There are only a few hours left for the World Cup to start and the whole world is in a festive mood. The situation is no different in God’s own country, Kerala, where World Cup fever has gripped every corner of the state. A journey from Thiruvananthapuram in the south to Kasaragod in the north offers a glimpse of the passion that Malayalees have for this beautiful game. Huge cutouts, flags and banners of their favorite teams and players are put up across the state, turning towns and villages into vibrant football grounds.

Brazil’s iconic yellow and green painted houses, murals Lionel Messi holding the 2022 World Cup trophyAnd giant cutouts of Cristiano Ronaldo with messages announcing that he is coming to conquer the world are among the scenes in Kerala that have attracted global attention. Fan rallies organized by supporters from different countries also took place in many parts of the state, showcasing the rivalry, which at times seems more intense than the recently concluded elections.

Visitors to Rajaji Nagar, also known as Chengalchula in Thiruvananthapuram, are welcomed with the flags of Brazil, Argentina and Portugal. While their favorite teams battle it out on the field, local fans participate in a different competition through an ongoing flex-board battle. Chengalchula has also produced a number of talented football players over the years, reflecting the region’s deep association with the game.

It’s no surprise that Brazil has the biggest fan base here. Vinil, one of the leading faces of the local Brazil supporters group, has even created a song dedicated to his favorite team.

He says, “Brazil has more fans here. Argentina, Portugal and France also have fans. Everyone understands football very well. They have become fans not just because of the World Cup, but by watching the game closely. Everyone plays well too. We don’t have enough facilities to encourage them.”

For 17-year-old Nikhil, a devoted fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, the World Cup represents hope. He dreams of seeing his idol finally achieving the highest award and lifting the trophy.

The Portuguese superstar has virtually taken over the hall of Nikhil’s house in Rajaji Nagar. Ronaldo’s iconic No. 7 jersey, memorabilia from the clubs he has represented, photographs of him with Ballon d’Or trophies and a hand-painted portrait by Nikhil himself make the room feel like a private museum dedicated to the football icon.

Nikhil’s parents also bought a new big television to ensure that he did not miss a single moment of the tournament.

“There are fewer Portugal fans here compared to others. Everyone shows their support through posters and flex boards. But we hope Cristiano wins it this time,” he says.

Nikhil recalls becoming a fan of Ronaldo at a very young age after watching him play and says he still admires the Portuguese star’s mentality and determination.

Another resident, Suraj, heads the local committee that organizes football festivals in the area. He is particularly proud of the young footballers emerging from the neighbourhood.

He says, “The FIFA World Cup is like Onam for us. In fact, I think every Malayali celebrates the World Cup with even more enthusiasm than Onam. We have many talented players here. One of them, Srikuttan, plays for Kerala Blasters. But there are not enough facilities to help him reach greater heights.”

Like many others, Suraj hopes that future generations will get better infrastructure and opportunities to develop their football talent.

Kerala’s love affair with football It is going viral again and again on social media. Videos depicting the state’s World Cup celebrations have attracted worldwide attention, with football fans in countries such as Brazil and Argentina expressing amazement at the passion displayed thousands of kilometers from their homeland.

Yet, beyond the colors, celebrations and rivalries, there is a shared spirit that unites fans. This tournament could mark the final World Cup appearances for Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar – three players who have defined an era. Some are hoping that one of them will sign off with a trophy, while others are awaiting the arrival of football’s next global superstar.

Whatever unfolds in the coming weeks, one thing is certain. Football in Kerala is more than a game. It’s a tradition passed down through generations, a shared language that transcends age and background, and a passion that refuses to fade away. Long after the final whistle has blown and champions have been crowned, the flags will come down, but the love for the game will remain as strong as ever.

