Sports

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a landmark ceremony marking the definitive launch of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the global football community convened in Washington, D.C., today to witness the official draw for the expanded tournament. The event, hosted at the prestigious John F

Doha, Qatar – The FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025, a landmark tournament marking a new era for youth football, has concluded in Qatar, crowning Portugal as champions in their inaugural title win. From November 3 to November 27, the Gulf nation hosted 48 teams in an expanded format, a precursor to its commitment to staging the event annually through 2029

In an unexpected twist of global sports, North Korea has quietly forged a formidable dynasty in women's football, particularly at the youth level. Far removed from the usual spotlight of international sporting powerhouses, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has repeatedly stunned the world with its teams' dominant performances, most notably in the FIFA U-17 and U-20 Women's World Cups

The National Football League (NFL) continues its aggressive international expansion, solidifying its presence in Germany with regular-season games now slated for Berlin's iconic Olympiastadion. While the league celebrates passionate fan engagement and significant economic windfalls in Munich, Frankfurt, and the newly added capital city, the reliance on historic venues primarily designed for soccer prompts a broader question about the long-term sustainability and optimal infrastructure required for the NFL's ambitious global vision

Turkish football finds itself embroiled in an extensive betting and match-fixing scandal, leading to a fresh wave of arrest warrants and hundreds of suspensions across the country's professional leagues. The widening investigation, which initially targeted referees, has now implicated players, club officials, and prominent sports figures, sending shockwaves through the sport and prompting calls for a thorough cleansing of its integrity.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's office has recently issued arrest warrants for 46 individuals, including 29 professional football players, as part of an expanding probe into illegal betting activities

A German gymnastics club has found itself at the heart of an international firestorm, culminating in its decision to drop Russian star Angelina Melnikova from upcoming competitions. The move by TSV Tittmoning-Chemnitz comes just weeks after Melnikova's highly anticipated debut in the German Bundesliga, which ignited widespread backlash due to her well-documented support for Russia's war in Ukraine and strong ties to President Vladimir Putin

Leipzig, Germany – Germany has officially secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, capping off a qualification campaign marked by both challenges and periods of dominant football. A commanding 6-0 victory over Slovakia on November 17, 2025, sealed the top spot in Group A for the four-time world champions, with winger Leroy Sané emerging as a pivotal figure in this decisive phase of their journey

BILBAO, Spain – In a match that transcended the typical boundaries of sport, the Palestinian national football team made history on Saturday, November 15, 2025, by playing its first-ever friendly game on European soil in Bilbao, Spain. This highly anticipated encounter against a Basque Country selection at the San Mamés Stadium drew an estimated 50,000 spectators, transforming the sporting event into a powerful demonstration of international solidarity with the Palestinian people amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Leipzig, Germany — Germany's national football team emphatically secured its place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, delivering a dominant 6-0 performance against Slovakia in their final European qualifying match on November 17, 2025. Playing before a jubilant home crowd at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, the four-time world champions left no doubt about their intentions, finishing atop Group A and earning a direct ticket to the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The resounding victory marks a significant milestone for a German side eager to re-establish its dominance on the global stage after consecutive group-stage exits in the previous two World Cups

Berlin, Germany – Germany has officially punched its ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking their 21st appearance in football's most prestigious tournament. After a dominant 6-0 victory over Slovakia in their final European qualifier on November 17, 2025, Julian Nagelsmann's side secured top spot in Group A, directly qualifying for the finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States

Washington D.C. — In an unexpected convergence of global celebrity, high-stakes diplomacy, and political maneuvering, football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo recently attended a high-profile dinner at the White House, hosted by then-President Donald Trump. The event, which unfolded around November 19-20, 2025, saw the Portuguese icon join an exclusive gathering that included Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), underscoring a complex interplay of soft power and strategic interests at the heart of Washington’s foreign policy efforts

Once a continental powerhouse and a beacon of African football, Nigeria's footballing landscape is in a state of profound crisis, marked by administrative turmoil, financial mismanagement, and a dramatic decline in on-field performance. The recent failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for a second consecutive FIFA World Cup, culminating in a disheartening loss to DR Congo, has amplified long-standing concerns and laid bare the systemic failures eroding the sport from its grassroots to its national teams

A prominent German gymnastics club, TSV Tittmoning-Chemnitz, has announced its decision to cut ties with highly decorated Russian artistic gymnast Angelina Melnikova, effectively barring her from competing in the upcoming Bundesliga finals. The move, confirmed on November 24, 2025, follows significant backlash stemming from Melnikova's public support for Russia's military actions in Ukraine and her documented political affiliations, which critics argue contravene international sports' neutrality guidelines

Abu Dhabi, UAE – In a significant and contentious reversal of policy, the International Judo Federation (IJF) has decided to allow Russian athletes to compete under their national flag, complete with anthems and symbols, effective immediately. This move, announced on Thursday, November 27, 2025, marks a stark departure from the neutral status imposed on Russian competitors across most international sports since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and it has already sparked sharp condemnation from Ukrainian and European sports authorities

Doha, Qatar – In a pulsating FIFA World Cup Group E encounter that saw Germany dominate large stretches but ultimately concede a draw, the four-time champions narrowly avoided an early exit, leaving their path to the knockout stages fraught with complexity. The 1-1 stalemate against Spain on November 27, 2022, at Al Bayt Stadium, was a testament to both German resilience and missed opportunities, significantly impacting the fortunes of two of international football's heavyweights.

The highly anticipated clash carried immense weight, particularly for Germany, who entered the match in a precarious position following a shocking 2-1 defeat to Japan in their opening fixture