The latest in football, tennis, cricket, and global athletics — scores, analysis, and long-form features.
For examples of how little a team’s form in the World Cup run-in matters in the tournament itself, look no further than the US
The most recent data shows stark levels of inactivity in one of the poorest areas in the country but the West Midlands is fighting back
Rival fans have raged after 11 of Mikel Arteta’s players withdrew from action with their countries before the season finale
NWSL newcomers attracted more than 60,000 fans to Mile High Stadium for landmark fixture against Washington
Whether in the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat, coaches and players at this NCAA women’s tournament have found the fun in basketball again
The IBF and WBC welterweight champion on returning to the ring, boxing politics and her imminent wedding
Thomas Tuchel played down the significance of latest friendlies and history suggests team lineups can have little bearing on actual tournament
Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord named as Mary Fowler rested after Asian Cup with Australia to play 153rd-ranked Malawi followed by India or Kenya
Sjoeke Nüsken’s 94th-minute goal gave Chelsea a 1-0 win in the Women’s Champions League quarter-final second leg but Arsenal won 3-2 on aggregate while the home manager was sent off late on
From Algeria to Uzbekistan, our writers and contributors from around the world assess the state of the 48 nations to qualify for the World Cup
The Manchester United manager would like to sign more experienced players after two late goals ensured Bayern Munich’s progress to the last four of the Women’s Champions League
Former athletes like me know that in professional sports you can get away with most things … as long as you’re talented enough
The head coach said of the midfielder, who failed to impress in the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan: ‘He was excellent in camp but struggles on the pitch’
Best-laid plans of the head coach fell apart with his likely World Cup leaders all missing during problematic friendlies at Wembley
Roberto Baggio proposed an overhaul of talent pathway in 2011 but it was never acted on and the national team’s approach now is just not working
Wilson and Davidson will return to the fold after long absences a trio of games against the recent Asian Cup champions
The former England and Tottenham forward has had to be patient to get his chance but he ‘was never going to give up’
At 17, Cooper Lutkenhaus is the youngest world champion in track and field history – and potentially USA’s poster boy for LA28
Alisha Joyce returned to the rugby pitch in March just 123 days after giving birth and a week later was named in Wales’s squad for the Women’s Six Nations
Italian manager guided his team past Kosovo in their playoff final, with Kenan Yildiz a burgeoning superstar