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Qatar players train ahead of their decisive FIFA World Cup Group B clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on Wednesday. Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina go into their final World Cup Group B game on Wednesday in Seattle knowing they realistically must win to progress, with a possible last-32 clash against co-hosts the United States the prize on offer. The two sides began their tournaments well enough as Qatar, whose only previous finals appearance was on home soil in 2022, snatched a late equaliser against Switzerland while Bosnia held Canada to a creditable draw. Their disastrous second matches, however, leave them targeting third in Group B, which could set up a knockout game against the US in San Francisco on July 1 – but only if one of them can grab all three points in Seattle. Qatar were simply blown away, already 2-0 down when Homam al-Amin was sent off to open the floodgates in a 6-0 drubbing. Bosnia held out for more than 70 minutes until the wheels fell off in a 4-1 defeat by the Swiss. The hefty margins of defeat severely damaged their goal difference, which could hamper their chances of progress if they are level on points with rival third-placed teams. With two points surely not enough to qualify, a draw is no use to either side and could make for an open game. Neither nation have made it out of the group before, though, and are more comfortable setting up to defend and counter. Qatar will miss both al-Amin and Assim Madibo after they were sent off against Canada, with Madibo’s rash challenge leaving Ismael Kone with a broken leg. Their coach Julen Lopetegui sought to emphasise the positives after last week’s hammering, saying Qatar still had everything to play for. “There are other countries, big countries, they are looking at the World Cup on TV – and we are here,” he said after the Canada game. “Now we have one final in front of us.” Bosnia – who defeated Italy on penalties to qualify – will be strong favourites, but are without highly-rated 23-year-old defender Tarik Muharemovic after his straight red against Switzerland. Coach Sergej Barbarez said Muharemovic would be missed for the must-win game, but added: “I don’t like whining. I think we have a sufficient number of good players to replace him.” With Canada and Switzerland occupying the top two places, victory is essential for either side to boost their chances of progressing as one of the tournament’s eight best third-placed teams. Goal difference could prove crucial, with Canada leading the group at +6, ahead of Switzerland (+3), while Bosnia (-3) and Qatar (-6) face a difficult challenge. A positive result would keep Qatar firmly in contention heading into the final phase of qualification calculations. Related Story…
Cape Verde’s Kevin Pina celebrates with team-mates after scoring against Uruguay in Miami Gardens. (AFP) As Cape Verde celebrated one more precious World Cup point against yet another former champion, the shock was not that they scored twice against Uruguay in a pulsating 2-2 draw but that they never looked surprised themselves. This was only Cape Verde’s second World Cup match, a fixture that on paper pitted newcomers against one of the traditional powers, with 51 rungs separating the two sides in the rankings. Yet from the opening minutes, it was difficult to identify which team carried the weight of history and which players were simply enjoying the moment as Cape Verde approached Uruguay without deference or fear. “This is something we owe to other smaller national teams, teams that struggle to qualify for a World Cup,” Cape Verde coach Bubista told reporters. “A country may be small, may struggle financially, but if they’re resilient, if they can endure struggle, if they work in an organised manner, they can also stand shoulder to shoulder with other major teams.” Marcelo Bielsa had packed Uruguay’s midfield, probably in the expectation that Cape Verde could sit back as they did against Spain, but that backfired quickly. Cape Verde’s confidence was visible in moments, when Garry Rodrigues spun away from Guillermo Varela with a turn that drew a roar from the crowd or when Telmo Arcanjo made a driving run from deep into Uruguay territory. Rodrigo Bentancur could do little more than bring him down and accept a booking as Uruguay appeared unsettled and unsure where the next challenge would come from. Cape Verde’s opening goal reflected that boldness as Kevin Pina’s ambitious strike from over 30 metres out squeezed through the wall and beyond the desperate dive of veteran keeper Fernando Muslera. The celebrations carried the emotion of a country witnessing history and were so exuberant that the referee eventually had to usher players back towards the centre circle for the restart. Rather than retreat after taking the lead, Cape Verde became even more adventurous, attempting the improbable with a corner aimed directly at goal, while there was also an audacious shot from their own half when Muslera was off his line. Uruguay, also known as La Celeste, took Cape Verde’s showboating as an insult and the lead disappeared with Maxi Araujo’s poacher finish for the equaliser before setting up Agustin Canobbio for the second as they turned the match completely on