12 h. ago Heat stress and extreme weather threaten 2026 World Cup, report finds

World Cup may be forced into winter in futureReports also looks at risks for 2030 and 2034 editionsThe 2026 World Cup could be North America’s last without urgent climate adaptation, according to a new study highlighting extreme weather threats.The Pitches in Peril report found that 10 of the 16 venues are at very high risk of experiencing extreme heat stress conditions. By 2050, nearly 90% of North America’s host stadiums will require adaptation to extreme heat while one third will face water demand equalling or exceeding supply. Continue reading...

Society

27 h. ago Ché Adams on target as Scotland cruise to victory against Belarus

The stodginess of Scotland’s performance before Ché Adams broke the deadlock ultimately proved irrelevant. In a truncated qualifying campaign the Scottish task was not to make the road to the World Cup an even longer one within one double header. Job done on that front, with four points out of six a wholly acceptable return. The visit of Greece to Hampden Park next month is hugely significant.Belarus lacked the nous and guile to inflict a bloody nose on Scotland. Still, recent struggles against packed defences meant nobody of Scottish persuasion could rest entirely easy until a 65th-minute own goal was added to the earlier Adams effort. Greek success and a comfortable one in Glasgow in March serves as a warning. Still, the Scots would have readily taken this position and opportunity before a Group C ball was kicked. Back-to-back clean sheets to start Scotland’s campaign bodes well. This looks like a robust, well-drilled team once again. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Declan Rice header keeps unbeaten England rolling in trudge past Andorra

It was nothing more than a contractual obligation fulfilled. There was little to see here at Villa Park. Or get excited about. England beat Andorra, as they always do. They did not concede against them, as always. And Thomas Tuchel’s record in World Cup qualifying Group K now shows the maximum number of points from four ties – and four clean sheets. The manager had talked about bringing greater aggression; more speed and penetration, helped by a cleaner and simpler approach. But it was not a game that demanded intense analysis. Rather it was one to tick off and move on from.It was better than the away fixture against Andorra, which was played in Barcelona in June, when England grubbed home by the only goal after a flat performance, hearing boos at half-time and full-time. But long before this one was over, the thoughts of most supporters had begun to turn to the tie against Serbia in Belgrade on Tuesday. That promises to be hostile; the acid test of qualification. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Man United's glum stars head in for showdown talks with Ruben Amorim

Man United's stars have been pictured arriving to their training ground this morning, just hours after an embarrassing Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Grimsby Town. 

Politics

1 week ago Glorious Grimsby humiliate Manchester United with shootout victory

Manchester United - bloody hell: after a quasi-farcical display that last-gasp somehow pulled them back to 2-2 and penalties, Ruben Amorim’s rabble lost a fevered shootout 12-11.When Bryan Mbeumo’s kick smacked Christy Pym’s bar Grimsby entered the nirvana of a cup-shock for the ages, delirious home fans invaded, and their song of “Oh when the Town go steaming in” sweetly summed up what had been administered to United. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Glorious Grimsby humiliate Manchester United with Carabao Cup shootout victory

Manchester United – bloody hell. After a quasi-farcical display that somehow pulled them back to 2-2 and penalties, Ruben Amorim’s rabble lost a fevered shootout 12-11.When Bryan Mbeumo’s kick smacked Christy Pym’s bar Grimsby entered the nirvana of a cup shock for the ages, delirious home fans invaded, and their song of “Oh when the Town go steaming in” sweetly summed up what had been administered to United. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Julia Schell scores six tries as Canada thrash Fiji in Women’s Rugby World Cup

Pool B: Canada 65-7 FijiImpressive Canada score 11 tries in ominous displayCanada are quietly going about their business as the dark horses of this World Cup with eyes firmly on the hosts, England, and defending champions New Zealand. The team may benefit from flying under the radar but it does not make them any less a contender for the trophy. The clinical nature of their opener against Fiji announced their arrival in England in style, particularly through the full-back Julia Schell who was spectacular in the second half as she scored six tries in 21 minutes.The fact Canada are being overlooked by many does not correlate to recent results with wins against Australia and the USA and a draw against the Black Ferns at Pacific Four. They are also ranked as the No 2 side in the world so the 11-try result was not surprising in the hugely physical battle which also saw replacement Fiji prop Bulou Vasuturaga shown a red card for a high tackle after a bunker review. Continue reading...

Sport

2 w. ago Australia run riot with 11 tries in Rugby World Cup win over Samoa

Pool A: Australia 73-0 SamoaWallaroos set their record tournament victoryAustralia made light work of Samoa with a flawless performance in Salford, registering their record margin of victory in a Women’s World Cup game to move top of Group A after the opening round of fixtures.With the competition expanding from 12 teams to 16, it was perhaps expected there would be some one-sided results. This was categorically one of those as the Wallaroos began their campaign with a dominant victory to tee up what will almost certainly be a winner-takes-all clash with USA next Saturday in York to qualify with England. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Nuno Mendes gets PSG party started in Super Cup shootout win against Spurs

Paris Saint-Germain 2-2 Tottenham (4-3 pens)PSG score two late goals to set up shootoutIt turns out the DNA of serial ­winners cannot be developed within three months. Tottenham should have been able to announce themselves kings of the continent here in Udine, flimsy though any grand statements after a Uefa Super Cup win might be. Thomas Frank had challenged them to back up the heroics of Bilbao with a statement in the Friulian heat and, by the evening’s end, he should have been basking in the kind of start that can define a new manager’s tenure.Instead he received a reminder that there is no quick fix to some deep-rooted habits. For long periods Spurs, faced with a lethargic Paris Saint-Germain, resembled a perfectly imprinted version of the Frank playbook. They pummelled their ­opponents in the air, their two-goal lead owing much to well-executed free-kicks and plenty more havoc arising besides. On top of that they looked at ease with a three-man back line that gave a stellar atta...

Events

4 w. ago Sam Long heroics help Bromley shock Ipswich on penalties in Carabao Cup

This remains a new world for Bromley. Recent entrants to the Football League, this home meeting with Ipswich was just their second Carabao Cup contest – now they have their first victory, delivered on penalties against a side who were in the top tier just three months ago.After Ben Johnson cancelled out Deji Elerewe’s first-half opener for Bromley, the night went to sudden death and belonged to Sam Long. He saved Ipswich’s first penalty, low to his right off George Hirst, and was required for another, denying Ali Al-Hamadi. Marcus Ifill provided the final blow, a memorable moment for a club not short of them in recent years. Continue reading...

Events