Explained Sports

EXPLAINED SPORTS NEWS

WTC final race: What India needs to do to qualify for The Oval showdown

August 11, 2026 5:49 pm

The WTC final race is taking shape, with Australia leading South Africa and New Zealand, while India must produce a strong finish to keep their qualification hopes alive.

How FIFA plans to sell a stake in the World Cup — and why this has sparked outrage

July 30, 2026 8:58 am

FIFA has created a new commercial entity and will sell a minority stake in it. Leading the investor group is an extended family member of US President Donald Trump.

Falkland Islands: Why Argentina’s celebration after beating England has sparked controversy

July 16, 2026 4:20 pm

FIFA rules prohibit political gestures before, during and after matches in and around the venue, but the world champions have a history in raking up the Falklands Islands dispute on the football pitch. Here's what the dispute is and why it lingers.

Is FIFA favouring Argentina? A look at 4 of the controversies

July 15, 2026 1:08 pm

Several high-profile decisions have convinced some football fans that Argentina is getting an unfair advantage. What does the rulebook say about the decisions?

The Balogun twist: How FIFA reversed a World Cup red card

July 06, 2026 8:10 pm

FIFA's decision to reverse Folarin Balogun's one-match suspension ahead of the USA's Round of 16 clash with Belgium has sparked fierce debate across the football world. Here's why the red card was overturned, what FIFA's disciplinary rules say, and why the decision has become one of the tournament's biggest controversies.

England face Azteca hurdle: Why playing at a high altitude is so difficult

July 05, 2026 12:23 pm

At the high-altitude Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, oxygen pressure drops by about 20%, making recovery tougher. To minimise the effects of the height, England are choosing to arrive at Mexico City at the last moment. Will that gambit work?

What Indian cricket team must do to qualify for LA Olympics

June 30, 2026 11:38 am

The qualification system also opens the door for both India and Pakistan to qualify. Nothing prevents both teams from featuring in the six-team tournament at the 2028 LA Olympics.

Referee as the cameraman: How the World Cup is putting you right next to the action

June 19, 2026 2:25 pm

FIFA’s new referee-view camera offers fans a first-person perspective of the action. Here’s how the technology works, where it has been used before, and what makes this version different.

Red, white and black & blue: Why Trump has brought UFC cagefighting to the White House

August 11, 2026 7:21 pm

The unprecedented MMA event, scheduled for Flag Day and the US President’s 80th birthday, marks the pinnacle of Trump’s decades-long association with the sport and comes as he seeks a patriotic boost amid declining approval ratings.

Why Arsenal can thank their set-piece mastery for helping them lift their first Premier League title in 22 years

May 21, 2026 9:45 am

It has been 22 years since Arsenal last lifted the Premier League Cup. Their record-breaking goals from set-pieces were a huge part of their monumental victory. Their set-pieces benefitted from the availability of specialists like Martin Odegaard and the variety of tactics they employed.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement