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Defending 2025 Formula One champion Lando Norris won the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday, finally capturing his first victory of 2026.Norris was the pole sitter in Mogyorod, Hungary, but quickly lost the top spot when
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Al Sadd are continuing their preparations for the 2026-2027 season at their pre-season camp in Linz, Austria, which began on July 13 and continues until August 7 as they gear up for domestic and continental competitions.Under Romanian coach Razvan Lucescu, Al Sadd are undergoing a comprehensive training programme that includes four friendly matches, aimed at improving the players’ readiness and helping them reach their peak performance before the start of season. In their first friendly, they lost 1-2 to Czech club SK Sigma Olomouc.The camp includes a total of 26 players, such as Roberto Firmino, Akram Afif, Claudinho, Paulo Otavio, Abdessamed Bounacer, Augustin Soria, Giovani Henrique, Rafa Mujica, Guilherme Torres, Hassan al-Haydous, Meshaal Barsham, Saad al-Dossari, Boualem Khoukhi, Tarek Salman and Hashim Ali besides technical and administrative staff.Al Sadd enter the new season on a high after winning the 2025-2026 Doha Bank Stars League title (third successive title and 19th overall) following a 3-2 victory over Al Shamal in the final round of competition. In the process, The Wolves also enjoyed a 10-match winning streak, the longest by any team last season.Al Sadd finished with 45 points from 14 wins, three draws and five defeats, while scoring 56 goals and conceding 30.Lucescu affirmed that Al Sadd are one of the biggest clubs in Asia and the region, adding that the team aspires to compete for all titles in the new season, most notably AFC Champions League Elite and Amir Cup, while maintaining their identity and attacking style on the field.Last season also saw Akram being crowned the Best Player at Qatar Football Association (QFA) Awards for 2025-2026 season, while Al Sadd bagged the Best Fans Award. They also won the Qatar-UAE Super Cup’s Super Shield by beating Shabab Al Ahli 3-2.Al Sadd will open their Qatar Stars League campaign against Al Ahli at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on August 22. Related Story
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Al Shamal are continuing their preparations for the 2026-2027 season with an intensive training camp in the Dutch city of Mierlo until August 6, as part of a preparatory programme developed by the coaching staff led by Spaniard David Prats.The team is undergoing intensive daily training sessions focusing on physical, technical and tactical aspects. They are also playing a series of friendly matches against strong teams like Al Wasl (UAE), Al Khaleej (Saudi Arabia), PSV Eindhoven (the Netherlands), Genk and Crossing Schaerbeek (both Belgium), with the aim of raising their readiness level and reaching peak performance before the start of season.The European camp follows the first phase of preparations in Doha. The coaching staff are working on enhancing team cohesion, integrating new signings and building upon the team’s impressive results last season, with high ambitions to keep competing for domestic titles and making a strong showing in AFC Champions League Elite.Al Shamal had an exceptional last QSL season, finishing second with 40 points (12 victories, four draws and six defeats). They scored 39 goals and conceded 28 goals, securing their first-ever AFC Champions League Elite qualification after a fierce title race that went down to the wire.The club got good recognition at the Qatar Football Association Awards, as Prats won Best Coach Award, ace striker Baghdad Bounedjah was shortlisted for Best Player Award and Mohamed Manai was nominated for Best Under-23 Player Award.In terms of recruitment, Al Shamal have strengthened their squad with several new players, such as Wesley Said, Mohamed Rabie Hrimat, Ibrahim Coulibaly, Abdelkarim Hassan, goalkeeper Saoud al-Khater, Ali Asad, Ahmed Sayyar and Adel Badr. They join a group of prominent players that includes Bounedjah, Jeison Murillo, Alex Collado, Akram Tawfik, goalkeeper Babacar Seck, Michael Termanini and Mowafak Awad.Al Shamal will kick off their QSL campaign against Al Arabi at the Al Thumama Stadium on August 21 with aspirations to continue positive results and build on the achievements of previous season. Related Story
