أعلن الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم، فيفا، مواعيد مباريات بطولة كأس العالم نسخة 2026، التي ستنطلق الصيف المقبل، بعد إجراء القرعة مساء يوم الجمعة حيث تم الكشف عن المجموعات الـ12.

وتستضيف كل من الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، كندا والمكسيك نهائيات النسخة المقبلة من بطولة كأس العالم، في الفترة بين 11 يونيو و19 يوليو.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مدرب بلجيكا عن مواجهة مصر في كأس العالم 2026: اللعب أمام محمد صلاح أمر رائع

وتُعد تلك هي النسخة الأولى من نوعها التي تشهد فيها بطولة كأس العالم مشاركة 48 منتخبًا، حيث سيتم تقسيمهم على 12 مجموعة. نتائج قرعة كأس العالم 2026

المجموعة الأولى: المكسيك، جنوب إفريقيا، كوريا الجنوبية، الدنمارك/مقدونيا الشمالية/التشيك/جمهورية أيرلندا.

المجموعة الثانية: كندا، إيطاليا/أيرلندا/ويلز/البوسنة والهرسك، قطر، سويسرا.

المجموعة الثالثة: البرازيل، المغرب، هايتي، اسكتلندا.

المجموعة الرابعة: أمريكا، باراجواي، أستراليا، تركيا/سلوفاكيا/كوسوفو/رومانيا.

المجموعة الخامسة: ألمانيا، كوارساو، كوت ديفوار، الإكوادور.

المجموعة السادسة: هولندا، اليابان، أوكرانيا/بولندا/ألبانيا/السويد، تونس.

المجموعة السابعة: بلجيكا، مصر، إيران، نيوزيلندا.

المجموعة الثامنة: إسبانيا، الرأس الأخضر، السعودية، أوروجواي.

المجموعة التاسعة: فرنسا، السنغال، العراق/بوليفيا/سورينام، النرويج.

المجموعة العاشرة: الأرجنتين، الجزائر، النمسا، الأردن.

المجموعة الحادية عشر: البرتغال، جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية/جامايكا/كاليدونيا الجديدة، أوزبكستان، كولومبيا.

المجموعة الثانية عشر: إنجلترا، كرواتيا، غانا، بنما. مواعيد مباريات كأس العالم 2026

المجموعة الأولى

الجولة الأولى

المكسيك وجنوب إفريقيا، 11 يونيو 2026، 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، مكسيكو سيتي.

كوريا الجنوبية والدنمارك/مقدونيا الشمالية/التشيك/جمهورية أيرلندا، 11 يونيو 2026، 5 فجر (12 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، جوادالاخارا.

الجولة الثانية

الدنمارك/مقدونيا الشمالية/التشيك/جمهورية أيرلندا ضد جنوب إفريقيا، 18 يونيو 2026، 7 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، أتالانتا.

المكسيك ضد كوريا الجنوبية، 18 يونيو 2026، 4 فجرًا بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، جوادالاخارا.

الجولة الثالثة

الدنمارك/مقدونيا الشمالية/التشيك/جمهورية أيرلندا ضد المكسيك، 24 يونيو 2026، 4 فجر (25 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، مكسيكو سيتي.

جنوب إفريقيا ضد كوريا الجنوبية، 24 يونيو 2026، 4 فجر (25 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، مونتيري.

المجموعة الثانية

الجولة الأولى

كندا ضد إيطاليا/أيرلندا/ويلز/البوسنة والهرسك، 12 يونيو 2026، 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تورونتو.

قطر ضد سويسرا، 13 يونيو، 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، سان فرانسيسكو.

الجولة الثانية

سويسرا ضد إيطاليا/أيرلندا/ويلز/البوسنة والهرسك، 18 يونيو 2026، 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، لوس أنجلوس.

كندا ضد قطر، 18 يونيو 2026، 1 فجر (19 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، فانكوفر.

الجولة الثالثة

سويسرا ضد كندا، 24 يونيو 2026، 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، فانكوفر.

إيطاليا/أيرلندا/ويلز/البوسنة والهرسك ضد قطر، 24 يونيو 2026، مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، سياتل.

المجموعة الثالثة

الجولة الأولى

البرازيل ضد المغرب، 13 يونيو 2026، 1 فجر (14 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، نيويورك نيو جيرسي.

هايتي ضد اسكتلندا، 13 يونيو 2026، 4 فجر (14 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، بوسطن.

الجولة الثانية

اسكتلندا ضد المغرب، 19 يونيو 2026، 1 فجر (20 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، بوسطن.

البرازيل وهايتي، 19 يونيو 2026، 4 فجر (20 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، فيلادلفيا.

الجولة الثالثة

اسكتلندا ضد البرازيل، 24 يونيو 2026، 1 فجر (25 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، ميامي.

المغرب ضد هايتي، 24 يونيو 2026، 4 فجر (25 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، أتلانتا.

المجموعة الرابعة

الجولة الأولى

أمريكا ضد بارجواي، 12 يونيو 2026، 4 فجر (13 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، لوس أنجلوس.

أستراليا ضد تركيا/سلوفاكيا/كوسوفو/رومانيا، 13 يونيو 2026، 7 صباحًا بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، فانكوفر.

الجولة الثانية

تركيا/سلوفاكيا/كوسوفو/رومانيا ضد باراجواي، 19 يونيو 2026، 7 صباحًا بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، سان فرانسيسكو.

أمريكا ضد أستراليا، 19 يونيو 2026، 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، سياتل.

