India’s Hardik Pandya, right, celebrates with teammate Ishan Kishan (AP Photo)

The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) revamped format for the 2027 ODI World Cup has not only increased the possibility of India and Pakistan facing each other three times during the tournament, but it has also reignited criticism over how inclusive cricket’s biggest event really is. At a time when major global sporting events are expanding opportunities for more nations, the ICC has opted for a format that, despite officially increasing the ODI World Cup from 10 to 14 teams, effectively limits meaningful participation for lower-ranked sides. The new structure requires the three lowest-ranked qualified teams to fight for a single place in the main competition, meaning only one of them progresses while the other two are eliminated before the tournament reaches its principal stages. The governing body has said the new format is designed to make every match more meaningful from the opening day and strengthen the competitive narrative throughout the event. However, it also creates a pathway for multiple meetings between cricket’s biggest rivals.

First meeting in the group stage

The tournament will begin with a ‘Super Series’ involving Teams 12, 13 and 14. Only the winner of that round-robin advances to the next phase. The remaining 12 teams will then be split into two groups of six. Each side will play the others in its group once, with the top three teams from each group and the next best team overall qualifying for the Super 7. The ICC does not use a completely random draw for its global events, and India and Pakistan have regularly found themselves in the same group in recent tournaments. If that continues in 2027, the rivals could meet for the first time in the group stage.

Super 7 opens door for second encounter

The seven qualifying teams will then compete in a single round-robin Super 7 stage. Since every team plays each other once, India and Pakistan would be guaranteed another meeting if both reach this phase, taking their tally to two matches in the same tournament. The top four teams from the Super 7 will qualify for the semi-finals.

Knockout stage could produce a third blockbuster

The format also leaves room for a third India-Pakistan contest. If both teams qualify for the last four, they could meet in the semi-finals if they finish first and fourth or second and third in the Super 7 standings. If they finish on opposite sides of the draw, they could instead face off in the final. That means the revised format allows for as many as three India-Pakistan matches in a single ODI World Cup: one in the group stage, one in the Super 7, and another in either the semi-final or the final. While the ICC has presented the changes as a way of increasing the significance of every game, the format has also drawn attention for effectively reducing opportunities for emerging nations while simultaneously increasing the chances of repeat meetings between the sport’s biggest commercial rivals.

Warriors reportedly fear ex-Lakers star LeBron James will not join Steph Curry, Draymond Green originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Golden State Warriors know that LeBron James is the biggest free agent available and want to pair him with Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and the rest of their veteran core. James has largely stayed out of the process, allowing his agent, Rich Paul, to handle phone calls and negotiations.

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The Warriors have done everything to land James, including Curry meeting with him before free agency started.

“Pairing him with Stephen Curry is going to be something that the Warriors are going to pursue over the next few weeks… It seemed very doubtful, it seemed low percentage, now it’s kind of questionable. Now there’s going to be some legs to this… That same source told us that Steph is planning on meeting and talking with LeBron about potentially joining the Warriors over the course of the next few weeks leading up to free agency,” NBA insider Brett Siegel said.

James has narrowed his list to five organizations he believes can compete for an NBA championship. Now, all that remains is for him to make his decision.

“It’s decision time for LeBron James… The Leading suitors have been CLE, MIA, GSW, PHI, and MIN…. LeBron James has made it clear privately that he wants to go somewhere he can compete for a championship. Somewhere he feels he finds that happiness from a team environment and culture that he can uplift,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said.

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While the Warriors have done everything possible to convince James to come to the Bay Area, it no longer appears to be enough. Golden State reportedly feels like it is on the outside looking in.

“I’m kind of hearing today that the Warriors internally kind of feel like they’re a dark horse at this point, that LeBron James is probably going out east,” ESPN insider Marc Spears said.

The Warriors believed they were in a strong position to land James until recently. They offered him the chance to form a generational duo with Curry, a pairing that would have immediately become one of the most feared in the NBA. James would also have had the opportunity to play alongside Green, one of his closest friends.