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Shan Masood of Pakistan in action during the 2nd day of first Test against West Indies at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago on July 26, 2026. (AFP) Shan Masood anchored a strong reply by Pakistan with the visitors reaching 199 for three in reply to the West Indies first innings total of 311 at the close of the second day of the first Test at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on Sunday.Masood's unbeaten 88 and 63 from opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq ensured the day belonged almost completely to the visitors after the home side slipped from their overnight position of 194 for three, Mohammad Ali taking four wickets as the Pakistani seamers made up for an indifferent effort on the opening day.Removed as captain in the aftermath of a 2-0 series loss in Bangladesh in May, Masood enjoyed early luck and then survived a late scare. In between though, the 36-year-old batted attractively, his innings so far occupying 137 deliveries during which he stroked 11 fours.His 155-run second-wicket partnership with Imam-ul-Haq following the early loss of Azan Awais to Kemar Roach came at almost a run-a-ball through a scorching afternoon when the West Indies bowlers failed to establish any consistency in line and length, paying a heavy price as the two left-handers made merry in the blistering sunshine.Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales redressed the balance somewhat in the final session with the wickets of Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam, the veteran right-hander re-appointed as captain for this brief series and falling just before bad light took the players off the field for the last time."My main focus was to leave the ball well and I was just waiting for them (the bowlers) to come in my zone to score runs, and luckily enough it turned out to be my day," said Imam-ul-Haq in reflecting on his contribution, which included seven fours off 102 deliveries.As if to reinforce that perspective on the importance of the first session of the day, West Indies' quest for a first innings total in excess of 400 was immediately undermined at the start of play when Kavem Hodge fell to Khurram Shazad for 84, adding just one to his overnight score and closing off a 91-run fourth-wicket partnership with Shai Hope.Hope was badly missed by Awais at slip when on 51 but Pakistan picked up three more wickets in the morning session.Mohammad Ali, the unfortunate bowler when Hope edged to first slip, roared with relief when he removed Justin Greaves, Salman Ali Agha taking one of his four catches in the innings.West Indies captain Roston Chase and Roach also fell cheaply and it was Mohammad Ali who claimed the last three victims shortly after lunch as the West Indies lost their last five wickets for 54 runs.Joseph, who belted three fours and six in 23 off 13 balls, gloved an attempted hook to Agha before Hope was trapped LBW for 92, eight short of a sixth Test century. He had spent more than five hours at the crease in a watchful effort that featured a lone six and six fours.Mohammad Ali then bowled Seales comprehensively to finish with four for 50 and went a long way to ease the frustration of the opening day.Shortly after though it was Seales' turn to be left exasperated as Masood was missed in the slip cordon and then later in the day was fortunate to escape a leg-before verdict with the assistance of the television technology and the on-field umpire's original not out verdict.Seales was therefore more relieved than jubilant when he had Babar caught behind, Agha surviving the remaining minutes with his captain to carry the fight into day three. Related Story
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Andrea Pirlo had the backing of the new Italian football federation technical director Paolo Maldini for the role of head coach. (Reuters) Former Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo, who was favoured for the national coaching post, expressed his bitterness on Monday over the debate which has led to him no longer being a candidate.The 47-year-old had, to many Italian fans' surprise, become the favourite to be tasked with reviving the national side's fortunes after they failed for the third successive time to qualify for the World Cup.He had benefitted from Spanish great Pep Guardiola declining an offer.Despite the latest setback, Giovanni Malago, president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), said later on Monday that the new coach would be named "soon".Whilst Pirlo had a stellar playing career - including being a key member of the 2006 World Cup-winning side - his coaching CV is short on success.A contract with a Russian betting firm had only added fuel to misgivings, with several Italian politicians saying over the weekend that his appointment would be inappropriate."