الجولة الثالثة

تركيا/سلوفاكيا/كوسوفو/رومانيا ضد أمريكا، 25 يونيو 2026، 5 فجر (26 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، لوس أنجلوس.

باراجواي ضد أستراليا، 25 يونيو 2026، 5 فجر (26 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، سان فرانسيسكو.

المجموعة الخامسة

الجولة الأولى

ألمانيا ضد كوراساو، 14 يونيو 2026، 8 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، هيوستن.

كوت ديفوار ضد الإكوادور، 14 يونيو 2026، 2 فجر (15 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، فيلادلفيا.

الجولة الثانية 

ألمانيا ضد كوت ديفوار، 20 يونيو 2026، 11 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تورونتو.

الإكوادور ضد كوارساو، 20 يونيو 2026، 3 فجر (21 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، كانساس سيتي.

الجولة الثالثة

الإكوادور ضد ألمانيا، 25 يونيو 2026، 11 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، نيوريورك نيو جيرسي.

كوارساو ضد كوت ديفوار، 25 يونيو، 11 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، فيلادلفيا.

المجموعة السادسة

الجولة الأولى

هولندا ضد اليابان، 14 يونيو 2026، 11 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، دالاس.

أوكرانيا/بولندا/ألبانيا/السويد ضد تونس، 14 يونيو 2026، 5 فجر (15 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، مونتيري.

الجولة الثانية

هولندا ضد أوكرانيا/بولندا/ألبانيا/السويد، 20 يونيو 2026، 8 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، هوستين.

تونس ضد اليابان، 20 يونيو 2026، 7 صباحًا بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، مونتيري.

الجولة الثالثة

اليابان ضد أوكرانيا/بولندا/ألبانيا/السويد، 25 يونيو 2026، 2 فجر (26 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، دالاس.

تونس ضد هولندا، 25 يونيو 2026، 2 فجر (26 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، كانساس سيتي.

المجموعة السابعة

الجولة الأولى

إيران ضد نيوزيلندا، 15 يونيو 2026، 4 فجر (16 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، لوس أنجلوس.

بلجيكا ضد مصر، 15 يونيو 2026، 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، سياتل.

الجولة الثانية

بلجيكا ضد إيران، 21 يونيو 2026، 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، لوس أنجلوس.

نيوزيلندا ضد مصر، 21 يونيو 2026، 4 فجر (22 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، فانكوفر.

الجولة الثالثة

مصر ضد إيران، 26 يونيو 2026، 6 صباح (27 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، سياتل.

نيوزيلندا ضد بلجيكا، 26 يونيو 2026، 6 صباح (27 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، فانكوفر.

المجموعة الثامنة

الجولة الأولى

إسبانيا ضد كاب فيردي، 15 يونيو 2026، 7 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، أتلانتا.

السعودية ضد أوروجواي، 15 يونيو 2026، 1 فجر (16 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، ميامي.

الجولة الثانية

إسبانيا ضد السعودية، 21 يونيو 2026، 7 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، أتلانتا.

أوروجواي ضد كاب فيردي، 21 يونيو 2026، 1 فجر (22 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، ميامي.

الجولة الثالثة

كاب فيردي ضد السعودية، 26 يونيو 2026، 3 فجر (27 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، هوستين.

أوروجواي ضد إسبانيا، 26 يونيو 2026، 3 فجر (27 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، جوادالاخارا.

المجموعة التاسعة

الجولة الأولى

فرنسا ضد السنغال، 16 يونيو 2026، 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، نيويورك نيو جيرسي.

العراق/بوليفيا/سورينام ضد النرويج، 16 يونيو 2026، 1 فجر (17 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، بوسطن.

الجولة الثانية

فرنسا ضد العراق/بوليفيا/سورينام، 22 يونيو 2026، 12 منتصف الليل بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، فيلادلفيا.

النرويج ضد السنغال، 22 يونيو 2026، 3 فجر (23 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، نيويورك نيو جيرسي.

الجولة الثالثة

النرويج ضد فرنسا، 26 يونيو 2026، 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، بوسطن.

السنغال ضد العراق/بوليفيا/سورينام، 26 يونيو 2026، 10 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تورونتو.

المجموعة العاشرة

الجولة الأولى

الأرجنتين ضد الجزائر، 16 يونيو 2026، 4 فجر (17 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، كانساس سيتي.

النمسا ضد الأردن، 16 يونيو 2026، 7 صباح (17 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، سان فرانسيسكو.

الجولة الثانية

الأرجنتين ضد النمسا، 22 يونيو 2026، 8 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، دالاس.

الأردن والجزائر، 22 يونيو 2026، 6 صباح (23 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، سان فرانسيسكو.

الجولة الثالثة

الجزائر ضد النمسا، 27 يونيو 2026، 5 فجر (28 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، كانساس سيتي.

الأردن ضد الأرجنتين، 27 يونيو 2026، 5 فجر (28 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، دالاس.

المجموعة الحادية عشر

الجولة الأولى 

البرتغال ضد جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية/جامايكا/كاليدونيا الجديدة، 17 يونيو 2026، 8 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، هوستين.

أوزبكستان ضد كولومبيا، 17 يونيو 2026، 5 فجر (18 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، مكسيكو سيتي.

الجولة الثانية

البرتغال ضد أوزبكستان، 23 يونيو 2026، 8 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، هوستين.

كولومبيا ضد جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية/جامايكا/كاليدونيا الجديدة، 23 يونيو 2026، 5 فجر (24 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، جوادالاخارا.

