Lamine Yamal’s separate training session raises World Cup final fears as Spain issue update/ Image: X

Spain have moved to ease concerns surrounding Lamine Yamal’s fitness ahead of Sunday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina after the teenage star trained separately from the main squad during the team’s first session in New Jersey.Images of Yamal working individually while wearing what appeared to be a bandage on his left thigh quickly circulated online, prompting speculation over his availability for the biggest match of Spain’s tournament. However, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and head coach Luis de la Fuente have both played down fears of any significant injury.

Spain insist there is no major concern

According to the RFEF, both Yamal and right-back Pedro Porro followed individual training programmes as part of a planned workload management schedule rather than because of any serious physical issue.“Both players are expected to be available for Sunday’s match,” the federation said, adding that the separate session was purely a precautionary measure as preparations continue for the World Cup final.MARCA also reported that Spain remain confident both players will be fit to face the defending champions.Porro has been managing muscle overload after picking up a knock during Spain’s 2-0 semi-final victory over France, with De la Fuente confirming after that match that the defender had been dealing with muscular discomfort.Yamal’s situation appears less concerning.“He has nothing,” De la Fuente said after the victory over France, dismissing suggestions that the Barcelona winger had suffered a significant injury despite receiving several heavy challenges during the semi-final.

Managing a busy tournament

Spain’s cautious approach reflects Yamal’s workload throughout the tournament.The 19-year-old arrived at the World Cup still building his fitness after recovering from the hamstring problem that disrupted the closing stages of Barcelona’s season. That was one of the reasons he began Spain’s opening group-stage match against Cape Verde on the bench before gradually returning to a regular starting role.Although Yamal has scored once during the tournament, finding the net against Saudi Arabia, much of his influence has extended beyond statistics.

Spain’s Lamine Yamal (19) reacts after a foul during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Opponents have consistently committed additional defenders to limiting his impact, with the winger regularly facing double teams and heavy physical attention. France adopted a similar approach in the semi-final, where full-backs Lucas Digne and Theo Hernandez repeatedly challenged him throughout the contest.

Final opportunity awaits

Spain head into Sunday’s showdown chasing a fourth World Cup title after defeating France 2-0, a result that extended their unbeaten run to 37 matches across all competitions and made them the first European nation to win eight consecutive knockout matches at major international tournaments. Against Argentina, they will now be aiming to push those records even further to 38 matches unbeaten and nine straight knockout victories.Yamal is expected to remain a central figure in Luis de la Fuente’s plans if declared fully fit.Should he feature against Argentina, the Barcelona forward will have the opportunity to cap another remarkable year by helping Spain lift the World Cup while facing Lionel Messi and the reigning champions in what promises to be the biggest match of his career to date.For now, Spain’s message remains consistent: Yamal’s individual training session was precautionary, and the expectation inside the camp is that both he and Porro will be ready when the World Cup final kicks off on Sunday.

July 14, 2026; Arlington, Texas, U.S.; France’s Kylian Mbappe looks dejected after the match as France are eliminated from the World Cup. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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Former India Under-19 cricketer Manjot Kalra, one of the co-owners of Lanka Premier League franchise Jaffna Kings, was arrested in Sri Lanka on Friday for allegedly trying to induce a player into corrupt practice, according to local media reports in Colombo. Kalra, 27, was taken into custody by the Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports and produced before a magistrate, who remanded him in judicial custody till July 31, the reports said. Another Indian national, identified as Yuvraj Pushpa, was also arrested in connection with the case and remanded after being produced before a court.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said the arrests would not affect the conduct of the Lanka Premier League, which began on Friday, and reiterated its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the tournament.

The SLC said it would extend its “fullest cooperation” to the SIU in the investigation and reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, adding that all necessary measures had been put in place to ensure the league is conducted in a fair and transparent manner.

“As the governing body of the Lanka Premier League 2026, Sri Lanka Cricket reiterates its unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of the tournament and will not tolerate any form of corruption, misconduct, or foul play by any stakeholder associated with the league,” the board said in a statement.

