Wednesday, May 13
President Trump announced the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will be held at the Kennedy Center, during a meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Trump joked about keeping the World Cup trophy and suggested Vladimir Putin might attend. He assured easy visa access for most fans, despite stricter rules for some nations, highlighting safety measures for the event in Washington.
Cristiano Ronaldo achieved another milestone, becoming the first player to score 100 goals for four different clubs, reaching the mark for Al-Nassr in a Saudi Super Cup final. Despite Ronaldo's penalty and subsequent shootout conversion, Al-Nassr lost to Al-Ahli. The Portuguese star previously surpassed 100 goals for Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus.
Garry Kasparov ignited controversy by suggesting Gukesh's world title lacks the prestige of past champions, despite Gukesh winning fairly. He implied Magnus Carlsen's era redefined the title's significance, prompting strong defence from Susan Polgar, who highlighted Gukesh's Candidates Tournament victory and criticised double standards. Gukesh continues to face intense scrutiny as he competes in the Sinquefield Cup.
Garry Kasparov commented on Gukesh's recent world championship win during the Sinquefield Cup. Kasparov acknowledged Gukesh's victory but questioned his status as the strongest player. He contrasted Gukesh's title with those of past champions like Magnus Carlsen. Kasparov later apologised while standing by his opinion. He highlighted the excitement for future Candidates and world championship matches.
Real Madrid faces Real Oviedo at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere, aiming for a stronger performance after a narrow 1-0 victory against Osasuna. Oviedo, returning to La Liga after 23 years, seeks to challenge the European champions, buoyed by a sold-out home crowd. New signings like Trent Alexander-Arnold featured in Madrid's opener, with young Argentine Franco Mastantuono debuting.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their first IPL title in 2025, marking a new era after a mega auction. Strategic signings like Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar bolstered their squad, leading to Mohammed Siraj's departure. Director Mo Bobat highlighted the tough decision to release Siraj, prioritizing Bhuvneshwar's versatility.
Chelsea defeated West Ham 5-1 after an initial setback. Lucas Paqueta scored first for West Ham. Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto, and Enzo Fernandez responded for Chelsea. Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah further extended Chelsea's lead. Cole Palmer missed the match due to injury. Estevao debuted for Chelsea. Graham Potter faces pressure after the defeat.
Amitabh Bachchan praised Sachin Tendulkar's exceptional cricketing intellect, recalling instances where Tendulkar accurately predicted game scenarios. Bachchan highlighted Tendulkar's profound knowledge and ability to foresee movements in the game and bowling strategies. Recently, the Tendulkar family celebrated Arjun Tendulkar's engagement and Sara Tendulkar's launch of her Pilates studio, marking significant personal milestones.
Jasprit Bumrah's dedication to cricket is evident in his disciplined lifestyle. Former bowling coach Bharat Arun highlighted Bumrah's instant commitment to healthy habits, forsaking junk food to enhance his bowling. This sacrifice, coupled with his unique action, has made him a crucial asset for India, carefully managed to ensure his availability for major tournaments like the Asia Cup.
Amidst Mumbai's traffic, Rohit Sharma's humble gesture towards fans went viral, showcasing his down-to-earth nature. BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla addressed speculations about farewell matches for Sharma and Virat Kohli, clarifying that retirement decisions rest solely with the players. Both stars, now focused on ODIs, will next play in Australia this October.
