Sports fans, get ready! The 2026 Sports Around the World live updates and general discussion thread is here. From football and basketball to tennis, cricket, and beyond, this is your go-to space for real-time updates, analysis, and banter on all the biggest sporting events across the globe.
Join fellow fans, share insights, celebrate victories, and debate the hottest topics in sports. Don’t miss out—be part of the action!
Themen’s football World Cupin the United States, Canada and Mexico will be the major attraction for many in another action-packed sporting year in 2026.**
England and Scotland have qualified directly for the record-size 48-team finals, and they could be joined by either Wales or Northern Ireland who will compete in March for one of four European play-off places.
England, among the favourites to lift the trophy, begin their Group L campaign against Croatia in Dallas on 17 June before facing Ghana and Panama.
Scotland, who will be at a World Cup for the first time since 1998, take on Haiti in their Group C opener before playing Morocco and five-time winners Brazil.
The tournament gets under way on 11 June with Mexico hosting South Africa and will conclude 103 games later with the final at the New York New Jersey Stadium on 19 July.
Away from football the Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics take place in Italy in February and March respectively, with Great Britain aiming to win a record number of medals at both events.
Cricket’s men’s T20 World Cup gets under way in India and Sri Lanka in February, with Harry Brook’s England side seeking to lift the trophy for a record third time.
The summer features three major events in the UK, with England hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup, Glasgow staging the Commonwealth Games and Birmingham putting on the European Athletics Championships.
Formula 1 announced the 2026 season calendar on Tuesday, confirming that the championship will kick off on March 6 in Australia with the Melbourne Grand Prix.
The season will feature 24 races, culminating in the final round in Abu Dhabi in December. Notably, Madrid will make its debut on the F1 calendar in September.
Meanwhile, Imola Grand Prix in Italy has been scrapped from next year’s schedule.