The SLC also said it had taken all necessary measures to ensure the tournament is conducted in accordance with the highest ethical and integrity standards.

“Sri Lanka Cricket’s Anti-Corruption Unit has been working closely with the Government’s law enforcement agency, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports, to strengthen the league’s anti-corruption framework.

“In addition, Sri Lanka Cricket has engaged Integrity Mentors, an independent anti-corruption and sports integrity organization to provide specialist integrity support and education throughout the tournament, ensuring that the Lanka Premier League 2026 is conducted in a fair, transparent, and corruption-free environment.” Reiterating its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and unethical practices, the SLC said it would take all necessary steps to safeguard the integrity of the tournament.

Kalra shot to prominence after scoring a match-winning century in the final of the 2018 ICC Under-19 World Cup. He later moved into sports entrepreneurship and became an investor in the Jaffna Kings franchise earlier this year.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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FIFA World Cup 2026 | ‘I Don’t See A World Cup Trophy…’: Mbappe Says France’s Job Isn’t Done

LeBron James did not announce his next team at Fanatics Fest on Thursday, but he sure stirred the pot.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer is a free agent and has said he will play in an unprecedented 24th NBA season, but it remains to be seen where he will go.

Common teams in the speculated fray have been the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Philadelphia 76ers. But during a live taping of his “Mind the Game” podcast with Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton at the event, James uttered a three-word phrase that has often been linked to the latter squad.

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LeBron James speaks onstage during The Shop Live panel at Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 at Jacob Javits Center in New York City on July 17, 2026. (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Fanatics)

“I want to join a franchise that kind of shares the same model myself of practicing championship habits every day, but trusting the process more than anything,” James said. “You trust the process of actually-“

James was then cut off by the fans oohing and aahing, as “trust the process” has been the Sixers’ de facto motto for over a decade.

“Hold on, hold on, hold on,” Tyrese Haliburton butted in.

James, though, was adamant that it was not an Easter egg.

LeBron James speaks onstage during the Mind the Game panel at Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 at Jacob Javits Center in New York City on July 16, 2026. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Fanatics)

LEBRON JAMES NEXT TEAM ODDS: CAVS FAVORED; WARRIORS MAKING A PUSH

“I’ve been saying to ‘trust the process’ since I was drafted in 2003, even before [Joel] Embiid was born,” James clapped back.

James told the fans that he “won’t hold you guys up much longer.”

“It’s a big decision for not only myself, but for my family as well. It’s not just about the team,” James insisted, adding a joke that his own son, Bronny, is now a former teammate.

“There’s so many other factors that I’m factoring in right now on what best fits me as a player, what best fits me as a person, and what best fits my happiness, and also my family as well.”

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James stands on the court in the closing minutes of Game 4 of a second-round NBA playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, May 11, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

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James, 41, averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds last season, helping the Lakers win a playoff series while Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were nursing injuries.

OutKick’s Alejandro Avila contributed to this report.

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Who is Slavko Vinčić?

How he has managed the 2026 World Cup

During the current tournament, Vinčić has taken charge of three fixtures: Brazil’s 1-1 group-stage draw against Morocco, Algeria’s 2-1 victory over Jordan, and Mexico’s 2-0 Round of 32 win against Ecuador.

His performances have reflected the measured style that has defined his career. Across those three matches, he has brandished seven yellow cards and just one red card, preferring to let games flow while maintaining firm control whenever discipline is required.

His broader career record tells a similar story. Across 18 major international outings — spanning the UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup, qualifiers, and the FIFA Club World Cup — Vinčić has averaged 25.1 fouls per game, showing 50 yellow cards, six red cards, and awarding five penalties.

A career built on football’s biggest matches

Vinčić is no stranger to club football’s grandest stages. He was the referee for the 2024 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, as well as the 2022 UEFA Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers.

