The United States is preparing to welcome visitors from across the world for what it says will be the “largest and greatest FIFA World Cup in history,” with the Trump Administration announcing a new fast-track visa initiative aimed at millions of foreign football fans expected to travel to the country Beginning January 20, the State Department is launching the FIFA Priority Appointment Schedule System, known as FIFA PASS, a programme designed specifically for World Cup ticket holders who require US visas, a senior State Department official said. “As part of the Trump Administration’s commitment to making this an incredible, successful event,” the official said, the new system is intended to ensure that legitimate fans are able to secure visa appointments in time for the tournament. Under FIFA PASS, all confirmed ticket holders will have access to prioritised visa interview appointments ahead of the World Cup, giving applicants an expedited pathway through US consular processing before the tournament begins. At the same time, the official stressed that the programme would not dilute US immigration standards. “At the visa appointment, the applicant must show they qualify for the visa and plan to follow our laws and leave at the end of the tournament,” the official said, adding that “America’s safety and the security of our borders will ALWAYS come first.” To further support a successful FIFA World Cup, the State Department is deploying more than 500 additional consular staff to process FWC26 visa applications, maintaining the same rigorous security standards applied to all applicants, the official said. These deployments will maintain “the same rigorous security standards applied to all applicants,” even as processing capacity is expanded, the official noted. The department has also moved to shorten visa wait times globally. According to the senior official, in more than 80 per cent of countries worldwide, applicants can now schedule a US visitor visa interview appointment in less than 60 days, a significant reduction compared to earlier backlogs. Fans planning to attend the tournament who require visas have been urged to apply as early as possible in their country of nationality or residence. The State Department has directed prospective travellers to the dedicated FIFA World Cup 26 visa information portal on its official website. The official said the combination of FIFA PASS, additional staffing and reduced interview wait times is intended to support a smooth and secure World Cup experience for visitors, while ensuring that US immigration laws are fully enforced throughout the process. The FIFA World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11, with matches spread across multiple host cities. It will be the organisation’s largest event to date, featuring 48 national teams. Eleven US cities will host 78 matches, including the final in the New York, New Jersey Stadium. It is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, marking the first time the tournament is shared by three countries. It will also be the first World Cup to feature an expanded 48-team format, significantly increasing the number of matches and visiting fans. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
21 January,2026 10:27 AM IST | Washington | IANSBrooklyn Beckham, the son of England football great David and ex-Spice Girls star Victoria, has released a shocking statement against his parents, accusing them of ‘trying to ruin’ his relationship with wife Nicola Peltz. “I do not want to reconcile with my family,” read a statement shared by Brooklyn, 26, on Tuesday. “My parents have been trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding. My mum cancelled making Nicola’s dress in the 11th hour, forcing her to find a new dress,” read the statement, which went on to claim that Victoria hijacked his first wedding dance: “It was planned to be a romantic dance with my wife, but instead my mum was waiting to dance with me. She danced very inappropriately in front of everyone, and I’ve never felt more uncomfortable or humiliated in my entire life.”
21 January,2026 09:30 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentLiverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk urged his team to cull the sloppiness seen in their recent English Premier League game against Burnley — a 1-1 draw — and put up an effervescent display right until the final whistle in front of a hostile crowd when they take on Marseille in their group-stage clash of the UEFA Champions League here on Wednesday. “I’m frustrated that after 60 minutes we started to become sloppy [vs Burnley]. We have to address that on Wednesday, because it will be a very, very difficult game. We have to be more than 95 minutes ready on the biggest stage. Not only because of the stage, the hostile atmosphere, but we play against a [Roberto] De Zerbi team that makes it very difficult for you,” said a wary van Dijk. Having won four of their six UCL matches so far, the Reds (in ninth place) require a solitary point to confirm their place in the Play-off round. However, if they finish in the Top 8, they’ll gain direct access to the Round of 16, which van Dijk admitted will be their target. Virgil van Dijk “We want to make sure that we don’t have a Play-off. And we have a good chance to make that happen,” said van Dijk. Marseille are in 16th place, with just nine points from six games, but did beat Union Saint-Gilloise and Newcastle in their last two UCL matches. They also have plenty of experience in their ranks including former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, World Cup and UCL-winning defender Benjamin Pavard, and World Cup-winning goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli. EightNo. of times Liverpool have won away from home in their last 10 UCL matches 17No. of years since Liverpool’s last match at Marseille; the Reds won that tie 2-1 This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 January,2026 09:27 AM IST | Marseille | AgenciesSenegal’s Africa Cup of Nations final match-winner Pape Gueye said his team had been fuelled by a sense of injustice after a controversial penalty awarded to Morocco. After the hosts were awarded a spot-kick in injury time, Senegal’s players stormed off, unhappy with the referee’s decision. Once they came back after 20 minutes, Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved by Edouard Mendy, while Gueye went on to score the winner in the fourth minute of extra time. “We had a feeling of injustice. But we remobilised. Edouard then made the save, we stayed focussed, got the goal and won the game,” said Gueye. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
20 January,2026 09:01 AM IST | Rabat (Morocco) | AFPNita Mukesh Ambani Junior School (NMAJS), Bandra, won the boys U-12 Div-IV title of the Dream Sports Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA) football tournament after defeating Christ Church ICSE (Byculla) 5-4 via tie-breaker in the final at Azad Maidan recently. The match moved to a tie-breaker after a 0-0 stalemate at the end of regulation time. In the penalty shootout, both teams were level at 4-4 after the first set of five penalty kicks each. The sudden death rule then kicked in, where Christ Church’s Yuvraj Jhaveri missed his spot-kick, while NMAJS’s Ayaan Singhee held his nerve to seal the title.