its head. But Cape Verde remained unbowed and soon produced perhaps their defining moment of the tournament. Helio Varela came on as a substitute and his eyes lit up when Mathias Olivera’s loose back pass ended up in no man’s land, accepting the gift gratefully as he skilfully sent the ball into an empty net with Muslera off his line. As Olivera sank to his knees in despair, Varela struck a pose to show off his chiselled biceps as he was lifted into the air by his teammates, some of whom could not hold back tears. Cape Verde’s performance was built on more than just technical quality. Every lost ball triggered a sprint back towards their own box while they threw their bodies into challenges with no regard for their own safety. They also threatened on several counter-attacks, the Uruguay defence working overtime with almost no support as the men in red easily cut through a midfield that had lost complete control. When the final whistle blew, it was abundantly clear which side enjoyed the result more. As Uruguay’s squad walked down the tunnel with their heads bowed, Cape Verde’s players stayed on the pitch, their heads held high as they basked in the love of their grateful fans. Related Story Source link
Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova plays the ball to China’s Wang Xinyu during the Berlin Open on June 22, 2025. Vondrousova, a former world number six and…
Ben Stokes is due to hold his captain’s press conference on Wednesday. Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson will face no further action over the nightclub incident that prompted their exile from missing last week’s second Test against New Zealand.The Cricket Regulator’s ruling on Monday, which effectively clears the England captain and his team-mate, comes after the duo were recalled on Sunday for Thursday’s final Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.A parallel investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board also absolved Stokes and Atkinson of any wrongdoing in an altercation involving Saracens rugby union player Totoa Auvaa that left a member of the England security bloodied.The Cricket Regulator, which does not cover team protocols in its remit, said in a statement: “The Cricket Regulator’s role is to determine whether any participant or player has breached any applicable ECB Cricket Regulations.”The investigation followed multiple lines of enquiry to gather and assess evidence in relation to the events in question.”Having carefully reviewed all currently available information, the Cricket Regulator has determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish that any regulatory breach occurred. Accordingly, no further action will be taken against either player.”Stokes and Atkinson were both interviewed by the Cricket Regulator, which is headed by director Chris Haward, a former national chief constable lead for serious and organised crime.They subsequently returned to county cricket, Stokes with Durham and Atkinson with Surrey, before being withdrawn by the ECB ahead of their Test recalls.They are due to join the squad in Nottingham on Monday before a training session at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.Stokes is due to hold his captain’s press conference on Wednesday.The ECB probe into the late-night trip to the Rex Rooms in Chelsea determined that Atkinson had been subject to two “unprovoked attacks” to which he did not retaliate.Stokes, meanwhile, was found not to be present at the time.The question of whether or not the pair knew they were in breach of a team curfew continues to linger.Rob Key, the ECB’s managing director of men’s cricket, has said the relevant information was shared with the Team England Player Partnership, but head coach Brendon McCullum accepted on Sunday an element of “ambiguity” may have existed. Related Story Source link
Britain’s Jack Draper made an winning start to his comeback from injury in front of new coach Andy Murray at the Eastbourne Open on Monday.Murray watched from a courtside box as former world number four Draper beat Marcos Giron 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in the first round on the sun-baked English south coast.He showed no obvious fitness concerns during a solid display to set up all-British encounter with Jack Pinnington Jones in the last 16 of the Wimbledon warm-up event.”It’s been an incredibly difficult year for me with certain physical bits but to be here is really special,” Draper said.”If you haven’t competed in a while you never know what to expect. But I’m really happy with the way I came through in the end.”I’ve given myself another opportunity in the second round to play better and keep on hopefully building momentum in my tennis and in my body.”Draper has enlisted the support of former Wimbledon champion Murray for the grass-court campaign after being plagued by chronic arm and knee injuries over the past year, in addition to a recent shoulder problem.The 24-year-old, who has plummeted to 160 in the rankings, declared himself in a “very good place” ahead of his first competitive outing since retiring injured in the last 32 of the Barcelona Open on April 13.Former US Open semi-finalist Draper praised Murray’s influence, saying: “I haven’t called him ‘Sir’ yet – that’s not going to happen!”Andy, truthfully, is one of my biggest inspirations.”As I came on to the tour, we spent some time together and I think we have a great relationship off the court but also what he brings to me in terms of the tennis as well.” Related Story Source link
