Sports

Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice as Spain proved too strong for Austria in a 3-0 win at the SoFi Stadium to take their place in the last-16 of the World Cup.

After seeing a goal from full-back Marc Cucurella ruled out for a foul at a corner, the European champions went ahead in the 36th minute through Oyarzabal's sweeping finish.

Spain – looking to secure a first win in a World Cup knock-out match since lifting the trophy in 2010 – eventually made their dominance count again when Tottenham defender Pedro Porro headed in a second just after the hour.

Oyarzabal scored his second goal with a minute left of normal time as Luis de la Fuente’s side set up a date with either Portugal or Croatia for a spot in the quarter-finals.

Spain had made a bright start in Inglewood, Los Angeles as Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal fired in an early shot from the edge of the penalty area which was straight at Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.

Austria – who had secured their place in the last-32 as runners-up in Group J behind Argentina with a late goal to snatch a 3-3 draw with Algeria – then created their first opportunity when a floated cross from Marcel Sabitzer picked out Michael Gregoritsch at the far post, but the Augsburg front man could not get enough contact on his header.

Spain thought they had taken the lead on the half-hour when Cucurella lashed the ball in following a corner, but the goal was somewhat controversially ruled out for a foul on Schlager as the floated corner went through a packed six-yard box.

Austria keeper Schlager then showed good reactions to get down to push away an angled effort from Oyarzabal after another lively run from Yamal.

Spain eventually made their pressure count in the 36th minute when Real Sociedad forward Oyarzabal swept in a low cross from Cucurella for an 11th goal in his last ten international appearances.

In first-half stoppage time, Alex Baena saw his 25-yard curling free-kick tipped on to the crossbar and Yamal's follow-up shot from the rebound was then saved at point-blank range by Schlager.

Austria boss Ralf Rangnick made a double substitution to his midfield for the second half, sending on Florian Grillitsch and Carney Chukwuemeka, a former England youth international who had spells at Aston Villa and Chelsea.

It was Spain, though, who looked to pick up from where they had left off, with Oyarzabal heading over from a corner before Rodri’s low shot was deflected just wide.

After Austria substitute Sasa Kalajdzic, who had only just come on, sent a looping header over, Spain doubled their lead in the 66th minute when Porro arrived in the penalty area to finish off a sweeping move as he nodded in Baena’s cross for his first international goal.

Austria looked to rally as Stefan Posch headed wide, but Oyarzabal made sure there would be no late drama when he knocked in a low cross from Cucurella in the 89th minute.

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente – whose side have grown into the tournament after opening Group H with a goalless draw against debutants Cape Verde – feels there is more to come from his team.

"We knew it would be an important match, especially in this knockout stage. We had the previous games in mind and, in every aspect, we were almost perfect," De la Fuente said, quoted on the FIFA website.

“But there are still a few little things to improve. We can always do better. Every match is going to be more difficult than the last. We need to keep this mentality.”

Rangnick accepted his side had just come up short against a superior Spain side.

"We are naturally disappointed that our journey ends here," the Austria boss told reporters, as quoted by Der Standard. "But overall, the team achieved its main goal at the World Cup. We advanced from an extremely difficult group.

"We knew that there was a high probability of advancing as runners-up and then facing Spain, that was an enormous challenge.

But I believe that this team would have been on par with almost any other opponent and would have had a good chance of advancing even further."

(Adaderana.lk)

FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed on April 15, 2026, that Iran will take part in the 2026 World Cup, with group matches scheduled in the United States despite tighter entry rules for Iranian nationals and an elevated security backdrop around the tournament.

Gianni Infantino delivered the remarks in Washington during a CNBC forum appearance, describing Iran’s participation as settled and linking delivery to operational planning across host cities. Iran qualified for the tournament in March 2025 and remains assigned to play two group fixtures in Inglewood, California, and a third in Seattle, according to published match allocations.

Mexican officials also confirmed FIFA rejected a request to shift Iran’s games to Mexico, keeping the existing venue plan intact across the three host countries.

