分类： sports

NEW YORK, United States — FIFA has officially revealed the match ball for the 2026 World Cup, named Trionda, which blends cutting-edge technology with symbolic design elements honoring the three co-host nations: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Designed by Adidas, the long-standing provider of World Cup balls since 1970, the Trionda was unveiled at a special event in New York on Thursday. FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed pride in presenting the ball, which reflects the historic nature of the first World Cup to be jointly hosted by three countries and featuring 48 competing teams. The ball’s design incorporates red, blue, and green colors, alongside iconic symbols from each host nation: maple leaves for Canada, an eagle for Mexico, and stars for the United States. A triangular motif symbolizes the unity of the three countries. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Trionda boasts advanced technological features, including deep seams for optimal flight stability, embossed icons for enhanced grip in wet conditions, and a motion sensor chip that transmits real-time data to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. The unveiling marks a significant milestone in the lead-up to the North American World Cup, scheduled for June 11 to July 19, 2026. FIFA has also initiated its phased online ticket sales, with over 4.5 million fans from 216 countries and territories participating in the presale draw. The tournament’s official draw will take place in Washington, D.C., on December 5.

Aston Villa delivered a commanding performance in the Europa League on Thursday, securing a 2-0 victory over Feyenoord in Rotterdam. Emi Buendia opened the scoring with a stunning 20-yard curler, followed by John McGinn’s composed finish, marking Villa’s triumphant return to the city where they clinched the European Cup in 1982. Despite a rocky start to the season, Unai Emery’s side has now notched three consecutive wins, placing them among the top teams in the competition with six points. Goalkeeper Marco Bizot, stepping in for the injured Emiliano Martinez, made crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet. “We never lost faith,” Bizot remarked, reflecting on the team’s resurgence. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest’s European campaign faltered as they succumbed to a 3-2 defeat at home against Danish side Midtjylland. Defensive lapses proved costly, with Ousmane Diao, Mads Bech, and Valdemar Andreasen capitalizing on set-piece opportunities. Despite Chris Wood’s late penalty, Forest’s new manager Ange Postecoglou remains winless. Rangers’ woes deepened with a 2-1 loss to Sturm Graz in Austria, leaving them pointless in the competition. Manager Russell Martin lamented his team’s poor mentality, while Celtic also struggled, falling 2-0 to Braga at Parkhead. Celtic’s inability to score in key matches has raised concerns for manager Brendan Rodgers, who vowed to find solutions. Elsewhere, Porto, Lyon, and Lille maintained perfect starts, while Basel, Real Betis, and Fenerbahce rebounded from opening defeats.

The ninth edition of the Mayberry Superstars of Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament commenced on Thursday at the Errol Flynn Marina in Port Antonio, Jamaica. The opening day saw the release of eight Marlin, setting a promising tone for the competition. Leading the pack is Nuh Reely, which successfully released three Marlin, followed by Brac Rebel, Pipe Dream, Wreckless, Daddy’s Dream, and Keepin’ it Jiggy, each releasing one Marlin. The tournament, which will run through Saturday, will culminate in an awards ceremony to honor the top performers. Defending champion Safe Passage is expected to face stiff competition as participants vie for the prestigious title. The event continues to highlight Port Antonio as a premier destination for sport fishing enthusiasts.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The semifinal matchups for the Concacaf Caribbean Cup have been finalized, with Jamaica’s Mt Pleasant FA set to clash against Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force FC. The announcement came a day after the conclusion of the group stages on Wednesday. Mt Pleasant FA secured their spot by dominating Group A, amassing a flawless 12 points from four victories without conceding a single goal. Meanwhile, Defence Force FC emerged as Group B runners-up with seven points, narrowly surpassing Barbadian team Weymouth Wales on goal difference. Their qualification was sealed with a decisive 2-0 victory over group leaders Cibao FC in the Dominican Republic. The first leg of the semifinal will take place on October 22 in Trinidad, followed by the return leg in Kingston on October 29. In the other semifinal, Dominican Republic clubs O&M FC and Cibao FC will face off on October 23 and 30 to determine the second finalist. Notably, defending champions Cavalier SC of Jamaica, who had reached the previous two finals, were eliminated in the group stages this year.

The ISSA daCosta Cup football competition enters its playoff phase this Thursday, just two days after the conclusion of the regular season. The intense battle for a spot in the Round of 32 is set to unfold across various zones. In Zone I, Glenmuir High, the current leaders, will face Kemps Hill High in an away match. Glenmuir had previously secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Kemps Hill last Saturday. Meanwhile, defending champions Garvey Maceo Tech will host Denbigh High, aiming to recover from their first defeat of the season, a 4-0 loss to Glenmuir on Tuesday. The top three teams from each playoff zone will advance to the second round. In Zone F, Belair High, currently in second place with 15 points from seven games, will play against May Day High, who are third with 10 points from six games. A win for Belair could solidify their position and potentially join Manchester High as zone winners. In Zone L, Yallahs High and Morant Bay High, both tied on six points but separated by goal difference, will clash in a pivotal match. Yallahs High had previously edged out Morant Bay 3-2 in their first encounter, giving them a slight advantage. Other key matches include Tacius Golding vs Charlemont High, Claude McKay High vs Edwin Allen High, and Ferncourt High vs York Castle High. The playoff phase promises thrilling encounters as teams vie for advancement in the prestigious competition.

