Fifa have approved the return of the Afghanistan women’s national football team to international competition following a landmark rule amendment in Vancouver.

The national side have not played a competitive international fixture since December 2018.

A subsequent return to power by the Taliban in 2021 severely restricted women’s rights and triggered a complete ban on female sports.

This oppressive regime forced countless players to flee their homeland and seek asylum overseas to continue their careers.

Rule change permits exceptional return

Governance regulations previously prevented the world governing body from officially recognising a team without the backing of their domestic member association.

However, a newly approved amendment now permits registration under exceptional circumstances.

This ensures players are not prevented from representing their country due to situations completely beyond their control.

Former captain Khalida Popal believes this development will transform the exiled squad into a lasting symbol of resilience.

“This opportunity, with the right support from Fifa, will be the time for us to also show some skills and develop the youth talent in the diaspora.”

Khalida Popal

Olympic ambitions on the horizon

The ruling builds upon the recent formation of Afghan Women United.

This refugee team was initially sanctioned by football’s global authority for a one-year pilot programme starting in May 2025.

While the diaspora squad will not be eligible to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, they are targeting the qualification stages for the 2028 Olympic Games.

“We are proud of the beautiful journey initiated by Afghan Women United and we aim to enable them to make the next step.”

Gianni Infantino

Global diaspora unite for training camps

More than 80 female Afghan footballers are currently spread across Australia, Europe, the United States, and the Middle East.

The reformed team have already gained valuable match experience this year.

They played three fixtures in 2025 as part of the Fifa United Women’s Series, securing a historic victory against Libya in November.

Regional selection camps are now already under way in England and Australia.

These initial trials will culminate in a comprehensive training camp in New Zealand before the team’s anticipated return to competitive action in June.

Former Wales and British and Irish Lions star George North has announced he will retire from professional rugby at the end of the current season in France.

The 34-year-old called time on his illustrious international career earlier in 2024, leaving as one of his country’s most decorated players.

During a remarkable stint on the world stage, the powerful wing and centre amassed 121 caps and crossed the whitewash 47 times for the Welsh national side.

His physical dominance also earned him spots on the 2013 and 2017 British and Irish Lions tours, where he featured in three Tests and scored two tries.

A storied club career ends in France

The veteran back is currently in his second season with French second-tier outfit Provence, having moved across the Channel after a highly successful domestic spell in the United Kingdom.

Before his French adventure, the prolific try-scorer represented the Scarlets, Northampton Saints, and the Ospreys with distinction.

Taking to social media to confirm his impending departure from the sport, the rugby icon expressed immense gratitude for his journey.

“I want to let you know that at the end of the season, I will be retiring. For me, it’s the right time,” North stated in his video message.

“I have been able to live out my childhood dream for many seasons, playing with some of the best players, coaches and staff behind the scenes.”

“I can’t thank my family, my friends and you guys enough for the support you have shown me over the years. Honestly, it’s meant the world to me.”

Victor Wembanyama claimed a dominant double-double to help the San Antonio Spurs secure a 4-1 series victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, marking their first NBA play-off series win in nine years.

Spurs dominate to advance in the West

The Western Conference second seeds cruised to a 114-95 victory in Texas to finally eliminate Portland.

De’Aaron Fox scored a game-high 21 points as six home players reached double figures in a balanced offensive display.

However, it was the newly crowned Defensive Player of the Year who anchored the performance with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocks.

“It was as sharp as we’ve been,” said San Antonio head coach Mitch Johnson.

Trail Blazers coach Tiago Splitter praised the generational talent of the French centre following the heavy defeat.

“They have a superstar that changed the game and they deserve it,” Splitter conceded.

The Texas franchise will now face either the Denver Nuggets or the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Conference semi-finals.

Embiid keeps Sixers alive in the East

Over in the Eastern Conference, Joel Embiid delivered a 33-point masterclass to help the Philadelphia 76ers secure a 113-97 road victory against the Boston Celtics.

The star centre was playing only his second game since undergoing an emergency appendectomy earlier in April.

Philadelphia’s crucial win cuts their series deficit to 3-2 and forces a game six on home court this Thursday.

“I found my rhythm in the second half, we adjusted some stuff at half-time and got a win,” Embiid explained.

