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ISTANBUL, July 6  -- Erling Haaland scored twice Sunday as Norway stunned Brazil 2-1 in a dramatic FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match at New York/New Jersey Stadium in the US, eliminating the five-time champions and securing their debut in the tournament’s quarterfinals. All three goals made the net within the last 25 minutes of the match, Anadolu Ajansi reported, with Haaland opening in the 79th minute after Andreas Schjelderup found him on the edge of the penalty area. The striker took a touch before driving a low header past goalkeeper Alisson Becker. He doubled Norway’s lead in the 90th minute with another low strike from outside the area, driving the ball into the bottom corner for his seventh goal of the tournament. The goal moved Haaland level with Argentina’s Lionel Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappe at the top of the 2026 World Cup scoring chart. Brazil pulled one back in the 10th minute of stoppage time when Neymar converted a penalty, but the late goal was not enough to prevent elimination. Brazil had also missed a first-half penalty, with Bruno Guimaraes’ spot kick saved by Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland. This year’s World Cup is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. It is the first edition to feature 48 teams. The tournament concludes July 19. Argentina is the defending champion. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU 

Haaland Double Sends Norway Past Brazil To Their 1st World Cup Quarterfinals

ISTANBUL, July 6 — Erling Haaland scored twice Sunday as Norway stunned Brazil 2-1 in a dramatic FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match at New York/New Jersey Stadium in .... read more

KUCHING, July 3, 2026 – Piala Cahya Mata 2026 held its highly anticipated group draw for the Sarawak leg of the tournament after attracting registrations of 32 teams and 256 teams nationwide, confirming the groupings for participating teams across eight states and Kuala Lumpur. The draw marks the next milestone for the tournament organised by Cahya Mata, which is set to become Malaysia's largest amateur community football tournament. With the completion of group draws for Negeri Sembilan and Sarawak, and with the remaining states to follow on July 5, approximately 6,400 players will compete in nationwide qualifiers, with each state champion taking home RM20,000 in prize money. The first match will take place in Seremban on July 5, 2026, followed by a concurrent kick-off in Sarawak, Sabah, Melaka, Perak, Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Pahang and Kelantan on July 18, 2026. To boost competition and inclusivity, the tournament also introduced the Challenger’s Cup at the state level. This format gives every team a second chance, where those defeated in their opening match will enter a secondary bracket, ensuring no team faces immediate elimination. The champion will bring home RM2,000, the first runner-up RM1,000, and the joint third-place finishers RM500 each. The showdown concludes this November as state champions converge at the Grand Finals in Kuching to compete for a championship prize of RM100,000. For match fixtures, venues and standings, visit Piala Cahya Mata 2026’s official site at cahyamata.sukandigital.com.

Piala Cahya Mata 2026 Group Draw Finalised Ahead of State Qualifiers

KUCHING, July 3 — Piala Cahya Mata 2026 held its highly anticipated group draw for the Sarawak leg of the tournament after attracting registrations of 32 teams and 256 teams .... read more

JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 1 -- WePlay, a global social entertainment platform operated by WEJOY PTE. LTD, announced a football-themed collaboration with Indonesia national team player Justin Quincy Hubner, inviting Indonesian users to share their hopes and messages for the future of Indonesian football online. Centered on football passion, fan expression, and interactive online participation, the campaign began at 12:00 on June 11, 2026, and runs until 24:00 on June 24, 2026.  Justin Quincy Hubner was born on September 14, 2003. He plays as a centre-back and defensive midfielder, currently represents Dutch Eredivisie club Fortuna Sittard, and plays for the Indonesia national team. The WePlay x Justin Hubner collaboration centers on the theme of cheering for Indonesia's football dream. Through WePlay's in-app plaza and the official WePlay Instagram account, users are invited to share their hopes for Indonesia to qualify for the next World Cup finals, or to leave messages for Justin Hubner, using campaign hashtags, comments, and friend interactions to participate. WePlay will randomly select eligible participants to receive limited rewards, including WePlay x Justin Hubner co-branded jerseys, a co-branded signed jersey, a Football Star avatar frame, and 600-coin red packets. Looking ahead, WePlay will continue to explore more ways to connect sports, entertainment, games, and social interaction around the interests of young users worldwide. Through localized content and themed campaigns, WePlay hopes to offer users not only light and enjoyable online entertainment experiences, but also more opportunities to express themselves, connect with friends, and participate in community conversations around shared interests and real emotions. About WePlay WePlay is a global social entertainment platform operated by WEJOY PTE. LTD. With the mission to "bring joy and friends to young people around the world," WePlay is dedicated to helping young users find joy and connection through games, voice-based interaction, and online entertainment experiences. The platform brings together multiplayer interactive games, voice rooms, virtual rooms, and other features to provide an easy, accessible online social entertainment experience. With the vision to "bring people together through games, lead the trend of global online social entertainment," WePlay continues to focus on young users' interest expression and localized community interaction, extending the sense of connection created through online entertainment into richer cultural and community scenarios.  -- PRNewswire Source: WEJOY PTE. LTD  

