Sport

Australia are riding a wave of popularity and hype at this Women's World Cup. Forever an underdog in the world game, the team's belief, ability and results are making a mockery of that tag.

After announcing her retirement before the World Cup, Megan Rapinoe hoped her groundbreaking career could end in a blaze of glory. The final chapter wasn't fitting, but her impact on women's football will be everlasting.

South Africa's historic appearance in the 2023 World Cup knockouts is the latest milestone for women's football. The success needs to be matched by off-field investment.

Vincenzo La Porta has been arrested in Greece after being on the run for 11 years. The police managed to track him down thanks to his devotion to his hometown soccer team.

While others play at the World Cup, the Afghanistan national team are making their way in Australia's regional leagues. Two years after they fled their country, the past still hurts while the future is uncertain.

Somalia's minister of youth and sports suspended the chairwoman of the country's athletics federation and is set to initiate legal action after a female sprinter took more than 21 seconds to complete the 100 metres at the World University Games.

Seven-times Super Bowl champion Tom Brady has become a minority owner in English soccer club Birmingham City.

Lionel Messi broke a record previously held by Tom Brady following his highly-publicized move to Inter Miami. The Argentine superstar brought his storied soccer career in Europe to an end after nearly two decades playing at the pinnacle of the sport. Messi’s popularity for being one of the greatest soccer players of all time followed him across the pond.

Gianluigi Buffon helped Italy achieve victory at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The 45-year-old is the most capped player in Italy's history with 176 appearances for the Azzurri and a 10-time Serie A champion with Juventus.

The WNBA basketball star, who spent almost a year in a Russian jail until a December prisoner swap, will not travel with her Phoenix Mercury team for the next two games.

Nouhaila Benzina made Women’s World Cup history during Morocco’s surprise victory over South Korea. Benzina became the first player to wear a hijab at a senior-level Women’s World Cup.

Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele looks set to complete a move from Barcelona to Paris Saint Germain. The 26-year–old joined the Spanish giants from Borussia Dortmund for €135 million in 2017. However, poor form and an even worse injury record saw his value plummet in recent years, despite a resurgence under Xavi at the Camp Nou.