(I) learned yesterday evening that I am no longer a candidate to be coach of the national side," Pirlo wrote in a post on Instagram, adding that he felt the need to "clarify certain points".'Great bitterness'According to Italian media, he was due to be named this week despite his only trophy success since turning to coaching in 2020 being a single Italian Cup.Presently coach of United Arab Emirates side Dubai United, he failed to deliver when in charge of Juventus - for whom he had sparkled as a player - Sampdoria and Turkish outfit Karagumruk.Pirlo said in his post that he was angry at being judged not on his sporting record but on the wider issue over his links to Russia.He and fellow 2006 World Cup winner Marco Materazzi had taken part in May at an event held by the betting firm in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, signing autographs."I have followed with great bitterness the debate surrounding my candidacy," he wrote, whilst thanking Italy's technical director and former AC Milan teammate Paolo Maldini and his advisor Leonardo for their "esteem and confidence (in him)"."I regret that a decision which is based on sporting criteria rapidly became a public controversy, in which intentions and ideas which do not reflect my personality were attributed to me."According to Italian media, whilst Leonardo and Maldini preferred Pirlo to the prickly but significantly more successful Antonio Conte, newly-installed federation chief Malago had been against the appointment from the start.Conte - who has won the Serie A title with three different clubs and also the Premier League with Chelsea - is back in the frame for the job of coaching the Euro 2020 champions, according to la Gazzetta dello Sport.Conte, who turns 57 on Friday, previously coached Italy from 2014-16, guiding the Italians to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals where they lost to Germany on penalties.Maldini is apparently threatening to resign, after just three weeks in the job, if either Conte or another former national coach Roberto Mancini, who coached them to Euro 2020 success, is appointed.The former AC Milan and Italy legend's preferred choice now is Brazil-born former Italy international Thiago Motta, who has coached Bologna and Juventus, amongst other clubs. Related Story
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Tottenham Hotspur’s Micky van de Ven (left) poses with Sydney FC’s Jordan Courtney-Perkins during an official event in front of the Sydney Opera House on July 27, 2026. (AFP) Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi urged his team on Monday to play with "soul and passion" as the London club rebuild after narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier League.Spurs have embarked on an aggressive summer of spending to boost their fortunes after avoiding the drop by coming 17th, but it was a nail-biting outcome that went down to the wire.Big-money signings include midfielders Mateus Fernandes from West Ham and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle. De Zerbi also raided his old club Brighton for centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke.Full-back Andy Robertson, centre-back Marcos Senesi and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka have all arrived on free transfers as the squad takes on a new look.De Zerbi, in Sydney on a pre-season tour, said he expected more when the new campaign begins on August 22 and outlined that he wanted to "build a new team with the qualities, with big players, but with soul, with passion, with all the values we have".The Italian added: "Football now is not just on the pitch, it's not just with the ball, it's before, it's in life. It's how many hours during the day you think about your job."Spurs opened their pre-season tour with an entertaining 2-0 win over A-League champions Auckland FC in New Zealand on Sunday with goals from Dane Scarlett and Richarlison.They face Sydney FC on Wednesday then meet London rivals Chelsea in Sydney three days later.De Zerbi started with a host of younger players in Auckland, before more of a first team feel in the final 30 minutes when the likes of Fernandes, Richarlison, Conor Gallagher and Ben Davies all got a run."We didn't concede, we didn't suffer any injuries and this is big news, important news, especially for the beginning of the season," said De Zerbi.He suggested there could be more signings before the transfer window closes."I think we can be happier at the end of this transfer market because I spoke a lot of time with the owner, with the board and they want to build a very strong team for this season, to make the days for the future become great again," he said. Related Story
