Category: Sports

FIFA has sorted 48 teams for the biggest World Cup in history into 12 groups on Friday, marking the first major step toward next summer’s expanded tournament across North America.

According to reports, the draw takes place at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, DC. US President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attend the event along with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. 

The United States, Mexico and Canada will jointly host the tournament.

“This will be the greatest FIFA World Cup ever. The greatest event humanity will ever see,” Infantino says before the draw.
“The World Cup is like 104 Super Bowls in one month,” he adds.

Supermodel Heidi Klum and comedian Kevin Hart hosted the ceremony. Legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli opened the event with a performance. Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger sang the official FIFA anthem “Desire.”

 FIFA also presented its first-ever Peace Prize to Donald Trump. Sports icons Wayne Gretzky, Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal and Aaron Judge took part in the draw.

So far, 42 teams have qualified for the tournament. FIFA will decide the remaining six teams through UEFA and inter-confederation playoffs in March.

Mexico will host the opening match of the tournament in 188 days. Mexico faces South Africa on June 11 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. FIFA has confirmed the full match schedule, venues and kickoff times at noon ET on Saturday.

The United States entered Group D with Australia, Paraguay and one European playoff team from Turkey, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo.

Team USA will play Paraguay on June 12 in Inglewood, California, Australia on June 19 in Seattle and the final group match on June 25 in Inglewood.

Mexico will compete in Group A with South Korea, South Africa and one European playoff team from Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia or Ireland.

Canada lands in Group B with Switzerland, Qatar and one European playoff team from Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the knockout stage. The eight best third-place teams will also advance to complete the round of 32.

The World Cup final takes place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Matches take place in 16 cities across North America. Canada hosts games in Toronto and Vancouver. Mexico hosts matches in Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.

The US hosts matches in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle.

Argentina enters the tournament as defending champions after winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar under the leadership of Lionel Messi.

World Cup groups are:

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, TBD (Ukraine, Sweden, Poland or Albania)
Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cabo Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, TBD (Bolivia, Suriname or Iraq)
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, TBD (New Caledonia, Jamaica or Congo DR)
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the shortlisted players for the Men’s Player of the Month award for November 2025, with Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz making it to the list.

Other nominees include South African off-spinner Simon Harmer and Bangladesh’s leading Test wicket-taker Taijul Islam.

“A trio of standout performers from South Africa, Bangladesh and Pakistan have been nominated for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award in November,” the ICC said in a statement.

His nomination comes after Nawaz shone in Pakistan’s home season across white-ball formats and played a key role in Pakistan’s tri-series win over Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. 

In ODIs, he scored 104 runs at an average of 52 with a strike rate of 114.28 and took four wickets. In T20Is, he scored 52 runs and claimed 11 wickets at an average of 12.72. His match-winning 3-17 in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka also earned him the Player of the Series award.

Meanwhile, Simon Harmer earned his nomination with a remarkable performance in South Africa’s Test series against India. He took 17 wickets at an average of 8.94, helping the Proteas secure their first 2-0 series win in India since 2000. 

Harmer claimed eight wickets in the opening Test and nine in the second, winning the Player of the Series award.

Taijul Islam impressed in Bangladesh’s home series against Ireland. The left-arm spinner took 13 wickets at an average of 26.30, finishing as the leading wicket-taker of the series.

The ICC will announce the winner of the Men’s Player of the Month award in the coming days.

Pakistan Super League (PSL) has time and again proved its growing popularity, even in India. 

According to data released by Google, PSL ranked among the most searched sports events in India during 2025.

Google’s list of the most searched sports events in India shows that the Indian Premier League remains first, followed by the Asia Cup, the ICC Champions Trophy, the Pro Kabaddi League, and the Women’s Cricket World Cup. 

PSL stands at seventh place on the list, ahead of major events such as the FIFA Club World Cup, Wimbledon Championships, the UEFA Nations League, and Major League Cricket.

The inclusion of PSL among India’s top-searched sports events highlights how its reach has expanded beyond Pakistan. 

A growing segment of Indian cricket fans increasingly follows PSL matches, players’ performances, highlights, and related discussions on social media and news platforms.

The tenth edition of PSL has broken all previous viewership records, both online and on traditional media. Digital broadcasts of PSL 10 have crossed 1.1 billion views in just 12 matches, reflecting an 826.5 percent increase in live stream viewership compared to last season.

In the first three matches alone, the league recorded 477.7 million live-stream views. Throughout the season, total watch-time on digital platforms has exceeded 16.25 billion minutes.

PSL’s social media presence has also surged. Channels across Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X together registered over 1.4 billion views, added around 1.29 million new followers, and generated tens of millions of interactions in comments, likes, and shares.

The Indian cricket team is experiencing an extraordinary streak, having lost 20 consecutive tosses in One Day Internationals (ODIs) with odds of this happening being less than one in a million.

Indian stand-in captain KL Rahul admitted he is surprised by this unusual run of bad luck starting during the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad when Rohit Sharma was leading the team.

“I was practicing, but clearly it didn’t work,” Rahul said after losing the toss on December 3 against South Africa in Raipur.

He went on to say he hoped to break the streak in the third ODI on December 6 in Visakhapatnam.

“Honestly, this is the thing that puts the most pressure on me because we haven’t won a toss in a long time,” he said.

India last won an ODI toss in November 15, 2023, when they faced New Zealand in the World Cup semi-final in Mumbai.

The team has since failed to win a single toss under three different captains, Rohit Sharma, regular ODI captain Shubman Gill and now KL Rahul.

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar said that Rahul mentioned practicing for tosses, but added, “How can you know what the opposing captain will call?”

Gavaskar explained that different captains may have different preferences, with some favouring heads and others tails.

Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn revealed that Faf du Plessis once asked South African captain Temba Bavuma to call the toss after a long losing streak. 

Steyn said it was the first time he had seen a captain let another player call the toss, yet Bavuma also lost that toss.

This rare statistical anomaly has captured the attention of cricketing fans around the globe as India searches for its first ODI toss win in nearly two years.

Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has dismissed comparisons with Lionel Messi, saying he wants to create his own identity, adding that that the Argentinian legend understands his feelings. 

Speaking to a news outlet, Yamal addressed the comparisons with Messi. “I respect him for what he has been and what he is for football,” Yamal said.

“If we meet one day on a football field, there will be that mutual respect. For me he is the best in history.”

He stressed that “We both also know that I don’t want to be Messi and Messi knows that I don’t want to be him, I want to follow my own path. I have no intention of playing like him, or wearing the number 10 that Messi wore, or anything like that.”

Yamal admitted that Messi influenced his development as a young player, especially through his passing. 

“When I was little, I never dribbled much, I ran a lot but above all I always had a very good vision of the game. I looked a lot at Messi because he gave different passes, goal passes and that’s what I looked at. Also in passes with the outside, that I’ve seen a lot to Modric. They are things that I liked a lot and that seemed more interesting than a dribble.”

While explaining his style, Yamal said he plays football to entertain. 

“Fun, that’s the word. In the end I play for people to have fun. I’m an athlete who entertains and whose goal is not to break all the records in the world, to score a million goals, to make a million dribbles. I want to enjoy myself and for kids to want to be like me. Obviously, if I score a lot of goals, that’s even better, but I think football goes beyond that.”

Yamal’s rise has been meteoric. He has won two league titles with FC Barcelona and a European Championship with Spain’s national football team. 

He finished as runner-up in the 2025 Ballon d’Or just months ago.

Meanwhile, former Barcelona great Messi won 35 trophies during his legendary spell at the club.

Top Pakistani cricketers selected for the upcoming T20 series against Sri Lanka and Australia will have to miss the Big Bash League (BBL) due to national duty. 

Reports quoted officials as saying that BBL 2025–26 season begins on December 19, and no-objection certificates (NOCs) were issued from December 14 to January 28 for several Pakistani stars.

However, the NOCs for foreign league are always conditional and players must remain fully available for Pakistan.

Earlier, Babar Azam signed with Sydney Sixers, Mohammad Rizwan with Melbourne Renegades, Shaheen Shah Afridi with Brisbane Heat, Haris Rauf with Melbourne Stars, Shadab Khan with Sydney Thunder and Hasan Ali with Adelaide Strikers.

Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah and Hassan Nawaz, on the other hand, received NOCs for other leagues until January 4.

Scheduling, however, creates a direct clash. Pakistan will play three T20Is in Sri Lanka on January 7, 9 and 11 in Dambulla. Later in January, Australia will tour Pakistan for a T20 series. 

Both series are key steps in preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Selectors are unlikely to exempt any main squad members from national due to the World Cup build-up. This means players chosen for Pakistan’s T20 squads will have to leave their BBL teams and join the national side instead.

The year 2025 brought clear improvement for Pakistan in T20 cricket with the team not only securing strong wins but also adopting a more modern and aggressive style of play.

Statistics show a big rise in Pakistan’s six-hitting rate. The team played 34 T20 matches this year, faced 3872 balls and smashed 235 sixes. This means Pakistan averaged 7 sixes per match and hit a six every 16 balls.

Last year, Pakistan played 27 T20s and managed only 152 sixes. In 2024, players hit a six every 19 balls on average and the team’s per-match sixes were less than six.

A comparison of 2024 and 2025 clearly highlights a shift toward aggressive batting. Head coach Mike Hesson’s strategy played a major role in the change. 

Sahibzada Farhan stood out this year, ranking second in the world for most sixes in T20s with 106 sixes.

Pakistan also won 21 out of 34 T20 matches in 2025.

With the T20 World Cup scheduled for next year, Pakistan’s evolving white-ball strategy shows the team is moving in the right direction.

Pakistan Cricket Board has announced that the national team will tour Sri Lanka ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Pakistan will travel to Sri Lanka for a three-match T20 series. 

The matches will take place in Dambulla on 7, 9 and 11 January as part of Pakistan’s preparations for the mega event.

The ICC released the schedule for the 2026 T20 World Cup on November 25. India and Sri Lanka will host the tournament, which will be the tenth edition. 

Twenty teams will compete under the same format used for the 2024 World Cup.

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has confirmed that he will not take part in the IPL 2026 mini auction, days after Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali announced that they will leave the IPL and join the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for its 2026 edition.

Maxwell ended the speculation surrounding his future through a heartfelt message on social media. 

“After many unforgettable seasons in the IPL, I’ve decided not to put my name into the auction this year. It’s a big call, and one I make with a lot of gratitude for everything this league has given me,” he wrote. 

He added that IPL has helped shape him as a cricketer and as a person. “I’ve been lucky to play with world-class teammates, represent incredible franchises, and perform in front of fans whose passion is unmatched. The memories, the challenges, and the energy of India will stay with me forever. Thank you for all your support over the years, hopefully see you soon. Cheers Maxi.”

Maxwell leaves the league after Punjab Kings released him following a difficult IPL 2025 season.

On November 29, South Africa’s Faf du Plessis announced that he will skip the IPL 2026 auction and join the PSL instead. He said, “This league has been a massive part of my journey. India has given me friendships, lessons, and memories that have shaped me as a cricketer and as a person.” 

He called the PSL a “new challenge” as he prepares to return to Pakistan’s premier T20 league.

On December 1, former England all-rounder Moeen Ali also confirmed that he will feature in PSL 2026. He wrote, “I’m really excited to be joining HBL PSL in its New Era. The league has earned a reputation for top-level T20 cricket.” 

Moeen praised Pakistan’s passionate crowds and said, “Playing in Pakistan is always incredible. The passion and intensity from the crowd push you to bring your best.”

With Maxwell now joining the growing list, attention shifts to PSL 11, which is set to bring major changes. 

The league will expand from six to eight teams. Media reports suggest that auctions for two new franchises will take place on January 6, 2026. 

The tournament is scheduled to run in April and May 2026 under the updated calendar.

Pakistan has announced its squad for the upcoming ACC Under-19 Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in Dubai from 12 to 21 December. 

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named Farhan Yousuf as captain and Usman Khan as vice-captain.

The tournament draws Pakistan into Group A, alongside India, Qualifier 1 and Qualifier 3. Pakistan will begin their campaign on 12 December against Qualifier 3 at Sevens Stadium. 

Their second group match will be on 14 December against India at the ICC Academy, followed by their final group match on 16 December against Qualifier 1. The semi-finals are set for 19 December and the final on December 21. 

Squad: Farhan Yousuf (captain), Usman Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Hasan Baloch, Ali Raza, Daniyal Ali Khan, Hamza Zahoor, Huzaifa Ahsan, Momin Qamar, Muhammad Huzaifa, Muhammad Siyam, Muhammad Shayan, Naqaab Shafiq, Sameer Manhas.

Support staff: Sarfaraz Ahmed (manager and mentor), Shahid Anwar (head coach and batting coach), Rao Iftikhar (bowling coach), Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach), Abrar Ahmed (trainer), Obaidullah (physio) and Ali Hamza (analyst).

Pakistan’s Under-19 team has won the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup once, in 2012, when the final ended in a tie and Pakistan shared the trophy with India.