Football | DD News

June 19, 2026 12:42 AM

Football connects India and France: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that football is another strong bond that connects India and France, adding that the passion for the sport is visible in both countries. Addressing members of the Indian diaspora in Paris during the final leg of his visit to France and Slovakia, PM Modi extended his best wishes to the French national team, which began its World Cup campaign with a resounding victory. PM Modi noted that football fever was at its peak in France, with the craze visibl...

June 11, 2026 10:21 AM

Volatile summer weather threatens to turn FIFA World Cup into test of heat

The World Cup will kick off on Thursday under familiar North American summer threats: extreme heat, suffocating humidity and thunderstorms capable of delaying matches with little warning. Seasonal forecasts indicate above-normal temperatures across large parts of the United States, while moisture flowing north from the Gulf of Mexico could fuel thunderstorms and severe weather during the opening weeks of the tournament. While conditions for individual matches cannot be predicted this far ahe...

April 28, 2026 11:17 AM

PM Modi plays football with children in Sikkim, set to unveil ₹4,000 crore development push

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a visit to the northeastern state of Sikkim, met youngsters in the capital Gangtok on Tuesday and joined them for a brief football session. Posting a video on X, the Prime Minister wrote, “Nothing like playing some football with my young friends in Sikkim on a lovely Gangtok morning!” The visuals showed him interacting warmly with children on a football ground, drawing enthusiastic reactions both on-site and online. ₹4,000 Crore Projects Across Key...

April 27, 2026 3:39 PM

FIFA set to increase 2026 World Cup prize money

FIFA is in discussions with national associations to increase prize money for all 48 teams participating in the 2026 World Cup, soccer's global governing body said on Sunday. The proposal must be approved at Tuesday's FIFA Council meeting being held ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver. In December, FIFA said prize money for this year's World Cup would be 50% higher than for the previous edition at $655 million after agreeing a record $727 million financial contribution to the tourname...

April 23, 2026 9:51 AM

Soccer-Trump envoy seeks to replace Iran with Italy in upcoming World Cup, FT reports

A top envoy to U.S. President Donald Trump has asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. The plan is an effort to repair ties between Trump and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out amid the American president's attacks against Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war, the FT reported, citing people familiar with the matter. "I confirm I have suggested to Trump and (FIFA president Gianni) Infantino that Italy re...

April 23, 2026 9:38 AM

Soccer-Yamal limps off after sealing Barcelona win over Celta

Barcelona moved closer to retaining their LaLiga title with a 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo on Wednesday, but the win was overshadowed by an injury to Lamine Yamal, who scored the first-half spot kick that settled the match. With six games remaining, Barcelona lead the standings on 82 points, nine clear of Real Madrid on 73. The result keeps the champions firmly in control of the title race, though concern now surrounds Yamal with a Clasico looming in two weeks and the World Cup less than 50 days...

April 15, 2026 2:38 PM

Dembele double at Liverpool fires PSG into Champions League semis

Ousmane Dembele struck twice to confirm Paris St Germain's place in the Champions League semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Liverpool on Tuesday, sealing a 4-0 aggregate win in their quarter-final tie at a rain-soaked Anfield. The holders soaked up sustained second-half pressure from Liverpool, who were roared on by a raucous home crowd, but built on the advantage they established in the first leg in Paris last week to book their fifth semi-final berth in seven seasons. Dembele scored at Anfi...

April 15, 2026 2:38 PM

Atletico survive Barca scare to reach first Champions League semi in nine years

Atletico Madrid reached their first Champions League semi-final in nine years on Tuesday, squeezing past Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate despite a nerve-racking 2-1 home defeat that had the Metropolitano crowd holding its breath until the final whistle. Diego Simeone's side thought they had done much of the heavy lifting with a 2-0 win at the Camp Nou in the first leg but that cushion was wiped out by an early Barca blitz as the visitors struck twice in the first half to level the tie. Lamine Yamal...

April 4, 2026 2:36 PM

One killed, dozens hurt as Peru stadium event goes awry

At least one person was killed and several injured on Friday ahead of a derby match at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium in the Peruvian capital, said club Alianza Lima, a day before it faces off against Universitario. The club offered condolences and solidarity for the casualties, which media said included 60 injured during a "flag‑waving event" at the stadium, popularly known as Matute. "We are fully and transparently collaborating with the competent authorities," the club added in its stat...

April 1, 2026 1:27 PM

Italy miss out on World Cup for third straight time after shootout loss to Bosnia

Italy's agonising World Cup exile continues after they fell to a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina in their playoff final on Tuesday following a 1-1 draw. Four-time champions Italy had lost out at the playoff stage to miss the last two World Cups, and their last qualification in 2014 coincided with Bosnia's only previous appearance. Since lifting the trophy in 2006, Italy have won one game at the finals. Bosnia will play in Group B at the World Cup, joining co-hosts Canada,...