Sports
Ronaldo’s World Cup Ends, but Fiancée Georgina Rodriguez Shares Heartwarming Gift with Messi’s Wife
Cristiano Ronaldo’s FIFA World Cup journey came to a painful end after Portugal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16.
The defeat means the 41-year-old will retire from the World Cup without winning football’s biggest prize, while his long-time rival, Lionel Messi, remains in the tournament.
Despite the fierce rivalry between Ronaldo and Messi over the past two decades, a touching moment involving their partners has reminded football fans that respect exists beyond the pitch.
Antonela Roccuzzo, Messi’s wife, recently shared an Instagram Story thanking Georgina Rodríguez for sending her a thoughtful gift.
The package included workout clothing, a bag and what appeared to be a yoga mat from Mimoa, the fashion and fitness brand founded by Georgina.
Sharing a photo of the gifts, Antonela wrote in Spanish:
“Thank you very much, Georgina. Everything is beautiful. I wish you all the success in the world.”
Her message quickly attracted attention, with many football fans praising the friendship between the two women despite the intense rivalry between their famous partners.
For years, supporters of Ronaldo and Messi have argued over which player deserves to be called the greatest of all time. The debate has often divided football fans around the world.
However, the warm exchange between Antonela and Georgina showed that mutual respect can exist even when competition is at its highest.
The timing of the gesture also drew attention, coming shortly before Portugal’s World Cup exit at the hands of Spain.
While Ronaldo’s dream of lifting the World Cup trophy has now come to an end, the bond between his fiancée and Messi’s wife has offered fans a positive reminder that football rivalries do not have to become personal.
As Portugal leave the tournament, Messi continues his quest for another World Cup success, while the friendship between Antonela Roccuzzo and Georgina Rodríguez stands out as a symbol of respect beyond one of football’s greatest rivalries.
Newly-crowned Taipei Open champion Tanvi Sharma and a fit-again Kidambi Srikanth will look to continue India’s impressive run on the international circuit when they spearhead the country’s challenge at the Korea Masters Super 300 badminton tournament, beginning in Asan, Korea on Tuesday. Tanvi, the 17-year-old from Punjab, produced a sensational performance to clinch her maiden BWF World Tour title after defeating Vietnam’s sixth seed Thuy Linh Nguyen in the final of the Taipei Open on Sunday. The historic triumph made her only the second Indian women’s singles player to win the Taipei Open, joining Saina Nehwal (2008).
She also became only the fourth Indian women’s singles shuttler to secure a Super 300 or higher-level title, joining an elite club comprising Saina, PV Sindhu and Devika Sihag.
The feat has put her in the spotlight and expectations will be high from the Indian this week as she opens her campaign against a qualifier.
India has six players in the men’s singles and 10 in the women’s singles main draws of the USD 250,000 event.
In the men’s singles, third seed Srikanth, a 2021 World Championships silver medallist, looked in good rhythm as he reached the final of the US Open but was forced to withdraw from the Canada Open the following week due to a fitness issue.
Now back to full fitness, the former world No. 1 will begin his campaign against Israel’s Daniil Dubovenko.
Kiran George has drawn a qualifier in the opening round and could face eighth seed Wang Po-Wei of Chinese Taipei in the pre-quarterfinals.
Saneeth Dayanand faces a daunting opener against top seed Yudai Okimoto of Japan, while Rounak Chouhan takes on fourth seed Jeon Hyeok Jin of South Korea.
Tharun Mannepalli will face South Korea’s Yoo Tae Bin, while Mithun Manjunath meets China’s Zhu Xuan Chen. Should both Indians win their opening matches, Srikanth and Mithun will square off in an all-Indian second-round clash.
In the women’s singles, seventh seed Malvika Bansod also has a favourable start against a qualifier, while Tanya Hemanth has been handed a difficult first-round clash against top seed Hina Akechi of Japan.
Aakarshi Kashyap will face South Korea’s Kim Min Ji, while Shriyanshi Valishetty takes on Chinese Taipei’s Pai Yu Po. Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj and Ashmita Chaliha will each open against a qualifier.
Eighth seed Anmol Kharb opens against Hong Kong’s Lo Sin Yan Happy, Mansi Singh will face South Korea’s Kim Joo Eun, and fifth seed Isharani Baruah takes on South Korea’s Lee So Yul.
Among the other Indians, women’s doubles pair Sonali Singh and Ritika Thaker will face a qualifier, while Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra will take on the second-seeded Japanese pair of Ririna Hiramoto and Kokona Ishikawa.
In the men’s doubles, Krishna Prasad Garaga and Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy will face the fourth-seeded Thai pair of Chaloempon Charoenkitamorn and Worrapol Thongsa-Nga in the opening round.
Bhargav Ram Arigela and Viswa Tej Gobburu have been drawn against Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Aaron Tai, while Achutaditya Rao Doddavarapu and Pochana Arjun Reddy will begin their campaign against the second-seeded pairing of Choi Sol Gyu of South Korea and Goh V Shem of Malaysia.
In the mixed doubles, sixth seeds Ishaan Bhatnagar and Shruti Mishra will face fellow Indians Sathwik Reddy Kanapuram and Radhika Sharma in an all-Indian opening-round clash, guaranteeing India a place in the second round. Seventh seeds Dhruv Rawat and Maneesha K will open their campaign against Malaysia’s Loo Bing Kun and Noraqilah Maisarah.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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With room for just four, who would be on the Mount Rushmore of NFL kickers?
