Warsaw (Poland), June 8: Latvia and the United States claimed the respective men’s and women’s titles at the FIBA 3×3 World Cup in Warsaw, Poland.

Latvia defeated Germany 20-15 in the men’s final to win its first 3×3 World Cup title. The victory also made Latvia the first men’s team to complete a collection of major international honors: Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020, the European Cup in 2017, and the World Cup in 2026 on Sunday.

Serbia edged France 20-19 to secure bronze.

In the women’s competition, the United States beat Australia 21-20 in a closely contested final. Mikaylah Williams scored the winning basket and was named the tournament’s MVP, reports Xinhua.

The triumph marked the fourth 3×3 World Cup title for the U.S. women, following previous victories in 2012, 2014, and 2023, while Australia made the women’s final for the first time.

The Netherlands secured the bronze medal with a 21-14 victory over Azerbaijan.

The seven-day tournament brought together 40 teams from around the world, attracting more than 100,000 spectators.

The inaugural tournament, originally named the FIBA 3×3 World Championship, was held in August 2012 in Athens, Greece. In the first edition, there was a mixed event where each team was composed of 2 men and 2 women. But now that has been discontinued, and there are only two events in the tournament: one for men and another for women.

Serbia is the most successful country in the men’s competition with six gold medals, one silver, and two bronze, while the United States is the next best with one gold and two silver medals. Latvia, Qatar, and Oman are the other countries to win the gold medal in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup.

The United States is the most successful nation in the women’s FIBA 3×3 World Cup with four titles and one third-place finish. France, Russia, China, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Italy are the other nations to win the title in the competition that has had 10 editions so far.

In the wake of a disappointing exit from the UEFA Champions League, tensions surfaced between Pep Guardiola and Antonio Rudiger following Manchester City’s 1–2 loss to Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium.

As the final whistle blew and the Spanish manager greeted the victorious Real Madrid players, a brief but heated moment unfolded between Guardiola and Rudiger. What began as a routine handshake quickly shifted in tone, with City defender Rudiger appearing visibly agitated.

Manchester City’s defeat ended their hopes in Europe this season, with Real Madrid advancing 5–1 on aggregate. Guardiola later addressed the loss, acknowledging the Champions League’s difficulty and urging his team to shift focus toward domestic targets, including the League Cup final. He emphasized the disappointment but maintained that the competition’s rigors require resilience and learning from setbacks.

Although football rivalries often carry emotional weight, incidents like the Guardiola–Rudiger moment highlight how passion and frustration can surface in intense matches. Both clubs now prepare for upcoming fixtures, with Manchester City looking to regroup and Real Madrid celebrating a significant European progression.

Vinicius Junior once again found himself at the center of attention, not just for his footballing brilliance but for a bold and emotional celebration that left fans stunned during a high-voltage UEFA Champions League clash against Manchester City.

The Real Madrid forward lit up the night with a crucial goal. However, it was what followed that truly ignited conversations across the football world. As the ball hit the back of the net, Vinicius turned towards the crowd and performed a ‘cry’ gesture, mocking his critics and seemingly responding to the hostile atmosphere inside the stadium.

The reaction inside the ground was immediate. Manchester City supporters were left in disbelief, many visibly stunned by the Brazilian’s audacity. The gesture, interpreted by many as a direct message to opposition fans who had been jeering him throughout the match, added another layer of intensity to an already fiery encounter.

Vinicius has often been a polarizing figure in European football, frequently targeted by opposition fans but equally known for his fearless personality. This celebration appeared to be a culmination of pent-up emotion, a statement that he thrives under pressure and refuses to be intimidated on the biggest stage.

New Delhi, March 17: Iran’s participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026 is uncertain as the country’s football federation are in talks with FIFA to move its scheduled matches in the United States to Mexico due to rising security concerns.

Iranian football president Mehdi Taj confirmed this development. He stated that safety assurances are a major issue. “When [US President Donald] Trump has said he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” Taj said in a post shared via the Iranian embassy in Mexico’s X account. “We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.”

These concerns arise from the ongoing conflict following the US-Israel airstrikes on Iran in 2026, which started in late February and has heightened regional tensions. Iran’s sports minister previously indicated the seriousness of the situation, mentioning that the national team might not be able to take part in the tournament as planned.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated that Iran would be allowed to participate but recognized the sensitivity of the matter. He said the team is welcome but suggested it might not be suitable for them to play in the United States “for their own life and safety.”

Iran had easily qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. They became the first Asian team to secure their spot on March 25, 2025. According to the current schedule, they are set to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.

However, the worsening geopolitical situation raises the possibility of a dramatic withdrawal. This would be unprecedented in the modern era of the World Cup and could require FIFA to make a last-minute replacement decision.

For now, the Asian Football Confederation has said it has not received any official communication about a withdrawal. It added that the Iranian federation has confirmed its intention to participate, although the rapidly changing situation continues to create uncertainty about their final decision.