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino with the World Cup trophy during a press conference in Mexico City on June 10, 2026. (Reuters) FIFA president Gianni Infantino has hit back at World Cup critics, claiming they were "spreading hate and false rumours" and arguing the tournament delivered "only joy and happiness".In a long open letter published on Monday, Infantino urged detractors to "take a moment to reflect, meditate, pray" after a tournament marked by controversies ranging from ticket pricing to visa issues."Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all," Infantino wrote in a post shared on his Instagram account and FIFA's official channels."To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens, spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world."We experienced no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness!The build-up to the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States was dominated by fears over sky-high prices, geopolitical tension, the shadow of conflict and the threat of brutal summer heat across the three host nations.Iran's participation against the backdrop of war with the United States, along with concerns over Haiti's domestic crisis and the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, brought renewed scrutiny to visa and travel restrictions.Somali referee Omar Artan became arguably the highest-profile casualty of President Donald Trump's hardline immigration crackdown, when he was denied entry to the United States.Infantino, however, defended FIFA's handling of the tournament."While you spread hatred, we worked tirelessly to unite two countries at war. Iran entered the United States without incident or conflict," he said."The Iranian team received visas to enter because football is about peace. It's not about politics.""Countries facing serious health issues or other challenges were granted visas," Infantino added."You mentioned the few people denied visas and overlooked the millions who were approved, from all parts of the world."His remarks contrasted sharply with those of Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei, who said his side had been the "most oppressed" team at the World Cup. Star striker Mehdi Taremi called his team's treatment at the tournament a "disaster".Infantino also addressed criticism of officiating at the World Cup after it emerged Trump had personally asked the FIFA president to review a one-match suspension handed to US striker Folarin Balogun, allowing him to face Belgium in the last 16.European football's governing body UEFA were among those who were critical of the Balogun affair terming it "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable" and said it "crossed a red line"."Your dissatisfaction with a few decisions made by the competent authorities is understandable, but please refer to public records: such decisions are common in some of the most important leagues," said Infantino addressing his critics."Indeed, 'arguable' referees' decisions or 'strange' disciplinary rulings such as for instance potentially mistaken red or yellow cards or subsequent decisions not to ban players in certain situations are routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues worldwide."It's curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticising." Related Story
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Stand-in coach VVS Laxman praised the growing maturity of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, after the 15-year-old's 81 off 49 balls helped India complete a Twenty20 series sweep against Zimbabwe.Sooryavanshi's second half-century in four days steered India to 192-5 before Zimbabwe were restricted to 157-7 to complete a 3-0 series win on Sunday.'Very mature. And that's what I really appreciate about Vaibhav,' said Laxman.Sooryavanshi tempered his natural attacking instincts in an innings containing eight fours and four sixes on a sluggish surface.'With each and every experience, each and every match, he understands, he assesses and he gets better,' said Laxman, who was in temporary charge after Gautam Gambhir sat out the Zimbabwe tour.'I think he does a lot of reviews of each and every practice session, not only matches,' Laxman said.Sooryavanshi rose to prominence with a string of fearless performances for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League,Against England earlier this month he became the youngest player to represent India.His first taste of international cricket proved challenging, however, with the teenager managing 42 runs in three innings as India suffered a 4-0 series defeat in England, following a 2-0 loss in Ireland.Sooryavanshi bounced back in Zimbabwe, helping India dominate a side ranked 10 places below them.'I'm not surprised by the way this series has gone,' Laxman said before again talking about Sooryavanshi.'He was disappointed not to get a hundred, but we told him it's not going to be the first or the last opportunity he'll get.'He's got a long career ahead, and he has the attitude and mindset to improve every day.'
