Sports news from 07/2026
21 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
Lionel Messi drew criticism for demanding referee Slavko Vinčić red-card Spain's Marc Cucurella during Argentina's 1-0 extra-time World Cup final defeat. Cucurella covered his mouth while speaking to Messi, breaching FIFA's IFAB-approved rule meant to stop players hiding abusive language from lip-readers. VAR reviewed but declined, deeming the exchange non-confrontational. Pundits Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart called Messi's appeal 'sad' and desperate.
21 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
The 23rd Commonwealth Games open in Glasgow in two days with just 10 sports — the fewest since 1994. Australia's Victoria had planned 21 sports but withdrew in July 2023 after costs ballooned to an estimated AUD 6-7 billion. Glasgow stepped in as a last resort, staging a scaled-down event across seven venues with no athletes' village. Badminton, hockey, cricket and wrestling were dropped.
21 Jul 2026 · Sports · The Hindu
Lionel Messi thanked Argentine fans after his side lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19. In a tearful Instagram post, he congratulated the champions and said the wound would take time to heal, noting Argentina had reached two straight finals. Messi gave no word on whether his international career is over.
20 Jul 2026 · Sports · The Hindu
Rudi Garcia will leave as Belgium's coach after failing to agree a contract extension with the Royal Belgian Football Association. The federation said on Monday it would not renew his deal beyond the end of this month and is seeking a successor. The French coach took Belgium to the World Cup quarterfinals, where they lost to eventual champions Spain.
20 Jul 2026 · Sports · The Hindu
Kevin Keegan, twice a Ballon d'Or winner and a European Cup winner with Liverpool, has died at 75, his former club Newcastle announced on Monday. Keegan, who both played for and managed Newcastle and went on to captain and coach England, disclosed last month that he had stage four cancer. Fans laid tributes outside Newcastle's St James' Park.
20 Jul 2026 · Sports · The Hindu
Kushagra Ojha made a composed unbeaten hundred to rescue India U-19 from a poor start against Sri Lanka on the rain-shortened opening day of the second Youth Test in Colombo on Monday. His innings carried the visitors to 253 for three from 65 overs before umpires ended play early because of bad light, leaving India well placed.
20 Jul 2026 · Sports · The Hindu
Ryan Fox holed a 12-foot birdie putt at the last at Royal Birkdale to win the British Open by a stroke, sealing it just after 5:30am back home before sunrise. New Zealanders woke on Monday to a fourth major champion from their country. The victory lifted Fox from 56th to 22nd in the Official World Golf Ranking.
20 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
Writing on X, PV Sindhu said she contacted Virat Kohli at the lowest point of her career, when injuries were mounting and results had dried up, and that he replied within minutes and met her the next day. The 31-year-old kept the conversation private but said it reframed her purpose. A toe ligament injury had kept her out for three months.
20 Jul 2026 · Sports · The Hindu
Former India captain Diana Edulji has argued for a split-captaincy arrangement in the women's team, saying it is time to move on from Harmanpreet Kaur in white-ball cricket after India went out at the group stage of the recent ICC Women's T20 World Cup. She suggests handing the white-ball role to Smriti Mandhana. Edulji spoke at the Maharani Trophy launch in Bengaluru.
20 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
Dabang Delhi TTC beat Ahmedabad APL Pipers 9-6 in Ultimate Table Tennis Season 7 on Monday, captain Sathiyan Gnanasekaran delivering wins in mixed doubles with Maria Xiao and a straight-games singles victory over Payas Jain. It was Delhi's third win of the season, lifting their playoff hopes, though Ahmedabad's Manika Batra signed off with a singles win over Sutirtha Mukherjee.
20 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
The Reliance Foundation Development League's Japan tour for under-21 sides closed with Bengaluru FC unbeaten, holding Avispa Fukuoka goalless before winning 4-3 on penalties for a third straight victory. FC Goa beat Giravanz Kitakyushu 3-1 through Malsawmtluanga, Sitroy Carvalho and Shawn Fernandes. Punjab FC led Baleine Shimonoseki until a stoppage-time equaliser, then lost 7-6 on penalties.
20 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
Thousands who gathered at the Obelisk to watch Argentina defend their title clashed with police late on Sunday after the 1-0 loss to Spain. Local reports say supporters tried to breach fencing and threw rocks and bottles; riot officers used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon. At least 15 were arrested and dozens reportedly injured.
20 Jul 2026 · Sports · The Hindu
Rohit Sharma said speculation about his international future will not stop while he keeps playing, and that he would rather concentrate on scoring than argue with it. His 138 at Lord's on Sunday could not prevent a 27-run defeat that handed England the ODI series, a reverse he called disappointing after India had won the opener at Birmingham.
20 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
Prime Minister Peter Magyar has put forward grandmaster Judit Polgar for Hungary's presidency and plans to meet her to ask whether she will serve. The office fell vacant after lawmakers amended the constitution to remove Tamas Sulyok, a Viktor Orban ally who stepped down on Sunday. Parliament must choose a successor within 30 days. Human Rights Watch criticised the amendment.
