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Sports

World Cup 2026 sets new single-day attendance record

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World Cup 2026

A new FIFA World Cup attendance record was set on June 16, with a total of 281,223 fans attending four matches in a single day at the 2026 tournament, FIFA said.

According to the governing body, the figure surpassed the previous one-day record of 277,070 spectators set during the 1994 World Cup.

FIFA said matches involving France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway, Argentina, Algeria, Austria and Jordan attracted record crowds, contributing to the milestone.

The organization added that 1,309,652 fans attended matches during the tournament’s first six days, with average attendance standing at 65,483 spectators per game.

Based on the current pace, the 2026 World Cup is on course to challenge the all-time overall attendance record. A total of 3.5 million spectators attended the 1994 World Cup, and FIFA said a new cumulative mark could be reached by the end of the group stage if the trend continues.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino described June 16, 2026, as a memorable day in World Cup history, saying supporters had created a vibrant and unforgettable atmosphere and underscored football’s global popularity.

Veteran cricket journalist Qamar Ahmed dies at 88 in Karachi

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Veteran cricket journalist

KARACHI: Veteran sports journalist and cricket writer Qamar Ahmed has died in Karachi at the age of 88, his family said. He had been suffering from a heart condition.

Qamar Ahmed was regarded as one of Pakistan’s pioneering cricket journalists. During a career spanning several decades, he covered more than 400 Test matches and over 600 One-Day Internationals, in addition to numerous International Cricket Council events around the world.

Born on Oct. 23, 1937, in India’s Uttar Pradesh, Qamar Ahmed spent many years living in England and earned international recognition as a cricket writer and analyst.

He also played 17 first-class matches and captained Hyderabad in Pakistan’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

His funeral prayers will be offered after Maghrib prayers on Thursday at Bait-us-Salam Mosque in DHA Phase IV, Karachi.

Fatima Sana signs with Birmingham Phoenix for The Hundred

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Fatima Sana

LAHORE: Pakistan women’s cricket team captain Fatima Sana has signed with Birmingham Phoenix for the upcoming edition of The Hundred, becoming the first Pakistani woman cricketer to feature in the British franchise competition.

According to cricket website reports, Birmingham Phoenix added Fatima Sana to their squad as a replacement for Australia’s Lucy Hamilton.

The Hundred is scheduled to run from July 21 to Aug. 16. Fatima is set to make history as the first Pakistani female player to participate in the tournament.

Reports said the Pakistan captain will earn a minimum of £15,000 under her contract with Birmingham Phoenix.

However, her availability is expected to be limited because of Pakistan’s white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, which runs from July 23 to Aug. 4. The scheduling overlap could restrict the number of matches she is able to play in the competition.

Venomous snake spotted at Germany World Cup training camp in US

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Venomous snake

WINSTON-SALEM: A venomous snake was spotted at Germany’s World Cup training camp in the United States, prompting precautionary measures for players and staff, captain Joshua Kimmich has revealed.

Speaking to reporters in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Kimmich said the team was informed that the snake was venomous and that immediate medical attention would be required in the event of a bite.

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He added that while such bites are rarely fatal, the situation was still treated seriously due to potential health risks.

According to German media reports, the snake is believed to be a copperhead viper, a species commonly found in the region whose venom can require urgent medical treatment.

The German Football Association said no changes have been made to the team’s training schedule, though players have been advised to remain cautious during outdoor sessions.

Meanwhile, Austria’s national team has reportedly restricted the use of bicycles at its training camp due to similar safety concerns involving snakes in the area.

Austria beat debutants Jordan 3-1 in World Cup comeback win

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Austria beat

SAN FRANCISCO: Austria produced a strong comeback performance to defeat World Cup newcomers Jordan 3-1, securing their first victory in the tournament since 1990.

In an entertaining Group-stage clash, both sides played an attacking brand of football, but Austria proved decisive in the closing stages to seal all three points.

Romano Schmid opened the scoring in the 21st minute to give Austria an early lead. Jordan responded after the break when Ali Olwan struck five minutes into the second half to level the match.

Austria thought they had regained the lead through forward Marko Arnautovic, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review confirmed handball.

The breakthrough finally came in the 76th minute when Jordan defender Yazan Al-Arab scored an unfortunate own goal, restoring Austria’s advantage.

Arnautovic later converted a penalty in stoppage time to confirm the 3-1 win for Austria.

Following the result, Austria will next face Argentina, while Jordan will look to bounce back against Algeria.

Messi scores hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria

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Messi scores

DOHA: Argentina captain Lionel Messi scored a sensational hat-trick to lead his side to a memorable victory over Algeria in their opening World Cup match, giving the defending champions a strong start to their title defense.

