Although the FIFA World Cup has reached the semifinals, discussions over the continued absence of the world's two most populous countries have not subsided.

The Argentina national football team has pledged to donate a batch of team merchandise, including water bottles, towels, clothing and backpacks, to help residents affected by the floods in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, saying it hopes to "give back" to the support it has received from Chinese fans during the FIFA World Cup.

The Chinese Tennis Association (CTA) sent a congratulatory letter via its WeChat account to Guo Hanyu on Sunday night, celebrating the Chinese player winning her first Grand Slam doubles title at the 2026 Wimbledon Championships.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed on Sunday that the world football governing body will formally explore the possibility of expanding the men's World Cup from 48 to 64 teams after the conclusion of the ongoing 2026 tournament.

Athletes holding a Russian passport are permitted to participate in International Table Tennis Federation and para table tennis events starting from July 28, 2026, the ITTF announced on Monday.

"Too heartbreaking for Haaland" is one of several hashtags related to Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland now trending across Chinese social media after England's 2-1 comeback knocked Norway out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday.

Former Beijing Guoan player Manuel Evaristo, better known as Manu, has died in a car accident in Portugal at the age of 43, multiple Portuguese media outlets reported.

Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scored in extra time as Argentina advanced to the World Cup semifinals on Saturday with a 3-1 win over 10-man Switzerland.

England booked its place in the World Cup semifinals on Saturday, coming from behind to edge Norway 2-1 thanks to a brace from Jude Bellingham.

The CBA emphasized its "zero-tolerance" policy toward any form of doping violation.

Hassan Whiteside, a US player for the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), has been found to have committed an anti-doping rule violation following an in-competition test conducted in May, according to an announcement by the China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) on Friday.

When football fans recall a World Cup, they often remember the goals, the celebrations and the voices that guided them through those moments.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Tuesday to temporarily restore the membership of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), which had been suspended since October 2023.

Switzerland beats Colombia to reach World Cup quarterfinals

Argentina beats Egypt 3-2 to reach World Cup quarterfinals

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has provisionally lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee that had been in effect since October 2023.

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) on Tuesday dismissed online claims that it had turned down an invitation from the Cape Verde Football Federation (FCF) for an international friendly, saying no formal match proposal has been received from the latter.

While China's men's national basketball team has achieved its minimum target of reaching the second round of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, the next stage will provide stern challenges as they are set to face three West Asian opponents.

Belgium booked a place in the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup with a convincing 4-1 victory over the United States on Monday, eliminating the co-hosts in Seattle in a match that was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding US striker Folarin Balogun's eligibility.

Charles De Ketelaere scored twice and set up another goal as Belgium advanced to the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals on Monday with a 4-1 win over the United States.

Substitute Mikel Merino scored a stoppage-time winner as Spain edged Portugal 1-0 in a tense Iberian derby on Monday to reach the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals, ending Cristiano Ronaldo's bid to lift football's biggest trophy.

Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland delivered a historic performance on Monday as Norway defeated five-time world champions Brazil to reach the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in the country's history. The 25-year-old Manchester City striker, who scored seven goals in four matches, played a pivotal role in Norway's stunning run. After the match, Haaland turned to Chinese social media, posting five updates in Chinese that quickly went viral on platforms including Weibo and Douyin.

China booked its place in the second round of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers with a commanding 92-74 victory over Chinese Taipei on Monday, keeping its World Cup hopes alive after a must-win Group B clash.

Football fans have spent decades learning one of the sport's simplest rules: Receive a straight red card, miss the next game. Apparently, at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there is now an exception.

Erling Haaland scored twice in late second half as Norway stunned five-time champion Brazil 2-1 to reach the World Cup quarterfinals in the MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

China's men's basketball team's 92-73 home defeat to Japan on Friday has left the team with little time to dwell on what went wrong. Monday's Group B meeting against Chinese Taipei now offers no room for error, with victory essential if China is to keep its World Cup qualification hopes alive.

China's THU Huoshen Team from Tsinghua University has successfully defended its Humanoid League crown at the world's largest AI robotics competition, RoboCup 2026, which concluded in Incheon, South Korea, on Sunday.

Mbappe penalty sends France past Paraguay 1-0 to reach World Cup quarterfinals

Kylian Mbappe scored from the penalty spot as France defeated Paraguay 1-0 to book its place in the quarterfinals at FIFA World Cup here on Saturday.

Morocco beat Canada 3-0 in Houston Stadium on Saturday to become the first team at the World Cup to progress to the quarterfinals.

Colombia beats Ghana 1-0 to reach World Cup last 16

Cabo Verde manager Bubista said he was proud of his players after they pushed defending champion Argentina to extra time in a dramatic 3-2 World Cup round of 32 defeat on Friday.

