2026 World Cup: Four nations to watch

MILAN: Inter Milan have added another English name to their squad, with Curtis Jones completing a move from Liverpool to the Italian champions and becoming the third Englishman to join the club this summer. The 25-year-old midfielder has signed a contract running until 2031, bringing an end to a 16-year association with Liverpool, where he progressed through the academy before establishing himself in the first team. Inter confirmed the transfer on Friday, describing Jones’ arrival as the start of a “new, incredible adventure” and noting that he becomes the sixth Englishman in the club’s history. According to Italian media reports, Inter will pay around €35 million ($40.8 million) for the Liverpool academy graduate. Jones leaves Anfield with an emotional farewell message to the club that shaped his career. “After 16 years, it’s time to say goodbye,” Jones wrote on Instagram. The midfielder said he had joined Liverpool as a child with the dream of playing for the club and felt fortunate to have lived that dream. “Liverpool will be a massive part of me,” he added. Jones now begins a completely different chapter in Serie A, joining an Inter squad that has already welcomed two other English players this summer. Right-back Djed Spence and centre-back John Stones have also completed moves to San Siro, both signing contracts through 2031. Stones joined Inter after his Manchester City contract expired, while Spence has also made the switch to Italy. Jones’ transfer underlines Inter’s growing interest in English talent as the club prepares for another demanding domestic and European campaign. For the midfielder, the move represents an opportunity to experience football outside England for the first time and compete in one of Europe’s most tactical leagues. Inter will begin their Serie A campaign against Monza on Saturday, giving Jones the chance to make an immediate impression with his new club. After spending virtually his entire professional life at Liverpool, the midfielder now faces the challenge of adapting to a new country, language and style of football. But with a long-term contract and the backing of the Italian champions, Jones will hope his move to Milan becomes the next defining chapter of his career.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has issued a strong defence of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, accusing critics of focusing on controversy while overlooking what he described as a tournament that united millions of people around the world. In an open letter published on Monday and shared on his personal social media accounts as well as FIFA’s official platforms, Infantino responded to criticism surrounding the tournament, which was jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and won by Spain. The FIFA chief argued that many detractors ignored the positive impact of the competition and instead concentrated on negative narratives. He praised the atmosphere created by fans and highlighted football’s ability to bring people together across generations. Addressing critics directly, Infantino wrote, “To all of you who missed watching kids, babies, grandparents, and parents come together for the beautiful game, I say sorry that the matches are now over and sorry that you missed all that joy and togetherness.” He continued, “Sorry that you were so consumed by hate and criticism that you missed it all.” The 56-year-old also appeared to criticise journalists and commentators, claiming that while FIFA had worked tirelessly to organise a successful tournament, others had focused on spreading misinformation. “To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world,” he wrote. Infantino pointed to what he described as the tournament’s outstanding security record. According to the FIFA president, nearly seven million spectators from more than 200 countries attended matches throughout the competition. “We experienced no violence, no incidents, 100% safety and security, only joy and happiness,” he said. Despite the successful attendance figures, the tournament faced criticism over travel and visa restrictions affecting supporters and officials from several participating nations, including Iran, Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast. Somali referee Omar Artan was also reportedly denied entry to the United States after not receiving a visa. Responding to those concerns, Infantino said, “You mentioned the few people denied visas and overlooked the millions who were approved, from all parts of the world. Because football unites the world, and it was demonstrated impressively this summer.” The FIFA president also addressed debates over refereeing decisions, player suspensions and disciplinary rulings during the tournament. He argued that controversial officiating is common across football and questioned why FIFA had received such intense scrutiny. “Potentially mistaken red or yellow cards or subsequent decisions not to ban players in certain situations are routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues worldwide,” he said, adding, “It’s curious that the same countries employing these practices are the ones criticising.” Concluding his message, Infantino urged critics to focus on football’s ability to unite people rather than dwell on controversy. “To those spending their time and energy hating us, please take a moment to reflect, meditate, pray, or watch a football match and truly observe the faces, the eyes, the emotions,” he wrote, ending with the message, “May football rise above all hate.”