الجولة الثالثة

كولومبيا ضد البرتغال، 27 يونيو 2026، 2:30 فجر (28 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، ميامي.

جمهورية الكونغو الديمقراطية/جامايكا/كاليدونيا الجديدة ضد أوزبكستان، 27 يونيو 2026، 2:30 فجر (28 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، أتلانتا.

المجموعة الثانية عشر

الجولة الأولى

إنجلترا ضد كرواتيا، 17 يونيو 2026، 11 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، دالاس.

غانا ضد بنما، 17 يونيو 2026، 2 فجر (18 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تورونتو.

الجولة الثانية

إنجلترا ضد غانا، 23 يونيو 2026، 11 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، بوسطن.

بنما ضد كرواتيا، 23 يونيو 2026، 2 فجر (24 يونيو) بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، تورونتو.

الجولة الثالثة

بنما ضد إنجلترا، 27 يونيو 2026، منتصف الليل بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، نيويورك نيو جيرسي.

كرواتيا ضد غانا، 27 يونيو 2026، منتصف الليل بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية، فيلادلفيا.

Rawalpindi batsman Awais Zia is keen to make his mark in Pakistan cricket. He talks about his recent debut and the idol he hopes to emulate

Umar Farooq08-Dec-2012″An opportunity to play against a team like England could have changed my fortune, but I was overconfident and played my shots in haste”•AFPWhat does cricket mean to you?
I left my home and studies for cricket, and I have been playing since I was 15, so cricket is a livelihood for me. In those ten years I could have studied or chosen another profession, but I chose cricket and now this is my only professional. Playing for the national team is the ultimate goal.For a while we thought Pakistan had a new Afridi. What went wrong?
It was a good chance, but unfortunately I didn’t justify the opportunity. Otherwise, I am better than that. I was facing the world’s best bowling attack. I knew I had to do something exceptional to keep my place, since winning a national spot is always tough. The opportunity to play against a team like England could have changed my fortune, but I admit I was overconfident and played my shots in haste. But, overall, I think I did fairly well, didn’t I? ()Where do you see yourself headed now?
It’s all about one good season and tournament, and I’ll be back in contention. I have had a setback but I don’t need to start from scratch. I am playing the Twenty20 Cup, followed by the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, for Rawalpindi and I’m more focused than ever. I have plenty of cricket ahead of me. I never shy away from working hard.Do you agree that your encounter with Steven Finn exposed your technique?
I learnt that most commentators doubt my ability to play on the off side. But I recovered well and played my shots all over the ground. My task was to give my team a brisk start and I think I did that well, but I then lost my nerve and threw my bat at everything. I was picked for Pakistan. This means my technique isn’t flawed. What I was missing was the international exposure.What has your international experience taught you?
The gravity of international cricket is far different from our domestic cricket. The standard of everything – pitches, bowling and fielding – when compared to domestic cricket, is obviously high. You have to be on your toes every second of the game. However, the basics are the same. Fitness and confidence play an important role in keeping you in international cricket.Like many other players, you seem to hold cricket responsible for your not being able to complete your studies. Were you a good student?
() My brother and my father are well qualified and work in the banking sector. My father is a bank manager. I did my matriculation, but cricket did take me away from further education. But I have confidence that I won’t end up in the wilderness and will justify the choice I had to make of picking cricket over education.Do you think beyond T20 cricket?
For a cricketer, T20 is a shortcut to gain attention, but Test cricket is the format that I really want to play. T20 has become a serious format of the game and it also requires skills. I made 232 against State Bank of Pakistan in the 2010-11 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, so it’s not like I can’t play the longer format of the game. I know good performances in T20 will win me a place in the ODI side and then Tests.You have only played 36 first-class matches since your first-class debut in 2007. How come?
I missed a complete season before 2010 due to typhoid. In 2011, I went Maldives to play the SAARC Twenty20 tournament for the Pakistan Under-25 team, where I won the best batsman award.You come from a town that isn’t known for producing cricketers. How did you get into cricket?
I started playing for Islamiya High School in my town and later joined the Khawar Cricket Club in Chakwal. But till my district was connected to Rawalpindi, I didn’t get enough exposure and attention. In Rawalpindi, I saw Sohail Tanvir, Yasir Arafat, Mohammad Wasim, and my coach Sabhi Azhar, who supported me a lot. So my real journey started only after my town was associated with the Rawalpindi region.Who is your inspiration in cricket?
Shahid Afridi is my idol. I want to be like him. He is a dangerous and brave batsman who always inspires me. I admire his courage to hit the ball without being overwhelmed by the bowler he is facing. This is how a batsman should be. I have a similar instinct and the guts to hit the ball out of the ground, no matter who the bowler in front of me is. I think I need to work on my temperament by playing more first-class cricket to get myself refined for top cricket.

As Rangers’ search for a manager continues, a TalkSPORT pundit has shared what he’s heard from one candidate’s camp that reflects badly on Kevin Thelwell and the Ibrox higher ups.

Latest on Rangers' search for a manager

After confirming that Steven Smith, Brian Gilmour, Rhys Owen and Sal Bibbo will lead Rangers against Dundee United this weekend, it’s clear that the 49ers are still finalising their next manager.

It’s no real surprise that they’ve shown plenty of patience when deciding the next man for the job, however. After all, Russell Martin lasted just 123 days and represents the dire start that the 49ers have endured at Ibrox. Simply put, after that failure, they must get their next appointment right.

