… "The stadium is sold out, it will be very exciting, the motivation cannot be higher to play against the world champions." England also play the Czech Republic twice and Croatia once during the upcoming international window.
… The United States, record 32-time winners of the competition, face a serious test in their bid to end a 19-year wait for a 33rd title when they take on a strong Czech Republic side in Prague tomorrow and Saturday.There will be even more pressure on Shelton to deliver after world …
… That was the assessment of the giant 19-year-old by team-mate Han Xu after China's 74-70 overtime win over the Czech Republic on Sunday in Germany. …
… The Czech Republic fell 8 positions and ended up in 48th place. South Korea was eliminated in the group stage and fell 7 positions in the ranking, ending up in 32nd place. …
Czech duo Muchova and Mensik win US Open mixed doubles title By AFP August 27, 2026 10:01 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Czech Republic's Jakub Mensik and Czech Republic's Karolina Muchova pose with the tr …
Spaniard Santi Denia takes over as Czech Republic coach By AFP August 01, 2026 09:01 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Spain's coach Santi Denia (L) reacts during the men's gold medal final football match bet …
Spain's World Cup-winning coach Luis de la Fuente said he wanted to offer "full support" to the people of Ceuta as the north African exclave grapples with a migration crisis, after more than 70,000 migrants entered from Morocco in late July.
Spain's World Cup-winning coach Luis de la Fuente said he wanted to offer "full support" to the people of Ceuta as the north African exclave grapples with a migration crisis, after more than 70,000 migrants entered from Morocco in late July.
England manager Thomas Tuchel said the team can build on the "fantastic spirit" of their World Cup campaign as he named a 27-man group for Nations League fixtures, including previously overlooked Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and Chelsea forward Cole Palmer. The squad begins play against world champions Spain on September 26.
Newly crowned US Open champion Alexander Zverev makes a quick return for Germany's Davis Cup qualifying tie against Croatia this weekend, while Ben Shelton seeks to bounce back after losing the US Open final to Zverev. Seven qualifiers will be decided this week to join hosts Italy in November's eight-team Finals.
Zhang Ziyu, a 19-year-old Chinese centre standing 223cm tall, played at the Women's World Cup in Germany, where she scored three points in over 10 minutes against Czech Republic and faced reigning champions the United States. Despite her extraordinary height, teammates and opponents including USA star Caitlin Clark noted she is still learning, with Clark praising her potential while cautioning that she is "still growing and learning how to play."
Croatia's 40-year-old midfielder and captain Luka Modric will remain with the national squad for forthcoming Nations League matches, the Croatian football federation confirmed on Saturday. Modric will be included in the squad coach Slaven Bilic announces on Monday.
The FIFA national team ranking indicates each country's standing in world football and influences World Cup draw seeding and competition structures. Spain leads the ranking after winning the World Cup, and FIFA now provides live provisional ranking updates during matches.
A 24-year-old mother suffered burns during a caesarean section at a Prague hospital on August 25 when a disinfectant caught fire, according to media reports; her baby was not injured and she was transferred to another hospital with a burn ward for treatment.
Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik of Czech Republic won the 2026 US Open mixed doubles title, defeating Switzerland's Belinda Bencic and Italy's Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 1-6, 10-6 in the final after saving two match points in the semi-final against Russians Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev.
Santi Denia, who guided Spain to 2024 Olympic gold, has been appointed head coach of the Czech Republic on a two-year contract with an option to extend. He replaces Miroslav Koubek and becomes the country's first foreign coach.
French football icon Zinedine Zidane was appointed head coach of the France national team on Tuesday, tasked with delivering the 2030 World Cup as coach, just as he won it as a player in 1998.
French football icon Zinedine Zidane has been appointed coach of France with the goal of winning the 2030 World Cup, mirroring his success as a player when he helped France win the 1998 World Cup at home. AFP Sport reviews key moments from Zidane's illustrious playing career, including his international debut at age 22 when he scored twice against the Czech Republic and his pivotal role in France's 1998 World Cup victory.