A case can be made for Browns legend Lou Groza. He is part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 1974, largely as the left tackle in Paul Brown’s Cleveland dynasty years, but also as “The Toe,” a kicker who led the NFL in career scoring when he retired.
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The other three are easy. They are the only NFL kicking specialists elected to the Hall — Jan Stenerud (Class of 1991), Morten Andersen (Class of 2017) and Adam Vinatieri (Class of 2026).
There’s some Groza grit in Vinatieri, to whom Bill Parcells declared, “You’re a football player, not just a kicker,” after he chased down former Heisman winner Herschel Walker and planted him during a return. The 6-foot, 200-pound Vinatieri was a high school linebacker.
The other two on this Rushmore were only ever kickers in all of their football days.
Stenerud played youth soccer in Norway and came to the USA on a skiing scholarship. Andersen grew up in Denmark and was a 17-year-old exchange student when Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis talked him onto the football team.
New England Patriots Adam Vinatieri celebrates winning Super Bowl XXXVI with owner Robert Kraft at the Louisiana Superdome, Feb. 3, 2002, in New Orleans.. The Patriots defeated the Rams 20-17.
Vinatieri hails from South Dakota, where his high school in Rapid City was a short drive from the real Mount Rushmore. He was a football quarterback and linebacker in addition to kicking. He wrestled, played basketball and ran track.
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His all-around scholar-athlete résumé earned an appointment to the United State Military Academy. He went to West Point but soon returned home, where for three years he was the punter and placekicker for the South Dakota State Jackrabbits.
The NFL wasn’t interested in a talented but inconsistent prospect from NCAA Division II. Vinatieri spent 1995 without a team and in heavy training.
He kicked and punted well in NFL Europe for the Amsterdam Admirals in the spring of 1996, earning a tryout with the New England Patriots. Parcells picked him over 39-year-old Matt Bahr, a former Browns kicker.
Vinatieri was an entrenched Patriot by 1998, when Phil Dawson spent the season on the practice squad, prior to joining the Browns in 1999 and eventually breaking Groza’s Cleveland scoring record.
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The Patriots replaced head coach Pete Carroll with Bill Belichick in 2000.
In the Super Bowl capping Belichick’s 2001 season, Vinatieri broke a 17-17 tie with the Rams with a 48-yard field goal as time expired.
Adam Vinatieri kicks the game-winning field goal for the New England Patriots against the St. Louis Rams as time expires in Super Bowl XXXVI at the Louisiana Superdome, Feb. 3, 2002, in New Orleans. The Patriots won 20-17.
In a Super Bowl against Carolina two years later, he connected from 41 yards with four seconds left to break a 29-all tie.
After he helped beat the Eagles in a third Super Bowl the next year, the Patriots made him their franchise player for 2005, costing them $2.5 million.
Adam Vinatieri, K – 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2025-26 )
In 2006, Belichick deemed the new franchise-tag price, $3 million, too high for a kicker and let Vinatieri walk after 10 seasons, at age 33.
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He went to the Colts as a free agent and instantly popped up in another Super Bowl, making three field goals in a 29-17 win over the Bears.
Adam Vinatieri kicks a field goal for the Indianapolis Colts against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter of Super Bowl XLI, Feb. 4, 2007, in Miami.
Letting Vinatieri go worked out for Belichick as a business decision.
Rookie fourth-round draft pick Stephen Gostkowski replaced Vinatieri in 2006 and spent 14 seasons with the team, kicking in three Super Bowl wins.
Vinatieri stabilized the Colts placekicking position for a long, long time. At one point, he made an NFL-record 44 field goals in a row.
Vinatieri announced his retirement on the Pat McAfee Show on May 26, 2021.
“It all started on a snowy day in Foxborough,” Vinatieri says now, as if he has told his story before.
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A blizzard blew through the hills south of Boston on Jan. 19, 2002.
“I’m sure it looked pretty,” Vinatieri says. “It was pretty hard to play in.”
Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri celebrates his game-tying field goal in the fourth quarter against the Raiders in an AFC playoff game at Foxboro Stadium, Jan. 19, 2002. Vinatieri later kicked a game-winning field goal in overtime of a 16-13 win.
Jon Gruden’s Raiders seemed to clinch a 13-10 playoff win when Tom Brady fumbled with 1:47 left. The call was overturned amid loud protests that led to “the tuck rule.” Still, Vinatieri had to make a 45-yard field goal in impossible conditions.
“We could barely run, let alone kick a field goal of that length,” Vinatieri’s Patriots teammate Mike Vrabel said.
“When you watch it now, it’s amazing that he made it,” said Dawson.
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The amazing make sent the game to overtime, when Vinatieri put through a shorter one for the win.
New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri celebrates atop his teammates shoulders after his game-winning field goal in overtime defeated the Oakland Raiders in their AFC divisional playoff game, Jan. 19, 2002, at Foxboro Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
His Super Bowls were indoors or in warm weather, in New Orleans, Houston, Jacksonville and Miami. He missed the Colts’ loss to New Orleans in Super Bowl XLIV because of injury, replaced by Matt Stover. It was the last career game for Stover, then 42.
Stover’s story is similar to Vinatieri’s. He was a high school receiver who kicked for the Browns for five years and then for the Ravens for 13 years after the move to Baltimore.