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Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar (ANI photo)

Sunil Gavaskar have vigorously defended IPL and this bcci Amid renewed criticism from former players and commentators over the growing influence of franchise cricket on the international calendar.The debate intensified during and after the 2026 IPL season, particularly in England, where concerns were raised about players prioritizing franchise commitments over national duty. Most of the discussion focused on jofra archerwho stayed with me Rajasthan Royals for the IPL playoffs and missed England’s opening test against New Zealand as a result.jacob bethel There was another player caught in the middle of the debate at the beginning of the season. After limited opportunities in IPL, former England captain alistair cook It was suggested that the young player would be better off returning to county cricket in preparation for the upcoming red-ball campaign. Former cricketer Simon Doull and Michael Atherton Archer’s decision to remain in the IPL rather than join the England Test team was also questioned, rekindling the broader conversation around franchise leagues and Test cricket.Writing in his column for Mid-Day, Gavaskar objected to what he sees as constant criticism indian cricket And BCCI from foreign voices. The former India captain argued that many of those who criticize the IPL ultimately benefit from the commercial power generated by Indian cricket and its huge fan base.“It is natural to criticize Indian cricket and the BCCI,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day. “But when it comes to revenue, they still have to come to the BCCI because it is Indian cricket and Indian fans that fill their coffers more than their traditional rivalries.”Gavaskar also pointed to the financial rewards that foreign cricket boards get from IPL contracts involving their players. In his view, critics often overlook those benefits by complaining about players being unavailable for international duty during tournaments.“Complaining about the IPL and their players not being available for their country is another favorite pastime. However, not a word is said about the 10% their board gets from each player’s fee for their country,” he said.The great batsman also highlighted that he believes the IPL is a unique contribution to world cricket, adding that foreign boards get a share of players’ earnings from the tournament.“This adds up to over a million pounds every year. Does The Hundred give any percentage to the board of its foreign players playing in its tournament? No sir. Does the BBL or any other country’s T20 league give any percentage to the board of its foreign players. No sir again. Only IPL does. Yet the whining about BCCI and Indian cricket continues. Wake up and smell the coffee, friends. Indian cricket is here to stay, no matter how you try to drag it down.”Gavaskar’s comments come at a time when there is a huge debate going on over the relationship between franchise cricket and the international game. While concerns remain over player workload and availability, the former India captain made it clear that he believes the IPL’s contribution to global cricket is often overlooked by its critics.

Defiant cheers and national pride eclipsed a crushed sporting dream at Aden Abdul Osman International Airport on Wednesday. Omar Abdulkadir Artan, the star Somali soccer referee who was blocked from entering the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was given a warm welcome.

Hundreds of local fans, top football board officials and senior government representatives crowded the tarmac and terminal. In a spectacular display of national solidarity, the crowd waved banners and chanted Ayrton’s name, turning what could have been a somber homecoming into a celebration of a national icon.

Speaking to the crowd after the rousing welcome, he said, “God willing, I promise you that I will attend next time too.”

“I want the Somali people to take comfort in this and be reassured.”

A dream broken in miami

The euphoric atmosphere in Mogadishu was a sharp contrast to the ordeal Artan had endured a few days earlier. Considered one of Africa’s leading match officials, Artan was named the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Referee of the Year in 2025. His appointment for the 2026 World Cup was historic, marking the first time that a Somali national had been selected to officiate in football’s global showpiece.

However, upon arriving at Miami International Airport from Istanbul over the weekend, Artan was turned away by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Despite holding a valid tournament visa and a diplomatic passport provided by his own government, Ayrton was subjected to a grueling 11-hour interrogation. Border agents interrogated him extensively on Somali politics and local terrorist groups Before detaining him and putting him on a return flight to Türkiye.

The Trump administration later defended the tough stance, citing strict immigration and vetting policies, including a blanket travel ban on citizens of 12 countries, including Somalia. An administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that “derogatory information, including associations with suspected members of terrorist organizations” made Arton ineligible. “President Trump’s administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country, full stop,” the official said.

global uproar

The decision flashed immediately Fury in the global football community And a diplomatic standoff. The Somali government began late unsuccessful talks with Washington and FIFA to reverse the ban. Somalia’s Prime Minister strongly condemned the denial, while the Sports Ministry issued a poignant statement: “His international achievements are a source of honor and pride for the Somali people.”

The Somali Football Federation (SFF) expressed deep sadness, stressing that Artan’s selection was a milestone earned through “years of dedication, professionalism and integrity”. The SFF said it had received no formal explanation for the refusal.

