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Sports

Shakira lauds Lionel Messi ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup final

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Shakira lauds

MIAMI: Colombian singer Shakira has voiced her admiration for Lionel Messi ahead of the FIFA World Cup final, praising the Argentine captain’s determination, discipline and continued success on football’s biggest stage.

Following Argentina’s semifinal victory, Shakira shared a message on her Instagram Stories, calling Messi’s performances “beyond extraordinary” and describing him as an example of commitment and perseverance.

“What @lionelmessi is doing is beyond extraordinary. It shows the values of a man who is deeply committed and disciplined, challenging time and all odds,” Shakira wrote.

She also credited Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, for her support throughout his career, saying that having her by his side provides him with strength and inspiration.

 Roccuzzo later reposted the tribute on her own Instagram Stories, responding with a teary-eyed emoji and a white heart.

Messi led Argentina to a 2-1 comeback victory over England in the World Cup semifinals, booking a place in Sunday’s final against Spain.

The Inter Miami star has scored eight goals in the tournament, tying France’s Kylian Mbappé as the competition’s leading scorer.

Shakira will also take center stage during the World Cup final, where she is scheduled to co-headline the first FIFA World Cup halftime show alongside Madonna, BTS and Justin Bieber, with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin serving as the show’s curator. The final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.

UK calls for FIFA investigation over Argentina’s Falkland’s banner

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UK calls

LONDON: Britain has called on FIFA to investigate Argentina after its players displayed a banner referring to the disputed Falkland Islands following their victory over England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal.

After Argentina’s 2-1 win, players celebrated with a banner reading “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” (“The Falkland Islands are Argentine”), reviving the decades-old sovereignty dispute between the two countries.

British Business Secretary Peter Kyle said displaying political messages on the field could violate FIFA regulations, which prohibit political statements and symbols during official competitions.

He urged world football’s governing body to conduct a full investigation and take appropriate action if rules were breached.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office also backed calls for an inquiry, saying that while England may have lost its place in the World Cup final, “the Falkland Islands are British.”

The Falkland Islands, known as Islas Malvinas in Argentina, have been disputed by the two countries for decades. Argentina invaded the islands in 1982 before Britain regained control following a 74-day war that killed 649 Argentine and 255 British military personnel.

FIFA had not issued an official response to the incident as of Thursday. Meanwhile, Argentina’s Foreign Minister Pablo Kirno said the government had lodged a diplomatic protest with Britain over the reported movement of the Royal Navy vessel HMS Medway near the Falkland Islands.

The latest dispute follows comments by Argentine Vice President Victoria Villarruel, who referred to Britain as an occupying power ahead of the semifinal, further escalating tensions.

Argentina’s Messi fires back at World Cup fixing claims

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Argentina's Messi

MIAMI:  Argentina captain Lionel Messi has rejected allegations that FIFA has favored his team during the 2026 World Cup, insisting Argentina’s success is the result of years of hard work rather than preferential treatment.

Speaking to reporters after Argentina’s 2-1 semifinal victory over England, Messi was asked about claims on social media and elsewhere suggesting the team had benefited from biased officiating. He firmly dismissed the allegations, saying Argentina has consistently been among the world’s top teams over the past four years.

“What we’ve achieved is not a coincidence,” Messi said. “It’s the result of constant hard work and strong performances. Nobody has given us anything. We don’t get anything for free.”

Messi also dedicated Argentina’s semifinal victory to late football legend Diego Maradona, saying he believed Maradona would have been proud of the team’s achievement. He recalled Maradona’s iconic performance against England at the 1986 World Cup, describing the latest victory as a tribute to the former captain’s legacy.

Argentina will face Spain in the FIFA World Cup final after securing a 2-1 win over England in the semifinals.

Argentina commits most fouls but receives fewer yellow cards in World Cup

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Argentina commits

MIAMI: Argentina has committed more fouls than any other team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, yet disciplinary statistics show the defending champions have received fewer yellow cards than several other nations ahead of Sunday’s final against Spain.