With their patience has come several candidates, ranging from the likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all the way to current favourite Kevin Muscat. The latter has emerged as an option for the second time in his career, having been linked with the job before Philippe Clement arrived in 2023.

Unlike 2023, however, the job could now be Muscat’s to take. The 52-year-old has enjoyed an excellent spell at Shanghai Port and is on course to win the Chinese Super League with just four games to go. But that hands Rangers quite the dilemma.

Rangers share coaching news as four faces named to staff ahead of Dundee United

The Gers will hope for a bounce back result at Ibrox.

ByBen Goodwin Oct 16, 2025

If they want to hire Muscat, then they may be forced to wait until November 22 before he officially arrives. That means that they’d have to find a temporary solution for the next seven games in a decision that would certainly do Thelwell no favours.

The sporting director is already under pressure and one talkSPORT pundit has now shared news that may only compile his misery at Ibrox.

Tanner shares "rumbles" in Gerrard camp

Speaking about the Liverpool legend’s recent decision to reject a return to Ibrox, talkSPORT pundit David Tanner shared what he’s heard from Steven Gerrard’s camp about Rangers, the 49ers and Thelwell.

Given how things have started for Thelwell, from appointing Martin to signing a group of players that are yet to make their mark, more criticism is the last thing that he needs.

In the end, however, the 49ers were seemingly not ready to compromise their sporting director’s role to welcome Gerrard back to Ibrox. Whether they live to regret that decision will certainly be interesting to watch in the coming months.

The captain returns for the first two T20Is against West Indies after recovering from a side strain

Mohammad Isam23-Oct-2025Bangladesh have their T20I captain back with Litton Das returning to the squad for the first two T20Is against West Indies in Chattogram next week. Litton had missed Bangladesh’s last five T20Is after suffering a side strain during the Asia Cup last month. He missed two matches in that tournament as well as the 3-0 win over Afghanistan in Sharjah, where Jaker Ali led the side in his absence.Litton is back in the squad now at Mohammad Saifuddin’s expense. The 28-year-old allrounder bowled superbly in the third T20I against Afghanistan, taking 3 for 15 in three overs.The Bangladesh selectors also left out Soumya Sarkar, who had technically been part of the squad against Afghanistan but did not get to play since he did not get his visa for the UAE, with Parvez Hossain Emon replacing him. Soumya’s non-selection for the West Indies T20Is comes on a day when he scored an 86-ball 91 in the third ODI in Dhaka.The core of the squad that beat Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Netherlands and Afghanistan in consecutive bilateral series remains in place for Bangladesh. Litton will have Saif Hassan, Parvez and Tanzid Hasan for compant in the top-order, withTowhid Hridoy, Jaker, Shamim Hossain and Nurul Hasan in the middle-order.Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan will make up the spin attack, with Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam forming the customary four-man pace attack.The three T20Is will be played in Chattogram on October 27, 29 and 31.Bangladesh squad for first two T20Is against West IndiesLitton Das (capt & wk), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Nurul Hasan (wk), Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam.

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany hailed Luis Diaz’s “chaotic creativity” after the winger helped his side return to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over St. Pauli on Saturday afternoon. The Colombia international scored deep into stoppage time as the German giants successfully put their midweek loss at Arsenal in the Champions League to bed.

Diaz's late heroics inspire Bayern to victory over St. Pauli

With the scoreline 1-1 heading into stoppage time at the Allianz Arena, Bayern looked on course to drop points against strugglers St. Pauli. The visitors took the lead after just six minutes when Burnley loanee Andreas Hountondji stunned the home supporters, before Diaz kick started his heroics with an incredible assist.

The former Liverpool forward was on the ground when he somehow managed to flick the ball back to defender Raphael Guerreiro, who fired home to restore parity for Kompany’s men. And then after three minutes of additional time in the second half, Diaz headed home what looked to be the winner for Bayern, only for substitute Nicolas Jackson to make it 3-1 on 90+7.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportColombia forward missed Arsenal defeat following UEFA ban

The victory saw Bayern bounce back from their 3-1 loss against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday. Tasting defeat for the first time in Europe’s elite club competition this season, the Bundesliga heavyweights fell to goals from Jurrien Timber, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli after youngster Lennart Karl scored in the first half.

Diaz was absent from Bayern’s trip to north London after being handed a three-game UEFA ban following a poor challenge on Paris Saint-Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi on 4 November. The 28-year-old will also miss the Bavarians’ next two Champions League games against Portuguese side Sporting CP and Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise on 9 December and 21 January respectively.

Bayern boss Kompany waxes lyrical over Diaz's superb assist

But after inspiring Bayern to an all-important victory which saw them move eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, manager Kompany was full of praise for Diaz after the game.

Describing Diaz’s remarkable assist for Guerreiro’s equaliser, Kompany said: “Lucho has got a kind of 'chaotic creativity'. He can always do something in chaos.

“As a [former] defender, I always found it uncomfortable to play against such players because you never know whether you have the ball under control or he has it. He kept his head up while on the ground and played a great pass. He did the exact same move in training yesterday. That's a quality of his.”

And hailing Bayern’s collective grit, Kompany added: “Such hard-fought wins are part of a season. That gives us confidence in the future that we can win in such situations. Compliments to the boys that they kept going and believed in themselves. We need that over the course of the season.”

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Getty Images SportBundesliga giants' director of sport issues Kane update

One player who did not find the back of the net against St. Pauli was Harry Kane, who has forged a brilliant relationship with Diaz in 2025-26. England captain Kane has scored 24 goals in just 20 games in all competitions for Bayern this season, while ex-Porto man Diaz has netted 12 times so far.

