Former England captain seeks inspiration from the pioneering Kevin Pietersen as he heads a 12-strong contingent of compatriots in 2026’s tournament “I will always be grateful for what the IPL gave me,” Kevin Pietersen tells Jos Buttler. “It gave me a lot of controversy, I earned a lot of money,...
Wales agony as Bosnia and Herzegovina win penalty shootout to end World Cup hopes
Two years to the day since penalty shootout heartbreak against Poland, more agony from 12 yards for Wales, this time to deny them a shot at reaching this summer’s World Cup. Bosnia and Herzegovina prevailed 4-2 on spot-kicks after a typically absorbing night in the Welsh capital, one that went...
From Laurel Hubbard to sex testing in five years: why the Olympics U-turned on transgender rules | Sean Ingle
The IOC’s shift in position on trans women in elite sports is seismic, but new president Kirsty Coventry is reflecting a changed political climate By any measure, it amounts to one of the most astonishing U-turns from a governing body in modern times. Four and a half years ago, the...
Italy and Northern Ireland target return to international football’s top table
Gli Azzurri start favourites in the World Cup playoff on Thursday but Michael O’Neill says his young team will show no fear The shorter wait is the one worthy of considerably more attention. Four decades have passed since Northern Ireland appeared at a World Cup, which was their second tournament...
Lily James, Andy Murray and a million Britons: padel’s rise nears milestone
UK participation levels more than doubled in 2025 860,000 Britons played padel at least once last year It was once seen as a quirky upstart or continental fad. But padel now has nearly a million players across the UK after participation levels more than doubled in 2025. According to LTA...
Ipswich Town have hard questions to answer after Nigel Farage PR disaster | Nick Ames
Reform’s use of the football club has shocked fans and left the ownership red faced but how did it happen? When photographs of Nigel Farage’s visit to Portman Road went viral on Tuesday morning, a wave of shock quickly spread among Ipswich Town’s staff. Some were furious, others genuinely devastated...
Manchester United left reeling in WCL by late strike from Bayern Munich’s Tanikawa
When they took the lead for the third time at Old Trafford, Bayern Munich fans were singing ‘football’s coming home’, taunting the hosts. Their prediction remains to be seen but they will take a priceless one-goal lead back to Germany for the second leg of this quarter-final, meaning Manchester United...
Revealed: secret plans for two-day London Marathon with 100,000 runners
‘Double London Marathon’ plans backed by mayor’s office 2027 event would raise tens of millions more for charity The London Marathon is in advanced talks about staging a two-day event in 2027, allowing tens of thousands more runners to take part in the iconic race and to raise tens of...
‘There won’t be any regrets’: Bellamy steels Wales for last World Cup push
Before meeting with Bosnia and Herzegovina, head coach has urged his players to step up and embrace the occasion “Have you ever seen Usain Bolt in the 100m?” Craig Bellamy asks a crowd of journalists at Wales’s hub in Hensol on the eve of the World Cup playoff semi‑final against...
Jessica Pegula left frustrated as Elena Rybakina roars back to reach Miami last four
Rybakina completes 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback win American slumps to fifth straight defeat to Kazakhstani Jessica Pegula had her chances. Midway through the second set of yet another showdown with Elena Rybakina, the American had engineered a flawless start. After bulldozing through the opening set, Pegula’s level at the beginning...