All posts tagged: Sport

Robert Lewandowski to leave Barcelona with his ‘mission complete’ | Football News

Robert Lewandowski to leave Barcelona with his ‘mission complete’ | Football News

Published by Sam Flores

Veteran Polish striker helped Barca to three La Liga titles, including this season’s trophy, and the Copa del Rey in 2025. Published On 16 May 202616 May 2026 Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski says he is leaving the club this summer at the end of his contract. The veteran Polish forward, 37, scored 119 goals for Barcelona in 191 games across all competitions since joining from Bayern Munich in 2022. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Lewandowski helped Barca to three La Liga titles, including this season’s trophy, and the Copa del Rey in 2025. “After four years full of challenges and hard work, it’s time to move on,” said Lewandowski in a post on Instagram on Saturday. “I leave with the feeling that the mission is complete. Four seasons, three championships.” The forward joined when Barca were at a low ebb and struggling financially, helping restore them to the Spanish throne and also compete for the Champions League. “Barca is back where it belongs,” continued Lewandowski. “I will never forget the love I …

These Women Are Training to Represent the US in an Olympic Sport They’d Never Heard Of

These Women Are Training to Represent the US in an Olympic Sport They’d Never Heard Of

Published by Sam Flores

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rylee White had never even heard of the fast-paced sport of handball until her roommate mentioned a TikTok video about tryouts in Los Angeles for the U.S. Olympic women’s team — no experience necessary. White, a 27-year-old screenwriter, knew she had to go. She wasn’t the only one. More than 150 women — buoyed by the viral video — attended the tryouts in January, a five-fold increase from previous turnouts. Five months later, White is one of a handful of women who have packed their bags and moved to Florida to join USA Handball’s national residency program, hoping to eventually be selected to represent the United States at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Handball is popular overseas but not in the US As the host nation, the U.S. automatically qualifies for every sport. The last time the United States had a women’s handball team at the Games was in 1996. Finding the money and resources needed to field a competitive U.S. team is a constant challenge. Athletes are often …

FA Cup final: Chelsea vs Manchester City – teams, start, lineups | Football News

FA Cup final: Chelsea vs Manchester City – teams, start, lineups | Football News

Published by Sam Flores

Who: Chelsea vs Manchester CityWhat: English FA Cup finalWhere: Wembley Stadium in London, United KingdomWhen: Saturday, May 16 at 3pm (14:00 GMT)How to follow: We’ll have all the buildup on Al Jazeera Sport from 11 GMT in advance of our live text commentary stream. History will be made on Saturday as Manchester City become the first side to line up in four consecutive finals as they take on Chelsea for the trophy. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Between them, the sides have won 15 FA Cup titles, but this is a first meeting between the clubs in the final itself – despite the teams between them appearing in five of the last six finals. City, who have already claimed the League Cup, are still in with the chance of a domestic treble. Chelsea, however, have been engaged in a managerial merry-go-round – all off the back of beating Paris Saint-Germain to claim the expanded FIFA Club World Cup last year. Al Jazeera Sport takes you through all the information you need to …

Sánchez backs Barcelona football star Yamal against attacks from Israel – POLITICO

Sánchez backs Barcelona football star Yamal against attacks from Israel – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

“I expect a great and respected club like FC Barcelona to distance itself from these statements and make it unequivocally clear that there is no place for incitement or for support of terrorism,” Katz said in a post on X.  Sánchez hit back by saying the teenager had “only expressed the solidarity with Palestine felt by millions of Spaniards. Another reason to be proud of him.”  The new spat follows last month’s bid by Spain and three other EU members to end the bloc’s association agreement with Israel, which was ultimately rejected by other foreign ministers. Sánchez is the most vocal EU leader in condemning Israel, saying at a political rally in April that “a government that violates international law or the principles of the EU cannot be its partner.”  The 18-year-old Yamal is expected to be one of Spain’s key players during this summer’s FIFA World Cup in North America. Source link

Mitoma fails to make Japan’s 2026 World Cup squad due to hamstring injury | World Cup 2026 News

Mitoma fails to make Japan’s 2026 World Cup squad due to hamstring injury | World Cup 2026 News