FIFA has locked the expanded tournament format at 48 teams and 104 matches, with the United States hosting 78 fixtures. FIFA programming sets the final for July 19, 2026, in the New York-New Jersey venue cluster, anchoring a six-week operational calendar for airlines, hotels, transport operators, stadium contractors, and city agencies.

FIFA data circulated alongside the Washington appearance projects $11bn in tournament revenue during 2026, with the World Trade Organisation estimate placing gross output at $80.1bn, including $30.5bn in the US.

FIFA also framed the event as a funding engine for football projects across 211 national associations, tying commercial yield to global grant distribution.

Infantino offered a brief assurance to close speculation over Iran’s entry, telling the forum that Iran is “coming for sure” and linking delivery to match integrity and player availability.

US travel restrictions introduced ahead of the tournament include Iran, alongside Haiti, Senegal, and the Ivory Coast, creating a two-track access regime that separates teams from ticket-holding fans.

Council on Foreign Relations analysis indicates fans holding those passports cannot attend matches hosted in the United States under the current ban terms.

Fragomen’s analysis includes a carve-out for officials, teams, and support staff linked to qualified national sides, while explicitly excluding fans from the exemption.

US consular practice also adds a cost layer for some visitors through a Visa Bond Pilot Program, with refundable bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 applied at the officer’s discretion for certain B1 B2 applicants.

CFR reporting also flags a $15,000 bond requirement for some non-immigrant visitors attending US matches, tightening demand elasticity for late booking travel.

Arabian Business

Sri Lanka's rapidly growing combat sports industry has reached a significant milestone, with Karma Fight League (KFL) and Ruhunu Hospital formalising a multi-event partnership, beginning with KFL's 8th event on 18 July at SLECC (Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre, Colombo).

The agreement, signed at an official ceremony attended by representatives from both organisations including Dr. Hasara Kulatunga, Assistant Medical Director and Specialist in Family Medicine at Ruhunu Hospital, marks the first time a private hospital of this standing has entered a structured, long-term partnership with a combat sports organisation in Sri Lanka.

Ruhunu Hospital brings considerable institutional weight to the table. Established in 1995 and operating out of Karapitiya, Galle, the hospital is the largest private healthcare facility in the Southern Province, with over 150 specialist consultants, four operating theatres, and a nine-unit ICU facility.

The institution is currently executing a national expansion strategy anchored around preventative healthcare, and its alignment with a high-performance sport reflects that strategic direction.

For KFL, founded in 2023, the partnership represents a maturation of the league's commercial and operational framework.

Sanctioned by the International Sport Kickboxing Association (ISKA) and featuring competitors across the region, KFL has established itself as South Asia's largest K-1 fight night organisation, with plans to expand into MMA and other combat sports formats.

Ruhunu Hospital joins as title sponsor of KFL 008, and the formal integration of a medical institution of Ruhunu Hospital's calibre into its event infrastructure elevates athlete welfare standards and strengthens the broader combat sports ecosystem in Sri Lanka, signalling to the corporate market that the sport is experiencing significant growth in viewership and commercial interest.

Dr. Hasara Kulatunga, speaking at the signing, underscored the hospital's philosophy behind the agreement: "As Ruhunu Hospital expands its national footprint, we are proud to support platforms that champion human potential. This partnership reflects our vision of advancing health, performance, and community impact across Sri Lanka."

The partnership will officially commence at KFL 008, where the organisation expects its largest audience to date.

The event is headlined by Sonam Zomba, India's reigning MFN Champion and the number one ranked pound-for-pound female fighter in South Asia, who faces a Pakistani opponent in an anticipated matchup that the region is watching closely.

The fight night reflects KFL's growing regional ambitions and its ability to attract international competitive talent at the highest level.

KFL 008 will be broadcast live on KFL's official YouTube channel.

To experience it live at SLECC, tickets are available from LKR 3,000 at KFL's official website: tickets.karmafightleague.com.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have picked Sri Lanka’s left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka as an injury replacement for Brydon Carse for the remainder of IPL 2026. Madushanka will join SRH for INR 7.5 million.