If the Sixers manage to defend their home floor, the series will return to Massachusetts for a deciding game seven on Saturday.

Knicks push Atlanta to the brink

The winner of the Boston and Philadelphia matchup will advance to face either the New York Knicks or the Atlanta Hawks.

New York currently hold a 3-2 series lead following a comprehensive 126-97 victory at Madison Square Garden.

All-Star guard Jalen Brunson exploded for 17 of his 39 total points in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.

London-born forward OG Anunoby provided vital support for the third seeds by claiming 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Atlanta must now win on their home court on Thursday to force a decisive seventh game back in New York.

Football’s global governing body Fifa has committed an additional £650m to nations competing in the 2026 World Cup after teams raised concerns over potential financial losses.

The unprecedented financial package guarantees every participating side an extra £800,000 to offset the soaring costs of travel, hotels and training bases.

Unprecedented financial boost

World football’s ruling body made the decision following widespread reports that smaller nations feared the expanded 48-team tournament could become a crippling financial burden.

The total resource distribution will now rise by 15% to a record $871m (£650m).

“Fifa is proud to be in its most solid financial position ever, enabling us to help all our Member Associations in an unprecedented way.”Gianni Infantino, Fifa President

The Swiss-Italian administrator added that the increased pot demonstrates how commercial revenues are being actively reinvested back into the global game.

Breakdown of the new funding

A significant portion of the additional revenue will be directed towards the preparation and qualification phases.

The remaining balance of the organisation’s commercial revenue will continue to be redistributed among all 211 member associations.

North American logistical challenges

The upcoming global showcase, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, presents unique logistical and financial hurdles due to its sheer geographical scale.

England, for example, have chosen to establish their base camp near Kansas City while undertaking substantial flights for group stage fixtures in Dallas, Boston and New York.

The expanded format will also see four nations make their tournament debuts, with Cape Verde, Curacao, Uzbekistan and Jordan set to benefit directly from the revised funding model.

The tournament is scheduled to begin on 10 June 2026, culminating with the final in New Jersey on 19 July.

American star Nelly Korda has reclaimed the world number one ranking after securing her third major title with a dominant five-shot victory at the Chevron Championship.

The 27-year-old produced a flawless wire-to-wire performance, equalling the tournament’s record-low 54-hole score on her way to the title.

Former Women’s British Open champion Catriona Matthew believes the emphatic display echoes the supremacy once shown by Tiger Woods in the men’s game.

A generational talent

Matthew suggests that having a singular, dominant figurehead is highly beneficial for generating widespread public interest in the sport.

“For me, in any sport, to have one dominant player grabs the interest of the general public.”

Catriona Matthew

The Scottish golfing great pointed to the recent dominance of Scottie Scheffler as a prime example of how a leading player can captivate television audiences.

Chasing the legends

This latest triumph adds to a growing major collection, joining Korda’s previous Chevron Championship victory in 2024 and her US Women’s Open success in 2021.

With a textbook swing and formidable distance off the tee, the Florida native is drawing comparisons to historic icons such as Annika Sorenstam, Karrie Webb, and Se-ri Pak.

“If she can just keep the putter going, then she has the ability to be dominant. She’s got the poise and seems to have the mental toughness to do it.”

Four-time major winner Dame Laura Davies echoed these sentiments, describing the champion’s relentless final round as being on “cruise control”.

Unbeatable at her best

Davies noted that while direct comparisons to Woods are difficult, the sheer authority of Korda’s front-running makes her nearly impossible to catch.

“Nelly, for me, has the complete game when she’s on. I’ve always said this: if she plays her best, none of them can beat her.”

Dame Laura Davies

The legendary English golfer suggested the dominant American could remain at the pinnacle of the sport for another decade, cementing her legacy alongside the all-time greats.

Jalen Brunson scored 39 points to lead the New York Knicks to a commanding 126-97 victory over the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, taking a 3-2 lead in their Eastern Conference quarter-final series.

The dominant home win pushes the franchise to the brink of the semi-finals following two consecutive blowout victories.

New York’s talismanic point guard exploded for 17 points in the fourth quarter alone to ensure there would be no late comeback.

Tactical shift frees up Knicks star

The 27-year-old had struggled with his shooting efficiency earlier in the matchup while being closely guarded by Dyson Daniels.