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Noah Lyles congratulates Garrett Kaalund for winning the men's 200m final during the 2026 USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Icahn Stadium on July 26, 2026 in New York. (AFP) US sprint star Noah Lyles pulled up with cramp in the 200m final at the US athletics championships on Sunday, his bid for a title double undone as Garrett Kaalund claimed the victory.Lyles, who won the 100m on Friday in a world-leading 9.79sec, pulled up as he came off the turn and jogged to the line, telling reporters he felt a grabbing sensation in his right thigh."I'm like, yeah, there's no reason to keep pushing that," he said. "I just decided to cut it off."Fans at Icahn Stadium in New York were stunned, but the 2024 100m Olympic gold medallist downplayed potential injury concerns."It's just cramp. I've got some electrolytes here, I'm going to chug them down. I'm going to rest."Lyles walked over to give Kaalund a congratulatory hug after the 22-year-old captured the title in 20.04sec."It's kind of crazy," Kaalund said.Brandon Hicklin was second and Maximilian Thomas third, both credited with a time of 20.29sec.Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, a treble gold medallist at last September's world championships, won the women's 200m in 21.69sec - just one-hundredth off her personal best.Jefferson-Wooden came off the turn in front and powered home with Cambrea Sturgis second in 22.22 and Camryn Dickson third in 22.58.Jefferson-Wooden had opted out of the 100m, which was won by Sha'Carri Richardson.In a year with no world championships or Olympic team berths on the line, some well-known names opted out of the national championships or tweaked their programs, but there were still plenty of familiar winners.Tara Davis-Woodhall pushed her long jump winning streak to 19 competitions in dramatic style, unleashing a leap of 7.16m on her sixth and final attempt to triumph.Davis-Woodhall hasn't lost in the event since a runner-up finish at the 2023 world championships, a streak that includes 2024 Olympic gold and last year's world title.Her final jump carried her past Alyssa Jones, who settled for second on 6.96, and Monae' Nichols, who took bronze in 6.92."Today I was like, 'Let's try to do one and done, please," Davis-Woodhall said. "And of course it never works out that way. It was a battle for sure."Close callCordell Tinch, the 110m hurdles world champion, won his first national title by the narrowest of margins, edging Bradley Franklin by four one-thousandths of a second.Both were credited with a time of 13.00sec, but when the times were expanded Tinch got the nod at 12.993 to Franklin's 12.997.Tinch said he knew at the line he'd bagged the win."I knew when we crossed the line it didn't matter how close he was," he said. "I knew I took first."Two-time reigning Olympic champion and last year's world champion Valarie Sion won her eighth straight women's discus title with a throw of 69.54m.She held off Cierra Jackson, who took second at 67.40 just a week after topping Sion at the London Diamond League.And Cooper Lutkenhaus, the 17-year-old sensation who won the indoor 800m world title and has bagged two Diamond League victories this year, won his first outdoor 800m national title in 1min 43.48sec.Lutkenhaus made his move with 200m to go and pulled away for a crushing victory over Wes Ferguson, who clocked 1:44.55."It was amazing," said Lutkenhaus, who let out a mighty roar as he broke the tape to achieve his goal of winning both the indoor and outdoor US titles this year in his final race of the season. Related Story
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India's Rohit Sharma in action during the third and final One Day International against England at Lord's Cricket Ground, London, Britain, on July 19, 2026. (Reuters) * International Olympic Committee sees South Asia as underserved market where cricket could deepen Games engagement* Cricket can widen Olympic reach in younger demographics, says International Cricket Council's Sanjog Gupta* T20's three-hour format made Olympic inclusion practical after years of discussions* Cricket has 2.5 billion fans worldwide, estimates IOC When cricket returns to the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, it will bring far more than bats, balls and wickets. Its inclusion reflects a strategic calculation by Olympic leaders that the surest route to billions of new viewers runs through India, cricket’s commercial heartland and a country they believe is increasingly central to the Games’ future.Cricket, absent from the Olympics since 1900, offers the International Olympic Committee something no recent addition has: direct access to a fan base of more than 2 billion people and, crucially, the commercial power of the Indian market. As the Games seek a younger and broader audience, it may prove the most valuable sport added to the Olympic programme in decades.Cricket has been one of the major global sports not to feature in the Olympics, IOC Sports Director Pierre