Grand Slam for the first time after long queues and crowding blighted the tournament in January.Organisers Tennis Australia said on Tuesday it
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Qatar’s Shaheen Mohammed produced an outstanding display to claim the silver medal in the 82kg Greco-Roman category at the United World Wrestling (UWW) Ranking Series Championship in Budapest, Hungary.The Asian champion booked his place in the final with a 4-1 victory over Georgia’s Tornike Mikeladze in the semifinal. Mohammed scored a go-behind after Mikeladze slipped early in the second period to take a 2-1 lead. Georgia challenged the move, claiming a leg foul, but the challenge was unsuccessful, awarding Mohammed an additional point to make it 3-1. The Qatari wrestler then capitalized from the par terre position to seal a 4-1 victory.Mohammed went on to finish runner-up in the final, securing the silver medal and earning Qatar a place on the podium at one of the sport’s premier international ranking events. Qatar celebrated another podium finish through Arif Mohammadi, who claimed the bronze medal in the 62kg Greco-Roman category, adding to the nation’s successful campaign in the Hungarian capital.The medals earned by Mohammed and Mohammadi provide valuable ranking points ahead of upcoming major international competitions and further underline Qatar’s growing presence in international Greco-Roman wrestling.The Budapest Ranking Series is the fourth and final United World Wrestling Ranking Series event of the 2026 season, bringing together many of the world’s top wrestlers to compete for crucial ranking points and international honors.
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New World Cup champions Spain enjoyed a vibrant celebration parade on an open-top bus through the streets of Madrid on Monday evening, with a jubilant crowd of an estimated two million people out to celebrate, according to local authorities.The players, some shirtless, set off on their procession under a blazing sun, along the main arteries in the city centre where a sea of fans in red and yellow were waiting, before arriving at Cibeles square where they will take to the stage.After flying back from the United States to Madrid, the players were received by King Felipe VI and the royal family, and then Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, before kicking off the parade.Players passed around the gleaming World Cup trophy and waved to their adoring supporters, the day after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra-time in New Jersey.Ferran Torres’s strike in extra-time was enough to bring Spain their second World Cup, following a first victory in 2010."You have shown your grit, your resilience and your courage, always backed by your technical skill, your control and command of the game, combining head and heart," the king told La Roja's stars, who were dressed in suits but changed to more casual clothing for their parade on a hot summer's day."Kings of the world" ran the words on the front of their vehicle, with fans chanting "champions" to their heroes.Spain captain Rodri held the World Cup trophy aloft at the top of the stairs as he descended from the Iberia plane that flew the team home after clinching their second star.Later at Moncloa, Manchester City midfielder Rodri said this was the crowning achievement of his career."I've always said it, winning with your country is the most beautiful thing there is, above all a World Cup," said Rodri."This generation grew up watching (Iker) Casillas and (Andres) Iniesta lift the cup and that we can do it today is the biggest thing you can do in football."Many younger supporters were not yet born when Iniesta's extra-time goal against the Netherlands secured Spain's first World Cup in South Africa 16 years ago.Match-winner Torres joked he was "flying, literally" after the team returned from the United States after beating Argentina in New Jersey."I'm very happy to see how excited all of the children are... (and) to have the parade and celebrate with all of the Spaniards," he added.Spain's World Cup winners bus parade started at Moncloa before heading towards Cibeles square, where hordes of fans had reserved their spots hours in advance.A ceremony involving the players will then be held at the square, along with musical acts, at the traditional gathering point for celebrations of the Spanish national team and its supporters.Spain's women's side won the World Cup in 2023, meaning for the first time a country has both trophies at the same time.In 2030, Spain will defend their crown on home soil, as one of the World Cup hosts along with Portugal and Morocco."It's two for two," said Prime Minister Sanchez, of Spain's record in World Cup finals. "Why not dream of a third in 2030, especially with Spain as hosts?"The Spanish press was running out of superlatives to describe its heroes after they overcame favourites France in the semi-finals before downing Argentina."The kings of all-time!" wrote Marca, celebrating a "second star that will now be stitched onto the Spanish jersey after yet another masterclass in collective play."Argentina, despite the presence of all-time great Lionel Messi, failed to create clear chances against Spain's well-organised and more positive side in the final.Messi had a sensational World Cup but drifted through the final like a ghost, shedding tears at the end."The pain is immense, and it's going to be hard for this wound to heal," wrote Messi on Instagram.In Madrid, tears also flowed on Monday night, but they were tears of joy. Related Story
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Enzo Fernandez of Argentina reacts as he walks off the pitch after receiving a red card during the FIFA World Cup against Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East