It is an unfortunate position for the Warriors, but the reality is they may not offer James the best opportunity to win another championship. Ultimately, that appears to be what his free agency decision will come down to.

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Argentina vice president Victoria Villarruel stirred controversy ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final against England by invoking the Falkland Islands dispute and describing the Three Lions as “pirate usurpers” in a post on X.“Tomorrow we play against the pirate usurpers. It’s not just another match. I’m not going to be politically correct or indifferent. Against the English, it’s always something more. It’s the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), it’s Diego (Maradona), it’s Leo’s (Messi’s) last one, and it’s about standing up to the invaders. Long live Argentina! Because until our last breath, we’ll keep demanding what’s ours!” she wrote, translated from Latin American Spanish, on X.Villarruel’s remarks come as defending champions Argentina prepare to face England in Atlanta on Wednesday (local time), with a place in the World Cup final at stake. The winner will meet Spain, who booked their place in the title clash with a 2-0 victory over France.The contest will mark a landmark moment for Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who is set to face England for the first time in his illustrious international career.Despite representing Argentina for more than two decades and playing against every other FIFA World Cup-winning nation, Messi has never taken on the Three Lions.“The truth is, it’s special,” Messi told reporters after Argentina’s 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland in the quarter-finals.“It’s a special match because it’s my first time. I’ve played against everyone except England. And it’s special, as I said before, because they’re a big team, a powerhouse. It’s always nice to play against teams like that, in matches like this, and especially in the semi-finals of a World Cup,” he added.The semi-final also revives one of international football’s most enduring rivalries. England and Argentina have not met in a competitive fixture since the 2002 FIFA World Cup, when England secured a 1-0 victory.Argentina have reached the last four after winning all three of their Group J matches before overcoming Cabo Verde, Egypt and Switzerland in the knockout rounds. The defending champions have scored nine goals across their three knockout fixtures, the highest tally among the semi-finalists.England, meanwhile, advanced with a dramatic 2-1 extra-time win over Norway, courtesy of Jude Bellingham’s brace. The Three Lions had earlier edged past DR Congo and Mexico by one-goal margins, highlighting the resilience that has carried them into just their fourth World Cup semi-final.For Messi, the clash offers an opportunity to complete a rare missing chapter in his international career, while for Argentina and England, another high-stakes encounter adds to a rivalry shaped by decades of sporting history and political undertones.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been drawn in a tough group for the 2026 WAFU B U20 Championship, the qualifying tournament for the 2027 Africa U20 Cup of Nations.

The draw, held on Wednesday, placed Nigeria in Group B alongside Ghana, Burkina Faso and Togo. The Flying Eagles were seeded as the top team in the group after finishing as the highest-ranked side behind champions Côte d’Ivoire at the last edition.

Group A includes hosts and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, Niger and Benin Republic.

One of the biggest matches in the group stage will see Nigeria face long-time rivals Ghana in another exciting chapter of their youth football rivalry. Burkina Faso are also expected to provide a strong test, while Togo will be hoping to cause an upset.

The WAFU B Championship is important because it serves as the qualification tournament for the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Ghana. Twelve teams will compete at the continental tournament, while the four semi-finalists will qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup.

CAF has already confirmed Ghana as the host of the 2027 U20 AFCON as part of the country’s 70th independence anniversary celebrations. It will be the second time Ghana hosts the competition after winning it in 1999.

Flying Eagles aiming for another title

Nigeria will head into the tournament under the guidance of experienced coach Abdul Maikaba, hoping to add another WAFU B title to their growing collection.

The Flying Eagles reached the final of the first edition in 2018 before losing to Senegal. They suffered a group-stage exit in 2020 but returned strongly in 2022 to win their first title.

Nigeria defeated Ghana 2-0 in the group stage, beat Côte d’Ivoire in the semi-finals and overcame Benin Republic 3-1 in the final to lift the trophy.