However, Atlanta head coach Quin Snyder opted to move his elite perimeter defender onto Karl-Anthony Towns for Game 5.

This adjustment provided the American international with the breathing room needed to dictate the tempo of the contest.

“It’s like a chess match. If someone makes a move, you’ve got to make another move.”

Brunson added that the team must be ready for anything and wait to see how their opponents react.

Suffocating defence seals the rout

The supporting cast in New York proved vital on both ends of the floor to secure the 29-point margin.

OG Anunoby delivered an unsung performance with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Towns added 16 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.

Defensively, the hosts restricted their opponents to just 42.7% shooting from the field and a dismal 27.7% from beyond the arc over their last two outings.

Veteran guard CJ McCollum was heavily contained, managing just six points in his lowest-scoring output since arriving in Georgia in January.

“It’s been a multitude of things. We picked it up as a unit. I think us being on the same page, both sides of the ball, was a factor.”

Playoff pedigree shines through

High-scoring post-season exploits have quickly become a trademark for the franchise player.

He previously recorded three consecutive 40-point games during the 2024 first round against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Head coach Mike Brown praised the phenomenal output, noting that the squad has developed a thick skin throughout a rocky opening round.

The team will now look to close out the series and advance when they travel back to Atlanta for Game 6 on Thursday.

Liverpool are planning early summer moves for Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi and Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni to avoid complications caused by the upcoming World Cup.

Arne Slot’s side want to secure their primary targets before the tournament begins to ensure new arrivals have a full pre-season.

The Reds suffered last season after a protracted British-record deadline day move for Alexander Isak severely affected the striker’s early match sharpness.

They also missed out on Marc Guehi in the final hours of the window, with the England centre-back ultimately joining Manchester City.

£80m move for Bournemouth prospect

Teenage sensation Eli Junior Kroupi has emerged as a prime candidate to bolster the Anfield attack.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed a stellar breakthrough campaign, registering 11 Premier League goals and averaging a strike every 126 minutes.

Interest in the France Under-21 international is exceptionally high, with European heavyweights Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain reportedly monitoring his progress.

The Cherries are expected to demand a fee in the region of £80m for their prized asset.

Attacking reinforcements required

A new forward has become an urgent priority for the Merseyside club following a severe injury to Hugo Ekitike.

The former Parisian ruptured his Achilles earlier this month and faces a lengthy rehabilitation period following surgery.

Kroupi is highly unlikely to make Didier Deschamps’ senior France squad, meaning a transfer could be concluded without international disruption.

Defensive revamp under Slot

Liverpool are also monitoring Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni as they look to rebuild their defensive ranks.

Italy’s failure to qualify for the global showpiece makes the 27-year-old a highly accessible early target.

The defender’s valuation has reportedly dropped to £40m, attracting strong interest from Spanish giants Barcelona.

However, Slot hopes to hijack the deal and make a definitive statement of intent ahead of his second campaign at the helm.

Paris St-Germain secured a 5-4 victory over Bayern Munich in a historic Champions League semi-final first leg at the Parc des Princes.

The two European heavyweights delivered a breathtaking nine-goal encounter that will be remembered as one of the competition’s greatest modern matches.

Harry Kane opened the scoring for the visitors from the penalty spot after Luis Diaz was fouled in the box.

However, the French champions responded brilliantly when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia turned Josip Stanisic to stroke home the equaliser.

Relentless attacking quality on display

Vincent Kompany’s side arrived in the French capital having lost just twice all season and chasing a potential treble.

They were met by a formidable home team that secured their own domestic treble last year under the guidance of Luis Enrique.

The former Spain manager had confidently declared his team the best in the world during his pre-match media duties.

“Paris St-Germain are the best in the world,” stated Enrique proudly on Monday.

Athleticism meets precision

The match was played at a relentless pace, combining fearsome technique with outstanding physical endurance from both sets of players.

Attacking talents like Michael Olise, Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele consistently threatened in a game played largely on fast-forward.

The raucous home crowd had set an intense tone before kick-off with a spectacular French Revolution-themed stadium display.

This slender one-goal advantage sets up a mouth-watering second leg in Germany as both clubs vie for a place in the final.