Sports world

Pakistan encounters a challenging examination at the commencement of the World Cup. Weather has become a major concern ahead of Pakistan's campaign in the ICC T20 World Cup. Pakistan is scheduled to face the Netherlands in the opening match of the group stage on Saturday (February 7). The match will be held at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo. However, the forecast of rain has created major uncertainty about the match's organization. Rain in Colombo is nothing new for cricket. Earlier, several matches at the same venue have been washed away by rain. Three of Pakistan's matches at the 2025 Women's World Cup were also abandoned at this ground. Before the current World Cup, Pakistan's warm-up match against Ireland and the Australia-Netherlands match were also abandoned without a ball being bowled. The weather forecast is also not promising. According to BBC Weather, there is about a 37 percent chance of rain during the toss. AccuWeather said that the risk of...

CONCACAF has announced that it will secure 6 automatic spots for the 2030 World Cup. The governing authority for soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean announced on Friday that there will be six automatic qualifying positions for the 2030 World Cup, with an additional seventh spot available through an intercontinental playoff. Later on Friday, FIFA stated that it has not yet disclosed the allocation of berths for each confederation. The president of the South American confederation, CONMEBOL, has suggested further expanding the tournament to include 64 nations. CONCACAF indicated that its qualifying rounds will commence in September 2027, featuring teams ranked from 14th to 35th competing in a home-and-home, total-goals first round. The 11 victors will progress to the second round alongside the top 13-ranked nations. These 24 teams will be divided into six groups of four, with each nation participating in six matches scheduled for October and November 2027, as well as Ma...

Minnesota United brings Colombian star James Rodríguez to the MLS on a short-term contract Minnesota United signed midfielder James Rodríguez to a short-term contract on Friday, the Major League Soccer club’s highest-profile player to date in an arrangement that gives the Colombia veteran a team to ramp up with in preparation for the World Cup this summer. Pending completion of his medical exam and securing of his visa, Rodríguez will occupy an international roster spot on a guaranteed contract through June when the league pauses for the World Cup. The deal includes a club option through the remainder of the MLS season until December. “I’m very happy for this new chapter in my life,” Rodríguez said. “I hope to be at my best so I can bring joy to this city and to all of the people who are putting their faith in me. I’m looking forward to meeting all of the passionate Minnesota fans because I’m also a passionate player who wants to give everything on the field and always wants to win.” R...

ICC has no right to punish Pakistan! Former ICC Chairman Ehsan Mani has said that the ICC 'cannot even touch Pakistan's ticket'. He brought up government instructions as the reason for which. Pakistan has put the ICC under a lot of pressure. After the Bangladesh team's boycott of the T20 World Cup, the 'Men in Green' boycotted the India match. Overall, there is unrest in the cricket community now. Such a tough decision by Pakistan has shocked the ICC. The organization is facing a huge financial loss. The ICC may lose 6,150 crore taka. Meanwhile, Indian media is saying that the ICC may be tough in this situation. It may give Pakistan a big punishment including a ban on the bilateral series. It may also be a fine. However, former ICC Chairman Ehsan Mani has said that the ICC 'cannot even touch Pakistan's ticket'. He brought up government instructions as the reason for which. At the same time, Ehsan Mani also reminded that India has also done the same t...

Diarra sets Sunderland on the right path in a decisive victory over Burnley Habib Diarra delivered a pivotal performance in the first half, propelling Sunderland to a comfortable 3-0 victory over the struggling Burnley in the Premier League on Monday. The midfielder, who joined from Strasbourg last summer, scored one goal and had another deflected into the net during a dominant first half, while Chemsdine Talbi rounded off the scoring for the Black Cats. Sunderland extended their unbeaten home streak to 12 games — a record for a newly promoted team — and climbed above Fulham and Everton to secure eighth place in the standings. Diarra's opener in the ninth minute was somewhat fortunate, as his right-footed shot took a significant deflection, misleading Burnley goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. This touch was later credited as an own goal by Axel Tuanzebe, marking him as the 12th player in Premier League history to score three own goals for three different clubs (Manchester United, Ipswich...

Goalkeeper Ter Stegen sustains a hamstring injury during his second match with Girona. The injury to Girona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen's left hamstring was confirmed on Monday, following his second match since transferring from fellow Catalan club Barcelona. Girona announced that Ter Stegen will undergo additional tests to finalize the diagnosis and determine a recovery timeline. The 33-year-old Ter Stegen was loaned to Girona after losing his starting position to Joan García. He played a crucial role in helping Girona achieve a 1-1 draw against Getafe during his debut with the club last week. Girona suffered a 1-0 defeat to Oviedo on Saturday, during which he sustained his injury. This loan arrangement could enhance Ter Stegen's prospects of becoming Germany's starting goalkeeper at the World Cup, as injuries have limited him to only a few appearances over the past 15 months. He made just one appearance for Barcelona this season, which was against third-division Guad...