They successfully defended the title in 2024, defeating Niger in the semi-finals before beating Ghana 2-1 in the final. Kparobo Arierhi scored twice to inspire the Flying Eagles to victory.

At the last edition, Nigeria looked set to win a third consecutive title after topping their group and eliminating Niger on penalties in the semi-finals. However, they were beaten 1-0 by hosts Côte d’Ivoire in the final after a late goal.

The Flying Eagles will now begin preparations for another challenging campaign as they target a third WAFU B title and qualification for the 2027 Africa U20 Cup of Nations.

Argentina Vs England Live: Team news: Tuchel makes 3 big changes; De Paul out for Argentina!

The official team sheets have dropped at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Thomas Tuchel is certainly not playing it safe! The England boss has rung the changes, throwing down a bold tactical gauntlet for this massive semi-final clash.

Here is how both heavyweight giants line up tonight:

England Starting XI & Substitutes: Thomas Tuchel isn’t going to die wondering. He has made three major changes to the lineup that outlasted Norway, completely revamping his flanks. Reece James and Djed Spence lock down the fullback positions, replacing Ezri Konsa and Nico O’Reilly. Up front, the explosive Morgan Rogers gets the nod on the wing over Noni Madueke to partner Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon behind Harry Kane.

Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1): Jordan Pickford (GK); Reece James, John Stones, Marc Guéhi, Djed Spence; Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice; Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane (C).

Bench: James Trafford, Dean Henderson, Nico O’Reilly, Ezri Konsa, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Trevoh Chalobah, Dan Burn, Kobbie Mainoo, Ollie Watkins, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Ivan Toney.

Argentina Starting XI & Substitutes: A massive blow for La Albiceleste. Lionel Scaloni has been forced into a single, crucial change from the side that beat Switzerland. Engine room enforcer Rodrigo De Paul is out injured, failing a late fitness test. He is replaced by the energetic Giuliano Simeone, who will provide the tireless running to shield Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez.

Starting Lineup (4-1-3-2): Emiliano Martínez (GK); Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico; Leandro Paredes; Giuliano Simeone, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi (C), Julián Álvarez.

Bench: Juan Musso, Gerónimo Rulli, Marcos Senesi, Gonzalo Montiel, Valentín Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Nicolás González, Thiago Almada, Rodrigo De Paul, Nico Paz, Nicolás Otamendi, Julián López, Lautaro Martínez, Facundo Medina.

Referee: Ismail Elfath (United States)

England’s national anthem was drowned out by Argentinian boos and chants before Three Lions fans repaid the gesture as tensions boiled over before their seismic World Cup semi-final even kicked off.

Sharing a storied footballing rivalry, this last-four clash also has a sharp historical edge to it, with conflict over the Falkland Islands forming part of the narrative going into the match in Atlanta.

Argentina invaded the British Overseas Territory in 1982 but emphatically lost the Falklands War in 74 days, which claimed the lives of 907 people: 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 from Britain and three Falkland Islanders.

Argentina still vehemently believe that the archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, which sits 300 miles away from its east coast, should be under its sovereignty, with the cause enshrined in much of the country’s culture, including its football.

As the players lined up around the centre-circle for the national anthems, Argentina fans were deafening with their chants of “whoever doesn’t jump is English”, before heavily booing “God Save the King”.

England fans responded in toe by jeering Argentina’s anthem, setting the tone for the feisty semi-final that was being anticipated.

“I am looking forward to it, and I am excited. Listening to those national anthems – that was brilliant. They don’t like each other and that is fine,” said former England striker Alan Shearer on BBC commentary.

Argentina’s vice-president stoked the fire pre-match by calling England “invaders” and “usurping pirates” before their semi-final clash, but others insist that expression surrounding the Falklands does not represent a hatred towards the British.

The April 2 War Veterans Federation has called on the match to banish the Falklands from the narrative, saying in a statement: “Sport is not war: The semi-final match is a global sporting event, not an armed rematch or a form of historical redress.”