WePlay Teams Up with Justin Quincy Hubner for an Indonesia Football-Themed Campaign 

JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 1 — WePlay, a global social entertainment platform operated by WEJOY PTE. LTD, announced a football-themed collaboration with Indonesia national team player Justin Quincy Hubner, inviting Indonesian .... read more

KUALA LIPIS, June 30 -- Fitness athlete K. Jey Prabakaran Thevar or better known as Dr Kjey dedicated his third world record-breaking feat in the 18-hour non-stop cardio and weightlifting event to his late father. Last Sunday, the 29-year-old athlete successfully set his third world record through the event, thus cementing his name in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) and Influencer Book of World Records. The historic attempt began as early as 4 am and ended at 11 pm at Healthland Kuala Lipis, Pahang. Jey Prabakaran also described the feat as having a special meaning for him who lost his father, Kunasigaran Suppiya Thevar, who passed away on March 3, 1999. "Despite growing up without a father's love, the loss was a source of inspiration and strength that motivated me to continue fighting until I succeeded in bringing glory to the country on the world stage," he told reporters here yesterday. Dr Kjey has previously set records in MBOR and Guinness World Records (GWR) through the 12-hour and 15-hour cardio and weightlifting non-stop challenge in 2023 and 2024, in addition to also breaking the Asian record with a time of 13 hours. The Kuala Lipis, Pahang native said preparations for creating the new world record began immediately after he completed the national record challenge in conjunction with National Sports Day in October last year. Commenting on the attempt, Jey Prabakaran said he faced various challenges including having to lose weight, in addition to struggling to overcome fatigue and drowsiness throughout the attempt to break the record. "For this challenge, I completely changed my eating pattern to a vegetarian diet and managed to lose 32 kilogrammes before making the record attempt," he said. Meanwhile, Dr Kjey, who is also the president of the Malaysian India Fitness Association, hopes his achievement can inspire more youth to adopt a healthy lifestyle and venture into fitness. He also plans to attempt a national record of 5,000 jumping jacks in five hours in conjunction with National Sports Day scheduled to be held next October. -- BERNAMA 

Dr Kjey Dedicates Third World Record To Late Father

KUALA LIPIS, June 30 — Fitness athlete K. Jey Prabakaran Thevar or better known as Dr Kjey dedicated his third world record-breaking feat in the 18-hour non-stop cardio and weightlifting .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 -- National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen has left the door wide open for Ng Tze Yong to return to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), should he choose to do so. He insisted that the national governing body will always welcome the men's singles shuttler back, despite his decision to turn professional. Jonassen revealed that the decision came after a series of frank discussions between both parties, and stressed that it was the best possible outcome for everyone involved. "I keep an open-door policy. If he decides to come back, he knows he's always welcome here,” he told reporters after a training session at Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM), Bukit Kiara, here today. Jonassen admitted it was tough to part ways with a player of Tze Yong's calibre and natural flair, especially since he had been eagerly looking forward to working closely with the 26-year-old when he joined BAM in 2024. "From a personal side, it's always very tough to lose a player with the qualities and potential he has as a natural, really talented badminton player,” he said. Jonassen, however, remains confident that Tze Yong can still revive his career if he regains full fitness and rekindles the fire needed to battle the world's best. “I truly believe if he can settle his body and condition, he still has a great future,” he added.  BAM and national men's singles shuttler Tze Yong had mutually agreed to part ways, effective June 30. -- BERNAMA

Jonassen Leaves Door Wide Open For Tze Yong’s Return To BAM

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 — National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen has left the door wide open for Ng Tze Yong to return to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), .... read more