The win in the group-stage opener saw Argentina overcome Algeria as Messi delivered a standout performance in his 200th international appearance.

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The 38-year-old forward scored his first goal in the 17th minute to give Argentina the lead. He added his second after capitalizing on an error by Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane in the second half before completing his hat-trick with a powerful strike in the 76th minute.

With the treble, Messi’s World Cup goal tally rose to 16, drawing him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the joint-highest scorer in the tournament’s history.

The Argentine star also achieved another milestone by becoming the first player to feature in six different World Cup editions, having previously played in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and now 2026.

Zidane Iqbal makes history as first Pakistan-origin player to feature in World Cup

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Zidane Iqbal makes

DOHA: Iraq suffered a 4-1 defeat against Norway in its opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, but the game marked a historic moment for Pakistan as midfielder Zidane Iqbal became the first footballer of Pakistani origin to appear in the tournament.

According to international media reports, Iqbal came on as a substitute in the 59th minute, making his World Cup debut and representing Iraq on football’s biggest stage.

Born in Manchester, England, the 23-year-old has a mixed heritage, with his father hailing from Sahiwal in Pakistan’s Punjab province and his mother from Iraq, making him eligible to represent England, Pakistan or Iraq.

Iqbal’s journey to the Iraqi national team included contact from football-linked social media pages and the Iraqi Football Association, which reached out to him and his family through multiple video calls to convince him to represent Iraq.

In a previous interview, Iqbal said the support and affection from Iraqi fans played a key role in his decision to join the national team.

While Iraq could not secure a win in its opening match, the appearance of a player of Pakistani origin on the World Cup stage was widely seen as a landmark moment for Pakistani football supporters, as the country has yet to qualify for the tournament itself.

FIFA approves Trump’s role in trophy presentation at World Cup final

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FIFA approves

WASHINGTON: The FIFA World Cup final will be held on July 19 in the United States, with FIFA reportedly granting special permission for US President Donald Trump to take part in the trophy presentation ceremony, according to international media.

The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, is currently underway as the world’s most prestigious football competition.

According to reports, the final will take place in New Jersey, where Trump is expected to present the trophy to the winning team and join the on-field celebrations.

Sources said FIFA has no objection to deviating from traditional presentation protocols, including allowing the president to directly hand over the trophy to the winning captain.

Officials familiar with the arrangement said Trump has been informed that FIFA would prefer his presence during the trophy ceremony, including participation on the podium during post-match celebrations.

Uruguay hold Saudi Arabia to late 1-1 draw in World Cup clash

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Uruguay

DOHA: Saudi Arabia came within minutes of another major World Cup upset before Uruguay struck late to secure a 1-1 draw in a tense Group H encounter on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia took the lead in the first half through Abdullah Al-Amri, putting his side in control after a set-piece situation.

The goal came after a corner kick caused confusion in the Uruguay defence, with goalkeeper Fernando Muslera unable to fully clear the danger, allowing the rebound to be converted.

The Saudi side once again impressed with their disciplined defensive structure, echoing their surprise win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, as they frustrated Uruguay for long spells.

Uruguay, coached by Marcelo Bielsa, made tactical adjustments in the second half, introducing key changes in an effort to increase attacking intensity.

Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais played a crucial role in maintaining the lead, producing several important saves as Uruguay pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

The breakthrough came in the 80th minute when Maxi Araujo capitalised on a rebound to level the match.

Uruguay continued to press in the closing stages, with Federico Valverde coming close, but Al-Owais made a decisive stop to keep the score level.

Both teams ultimately shared the points, leaving Group H finely balanced as the race for qualification intensifies.

Cape Verde hold Spain to shock 0-0 draw in World Cup upset

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Cape Verde

ATLANTA: European champions Spain were held to a surprise goalless draw by World Cup newcomers Cape Verde in a Group H match on Tuesday, marking one of the tournament’s early upsets.

Spain, widely regarded as strong favourites, dominated possession with 74 percent of the ball and created several attacking opportunities. However, they were repeatedly denied by a disciplined and well-organised Cape Verde defence.

Despite sustained pressure, Spain failed to break the deadlock in Atlanta, leaving them frustrated after a match they were expected to win comfortably.

Head coach Luis de la Fuente introduced Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal in the second half in search of a breakthrough, but the substitution did not change the outcome.

Cape Verde players and fans celebrated the result as a historic achievement, treating the draw as a victory against one of football’s elite teams.

The result gained further attention due to Cape Verde’s debut appearance at the expanded FIFA World Cup, made possible after the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams. The island nation, with a population of around 525,000, is competing at the finals for the first time.