The current top 10 in NFL career scoring is:
1, Vinatieri, 2,673 points; 2, Morten Andersen, 2,544; 3, Gary Anderson, 2,434; 4, Jason Hanson, 2,150; 5, John Carney, 2,062; 6, Stover, 2,004; 7, George Blanda, 2,002; 8, Jason Elam, 1,983; 9, John Kasay, 1,970; 10, Robbie Gould, 1,961
ORG XMIT: 01/10/04 — AFC PLAYOFFS — New England Patriots host the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium –Patriot’s kicker, Adam Vinatieri kicks the game winning field goal in the final minutes of the Titans Patriot playoff game. Photo by Glenn Osmundson
Blanda was a quarterback and kicker. The others were kickers exclusively.
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Browns fans saw Vinatieri kick against Cleveland 10 times.
One was in Belichick’s memorable return to Cleveland, before anyone suspected he would build a Patriots dynasty. Dawson kicked four field goals to Vinatieri’s one in a 19-11 Browns win. Vinatieri wound up 8-2 against the Browns.
He didn’t take himself too seriously, as reflected by one of his pet sayings: “I never get to bake the cake. I get to put the icing on once in a while.”
Vinatieri, 53, treasures his time in New England and is still a Patriots fan, in addition to holding allegiance to the team that kept him longer, the Colts.
Adam Vinatieri Kicker
He and his wife, Valerie, have three children. The oldest, A.J., is entering his senior year as a punter at Lindenwood University in Missouri. The family lives in Zionsville, Indiana, about 15 miles northwest of downtown Indianapolis.
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The three oldest players in NFL history were Blanda, 48; Morten Anderson, 47; and Vinatieri, 47.
“As I aged, I went from being the rookie to the vet, then the big brother, then the dad, and by the end probably the grandpa in the locker room,” Vinatieri said.
He was taken quite seriously by his peers, who entrusted him to a prominent role in the NFL Players Association.
One of the most respected members of the expansion-era Browns was Dawson, who spent 14 seasons in Cleveland before kicking elsewhere. He was 44 when he ceremonially “retired as a Brown” in 2019.
Dawson’s role model was Adam Vinatieri.
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Reach Steve at steve.doerschuk@cantonrep.com
The Canton Repository sports department can be contacted via email at sports@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: There was a little bit of Browns legend Lou Groza in Adam Vinatieri
Sports
Fantasy Baseball Week 20 Preview: Two-start pitcher rankings highlight Troy Melton, Logan Henderson
Here’s how this week’s two-start slate stacks up
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott registered their first win of the new 2026 racing season when Steel Strike triumphed in the National Jockeys Trust Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
The quick-starting galloper Felix Majestic, appreciating the firmer track conditions, set a demanding pace, establishing a significant four-length lead over his chasers, with Steel Strike in pursuit.
Leading jockey Tim Clark remained composed on Steel Strike, but it took the entirety of the Rosehill straight to reel in the brave Felix Majestic in a hard-fought finish.
“It was a great set-up for him today,” Bott shared. “Tim wanted to be aggressive early and put himself into the picture.”
“We thought it would be a truly run race and I think he enjoyed having something to chase. He was usually the one creating the pace last preparation and that left him vulnerable late but it all fell into place for him today.”
Steel Strike ($8), campaigned by Scott Darby’s syndication company Darby Racing, finally collared the tenacious Felix Majestic ($12) just before the finishing post, securing victory by a half neck. Silvanito ($11) claimed third place, a further half length behind.
The $2.70 favourite, Tarzing, was under pressure a considerable distance from home and could only manage sixth position.
Clark celebrated his birthday with a winning double, having earlier saluted the judge on Funshow, sharing riding honours with Zac Lloyd.
Steel Strike, a five-year-old son of Exceedance, was having his 10th career start and recorded his second career win.
“I think this horse will be a very good buy for Darby Racing,” Bott stated. “The plan is to just take Steel Strike through his grades and potentially get him out to 1600m.”
Waterhouse and Bott concluded the 2025/26 season with 132 wins across all tracks, including 69 metropolitan victories, placing them second on the Sydney premiership ladder behind Chris Waller, who secured 183 wins and earned nearly $18 million in prize money.
Their standout performer from the previous season was Sir Delius, a triple Group 1 winner who claimed the Underwood Stakes, Turnbull Stakes, and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Sir Delius is currently being prepared for a spring campaign and impressed Bott with a strong second in his Randwick barrier trial on Friday, behind Oh Diamond Lil, with Autumn Glow finishing third. Get the best Australian betting sites for all the upcoming racing action.
Lindsay Park’s shrewd decision to acquire former New Zealand galloper Touchdown continues to reap benefits, with the progressive five-year-old gelding showcasing another commanding performance at Flemington.
The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained gelding has now recorded five wins and three placings from a mere nine career starts, achieving a decisive victory in the Melbourne Cup Carnival On Sale (1620m).
Following a noteworthy second over 1400 metres at Sandown upon his return, Touchdown advanced further in his second-up run.
Co-trainer Ben Hayes shared his thoughts: “Although he didn’t win at Sandown, it was still a great run. We had to go back from the draw on a heavy track first-up and he was super through the line. He really came through it well. This time he had to do a bit more work than we thought but it was an easy watch in the end and he was strong through the line and there were nice spacings back to second and third.”