Argentina beats Cabo Verde 3-2 after extra time to reach World Cup last 16

China suffered a humiliating 92-73 home defeat to Japan in a FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualifier on Friday in Shenyang, leaving the home side's hopes of reaching the next round hanging by a thread.

Goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye saw Switzerland advance to the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Algeria on Thursday.

Cristiano Ronaldo's first goal in the World Cup knockout stage and substitute Goncalo Ramos's late winner helped Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 in a dramatic round of 32 fixture here on Thursday.

Portugal beats Croatia 2-1 to reach World Cup last 16

​Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice as Spain progressed to the World Cup round of 16 on Thursday with a 3-0 win over Austria.

The United States advanced to the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday.

Belgium beats Senegal 3-2 after extra time to reach World Cup last 16

Yang Shuyu, China's women's national basketball team captain, has joined the Sydney Flames for the 2026-27 Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) season, according to a statement released by the club on Tuesday.

France beats Sweden 3-0 to reach last 16 at FIFA World Cup

China's Wang Xinyu and Zhang Shuai advanced to the second round at Wimbledon on Monday, while Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen suffered another opening-round exit and Wu Yibing bowed out after a spirited challenge against 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic.

It is rare for a libero to score in a volleyball match. Yet China's Wang Mengjie did it twice during the 2026 Women's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) stop in Turkey.

Morocco advanced to the World Cup round of 16 on Monday by beating the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.

Japan's dramatic 2-1 defeat to Brazil in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on Monday drew reflecting and respects from many Chinese football fans, with social media users praising the Japanese team for pushing the five-time world champions to the brink before bowing out in stoppage time.

Paraguay ended Germany's unbeaten run in FIFA World Cup penalty shootouts on Monday, beating the four-time champion 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to reach the last 16.

Gabriel Martinelli scored deep in stoppage time to give Brazil a 2-1 victory over Japan in a World Cup round-of-32 tie on Monday, setting up a last-16 meeting with either Cote d'Ivoire or Norway.

With the FIFA World Cup still underway, over in China the Chinese Super League (CSL) quietly resumed its domestic schedule.

World Cup co-host Canada beat South Africa 1-0 here on Sunday, advancing to the round of 16 for the first time ever.

Chinese football fans have been reacting actively on social media after a dramatic day at the FIFA World Cup 2026, which saw Asian football powerhouses Iran and South Korea being eliminated, leaving only two Asian Football Confederation (AFC) teams - Japan and Australia - progressing beyond the group stage.

South Korea's early exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup triggered a wave of reactions across Chinese social media on Sunday, with some users teasing their East Asian rival underachieving, while some others expressed sympathy for one of Asia's established football powers.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo celebrated a historic moment at the FIFA World Cup as it qualified for the round of 32 by rallying to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 on Saturday in the final round of Group K.

​Cape Verde continued its fairy-tale run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia on Friday secured them a place in the knockout stage as the Group H runners-up behind Spain.

Debutant Cabo Verde draws 0-0 with Saudi Arabia, qualifying for World Cup round of 32 as Group H runner-up

Spain beats Uruguay 1-0, qualifying for World Cup round of 32 as Group H winner

France forward Ousmane Dembele scored a first-half hat-trick as Les Bleus beat Norway 4-1 to win Group I at Boston Stadium on Friday, while Norway rested star Erling Haaland on the bench.

Japan drew 1-1 with Sweden in the final round of Group F at the FIFA World Cup on Thursday, securing a place in the round of 32 as group runner-up and setting up a knockout-stage showdown with Brazil.

The Netherlands scored twice in the opening seven minutes on its way to a 3-1 victory over Tunisia on Thursday, clinching top spot in Group F and setting up a round-of-32 clash with Morocco.

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.

When striker Kylian Mbappe went down inside the penalty area during France's 3-1 win over Senegal in a recent group game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, many expected the referee to point to the spot.

A new report released by the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) on Thursday warns that China's growing youth basketball participation has not been matched by an increase in elite talent, highlighting structural challenges ranging from exam-oriented training to limited development pathways.

South Africa beats South Korea in World Cup Group A, advancing to round of 32

Mexico beats Czech Republic to top Group A at World Cup, qualifying for round of 32

Brazil beats Scotland to top Group C at World Cup, qualifying for round of 32

Morocco beats Haiti in FIFA World Cup Group C, qualifying for round of 32

Switzerland beats Canada 2-1 to top Group B, both advance to knockout stage

Bosnia and Herzegovina beat Qatar 3-1 in its final Group B match at the FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, finishing third on four points and keeping alive its hopes of reaching the knockout stage as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

Cristiano Ronaldo produced a perfect response to his critics by striking twice in Portugal's 5-0 rout of over Uzbekistan in a Group K match at the FIFA World Cup, sparking heated discussions on Chinese social media on Wednesday.