However, while he was unable to add to his goal tally on Saturday, Kane was a topic of discussion after the game as Bayern director of sport Max Eberl issued a cryptic update on the striker’s future.

When asked whether Bayern have entered into contract renewal discussions with Kane, whose current terms expire in 2027, Eberl told : “Harry knows exactly what he wants and we have plans for him. We would like to continue. We can very, very well imagine that, but we will basically discuss everything with Harry.”

And when pressed on the future of defender Dayot Upamecano, whose contract expires next summer, Eberl added: “We definitely want it [a renewal]. I think we've communicated that clearly enough. I believe he feels very, very comfortable here.”

And when was the last time three batters from the same team topped the ICC Test batting rankings?

Steven Lynch20-Jun-2023At Edgbaston Jimmy Anderson embarked on his tenth Ashes series. Has anyone else played in so many? asked Mark Carlisle form England

Jimmy Anderson has played a part in all ten Ashes series since 2006-07, although he might want to forget 2019 in England, when he managed only four overs before suffering an injury that kept him out for the rest of the summer.There’s a complication here in that the Ashes were not officially at stake in several series (including one-off Tests). For a start the Ashes were inaugurated in 1882, after Australia won a Test at The Oval, so were not actually contested until 1882-83. More recently one-off landmark Tests in 1976-77, 1980 and 1987-88 are not official Ashes matches, while the ECB declined to put the urn up for grabs for the three-match series in 1979-80.And so there are two answers to your question, depending whether you’re talking about all England-Australia Tests, or just official Ashes matches. The only other player to have taken part in ten Ashes series since the Second World War is another Englishman, Colin Cowdrey, between 1954-55 and 1974-75, and including six in Australia. Sticking with Ashes-only for now, the English allrounders Johnny Briggs (1884 to 1899) and Wilfred Rhodes (1899 to 1926), took part in 11 Ashes series, while the famed Surrey opener Jack Hobbs featured in ten. Briggs actually almost made it 12 – he was named in England’s team for the abandoned 1890 Test at Old Trafford, which does not count in the records. The Ashes-only record is held by another Australian, Syd Gregory, who featured in no fewer than 15 different series between 1890 and 1912; in all, he played 52 Tests against England. His sometime team-mate, wicketkeeper Jack Blackham, took part in 11 Ashes series.On balance, I think the overall figures for all England-Australia series are more authentic. In all, Blackham played in 17 series against England, to Gregory’s 15; another early Australian, Alec Bannerman, took part in 13 (only eight of them official Ashes encounters). Two more Australians, Allan Border and George Giffen, also took part in 11 (three non-Ashes each). Apart from Cowdrey and Hobbs, there are nine further players who have appeared in ten series, including Cowdrey and Hobbs, as well as Geoff Boycott, Graham Gooch, Rod Marsh and Steve Waugh, who all featured in at least one non-Ashes series.Surrey scored 501 to beat Kent recently. Is this the highest fourth-innings total to win a match in England, or indeed anywhere? asked Chris Harvey from England

Surrey’s 501 for 5 to defeat Kent in Canterbury last week was the fourth-highest successful run-chase in English first-class cricket, and second in the County Championship only to Middlesex’s 502 for 6 to beat Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in 1925. At Lord’s in 1896, Cambridge University amassed 507 for 7 to beat MCC, while four years later the Players defeated the Gentlemen at Lord’s by reaching 502 for 8 in the second innings.Worldwide, a side has only successfully scored 500 or more to win on five other occasions. The highest is West Zone’s 541 for 7 to beat South Zone in the final of India’s Duleep Trophy in Hyderabad in 2009-10. The highest fourth-innings total, regardless of result, remains England’s 654 for 5 (chasing 696) to draw against South Africa in Durban in 1938-39. For the full list of the highest fourth-innings totals (not just in wins), click here.The ICC batting rankings going into the Ashes series had Australians in the top three places. When was the last time this happened? asked Jamie Constantine from Australia

The ICC Test batting rankings issued just before the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston last week had Marnus Labuschagne at No. 1, with a ranking of 903. Steve Smith (885) was second, just ahead of Travis Head, whose 163 in the World Test Championship final against India at The Oval boosted his ranking to 884, one more than the New Zealander Kane Williamson.The last time three batters from the same team topped the rankings was back in December 1984, when the top three were the West Indians Gordon Greenidge (810), Clive Lloyd (787) and Larry Gomes (773). For more details, click here.All of Graeme Smith’s 27 Test hundreds came in wins or draws for South Africa•Getty ImagesI heard that England never lost when Geoff Boycott scored a Test century. Is that true, and is it a record? asked Michael Richmond from England

Geoff Boycott scored 22 Test centuries, and it’s true that England did not lose any of those matches. It actually equalled the record at the time, which was held by another famous England batter in Wally Hammond. More recently, Ian Bell also scored 22 Test centuries, and England did not lose any of those matches either. The record, however, is now held by Graeme Smith: he scored 27 Test centuries, and South Africa never lost when he reached three figures. Next on the list is Gordon Greenidge, whose 19 Test centuries all came in West Indian wins or draws, with none in defeat.At the other end of the spectrum, five batters scored seven Test centuries, but did not win any of the matches in which they reached three figures: Asanka Gurusinha (Sri Lanka), Vijay Manjrekar (India), Lawrence Rowe (West Indies), and the New Zealand pair of Bevan Congdon and Andrew Jones (whose seven hundreds all came in draws).Louis Kimber was out obstructing the field in a match I was watching last week. How often has this happened in England? asked David Stevenson from Bristol