Sent off as the $1.95 favourite, Touchdown triumphed over Danny O’Brien’s Fahrr Flung ($12) by two lengths, with Kaleo ($5.50) a further 2¼ lengths back in third.
Hayes is confident that the lightly raced import still has considerable untapped potential as the stable gradually escalates his race starts.
“I think there is a lot more to come and he is an exciting horse going forward,” Hayes stated. “It is always good when they run well at this place and there are a lot of nice races to win. We’re not going to get too carried away with him yet and we’ll go through the grades with him but he may end up in a nice race in the spring.”
The victory also represented jockey Blake Shinn’s second winner of the day on his comeback meeting after a substantial spell due to injury.
Shinn believes Touchdown possesses the qualities to mature into an even better horse as he is tested over greater distances.
“He’s a raw talent, I feel and he’s not the furnished product,” Shinn commented. “I love that he’s got a great length of stride and I think he’ll get better as he gets further.”
Check out the racing odds for the next big event.
Aug 1, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Tyler Mahle (54) throws a pitch during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images The Atlanta Braves acquired right-handed starting pitcher Tyler Mahle from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for right-hander Anthony Molina, the Braves announced on Sunday night.
The Braves — winners of five straight and battling the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers for the best record in the National League — added a veteran arm to a rotation anchored by Chris Sale and Bryce Elder but missing Spencer Schwellenbach and Spencer Strider due to long-term injuries.
Mahle, 31, joined San Francisco this year on a one-year, $10 million contract, but the Giants are in sell-off mode as they sit 18 games below .500.
Mahle was 3-9 with a 5.13 ERA over 18 starts with the team. He struck out 89 batters and walked 37 in 94 2/3 innings. In 10 MLB seasons with the Cincinnati Reds (2017-22), Minnesota Twins (2022-23), Texas Rangers (2024-25) and Giants, Mahle is 42-55 with a 4.19 ERA, 842 strikeouts and 301 walks across 160 games (159 starts).
Molina, 24, saw action in three games for Atlanta this season and gave up four runs (three earned) over five innings of relief. In 55 career games (two starts) with the Colorado Rockies (2024-25) and Braves, Molina is 2-2 with a 6.89 ERA.
–Field Level Media
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Hockey World Cup 2026: Full schedule, India squads, venues, live streaming | FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023
The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 is set to bring together the world’s top men’s and women’s hockey teams for a 15-day tournament, with Belgium and the Netherlands co-hosting the prestigious event from August 15 to 30.
Featuring 32 teams, 16 in each competition, the men’s and women’s World Cups will be staged simultaneously across two iconic venues: the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen and the newly built Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre.
This edition also introduces a revamped competition format that replaces the traditional quarter-finals with a second group stage, ensuring that every team plays at least five matches before the knockout rounds.
India will head into the tournament with high expectations after naming full-strength squads for both the men’s and women’s competitions. Harmanpreet Singh’s men’s side will open its campaign against Wales on August 15 in Pool D before taking on England and arch-rival Pakistan, while the Salima Tete-led women’s team will begin its challenge against China on August 16, followed by matches against South Africa and England.
The Indian squads will have their task cut out for them ahead of the marquee event. While the men’s team will be looking to win its first World Cup medal since its gold-medal triumph in 1975, the Indian women’s team will be hoping to secure its first-ever World Cup medal, bettering its tournament-best fourth-place finish in 1974.
Hockey World Cup 2026: Full list of qualified teams
Men’s pools
Pool A
-
Netherlands -
Argentina -
New Zealand -
Japan
Pool B
-
Belgium -
Germany -
France -
Malaysia
Pool C
-
Australia -
Spain -
Ireland -
South Africa
Pool D
-
India -
England -
Pakistan -
Wales
Women’s pools
Pool A
-
Netherlands -
Australia -
Chile -
Japan
Pool B
-
Argentina -
Germany -
United States -
Scotland
Pool C
-
Belgium -
