The United States kicked off its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a star-studded opening ceremony in Los Angeles, where global music icons Katy Perry, Blackpink's Lisa and rapper Future headlined the celebrations. Brazilian singer Anitta, Nigerian star Rema and South African artist Tyla also performed, turning the event into a grand musical spectacle ahead of the USA's Group D match against Paraguay. Thousands of fans packed the stadium as football and entertainment came together to mark the beginning of the tournament, highlighting the global appeal of the World Cup. (PC: HT)

India has achieved a major defence milestone after the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out three flight tests of advanced missile systems. The trials validated key ballistic missile defence and anti-ship warfare technologies, strengthening India's multi-layered air defence capabilities.   Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the successful tests place India among a select group of nations with proven ballistic missile interception technology. The achievement is expected to boost the country's strategic deterrence and indigenous defence programme under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The successful trials mark another significant step in enhancing India's ability to counter advanced aerial and missile threats. (PC: Economic Times)

Co-hosts USA began their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey in dominant fashion with a convincing 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their Group D opener at Los Angeles Stadium. Folarin Balogun starred with two goals, while an own goal from Damian Bobadilla and a late strike by Gio Reyna completed the scoring for the hosts. Paraguay pulled one back through Mauricio in the second half, but it was not enough to trouble the Americans. Backed by a home crowd, Mauricio Pochettino's side produced an impressive display to move to the top of Group D and strengthen hopes of a deep run in the tournament. (PC: NDTV)

England's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered an unexpected setback after training equipment was stolen from a team van while being transported to the squad's base in Kansas City.   According to reports, the shipment was travelling from England's pre-tournament camp in Florida when the theft took place. The missing items are believed to include football boots, training balls and other essential gear. Local police have arrested two suspects and launched an investigation into the incident.   Despite the disruption, England's coaching staff are working to replace the equipment quickly and keep the squad focused ahead of their opening Group L match against Croatia. The Football Association is cooperating with authorities as the investigation continues. (PC: X)

Canadian-born Bollywood star Nora Fatehi performed at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Toronto on Friday. She debuted her official FIFA anthem, Siir Siir, at BMO Field before the football action began.   The song was created with Vegedream and Sanjoy. It combines Arabic, French, English, and Moroccan influences. The title comes from a popular Moroccan football chant meaning “go, go”.   Born in Canada to a Moroccan family, Fatehi called the performance a special homecoming. She previously performed at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.   The ceremony marked the start of Canada's World Cup celebrations.

Bosnia and Herzegovina moved into a 1–0 lead over co-hosts Canada in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opening match after Jovo Lukic scored his first-ever goal for the national team. The strike handed Bosnia a surprise advantage in front of a packed crowd in Toronto, where Canada was playing its first World Cup match on home soil. Despite enjoying strong support and entering the tournament with high expectations, Canada struggled to break down Bosnia's organized defense. Lukic's historic goal not only marked a personal milestone but also put Bosnia in a strong position to claim a memorable result in their tournament opener.

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss his country's opening FIFA World Cup match against Panama after the Canadian government denied his visa application. FIFA confirmed that Partey cannot travel from Ghana’s training base in Boston to Toronto for the June 17 fixture but stressed that visa decisions are solely the responsibility of host nations. Partey, who currently plays for Villarreal CF, remains eligible for Ghana’s remaining group-stage matches in the United States against England and Croatia. The 32-year-old is facing legal charges in the United Kingdom, which he denies. Canadian authorities have not publicly explained the visa refusal. (PC: India Today)

Co-host nation Canada began its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a landmark opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, marking the first World Cup match ever played on Canadian soil. The highly anticipated fixture drew a passionate home crowd as Canada sought a strong start in front of its fans. Led by a talented generation of players, the Canadians aimed to capitalize on home advantage, while Bosnia and Herzegovina looked to make an immediate impact in the tournament. The match represented a historic moment for Canadian football and showcased the country's growing presence on the global stage.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that the proposed US-Iran peace agreement is “closer than ever” to completion, urging media outlets to avoid speculation until the memorandum is formally finalized. The statement comes amid intensive diplomatic efforts involving multiple regional actors. US President Donald Trump reinforced the positive mood by reposting Araghchi’s remarks on social media, signaling Washington’s support for ongoing negotiations. However, Iranian officials stressed that no final decision has yet been made regarding the signing venue or timing. Key unresolved issues reportedly include Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and compensation mechanisms, though both sides appear closer to an agreement than at any point in recent months. (PC: PTI)

SpaceX made history on June 12 with the largest initial public offering (IPO) ever, raising $75 billion and debuting on Nasdaq at a valuation of about $1.77 trillion. Investor demand was several times higher than the available shares, pushing the stock sharply higher in early trading and lifting the company’s market value above $2 trillion. The surge propelled founder Elon Musk past the $1 trillion net-worth mark, making him the world’s first trillionaire. While investors celebrated the landmark listing, critics raised concerns about wealth inequality and the company’s lofty valuation. SpaceX says the capital will support ambitious projects, including advanced space exploration and future Mars settlement plans. (PC: Reuters)