Published by Sam Flores

Monaco forward Takumi Minamino also misses out due to injury, but ex-Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu makes the cut. Published On 15 May 202615 May 2026 Injured Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma has been left out of Japan’s World Cup squad in a major blow to their chances of progressing beyond the last 16 for the first time. The 28-year-old suffered a hamstring injury during Brighton’s 3-0 win over Wolves in the Premier League last weekend. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list “The medical team assessed that it would be difficult for him to get back to fitness during the tournament,” coach Hajime Moriyasu said in naming his squad in Tokyo on Friday. Monaco forward Takumi Minamino also missed out after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in late December. Japan have been drawn with the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia in Group F, and they start their campaign against the Dutch in Arlington, Texas on June 14. Mitoma, who has scored nine goals, is one of Japan’s best players and scored the winner …

FIFA warned ‘gruelling heat’ could impact a quarter of World Cup games | World Cup 2026

FIFA warned ‘gruelling heat’ could impact a quarter of World Cup games | World Cup 2026

Published by Sam Flores

Scientists warn football’s governing body that global warming has increased risk of extreme hit since 1994 US World Cup. Published On 14 May 202614 May 2026 Climate experts have challenged FIFA after a warning that one in four World Cup games could be played in very hot conditions because global warming has increased the extreme heat risk since the US last hosted the tournament in 1994. Overheating concerns had already prompted FIFA to mandate a cooling break during each half of World Cup matches. They will be played in 16 stadiums across the United States, Mexico and Canada from that will take place between June 11 to July 19. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list “Players and fans face a much higher risk of gruelling heat and humidity at the 2026 World Cup compared to the 1994 tournament on the same continent,” said World Weather Attribution (WWA), a network of climate scientists. WWA’s scientific analysis estimates that 26 of the 104 matches could be played where temperatures reach at least 26C in the …

What to expect from the 48-team format at the World Cup 2026 | Football News

What to expect from the 48-team format at the World Cup 2026 | Football News

Published by Sam Flores

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be one like never before. Featuring 48 teams from across six confederations, the tournament will be the biggest in the competition’s 96-year history. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list What once started as a mere 13-team World Cup has now expanded by nearly four times. From minnows to giants, there is a place for one and all in the new expanded format, but how does it benefit the global game, and what are the potential drawbacks of opening the door to more teams? All to know about the new format before the tournament start on June 11: How the 48-team format works The participating nations are divided into 12 groups of four teams each, replacing the previous 32-team, eight-group format. The top two teams in each of the 12 groups, plus the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 32. From there on, it’s a straightforward knockout format, followed by the last-16, quarterfinals, semifinals and the final. Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, now FIFA’s …

World Cup train and shuttle bus ticket prices cut in New York, New Jersey | World Cup 2026 News

World Cup train and shuttle bus ticket prices cut in New York, New Jersey | World Cup 2026 News

Published by Sam Flores

Round-trip train tickets brought down to $98 from $150, and bus fares to cost $20 instead of $80, state officials say. Published On 14 May 202614 May 2026 Local governments in New Jersey and New York have reduced the cost of train and bus tickets for commuters travelling to the states’ joint World Cup venue during the tournament. New Jersey Transit train tickets to the MetLife Stadium, renamed New Jersey New York Stadium for the FIFA World Cup, will now cost $98 as opposed to the earlier price set at $150 for a return fare, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill announced on Wednesday. “Ahead of NJ Transit World Cup train tickets going on sale tonight, NJTRANSIT is lowering ticket prices to $98 without New Jersey taxpayer money,” Sherrill wrote in a social media post. The move followed intense backlash from local and international football fans planning to attend World Cup games at the stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the tournament’s final will be held on July 19. The $98 fare, which will be charged …

Prince William’s love for Aston Villa ‘not manufactured’ says legendary football commentator Clive Tyldesley

Prince William’s love for Aston Villa ‘not manufactured’ says legendary football commentator Clive Tyldesley

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sports commentator Clive Tyldesley has affirmed the Prince of Wales’s deep-seated affection for Aston Villa, stating there is “nothing manufactured” about his support for the Premier League club. Speaking at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, Tyldesley described William’s allegiance as “clearly a passion of his”. He added that the royal’s dedication to the club provides “a genuine link between the (Royal) family and the national sport”. The legendary football commentator said: “There’s nothing manufactured about his love for his football team. “He is not a supporter of the most famous club in the country. “He’s a supporter of a team that’s had its highs and lows and is just about to enjoy, hopefully, a wonderful high next week.” The prince was seen punching the air in delight as Aston Villa secured a resounding 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at Villa Park. The …