20 Jul 2026 · Sports · The Hindu
Cheers gave way to tears across Buenos Aires as Argentina's hopes of another Messi-led comeback died in the 1-0 defeat to Spain. At Cafe Relax in the historic centre, supporters said the sharpest grief was not the scoreline but the near-certainty that this was 39-year-old Lionel Messi's final World Cup, ending a run of narrow wins that had bred confidence.
20 Jul 2026 · Sports · The Hindu
Luis de la Fuente turned the praise on his players after Spain edged Argentina 1-0 in extra time at the New York New Jersey Stadium, saying he had never imagined anything like it and would have achieved nothing without them. The Spain coach framed the second world title as the work of a generation built on collective sacrifice.
20 Jul 2026 · Sports · The Hindu
Thousands of fans filled Madrid's Plaza de Cibeles after Spain beat Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final, roaring out Queen's 'We Are the Champions'. The celebrations broke out close to midnight and looked set to run until dawn, leaving little prospect of sleep in the capital. Passengers aboard an Iberia flight were treated to the same anthem.
20 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni wept and left his press conference after the 1-0 loss to Spain, conceding the opponents were better while defending his players' effort and their conduct in defeat. The 48-year-old, whose contract expires in December, said he would honour it and then decide, casting doubt on reports of a verbal deal to stay through 2030.
20 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
After handing the trophy to captain Rodri, Donald Trump stayed on the podium while Spain celebrated their 1-0 win over Argentina, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino visibly trying to steer him away before he stepped off. Clips spread widely online. A similar scene played out at last year's Club World Cup final at the same New Jersey venue with Chelsea.
20 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
Manchester City's Rodri, 30, became only the eleventh men's player to hold the World Cup, Champions League and Ballon d'Or after leading Spain past Argentina. He took the Golden Ball ahead of Messi and Mbappe, having covered more ground and completed more passes than anyone at the tournament, less than two years after an ACL injury.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
HVR Kolkata ThunderBlades strengthened their Ultimate Table Tennis playoff case on Sunday, beating UP Prometheans 10-5 behind Ankur Bhattacharjee and Ayhika Mukherjee, whose mixed doubles record stayed intact. Dempo Goa Challengers survived PBG Pune Jaguars 8-7, with 16-year-old Syndrela Das sealing the decider 11-8 to keep Goa the only unbeaten side in Season 7.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
France captain Kylian Mbappe finished the 2026 World Cup as its leading scorer, netting 10 goals with four assists across eight matches. The 27-year-old edged Lionel Messi, who managed eight goals and was blanked in Argentina's 1-0 defeat to Spain. Having also topped the 2022 charts with eight goals, Mbappe becomes the first to claim consecutive Golden Boots.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
Ferran Torres, a 26-year-old Barcelona forward, decided the World Cup final on Sunday with a 106th-minute strike in extra time at the New York New Jersey Stadium. The goal, his first of an otherwise barren tournament, beat Argentina 1-0 and delivered Spain a second world title, closing a 16-year gap since their 2010 win in South Africa.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
Barcelona forward Ferran Torres struck in the 106th minute at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, putting Spain 1-0 up against defending champions Argentina in the World Cup final. Having failed to score anywhere earlier in the tournament, Torres chose the biggest stage to end that drought, leaving Spain within reach of a second world title.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
Spain captain Rodri now holds the record for the most completed passes in FIFA World Cup history. He overtook former Brazil captain Dunga, who had completed 1,306 passes across his World Cup career. The milestone underlines the midfielder's central role in Spain's possession-heavy system, which carried the European champions through to the 2026 final.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · Times of India
Spain dominated the opening half of the World Cup final, denying Argentina a single shot on goal before the interval — a rare occurrence in a final. The match stayed goalless at half-time, reflecting Spain's tactical grip. It became the ninth World Cup final to feature a scoreless first half, with Spain chasing a second title.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · Hindustan Times
Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez picked up an injury during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Spain at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. The setback forced questions over whether the Manchester United centre-back could continue in the title match, with his fiery early display having already stirred reaction among club supporters.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
Images and clips of Donald Trump watching the Spain-Argentina World Cup final circulated widely on social media. The US President attended alongside First Lady Melania Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and footage of his reactions during the goalless opening period drew heavy engagement and commentary across platforms.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · The Hindu
The outpouring of grief following Garry Sobers' death, quickly followed by accounts of his kindness and generosity, reflects the standing the West Indies all-rounder held across cricket. Widely regarded as the finest to play the game, his legacy rests as much on character and influence as on the records he compiled.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz unveiled the FIFA World Cup trophy ahead of the Spain-Argentina final. He walked onto the field alongside South Korean actor Hoyeon and football greats Andres Iniesta and Mario Kempes before presenting the trophy to a packed stadium, in a ceremony blending sport and entertainment figures.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · The Hindu
Rohit Sharma answered his critics with a classy 138, but it was not enough as England clinched the ODI series in a run-laden contest at Lord's. Sam Curran choked India's chase by taking pace off the ball, after Duckett, Bethell, Root and Buttler powered the hosts to the highest List-A total recorded at the venue.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · Hindustan Times
Spain left Alvaro Morata, Fermin Lopez, Martin Zubimendi and Alejandro Grimaldo out of the starting eleven against Argentina for tactical reasons. All four were expected to remain significant options from the bench, giving the coach flexibility to change the shape of the World Cup final as it developed.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · Hindustan Times