20 January,2026 08:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Rufus VedanayagamInter Milan manager Cristian Chivu accepted Arsenal as one of the favourites to win the UEFA Champions League (UCL), but insisted that his side are capable of slaying the high-flying Gunners when the two sides face off on Tuesday. “For me, Arsenal and Bayern are the strongest teams in Europe right now. [But] that doesn’t mean we’re starting defeated. We’ll try to play our game and do our best in understanding what the opponent gives us and makes us endure. And I repeat, we’ll be the best version of what we are,” said Chivu. Cristian Chivu The Nerazzuri can take confidence from the fact that they beat Mikel Arteta’s side 1-0 in the UCL group stage last season en-route to reaching the final, where they succumbed 0-5 to PSG. Inter currently sit in sixth place, with four wins and two losses, while Arsenal top the table with a perfect record in six games. Elaborating on the style of football the Inter faithful are likely to witness in Tuesday’s clash, Chivu said, “We’ll have a positive attitude, a willingness to win the ball, and to take risks. We have players capable of maintaining that level of focus.” The Italian giants will be without midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and right-back Denzel Dumfries. They will rely on skipper Lautaro Martinez to lead the attack while veteran goalkeeper Yann Sommer will be expected to marshal the defence in order to limit Arsenal’s threat from set-pieces. 18No. of years since Arsenal’s last win in Italy 08No. of UCL goals scored by Inter’s Lautaro Martinez in home games since 2025; the joint-most among all clubs in this period This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
20 January,2026 08:38 AM IST | Milan | AgenciesManchester United and England football legend Wayne Rooney made a shocking revelation during BBC’s Match of the Day: Behind the Scenes show, recently, admitting he is deaf in his left ear. Rooney, 40, has never spoken about his auditory issue before, but said that it has been affecting his punditry. According to British publication The Daily Mail, while filming a segment with the BBC, Rooney asked them to equip a earpiece in his right ear. “Can I do it in this [right] ear? The problem is I’m deaf in my left ear. So, when it’s too loud I struggle to hear what Kelly Cates [MOTD presenter] is saying,” he said. The Red Devils great currently works as an expert/pundit and resides in Cheshire with wife Coleen Rooney — a media personality — and sons Kai (16), Klay (12), Kit (nine), and Cass (seven).