Spain -
New Zealand -
Ireland
Pool D
-
India -
China -
England -
South Africa
Hockey World Cup 2026: Venues
-
Wagener Hockey Stadium (Amstelveen, Netherlands) -
Belfius Hockey Arena (Wavre, Belgium)
Hockey World Cup 2026: Full schedule
Men’s pool
|
Date |
Time (IST) |
Match |
Stage |
|
15 Aug |
4:30 PM |
India vs Wales |
Pool D |
|
15 Aug |
6:00 PM |
Germany vs Malaysia |
Pool B |
|
15 Aug |
10:30 PM |
England vs Pakistan |
Pool D |
|
16 Aug |
12:30 AM |
Belgium vs France |
Pool B |
|
16 Aug |
3:00 PM |
Australia vs Ireland |
Pool C |
|
16 Aug |
6:00 PM |
Spain vs South Africa |
Pool C |
|
16 Aug |
7:30 PM |
Netherlands vs New Zealand |
Pool A |
|
16 Aug |
10:30 PM |
Argentina vs Japan |
Pool A |
|
17 Aug |
4:00 PM |
Pakistan vs Wales |
Pool D |
|
17 Aug |
5:30 PM |
France vs Malaysia |
Pool B |
|
17 Aug |
6:30 PM |
India vs England |
Pool D |
|
18 Aug |
12:00 AM |
Germany vs Belgium |
Pool B |
|
18 Aug |
1:00 PM |
New Zealand vs Japan |
Pool A |
|
18 Aug |
5:30 PM |
Spain vs Australia |
Pool C |
|
18 Aug |
8:30 PM |
Ireland vs South Africa |
Pool C |
|
18 Aug |
9:30 PM |
Argentina vs Netherlands |
Pool A |
|
19 Aug |
4:00 PM |
England vs Wales |
Pool D |
|
19 Aug |
6:30 PM |
Pakistan vs India |
Pool D |
|
19 Aug |
8:30 PM |
France vs Germany |
Pool B |
|
20 Aug |
12:00 AM |
Belgium vs Malaysia |
Pool B |
|
20 Aug |
2:30 PM |
Australia vs South Africa |
Pool C |
|
20 Aug |
4:00 PM |
New Zealand vs Argentina |
Pool A |
|
20 Aug |
8:30 PM |
Ireland vs Spain |
Pool C |
|
20 Aug |
9:30 PM |
Netherlands vs Japan |
Pool A |
|
21 Aug |
2:30 PM |
3rd Pool B vs 4th Pool C |
Pool H |
|
21 Aug |
5:30 PM |
3rd Pool C vs 4th Pool B |
Pool H |
|
21 Aug |
8:30 PM |
1st Pool C vs 2nd Pool B |
Pool F |
|
22 Aug |
12:00 AM |
1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool C |
Pool F |
|
22 Aug |
1:30 PM |
3rd Pool A vs 4th Pool D |
Pool G |
|
22 Aug |
4:30 PM |
3rd Pool D vs 4th Pool A |
Pool G |
|
22 Aug |
7:30 PM |
1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool D |
Pool E |
|
22 Aug |
10:30 PM |
1st Pool D vs 2nd Pool A |
Pool E |
|
23 Aug |
3:00 PM |
4th Pool B vs 4th Pool C |
Classification |
|
23 Aug |
6:00 PM |
3rd Pool B vs 3rd Pool C |
Classification |
|
23 Aug |
9:00 PM |
1st Pool B vs 1st Pool C |
Pool F |
|
24 Aug |
12:00 AM |
2nd Pool B vs 2nd Pool C |
Pool F |
|
24 Aug |
1:00 PM |
4th Pool A vs 4th Pool D |
Classification |
|
24 Aug |
4:00 PM |
3rd Pool A vs 3rd Pool D |
Classification |
|
24 Aug |
6:15 PM |
2nd Pool A vs 2nd Pool D |
Pool E |
|
24 Aug |
9:30 PM |
1st Pool A vs 1st Pool D |
Pool E |
|
28 Aug |
1:00 PM |
13th/14th Place |
Classification |
|
28 Aug |
2:30 PM |
15th/16th Place |
Classification |
|
28 Aug |
4:00 PM |
11th/12th Place |
Classification |
|
28 Aug |
5:30 PM |
9th/10th Place |
Classification |
|
28 Aug |
6:30 PM |
5th/6th Place |
Classification |
|
28 Aug |
8:30 PM |
7th/8th Place |
Classification |
|
28 Aug |
9:30 PM |
Semi-final 1 |
Knockout |
|
29 Aug |
12:00 AM |
Semi-final 2 |
Knockout |
|
30 Aug |
5:30 PM |
Bronze Medal Match |
Knockout |
|
30 Aug |
8:00 PM |
Final |
Knockout |
Women’s pool
|
Date |
Time (IST) |
Match |
Stage |
|
15 Aug |
1:30 PM |
Australia vs Japan |
Pool A |
|
15 Aug |
3:00 PM |
Germany vs Scotland |
Pool B |
|
15 Aug |
7:30 PM |
Netherlands vs Chile |
Pool A |
|
15 Aug |
9:00 PM |
Argentina vs United States |
Pool B |
|
16 Aug |
1:30 PM |
England vs South Africa |
Pool D |
|
16 Aug |
4:30 PM |
China vs India |
Pool D |
|
16 Aug |
9:00 PM |
Belgium vs New Zealand |
Pool C |
|
17 Aug |
12:00 AM |
Spain vs Ireland |
Pool C |
|
17 Aug |
1:00 PM |
Chile vs Japan |
Pool A |
|
17 Aug |
2:30 PM |
United States vs Scotland |
Pool B |
|
17 Aug |
8:30 PM |
Germany vs Argentina |
Pool B |
|
17 Aug |
9:30 PM |
Australia vs Netherlands |
Pool A |
|
18 Aug |
2:30 PM |
New Zealand vs Ireland |
Pool C |
|
18 Aug |
4:00 PM |
England vs China |
Pool D |
|
18 Aug |
6:30 PM |
India vs South Africa |
Pool D |
|
19 Aug |
12:00 AM |
Spain vs Belgium |
Pool C |
|
19 Aug |
1:00 PM |
Chile vs Australia |
Pool A |
|
19 Aug |
2:30 PM |
Argentina vs Scotland |
Pool B |
|
19 Aug |
5:30 PM |
United States vs Germany |
Pool B |
|
19 Aug |
9:30 PM |
Netherlands vs Japan |
Pool A |
|
20 Aug |
1:00 PM |
China vs South Africa |
Pool D |
|
20 Aug |
5:30 PM |
New Zealand vs Spain |
Pool C |
|
20 Aug |
6:30 PM |
India vs England |
Pool D |
|
21 Aug |
12:00 AM |
Belgium vs Ireland |
Pool C |
|
21 Aug |
1:00 PM |
3rd Pool D vs 4th Pool A |
Pool G |
|
21 Aug |
4:00 PM |
3rd Pool A vs 4th Pool D |
Pool G |
|
21 Aug |
6:30 PM |
1st Pool D vs 2nd Pool A |
Pool E |
|
21 Aug |
9:30 PM |
