Browsing: Sports
Pele at the 1958 World Cup. Pele’s 1958 World Cup winners’ medal is expected to fetch £500,000 ($670,000) when it is auctioned in England later this month.The medal, won by the Brazilian legend when he was a teenager, is part of a catalogue of 450 World Cup-related items being sold by sporting memorabilia specialists BUDDS, which estimates they will fetch £2 million in total.A Brazil shirt won by Pele in the 1958 final is estimated to sell for more than $6 million in a separate auction at Sotheby’s in New York, which runs June 29 to July 16 – three days before this year’s World Cup final.Pele, then just 17 years old, scored two of Brazil’s five goals in the 1958 final against host nation Sweden.The victory marked the first of Brazil’s record five World Cup titles, three of which were spearheaded by the striker known as “The King”.Pele, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, died in December 2022 at the age of 82 after being diagnosed with colon cancer.Other lots in the British auction include the shirt worn by England goalkeeper Gordon Banks when he made his famous save from Pele at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.The auction also features memorabilia from England’s 1966 World Cup triumph, including Banks’ winners’ medal and Alan Ball’s shirt from the final.”This is the largest collection of World Cup memorabilia ever offered at auction, and it is difficult to imagine many sales that could rival it in terms of historical significance,” said David Convery, head of sporting memorabilia at BUDDS.An online auction is running from June 1 to 21 featuring shirts from the nations competing at the 2026 World Cup, before a live sale on June 25 at BUDDS’s auction rooms in Wellingborough, central England. Related Story Source link
US President Donald Trump speaks before signing a proclamation in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on June 11, 2026. (AFP) President Donald Trump will not be in attendance when the United States opens its World Cup competition against Paraguay on Friday in Inglewood, California.That was confirmed by Andrew Giuliani, the CEO of the World Cup task force, in an interview with a radio station in the United Kingdom.”He’s not going to end up attending the opening game,” Giuliani told TalkSport on Thursday. “As we’ve said, his scheduling is tight. But I know he’s going to be engaged throughout this World Cup.He needs to be in Washington, D.C., later in the weekend. He is hosting the UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on Sunday, his 80th birthday.While it is uncommon for a head of state from a host country to miss the nation’s World Cup opener, it is not unprecedented. President Claudia Sheinbaum of co-host Mexico was not in attendance on Thursday when her nation defeated South Africa 2-0. The Mexican government held a contest to give away Sheinbaum’s seat.The U.S. delegation will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin. The State Department confirmed their attendance in a news release earlier this week.Giuliani, the son of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, said he wasn’t sure when Trump would make an appearance.”Having known President Trump for now 30 years, what I can tell you is: expect the unexpected. Always expect a cliffhanger with him,” Giuliani said. “Throughout the course of this tournament, it wouldn’t surprise me if we see him engage more and more with the World Cup.”A sports fan, Trump has attended several big events while president, including Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden earlier this week. He was met with a chorus of boos. …
New Zealand’s Kane Williamson during the press conference. (Reuters) New Zealand’s most prolific run-scorer and arguably greatest batsman Kane Williamson announced his immediate retirement from international cricket on Friday in the middle of their series against England. The 35-year-old former skipper called time ahead of the second Test at The Oval next week. He played in the Black Caps’ defeat in the first Test at Lord’s, making 0 and 18.”I’ve thought about it for a while, but over the last few days it’s become clear now is the right time,” he said.”I’ve always felt a strong drive and hunger for international cricket, and I take pride in knowing I’ve given it my all in every match I’ve played for New Zealand.”Continuing with anything less wouldn’t be right and I feel fortunate to step away on my own terms,” added Williamson.The timing of Willamson’s announcement, one match into a three-Test series and with a 2026/27 season featuring series against India and Australia to come, was a surprise.But Williamson, speaking later Friday in London, said: “When I look at the dressing room now and I see the talent, and the journey that I think this team’s looking to go on, it just feels like the right time for me to step away.”I feel really good about it,” added Williamson one of the ‘Fab Four’ batsmen of his generation, alongside India’s Virat Kohli, Australia’s Steve Smith and England’s Joe Root. New Zealand’s