An excavator clears rubble from the site of a collapsed building, following Israeli bombardment in Nabatieh in southern Lebanon. (AFP) Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and US Vice President JD Vance discussed a de-confliction mechanism for Lebanon Monday, Aoun’s office said, as Vance said the move aimed to prevent spiralling Israel-Hezbollah violence. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nonetheless declared that Israeli forces had been granted “full freedom” to engage any threat encountered in southern Lebanon, reaffirming that troops would remain deployed in the region for as long as deemed necessary. “My directive, and that of the minister of defence, to the IDF is clear and has not changed: Our fighters in southern Lebanon have full freedom of action to thwart any direct or developing threat to them or to the residents of the North,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “The IDF has no restrictions on this matter.” After a first round of US-Iran talks in Switzerland on ending the Middle East war, mediators Pakistan and Qatar said Monday that Tehran and Washington had agreed to set up a “de-confliction cell” with Lebanon “to ensure the adherence of the termination of military operations” there. Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, which drew Lebanon into the Middle East war on March 2 with rocket fire at Israel in support of its backer Iran, has repeatedly threatened to derail regional peace efforts. Aoun received a call from Vance, US senior adviser Jared Kushner and His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, a statement from the Lebanese presidency said. They discussed “the issue of consolidating the ceasefire in Lebanon, stopping the Israeli military escalation and steps that should be taken in this regard, including the possibility of forming a cell for this purpose,” the statement added. Vance later told a press conference in Switzerland that the “de-confliction mechanism” was being set up to ensure “that when things happen, they don’t spiral into a broader escalation”.“We do believe… that we can get to a place where Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty is protected, Israel’s security is protected,” he said. “That’s going to require some coordination with the Lebanese armed forces, and also it’s going to require the Iranians to rein in Hezbollah,” Vance added. After the talks in Switzerland, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X: “1st real test: Lebanon deconfliction cell.” The negotiations came after Washington and Tehran last week signed a memorandum of understanding to end the broader Middle East war that includes Lebanon. Israeli strikes and clashes with Hezbollah late last week threatened to derail the deal, but fighting in Lebanon has been paused since Saturday evening. Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary general, on Monday said “yesterday marked the first day since the resumption of hostilities on March 2 in Lebanon, that peacekeepers from our peacekeeping force in Lebanon did not detect any trajectories or observe any interceptions”. He said “this lack of activities has continued through this morning”, welcoming the “reduction of hostilities”. Israel on Sunday said all war-related restrictions in its northern border areas were lifted from Monday morning. Under US pressure, Lebanese officials began direct talks with Israel in April in Washington, and a fifth round of negotiations is scheduled to begin Tuesday. Lebanese authorities are seeking the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the country and to separate the negotiations from the US-Iran deal. “We negotiate for ourselves, and we do not accept any other party doing so for us,” Aoun said Monday. “We welcome any assistance that comes from any country to end the war, particularly as the situation in the region is interconnected,” he added. “But there is a big difference between trying to help us and interfering in our internal affairs,” he said, alluding to Iran, which through Hezbollah has long wielded significant political influence in Lebanon. Related Story Source link
England head coach Steve Borthwick during warm up before a match against Ireland at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland, on August 19, 2023. (Reuters) England captain Maro Itoje has been rested for the forthcoming Tests against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina, with Jamie George taking over as stand-in skipper.Itoje will miss the opening phase of the inaugural Nations Championship in a bid to avoid suffering from burn-out.The 31-year-old lock led the British and Irish Lions to a series victory against Australia last year, then played in the November Tests and this year’s Six Nations campaigns, as well as mourning the death of his mother.He has completed more Test minutes than any other player in the game over the last decade.After second rows Alex Coles and George Martin came through the weekend without any fitness issues, England head coach Steve Borthwick was able to rubber