Carse, who was retained by SRH ahead of the 2026 auction, hurt his right hand while batting in the nets before the tournament opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). SRH head coach Daniel Vettori had hoped for a quick recovery at that time but that did not happen.

Madushanka has played one Test, 28 ODIs and 19 T20Is for Sri Lanka and has 70 wickets in international cricket. He is uncapped in the IPL even though he was part of the Mumbai Indians (MI) squad for the 2024 season, when a hamstring injury ruled him out of the season.

With Pat Cummins recovering from an injury and Harshal Patel and Jaydev Unadkat being ineffective, SRH’s bowling unit came under the scanner. It resulted in them handing debuts to Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Monday. The two rookies picked up four wickets each to give their side a 57-run win.

Currently, SRH are fourth on the points table with two wins and three losses from five games.

Source: Espncricinfo

Brazil superstar Neymar was handed a dramatic recall to the country’s World Cup squad on Monday, returning to the national team after a near three-year absence.

The inclusion of Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, was the biggest surprise in the 26-man squad named by coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Ancelotti announced Neymar’s selection at a gala ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, with loud cheers ringing out as the veteran attacker’s call-up was confirmed.
Speculation has raged for months over whether the 34-year-old former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker would force his way back into the national team set-up.

The forward, a veteran of the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups, had not played for Brazil since suffering knee injury during a World Cup qualifying game against Uruguay in 2023.

A mixture of injuries and poor form had left him outside the national team set-up, with Ancelotti citing concerns over his fitness after leaving him out of Brazil’s squad for March friendlies against France and Croatia.

However Neymar, who rejoined boyhood club Santos in January after an injury-ravaged stint in Saudi Arabia, has now earned Ancelotti’s stamp of approval for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

‘‘We monitored Neymar throughout the year and observed that, in recent times, he has been playing consistently and his physical condition has improved,’‘ Ancelotti said. ‘‘We believe he is an important player.’‘

Injuries have restricted Neymar to just 15 appearances in 31 matches since his return to Santos in 2026.

Brazil, who are chasing a record sixth World Cup crown, open their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13 before playing Haiti and Scotland in Group C.

Neymar joins a potent line-up of attackers that includes Barcelona striker Raphinha and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.

Ancelotti meanwhile said he believed the World Cup would be won by the most ‘‘resilient’‘ team.

‘‘The World Cup won’t be won by a perfect team - because a perfect team doesn’t exist,’‘ he said. ‘‘It will be won by the most resilient team."

Source: AP

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have picked Sri Lanka’s left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka as an injury replacement for Brydon Carse for the remainder of IPL 2026. Madushanka will join SRH for INR 7.5 million.

Carse, who was retained by SRH ahead of the 2026 auction, hurt his right hand while batting in the nets before the tournament opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). SRH head coach Daniel Vettori had hoped for a quick recovery at that time but that did not happen.

Madushanka has played one Test, 28 ODIs and 19 T20Is for Sri Lanka and has 70 wickets in international cricket. He is uncapped in the IPL even though he was part of the Mumbai Indians (MI) squad for the 2024 season, when a hamstring injury ruled him out of the season.

With Pat Cummins recovering from an injury and Harshal Patel and Jaydev Unadkat being ineffective, SRH’s bowling unit came under the scanner. It resulted in them handing debuts to Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Monday. The two rookies picked up four wickets each to give their side a 57-run win.

Currently, SRH are fourth on the points table with two wins and three losses from five games.

Source: Espncricinfo

Colombian pop star Shakira has unveiled her official song for the 2026 World Cup.

The 49-year-old, behind hits such as Whenever, Wherever and Hips Don’t Lie, teased Dai Dai on Thursday as the anthem for this summer’s tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada.

Shakira posted a one-minute video on Instagram from Brazil’s Maracana stadium to tease the track that is out on 14 May and also features Nigerian singer Burna Boy.

It marks Shakira’s second official World Cup anthem after Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) for the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

She also had the second theme song for the 2014 tournament with La La La (Brazil 2014) which she performed at the closing ceremony in Rio de Janeiro.

Shakira, who has two sons from a former relationship with ex-Spain and Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, also sang Hips Don’t Lie at the 2006 closing ceremony in Germany.