NEW JERSEY (United States), June 26 -- Ecuador came from behind to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory over Germany in their final Group E match at the FIFA World Cup on Thursday, advancing to the round of 32 as one of the eight best third-placed teams, reported Xinhua. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann had resisted making wholesale changes despite his side having already qualified, with Antonio Rudiger returning in central defence to replace Nico Schlotterbeck, who has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament with an ankle ligament injury. Germany took the lead after just two minutes through Leroy Sane, although the goal was surrounded by controversy. Aleksandar Pavlovic appeared to catch Ecuador midfielder Alan Vite in the head with a high boot while controlling the ball in the build-up, but referee Tori Penso allowed play to continue. Florian Wirtz then laid the ball across the penalty area for Sane, who finished with his left foot to score his first goal at World Cup. Ecuador responded almost immediately. In the ninth minute, Felix Nmecha lost possession with a heavy touch and Vite quickly moved the ball forward. Nilson Angulo fired a low shot through Pavlovic's legs and into the bottom corner, leaving Manuel Neuer with no chance. The South American side grew in confidence after the equaliser and enjoyed long spells of possession, while Germany struggled for fluency and repeatedly gave the ball away before halftime. There was further controversy early in the second half when Germany was initially awarded a penalty. The decision was overturned following a VAR review, with Penso ruling that Sane had fouled Vite before Germany regained possession and launched the attack. Ecuador completed the turnaround in the 77th minute. Vite delivered a corner, Kevin Rodriguez flicked the ball on at the near post and Gonzalo Plata reacted quickest in front of goal, stretching out a foot to send it beneath the crossbar after Neuer had been drawn out of position. Germany pushed for an equaliser but Ecuador held firm to secure the victory and finish the group stage with four points. In the group's other match, Cote d'Ivoire beat Curacao 2-0. Germany finished first in Group E, ahead of Cote d'Ivoire, with Ecuador third and Curacao fourth. Under the expanded tournament format, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed sides, advance to the round of 32. Germany will play a third-placed team from Group A, B, C, D or F on June 29. -- BERNAMA-XINHUA

Ecuador Stuns Germany 2-1 To Reach World Cup Knockout Stage

NEW JERSEY (United States), June 26 — Ecuador came from behind to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory over Germany in their final Group E match at the FIFA World Cup .... read more