Ducrey told Reuters in an interview."It is very strong in markets where maybe you could say the Olympic Games today may not have penetrated as much as they have in other markets," he said."Cricket will bring to the LA Games audiences that may not necessarily tune in regularly to watch the Olympic Games," Ducrey added. "It's a win-win compromise where we'll give them more opportunities, and they will definitely strengthen our appeal in markets that are very strongly interested in cricket and sometimes mostly in cricket."INTEREST IN BROADCASTING RIGHTS The sport's imminent return to the Olympics has already generated demand, with the IOC confirming "strong interest" in broadcasting rights for the Indian subcontinent for the 2028 Games.That would amount to "a multiple" of the value of the 2024 Games contract, IOC Television and Marketing Services Managing Director Anne-Sophie Voumard told Indian media late last year. The Paris 2024 contract was estimated to be worth around $30 million."Regarding media rights for the LA28 Olympic Games in the Indian subcontinent, we are currently engaged in constructive discussions with a number of key players across the region," an IOC spokesperson told Reuters."We can confirm that there has been strong interest from the market, reflecting both the momentum behind the LA28 Olympic Games and the addition of cricket to the sports programme."There are already close relationships between the Olympics and cricket in the region's media market. Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Indian broadcaster JioStar, formed from the Reliance Industries and Walt Disney merger of their Indian media assets in 2024, owned the rights for the Paris 2024 Games and the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games, and also holds the rights to broadcast the Indian Premier League, the country's top cricket league.Ambani's wife Nita is an IOC member and hosted the 2023 IOC session in Mumbai.T20 RISECricket returned to the Olympic conversation after the IOC recognised the International Cricket Council in 2010, but the sport's traditional five-day Tests and eight-hour one-day internationals remained impractical for the Games. The breakthrough came with the explosive rise of Twenty20, a three-hour format whose popularity coincided with IOC reforms in 2014 allowing host cities to propose additional sports, paving the way for Los Angeles to bring cricket back in 2028.Beyond its brevity, the high volatility and international reach of T20 made it tailor-made for the Olympics, said ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta, who was previously the CEO of sports and live experiences at JioStar."The jeopardy or the unpredictability that live sports benefit from is maximised in this format," Gupta told Reuters. Unlike Test matches, which are restricted to the ICC's 12 full members, T20 can claim to be cricket's true global format."Avenues of participation have been expanded significantly to really position this format as cricket's handshake with the world," Gupta said. "It's global, more accessible and representative. T20 ticks all the right boxes."LONG PROCESSLA28 will mark the end of a 21-year journey that started with cricket's provisional recognition by the IOC back in 2007."The interests of some of the federations, the interests of the Olympic movement at large, sometimes converge, sometimes they don't," Ducrey said. "And it took some time for the interests of the International Cricket Council, of the sport of cricket at large, and those of the Olympic movement to align in a more significant way that led to the discussions around the 2028 program.""So a long journey, but I would say one that was consistently getting our movements and our sports, and our interests closer and closer." Cricket’s commercial rise has been fuelled by the Indian Premier League, which has transformed the sport over the past two decades, attracting the world’s leading players and becoming one of the most valuable sports competitions globally. The 10-team IPL is now valued at around $20 billion, with the 2026 season drawing 1.2 billion viewers across platforms. OLYMPIC FUTURECricket is expected to remain in the Games beyond 2028. The 2032 Games will be held in Brisbane, Australia - another country with a strong cricketing tradition - and India is heavily pushing Ahmedabad to host the Games in 2036.Beyond geographic expansion, cricket offers a highly coveted demographic.According to ICC chief executive Gupta, nearly 50% of followers are under 35 and 35% are under 27, making cricket "future-ready".By including cricket, the Olympic movement is poised to reap a significant "demographic dividend", said Gupta. "As the Olympic movement looks to the future of its own significance and relevance of sport in various markets, cricket can potentially play a huge role in driving that forward," he said."Cricket is the fastest growing large-scale team sport in the world. It's a massive opportunity for the Olympic movement to ride on." 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