Picture Credit: X
Argentina great Lionel Messi opened up on his possibilities of playing at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal cruised past France's Luca Van Assche to make it to the ATP Challenger 2024 final.
Read below to learn about major sporting events from across the globe in the last 24 hours.
Football
Igor Stimac announces India's squad for FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Qatar
Indian football head coach Igor Stimac announced India's squad for FIFA World Cup qualifier against Qatar on Saturday, June 8. The Blue Tigers travelled to Doha and will take on two-time Asian champions Qatar in their last Group A match on Tuesday, June 11, at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan.
The 23-member squad is:
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Vishal Kaith.
Defenders: Anwar Ali, Jay Gupta, Mehtab Singh, Narender, Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke.
Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Edmund Lalrindika, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Nandhakumar Sekar, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam.
Forwards: Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Vikram Partap Singh, David Lalhlansanga.
Depends on how I feel: Lionel Messi drops hints on playing 2026 FIFA World Cup
Argentina great Lionel Messi opened up on his possibilities of playing at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Ahead of the Copa America 2024, the Inter Miami great dropped hints at featuring in the 2026 edition of the World Cup, set to take place in North America. He said that his decision will depend on how he feels at that time. The 36-year-old said, “It depends on how I feel, how I am physically and being realistic with myself. And to know if I am up to the task of being able to compete and help the colleagues next to me. There’s a while left and I don’t know how I’m going to be at that moment.”
They accused me of being against Islam: Khalida Popal shares horrific experiences of fighting Taliban
Founder of Afghanistan women's football team, Khalida Popal opened up about being accused of 'brainwashing women' and pushing them to play football because she considered she was against Islam. Popal has written a book called "My Beautiful Sisters" which will be published on 20 June about her experiences of leading the Afghanistan women's team both on and off the field. Speaking about being her horrific life experiences in an interview with the Guardian, Khalida Popal said, "They tried to silence me. I faced many challenges, such as death threats. They always followed me and threatened me. There was a time when I saw an armed man approaching the car I was in, so I am grateful for the traffic in Kabul."
Major football results
United States- Major League Soccer
New England 1-0 NY Red Bulls
Minnesota 1-1 Dallas
Friendlies
USA 1-5 Colombia
Brazil-Serie B
Amazonas FC 2-1 Brusque
Tennis
World number 1 Iga Swiatek beats Jasmine Paolini to win third consecutive French Open title
World number 1 tennis star Iga Swiatek took down Jasmine Paolini to win her third consecutive and fourth French Open title on Saturday, June 8. Swiatek beat her rival 6-2, 6-1 at Roland Garros to win her fifth Grand Slam. The finale lasted for one hour and eight minutes which saw Swiatek go all out on her counterpart. Notably, it marked Paolini's first Grand Slam final appearance.
Sumit Nagal breezes past Luca Van Assche to reach Heilbronn Challengers finals
Indian tennis star Sumit Nagal cruised past French Luca Van Assche to make it to the ATP Challenger 2024 final. On Saturday, June 8, Nagal took down Assche in straight sets 6-2, 7-6 (5) to make it to the summit clash of the marquee event. Nagal, who is currently ranked 95 in the world, would aim to earn as many ranking points as possible to get the best chance of qualifying for the Paris Olympics 2024. The draw for the men’s singles event at the global tournament would be of 64.
I'm a perfectionist, so there is always pressure behind me: Iga Swiatek after winning fourth French Open title
World number 1 Iga Swiatek spoke about her feelings after winning her fourth French Open title on Saturday, June 8. Swiatek said that she has had lots of pressure considering she is a perfectionist. Swiatek said, "When I talk about pressure, I usually put pressure on myself because of pressure of the outside. Obviously I'm a perfectionist, so there is always pressure behind me. But I think I'm fine with handling my own pressure. It's when the pressure from the outside hits me, then it's a little bit worse. But I managed it really well at this tournament."
Never ever want to hear another question: Alexander Zverev on ex-girlfriend case
Alexander Zverev said that he doesn’t want to answer anymore questions about his recent domestic abuse case filed by his ex-girlfriend. After winning his French Open 2024 semifinal clash, he said in the post-match conference, “I told you so from the start. I told everybody. I'm happy that it's over. Yeah, nothing else more to say. That's it. Four years. I'm happy about that. That's what dropping the case is. That is innocence. They're not going to drop the case if you're guilty at the end of the day. I don't know what translations you have, but that's what it means. Done. We move on. I never ever want to hear another question about the subject again. That goes out to everybody.”
Iga Swiatek receives special custom-made sneakers from On after winning French Open 2024
Celebrating her fourth French Open title, Polish Tennis star Iga Swiatek received a special custom-made sneaker from On. The sneakers had a crown on the tongue and a few phrases like "Jazda" which is Polish for let's go and "The one where she wins her 5th Grand Slam" a reference to the TV show 'Friends'. Iga Swiatek shared pictures of the shoe on her Instagram. Swiatek defeated the Italian youngster Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-1 to win her fifth Grand Slam title which includes four Roland Garros and US Open.