Kane Williamson during the press conference. (Reuters) He made his international debut in 2010 and played 378 games for his country, finishing as New Zealand’s all-time leading run-scorer with 19,346 including 48 centuries and six double-centuries.Williamson played 110 Tests, hitting 33 centuries on his way to 9,515 runs at an average of 54.06.His leadership style was much admired and he captained the side in all three formats during a golden period from 2016 to 2024.During that time, New Zealand made two World Cup finals, three semi-finals, and won the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021.’LEGEND’New Zealand coach Rob Walter paid tribute to Willamson by saying: “Anyone who’s had the privilege of working with Kane understands he is a very special player and person.”His numbers and batting skills speak for themselves, but it’s what he means to this Black Caps team, as well as world cricket — that will be his legacy.”Williamson’s retirement is a blow to New Zealand’s hopes of levelling the England series, with Walter telling reporters in London: “You don’t lose Kane Williamson off the team sheet and get stronger, because he’s a legend.”Walter, meanwhile declined to say who will take Williamson’s place at No 3 at the Oval.Henry Nicholls is the reserve batsman in the squad but Rachin Ravindra could move up from No 4.Williamson’s list of accolades is immense, including being named the ICC Cricketer of 2015 and Test player of the year in 2019, while also winning the domestic Sir Richard Hadlee Medal on a record four occasions.New Zealand great Hadlee hailed him as “a wonderful player and fine leader”.”He’s demonstrated a willingness to continually advance his game to the highest level in all three formats and he rightfully finishes as one of the best players of his era,” he said.”The way he prepared himself physically and mentally was perhaps the most impressive part. He was always committed to working hard and developing his technique to ensure he was ready to be a world class player.”He’s been an unflappable leader and the architect of some of our greatest moments in cricket.” Related Story Source link
Top seed Elena Rybakina came within two points of being sliced out of the Queen's Club Championships by defending champion Tatjana Maria but switched on the power to reach the quarter-finals with a 6-7(4) 7-5 6-0 victory on Friday.The Kazakh will be back on court later for her quarter-final against Britain's Katie Boulter as tournament organisers play catch-up after persistent rain washed out play on Thursday to leave a backlog of matches. Boulter beat Romania's Jaqueline Cristian 6-1 6-3.Britain's Emma Raducanu delighted the home crowd at the prestigious London club as she beat Romania's seventh seed Sorana Cirstea 6-4 6-2 to also reach the quarter-finals.She will face Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova, a lucky loser from qualifying, later on Friday after she beat British wildcard Harriet Dart 5-7 6-1 7-5. Donna Vekic, another lucky loser, beat Czech Marie Bouzkova 7-6(9) 6-3. Rybakina lost to veteran unorthodox Maria at Queen's last year and was again baffled at times by the unique style of the 38-year-old German who hits every ground stroke with under-spin.But she eventually solved the puzzle.’I was battling with myself but I found the way and found the rhythm,’ former Wimbledon champion Rybakina said on court.Her level fluctuated wildly in the opening set as she began strongly, then fell 5-3 behind, saved set points as she hit back to force a tiebreak before eventually succumbing.Qualifier Maria had voiced her frustration earlier in the week at not being handed a wildcard despite winning the title last year, and looked determined to make a point as she continued to torment Rybakina in the second set with her undercut strokes skimming low on the lush turf and drawing errors. Fans expecting the usual power rallies from the baseline were entranced as Maria went about her business in her unique way, chopping and chipping, and were clearly just happy to be watching tennis after this week's weather interruptions.They even gave Maria a round of applause for changing her shoe midway through the second set after she snapped a lace.Rybakina leaked errors and at 4-5 0-30 in the second set she seemed set for a repeat of her defeat by the German last year. But she found her range in the nick of time. She held serve, though, and then reeled off eight successive games for the win.The first quarter-final under way was an all-American clash between second seed Amanda Anisimova and teenager Iva Jovic. Source link