FIFA quickly distanced itself from the political fallout and confirmed Arton had been removed from the tournament roster as all 52 refereeing pairs must train at a central hub in Miami.

A spokesperson said, “FIFA is not involved in the host country’s immigration processes.”

For the people of Somalia, the US government’s security narrative means nothing. When government officials took Artan from Mogadishu, the message from the streets was clear: He may have been rejected by the world, but at home, he remains a champion.

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Pakistan captain Babar Azam with Shaheen Shah Afridi (PTI photo)

Pakistan has handed over Sahebzada Farhan With captaincy for men’s cricket competition in 2026 asian gamesWhich will take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan during September and October. The selectors have selected a young and largely experimental 15-man squad, which includes several uncapped players.Farhan, who has represented Pakistan in 46 T20 Internationals, will lead the national team in white-ball cricket for the first time. Abdul Samad Has been appointed vice-captain for the tournament. The team has four players who have not yet made their T20I debut for Pakistan: Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Maaz Sadaqat and Saad Masood. Meanwhile, Usman Khan has been chosen as the main wicketkeeper of the team.Pakistan squad for Asian Games 2026: Sahibzada Farhan (Captain), Abdul Samad (Vice-Captain), Abrar AhmedAhmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Arafat Minhas, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Saad Masood, Saim Ayub, Sufyan Mokim and Usman Khan (wicketkeeper).While Farhan has been a regular presence in Pakistan’s T20 setup, he has not captained the national team in the limited overs format before. Samad, on the other hand, has featured in five T20 Internationals but has not played in the format for Pakistan since March last year. His most recent international appearance came in the ODI series against Australia.This team bears little resemblance to the one fielded by Pakistan in the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Several established stars have been left out, including regular white-ball captain Salman Ali Aga Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi And Shadab Khan.A large portion of the selected players are currently involved in Pakistan’s preparations at the National Cricket Academy. Fourteen members of the Asian Games squad are also part of the NCA white-ball camp, which is scheduled to begin on June 15 in Lahore.The men’s cricket tournament at the Asian Games will begin on September 24 and the medal matches will be played on October 3.

After Atletico Madrid publicly mocked city rivals Real Madrid after rejecting a club-record €150 million bid for Julian Alvarez, the striker has been identified as Florentino Perez’s marquee transfer target after being re-elected as club president.

Real Madrid confirmed the approach in an official statement on Tuesday, revealing that the Spanish giants had submitted a formal offer for the Argentina international. The bid, which would have been the most expensive transfer in the club’s history, was immediately rejected by Atlético.

The offer comes just days after Perez secured another term as Real Madrid president. During his election campaign, the 79-year-old promised supporters a big signing and hinted that the club would submit a big offer for a player from the leading Champions League team.

Real Madrid said Atletico had rejected the bid and pointed to Alvarez’s release clause.

“Following the meeting of the board of directors held today, Real Madrid CF has offered Club Atlético de Madrid 150 million euros for the federal rights to the player Julián Álvarez. After reviewing and evaluating the offer, Club Atlético de Madrid expresses its gratitude for the offer made within the framework of good relations between the two clubs and rejects it, citing the provision for the player’s release,” the club said in a statement.

atlético mock real

However, Atlético’s response soon went beyond formal rejection.

The club reposted Real Madrid’s statement with a series of laughing emojis on social media before issuing a strongly worded response to their city rivals.

“You may have confused education with gratitude, but there is no doubt: we do not thank you for anything. We neither study nor consider any proposal for Julian. How can we not come along, when you make us laugh more than Barcelona,” Atlético posted.

The exchange escalated when Atlético sent another message referencing Real Madrid’s recruitment of youth players from its academy.

“PS Taking advantage of the good relationship with your new President, let’s see if you stop ‘stealing’ players from our academy. Thank you very much, @realmadrid!”

The rejection is a significant blow to Perez, who had promised to bring a high-profile signature after winning Sunday’s presidential election. Speaking before the vote, Perez had hinted at an imminent move.

“On Tuesday, I’m going to make an offer for a great player to a major Champions League club. It will be the biggest transfer fee ever paid by Real Madrid in its history,” Pérez said on the Spanish television program Horizonte.