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni left Lautaro Martinez, Leandro Paredes, Nahuel Molina and Nicolas Otamendi out of his starting side for the World Cup final against Spain. The selection prioritised pace, pressing intensity and defensive balance, keeping four experienced players in reserve for the later stages of the match.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · Times of India
Lamine Yamal set a football milestone by becoming the first teenager to appear in both a European Championship final and a World Cup final. The winger was instrumental in Spain's run to the 2026 title match against Argentina, with his form a defining factor in the European champions' campaign.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
Lamine Yamal has become the third-youngest footballer to feature in a FIFA World Cup final. The record still belongs to Pele, who was 17 years and 249 days old when he played for Brazil in the 1958 final, a benchmark that has stood for close to seven decades.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · The Hindu
Britain's Josh Kerr broke the men's mile world record at a Diamond League meet in London, surpassing Hicham El Guerrouj's mark of 3 minutes 43.13 seconds, set in Rome in 1999. The 28-year-old from Edinburgh celebrated with a lap of honour at London Stadium after ending a 27-year-old record.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · Hindustan Times
P.V. Sindhu said her Japan Open victory shows she remains a force, ending a 19-month wait for a BWF title. The Indian badminton player spoke about the low points she worked through while rebuilding both her body and her game, framing the win as vindication of a long recovery.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · The Hindu
Indian wrestler Kajal claimed gold in the 76kg category at the Budapest Ranking Series, holding her nerve in a tense final against Dymond Precious Guilford of the United States. Compatriots Antim and Neha each finished with silver medals at the tournament.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · Times of India
Lionel Messi made history before a ball was kicked in the 2026 final, becoming the first player to captain his country in three World Cup finals. Leading defending champions Argentina against Spain at MetLife Stadium, the 39-year-old achieved a feat unmatched in the tournament's 96-year history, having also worn the armband in 2014 and 2022.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · Hindustan Times
Streamer IShowSpeed performed at the FIFA World Cup final closing ceremony at MetLife Stadium, appearing as a surprise addition alongside Post Malone and Jennifer Hudson. The 21-year-old, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr, had attended every knockout match in the tournament. Fans reacted with surprise at his singing in his first major stage performance.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
Lionel Messi became the first player ever to captain his nation in three FIFA World Cup finals when Argentina met Spain at the New York New Jersey Stadium. Five players had previously captained their countries in two finals, but none had managed a third, leaving Messi alone in the record books.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
Lamine Yamal continued his habit of pre-match social media messages, posting a childhood photograph on Instagram captioned 'For you and for the streets' hours before Spain faced Argentina in the 2026 final. Fans read it as another statement of intent from the teenager, whose posts have become almost as anticipated as his performances.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
Lionel Messi became just the second footballer to feature in three World Cup finals as Argentina faced Spain in the 2026 decider at the New York New Jersey Stadium. The 39-year-old previously played in the 2014 final against Germany at the Maracana and the 2022 final against France in Qatar. Only Cafu had managed it before.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · Hindustan Times
The 2026 World Cup closed on July 19 with Argentina meeting Spain at MetLife Stadium. The ceremony began at 1:30pm ET, featuring Tom Cruise, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini. FIFA Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi said it would match the energy of the opening ceremonies staged across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · Times of India
Alongside the trophy, the 2026 World Cup carries the largest prize fund in the tournament's history. The winners will receive $51 million, the biggest champion's payout ever, while the runners-up take $34 million, according to an AP report. FIFA is distributing a record $871 million among the 48 participating nations, nearly double the previous edition.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · Times of India
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli became the pair with the second-most century stands in ODI history during India's chase at Lord's, putting on 113 for the second wicket off just 86 balls. It took their tally of 100-plus partnerships to 21, moving them past Kumar Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan, behind only Tendulkar and Ganguly's 26.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
Argentina entered the World Cup final pursuing more than a title. Victory over Spain would give Lionel Scaloni's side the longest winning streak ever recorded by a South American national team. Already world champions and Copa America holders, Argentina have spent recent years establishing themselves as the benchmark in international football.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · Hindustan Times
FIFA appointed Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic to take charge of the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium, making him the first Slovenian to officiate a men's World Cup final. He is joined by fellow Slovenian officials, with a designated VAR team supporting him for the tournament's biggest match.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · Times of India
Rohit Sharma became the batter with the most ODI hundreds in a visiting country, scoring a commanding century at Lord's that kept India alive in the series-deciding third ODI against England. It was his eighth ODI century in England, taking him past Sachin Tendulkar to stand alone atop the all-time list.
19 Jul 2026 · Sports · News18
Having become the first Indian to win the Japan Open by beating Akane Yamaguchi 21-17, 21-17, PV Sindhu said recovery and travel now dominate her next two days. The double Olympic medallist opens against compatriot Unnati Hooda on Wednesday at the China Open, with top seed An Se Young the likely second-round test. She described two years disrupted by niggles and injuries.