Tournament data shows Argentina has committed 88 fouls, the highest total in the competition, but has been shown only nine yellow cards. By comparison, Egypt has received 12 yellow cards after committing 59 fouls, while Canada has collected 11 yellow cards despite recording 72 fouls.

Elsewhere, Switzerland committed 87 fouls and received eight yellow cards, Spain has been booked six times after 80 fouls, and England picked up eight yellow cards from 73 fouls.

Despite leading the tournament in fouls, Argentina has not received a single red card. Switzerland, Belgium, England and Paraguay have each had one player sent off during the competition.

The statistics suggest Argentina has relied on an aggressive and physical style of play throughout the tournament. However, disciplinary decisions vary depending on the nature, severity and context of each challenge, meaning the figures alone do not provide a definitive assessment of refereeing standards or consistency.

Messi faces England for first time in career in World Cup semifinal

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Messi face

ATLANTA: Lionel Messi and Argentina face England in one of the most anticipated matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, with a place in the final at stake and decades of football history adding extra significance to the semifinal.

The match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium reunites two of football’s fiercest rivals, whose previous World Cup meetings have included Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in 1986 and David Beckham’s red card in 1998. The rivalry has also been shaped by the Falklands War, adding a political backdrop to the sporting contest.

For 39-year-old Messi, the semifinal marks a unique milestone. Despite a career spanning more than two decades and virtually every major trophy in world football, the Argentina captain is set to face England for the first time in a senior international match.

Messi has scored eight goals in six matches at the tournament and is bidding to lead Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup final.

England, meanwhile, is seeking its first World Cup title since 1966. Under coach Thomas Tuchel, the team has reached the last four after victories over DR Congo, Mexico and Norway.

Captain Harry Kane and midfielder Jude Bellingham are expected to lead England’s challenge as the Three Lions aim to win their first World Cup outside home soil.

Argentina advanced to the semifinals after defeating Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland in the knockout rounds, with each of its three elimination matches extending beyond regulation time.

The winner will move one step closer to lifting football’s biggest prize, with Argentina chasing another appearance in the World Cup final and England attempting to end a 60-year wait for a second global title.

Earlier, Spain advanced to its first FIFA World Cup final in 16 years after defeating France 2-0 in the first semifinal of the 2026 tournament on Tuesday.

Spain took control early and opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, when Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty to give his side the lead. The goal was his fifth of the tournament.

The Spaniards doubled their advantage in the 58th minute through Pedro Porro, whose powerful strike sealed Spain’s place in the championship match.

France, led by tournament top scorer Kylian Mbappé, was unable to break through Spain’s defense despite several attacking opportunities. Mbappé, who entered the semifinal with eight goals in the tournament, failed to add to his tally.

The victory sends Spain to its first World Cup final since 2010, when it captured its only FIFA World Cup title. Spain will face the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal between Argentina and England in the tournament final.

Pakistan cricketers required to play padel during training camps

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Pakistan cricketers

LAHORE: Pakistan’s national cricketers will be required to play padel during extended training camps as part of a new initiative aimed at improving fitness and overall athletic performance, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s High Performance Centre.

A dedicated padel facility has been established at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), allowing players to participate in the sport without leaving the training complex.

High Performance Director Aaqib Javed said padel is easy to learn and offers significant fitness benefits. He noted that players previously had to travel elsewhere to play the sport, but the new facility enables them to combine cricket training with recreational physical activity.

Javed said players attending long-duration camps will be required to play padel for about 40 minutes every other day. He added that the sport’s emphasis on movement, agility and quick reactions directly benefits fielding and overall match fitness.

He also revealed plans to expand the academy’s recreational facilities by adding basketball courts and a games room featuring snooker and other indoor activities. Javed said athletes around the world regularly participate in sports beyond their primary discipline to enhance fitness and performance.