The Leicestershire batter Louis Kimber was given out obstructing the field against Gloucestershire in Bristol last week, after catching a ball that bounced up against him – he dropped the ball away from the stumps, but was given out on appeal. It’s a dismissal that would have been recorded as “handled the ball” until the Laws were revised in 2017.Kimber’s was the seventh obstructing the field dismissal in a first-class match in England (the fifth in the County Championship). The previous instance was by Surrey’s Mark Ramprakash, also against Gloucestershire, in Cheltenham in 2011. England’s Len Hutton was out obstructing the field – the only such instance in a Test match – against South Africa at The Oval in 1951. Overall, there have now been 35 instances of this type of dismissal in first-class cricket around the world.Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

Hobart Hurricanes opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s unbeaten half-century secured a thrilling four-wicket win over Adelaide Strikers.Wyatt-Hodge, the golden cap owner for most runs for the season, paced her 72 not out off 57 to perfection to get the undefeated Hurricanes home with two deliveries to spare.Strikers fast bowler Darcie Brown (4 for 16) had threatened to win the match for her side with equal career-best figures, which allowed her to wear the golden cap for most wickets for the summer to date.Hurricanes pace bowler Hayley Silver-Holmes hit consecutive boundaries in the last over off Megan Schutt to secure victory at Bellerive Oval as they chased down Adelaide’s 134.Related

• Lee and Wyatt-Hodge keep Hurricanes on top and Heat winless

• Hat-trick hero Bray wants to stay a two-sport sensation

Wyatt-Hodge, who now has 251 runs in just four games this season, took 18 runs from 19-year-old Eleanor Larosa’s first over in the WBBL, including four boundaries in a row highlighted by some delightful timing through the offside.Lizelle Lee (12 runs) flicked a six with ease over deep square leg before chopping on a Brown delivery after a breezy 33-run opening stand. Brown had her rhythm working and bowled stump-to-stump. Nat Sciver-Brunt tried an ill-conceived ramp and heard the death rattle.Next on Brown’s hit list was Nicola Carey who was well caught at first slip by Amanda-Jade Wellington. Then a fast Brown yorker went straight through Heather Graham.Though wickets fell at the other end, Wyatt-Hodge kept finding the boundary when she needed to and picked up her ones and twos as well.Hurricanes are doing everything right in the early stages of the season. Their bowlers are picking up wickets with regularity and their fielders are backing them up with quality work.Strikers never got going early in their innings after being sent in and the pressure built and built. Carey’s inswingers tied up the Strikers and she made the early breakthrough to get rid of Tammy Beaumont.Adelaide’s best batter Laura Wolvaardt was well caught at mid-off by skipper Elyse Villani from the crafty offspin of Lauren Smith. Seamer Heather Graham (2-23) knocked over Madeline Penna with a peach of a delivery that seamed in and after 10 overs the visitors had dawdled to 3-45.Captain Tahlia McGrath appeared to be finding the form that has eluded her in the opening round but couldn’t kick on. Wicketkeeper Bridget Patterson (24) was another who failed to make the most of a start.Strikers legspinner Wellington (33 not out off 21) was the most creative and effective batter in her late cameo. Left-arm orthodox turner Linsey Smith (1-11 off four) gave nothing away in a wily spell for the Hurricanes.

da poker： Newcastle United have been sculpted into a force over the past four years. Eddie Howe has been the architect of this staggering rise, qualifying twice for the Champions League inside three seasons and, last year, beating Liverpool to lift the Carabao Cup.

da betcris： The summer transfer window was a testing one for many reasons, but United have assembled a group of players ready to compete at the highest level once again.

But there’s no question that there’s work to be done. After all, the Toon sit 14th in the Premier League, and new signings are still bedding in.

But there’s so much world-class talent at Howe’s disposal, and the manager and his side’s success in tying down Sandro Tonali to a new contract is evidence of how mighty St. James’ Park is becoming.

Sandro Tonali's new contract at Newcastle

It has come to light that Tonali secretly signed a contract extension at Newcastle during his betting ban, meaning his new deal runs until 2029, with the club holding the power to activate a one-year extension.

The Italy international is now set to star at Newcastle for many years to come, and if interest does heat up, the Toon will hold all the cards concerning a player who has blended athleticism with intelligence and technical grace to become “one of the best footballers to ever play for Newcastle”, according to one prominent online supporter.

The bond he has forged with Bruno Guimaraes in the centre of St. James’ Park is a thing to behold. Together, they are supercharging Howe’s system, piecing together this next stage in Howe’s project, so the recent success will not be remembered as a flash in the pan.

Though the 25-year-old suffered through some adversity at the start of his career in England, he has since repaid the £55m investment and then some, good enough to become the next £100m+ sale.

The loss of Alexander Isak to Arne Slot’s Premier League champions? That one stung. But Newcastle banked a record-breaking £125m cheque for the departure of their former talisman.

And, whisper it quietly, but the Sweden striker’s sale has been cushioned and then some by the redirection of the funds.

Howe's latest Newcastle superstar

He’s the talk of the Toon. Despite raising eyebrows upon their club-record £69m acquisition of Nick Woltemade, the German striker is proving his worth and then some at the front of Howe’s system.

The 23-year-old is quickly climbing up to the high ground on which Tonali stands, and he could enter a similar £100m ballpark with a continuation of the resounding early performances in black and white.

