FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that at least nine African teams will compete in the 2026 World Cup that will take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Infantino made the remarks when the 46th Confederation of African Football (CAF) Ordinary General Assembly opened on Tuesday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, bringing together leaders and delegates of member associations from across Africa. ....

Akash Deep, Washington Sundar and Shubman Gill have been included in India’s playing eleven as New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first in the second Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune on Thursday. ....

In a major blow to India's medal hopes in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the organisers have dropped hockey, cricket, wrestling, badminton, squash, and table tennis, among others, from the sports programme for the coming edition. ....

Over 100 professional female footballers from 24 countries have called for an end to FIFA's sponsorship deal with Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest state-owned oil and gas company. ....

After New Zealand got its first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup title with a 32-run win over South Africa, captain Sophie Devine said their dominating 58-run victory over India was the game which set the tone for them to go all the way to the trophy at the Dubai International Stadium. ....

When New Zealand arrived for their three-match Test series against India, many didn’t give them a realistic chance to win even one game. But outstanding performances with bat and ball, as well as seizing big moments, helped them get their first Test win in India after 1988 with an eight-wicket victory at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. ....

Legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar hailed centurions Rachin Ravindra and Sarafaraz Khan after their heroics in the first Test between India and New Zealand at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. ....

Ecuador manager Sebastian Beccacece has backed his players to make history as they bid for a first ever away victory over Uruguay in World Cup qualifiers. ....

Heavy rain on Tuesday morning has forced the Indian team’s practice session to be washed out on the eve of the opening Test against New Zealand. ....

Left-arm spinner Jack Leach took all three wickets to fall on day five’s play to complete his four-wicket haul as England thrashed Pakistan by an innings and 47 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Friday. ....

American discus thrower Valarie Allman, who won gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021) and the 2024 Paris Olympics, has been named the international event ambassador for the Half Marathon, scheduled for October 20. ....