1st Pool A vs 2nd Pool D |
Pool E |
|
22 Aug |
3:00 PM |
3rd Pool C vs 4th Pool B |
Pool H |
|
22 Aug |
6:00 PM |
3rd Pool B vs 4th Pool C |
Pool H |
|
22 Aug |
9:00 PM |
1st Pool C vs 2nd Pool B |
Pool F |
|
23 Aug |
12:00 AM |
1st Pool B vs 2nd Pool C |
Pool F |
|
23 Aug |
1:30 PM |
4th Pool A vs 4th Pool D |
Classification |
|
23 Aug |
4:30 PM |
3rd Pool A vs 3rd Pool D |
Classification |
|
23 Aug |
7:30 PM |
1st Pool A vs 1st Pool D |
Pool E |
|
23 Aug |
10:30 PM |
2nd Pool A vs 2nd Pool D |
Pool E |
|
24 Aug |
2:30 PM |
4th Pool C vs 4th Pool B |
Classification |
|
24 Aug |
5:30 PM |
3rd Pool C vs 3rd Pool B |
Classification |
|
24 Aug |
8:30 PM |
2nd Pool C vs 2nd Pool B |
Pool F |
|
25 Aug |
12:00 AM |
1st Pool C vs 1st Pool B |
Pool F |
|
27 Aug |
1:00 PM |
13th/14th Place |
Classification |
|
27 Aug |
2:30 PM |
15th/16th Place |
Classification |
|
27 Aug |
4:00 PM |
11th/12th Place |
Classification |
|
27 Aug |
5:30 PM |
9th/10th Place |
Classification |
|
27 Aug |
6:30 PM |
5th/6th Place |
Classification |
|
27 Aug |
8:30 PM |
7th/8th Place |
Classification |
|
27 Aug |
9:30 PM |
Semi-final 1 |
Knockout |
|
28 Aug |
12:00 AM |
Semi-final 2 |
Knockout |
|
29 Aug |
4:30 PM |
Bronze Medal Match |
Knockout |
|
29 Aug |
7:30 PM |
Final |
Knockout |
Hockey World Cup 2026: Format
The FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 will feature a new competition format for both the men’s and women’s tournaments, with 16 teams competing in each event. The tournament will be played in three stages, with every team playing at least five matches before the knockout rounds.
In the first stage, the 16 teams are divided into four pools (A, B, C and D) of four teams each. Every team plays the other three teams in its pool once. At the end of the group stage, the top two teams from each pool advance to the second stage, while the remaining teams are eliminated from the title race.
The second stage replaces the traditional quarter-finals. The eight qualified teams are divided into two new groups. Pool E consists of the top two teams from Pools A and D, while Pool F comprises the top two teams from Pools B and C. Teams do not replay the opponent that qualified alongside them from their original pool. Instead, the result from that match is carried forward, and each team plays two new matches against the qualifiers from the paired pools. This means that every team in contention for the title plays a total of five matches before the semi-finals.
Hockey World Cup 2026: India squads
India’s men’s squad for the Hockey World Cup 2026:
Goalkeepers: Mohith HS, Suraj Karkera
Defenders: Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, Yashdeep Siwach
Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Vivek Sagar Prasad
Forwards: Dilpreet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Sukhjeet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Abhishek
India’s women’s squad for the Hockey World Cup 2026:
Goalkeepers: Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defenders: Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, Shilpi Dabas
Midfielders: Nikki Pradhan, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete (captain), Neha, Deepika Soreng
Forwards: Lalremsiami, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Ishika, Baljeet Kaur, Beauty Dungdung
Hockey World Cup 2026: Live-streaming and telecast details
When will the Hockey World Cup 2026 begin?
The Hockey World Cup 2026 will begin on Saturday, August 15, for both the men’s and women’s competitions.
When will India start their campaign in the Hockey World Cup 2026?
India’s men’s team will kick off its campaign against Wales on August 15, while the women’s team will begin its Hockey World Cup 2026 campaign against China on August 16.
When will the finals of the Hockey World Cup 2026 be played?
The final of the women’s Hockey World Cup 2026 will take place on August 29, while the men’s final will be played on August 30.
What are the venues for the Hockey World Cup 2026?
The Wagener Hockey Stadium (Amstelveen, Netherlands) and the Belfius Hockey Arena (Wavre, Belgium) will host all the matches of the men’s and women’s Hockey World Cups 2026.
Where can viewers watch the live telecast of Hockey World Cup 2026 matches in India?
The live telecast of all the Hockey World Cup 2026 matches will be available on the Star Sports Network in India.
Where can viewers watch the live streaming of Hockey World Cup 2026 matches in India?
The live streaming of all Hockey World Cup 2026 matches will be available on the JioHotstar app and website in India.
