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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

HOUSTON, United States – Cristiano Ronaldo answered his critics in emphatic fashion by scoring twice and becoming the first player to find the net in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments as Portugal cruised to a commanding 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in their Group K clash in Houston early Wednesday. Following the match, the 41-year-old forward turned to television cameras and declared, “I’m back, I’m back,” in an emotional response to recent criticism surrounding his place in the national team after enduring a 10-match goal drought in major international tournaments. Given time and space inside the penalty area, Ronaldo wasted little opportunity to punish an Uzbekistan side that struggled to match Portugal’s quality throughout the contest. His two goals took his World Cup tally to 10, surpassing Portuguese legend Eusebio as the nation's all-time leading scorer on football’s biggest stage. While pleased with the milestone, Ronaldo stressed that team success remains his top priority. “The team played very well and showed significant improvement,” he said after the match. “As the saying goes, every difficulty has its silver lining. Personally, records are always special, but my main objective has always been to help the national team achieve its goals.” The victory leaves Portugal with four points from two matches and sets up a decisive final Group K encounter against Colombia. Uzbekistan, still without a point, faces elimination and will take on DR Congo in its final group fixture. Early Pressure Pays Off Portugal came out with intensity from the opening whistle, eager to make amends for their disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo in their opening match. Roberto Martinez’s side dominated proceedings, creating numerous chances through quick attacking movements and relentless pressure. Portugal finished with 17 shots, including eight on target, and continued to push forward in search of a hat-trick for Ronaldo, who missed several additional opportunities. Head coach Roberto Martinez praised his team’s improved decision-making and finishing compared to the previous match. “This was exactly the response we discussed in the dressing room,” Martinez said. “Sometimes you need a game like the first one to grow in a tournament. Today we saw a team with the same attitude and commitment, but one that was more mature because it was no longer the opening match.” Ronaldo opened the scoring in the sixth minute, calmly finishing from close range after a low cross from Joao Cancelo. He doubled Portugal’s lead later in the half, guiding Bruno Fernandes’ precise pass into the far corner. Clearly relieved to end his goal drought, Ronaldo sprinted toward the touchline in celebration after his first goal, surrounded by teammates while Martinez watched with a smile from the sidelines. Between Ronaldo’s two strikes, Nuno Mendes grabbed attention with a clever free-kick routine that deceived Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov and much of the crowd, with Ronaldo acting as a decoy during the set piece. Uzbekistan thought they had pulled one back before halftime through a superb effort from Azizjon Ganiev, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review that detected a foul on Cancelo earlier in the move. The visitors’ fortunes worsened after the break when Nematov accidentally turned the ball into his own net. Rafael Leao then completed the rout with Portugal’s fifth goal in front of a crowd of 68,777 spectators. With a comfortable lead secured, Portugal controlled possession and saw out the remainder of the match with ease, sending a clear message that they remain serious contenders as the tournament progresses. -- MINUTESMY

World Cup 2026: Ronaldo Silences Critics with Brace as Portugal Thrash Uzbekistan 5-0

HOUSTON, United States – Cristiano Ronaldo answered his critics in emphatic fashion by scoring twice and becoming the first player to find the net in six different FIFA World Cup .... read more

SEATTLE, June 24 -- This summer, Suunto invites outdoor enthusiasts, runners, adventurers, and explorers to gear up for their next challenge with special savings across some of its most popular products.   From June 23 to July 4, customers can enjoy discounts of up to 46% off selected Suunto products during the Suunto Summer Sale, including exclusive offers during Amazon Prime Day (June 23–26). Whether preparing for a new race, planning a summer expedition, or exploring beneath the surface, Suunto has trusted tools to help athletes and adventurers perform with confidence. Top Deals Suunto Race 2 - Starting at $399, Up to 20% Off Available at $399 for the Stainless Steel edition (originally $499) and $499 for the Titanium edition (originally $599). Built for athletes who demand more from every training session and race, Suunto Race 2 combines advanced training insights, highly accurate navigation, offline maps, and exceptional battery life to support peak performance wherever the journey leads. Suunto Run – Now $149, Originally $249, 40% Off Designed specifically for runners, Suunto Run delivers lightweight comfort, precise GPS tracking, and dedicated running tools that help athletes train smarter, recover better, and enjoy every mile. Suunto Ocean – Now $679, Originally $899, 24% Off Built for adventures below and above the surface, Suunto Ocean combines the functionality of a premium sports watch with a fully featured dive computer. Whether navigating remote trails, training outdoors, freediving, or exploring underwater worlds, Ocean provides the tools, insights, and reliability needed to confidently transition between every environment. More Ways to Save This summer, customers can enjoy savings across Suunto's full lineup of outdoor watches, sports headphones, and dive products. From performance training and trail adventures to underwater exploration and everyday movement, the Summer Sale offers something for every type of athlete and adventurer. Highlights include up to 40% off selected outdoor watches, up to 41% off Suunto sports headphones, and up to 46% off selected dive products, with savings of up to $300 on the Suunto D5. Availability The Suunto Summer Sale runs from June 23 to July 4, 2026, with Prime Day promotions available June 23–26 through Amazon. For over 90 years, Suunto has designed precision instruments for adventurers, athletes, and explorers. Built in Finland. Trusted worldwide. For more information, visit Suunto.com About Suunto Suunto is a Finnish brand, established 90 years ago, in 1936. It was founded by Finnish inventor Tuomas Vohlonen, who pioneered a new standard for navigational precision. That same year, his innovation – a field compass – was stronger, steadier, and more accurate than any other handheld navigational tool of its time. It was the first of many Suunto products built to withstand the harsh conditions of our native Finland. In the near century since, Tuomas's spirit of innovation has continued to chart Suunto's course. From some of history's first dive computers and high-altitude wrist altimeters to today's GPS watches, Suunto remains a trusted companion for outdoor adventurers across the globe. Supporting explorers, athletes, and weekend warriors alike remains our core mission – providing the tools to dive deeper, climb higher, and push the limits of human potential. -- PRNewswire  -- Source: Suunto 

