Egypt forward Mostafa Ziko has praised Lionel Messi as football's greatest player after Cristiano Ronaldo despite previously alleging the FIFA World Cup 2026 was "fixed" following Egypt's 3-2 defeat to Argentina. Ziko, who scored against the defending champions and finished the tournament with two goals and one assist, said he was unfazed by Messi's presence on the pitch while admitting his personal inspiration remains Ronaldo. After the controversial quarter-final defeat, Ziko criticised the officiating, claiming Egypt suffered "clear and obvious injustice" and accusing referees of preventing his side from eliminating Argentina. He later apologised to Egyptian fans for the heartbreaking World Cup exit. (PC: Africa Soccer)

South African footballer Jayden Adams has been found dead in Cape Town at the age of 25. Police have launched an investigation but have not confirmed the cause of death. Adams helped South Africa reach the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time. His body was discovered at a property on Saturday. His family is waiting for the autopsy results. South Africa's Sports Minister urged people not to speculate about the case while the investigation continues. Tributes were paid to Adams before the World Cup quarter-final matches as fans and players remembered the young midfielder. (PC: AFP)

India captain Shubman Gill said his long discussion with Virat Kohli before the first ODI against England was about preparing for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. Gill said they spoke about the best team combination, future players, bowlers, all-rounders and spinners. He also praised Kohli and Rohit Sharma, calling them the backbone of India’s batting for the past decade. Gill said their experience remains important for the team. He also welcomed Jasprit Bumrah back to the ODI squad after a long break and hoped India would perform well and win the series against England. (PC: Instagram)

France and Spain will renew one of international football's greatest rivalries when they meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final. Ahead of the blockbuster clash, memories of five iconic meetings continue to fuel anticipation. France won memorable knockout ties at Euro 1984, Euro 2000 and the 2006 World Cup, while Spain struck back with victories in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals and the Euro 2024 semi-finals. With stars like Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal set to face off, both teams will look to add another unforgettable chapter to a rivalry that has produced some of football's biggest moments. (PC: NDTV)

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur scripted history after leading the team to its first-ever women's Test victory at Lord's with a commanding 270-run win over England. The triumph also made Harmanpreet one of India's most successful women's Test captains, matching Mithali Raj's record of three Test wins as skipper. India dominated the historic four-day contest with standout performances from Yastika Bhatia, Kranti Gaud, Deepti Sharma and the bowling attack. The victory marked another milestone for Indian women's cricket at the iconic venue, where the first-ever women's Test was played this year. (PC: X)

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has admitted that facing England for the first time at a FIFA World Cup is "special" as the two football giants prepare for their semifinal clash. Speaking ahead of the match, Messi said encounters between Argentina and England always carry extra significance because of their history and rivalry. However, he stressed that the team's focus remains on reaching another World Cup final. Defending champions Argentina booked their place in the last four after defeating Switzerland, while England advanced by beating Norway. The much-anticipated semifinal will decide who earns a place in the 2026 World Cup final.

India wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia said it felt "like a dream" after becoming the first woman to score a Test century at Lord's. The unbeaten 113 not only secured her place on the iconic honours board but also marked a remarkable comeback from a serious knee injury that kept her out for months. Yastika said that six months ago she could never have imagined achieving such a milestone. She credited her family, teammates and the BCCI support staff for helping her through rehabilitation and described kissing the Indian flag after reaching her hundred as one of the proudest moments of her career. (PC: NDTV)

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said discussions on expanding the 2030 FIFA World Cup to 64 teams will take place only after the conclusion of the 2026 tournament. The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will already feature 48 teams for the first time. Infantino said FIFA will first assess how the expanded 48-team format performs before considering any further increase. The proposal for a 64-team tournament has sparked debate within world football, with supporters citing greater inclusivity and critics warning about scheduling, player workload and the overall quality of the competition. (PC: India Today)

FIFA's decision to suspend United States striker Folarin Balogun's one-match World Cup ban has sparked fresh controversy after reports claimed only disciplinary committee chairman Mohammad Al-Kamali approved the move without consulting the other 17 members. Balogun, sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, became the only player at the tournament to have his suspension deferred for 12 months following US President Donald Trump's request to FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the incident. FIFA confirmed Trump's intervention, though it said the decision was made independently. The unusual process has drawn scrutiny, as high-profile disciplinary rulings are typically decided by multi-member panels rather than a single official. (PC: Getty Images)

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed the governing body will examine expanding the FIFA World Cup to 64 teams ahead of the 2030 edition after the 2026 tournament concludes. The current World Cup already features an expanded 48-team format, which Infantino called a complete success, arguing more nations deserve the opportunity to compete and develop. The proposal, backed by several South American football officials, would be discussed by FIFA's relevant committees. However, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and CONCACAF chief Victor Montagliani have opposed further expansion, warning it could weaken the tournament's quality and diminish regional qualification. The 2030 World Cup will be hosted across six nations on three continents. (PC: X)