His résumé also includes more than 50 UEFA Champions League matches, alongside high-stakes knockout fixtures across UEFA competitions and European Championship qualifiers. Those high-profile appointments established him as one of UEFA’s most dependable assets, ultimately paving the way for FIFA’s ultimate assignment.

What can Argentina and Spain expect?

At the ongoing World Cup, Vinčić has officiated Brazil’s 1-1 draw against Morocco, Algeria’s 2-1 victory over Jordan and Mexico’s 2-0 Round of 32 win over Ecuador.

Across those three matches, he has shown seven yellow cards and one red card, suggesting a measured approach before resorting to disciplinary action.

For Argentina and Spain, that could translate into an official willing to allow physical battles in midfield but one who will not hesitate to punish reckless tackles or persistent fouling. Players known for testing referees with tactical fouls or dissent are also unlikely to receive much leeway.

Vinčić’s history with Argentina

Why FIFA chose him

Norris is one of a number of drivers who face a grid penalty this weekend, after exceeding his permitted number of batteries.

He is joined by Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, fifth fastest overall behind Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari, and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll.

The championship gap has closed largely because of problems for Antonelli, who retired from second place in the Barcelona Grand Prix, and lost a probable victory at Silverstone last time out by a wheel fairing failure and then a penalty, which dropped him out of the points.

Russell also took an impressive win in Austria, just fending off Verstappen and Antonelli, for his first victory since the first grand prix of the season in Australia.

Behind the top six of Antonelli, Norris, Verstappen, Hamilton and Hadjar, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, Russell and the Racing Bulls of Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson completed the top 10 ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Verstappen was complaining about gearshifts, as he so often does, but his pace was encouraging considering the team have had to shelve their ‘flip-flop’ rear wing after consecutive crashes for the Dutchman in high-speed corners in Austria and at Silverstone.

The failure was that the wing was closing too much, removing the so-called ‘slot gap’ between the main plane and flap, meaning the car had less downforce than the driver expected on corner entry.

Reverting to the standard wing, which opens like the old DRS overtaking aid, is said by insiders to cost around 0.2secs a lap.

Technical director Pierre Wache said: “It is a mechanical problem that we spot after the accident in Silverstone. We fixed it. It [the car] should be ready and bulletproof.

“I don’t want to be too precise on what we are doing because it is a performance benefit to use it. But we take it seriously, we discuss with the FIA because it is our duty to make the car safe and you will see the wing back soon.”

Red Bull hope to have a revised version of the new wing ready for the Hungarian Grand Prix next weekend.

Racing Bulls have an upgrade on Lindblad’s car this weekend. The team decided to give it to the Briton rather than Lawson after an agreement that the driver who qualified ahead at the British Grand Prix would have the new parts for Spa.

Lawson will get the next upgrade later in the year, which is also expected only to be ready for one driver initially, team principal Alan Permane said.

Cbus Super Stadium will play host to Sunday’s
Round 20 NRL game between Gold Coast Titans and
Manly Sea Eagles. The game kicks off at 2:00 pm with Manly Sea Eagles heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Gold Coast Titans vs.
Manly Sea Eagles
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday July 19, 2026 at 2:00 pm

Where: Cbus Super Stadium

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Gold Coast Titans vs Manly Sea Eagles Odds

Gold Coast Titans vs Manly Sea Eagles Preview

Gold Coast has quietly built some encouraging form, highlighted by a win over Penrith and a competitive showing against Melbourne. Improved effort through the middle has allowed Jayden Campbell and Keano Kini to inject themselves into matches far more consistently.

Manly arrives undermanned in the forwards, presenting an opportunity for the Titans to control the ruck and dictate the tempo. Gold Coast’s attack around the middle third has been a major strength throughout the season, with Oliver Pascoe playing an increasingly important role in creating opportunities. If the Titans win that battle, they have every chance of claiming another valuable scalp.

Terence Crawford has named a Hall of Famer he was supposed to face in 2021, only for their showdown to fall by the way side.