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La Liga president Javier Tebas. The president of the Spanish football league, Javier Tebas, accused FIFA of acting "irresponsibly" following the announcement of discussions regarding a possible 64-team World Cup in 2030, in an interview with an Italian sports daily published Tuesday.Tebas also said that FIFA president Gianni Infantino's time was "over", telling La Gazzetta dello Sport that there is a "system that is fundamentally flawed", which has allowed him to lead football's global governing body for a decade."The football industry is not just about the World Cup, however important it may be," he said."They are destroying the football industry - which generates tens of thousands of jobs - for an event that lasts 40 days and involves only a minority of players."At the World Cup opening ceremony in June, Infantino mentioned "discussions about expanding to 64 teams" for the World Cup's centenary in 2030, which will be co-hosted primarily by Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina also welcoming some matches."We have repeatedly expressed our concerns about the competition calendar. And now they want to organise a 64-team World Cup," Tebas added, emphasising that "it is the domestic leagues that keep this sport alive"."We need fewer national teams and better protection for domestic football at all levels. They don't realise this and are making decisions irresponsibly," Tebas added. Related Story
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Argentina players ride aboard an open-top bus towards the Argentine Football Association training camp in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires, on July 20, 2026, after returning from the United States following its defeat in the FIFA World
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Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel cycles to the finish line of the 16th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France, 26 km between Évian-les-Bains and Thonon-les-Bains in the French Alps, on July 21,
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Australia captain Pat Cummins, fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon have returned from injury to be included in a 13-man squad for next month's two-Test home series against Bangladesh. The trio were named on Tuesday for matches in Darwin (Aug. 13-17) and Mackay (Aug. 22-26), which form part of the World Test Championship cycle, after playing only three Tests between them during the Ashes in the last home summer. Australia's 'big four' of Cummins, Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Lyon have not bowled together since the West Indies tour a year ago due to various injuries but chief selector George Bailey said it was too early to confirm whether they would all turn out against Bangladesh, despite being fit. 'We won't be locking in an 11 this far out,' Bailey told reporters in a video call on Tuesday. 'We do know that across this two-test series, the depth is there.' With 295 test wickets at an average of 24.21, 35-year-old Hazlewood has been one of Australia's most devastating bowlers but injuries have limited his output in recent years, including forcing him to miss the entire Ashes series with hamstring and Achilles problems. In his absence, 37-year-old seamer Scott Boland took 20 wickets in an excellent series in the 4-1 defeat of England, and Bailey was frank about the competition Hazlewood faces from the Victoria quick. 'Scotty would never say it, but yeah, I think he's mounting a strong case that when you use the words of big three (fast bowlers), that he could be one of those,' said Bailey.Hazlewood's recall means no place for Michael Neser despite the paceman's fine Ashes campaign. The squad is the first following opener Usman Khawaja's retirement, potentially creating opportunity at the top of the order. South Australia opener Jake Weatherald has been retained despite struggling during his debut test series in the Ashes when he averaged 22.33 across the five matches. The pocket-sized lefthander has yet to convince but Bailey said selectors saw positives in the opening combination with Travis Head during the Ashes. 'Hopefully we do see some growth out of that (Ashes) and some understanding of what it takes for success at test level,' he said. Cameron Green has also held onto his spot after a disappointing Ashes with bat and ball, and is one of two all-rounders in the squad with Beau Webster. Josh Inglis was retained as a potential middle order batting option. Australia sit top of the World Test Championship table midway through the cycle and will look to cement their place with a series win over fourth-placed Bangladesh ahead of a tough tour of South Africa in October. Australia squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster..
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As part of the Qatar Stars League’s (QSL) commitment to ongoing communication, co-ordination and co-operation with clubs, and aligning with preparations and arrangements for new 2026-2027 football season, QSL’s Competitions and Football Development Department held a Co-ordination Meeting with coaches and captains of Doha Bank Stars League and QSL 2 clubs at the Aspire Academy. The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmed Khellil Abbassi, Executive Director of Competitions and Football Development, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Al Abdullah, Director of Professional Players Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Salman Al Adsani, Director of Competitions, Mr. Antero Henrique, Sporting Director at QSL, and representatives from National Teams and Referees Departments, Aspetar and Aspire. The meeting was held as part of preparations ahead of the start of new football season and aimed to enhance development through co-operation and co-ordination between QSL, clubs’ technical staff and players. The meeting also addressed several key aspects of competition, including a review of regulations and organisational guidelines for the new season, and operational mechanisms designed to ensure optimal conditions for a successful tournament. The meeting discussed new season’s calendar, aiming to achieve a balance between match schedule and preparation periods. The importance of morning training sessions in enhancing player readiness was also discussed, along with best practices in recovery and nutrition. These practices are crucial for improving player performance and minimising fatigue and injuries. The meeting also explored ways to optimise training intensity to meet competitive demands and enhance players’ technical and physical readiness throughout the season. Commenting on the meeting, Dr. Abbassi said, “I extend my thanks and appreciation to all technical, administrative and medical staff, and players for their vital and important roles, in addition to our partners (Qatar Football Association, Aspetar, Aspire, National Teams Department, Referees) as they are a fundamental element in implementing the league’s development plan, and are among the main pillars of our football system.”