Gear Up for Summer Adventures with Suunto’s Biggest Prime Day Savings of the Season

SEATTLE, June 24 — This summer, Suunto invites outdoor enthusiasts, runners, adventurers, and explorers to gear up for their next challenge with special savings across some of its most popular .... read more

SANTA CLARA, JUNE 23 -- Algeria came from a goal down to beat Jordan 2-1 on Monday, keeping alive their chances of advancing to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup, and causing their opponents to be eliminated early from Group J, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported. After struggling to break through Jordan's strong defense, Algeria managed to turn the tables with two goals in 13 minutes in the second half through Nadhir Benbouali and Amine Gouiri. Jordan managed to absorb Algeria's relentless pressure and took the lead in the 36th minute after a mistake by the opposing defense triggered a quick attack that was finished by Nizar Al-Rashdan with a flicked shot into the corner of the goal. Algeria finally equalised in the 69th minute when substitute Benbouali headed in Riyad Mahrez's corner. Gouiri then scored the winning goal eight minutes before the end of the match when he headed in a rebound in the penalty area. -- BERNAMA-WAM

World Cup 2026: Algeria bounce back to beat Jordan 2-1, keeping hopes alive for knockout round

SANTA CLARA, JUNE 23 — Algeria came from a goal down to beat Jordan 2-1 on Monday, keeping alive their chances of advancing to the knockout stages of the FIFA .... read more

ISTANBUL, June 23 -- Lionel Messi became the outright leading scorer in World Cup history with his 18th tournament goal after scoring twice in reigning champions Argentina's 2-0 victory over Austria on Monday, Anadolu Ajansi reported. Messi opened the scoring in the 38th minute after failing to convert an early penalty, with his left-footed attempt in the ninth minute drifting just wide of the right post. The Argentina captain sealed the win deep into stoppage time, netting his second goal in the fifth minute of added time (90+5) to extend his all-time World Cup scoring record to 18 goals. The brace also extended Messi's scoring run to six consecutive World Cup matches, equalling an achievement previously reached by France's Just Fontaine and Brazil's Jairzinho. Messi had matched Germany's Miroslav Klose on 16 goals after netting a hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 Group J win over Algeria last week in Kansas City. His two goals against Austria moved him clear at the top of the tournament's all-time scoring chart. Monday's match also marked Messi's FIFA-record 28th World Cup appearance and his sixth tournament overall. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU 

Messi Sets World Cup Scoring Record With 18th Tournament Goal

ISTANBUL, June 23 — Lionel Messi became the outright leading scorer in World Cup history with his 18th tournament goal after scoring twice in reigning champions Argentina’s 2-0 victory over .... read more

NEW JERSEY, June 22 -- Neymar trained fully with Brazil's World Cup squad on Sunday as he prepares for his first international appearance in almost three years, reported Xinhua. The Santos forward, who had partially resumed training last week, completed his first full session with Brazil's squad since it assembled in Terespolis, near Rio de Janeiro, on May 27. On Friday, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti said the 34-year-old had recovered from a grade two calf strain and would be included in the matchday squad for Wednesday's final Group C match against Scotland in Miami. Teammate Lucas Paqueta said Neymar's availability had provided a morale boost to the five-time world champion. "We're all very happy about Neymar's return," the midfielder told reporters on Sunday. "He's an extremely important player for our national team, someone with a wonderful history who can help us a lot. I hope he can be on the field helping us again as soon as possible." Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 international appearances, has not played for the national team since suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in October 2023. Brazil currently leads Group C with four points, ahead of second-placed Morocco on goal difference. Scotland is third with three points and Haiti last, having yet to register a point.  -- BERNAMA-XINHUA