Her country, Colombia, are playing at the 48-team tournament that runs from 11 June to 19 July.

Source: BBC

Former Australia batter David Warner has been charged with drink-driving in Sydney.

New South Wales Police confirmed a 39-year-old man was arrested on Sunday after returning a positive result following a random breath test in Maroubra in east Sydney.

Warner recorded a second positive test at a police station, which was reported at more than twice the legal blood alcohol concentration limit permitted in New South Wales.

“A van was seen to allegedly stop short of the testing site and park,” NSW Police said in a statement.

“Officers attached to Traffic and Highway Patrol Command approached the vehicle and subjected the driver – a 39-year-old man – to roadside testing which returned a positive result.

“He was arrested and taken to Maroubra Police Station where a second test allegedly returned a reading of 0.104.”

Warner has been charged with a mid-range prescribed concentration of alcohol, which applies to drivers in New South Wales with a blood alcohol concentration between 0.08 and 0.149.

He will appear in court on 7 May.

Warner, who retired from international cricket in 2024, is currently captain of Pakistan Super League side Karachi Kings.

Their next match is against Peshawar Zalmi on 9 April.

Source: BBC

FIFA has fined the Israeli Football Association 150,000 Swiss Francs (£141,700) and issued a warning about its future conduct after investigating an “alleged offence of discrimination” by the Palestine Football Association (PFA).

A disciplinary committee looked into the IFA’s handling of racism in Israeli football as part of a PFA complaint at the 74th FIFA congress in May 2024.

World football’s governing body found the IFA had committed breaches of “articles 13 (offensive behaviour and violations of the principles of fair play) and 15 (discrimination and racist abuse) of the FIFA disciplinary code”.

In addition to the fine and warning, the IFA has to display “a significant and highly visible banner with the words ‘Football Unites the World - No to Discrimination’ alongside the Israel Football Association’s logo” at its next three home matches.

“The size, layout, and positioning of the banner in the stadium shall be submitted by the Israel Football Association to FIFA at the latest 15 days before each match for approval,” said FIFA in a statement.

It has also ordered the IFA to “invest one third of the fine ... towards the implementation of a comprehensive plan to ensure action against discrimination and to prevent repeated incidents”.

FIFA added “the decision remains subject to a potential appeal” by the IFA.

The PFA also accused the IFA of “allowing inclusion of football teams located on the territory of another association (Palestine) in its national league”.

On this, FIFA said it “should take no action given that ... the final legal status of the West Bank remains an unresolved and highly complex matter under public international law”.

Meanwhile, the Palestine FA said its national team’s friendly matches against Mauritania and Benin in Morocco later this month have been cancelled because of the conflict in the Middle East.

Source: BBC

Iran will “boycott the United States” but “not the World Cup”, the Iranian football federation president, Mehdi Taj, said in a video released by the Iranian press agency Fars.

Iran are scheduled to play their group matches in the US in this summer’s tournament. “We will be preparing for the World Cup,” Taj said. “We will boycott the United States but not the World Cup.”

Iran’s football federation said this week it had opened talks with Fifa about potentially relocating the team’s matches from the US to Mexico, though the global governing body has maintained that the tournament’s schedule remains unchanged.

Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, said on Tuesday that her country was prepared to host Iran’s first-round matches if required, owing to the conflict in the Middle East.

Iran’s participation at the finals in the US, Canada and Mexico has been in doubt since the US and Israel launched airstrikes on the country last month, with Donald Trump warning that the safety of Iranian players would be at risk if they travelled to the tournament.

Sheinbaum, asked whether Mexico was open to hosting the matches, said: “Yes.” She added: “Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with every country in the world, therefore we will wait to see what Fifa decides.”

Iran are scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by Egypt in Seattle. Iran would be due to meet the US in the last 32 in ­Dallas if they finish as runners-up in their respective groups.

A source offered the view to the Guardian this week that the US and Iran appeared to be engaged in a game of brinkmanship, with each attempting to create the conditions to force a withdrawal they can blame on their opponents, with Fifa caught in the middle.

Source: AFP and the Guardian