stamp Itoje’s break from international duty.Borthwick has handed the captain’s armband to hooker George after he skippered England throughout 2024 before being replaced by Itoje.”We’ve selected a squad with a good blend of experience and emerging talent,” Borthwick said. ‘WE WILL BE WELL PLACED'”I am sure by preparing well and continuing to demand the highest standards from one another every day, we will be well placed to meet the challenge of a very demanding summer schedule.”The squad includes five uncapped players in Noah Caluori, Greg Fisilau, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, George Kloska and Vilikesa Sela.England start their campaign against South Africa in Johannesburg on July 4.SQUADForwards: Ollie Chessum, Arthur Clark, Alex Coles, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Theo Dan, Ben Earl, Charlie Ewels, Greg Fisilau, Ellis Genge, Jamie George (capt), Joe Heyes, Ted Hill, George Kloska, George Martin, Beno Obano, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Guy Pepper, Henry Pollock, Vilikesa SelaBacks: Seb Atkinson, Noah Caluori, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, George Ford, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Alex Mitchell, Cadan Murley, Max Ojomoh, Henry Slade, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Ben Spencer, Freddie Steward, Jack van Poortvliet …
US Vice President JD Vance. (AFP) The United States waived sanctions on Iran for 60 days from Monday after the first talks under a nascent peace deal, and officials reported calm in Lebanon after fighting that had prompted Iran to declare the Strait of Hormuz closed. After a weekend that had seemed to put the week-old peace agreement in jeopardy, including threats from US President Donald Trump to restart the war if Iran closed the strait, tanker traffic started to pick up through the waterway and oil prices resumed their slide. US Vice President JD Vance said his talks with Iranian officials in Switzerland had laid a good foundation for a final peace deal, although Iran denied that it had begun discussions of its nuclear programme. The two sides, trying to build on the interim deal they signed last week, agreed to a roadmap towards a permanent agreement within 60 days at the talks in the Qatari-owned Swiss mountain resort of Buergenstock, mediators Pakistan and Qatar said. They also agreed on a mechanism to end fighting in Lebanon between US ally Israel and Iran-aligned Hezbollah, and opened a communications line to help ensure safe passage for commercial ships through the strait. In the first major step of several foreseen under the agreement to provide Iran with economic benefits, the US Treasury announced a waiver until August 21 on sanctions, allowing Iran to sell oil and related products and receive payment for them. Vance, who has maintained a largely upbeat tone since the memorandum of understanding was signed, said Tehran had agreed to allow in nuclear inspectors, and to establish mechanisms to handle its assets frozen abroad and manage ceasefires. “We laid a very good foundation for a successful final deal,” he told reporters after taking part in the talks. However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told the official IRNA news agency that Iran had not yet discussed nuclear issues or made new commitments. Iran has limited inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency since the US and Israel launched a first round of air strikes last year, and suspended them entirely when war broke out in February. It says its nuclear programme is peaceful. Vance played down the tensions that had emerged over the weekend, which were driven by escalating fighting in Lebanon, Iran’s new declaration it had again closed the strait, and an angry response from Trump. “There was a little bit of threatening, there was a little bit of whining, but at the end of the day the talks continued and we made great progress,” Vance said. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on social media that Tehran had secured waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, the release of some of its frozen assets abroad and the launch of a reconstruction and development plan for Iran. Vance said White House envoy Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, had come up with a process whereby the US and Qatar would have control over Iranian funds when they are unfrozen, and the money could be spent on US corn, soy and wheat. Technical talks were due to continue for the rest of this week. The interim peace agreement calls for ending all hostilities, including in Lebanon, which Israel invaded in March after Hezbollah fired across the border. Israel was not party to the peace agreement and says it will not withdraw its troops from Lebanon, but on Friday it agreed a new ceasefire. Though intense fighting continued for another day, Lebanese officials said it had abated since Saturday night. Related Story Source link
A computer-generated image of New York City with falling snowflakes in winter. New York City is exploring ways to co-host the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games…
Speaking at a time of mounting humanitarian need and shrinking resources, the Pope warned that conflict continues to drive food insecurity around the world and stressed…