Sports
‘No excuses if you want to play for India’: The philosophy that shaped Auqib Nabi | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: There was a time when Auqib Nabi didn’t own a pair of bowling spikes.For his first U-19 trial in Jammu & Kashmir, the fast bowler from Baramulla borrowed a pair from a friend. When he eventually earned selection, fate threw up another twist. The friend who had lent him the spikes didn’t make the squad. Auqib borrowed another pair from him and played his entire first U-19 tournament in borrowed shoes.Today, Auqib is making a name for himself with a skill that many fast bowlers spend years trying to master: the ability to swing the ball both ways. He has now earned his maiden India call-up, with the 29-year-old seamer from Jammu & Kashmir replacing the injured Jasprit Bumrah in India’s Test squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.Nabi has picked up 104 wickets over the last two Ranji Trophy seasons, virtually breaking the selection door down with his performances. He was also part of the India A squad that toured Sri Lanka recently, where he claimed six wickets in two First Class matches.
Aquib Nabi and team of Jammu and Kashmir Ranji cricket celebrate after taking wicket of K L Rahul wicket of Karnataka at the Ranji Trophy finals at Rajnagar KSCA cricket stadium at Hubali on Thursday. (Syed Asif)
Yet, the road to the Indian dressing room wasn’t built in fancy academies or elite fast-bowling programmes. It was shaped by a long journey, borrowed equipment and an obsession with learning.“My parents are government school teachers. Initially, they wanted me to focus on studies, which was natural. Cricket wasn’t something we had planned. A friend told me about the Under-19 trials. Until then, I didn’t even know they were happening,” Auqib had told reporters after picking up a five-wicket haul on the opening day of the Delhi vs Jammu & Kashmir Ranji Trophy match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in November 2025.Like countless youngsters in Kashmir, his cricketing education began with tennis-ball matches. The transition to leather-ball cricket, however, brought a different challenge.
The most basic thing a fast bowler needs is a turf wicket. Baramulla had turf, but you couldn’t bowl there wearing spikes. So I had to travel to Srinagar to practice
Aquib Nabi
“The most basic thing a fast bowler needs is a turf wicket,” he had said. “Baramulla had turf, but you couldn’t bowl there wearing spikes. So I had to travel to Srinagar to practice.”The one-and-a-half-hour journey from Baramulla to Srinagar became part of his routine. Hours on the road simply to bowl a few overs on a proper surface. For many aspiring cricketers, inadequate facilities become a convenient excuse. Auqib never allowed himself that luxury.“If you want to play for India, these things cannot become excuses. If you want it badly enough, you have to do it.”That philosophy continues to define him.The philosophy kept motivating him day in and day out, but it was his obsession with learning that made him the bowler he is today.“When he first joined the J&K team for the Buchi Babu Trophy in Salem in 2023, he could only bowl the outswinger. But he wanted to bowl both ways. So I started working on his inswing,” P. Krishnakumar, Jammu & Kashmir’s bowling coach, told TimesofIndia.com.“He has a great wrist position, which is one of his biggest strengths,” he said.
There were a few biomechanical issues as well. I addressed them and rectified them. From the second year, the results started coming. He learnt how to use the ball, how to bowl in the first, second and third sessions. He started identifying batters’ weaknesses. He worked on his preparation. Last season he came all guns blazing and we won the Ranji Trophy,
P Krishnakumar | J&K bowling coach
There were no shortcuts, and Nabi knew it. He started working on his inswing with Krishnakumar in the nets, and the results began to show in the 2024-25 season.“There were a few biomechanical issues as well. I addressed them and rectified them. From the second year, the results started coming. He learnt how to use the ball, how to bowl in the first, second and third sessions. He started identifying batters’ weaknesses. He worked on his preparation. Last season he came all guns blazing and we won the Ranji Trophy,” he said.
Aquib Nabi, Prince Yadav among seven net bowlers for one-off Test against Afghanistan
The inswing eventually became his biggest weapon. Later, he added the scrambled seam delivery to his arsenal, making himself a far more complete bowler than the one Krishnakumar first saw in Salem.Interestingly, Auqib says the biggest transformation wasn’t technical.“I have changed my mindset more than anything else. Earlier, I used to think only about taking wickets. Now I just focus on bowling in good areas. Whether the ball swings in or away, my job is to keep hitting the right length,” he said.
I’d like to open an academy. There’s absolutely nothing here. When I started playing, I had to go to Bengaluru for training and play lower-division matches there. I want to find and train more Auqib Nabis from Baramulla
Aquib Nabi
That change has also altered how he views difficult bowling conditions. Flat Indian pitches often test the patience of fast bowlers. Rather than searching for magic deliveries, Auqib has learned to trust the basics.“Whether it’s the new ball or the old ball, your basics have to stay strong. You have to keep bowling in good areas.”His domestic performances did not go unnoticed. He earned an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract worth Rs 8.40 crore with the Delhi Capitals. However, his first IPL season did not go according to plan as he failed to take a single wicket in five matches.
Aquib Nabi has earned his maiden India call-up for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka (BCCI)
But he already knows how he wants to use the money he earned from the IPL. He plans to build an academy in Baramulla.“I’d like to open an academy,” Nabi had earlier told TimesofIndia.com. “There’s absolutely nothing here. When I started playing, I had to go to Bengaluru for training and play lower-division matches there. I want to find and train more Auqib Nabis from Baramulla.”Now, with an India call-up, Nabi has added another feather to his cap.Borrowed spikes taught him gratitude. Long journeys taught him perseverance. His obsession with learning the inswing taught him that improvement rarely comes overnight. Together, they have shaped a fast bowler who believes the path to bigger dreams isn’t built on excuses or shortcuts, but on showing up every day and bowling one good ball after another.
