National Sports

By Emile Nuh, Kaitlan Collins, CNN (CNN) — More than 1,200 players represented their countries at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and among those, perhaps none will remember the tournament more fondly than Spain forward Ferran Torres. Every kid who falls in love with the Beautiful Game dreams of scoring the winning goal in a

By Jill Martin, CNN (CNN) — While it took an extra day, it was worth the wait for Alexandra Eala. The 21-year-old became the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA Tour-level title, coming back from a set down to defeat American Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 at the DC Open on Monday.

By Ainsley Flood, CNN (CNN) — In every World Cup, there’s an underdog. It’s always a memorable storyline, but in 2026, Cape Verde stole the show. The island nation off the west coast of Africa has a population of about half a million and was ranked 67th in the world. It is the second-smallest country

By Emile Nuh, CNN (CNN) — Watch the CNN Original Series “Decades in Sports,” which will be premiering on August 2 and available to stream on the CNN app the next day. Across six episodes, the series explores the defining moments, athletes and cultural shifts that shaped sports over the past six decades, from the

By Sophie Tanno, CNN (CNN) — European soccer’s governing body UEFA declared it has lost confidence in FIFA president Gianni Infantino, piling pressure on the beleaguered sporting chief despite the organization dropping a hugely controversial plan to sell private stakes in the World Cup and other top tournaments. In a blistering statement released Saturday morning,

By Emile Nuh, CNN (CNN) — Just over four years ago in May 2022, 10-year-old Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast Sasha Paskal and her mother, Maria, were enjoying some time together in the scenic seaside village of Zatoka in the Odesa region of southwestern Ukraine. It was a sunny day and they were getting ready to head

By Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN (CNN) — FIFA President Gianni Infantino is finding himself increasingly isolated as pressure and opposition build against the world soccer governing body’s plan to inject private money into its competitions. European soccer’s governing body UEFA threatened Thursday to boycott future men’s and women’s World Cups in reaction to the proposal.

By Thomas Schlachter, CNN (CNN) — Zinedine Zidane has been named as the new head coach of France for the next four years, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Tuesday. The 54-year-old will take over from longtime head coach Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after the 2026 World Cup, which ended in disappointment for

By Dana O’Neil, CNN Philadelphia (CNN) — There aren’t many days that Angelo Cataldi wishes he still had to go to work. For 30-plus years, Cataldi anchored Philadelphia’s morning sports talk radio show, his daily dose of unfiltered honesty giving voice to a fan base that could never be accused of being a little bit

By Reagan Yip, Amanda Davies, CNN (CNN) — When Tori Penso walked onto the field, her three daughters were with her – their names inscribed on her cleats as a reminder of what the occasion meant beyond the whistle. Weeks before her 40th birthday, Penso became the first American woman – and the second woman

By Jill Martin, Kyle Feldscher, CNN (CNN) — LeBron James has made what he says is his “last decision” and has chosen his next NBA team. After moving on from the Los Angeles Lakers, James announced Friday he has picked the Philadelphia 76ers as his landing spot. James, 41, will be entering his record-extending 24th

By Thomas Schlachter, CNN (CNN) — Jürgen Klopp has been named as head coach of Germany’s men’s national soccer team, the German Football Association announced Friday. Klopp has signed a four-year contract that will see him take charge of the squad through to the 2030 World Cup. He’ll be assisted by Peter Krawietz, Pep Lijnders

By Dana O’Neil, CNN Tampa, Florida (CNN) — Before each coach takes the stage for his press conference at SEC Football media days, Commissioner Greg Sankey steps to the microphone for a brief introduction. He runs through the coach’s bona fides and adds a non-football side note—who likes to play pickleball, or who recently went

CNN By Ben Church, CNN (CNN) — Note: This story first appeared in The Beautiful Game by CNN Sports, our daily newsletter on all things World Cup. While we’re saying goodbye for now, we will be back for the European domestic club season. See you then! And just like that, the 2026 World Cup is

By Ben Church, CNN (CNN) — Note: This story first appeared in The Beautiful Game by CNN Sports, our daily newsletter on all things World Cup. While we’re saying goodbye for now, we will be back for the European domestic club season. See you then! And just like that, the 2026 World Cup is over.

By Kyle Feldscher, CNN (CNN) — Before this World Cup began, I kept thinking one thing over and over as the tournament grew closer: “This could be a disaster.” Headlines from around the country swirled about how the lengthy US government shutdown left local municipalities without the necessary funds to prepare for millions of people

CNN, POOL By Kyle Feldscher, CNN (CNN) — Before this World Cup began, I kept thinking one thing over and over as the tournament grew closer: “This could be a disaster.” Headlines from around the country swirled about how the lengthy US government shutdown left local municipalities without the necessary funds to prepare for millions