The build-up to the FIFA World Cup final continues to dominate global headlines, with injury concerns for Spain, political fallout from Argentina's celebrations
and confirmation that US President Donald Trump will attend Sunday's showpiece. Meanwhile, England levelled the ODI series against India through another Joe Root masterclass, while Rohit Sharma's ODI future has come under fresh scrutiny.
1. Spain sweat over Lamine Yamal fitness ahead of World Cup final
Spain have been handed an injury scare just days before the FIFA World Cup final after Lamine Yamal trained away from the main squad with heavy strapping on his left thigh. The Barcelona teenager suffered a knock during Spain's semi-final victory over France and continues to be monitored by the medical staff. Although reports suggest Yamal is still expected to play against Argentina, his fitness will remain a major concern heading into Sunday's final.
2. UK urges FIFA to investigate Argentina over Falklands banner
The British government has formally backed calls for FIFA to investigate Argentina after players celebrated their World Cup semi-final victory over England with a banner declaring "The Malvinas are Argentine". Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office said the display was inappropriate, while FIFA confirmed its disciplinary committee is assessing the incident under regulations prohibiting political messages at football matches. Any punishment is unlikely before Sunday's final against Spain.
3. Donald Trump to attend FIFA World Cup 2026 final
The White House has confirmed that US President Donald Trump will attend Sunday's FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at the New York-New Jersey Stadium. Trump will first participate in an official FIFA reception at Trump Tower before travelling to the stadium for the tournament's showpiece event, which concludes the first men's World Cup jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
4. England level ODI series as Joe Root's unbeaten 99 downs India
Joe Root produced another batting masterclass with an unbeaten 99 as England defeated India by four wickets in Cardiff to level the three-match ODI series. Chasing 234, England recovered from another shaky start with Root anchoring the innings before Gus Atkinson struck the winning boundary to deny him a deserved century. Earlier, Virat Kohli's 65 and Shreyas Iyer's 66 had guided India to 233 before England's seamers sparked a collapse by claiming the final seven wickets for just 55 runs.
5. Rohit Sharma's ODI career reportedly nearing its end
The third ODI against England at Lord's could reportedly be Rohit Sharma's final appearance for India in the format. According to reports, the BCCI selection committee has informed the veteran opener that he does not feature in its plans beyond the England series as India builds towards the 2027 ODI World Cup. The selectors are understood to be looking towards younger options, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, with Shubman Gill already having succeeded Rohit as ODI captain.
6. India pacer Gurnoor Brar warned for ICC Code of Conduct breach
India fast bowler Gurnoor Brar has received an official warning and one demerit point after admitting a Level One breach of the ICC Code of Conduct during the opening ODI against England. Brar was found guilty of throwing the ball at or near a batter in an inappropriate and dangerous manner. Having accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Richie Richardson, no formal disciplinary hearing was required.
7. PV Sindhu storms into Japan Open quarter-finals
PV Sindhu produced one of her finest performances of the season to upset world No. 5 Han Yue 21-16, 21-14 and book her place in the Japan Open Super 750 quarter-finals. The two-time Olympic medallist required just 35 minutes to dispatch the higher-ranked Chinese shuttler and will next face Japan's Nozomi Okuhara. Sindhu is now India's only remaining representative in the tournament.
8. Former French tennis player receives longer ban after failed appeal
Former French tennis player Samuel Bensoussan has seen his suspension for match-fixing increased from one year and 11 months to three years after unsuccessfully appealing his original punishment. The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected his appeal and partially upheld the International Tennis Integrity Agency's request for a tougher sanction, extending the former world No. 405's suspension until May 2028.