The Toronto Blue Jays began an apparent sell-off ahead of this year’s trade deadline on Sunday night, dealing rotation stalwart Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs for a pair of prospects.
Heading back to the Blue Jays in the trade are Chicago’s No. 13 and No. 21 prospects, per MLB Pipeline, Ty Southisene and Brett Bateman.
The duo fits right in with the type of player Toronto has prioritized in recent seasons in that they make a ton of contact and rarely strike out. Southisene is a 21-year-old shortstop who reached high-A this season after being selected in the fourth round of the 2024 draft out of Basic Academy in Nevada, and Bateman is a 24-year-old outfielder who has spent the entire season in triple-A.
In its immediate post-trade update, MLB Pipeline slotted Southisene as Toronto’s No. 17 prospect and slid Bateman in at No. 20.
There will be no replacing the professionalism of Gausman on or off the field, but with the 35-year-old set to enter free agency at the end of the season, the Blue Jays will hope to have found some talent to help their major-league roster down the road in Southisene and Bateman.
With Monday’s 6 p.m. ET deadline right around the corner, here’s a closer look at what Toronto landed for the two-time all-star.
Age: 24
Position: Outfield
Swings: Left | Throws: Left
Height: Five-foot-10 | Weight: 170 pounds
Level: Triple-A Iowa
2026 Stats: 82 Games | .312 AVG | 3 HR | 33 RBI | 20 SB | .430 OBP | .421 SLG | 17.1 BB% | 18.9 K%
An eighth-round pick of the Cubs out of Minnesota in 2023, Bateman has used his speed to make an impact on both sides of the ball in his stops at each level of the minors.
Bateman has 83 career stolen bases in the minors while also using his 70-grade wheels to “beat out hits and chase down balls from gap to gap in centre field,” per MLB Pipeline’s scouting report.
The 24-year-old’s strong running ability pairs nicely with his approach at the plate, where he rarely expands the strike zone and puts pressure on the defence by putting the ball in play.
Bateman entered Sunday ranked in the 85th percentile or higher among triple-A hitters in walk, chase and whiff percentage.
Where Bateman’s game is lacking is in the power department.
The left-handed-swinging outfielder has just three homers this season and six for his professional career. This season in Iowa, Bateman’s max exit velocity peaked at 105.7 m.p.h. — a number that would rank sixth lowest among qualified major-leaguers.
He also struggles to hit the ball in the air, carrying a 52.5 per cent groundball rate in 2026.
Despite some of those soft contact numbers, Bateman has actually seen his slugging percentage jump to a career-best .421 this season. The power production stems from the 18 doubles he hit for the Cubs, which is also the most he has hit in a single minor-league season.
Although he doesn’t bring any big-league lineage to the Blue Jays, Bateman surely grew up around the game, thanks to his dad, Keith.
Keith served as the head coach of the Augsburg University baseball team — an NCAA Division III school in Minneapolis — from 2004 to this June before accepting a position as the associate athletic director at Concordia College-Moorhead.
The elder Bateman coached three players who signed professional contracts and earned Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honours in 2005.
Before getting the coaching gig at Augsburg, Keith was a catcher at Bethel University in St. Paul from 1995 to 1998.
Age: 21
Position: Shortstop
Swings: Right | Throws: Right
Height: Five-foot-seven | Weight: 170 pounds
Levels: Low-A Myrtle Beach/high-A South Bend
2026 Stats: 66 Games | .306 AVG | 12 XBH | 35 RBI | 31 SB | .425 OBP | .372 SLG | 12.8 BB% | 11.6 K%
Much like Bateman, Southisene excels at putting the ball in play and using his legs to make a difference.
The 21-year-old, however, skews a little more to the extreme than his outfield counterpart. Southisene posted the lowest in-zone whiff rate of any Cubs prospect this season, per Baseball America, which has helped him walk more than he struck out as a pro.
Southisene has also been given the green light to run from Day 1 with Chicago. Over his two seasons of affiliated ball, he has stolen 72 bases while being caught just 14 times.
The five-foot-seven middle infielder’s contact-heavy approach also comes with a lack of power, as Southisene has yet to hit a minor-league home run.
He was initially assigned to the Arizona Complex League in 2025, but spent just one game at the level before being sent to Myrtle Beach, where he returned to start 2026.
Southisene then received his second promotion after 22 games at low-A this season, pushing his way up with a .745 OPS to open the year.
Shortstop or second base?
Southisene has spent most of his time in the minors up the middle, playing primarily second base in 2025 before moving to shortstop in 2026.
Time will tell where his long-term defensive home ends up, but MLB Pipeline wrote that the 18U U.S. National Team alum “has the instincts” to make the most of his speed and athleticism, and that he “compensates for his average arm strength with a quick release” at shortstop.
Southisene is just one of four baseball-playing brothers. His twin, Tee, is a pitcher at the College of Southern Nevada; his younger brother, Tate, is a top prospect in the Atlanta Braves system; and his youngest brother, Troy, is an Oregon State commit.
While they played together in high school, all three of Ty, Tate and Tee also shared the field together as members of the USA Prime National 17U team in 2023.
Tate was selected by Atlanta in the first round of the 2025 draft and has shot through the Braves’ affiliates, being recently promoted to double-A. Across three levels this season, Tate has 12 home runs, 18 doubles and 45 stolen bases.
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