SYDNEY, June 25 -- The excitement of the world's biggest football tournament has officially gripped Australia's sporting community. With host cities buzzing with record-breaking crowds and intense competition on the pitch, the energy surrounding the tournament is also driving a major surge in international travel.  Recent booking data from October 2025 to May 2026 by Trip.com, a leading global travel service provider, highlights that the total global order volume to host cities during the Group Stage (11 to 27 June) increased by almost 70% year-on-year, heavily outpacing the growth during the Knockout Rounds (4 to 19 July). The front-loaded momentum among Socceroos fans is even more pronounced. Total order volume from Australia to host cities during the Group Stage has skyrocketed by 98.5% year-on-year, compared with growth of just over 5% during the Knockout Rounds. The data suggests travel demand is being driven primarily by Aussie fans wanting to experience the opening stages of the tournament and support their national teams in person, rather than by traditional mid-year holiday travel patterns. Fans Planning Ahead for Football Pilgrimage The sheer scale of these long-haul trips is heavily reflected in booking lead times. For Australian travellers, securing a front-row seat required serious forward planning; those heading to the Group Stage booked flights 124 days in advance on average, while those planning for the Knockout Rounds booked even earlier, averaging a 143-day lead time. This intense wave of advance planning is creating standout growth stories across host destinations. In Mexico, some host cities have recorded hotel demand increases of more than 4,000% year-on-year during the opening weeks of the tournament before moderating in July.         Los Angeles and Vancouver Lead Aussie Arrivals To establish their tournament bases, Australian travellers are overwhelmingly choosing major North American gateway cities with strong trans-Pacific flight connectivity and convenient access to multiple host destinations. Trip.com flight booking data ranks Los Angeles as the most popular arrival city for Australian fans, followed by Vancouver, New York, San Francisco and Toronto. Los Angeles and Vancouver maintain their top positions throughout both the Group Stage and Knockout Rounds, serving as attractive starting points for fans navigating the tournament across the three host countries. Aussie Travellers Embrace Multi-City Travel A clear global trend defining this tournament is the rise of "fixture-following" behaviour, with supporters mapping out their journeys around the specific regions where their teams play. Once on the ground, this behaviour translates into a unique appetite for multi-city travel among Australian fans.        During the Group Stage, 14% of Australian users booked multi-city itineraries, one of the highest globally. Unlike many other international markets, where multi-city travel declines during the Knockout Rounds, Australian travellers maintained this behaviour, with the share rising slightly to 14.9%. Popular combinations include Los Angeles and New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, and cross-border itineraries linking Los Angeles and Vancouver. This trend highlights a distinct long-haul travel mindset: Australian fans are not just attending matches—they are turning the tournament into a broader North American travel experience. About Trip.com Trip.com is an international one-stop travel service provider, available in 27 languages across 48 countries and regions in 44 local currencies. Offering an extensive hotel and flight network of more than 1.7 million hotels and flights from over 680 airlines, along with over 350,000 in-destination activities, Trip.com covers 3,500 airports in 220 countries and regions. Trip.com's world-class 24/7 multilingual customer service helps to 'create the best travel experience' for its millions of customers worldwide. To book your next trip, visit Trip.com. SYDNEY, June 25 -- The excitement of the world's biggest football tournament has officially gripped Australia's sporting community. With host cities buzzing with record-breaking crowds and intense competition on the pitch, the energy surrounding the tournament is also driving a major surge in international travel.  Recent booking data from October 2025 to May 2026 by Trip.com, a leading global travel service provider, highlights that the total global order volume to host cities during the Group Stage (11 to 27 June) increased by almost 70% year-on-year, heavily outpacing the growth during the Knockout Rounds (4 to 19 July). The front-loaded momentum among Socceroos fans is even more pronounced. Total order volume from Australia to host cities during the Group Stage has skyrocketed by 98.5% year-on-year, compared with growth of just over 5% during the Knockout Rounds. The data suggests travel demand is being driven primarily by Aussie fans wanting to experience the opening stages of the tournament and support their national teams in person, rather than by traditional mid-year holiday travel patterns. Fans Planning Ahead for Football Pilgrimage The sheer scale of these long-haul trips is heavily reflected in booking lead times. For Australian travellers, securing a front-row seat required serious forward planning; those heading to the Group Stage booked flights 124 days in advance on average, while those planning for the Knockout Rounds booked even earlier, averaging a 143-day lead time. This intense wave of advance planning is creating standout growth stories across host destinations. In Mexico, some host cities have recorded hotel demand increases of more than 4,000% year-on-year during the opening weeks of the tournament before moderating in July.         Los Angeles and Vancouver Lead Aussie Arrivals To establish their tournament bases, Australian travellers are overwhelmingly choosing major North American gateway cities with strong trans-Pacific flight connectivity and convenient access to multiple host destinations. Trip.com flight booking data ranks Los Angeles as the most popular arrival city for Australian fans, followed by Vancouver, New York, San Francisco and Toronto. Los Angeles and Vancouver maintain their top positions throughout both the Group Stage and Knockout Rounds, serving as attractive starting points for fans navigating the tournament across the three host countries. Aussie Travellers Embrace Multi-City Travel A clear global trend defining this tournament is the rise of "fixture-following" behaviour, with supporters mapping out their journeys around the specific regions where their teams play. Once on the ground, this behaviour translates into a unique appetite for multi-city travel among Australian fans.        During the Group Stage, 14% of Australian users booked multi-city itineraries, one of the highest globally. Unlike many other international markets, where multi-city travel declines during the Knockout Rounds, Australian travellers maintained this behaviour, with the share rising slightly to 14.9%. Popular combinations include Los Angeles and New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, and cross-border itineraries linking Los Angeles and Vancouver. This trend highlights a distinct long-haul travel mindset: Australian fans are not just attending matches—they are turning the tournament into a broader North American travel experience. About Trip.com Trip.com is an international one-stop travel service provider, available in 27 languages across 48 countries and regions in 44 local currencies. Offering an extensive hotel and flight network of more than 1.7 million hotels and flights from over 680 airlines, along with over 350,000 in-destination activities, Trip.com covers 3,500 airports in 220 countries and regions. Trip.com's world-class 24/7 multilingual customer service helps to 'create the best travel experience' for its millions of customers worldwide. To book your next trip, visit Trip.com. -- PRNewswire -- Source: Trip.com  -- PRNewswire -- Source: Trip.com 

Chasing Football Summer: Trip.com Data Reveals Socceroos Fans Sparking Massive North American Travel Surge

SYDNEY, June 25 — The excitement of the world’s biggest football tournament has officially gripped Australia’s sporting community. With host cities buzzing with record-breaking crowds and intense competition on the .... read more

