Japan secured a dramatic 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in their World Cup opener, thanks to Daichi Kamada's late header. The Samurai Blue fought back twice after the Dutch took the lead, showcasing their resilience. This result leaves Group F wide open as both teams begin their campaigns with a point.
Mandhana scored 68 off 44 balls and shared a 91-run partnership with captain Harmanpreet Kaur (36 off 35 balls) after India were reduced to 18 for 2 early in the innings. Richa Ghosh then added 34 off 17 balls to give India a strong finish.
West Indies delivered a stunning upset, defeating defending champions New Zealand by seven wickets in their Women's T20 World Cup opener. A brilliant unbeaten 90 from Shemaine Campbelle and Aaliyah Alleyne's crucial four-wicket haul were instrumental in chasing down 163 with just one ball remaining, avenging their previous semifinal loss.
Nayeem was travelling in an auto-rickshaw near the Lalkhan Bazar area after arriving from Dhaka airport, according to a ESPNCricinfo report. 
Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored a brilliant century against India. He credited India coach Gautam Gambhir for his improved batting approach. Gurbaz had a conversation with Gambhir after a Test match loss. Gambhir offered advice on shot selection. Gurbaz implemented these suggestions during his innings. His century was a highlight despite Afghanistan's team total.
Football fans at the Mexico City stadium were amused by South African players' bewildered expressions during a FIFA World Cup match. A VAR announcement left them confused, reminding Indian fans of a similar viral moment involving cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The incident occurred during the Mexico vs South Africa clash, highlighting a shared moment of bewilderment across sports.
England launched their ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a resounding 87-run victory over Sri Lanka at Edgbaston. Danni Wyatt-Hodge's unbeaten century powered England to a record 219/1, the highest team total in tournament history. Their bowlers then restricted Sri Lanka to 132, securing a dominant start.
Japan captain Wataru Endo has withdrawn from the 2026 FIFA World Cup and retired from international football after failing to recover from a persistent foot injury. The Liverpool midfielder ends an 11-year international career with 73 appearances, having captained Japan in recent years. His absence leaves a major leadership void as Japan begin their World Cup campaign without one of their most influential figures.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the organisation cannot influence government decisions after Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the US over security concerns, urging people to “just chill, relax” while FIFA works behind the scenes. Infantino also defended soaring World Cup ticket prices, backed Iran’s participation despite tensions with the US, praised Donald Trump’s role in hosting the tournament, and said FIFA prioritised accessibility over potentially higher broadcast revenues.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the richest tournament in football history, with FIFA distributing a record $871 million to participating federations and $355 million to clubs. From prize money and qualification grants to player bonuses and club compensation, here's a complete breakdown of how World Cup payouts work, who gets paid, and where the money ultimately goes. (60 words)
England captain Harry Kane amused fans by posting, “Always ready if needed, @englandcricket & @RCBTweets!” after playing cricket during FIFA World Cup preparations. A friend of Virat Kohli, Kane recently congratulated IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Meanwhile, England boss Thomas Tuchel is expected to manage Kane's workload during the World Cup.