COLOMBO: India’s preparations for their upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka have suffered a fresh setback after captain Shubman Gill was forced to miss the opening day of a three-day warm-up match due to a finger injury. Gill sustained an injury to his right-hand finger during a practice session on Thursday, prompting the Indian team management to take a cautious approach. The Test captain was rested for the first day of the warm-up fixture against a Sri Lanka XI as the medical team continues to monitor his condition. The development immediately raised concerns over Gill’s availability for the Test series, although there is currently no indication that he will miss the opening match. In Gill’s absence, vice-captain KL Rahul took charge of the Indian side. Rahul’s experience will be particularly valuable as India look to make the most of their final preparation ahead of the two-Test series. Recent reports also confirmed that Rahul led India at the toss after Gill was ruled out of the opening day. The Indian camp is already dealing with a lengthy injury list. Star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the Test series with a knee problem, while Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar are also unavailable because of different injuries. Gill’s fitness will therefore be closely watched over the next two days. According to the team’s medical update, a decision on whether he will return to the warm-up match will be made after further assessment. India are scheduled to begin their two-Test series against Sri Lanka on August 15 in Galle, with the second Test set to be played in Colombo from August 23. For India, the priority is clear: avoid taking unnecessary risks with their captain now and ensure Gill is fully fit when the real contest begins. The latest setback adds another layer of uncertainty to an already injury-hit Indian squad, making Gill’s recovery one of the biggest talking points ahead of the series.

Pakistan international cricketers Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Muqeem have officially signed contracts to participate in the upcoming edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), marking another significant milestone in their professional careers. The two players will represent the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, one of the league’s competitive franchises, during the tournament. According to the announcement, Pakistan’s star all-rounder Shadab Khan and talented left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem have reached an agreement with the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons and are set to feature for the team in the highly anticipated T20 competition. Both players will be available for seven matches each, providing the franchise with valuable experience and skill during the tournament. Shadab Khan is regarded as one of Pakistan’s most accomplished white-ball cricketers. Renowned for his leg-spin bowling, explosive lower-order batting, and exceptional fielding abilities, he has represented Pakistan in all three formats of international cricket. Over the years, he has also become a sought-after player in franchise leagues around the world, thanks to his versatility and leadership qualities. His participation in the Caribbean Premier League is expected to strengthen the Falcons’ squad, particularly in the middle overs where his spin bowling and ability to accelerate the scoring rate can prove decisive. Sufiyan Muqeem, on the other hand, is one of Pakistan’s emerging spin talents. The young left-arm spinner has impressed cricket fans and selectors alike with his control, variations, and ability to take wickets in crucial situations. His inclusion in the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons squad highlights the growing recognition of his abilities on the international franchise circuit. Playing in a prestigious tournament such as the CPL will provide him with an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience, compete against some of the world’s finest T20 players, and further develop his game. The Caribbean Premier League is widely regarded as one of the most exciting T20 tournaments in the world. It attracts top cricketers from various countries and offers a competitive platform where experienced international stars and emerging talents perform alongside one another. Participation in such leagues not only enhances players’ exposure but also contributes to their overall development by allowing them to adapt to different playing conditions, strategies, and team environments. For the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, the addition of Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Muqeem is expected to strengthen their bowling attack significantly. Shadab’s experience and all-round capabilities, combined with Muqeem’s promising left-arm spin, provide the team with greater balance and tactical flexibility. Their availability for seven matches each is expected to play an important role in the franchise’s campaign as they aim to achieve strong results during the tournament. The signing of these two Pakistani cricketers also reflects the increasing demand for Pakistan’s talented players in global T20 leagues. Their selection demonstrates the confidence international franchises have in Pakistan’s cricketing talent and provides both players with another opportunity to showcase their skills on a global stage. Fans will be eager to see how Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Muqeem perform for the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons as they look to make a strong impact in this season’s Caribbean Premier League.