The Guardian

The former England captain and head coach argues that elite stars need a proper training block to peak at 2027 World Cup – but warns even best-laid plans get ripped up England’s legendary World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson says the current management should consider resting key players this summer to boost the chances of history being repeated in Australia next year. Johnson was among sever…

French superstar played 10 years for Atlético Forward will join Orlando in July on a deal through 2029 Atlético plays Barcelona in Copa del Rey final in April Orlando City SC completed the long-anticipated signing of Atlético Madrid superstar Antoine Griezmann on Tuesday. The 35-year-old French attacker is signed from July 2026 through the 2027-28 season with an option for 2028-29. Financial term…

The world No 3 is backed to become the challenger but lost twice this week, to Wesley So and Levon Aronian Fabiano Caruana, the world No 3, reigning US champion and 5-2 favourite to win the world title Candidates at the Cap St Georges Resort, Pegeia, Cyprus, from 29 March to 16 April, planned to warm up with two events at his home town, St Louis, but events have not followed the script. Caruana w…

Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich and WSL derby will shape the rest of United’s season It is no exaggeration to describe the next seven days as being the most significant week of fixtures in the history of Manchester United’s women’s team, as they contest their first European quarter-final with a crucial derby in between. Debutants in the main draw of the Champions League, Marc…

Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now! It’s the international break but that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun. There are, of course, crunch playoffs for the Geopolitics World Cup – if anyone actually wants to be there – in Europe and over in Mexico. But for the rest, this is a chance to rip up the rulebook and play whoever the hell they like. Those heading to North America in the …

England opener now faces three-year ban from IPL ‘My journey into Test team has come from county cricket’ Ben Duckett has pulled out of the upcoming Indian Premier League and now faces a three-year ban from the tournament after deciding he needs county cricket to shore up his place in England’s Test team. The opener, 31, was signed by Delhi Capitals at the IPL auction in December in a deal worth …

Reform leader’s posts on social media spark criticism ‘It’s a slap in the face to supporters and players’ Ipswich fans have said they are “disgusted and ashamed” after the Reform Party leader, Nigel Farage, was able to stage a photo opportunity at Portman Road on Monday. The club declined to comment, but some supporters criticised them on social media with one describing it as “PR suicide for a f…

Shiffrin wins slalom to move 85 points clear overall Aicher must win Wednesday’s giant slalom finale American star eyes record-tying sixth overall crown Mikaela Shiffrin v Emma Aicher for the most prestigious title in women’s skiing will go to the season-ending final race on Wednesday. Shiffrin won yet another slalom on Tuesday – her ninth in 10 World Cup starts this season – by a massive margin …

World Snooker Tour agrees long-term deal with venue 500 seats to be added to the theatre in major revamp Snooker’s world championship will remain at the Crucible for at least the next two decades after the World Snooker Tour agreed a long-term arrangement with the venue to keep the sport’s most prestigious tournament in Sheffield. The future of the event at the 980-seat venue has been in doubt fo…

Only existing since 2024, the team, who came fourth at the world championship, has changed its players’ lives “We are the first, but we will not be the last.” The rallying cry came from Eliane Gonçalves, a 39-year-old midfielder of the Brazilian women’s blind football national team during one of their training camps. The team’s psychologist had suggested the team come up with something to shout b…

Max Rushden is joined by Sanny Rudravajhala, George Elek and Ali Maxwell to discuss who made it into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad before the international break … and who didn’t Rate, review, share on Apple Podcasts and join the conversation on email Thirty-five players, late callups, including Ben White, but still no Trent Alexander-Arnold. Will James Garner win the World Cup for England? What …

Club refusing to vacate stadium for three weeks in 2029 Coe: ‘I do ask cities to try to accommodate us’ Sebastian Coe has warned that London’s bid for the 2029 World Athletics Championships could be scuppered by West Ham’s refusal to allow their stadium to be used in September. World Athletics has made it clear to bidding cities, which the Guardian understands also includes Rome, Munich and Nairo…

From World Cup preparations to Champions League complications, the issues facing football in the region It has been a little over three weeks since the United States and Israel attacked Iran and plunged the Middle East into war. Football there is struggling to deal with the fallout from the conflict. Here are the issues. Continue reading...

Our cartoonist on the master beating the apprentice as Manchester City got one over Arsenal at Wembley Buy a cartoon | David’s favourite works of 2025 And his latest book, Chaos in the Box: get it now Continue reading...

Son-in-law of former United player is among 1,100 fans forced to give up prime seats under cash-boosting plans A Manchester United fan said he feels “helpless and hopeless” after being evicted from the seat his family have held since just after the second world war to make way for £300-a-head VIPs. Tony Riley, whose father-in-law played for United under Sir Matt Busby, is among 1,100 supporters f…