ICC approves new formats for ODI and T20 World Cups

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ICC approves

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved significant changes to the formats of the men’s ODI and T20 World Cups, introducing new competition structures aimed at making every match more meaningful and competitive.

Under the revised 14-team ODI World Cup format, the tournament will begin with a “Super Series” featuring the teams ranked 12th, 13th and 14th.

The winner of that stage will advance to the second round, where 12 teams will be divided into two groups of six.

The top three teams from each group, along with the best-ranked remaining team, will qualify for a new “Super 7” stage. After a round-robin among the seven teams, the top four will advance to the semifinals.

The ICC said the revised structure is designed to increase the importance of every match from the opening day of the tournament.

The governing body also approved changes to the 20-team T20 World Cup, replacing the existing Super 8 stage with a Super 10. In the opening round, the 20 teams will be split into five groups, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the Super 10 phase.

The Super 10 stage will feature two groups. The winners of each group will qualify directly for the semifinals, while the teams finishing second and third will contest newly introduced eliminator matches to determine the remaining semifinalists.

In addition, the ICC approved a new 16-team global T20 tournament for Associate Members, aimed at expanding competitive opportunities for emerging cricket nations.

France, Spain set for blockbuster FIFA World Cup semifinal

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France

ARLINGTON: France and Spain will face off in the first semifinal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday night, with a place in the tournament final at stake.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 12 a.m. Pakistan Standard Time and features one of the tournament’s most anticipated matchups, pitting France’s potent attack against Spain’s outstanding defense.

Spain has conceded just one goal throughout the tournament and remains unbeaten, with its only dropped points coming in a scoreless draw against Cape Verde. The Spaniards are bidding to win their second World Cup title.

France, the 2018 World Cup champion and runner-up four years later, has reached the World Cup final in four of the last seven editions, underlining its consistency on football’s biggest stage.

France will look to captain Kylian Mbappé to lead its attack, while Spain’s hopes will rest largely on teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, who has been one of the standout performers of the tournament.

Spain also enters the match with recent success against France, having defeated the French side at UEFA Euro 2024 and in the UEFA Nations League semifinals last year.

FIFA World Cup sets new attendance record before tournament ends

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FIFA world cup

MIAMI: The 2026 FIFA World Cup has set a new attendance record before the tournament’s conclusion, with total stadium crowds already surpassing the combined attendance of the previous two World Cups.

Hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the expanded tournament has drawn 6,527,410 spectators across its first 100 matches, according to FIFA.

The figure exceeds the combined attendance of the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which together attracted 6,436,020 fans.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup recorded 3,031,768 spectators, while the 2022 FIFA World Cup drew 3,404,252 fans over the course of the tournament.

Attendance is expected to climb even higher, with two semifinal matches, the third-place playoff, and the final still to be played. Organizers anticipate hundreds of thousands more fans will attend the remaining fixtures, further extending the tournament’s record-breaking total.

The 2026 edition is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, contributing to an expanded match schedule and unprecedented fan turnout across North America.

Top four FIFA-ranked teams reach World Cup semifinals for first time

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Top four

MIAMI: Spain, Argentina, France and England have made history by becoming the first top four teams in the FIFA world rankings to reach the FIFA World Cup semifinals in the same tournament.

The unprecedented achievement was aided by FIFA’s revised tournament draw system, which placed the four highest-ranked teams in separate sections of the bracket, ensuring they could not face each other before the semifinals if they topped their respective groups.

The format worked as intended, with all four teams finishing first in their groups and advancing through their respective knockout paths.

Under the new bracket structure, Spain and Argentina can only meet in the World Cup final, while France and England were also placed on separate knockout routes. The semifinal fixtures will see Spain face France, while Argentina will take on England.

The revised draw system was introduced alongside the expanded 48-team World Cup format, which increased the likelihood of heavyweight clashes in the early knockout rounds. FIFA redesigned the bracket to preserve marquee matchups for the latter stages of the tournament and maintain competitive balance—a strategy that has proven successful in this edition.