Ultimately, ‘Bud’ has no regrets about how his career unfolded, especially with him becoming a three-division undisputed champion against Canelo Alvarez last September.

At the same time, though, there is seemingly a shred of disappointment that his blockbuster clash with Manny Pacquiao never quite materialised.

The pair were closing in on an agreement to collide in June 2025, back when Crawford had just successfully defended his WBO welterweight title against Kell Brook.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, was coming off a WBA title defence against Keith Thurman, who he defeated by split decision after scoring a first-round knockdown.

A unification match with Crawford was then becoming increasingly likely, only for financial backers in Abu Dhabi to pull the plug on their investment.

Speaking with ESPN, Crawford named the eight-division world champion as the only fighter, past or present, that he was eager to test himself against.

“The only fight I felt got away from me is the Pacquiao fight. But all the fighters before me – I don’t ever look at them and think, ‘I want to fight him’. I was just happy to watch them and learn from them.”

Following the collapse of his fight with Crawford, Pacquiao was supposed to face Errol Spence Jr, the then-WBC and IBF welterweight champion, in August 2021.

With Spence pulling out due to a torn retina, however, ‘Pac Man’ ended up facing Yordenis Ugas and lost his title via a unanimous decision.

Former West Indies cricket captain, Sir Garfield Sobers, has died at the age of 89, West Indies Cricket announced on Friday.

“A great innings has come to an end. In our hearts, now and forever, Sir Garfield Sobers,” West Indies Cricket said in a post on X.

One of cricket’s all-time greats

Sobers is considered one of the all-time greats to play the game and was known for his potent ​top-order batting, the ability ​to ‌bowl medium fast and spin, while also being an excellent ‌fielder.

Sobers represented the West Indies in an international career spanning two decades, from 1954 to 1974.

Garfield St Aubrun Sobers was born in St Michael, Barbados, on July 28, 1936 and was the fifth of six children.

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He made his first class cricket debut for Barbados at the age of 16 in 1953 and would go on to play his first test for West Indies in 1954.

At the age of 21, Sobers scored his maiden century against Pakistan and would finish with 365 not out, which was then the highest individual test innings.

Sobers scored 8,032 runs at the crease in his 93 Tests at an average of 57.78. His versatile bowling ability saw him take 235 wickets at 34.03 runs a piece while in fielding he took 109 test match catches.

Sobers was knighted for his services to cricket by Queen Elizabeth II in Bridgetown, Barbados, that reportedly drew 50,000 spectators.

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Tributes for icon of the game

“One of the greatest cricketers to have ever graced the game, Sir Garfield Sobers, has sadly passed away,” the International Cricket Council said in a post on X.  

England Cricket also paid tribute with a social media post calling Sobers “one of the greatest to ever play the game.”

“Forever in our hearts, Sir Garfield Sobers,” England Cricket said in a post on X.

Edited by: Rana Taha

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Since the start of the FIFA World Cup, shops in Delhi’s Lajpat Nagar market have been flooded with jerseys of teams from around the world. Most are not official merchandise but close copies that look similar to the originals, even if they do not feel the same.

While an original jersey can set you back by nearly ₹8,000-₹9,000 apiece, copies sold in Lajpat Nagar – long known for its bargain prices – cost between ₹600 and ₹1,100, depending on the fabric quality.

This price gap also captures a broader shift in India’s sports merchandise market. Jerseys are no longer bought only as match-day apparel. Instead, they have evolved into a fashion product, opening up an opportunity that brands in India and abroad are looking to tap as football apparel becomes part of daily wardrobes. Oversized jerseys, retro designs and football-inspired T-shirts are now being paired with trousers and sneakers as streetwear, a trend that has long been popular overseas and is increasingly finding resonance in India.

Given that the price difference between official jerseys and unlicensed copies remains one of the industry’s biggest structural challenges, it is this gap that the new products hope to fill.

Industry participants say that, over the past five years, sports merchandise has moved from being an event-driven purchase to a year-round lifestyle category. At the same time, brands are betting that consumers will gradually place greater value on authenticity, quality and design.