Egypt boss Hossam Hassan explains his viral ‘X’ gesture, denies racism allegations and makes a surprise claim about Lionel Messi’s emotional reaction/ Image: AP

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has spoken out after his controversial “X” gesture during his side’s dramatic 3-2 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 defeat to Argentina sparked widespread debate. The moment, directed towards referee François Letexier in stoppage time, quickly drew attention because it resembled UEFA’s official anti-racism reporting protocol used by players and staff to signal discriminatory abuse. With tensions high following a chaotic finish and a series of disputed decisions, the gesture became one of the most talked-about incidents of the match, prompting questions about its meaning and intent.

Hassan says gesture was aimed at the referee, not an allegation of racism

The flashpoint came in the closing stages of Egypt’s Round of 16 defeat after Argentina completed a remarkable comeback from two goals down.With emotions running high, television cameras captured Hassan crossing his forearms into an “X” shape while directing his frustration towards referee François Letexier. His twin brother and assistant coach, Ibrahim Hassan, immediately lowered his arms before the Egypt manager was shown a yellow card.Because the gesture has been used in professional football to report alleged racist abuse, including during Benfica’s Champions League meeting with Real Madrid earlier this year, it quickly led to speculation over its intended meaning.Speaking after the tournament, however, Hassan firmly rejected that interpretation.“The gesture wasn’t racist,” Hassan said, as quoted by The Sun.“I was telling [the referee], ‘you’re not being fair’.”

Hassan reveals exchange with Lionel Messi

Hassan also shed light on his confrontation with Lionel Messi during the closing moments of the match.According to the Egypt coach, Messi questioned him immediately after the incident as tensions escalated on the touchline.“[Messi] came up to me and said, ‘why?’ Why? Why?’ And I don’t know what else,” Hassan said.“It was one of the few times Messi got into arguments during a match. And he ended up crying because he was having a hard time emotionally.“We were a very tough team and we put them in a difficult position. I tried not to respond to him and to avoid any verbal friction between us, out of respect for his career.”The emotionally charged contest saw Argentina overturn a 2-0 deficit through goals from Cristian Romero, Messi and Enzo Fernández during a frantic 13-minute spell to book a place in the quarter-finals.

Egypt maintained officiating cost them the match

Despite clarifying the meaning of his gesture, Hassan has not softened his criticism of the officiating.Egypt believed they were denied several crucial decisions during the match, including the disallowing of Mostafa Ziko’s goal and what they felt was an unpunished foul on Mohamed Salah in the build-up to Enzo Fernández’s dramatic winner.Immediately after the defeat, Hassan suggested external pressure had influenced the officials.“We haven’t seen respect or fair play,” he said.“There seems to have been pressure on the Argentinian side on the referee that has brought about this outcome.“Life is unfair. The world is unfair. OK, but why isn’t there any fairness in sports?“I’m not convinced by this outcome and by the way things unfolded in this match.“The referee is unfair, God is sufficient for me and the best disposer of affairs.“He’s wasting the effort of an entire nation. The cup is directed towards Argentina.”The Egyptian Football Association later issued its own strongly worded statement, calling for FIFA to investigate what it described as “blatant errors” by the officiating team and demanding the removal of referee Letexier and his crew from the remainder of the tournament.

FIFA responded as disciplinary uncertainty remains

The accusations prompted a response from FIFA through Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina, who defended the integrity of the officials and dismissed suggestions that Argentina had received favourable treatment.Although Hassan has not yet faced disciplinary action over either his touchline behaviour or his post-match remarks, the matter has not been fully closed.According to The Athletic, FIFA intends to review potential disciplinary cases after the conclusion of the World Cup, following the same approach it adopted after the 2022 tournament.Hassan and Egypt forward Mostafa Ziko are among those who could still face sanctions for comments deemed to have brought the game into disrepute, while other figures, including Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji and England manager Thomas Tuchel, have also publicly criticised refereeing standards during the tournament.Hassan’s latest explanation, however, removes one aspect of the controversy. While Egypt continue to dispute the officiating that accompanied their heartbreaking elimination, the veteran coach insists the gesture that generated worldwide debate was never intended as an allegation of racism but rather a protest against what he believed was an unfair performance from the referee.

