Germany and the Netherlands have officially qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after emphatic victories in their final European qualifying matches. Germany crushed Slovakia 6-0 in Leipzig, while the Netherlands defeated Lithuania 4-0 in Amsterdam. Both teams needed only a draw to advance but opted for attacking displays to seal their places in style. Slovakia and Poland finished second in their respective groups, earning playoff spots for March’s 16-team European playoff round. Northern Ireland also reached the playoffs through their Nations League performance despite finishing third in Group A. Croatia, already qualified earlier, beat Montenegro 3-2, and the Czech Republic secured second place in Group L with a 6-0 win over Gibraltar. Germany’s win featured goals from Nick Woltemade, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané, Ridle Baku, and Assan Ouedraogo. The Netherlands’ victory was powered by Tijjani Reijnders, Cody Gakpo, Xavi Simons, and Donyell Malen, delighting 50,000 fans at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

After more than two years away, FC Barcelona will finally return to their iconic home ground, Camp Nou, on November 22 for a La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao. The Catalan club confirmed the news in a statement on Monday. The team last played at Camp Nou during the 2022–23 season and has since been hosting matches at the Olympic Stadium on Montjuïc Hill due to extensive renovation work. The €1.5 billion ($1.75 billion) redevelopment faced multiple delays, pushing the reopening back by a year. Initially, the stadium will reopen with a temporary capacity of 45,401 spectators, which will eventually expand to 105,000 once the upper tiers are completed. Earlier this month, a test event was held with 23,000 fans attending an open training session. Barcelona also hopes to host their December 9 UEFA Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt at the revamped Camp Nou, pending UEFA approval.

The Indian national football team has arrived in Dhaka to face Bangladesh in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying return leg on November 18. However, controversy has emerged over the inclusion of Ryan Williams, an Australian-born striker who recently obtained Indian citizenship. Despite his new nationality, India reportedly brought him to Dhaka without securing necessary approvals from FIFA and Football Australia. According to regulations, India must obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from Football Australia before seeking formal clearance from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Without these permissions, Williams will be ineligible to play against Bangladesh. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed that while Williams will travel and train with the team, his participation in the match depends on receiving the required NOC and international clearances.

A total of 30 national teams from across the globe have officially secured their places in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will feature 48 teams in total. From Europe, France, England, and Croatia have qualified by topping their respective groups. South America will be represented by six teams—Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, and Paraguay—after dominant performances in the qualifiers. Host nation the United States and Mexico have confirmed their participation from North and Central America. Africa will send nine teams, including Algeria, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Egypt, Senegal, Tunisia, Cape Verde, and South Africa. From Asia, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, and Uzbekistan have secured their spots, while New Zealand will represent Oceania. With 18 places still open, the remaining teams will be determined through playoffs and final qualifying rounds in the coming months.

The Bangladesh government has approved a new three-year project worth Tk 27.82 crore to train young people in basic self-defense skills. The initiative, titled 'Basic Self-Defense Training for Youths,' will be implemented by the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) under the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Scheduled to run until February 2028, the fully government-funded program aims to train 8,850 participants—8,250 young men and 600 young women—from all 64 districts. Training sessions will be held at BKSP’s main campus in Savar and regional centers in Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, and Sylhet, with additional facilities in Dhaka and Dinajpur. The project allocates Tk 16.51 crore for training activities and participant support, Tk 7.08 crore for sports equipment, and Tk 2.17 crore for furniture. Officials said the program seeks to enhance youths’ confidence, discipline, and resilience while equipping them with practical self-defense techniques.

Bangladesh advanced to the mixed doubles table tennis final at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia after defeating Bahrain 3–1 in the semifinals on Thursday, November 13. The pair of Khai Khai Sai Marma and Javed Ahmed delivered a strong performance, winning the first, third, and fourth games. With this result, Bangladesh has already guaranteed at least a silver medal, marking the country's first-ever table tennis medal at the Islamic Games and its first medal outside South Asia. In addition, Bangladeshi weightlifter Marzia Akter Ikra earned three bronze medals in snatch, clean and jerk, and total categories, bringing Bangladesh’s total medal count at the event to four.

Bangladesh secured another medal at the Asian Archery Championship as Kulsum Akter Moni won bronze in the women's compound individual event. Moni, the only Bangladeshi participant in the category, narrowly missed the final after losing 146–145 to India's Pradeep Prithika in the semifinals. Despite trailing early in the bronze medal match against Chen Si of Chinese Taipei, Moni made a strong comeback, scoring a perfect 30 in the final set to clinch victory by a single point, 146–145. This achievement follows Bangladesh’s earlier silver medal in the compound mixed team event, marking another milestone for the country’s archery team on the continental stage.

The Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium in Dhaka came alive ahead of the Bangladesh-Pakistan three-match hockey series starting tomorrow. The series winner will qualify for the Hockey World Cup qualifiers. Pakistan, which missed the Asia Cup, was granted this playoff opportunity by the International Hockey Federation. Due to security concerns, the Bangladesh Hockey Federation has arranged extra protection, with Pakistan’s team to arrive at the venue 90 minutes early. Entry for spectators will be free to encourage attendance. Bangladesh’s Dutch coach Siegfried Aikman said the team aims to narrow the gap with Pakistan, while captain Rezaul Karim Babu emphasized the need for more domestic competitions. Pakistan’s coach Usman Ahmed and captain Ammad Shakeel Bhatt praised Bangladesh’s hospitality and the stadium’s atmosphere. Pakistan’s head coach Tahir Zaman withdrew from the tour citing internal issues.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has expanded its investigation committee formed to probe the complaint lodged by former national women’s team captain Jahanara Alam. Initially comprising three members, the committee now includes five. The newly appointed members are Professor Dr. Naima Haque, former chair of Dhaka University’s Law Department and current member of the Bangladesh Law Commission, and Supreme Court senior advocate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman Khan. The original committee, led by retired Supreme Court Justice Tariq-ul Hakim, also includes BCB director Rubaba Dowla and Bangladesh Women’s Sports Association president Barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla. Jahanara had accused former women’s team selector and manager Manjurul Islam Manju of misconduct, prompting the BCB to form the committee. The board stated that the committee must submit its findings and recommendations within 15 working days.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is reportedly moving toward implementing a policy that could bar transgender women from competing in the female category before the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Multiple sources suggest the policy may be introduced within six to 12 months, driven by new IOC president Kirsty Coventry’s pledge to “protect the female category.” The move would also avoid potential conflict with U.S. President Donald Trump, who earlier signed an executive order restricting transgender women from competing in female sports.

However, internal debate continues, especially concerning athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD), who were assigned female at birth but have male chromosomes or testosterone levels. Some sports bodies, including World Athletics, have already excluded such athletes, while FIFA still allows them in women’s competitions. A recent scientific review presented to IOC members highlighted evidence of physical advantages linked to male puberty. Despite growing speculation, the IOC insists no final decision has been made, and the working group is still deliberating, with 2026 seen as a realistic timeline.

Former England cricketer and long-time ICC match referee Chris Broad has accused the International Cricket Council of showing open favoritism toward India during his 21-year career. In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Broad claimed that he received direct phone calls instructing him not to impose penalties on the Indian team for offenses like slow over rates. He said that despite wanting to act impartially, he was pressured to overlook violations because of India’s influence in world cricket. Broad also alleged that similar interference occurred in matches led by former India captain Sourav Ganguly, suggesting deep-rooted politics within the ICC. Having officiated over 600 international matches since 2003, Broad said that working under such political and administrative pressure was one of his toughest challenges. His ICC contract was not renewed in 2024, ending more than two decades of service as an international match referee.

On the eve of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) election, acting president and candidate Aminul Islam addressed the media, breaking his recent silence. He described the event not as an election issue but as the outgoing board’s final interaction with journalists. Aminul, who took charge four months ago, highlighted the board’s visible progress in a short time. However, controversy has overshadowed the election process, with allegations of government interference, candidate withdrawals, and claims of predetermined outcomes. Responding to questions about the election’s integrity, Aminul said it was the Election Commission’s role to judge whether it was fair, acknowledging “ups and downs” in any vote. He dismissed allegations of influence by sports adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, stating he only offered support. Aminul reiterated his commitment to cricket and constitutional procedures, saying he would step aside if deemed unfit. With many candidates withdrawing, the election appears largely uncontested.

Youth and Sports adviser Asif Mahmud posted on social media: “You called me thousands of names for not rehabilitating one person. But I was right.” His comment has prompted speculation about whom he meant by “one person.”

Many respondents on the post have inferred he was referring to cricketer Shakib Al Hasan. One commenter, Abdullah Hil Baki, wrote: “Thank you for that courageous decision. Let the acolytes of Hasina do politics abroad as fugitives — the people of Bangladesh do not want to see such figures back on the playing field.”

Ahead of the October 6 BCB election, current players have voiced concerns on social media about ensuring a free and fair vote.

Sports adviser Asif Mahmood criticized their involvement, saying: “Nowhere in the world do active cricketers comment on board elections—it’s a clear breach of contract. Fans saw this factionalism years ago, and it is still happening. Those responsible should feel ashamed.”

Meanwhile, Cricketers’ Welfare Association president Mohammad Mithun wrote on Facebook: “The BCB election must be free, fair, and transparent. It is crucial for the future of Bangladesh cricket.”

Former national pacer Rubel Hossain added, “The BCB presidency should not be like a coin toss. We want an election with a healthy atmosphere and fair competition—where cricket alone is the winner.”

Responding to allegations by cricketer and BCB presidential candidate Tamim Iqbal, Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud has insisted that the government is not interfering in the Bangladesh Cricket Board election.
Tamim earlier accused the government of favoring incumbent president Aminul Islam Bulbul. In reply, Asif Mahmud said:
“The government is only performing routine duties. If it oversteps its jurisdiction, then it can be called unlawful interference. If that happens, Tamim can seek legal action or even approach the ICC.”
Tamim had previously stated that he only wanted a transparent election, regardless of whether he won or lost.