VANCOUVER, CANADA: Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi scored to give Switzerland a 2-1 win over Canada in FIFA World Cup Group B on Wednesday as both teams advanced to the knockout stages, Xinhua reported. Manzambi, 20, who came off the bench to score twice in Switzerland's 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday, dominated the early game against Canada. Assisted by Manzambi, Vargas broke the deadlock early in the second half, when his shot went past the Canadian goalkeeper, hit the post and went over the line. In the 57th minute, Breel Embolo crossed for Manzambi, who finished to make it 2-0. Swiss defender Manuel Akanji praised Manzambi after the match. "We need a player like this who is creative, he sees things that maybe others don't see or can't do." Canada scored again in the 76th minute when Jonathan David scored with his first touch shortly after coming on as a substitute. "We didn't get at least a draw, which means we have to get out of here (Canada) for the next game," said David. "We were a bit disappointed about that. But we scored a lot of goals in all three games, I think we showed a new level of attacking football." Also in Group B, Qatar finished bottom and were eliminated after losing 3-1 to Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are third with four points and still have hopes of reaching the knockout stages. Switzerland will play one of the best third-place teams from Groups E, F, G, I or J in Vancouver in the round of 32. Canada, who need a win or a draw to top the group and remain in action at home, now have to travel to Los Angeles for their next match against the Group A runners-up. -- BERNAMA-XINHUA

2026 World Cup: Switzerland, Canada advance to knockout rounds

VANCOUVER, CANADA: Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi scored to give Switzerland a 2-1 win over Canada in FIFA World Cup Group B on Wednesday as both teams advanced to the .... read more

SERDANG, June 24  -- The newly-launched 100PLUS Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) National Junior Development Programme (NJDP) Junior Series 2026 is set to become a key launchpad for the country’s rising young golfers. MGA president Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor said the series would serve as a qualifying platform for the Malaysian Junior International Open (MIJO) in November, with 30 slots to be offered based on players’ performances. He said the initiative marked an important step in strengthening junior golf development in the country by providing young players with a more structured and competitive platform. “The 100PLUS MGA NJDP Junior Series will become one of the most important competitive platforms for junior golfers in the country,” he said at the launch of the series at The Mines Resort & Golf Club here today. Mohd Anwar also expressed his gratitude to 100PLUS for its continuous support and collaboration with MGA in developing young talent and promoting a healthy sporting lifestyle. Meanwhile, F&N Holdings Bhd director of Government and Industry Engagement Norazrin Norsyam Yee said the collaboration was in line with the shared vision of 100PLUS and MGA to develop junior golfers and produce future champions. Norazrin said 100PLUS believes in the importance of junior development programmes and hopes that young golfers nationwide will seize the opportunity to compete in the new series. MGA NJDP chairman Fauzi Mesran said the organisers are targeting 120 participants for the inaugural edition of the series. Open to players under the age of 18, the series will feature three qualifying rounds followed by a Grand Final. The three qualifying rounds will be staged at Kinrara Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur from July 20-23; Permaipura Golf and Country Club in Sungai Petani, Kedah (Aug 10-13); and A’Famosa Golf Resort, Melaka (Sept 7-10); while the Grand Final will be held at The Mines Resort & Golf Club from Oct 6-9. -- BERNAMA

100PLUS MGA NJDP Junior Series Set To Serve As Launchpad For Young Golfers

SERDANG, June 24 — The newly-launched 100PLUS Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) National Junior Development Programme (NJDP) Junior Series 2026 is set to become a key launchpad for the country’s rising .... read more

BOSTON, June 24 -- United States (US) president Donald Trump is set to hand over the World Cup trophy to the winners at the final on July 19, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said, reported PA Media/dpa. Infantino and President Trump have forged a close relationship in the build-up to these finals, but Trump has made very few public pronouncements concerning the tournament since it began on June 11. However, Infantino confirmed in an interview with Fox News programme Fox & Friends that the plan is for Trump to play a starring role in the trophy presentation ceremony at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, just as he did at last year's Club World Cup final in the US, which was won by Chelsea. “We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course,” Infantino said. Asked if they would make the presentation together, Infantino added: “Of course, we are together all the time.” At the Club World Cup final, Trump remained on the winners’ podium after handing the trophy to Chelsea’s Reece James. “They told me that he was going to present the trophy and then exit the stage and I thought that he was going to exit the stage, but he wanted to stay,” said James afterwards. Asked what Trump had said to him, James added: “To be honest it was quite loud. I couldn’t hear too much. He just congratulated me and the team for lifting the trophy and told us to enjoy the moment.” Match-winner Cole Palmer had appeared bemused by the situation. He said afterwards: “I knew he was going to be here, but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy. I was a bit confused, yes.” -- BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa

Trump To Present World Cup Trophy To Winners, Says Infantino

BOSTON, June 24 — United States (US) president Donald Trump is set to hand over the World Cup trophy to the winners at the final on July 19, FIFA president .... read more

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