Kenya hosted the World Rafting Cup and African Rafting Championships 2026 at Sagana on the Tana River, the first time the prestigious event was held on African soil. Kenya emerged as the continent's top performer, winning the mixed team title, both para-rafting events, and six gold medals across the competition, securing direct qualification for the World Rafting Championships in Argentina.
Czech tennis player Linda Noskova defeated compatriot Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in the Wimbledon women's singles final on Saturday. At 21, Noskova is the youngest woman to win Wimbledon since fellow Czech Petra Kvitova in 2011.
Linda Noskova won her first Wimbledon title by defeating compatriot Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in a dramatic final. The 21-year-old recovered from wasting five match points and an emotional breakdown in the second set to clinch the title.
South African midfielder Jayden Adams, who represented his country at the ongoing World Cup, died Saturday at age 25. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie confirmed the death but did not disclose the cause; police have opened an investigation after the body was found at a house in Cape Town.
Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova, Czech Republic friends who have played doubles together, will compete for the Wimbledon title on Saturday. The pair, who spent time together at the 2024 Paris Olympics, say their friendship will remain intact regardless of the outcome.
Mexico officially appointed former defender Rafael Marquez, aged 47, as the new head coach of the national football team following the country's elimination from the World Cup. Marquez, who was part of outgoing manager Javier Aguirre's coaching staff, will lead the team after Mexico were beaten 3-2 by England in the last 16.
Mexico has beaten Ecuador to reach the World Cup knockout round, ending a 40-year wait to win a knockout game, while Canada and the USA are also progressing further than in previous tournaments as home advantage benefits all three hosts.
Captain Stephen Eustaquio scored in the 92nd minute as co-host Canada defeated South Africa 1–0 on Sunday to reach the last 16 of the World Cup in North America, with both teams making their first-ever appearance beyond the group stage.
The World Health Organization reports more than 1,300 excess deaths linked to high temperatures in Europe since 21 June, as temperature records fell across the continent including Germany's 41.7C. France reported around 1,000 more deaths than expected since Wednesday, with deaths disproportionately affecting those aged 65 and over.
The Czech Republic set a new temperature record of 41.1°C in Doksany north of Prague on Sunday, the second record in two days after Saturday's 40.9°C peak. The meteorological institute said this was the first time 41 degrees had been registered in its official weather station network, amid an unprecedented two-week heatwave affecting much of Europe.
South Africa qualified for the World Cup knockout stage for the first time, finishing second in Group A after a 1-0 victory over South Korea. Coach Hugo Broos, 74, will lead Bafana Bafana against Canada in the first last-32 fixture in Los Angeles on Sunday.
At least 193 million people across Europe are expected to experience temperatures above 35°C on Saturday as a heatwave shifts eastwards, with Germany forecast to be hardest hit with 75 million facing temperatures exceeding 35°C and Hungary's population of over nine million exposed to similar extreme heat.
The United States have clinched top spot in World Cup Group D after wins over Paraguay and Australia and will face eliminated Turkey, while Germany, the Netherlands, and Japan are positioned to advance to the knockout rounds.
Brazil defeated Scotland 3-0 to advance to the World Cup's last 32, while South Africa, Canada, and Bosnia-Herzegovina progressed to the knockout rounds for the first time in their histories.
South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 on Wednesday to reach the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history, recovering from an opening 2-0 loss to Mexico. Thapelo Maseko scored the decisive goal in the second half in an effective playoff with South Korea for second place in Group A.
South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 on Wednesday to reach the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history, recovering from an opening 2-0 loss to Mexico with a draw against Czech Republic.
South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 to advance to the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history, recovering after an opening 2-0 loss to Mexico. Coach Hugo Broos called the achievement historic after working with the team for five years.
Mexico defeated the Czech Republic 3-0 at the Estadio Azteca to cement top place in World Cup Group A with a perfect record and advance to the last-32 match at the same stadium on June 30, while the Czechs finished bottom of the group.
Brazil will seek to qualify for the last 32 of the World Cup against Scotland as the tournament shifts to six games a day. Carlo Ancelotti's side expect to progress, though Scotland aims to qualify for the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.