“Young consumers don’t just watch sport anymore; they build communities around it on social media, and merchandise has become an extension of that identity. India is still early compared to mature global markets, but the trajectory is strong, and interest beyond cricket has grown sharply in just the last three years,” said Dhruv Sayani, founder and managing director at Ccigmaa Lifestyle & KT, a personal care, FMCG and grooming brand focused around sports culture, athlete partnerships, and performance-driven consumer behaviour.

According to 6Wresearch, the India licensed sports merchandise market was estimated at $361 million in 2025 and is projected to reach $517 million by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3 per cent between 2026 and 2032.

India’s large consumer base offers room for growth, but despite the projected increase in demand for licensed sports merchandise, many buyers may still be unwilling to spend a significant share of their income on official merchandise. Instead, they may turn to cheaper copies available at a fraction of the price.

That gap has also created space for a fast-growing middle segment of football-inspired apparel. Between low-cost counterfeit jerseys priced at ₹400-₹1,000 and official jerseys costing ₹7,000-₹9,000, brands are trying to build a category of design-led casual merchandise that lets fans express their support without paying premium prices.

These products are not the same as the performance jerseys worn by players on the field. Instead, they are designed as casual fashion products that allow fans to express support for a team, club, city or player. The fabric and styling are intended less for sport and more for everyday wear.

ShopFootball is one such brand. Rather than making performance jerseys, it focuses on football-inspired casualwear that fans can wear off the pitch.

“As a football fan, when you look out to buy something that is probably related to the favourite club that you support or the favourite country that you support, you have very limited options,” said founder Maaz Ahmad Siddique, who points out that ShopFootball – a bootstrapped firm – has been doubling its revenue annually, reflecting a change in consumer behaviour.

“In India, the average income is very low. You are not expected to wear a really expensive jersey,” he added.

According to him, demand in both cricket and football is still heavily driven by established stars.

“In cricket it is Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli; and for football, it has always been Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo,” he said. “We casually joke around in the office as well that if it wasn’t for Messi and Ronaldo, we wouldn’t have a business.”

Siddique said newer stars such as Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé generate short-term spikes in demand, but legacy players continue to drive sustained merchandise sales. 

Demand also remains closely linked to the sporting calendar. Cricket merchandise sees a sharp rise during the Indian Premier League and major international tournaments. In football, buying intent is strongest between May and August when major teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea release new kits – including jerseys – and fans prepare for the start of a new, year-long season of club football.

“(The) Peak is June. And for the past three years, the peak has always been June,” Siddique said, adding that industry revenues typically decline by around 20-25 per cent during slower periods once the initial football buying season is over.

The company also experimented with cricket merchandise during the IPL. Its Bengaluru-themed T-shirt sold around 2,500 pieces in two months, leaving the company struggling to keep up with demand because it manufactures in batches of only 200-300 pieces to avoid locking up working capital.

However, growing demand has also created challenges for smaller brands, particularly around copying and design protection.

“Recently we did, we had a legal battle with one of these folks because they were actually blatantly copying it. That’s too stressful for us, and we are a team of around seven people. For a small brand, it becomes a task. With each design, you add more money to it. And you don’t even know if this will be like a… It will pay back or not,” Siddiqui said.

He said design registration itself costs roughly ₹4,000-₹5,000 for every design, making intellectual property protection expensive for small businesses.

For small companies, pursuing every alleged copy can be costly and time-consuming. Siddique described enforcement against counterfeit sellers as a “never-ending loop”, with one seller or website often replaced by another.

“The encouraging sign is that awareness is growing, and more consumers are choosing to pay a premium for something genuine because they’ve started connecting authenticity with quality,” Sayani said.

Industry participants believe sports merchandise in India is gradually evolving from niche fan gear into an everyday fashion category, with the biggest opportunities lying in products that combine affordability, distinctive design and authentic fan culture rather than relying solely on tournament-driven demand.