Alvarez has emerged as one of Atletico’s most important players Since joining Manchester City in 2024. The Argentine forward enjoyed a stellar first full season under Diego Simeone, scoring 20 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions and playing a key role in Atlético’s run to the Champions League semi-finals.

Reports in Spain suggest that Alvarez’s contract includes a release clause of €500 million, a figure Atlético remains committed to implementing despite growing interest from Europe’s biggest clubs. It was also reported that Barcelona had rejected a bid for the 26-year-old last week.

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England Test captain Ben Stokes may step down from his role and even retire from cricket following the nightclub controversy involving him and teammate Gus Atkinson, according to a report in talkSPORT.The development comes after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) launched an investigation into an incident involving Stokes and Atkinson at a nightclub in the early hours of Monday, hours after England’s 115-run win over New Zealand in the first Test at Lord’s.Speaking on talkSPORT, The Cricketer’s senior correspondent, George Dobell, said he had been told Stokes could choose to leave on his own rather than wait for disciplinary action.“From everything I hear I fear Stokes is going to take action first. And, sadly, I hear he is going to step down and possibly even retire.”“I think it would be extremely regrettable and I hope he doesn’t do that. I hope he stands up and fights for who we know as Ben Stokes.”Stokes is currently England’s Test captain and has been a key figure in the team’s red-ball setup. Although he now plays only Test cricket, his retirement will end his 15-year career at the top level.Some media reports over the past few weeks have also suggested that Stokes has fallen out with England head coach Brendon McCullum since the Ashes and may see the latest controversy as a point to move on from the role.According to the report of Cricinfo, another possibility is that Stokes may take a break from cricket. He took an indefinite leave of absence from the game in 2021 on mental health grounds, before replacing Joe Root as England captain a year later.The ECB confirmed on Monday that Stokes and Atkinson were involved in an incident while celebrating England’s victory over New Zealand.“Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson were at a nightclub in the early hours of Monday morning when the incident occurred,” an ECB statement said.“We are currently seeking further information and an announcement regarding the squad for the second Test will be made in due course.”England are expected to delay naming their squad for the second Test against New Zealand until they hear from Stokes. It also claimed that neither Stokes nor Atkinson were expected to feature in the remainder of the series.The controversy comes months after England re-imposed a team curfew following the Ashes tour of Australia, during which players faced criticism over drinking and discipline issues.On Sunday, England defeated New Zealand by 115 runs at Lord’s. On the final day, Atkinson took five wickets for 30 runs while Stokes also took one wicket.The second Test against New Zealand will start from June 17 at The Oval.

Indian all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar has said that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) strongly supported her during the difficult period when she was battling injury concerns. Last year, RCB picked up Vastrakar in the Women’s Premier League mega auction while she was still recovering from a shoulder injury.

She suffered an injury during the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2024, following which she underwent surgery in March 2025. As a result, she missed the entire 2025 WPL season and was later released by Mumbai Indians despite being one of the leading fast-bowling all-rounders in the country.

RCB endorsed his potential despite his fitness struggles and bought him in the auction for Rs 85 lakh. Vastrakar revealed that the franchise did not put pressure on him to start bowling immediately. Instead, they focused on utilizing his batting abilities and gave him time to ease back into a full bowling workload, giving him confidence and space during the comeback phase.

Also read: Women’s T20 World Cup Group A preview: India face tough test in three-way battle

“He spoke to me in very simple terms and told me that if my bowling was not coming as expected, it was okay. He said, ‘You are a batting all-rounder; we need your batting.’ That assurance gave me a lot of confidence and they kept supporting me throughout the tournament,” Vastrakar told India Today in an interview organized by the Madhya Pradesh Premier League.

Vastrakar said, “Absolutely. Everyone there, not just Anya (Shrubsole), but also our head coach (Malolan Rangarajan) and Smriti (Mandhana) are very established at this level. All of them have faced injuries at some point in their careers, so they understand what a player has to do to bounce back.”

focus, fitness, performance

For Vastrakar, the shoulder injury was not the only setback that kept him away from the game. He also suffered a hamstring injury just two days before his release from the BCCI Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, which forced him to miss the first two weeks of WPL 2026 for RCB.