19 January,2026 09:17 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentMikel Arteta claimed Arsenal were denied a ‘clear penalty’ in a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday as the Gunners edged seven points clear at the top of the English Premier League. Forest survived a VAR review in the closing stages when the ball seemed to brush the arm of defender Ola Aina. Arsenal remain well on course to end a 22-year wait to win the title, but have failed to take full advantage of Manchester City’s poor form in 2026 by dropping four points in their last two league games. “Obviously disappointed because we want the [three] points. We have to improve and be better, especially when we create four big chances, you have to put them away. But there was [also] a clear penalty that has not been given,” said a frustrated Arteta. Forest boss Sean Dyche had a very different view on the Aina incident. “You may as well cancel football if you’re going to give that,” said Dyche, whose side edged five points clear of the relegation zone. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 January,2026 09:14 AM IST | Nottingham | AFPFootball superstar Cristiano Ronaldo emerges highest-paid athlete in 2025 with £194mn (approximately Rs 2350cr), beating rival Lionel Messi by far (£97mn; approximately Rs 1175 cr) The indefatigable 40-year-old football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list of highest-paid athletes in 2025, dwarfing the likes of rival Lionel Messi and boxing star Canelo Alvarez in the process. According to sports media website Sportico, the Portuguese great raked in a whopping £194 million (approximately Rs 2350 crore) in the last year. His wages at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr amounted to £149 mn (approximately Rs 1805 crore), with an additional £45mn (approximately Rs 545 crore) coming through brand endorsements. In second place stands Mexico’s Alvarez with £102mn (approximately Rs 1235 crore), whose two blockbuster fights with William Scull and Terence Crawford saw him earn £93mn (approximately Rs 1126 crore), with the remaining £9mn (approximately R109 crore) secured via brand deals. Next comes Argentina football superstar Messi at £97mn (approximately Rs 1175 crore). Interestingly, £52mn (approximately Rs 630 crore) of Messi’s income from the last year came via endorsements, the rest of the £45mn (approximately Rs 545 crore) was the salary paid to him by Inter Miami. Fourth on the list is baseball star Juan Soto with £96mn (approximately Rs 1163 crore), followed by basketball legend LeBron James with £95.9mn (approximately Rs 1162 crore). Top Five Highest-Paid Athletes (2025)£ Cristiano Ronaldo (footballer) - £194mn (approximately Rs 2350cr)£ Canelo Alvarez (boxer) - £102mn (approximately Rs 1235cr)£ Lionel Messi (footballer) - £97mn (approximately Rs 1175cr)£ Juan Soto (baseballer) - £96mn (approximately Rs 1163cr)£ LeBron James (Basketballer) - £95.9mn (approximately Rs 1162cr)
18 January,2026 08:54 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesNovak Djokovic said on Saturday that he fancies his chances at the Australian Open despite “missing a bit of juice” in the legs, declaring he can still beat anyone on his day. The Serbian, 38, is targeting a record-extending 11th title here and a 25th major crown. To do so he must get past Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who have shared the last eight Grand Slams since Djokovic the 2023 US Open. The former World No. 1 still has belief that he can take down the big two. “Look, I know that when I’m healthy, when I’m able to put all the pieces of the puzzle together on a given day, I feel like I can beat anybody. If I don’t have that self-confidence, I wouldn’t be here. Sinner and Alcaraz are playing on a different level right now from everybody else, but that doesn’t mean that nobody else has a chance,” said Djokovic, who opens his campaign against Spain’s Pedro Martinez on Monday. TenNo of times Djokovic has won the season-opening Slam ThreeNo of years since Djokovic last won the Australian Open This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 January,2026 08:50 AM IST | Melbourne | AFPManchester United gave Michael Carrick the dream start to his interim tenure as manager on Saturday, beating Manchester City 2-0 to deal a huge blow to their local rivals’s English Premier League title aspirations. The Red Devils dominated at Old Trafford and were only made to wait until the final 25 minutes to seal victory by the inspired Gianluigi Donnarumma and because they had three goals ruled out for offside. Bryan Mbeumo marked his return from the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) by firing home the opening goal (65th min) before Patrick Dorgu (76th min) sealed just a second win in eight games for United. Lisandro Martinez Victory lifts Carrick’s men into the top four (35 points in 22 games). The result also means that the English coach is unbeaten across four games in his overall record as Red Devils manager — Carrick had previously managed the team on an interim basis for three games in 2021. United centre-back Lisandro Martinez attributed the win to Carrick’s message in the dressing room. “One important thing Michael Carrick said was, ‘Use the energy of the people.’ Today we did that. When we are together like this, it’s impossible to lose at home. [It’s an] unbelievable result. To be here with our people, with the fans… we have really suffered this season, but the only way is to show who we really are. Today was the best moment to do it and everyone — not just the players on the pitch — was part of that.” For much of the match City looked toothless. Their only complaint with the result could be Diogo Dalot avoiding a send-off after a poor tackle on Jeremy Doku in the eleventh minute. Ahead of the encounter, Guardiola had admitted the injuries to key defenders — Ruben Dias, John Stones, and Josko Gvardiol — left the vulnerable, and that certainly proved to be the case on Saturday. However, of equal worry would be star striker Erling Haaland’s apparent loss of form. The Norwegian has now only scored one goal in his last five EPL games. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 January,2026 08:46 AM IST | Manchester | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