Didier Deschamps will mark a bittersweet record when he leads Les Bleus for the 27th and final time in a World Cup match on Saturday, after 14 years at the helm. But the bronze-medal tie in Miami is certainly not the sendoff he had hoped for to bring his time with France’s national team – their most successful yet – to a close.

“We’ve got another match in four days’ time, even if it’s not the one we were expecting. Tonight we’re very disappointed – in fact, we’re deeply disappointed,” Deschamps conceded after his side were outplayed and outsmarted by Spain in a gruelling semi-final loss at the Dallas Stadium.

Read moreSpain deliver masterclass to sink French Armada and reach World Cup final

France’s defeat – their third consecutive one at the hands of La Roja, after semi-final exits at Euro 2024 and the Nations League last year – provides an anticlimactic farewell for the 57-year-old, who announced last year that he would step down when his contract expired after the tournament.

Ironically, the chastening defeat comes as Deschamps’ swashbuckling France had begun to silence critics of his defensive-minded tactics, putting an abrupt end to their short-lived experiment in champagne football.

Winning, with the break pulled

Over the years, Deschamps has established a winning pedigree that speaks for itself, guiding France to back-to-back World Cup finals and clinching the famous golden trophy both as player (1998) and as coach (2018).

Success with Les Bleus followed a distinguished stint as club manager that saw him take AS Monaco to the 2004 Champions League final, guide Juventus back into Serie A immediately after their demotion in the Calciopoli scandal, and end Marseille’s 18-year wait for a French league title in 2010.

Eric Cantona once dismissively described him as a “water carrier”, but the label came to capture the qualities that defined Deschamps: discipline, intelligence, selflessness and an instinctive understanding of what winning teams required.

When he took the France job in July 2012, it was those qualities that helped him rebuild a team still reeling from the players’ strike that ended their dismal 2010 World Cup campaign.

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And yet in the eyes of many fans of the beautiful game, Deschamps’ conservative approach had left a blemish on his extraordinary record. Why, the sceptics asked, be so timid with the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé in your squads – not to mention Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and (on the few occasions he was called up) Karim Benzema.

With a lone World Cup title from six major tournaments, along with the inaugural Nations League in 2021, many had come to see the glass as half-empty rather than half-full, noting that the Deschamps era has been blessed with an extraordinary wealth of homegrown talent.

His critics finally got what they wanted as France went in with all guns blazing at this World Cup. Tuesday’s semi-final suggests the coach may have been right all along.

Vindicated in defeat?

After 14 years of pragmatic football, France’s risk-averse manager unleashed their full attacking potential for his last tournament at the helm, to the delight of French and other fans in awe of Les Bleus’ formidable armada of forwards.

At the start of the World Cup Bradley Barcola spoke of the joy players took from their newfound freedom on the pitch: “We get the ball, we do pretty much what we want, we don’t overthink things, and that’s how it works.”

It’s hard to think of a statement more at odds with Deschamp’s philosophy, typically a byword for discipline and control – the very things that deserted them against Spain.

Read moreFrance’s World Cup dream extinguished in chastening semi-final loss to Spain

France had but two weaknesses going into the match – at midfield and left-back. Both were ruthlessly exploited by La Roja, who bossed the midfield and repeatedly sliced through their opponents’ weaker flank, leaving Les Bleus’ much-vaunted attack disjointed, starved of the ball and bereft of ideas.

It was a grim final chapter for a coach whose sides had usually found a way, even when playing poorly.

“I do not want to throw away everything we have done,” Deschamps said after the defeat. “But in this match Spain showed they had something more.”

Deschamps’ critics had long argued that France’s extraordinary talent pool demanded more expansive football. His response had generally been the same: tournaments were won through adaptability, defensive resilience and an acceptance that style mattered less than survival.

In defeat, perhaps, came his final vindication.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)