The Guardian

Mark Pougatch acknowledged the controversies surrounding the tournament, while capturing the excitement of football fans Don’t mention the war. Mark Pougatch mentioned it, right at the start of ITV’s World Cup coverage, but I think he got away with it. He also, to his credit, highlighted the outrageous ticket prices , as well as the disgraceful treatment of the teams, fans and officials who now f…

Mexico City played host to this year’s first game as an emotionally charged Azteca witnessed Shakira’s big return Mexicans have waited 40 years to witness a World Cup in their own country and the pride felt from becoming the first nation to stage three tournaments has been easy to sense in the city all week. Those fortunate enough to have secured tickets were not going to miss out. Despite road c…

Prosecutors cite ChatGPT messages as key evidence Gabriella Perpetuo died of blunt force injuries Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee has been indicted on a murder charge in the death of his partner . A grand jury in Hamilton County returned an indictment on Tuesday. Prosecutors dismissed a tampering with evidence charge to focus solely on the more serious allegation, Hamilton County district attorn…

Was that it, then? Was Sphephelo Sithole being caught in possession nine minutes into the opening game, Julián Quiñones running on to lash the ball through Ronwen Williams’s legs, was that when the football took over, the moment when concerns over the aggression of the major co-host faded away and the world got on with celebrating the great festival of humanity the World Cup ought to be? It seems…

An improvised base in Mexico has become Team Melli’s unlikely World Cup home as security fears, visa disputes and political divisions shape their tournament Open-top trucks patrolled the surrounding roads outside the Estadio Caliente today, mounted by men in helmets and masks and wielding machine guns. They pass by the main entrance every few hours, guarding the massive city block, otherwise choc…

Video shows egg tossed toward star as he entered hotel Players had condemned apparent attacks on Spurs fans A brutal night for Victor Wembanyama continued even after he returned to his New York hotel on Wednesday, as he was pelted with boos from jeering Knicks fans and nearly struck by a flying egg. A video shared online showed at least one egg tossed in the direction of the San Antonio Spurs sup…

63-year-old leaves Benfica to move back to the Bernabéu Marco Silva agrees deal to replace him at Portuguese club José Mourinho’s blockbuster return as Real Madrid manager has been confirmed. The 63-year-old, who was in the dugout at the Bernabéu from 2010 until 2013, joins the 15-times European champions from Benfica on a three-year contract. Mourinho’s appointment comes after a torrid season at…

British driver says pressure is off following bad run Antonelli 68 points ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell insists the pressure is off in the battle for the Formula One drivers’ championship. A ­succession of mishaps – combined with the exemplary form of his Mercedes teammate , Kimi Antonelli – has left him 68 points off the pace. Sunday’s round seven is the newly styled Barcelona-Catalu…

Midfielder missed final training session before Haiti game ‘Hopefully that doesn’t spread,’ said Kenny McLean Scotland are confident Scott McTominay will be fit to face Haiti on Saturday despite the midfielder sitting out training on Thursday due to a stomach complaint. McTominay, widely considered Scotland’s most influential player, was a notable absentee as Steve Clarke put his players through …

Manager says team must ‘live up to the trust’ on rest days German suggests Bellingham may play as a ‘free role’ No 9 Thomas Tuchel is confident that his England players will not abuse his trust, as he granted them time off with few strings attached at the end of their pre-World Cup training camp in Florida. The manager said he was happy for them to do whatever they wanted – as long as it did not …

Midfielder’s meteoric rise could enter different stratosphere if he inspires World Cup glory and seals record move The numbers around Elliot Anderson are rising fast – to extraordinary levels. A little like the player himself. At the beginning of last week, when he flew to Florida with the England squad for their pre-World Cup camp, he was the Nottingham Forest midfielder who had finished a gruel…

Largest comeback in NBA finals history galvanizes city and inspires morning-after chants of ‘Knicks in five!’ New Yorkers woke up on Thursday morning – those who had even slept in the city that never sleeps – still jubilant after the Knicks men’s basketball team had made history the night before. The team staged the largest comeback in NBA finals history to overcome the San Antonio Spurs in the d…

The Fifa president’s monologue before the 2022 World Cup attained legendary status for all the wrong reasons. He was in familiar form four years on Gianni Infantino’s speech on the eve of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is the stuff of legend. You know the one – the rambling, hour-long monologue where he told us all how he felt . He felt gay that day. He also felt disabled, Qatari, Arab, African and …

Manager caught lightning in a bottle with three promotions in four seasons but his need for a break to prioritise a young family is refreshing When the tears have dried, the adage will ring true for Ipswich and Kieran McKenna. They will smile because it happened and reflect that, despite the hurt, sometimes it is best to part while the love still burns. Perhaps they will also marvel at the unlike…

Northampton scrum-half reflects on his lifelong international ambitions, playing with freedom and his club’s Prem semi-final against Leicester Plenty of aspiring young players will relate to how Archie McParland once felt. Northampton’s fast-emerging scrum-half, on the verge of a full England debut this summer, possessed the requisite talent but not always the freedom of expression to maximise it…