Qatar’s Abdulla al-Khelaifi drives during a practice session at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Team Qatar’s debut entry in the 24 Hours of Le Mans began in earnest with a busy day of on-track action. With five hours of practice over two sessions and a 30-minute qualifying, the team completed a total of 47 laps and secured progression into Hyperpole qualifying.It was an encouraging first day at the iconic endurance race for the #62 Team Qatar by Iron Lynx entry, with valuable lessons learned ahead of a second day of running.The highlight of action came during the 30-minute qualifying session, which got underway alongside the LMP2 prototype class. Taking the wheel of the Mercedes-AMG LMGT3 car was Qatar’s Abdulla al-Khelaifi. Heading out onto the legendary 13.6km circuit, al-Khelaifi set his fastest lap early in the session after traffic compromised his later runs. He recorded a 3m57.531s on his second lap before nervously slipping into the drop zone, where the slowest 10 of the 25 LMGT3 entries are eliminated from Hyperpole contention.However, a post-session disqualification for another competitor elevated Team Qatar into 15th position, securing the team’s place in Hyperpole. Abdulla al-Khelaifi (centre) with his fellow drivers Julian Hanses and…
Qatar’s Akram Afif (left) and Ahmed Alaaeldin at a training session in Santa Clara, California. Qatar take on Switzerland in their World Cup opener tomorrow eager to shake off the pressure of expectation, coming in as back-to-back Asian champions with an urgent need to make amends for a dismal debut as hosts of the 2022 tournament.Qatar’s 2022 unravelling was unprecedented, losing all three matches and scoring once, but after rebounding to defend their Asian Cup title and qualifying easily for this World Cup, they have unfinished business and need a strong showing to earn any credibility on the global stage.They might have hoped for a more gentle introduction, with the resurgent Swiss unbeaten in competitive matches since late 2024 following an impressive Euros run, and keen to make a mark in their sixth successive World Cup.”We have to accept the fact that we will play against Switzerland first, and we have to be ready to do our best against a very strong team,” Qatar’s Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui said.”We know our real reality, and that the competitors are better than us, but this does not mean surrendering … it requires us to be ready in order to achieve our ambition and dream of being a strong contender.”With a squad of players mainly from their domestic league, Qatar have a cohesive unit that has been formidable in Asia but could struggle to fend off higher-level opposition in a Group B that also includes Bosnia and hosts Canada. Qatar’s Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui’s will hope his side can…
United States’ Folarin Balogun, Miles Robinson, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie train in Irvine, California. (Reuters) United States’ Christian Pulisic said the World Cup co-hosts are “ready to battle” on football’s biggest stage as they prepare for a potentially bruising opener against Paraguay tomorrow.AC Milan forward Pulisic has been the US side’s talisman since his teenage years, shouldering massive expectations in a nation not traditionally known for its soccer prowess.With hopes running higher still as the US hosts the World Cup for the first time since 1994, alongside Mexico and Canada, 27-year-old Pulisic remains unarguably the biggest name but said the squad around him is now “able to compete with anyone.””We want to be a real force in this tournament,” he said. “We got three really good games to show everyone what we’re all about,” he added.The first of those comes against South American opposition in Paraguay. Kicking off at 6pm local time in Los Angeles (4am Qatar time Saturday), the first US-based game of this World Cup will be preceded by a Hollywood-style opening ceremony.Paraguay are the lowest-ranked team in Group D, which also contains Australia and Turkey, but have as much World Cup pedigree as any of their rivals. The South Americans reached the quarter-finals in 2010 – their last appearance on soccer’s grandest stage – and beat both Argentina and Brazil during qualifying.US coach Mauricio Pochettino, who took Tottenham Hotspur to a Champions League final and also managed Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, is trying to make his talented team more streetwise. Christian Pulisic of the US speaks to the media…
Bangladesh’s Towhid Hridoy (left) and captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz celebrate their win in the second ODI against Australia at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka Thursday.…
Ja’kobe Tharp celebrates after winning the PrimeTime Timing Men’s 110m Hurdles final during the 2025 USATF Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field on August 03, 2025 in…
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opened Thursday at Mexico City’s iconic Azteca Stadium in a vibrant ceremony attended by around 80,000 spectators.The 20-minute opening show featured large-scale folkloric performances showcasing Mexico’s history and Aztec heritage, a central element of the host nation’s cultural identity.The ceremony also included performances by international music stars, including Colombian singer Shakira alongside Nigerian artist Burna Boy. Artist perform during the opening ceremony ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City…