PORTLAND, Jamaica — The ninth edition of the Mayberry Superstars of Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament commenced on Thursday morning, with 15 out of the 22 registered boats setting sail from the Errol Flynn Marina. The event, supported by the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard and the Port Antonio Marine Police, saw defending champion Safe Passage, led by last year’s top angler Chris Berry, aiming for another victory. Just two hours into the competition, Brac Rebel made the first significant catch, releasing the tournament’s inaugural marlin and securing an early lead. Tournament Director Bobby Stewart acknowledged that while 22 boats had registered, mechanical and weather-related issues prevented some from participating initially. However, he anticipated that 19 or 20 boats would be active by Friday. The tournament, which attracts international participants, particularly from the Cayman Islands, features a prize pool of approximately US $330,000, including cash, trophies, and fishing gear. A standout reward of US$100,000 is also available for any record-breaking catch in the blue marlin, white marlin, or yellowfin tuna categories. Mayberry Investments, the title sponsor, continues its longstanding support for the event, which not only highlights Port Antonio’s exceptional fishing opportunities but also boosts the local economy and tourism. Stewart praised Port Antonio’s natural beauty and warm hospitality, emphasizing its significance as a prime fishing destination. As part of community engagement, organizers have scheduled a free concert for residents on Sunday evening. With favorable fishing conditions and a high number of blue marlin in the waters, Stewart expressed optimism that this year’s tournament would be one of the best yet. The competition runs daily until 5:00 pm, with results and highlights to be announced in the coming days.

In a thrilling display of football prowess, Christiana High and Alphansus Davis High secured their spots in the Round of 32 of the ISSA daCosta Cup competition. The matches, held on Wednesday, saw Christiana High triumph over Knox College with a 2-1 victory at the Kirkvine Sports Club. This win marked their second consecutive victory against Knox College, following a 2-0 win in the first round, and propelled them to a total of 21 points. Meanwhile, Alphansus Davis High avenged their earlier loss to Holmwood Technical with a commanding 3-1 win, boosting their tally to 19 points. These results leave Knox College and Holmwood Technical to vie for the remaining qualifying spot in Zone G.

With these victories, Christiana High and Alphansus Davis High join the ranks of ten schools that have already secured their places in the second round. The list includes Cornwall College, Manning’s School, Cedric Titus, William Knibb Memorial, Manchester High, Central High, Clarendon College, and Ocho Rios High.

In other matches on Wednesday, Zone E play-offs saw both games end in 1-1 draws. BB Coke High, the leaders, were held by Lacovia High, while St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), playing with 10 men after Kenoy Banton’s dismissal, relinquished a first-half lead to draw with Maggotty High. Kimmari Roach, a converted goalkeeper who had previously scored two goals against Sydney Pagon, gave STETHS the lead in the 42nd minute. However, Andre Philpotts equalized for Maggotty High in the 84th minute.

Wednesday’s results also included victories for Little London, Spot Valley, and Foga Road High, while Mt St Joseph Catholic and deCarteret College played to a 2-2 draw.

Olympic medallist and renowned television analyst Ato Boldon has sparked debate with his assertion that Jamaican sprint sensation Elaine Thompson Herah has likely secured her final individual medal on the global stage. Boldon, a former Trinidad and Tobago sprinter, believes that even if Thompson Herah returns to competitive track and field, she will not regain the same level of dominance she exhibited before her recent Achilles injury.

Mount Pleasant Football Academy has emerged as a formidable contender in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup, securing a flawless group stage performance with a 2-0 victory over O&M of the Dominican Republic. Despite this achievement, Head Coach Theodore Whitmore remains focused on the challenges ahead as the team aims for its first championship title. The St Ann-based club finished Group A with a perfect record of 12 points, six clear of their closest rivals, thanks to goals from Gadail Irving and Ranaldo Biggs. This marks a significant turnaround for the 2023 Jamaica Premier League champions, who struggled in their debut 2024 tournament. Whitmore praised his team’s professionalism and defensive solidity, having not conceded a goal in their last four matches. However, he emphasized the need for continuous improvement and consistency as they prepare for the semi-finals, set to begin on October 21. Whitmore highlighted the importance of squad management, particularly with the team competing in both local and regional tournaments. Mount Pleasant joins defending champions Cavalier FC and Harbour View as the third Jamaican team to reach the Caribbean Cup semi-finals, underscoring their growing dominance in regional football.

The 64th Montego Bay Yacht Club International Marlin Tournament, held from September 25 to 27 along Jamaica’s picturesque north coast, concluded with a resounding victory for the vessel Safe Passage. The event, which drew 16 boats, 100 anglers, and 15 junior competitors, transformed the waters into a dynamic arena of skill, strategy, and endurance. Safe Passage, owned by Chris Berry and Mark Berry and captained by Paco Vela, emerged as the undisputed champion, showcasing unparalleled precision, teamwork, and resilience. The crew released 15 marlins and reported 29 hook-ups, solidifying their place in the tournament’s storied history. The 2025 edition proved to be a rigorous test of persistence and expertise, with Safe Passage earning 1,800 points through six marlin releases by anglers Chris Berry, Brian Pengelley, Bob Rawe, Mark Berry, and Kevin Mann. My Other Toy, led by owner and captain Radcliffe Gayle, secured second place with 613 points, while Sea Horse, owned by Raymond Rousseau and captained by Adam Epstein, claimed third with 600 points. The tournament also celebrated junior angler Harry Ince, who took home the top junior award. Notable catches included a 15.5 lb mahi mahi by Jesse Ince, a 23.1 lb wahoo by Paulette Thai Chen, and a 25.5 lb tuna by Jacques Carvallo. As the oldest active tournament in Jamaica and a premier big-game fishing event in the Caribbean, the 65th anniversary edition, scheduled for September 23 to 27, 2026, promises to further elevate its legacy.