Already, Woltemade has scored five goals for Newcastle, having only played eight times.

When fellow forward signing Yoane Wissa pulled up with a knee injury on international duty with DR Congo after completing his £55m transfer from Brentford to the north east, fears were heightened.

Isak had departed, had he not? And Wissa was the free-scoring, Premier League-tuned striker. But Woltemade has allayed concerns and then some with his displays over the past few months.

Howe and his analytical staff will have known all about Woltemade’s quality, but it’s hard to imagine they expected such a fast and seamless start to life in a new land.

BBC Sport analyst Raj Chohan has even said that “there’s no striker on the planet who moves the ball like Woltemade.”

He’s not Isak, but that’s the beauty of it. Newcastle have signed a player with the potential to emulate elements of the 26-year-old’s game while adding his own flair and personality to the front of Howe’s system.

Nick Woltemade vs Alexander Isak (past 12 months)

Stats (per 90)

Woltemade

Isak

Goals

0.68

0.61

Assists

0.08

0.20

Shots taken

2.29

3.00

Shot-creating actions

3.74

2.79

Touches (att pen)

7.12

6.06

Pass completion (%)

72.9

75.4

Progressive passes

2.53

3.17

Progressive carries

1.41

2.52

Successful take-ons

1.37

1.36

Ball recoveries

2.61

1.84

Aerial duels won

2.05

0.89

Data via FBref

The forwards’ comparable strength in directly taking on their opponents with the ball at their feet demonstrates their technical level. It absolutely accentuates Woltemade’s individual talent. Isak is more of an unrelenting runner, and he’s faster besides, but Woltemade arguably has neater close control.

Moreover, the Germany international’s technical skill has been picked up in his recent weeks on Tyneside, with reporter Andy Sixsmith hailing him for flair, saying the phenom’s “link-up play is mesmerising”.

The transfer chatter, would you believe it, has already started up. German publication BILD have recently revealed that Bayern Munich, who had earmarked Woltemade as a summer transfer target, are still keeping a watchful eye on the lanky forward, with the report going on to suggest he dreams of returning to his homeland and signing for Die Roten one day.

That’s nice, but if the Isak saga tells us one thing, it’s that Newcastle will only let their prized pieces leave if they get bang for their buck.

And if Woltemade has started as he means to go on for the Tynesiders, he’s not going to be going anywhere for a figure beneath that which saw Isak book a one-way trip to Anfield.

It’s early days yet, and the rangy talent must now work on building consistency in the final third. But the early readings are oh-so promising, and Woltemade is already shaping up to be the real deal and perhaps the biggest star since Tonali blossomed.

Related Howe can forget Elanga by unleashing Newcastle's teen who's 'like Yamal'

Eddie Howe may turn to the academy to help build fluency down Newcastle’s right side.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Oct 23, 2025

Shanaka is no one’s idea of a world-class bowler but he makes it work against Bangladesh with his 3 for 28

Andrew Fidel Fernando10-Sep-20231:51

Maharoof: Shanaka brings balance to the team when he bowls

When your last seven scores are 5, 14*, 1, 5, 0, 5 and 1, these things tend to happen. Like a man rifling frantically through all his pockets for a misplaced key, Dasun Shanaka is reaching for deliveries he doesn’t usually reach for, lunging when he doesn’t usually lunge, and mis-hitting almost every shot in an anxious 32-ball 24 that sets Sri Lanka on track for another fizzling finish.It has been almost nine months since Shanaka struck 108 not out off 88 against India in Guwahati. Since then, he has played 14 ODI innings, averaged 10.69, and struck at a truly abysmal 73.15.Such has been the extent of his batting misery, and so desperate a figure does he cut with bat in hand, you wonder if he thinks he will ever find his old self again. Whether he still believes the thing big-hitting batters such as himself are supposed to believe: that the shot that thumps him back into rhythm – like an old TV screen that comes right when you hit it hard enough – is just around the corner.Related

• Samarawickrama: Taking the game a little deeper gave us momentum

• Silverwood wants Shanaka, Dhananjaya 'to provide firepower'

• Is Sri Lanka's tame finish in ODIs a cause for concern?