Even after returning, he neither bowled nor batted in two of the matches he participated in. Reflecting on his journey, Vastrakar said challenges and disappointments are part of cricket and help players learn how to deal with the ups and downs.

He said his current focus is on fitness, managing his body and improving performance through consistent hard work and discipline.

“There are always some challenges, and some disappointments too, but at the same time, you learn a lot from them. Cricket is a game that has a lot of ups and downs, and it makes you aware of how to deal with different challenges,” said Vastrakar, who plays for Chambal Gharials.

Vastrakar said, “At the moment, I am not particularly focused on any one particular thing. My main focus is on my body, my fitness and my performance. I am focusing on the hard work required to improve in those areas. Right now, all my focus and motivation is there.”

The textile manufacturer is not worried about returning to India

Vastrakar last played for India in the match that ruled them out of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup. Since then, Kashvi Gautam has emerged as a fast bowling all-rounder in the India setup.

During this period, Vastrakar also missed India’s ODI World Cup triumph in 2025 and will also be unavailable for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup.

However, he is not worried about this setback. Vastrakar’s focus is firmly on domestic cricket, consistent performances and hard work, with the belief that results and an international comeback will come in time.

“Look, it’s not really in my hands. It’s in my hands to keep doing my job and keep performing, it doesn’t matter which franchise I play for or which league I participate in. The selectors are there to take the decision,” Vastrakar said.

Vastrakar said, “If I perform well and they feel Pooja Vastrakar deserves to be in the team, then it’s great. Otherwise, I will keep doing what is expected of me. My job is to keep working hard and give my best.”

It has been eight years since Vastrakar made his India debut. Having played over 100 matches for the country, he has time and again shown that he is a reliable option with both bat and ball.

However, the past few months away from the field have tested his resilience and patience. If she is fully fit, there is no doubt that she will make a comeback in the Indian team because of the quality and balance she brings to the team.

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Having lost both their practice matches before the Women’s T20 World Cup, it has become very difficult for Pakistan to adapt to the conditions in England. They started with a heavy nine-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka, chasing the target of 169 runs in just 18.3 overs. However, Tuesday’s defeat may have hurt even more as Scotland defeated them by 41 runs via the DLS method at the County Ground in Derby.

Katherine Bryce, who led Scotland during their maiden Women’s T20 World Cup campaign in 2024, provided a tough challenge to Pakistan’s bowlers. The right-handed batsman completed his half-century off just 28 balls and then accelerated to remain unbeaten on 94 off 43 balls, studded with 11 fours and three sixes.

Also read: Women’s T20 World Cup Group A preview: India face tough test in three-way battle

On the strength of Bryce’s talent, Scotland scored 191 runs for five wickets when invited to bat first. Darcy Carter (45) and Katherine Fraser (19) provided a solid platform and led the Scots to a strong total before Bryce took charge. For Pakistan, Tasmiya Rubab, Sadia Iqbal and Ayesha Zafar took one wicket each, but no bowler was successful in stopping Bryce.

Pakistan’s batting collapsed

Pakistan had a very poor start while chasing the target and its score was 28 runs for three wickets in 4.1 overs. Left-arm fast bowler Rachel Slater did the damage at the top, while Gul Firozha, Saira Jabeen and Ayesha Zafar all failed to reach double figures. Muniba Ali, who has two T20I centuries to her name, put up some resistance, scoring 22 runs from 20 balls before Bryce took the wicket.

Iram Javed was looking promising before losing to Chloe Abel. When captain Fatima Sana tried to make a comeback by scoring 12 not out from seven balls, rain intervened and ultimately ended the contest.

Pakistan recently defeated Zimbabwe at home, but they failed to win a single match in the triangular series in Ireland. In one of those games, Ireland successfully chased down 177, exposing the weaknesses of Pakistan’s bowling attack.

Now after losing both the warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and Scotland, Pakistan will face a tough challenge in the group stage. They begin their campaign against India on June 14 before taking on six-time champions Australia and 2024 runners-up South Africa.

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