England failed to take three points from its second World Cup Group L match, as the Three Lions were held to a 0-0 draw by a well-organized Ghana side here on Tuesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal cruised to a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan in a Group K match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup here on Tuesday.

Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th appearance for France with two goals on Monday as his side beat Iraq 3-0 in a FIFA World Cup Group I match that was suspended for nearly two hours due to a severe thunderstorm.

Nearly two years after making history with Olympic gold in Paris, China's rhythmic gymnastics team is already writing the next chapter.

The topic of Lionel Messi becoming World Cup's all-time leading scorer has gone viral on Chinese social media on Tuesday, after his brace lifted Argentina to a 2-0 win over Austria, securing a berth in the knockout stage.

Norway beats Senegal 3-2 to advance to World Cup knockout stage

France advances to knockout stage after 3-0 victory over Iraq at FIFA World Cup

Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time leading scorer as Argentina secured a place in the knockout stage with a 2-0 win over Austria on Monday.

After Iran held 10-man Belgium to a goalless draw in their second World Cup group game in the US on Sunday, the topic "The World Cup owes Iran a goal" began trending on Chinese social media on Monday, with Chinese fans lamenting a creative goal ruled out by Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and voicing support for an Iranian team depleted by visa delays and demanding travel schedules.

When World Cup debutant Cape Verde held two-time world champion Uruguay to a tense 2-2 draw during their second group game on Sunday, the tiny African island country once again captured the attention of Chinese social media and offered Chinese footballers and fans something to reflect upon.

Japanese fans holding a giant "rising sun" flag, a symbol of Japanese militarism during World War II, during Japan's match with Tunisia at FIFA World Cup has sparked widespread criticism from Chinese and South Korean fans.

World Cup debutants Cape Verde scored their first goal during the FIFA World Cup and maintained their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage after drawing Uruguay 2-2 during their second group game in the US on Sunday.

Cabo Verde holds Uruguay 2-2 in FIFA World Cup Group H

European powerhouse Belgium, who was reduced to 10 men on 66 minutes, earned a goalless draw with Asian giant Iran in the second round match of FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G here on Sunday.

World Cup debutants Curacao earned their first-ever point at the tournament on Saturday local time after a goalless draw with Ecuador despite several clear chances. However, it is the Chinese refereeing trio that has stolen the online spotlight in China for making Chinese football history.

Chinese police have busted multiple online gambling rings exploiting the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup across several provinces, as authorities step up enforcement against illegal betting amid the tournament's global fervor and urge fans to stay away from online gambling.

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha's mother has arrived in the US, and will be able to watch her son's team face Uruguay in their upcoming FIFA World Cup match, Chinese businessman Lin Jie, a Wenzhou-born entrepreneur who has lived in Cape Verde for more than two decades and has visited the player's family, confirmed with the Global Times on Saturday.

With a more aggressive approach, five-time world champion Brazil powered past Haiti 3-0 in their second Group C match at the FIFA World Cup here on Friday to move to the top of the group.

FIFA, football's world governing body, has announced that Chinese referee Fu Ming will serve as the video assistant referee (VAR) for the Group E second-round match between Ecuador and Curacao at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking "a historic moment for Chinese football" as three Chinese officials will officiate the same World Cup match, reported the Xinhua News Agency.

The United States secured a place in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after defeating Australia 2-0 in a Group D match on Friday.

Mexico beats South Korea 1-0 in World Cup Group A second round game

Canada claimed its first World Cup victory here on Thursday, thrashing nine-man Qatar 6-0 in the second round of Group B as Jonathan David scored a hat-trick, though the co-host also lost Ismael Kone to injury.

Midfielder Johan Manzambi scored twice in the second half to help Switzerland beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 here on Thursday in their second FIFA World Cup Group B match, keeping the Swiss top of the group.

Harry Kane scored twice as England defeated Croatia 4-2 in a high-tempo Group L encounter at the FIFA World Cup on Wednesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a subdued 90-minute performance as Portugal was held to a surprise 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their FIFA World Cup Group K opener at Houston Stadium on Wednesday.

England edges Croatia 4-2 in FIFA World Cup Group L opener

Lionel Messi equaled the record for the most FIFA World Cup goals by scoring his first World Cup finals hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria in Group J on Tuesday.

Argentina beats Algeria 3-0 in FIFA World Cup Group J

Norway claimed a 4-1 win over Iraq in their World Cup Group I opener on Tuesday, with star striker Erling Haaland scoring twice on his World Cup debut.

Despite a sluggish first-half display, France found their rhythm after the break to beat Senegal 3-1 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I opener here on Tuesday. France captain Kylian Mbappe scored twice to move into joint third place on the tournament's all-time scoring list.

France beats Senegal 3-1 in World Cup Group I opener