• Shakib seeks batting fix after 'reality check' ahead of World Cup

But this is not your run-of-the-mill plunge into despair. There are other statistics. Under Shanaka’s leadership, Sri Lanka have now won 13 consecutive ODIs, something only the greatest ODI team of all time has ever done before. They’ve bowled out their opposition in all 13 of those matches, despite their best fast bowler – Dushmantha Chameera – having been injured for most of that run. Wanindu Hasaranga has played no part in their three Asia Cup victories so far. Promising left-armer Dilshan Madushanka has not been available in this tournament either.There are huge caveats to these numbers, of course. Of the teams playing in this year’s World Cup, Sri Lanka have defeated only Afghanistan (three times), Bangladesh (twice), and Netherlands (twice) during this stretch. None of these sides are what you would call long-standing cricketing powers. But still, Sri Lanka have won 22 matches and lost only 13 under Shanaka. In ODIs since 2016 in which he was not captain, Sri Lanka won just 28 and lost 63.A quick vibe check, as we can’t be all about numbers: it doesn’t feel as depressing to be a follower of Sri Lankan cricket since Shanaka took over the white-ball teams. Even if he himself barely looks like he can hold a bat right now.What Shanaka can do, however, is contribute with the ball. It is, by a distance, his second skill. Maybe even his third, given his fielding in the circle is routinely outstanding. On Saturday, having seen Bangladesh’s batters go after Maheesh Theekshana early, and sensing that perhaps this was a plan they had hatched, Shanaka brought himself on to bowl the fourth over and, however gentle his pace, began making the ball curve late enough through the air to trouble batters.He raised a mild lbw appeal in his first over, conceded just five runs across his next three overs, and eventually created the pressure that yielded two wickets. Mehidy Hasan Miraz pulled a shortish ball straight to midwicket. Mohammad Naim top-edged what in Shanaka’s world is a bouncer, which eventually settled in the gloves of the wicketkeeper. By the end of his first spell, Shanaka had given away 15 from six overs. It was, in effect, a tone-setting effort.Dasun Shanaka dismissed Bangladesh’s openers in his back-to-back overs•Associated PressBangladesh never truly recovered from these six overs, delivered by a captain who does not usually operate in the early stages of an innings but, perhaps because so much else was going wrong for him, felt he needed to find responsibilities elsewhere.Shanaka is no one’s idea of a world-class bowler. Just as Sri Lanka is no one’s idea of a world-class ODI team, at present. But together, for now, they are making it work. Kind of. In their previous win, against Afghanistan, they had kind of tumbled into like a drunk crashing into a soft haystack.And his problems will persist beyond this match. There are lots of things a captain can’t really do when they’re in this much of a personal chasm. They can’t comfortably make the kinds of tough selection calls on match day that are sometimes required. They can’t twist arms and draft players that are not on the selectors’ radar. They can’t talk tough within the team, and certainly not in public. They can’t take strong stands, which is a thing you often need to do when your board is Sri Lanka Cricket.You suspect Shanaka is not a natural arm-twister/tough talker/stand-taker anyway. But in men’s elite sport, which even in 2023 rewards the more brusque expressions of masculinity, it would be nice to have the option of being a generalissimo, even just occasionally.That ODIs have been Sri Lanka’s worst format since their batting Valar (TM Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardana etc) retired is pretty well understood. But right now, it feels like a side that is spinning like a top – beautiful in its current motion, but susceptible to collapsing with the lightest gust, a glancing touch of a finger.Shanaka is at least partly responsible for this revival. On Saturday, his batting failed again. But he took 3 for 28 from nine overs, and led Sri Lanka to another victory.

Neymar has seen another transfer door open in front of him, with Boca Juniors captain Leandro Paredes claiming that the Argentine outfit are prepared to “wait” for the Brazilian superstar. Neymar is in the process of running down his contract during a second spell at Santos, with it previously being suggested that he could reunite with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami once hitting free agency.

• Santos struggle: Neymar ready for another new challenge

  The 33-year-old playmaker appears destined to accept another new challenge early in 2026. An emotional return to where it all began for him at Santos has not worked out as planned – with Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer enduring more injury issues while becoming wedged in an unexpected relegation battle.

  A parting of ways there appears inevitable, with Neymar looking to make a fresh start ahead of next summer’s World Cup. A return to Europe for the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward has been ruled out, with it likely that he will remain in the Americas.

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• Getty
  

  Boca captain in contact with Neymar

  There has been talk of rival outfits in his homeland expressing interest, while a move across the border to Argentina would allow him to link up with ex-PSG team-mate Paredes in Buenos Aires.

  With Boca Juniors having Copa Libertadores action on their agenda for 2026, Paredes has told of potentially welcoming a familiar face to La Bombonera: “I talk to Ney a lot. The truth is, I have a very good relationship with him. We're friends. We're always in contact, but he's at his club, we have to respect the other clubs, the decisions of the other players, so I can't say much.”

  Paredes went on to say with a smile: “We'll wait for him if he wants!”

• MSN reformed: Will Neymar join Messi in Miami?

  Boca will likely face competition for Neymar’s signature from Inter Miami, with ex-USMNT goalkeeper Brad Friedel telling GOAL recently of why a deal that could see the fabled ‘MSN’ attacking unit reformed makes sense: “I think it would be a risk on anyone’s behalf; I think it just depends on how you would structure the contract. You also have to weigh the pros and cons — when you sign legends of the game like Neymar, you also have to take into account the commercial opportunities that go with it, and it coincides nearly every time with the salary and wage packet that you are going to give.

  “The plus side is, it is a league that is a step down from where he is playing. Lionel Messi is the greatest of all time, but he can play many more years in MLS. It is a league that will allow players to do that, so I think Inter Miami need to weigh the pros and cons of what they can earn off the field and try to get it correct.

  “If they can structure the contract correctly, then it limits the risk. Having Neymar alongside Messi again — I am not sure. We will wait and see, but the league needs to do something commercially.”

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  Homecoming for Dybala? Another option for Boca

  While waiting to discover what Neymar has planned, Paredes has also reacted to the news that Argentina international team-mate Paulo Dybala could head home if he chooses to sever ties with Serie A side Roma.

  Paredes, who played alongside his fellow World Cup winner in Italy, added: “Having a player like Paulo on the team, with his quality and stature, would be spectacular. I'll let each person make their own decision; I can't interfere, it's not my place. There are so many things to consider, and he's about to become a father too. I hope he makes the best decision for himself and his family. We're waiting for him here with undiminished hope.”

  Dybala’s contract in Rome is due to expire at the end of the 2025-26 campaign. It may be that he decides to head home – having left Argentina for Italy in 2012 – while Neymar also faces a huge decision on what the immediate future holds for him as questions are asked of whether he is still capable of delivering moments of match-altering brilliance.