Neymar Returns To Full Brazil Training

NEW JERSEY, June 22 — Neymar trained fully with Brazil’s World Cup squad on Sunday as he prepares for his first international appearance in almost three years, reported Xinhua. The .... read more

JOHOR BAHRU, June 22 -- Haier Malaysia continues to strengthen its commitment to advancing the national sporting landscape through the organisation of the fourth edition of the Haier Cup 2026, which has grown into a national platform for nurturing emerging badminton talent at the grassroots level.  Haier Malaysia brand marketing manager Audree Fam said the annual tournament serves as a platform for young players to hone their talent and improve their skills. “The main objective of organising this tournament is to strengthen the development of badminton at the grassroots level,” she said when met at the Haier Cup 2026 Johor Series tournament at Sports Hub @ Austin Heights here on Saturday (June 20). According to Fam, Haier Malaysia has expanded its reach for this edition by adding Sabah as a new host destination, alongside existing venues in Sarawak, Johor, Penang and Selangor. This year's tournament also offers a more dynamic challenge, with prizes worth RM90,000 comprising cash, Haier products and Maxx merchandise. In addition to the open category, Haier's commitment to the sporting ecosystem is reflected through the organisation of the Haier Cup Junior for the second consecutive year, catering to participants as young as seven. The initiative is complemented by the Haier Junior Development 2.0 programme, which aims to train 10,000 students from 20 schools nationwide through a structured year-long training framework. “Haier Malaysia believes sport plays an important role in promoting an active and healthy lifestyle among Malaysians,” said Fam. She said that through the Haier Cup, the company hopes to encourage the public to remain active while instilling discipline and a strong spirit of sportsmanship. Meanwhile, one of the tournament participants, Lai Wei Chung, 27, said the championship provides a valuable opportunity to gain experience by competing against players from various backgrounds and levels. Lai said this was not his first time participating in the Haier Cup and viewed the platform as highly beneficial for the long-term development of players. Another participant, Ng Jiajun, 32, believed that expanding the tournament across more states would help unearth more talents. “Through competitions like this, we are able to bring together talented players to compete with one another, providing valuable experience that greatly contributes to the development of badminton at this level,” he said. Ng also praised the management of player scheduling and the smooth running of matches, describing it as excellent throughout the tournament. In a separate statement, Haier Malaysia managing director Fan Jing said the Haier Cup continues to receive overwhelmingly positive feedback from both participants and partners. “What began as a competitive initiative has evolved into a strong engagement platform, with participation and interest continuing to grow year after year,” he said. He said such initiatives have proven highly valuable in supporting badminton enthusiasts by providing opportunities to compete, enhance their skills and remain active in the sport. For the 2026 edition, Haier is also focusing on rising talent Lim Ming Hong through the Haier Elite Player Sponsorship Programme to support his professional journey on both the local and international stages. -- BERNAMA

Haier Cup Boosts Grassroots Badminton Development, Promotes Healthy Lifestyles

JOHOR BAHRU, June 22 — Haier Malaysia continues to strengthen its commitment to advancing the national sporting landscape through the organisation of the fourth edition of the Haier Cup 2026, .... read more

MIAMI, June 22 — Cape Verde continued its remarkable FIFA World Cup debut by scoring its first-ever goal at the tournament and securing a hard-fought 2-2 draw against two-time world champions Uruguay in their Group H clash on Sunday. After earning widespread praise for holding European champions Spain to a goalless draw in their opening match, the African nation once again impressed with a spirited performance to claim another valuable point. Cape Verde made history when Gilson Tavares found the net in the 31st minute, giving his side a surprise lead and marking the country's first goal in a World Cup finals tournament. Uruguay responded just before halftime, with Maxi Araújo leveling the score in the 44th minute. The South American side then completed the turnaround moments later when Agustín Canobbio struck to hand Uruguay a 2-1 advantage heading into the break. However, Cape Verde refused to back down and restored parity in the 61st minute through substitute Hélio Varela. The equaliser came after a misplaced pass by the Uruguayan defence allowed Varela to break into space before calmly slotting the ball past veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. The draw extends Cape Verde's unbeaten start to its maiden World Cup campaign, following its opening stalemate against Spain. In Group H, Spain sits atop the standings after a convincing 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia. Uruguay and Cape Verde are level on two points each, while Saudi Arabia remains bottom of the group with one point. The result leaves qualification to the knockout stage finely balanced heading into the final round of group matches. -- MINUTESMY

Cape Verde Scores Historic First World Cup Goal in 2-2 Draw with Uruguay

MIAMI, June 22 — Cape Verde continued its remarkable FIFA World Cup debut by scoring its first-ever goal at the tournament and securing a hard-fought 2-2 draw against two-time world .... read more

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