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France players met their President Emmanuel Macron at his residence before flying out to the United States for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The likes of Kylian Mbappe and coach Didier Deschamps were in attendance to meet the high-profile leader as the two dignitaries exchanged pleasantries. The Les Bleus finished runners-up at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, losing to Argentina in the final in Qatar. Deschamps is stepping down after the World Cup and his successor is widely touted to be Zinedine Zidane — the star of France’s triumphs at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 who, like Mbappe, scored in two World Cup finals.

BY Photo Webdesk 3 June 2026

In men’s play, 20-year-old Jakub Mensik ended the run of Brazil’s Joao Fonseca with a 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory. The 19-year-old Fonseca beat 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in five sets in the third round and then eliminated two-time runner-up Casper Ruud in the fourth round. Mensik collapsed to the clay with cramps upon edging Mariano Navone in a fifth-set tiebreaker in the second round and also needed five sets to advance in the fourth round against Andrey Rublev. For a place in Sunday’s final, Mensik will face second-seeded Alexander Zverev, the 2024 runner-up, who beat rising Spanish player Rafael Jodar 7-6 (3), 6-1, 6-3.

BY Photo Webdesk 3 June 2026

A 70‑foot statue of Lionel Messi in Kolkata’s Lake Town was dismantled and removed on Monday, June 1, after local residents reported that it was swaying dangerously in strong winds. The Public Works Department (PWD) conducted an inspection of the statue, flagged structural instability, and the newly elected West Bengal government ordered its dismantling. The statue, which shows Messi lifting the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy, was inaugurated by the Argentine player in December during his "GOAT Tour" visit.

BY Photo Webdesk 3 June 2026

Alexander Zverev defeated Rafael Jodar 7‑6(3), 6‑1, 6‑3 in the French Open 2026 quarter‑final at Court Philippe‑Chatrier on Tuesday, advancing to Roland-Garros semi-finals. The second seed overcame a spirited start from 19‑year‑old Jodar, rallying from 2-5 down in the opening set to clinch the tie-break. From there, the 2024 finalist took control, reeling off seven straight games to claim the second set 6‑1 and then winning the third set 6-3. The victory marked Zverev's fifth the Roland-Garros semi-final appearance in the past six years.

BY Photo Webdesk 3 June 2026

Marta Kostyuk booked a place in the semifinals of the French Open 2026 after beating her Ukrainian counterpart Elina Svitolina by 6-3, 2-6, 6-2. The emotions were visible on the 23-year-old's face as it was her first-ever entry into the Grand Slam semifinals, and that too after beating a highly decorated counterpart. It was a match between Ukraine's two best tennis players, and the contest lived up to its hype. The match on the main Philippe Chatrier lasted for 1 hour, 51 minutes and was a roller-coaster ride for the fans. Kostyuk looked in control from the start and closed the first set comfortably by 6-3. However, the eighth seed fought back in the second set and won it handsomely by 6-2. The deciding set started with a nervous exchange of games, but Kostyuk elevated her game at the right time to clinch a memorable victory over Svitolina

BY Photo Webdesk 2 June 2026

Find today's news in pics from India and around the world for June 02, 2026

BY Photo Webdesk 2 June 2026

FIFA World Cup 2026 co-hosts Canada defeated Uzbekistan 2-0 in a crucial pre-tournament international friendly at Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Alberta, on Monday (June 1). Jonathan Osorio, making his 90th appearance in Les Rouges, scored a second-half goal, while Jayden Nelson, who also came off the bench, sealed the win in stoppage time. Tani Oluwaseyi assisted both goals. But the win was marred by an injury to defender Moise Bombito, who limped to the locker room in the first half. Midfielder Marcelo Flores was already recuperating from a torn ligament. Both are in the 26-player squad named by head coach Jesse Marsch. Canada will play another friendly, against Ireland on Saturday, before their World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group B. Uzbekistan are in Group K and will face Colombia in their first match on June 17 in Mexico City. The White Wolves from Central Asia are making their first-ever World Cup appearance.

BY Photo Webdesk 2 June 2026

The International Broadcast Center (IBC) for the FIFA World Cup 2026 was officially opened on Monday (June 1) in Downtown Dallas. "When you're back home, and you watch a World Cup match on TV, you don't realise that there are thousands of people working for it, not just in the stadiums but also, and in particular, in this International Broadcast Centre, which is the epicentre of bringing the FIFA World Cup to the entire world," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the opening. Spanning 45,000 square metres, this facility will serve as the headquarters for FIFA's host broadcaster and Host Broadcast Services (HBS), all FIFA Media Partners, FIFA's Video Content Production Department, and FIFA's Football Technology and Innovation Department, and will also house the video assistant referee (VAR) room. As part of security operations, two autonomous dogs called "Spot" have been deployed for 24/7 surveillance of the facility. Dallas also hosted the IBC during the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

BY Photo Webdesk 2 June 2026

Paris Saint-Germain took its Champions League success to the French Open on Monday when Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and three teammates raised the trophy for tennis fans. Dembele and his France teammates Bradley Barcola, Warren Zaire-Emery and Desire Doue received a standing ovation from tennis fans as they took to the sun-drenched Philippe-Chatrier court. PSG won Europe’s most prestigious club competition for a second straight year on Saturday after beating Arsenal in a tense final which finished with a penalty shootout. Sporting sunglasses, Dembele shouted “Ici c’est Paris!” (This is Paris!) — one of the favorite chants of PSG fans. Some of the crowd joined in a loud rendition of it.

BY Photo Webdesk 2 June 2026

Aryna Sabalenka defeated Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-3 in a high-stakes fourth-round clash at the French Open 2026, held at Court Philippe-Chatrier on June 1, Monday. As the first women’s night-session match at Roland-Garros in three years, the encounter lived up to the hype, showcasing a battle between two power-hitting stars. While Osaka started strong, securing an early 2-0 lead, the world No. 1 Sabalenka quickly regained her composure. Her dominance at the baseline and clinical serving—including 12 aces—allowed her to pressure Osaka consistently. Sabalenka broke decisively to lead 6-5 in the first set and maintained that momentum to secure the second. This victory marked Sabalenka's 14th consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance and her third win over Osaka in the 2026 season, setting up a meeting with Diana Shnaider.

BY Photo Webdesk 2 June 2026