Irish footballers, celebrities urge boycott of Israel match

An open letter sent to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) from campaign group Irish Sport for Palestine accuses Israel of engaging in "genocide" in the war in Gaza and of breaching UEFA and FIFA statutes by allowing teams to play on occupied Palestinian land.
7 May 2026

Pele’s dummy: The art of deception

Some say true magic cannot be seen, only felt. By the time you realise something extraordinary has happened, it has already slipped into the past. You cannot catch it by reaching out, nor can you see it by closing your eyes. All that remains is a strange emptiness in your chest -- as if you witnessed something, yet cannot quite name it.
7 May 2026

PSG switch focus to Arsenal after 'hardest match of season'

PSG coach Luis Enrique praised his side's spirit against Bayern, who desperately tried to force their way back into the tie but could not break through.
7 May 2026

FIFA extends Argentina forward Prestianni's ban to two World Cup matches

"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to extend the six-match ban imposed by UEFA ... to have worldwide effect," FIFA said in a statement.
7 May 2026

Holders PSG edge Bayern Munich to reach Champions League final

Holders Paris Saint-Germain set up a Champions League final against Arsenal after a 1-1 second-leg draw at Bayern Munich secured a 6-5 aggregate victory on Wednesday.
7 May 2026

Indigenous representation takes flight in Brazil’s official football league

Many players came from thousands of miles away, deep in the Amazon rainforest, to join Originarios.
6 May 2026

The miss that defined a career

Across club football, he played 710 matches and scored 335 goals. In international football, he netted 31 times in 75 appearances for Argentina in their iconic sky-blue and white jersey. The one behind the numbers is Gonzalo Higuain, who lit up the pitch for European heavyweights like Real Madrid, Napoli, Juventus, Chelsea and AC Milan for years.
6 May 2026

Maiden call-ups for Arpita, Momita as Bangladesh name SAFF Women’s C’ship squad

Bangladesh head coach Peter Butler on Wednesday announced a 23-member final squad for the upcoming SAFF Women’s Championship, set to be held in India from May 25, including two new faces -- defender Arpita Biswas and midfielder Momita Khatun -- while leaving out several experienced players.
6 May 2026

Same script, same hero: Arefin sends DS into semis

An impenetrable goalkeeper, needless shouting among teammates, shootout nerves of steel, and a caution from the referee -- The Daily Star once again followed their now well-worn script, with all the familiar themes returning in a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Cricfrenzy to reach the semifinals of the Kool BSJA Media Cup today.
6 May 2026

Asia football fans sweat on broadcast rights as World Cup nears

Swathes of football-mad Asia from China and India to Malaysia and Thailand are yet to confirm broadcast rights for the biggest-ever World Cup with kick-off barely one month away.
6 May 2026

Casemiro backs Carrick for permanent Man United manager's job

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro says Michael Carrick has already shown he has all the qualities to be a great manager at the club and backed calls for the former England international to be given the role on a permanent basis.
6 May 2026

'The system is the lack of a system'

“The system itself is unsystematic” — that is how Rahmatganj coach Kamal Babu summed up the lack of venue preparedness in a conversation with The Daily Star a week ago.
6 May 2026

Munich braces for PSG-Bayern fireworks

PSG and Bayern are the top scorers in this season's UEFA Champions League with 43 and 42 goals respectively.
6 May 2026

World Cup 2026: US hotel reservations lag far behind expectations

Eighty percent of respondents reported hotel bookings were tracking below initial forecasts. And around 65 percent of the total respondents cited visa barriers and broader geopolitical concerns as issues suppressing demand.
6 May 2026

Arteta hails ‘incredible night’ as Arsenal reach historic Champions League final

A tap-in from captain Bukayo Saka just before halftime and a ninth clean sheet in this season's competition gave Arsenal a 2-1 aggregate semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid.
6 May 2026

Infantino defends FIFA World Cup ticket prices amid fan backlash

FIFA has faced searing criticism over the cost of World Cup tickets, with fan organization Football Supporters Europe (FSE) branding the pricing structure "extortionate" and a "monumental betrayal".
6 May 2026

Hollow promises, dying district leagues crippling Bangladesh football

How can Bangladesh football progress? The answer to this, or similar queries, is almost always delivered by experts and even Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) authorities in a more or less identical manner -- stressing the need to improve the grassroots.
6 May 2026

Saka ends Arsenal's 20-year wait to reach Champions League final

Arsenal reached the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years as Bukayo Saka sealed a 1-0 win against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
6 May 2026

PSG 'not here to defend' against Bayern, says Luis Enrique

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique said his side's one-goal first leg lead meant "nothing" ahead of Wednesday's second Champions League semi-final at Bayern Munich.
6 May 2026

Injured Chelsea forward Estevao being treated in Brazil

Chelsea's teenage Brazilian forward Estevao has begun treatment on his hamstring injury back in his homeland in a bid to be fit for the World Cup, a source at Palmeiras told AFP.
6 May 2026