Sport

All eyes on Jeddah as AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026 kicks off

Adding to the tournament’s reach, Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) has confirmed it will broadcast matches live and exclusively on Ariana News for the duration of the tournament, which runs through until May 22.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 4, 2026

Ariana News

The Asian football spotlight shifts to Jeddah this week as the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 kicks off on Tuesday May 5, with 16 of the continent’s top youth teams competing for regional glory and qualification to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.

All matches will be staged at King Abdullah Sports City, where a centralized tournament model will see four stadiums within a single complex host every fixture — a format designed to streamline operations and enhance the experience for players and fans alike, alongside dedicated fan zones and entertainment activities.

The tournament features a blend of traditional powerhouses and emerging sides. Hosts Saudi Arabia headline Group A alongside Tajikistan, Thailand and Myanmar, while Group B includes former champions Japan, Indonesia, China and Qatar. In Group C, South Korea face Yemen, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates, while defending champions Uzbekistan lead Group D with Australia, India and North Korea.

Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, with all eight quarter-finalists automatically qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

Opening day fixtures will see Saudi Arabia take on Myanmar as the hosts aim to build on last year’s runner-up finish, while Tajikistan face Thailand in the other Group A clash. In Group B, four-time champions Japan meet Qatar, with Indonesia set to play China.

Beyond the competition, the tournament is a key test event for Saudi Arabia ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2027, offering an opportunity to refine tournament delivery, coordination and infrastructure at scale.

With scouts, fans and broadcasters closely watching, the competition is expected to showcase some of Asia’s brightest young talents — many of whom will be aiming to take their first step onto the global stage.

Fans across Afghanistan are meanwhile encouraged to follow Ariana News and Ariana Television’s social media pages for updated information and broadcast schedules on this tournament.

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IPL: Chennai Super Kings drop to sixth place after defeat against Lucknow Super Giants

Published

21 hours ago

May 16, 2026

Ariana News

Chennai Super Kings slipped to sixth place in the IPL 2026 standings after suffering a seven-wicket defeat to Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on Friday.

A blistering 38-ball 90 from Mitchell Marsh powered the already-eliminated LSG to a dominant chase of 188, making light work of the target on a slightly two-paced surface. Marsh and fellow Australian Josh Inglis stitched together a commanding 135-run opening stand, exposing CSK’s ineffective bowling attack.

CSK posted 187/5 after a composed 71 off 42 balls from young batter Kartik Sharma, who steadied the innings following an early collapse. Despite some assistance for seamers on the pitch, Chennai’s bowlers failed to capitalize, repeatedly overpitching or offering loose short deliveries that Marsh punished heavily.

The Australian all-rounder was especially brutal against pacer Anshul Kamboj, smashing four consecutive sixes and a boundary in a 28-run over during the powerplay. LSG raced to 86 without loss in the first six overs, with Marsh bringing up his half-century in just 21 balls.

Inglis contributed a fluent 36 before falling to Mukesh Choudhary, while Marsh narrowly missed out on a century after being run out in unfortunate fashion when a deflected straight drive from Nicholas Pooran crashed into the stumps at the non-striker’s end.

Pooran then finished the chase in style, hammering four successive sixes off Kamboj to guide LSG home in just 16.4 overs. Kamboj endured a forgettable outing, ending with figures of 0 for 63 in 2.4 overs.

Earlier, Kartik Sharma rescued CSK after the top order struggled against LSG’s disciplined hard-length bowling. He shared a valuable 70-run partnership with Dewald Brevis, who chipped in with 25.

Kartik attacked spinner Shahbaz Ahmed confidently before expanding his strokeplay against the pacers, including back-to-back sixes off Prince Yadav. He reached his fifty with a six off Mohammed Shami in 35 balls before eventually falling to Ahmed.

LSG pacer Akash Singh played a key role early on, claiming three wickets and removing Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Urvil Patel with disciplined bowling.

The defeat leaves CSK stuck on 12 points from as many matches. They must now win their remaining two games and rely on favorable results elsewhere to keep their playoff hopes alive.

In the next IPL match, Kolkata Knight Riders will face Gujarat Titans today at 6:30p.m. in Eden Gardens in Kolkata. All matches will be broadcast live across Afghanistan on Ariana Television, bringing full coverage of every boundary, wicket, and turning moment to viewers nationwide.

Sport

Afghanistan lose 2-0 to Tajikistan in CAFA 2026 tournament

Published

1 day ago

May 15, 2026

Ariana News

Afghanistan’s national under-20 football team suffered a 2-0 defeat against Tajikistan in their third match of the 2026 CAFA U-20 Championship.

The Afghan side had also lost their previous two matches against Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in the tournament.

The 2026 CAFA U-20 Championship is being hosted by Tajikistan with the participation of five teams.

Sport

FIFA to launch global social impact campaigns at 2026 World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11 and will bring together 48 national teams in one of the largest sporting events in history.

Published

3 days ago

May 14, 2026

Ariana News

FIFA says the 2026 FIFA World Cup will serve not only as the world’s biggest football tournament, but also as a global platform to promote peace, education, anti-racism, and healthy lifestyles.

In a statement released one month before the tournament kickoff on June 11, FIFA announced that a series of social impact campaigns will be showcased across all 16 World Cup venues through giant stadium screens, LED boards, and digital platforms.

The campaigns will include “Football Unites the World,” “No Racism,” and “Be Active,” all aimed at encouraging unity, diversity, social inclusion, and physical activity among young people worldwide.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said football has the power to connect people across cultures and borders, adding that the organization wants to use the World Cup to promote peace, education, and respect globally.

As part of the “Unite for Peace” campaign, all 48 participating national teams and match officials will wear special sleeve patches during the group stage to highlight the importance of dialogue, tolerance, and social cohesion.

The “Unite for Education” initiative will be featured during the knockout stages of the tournament and aims to support learning opportunities worldwide through football-related educational programs.

Meanwhile, FIFA’s “No Racism” campaign will carry the message “Listen, Stand Up, Show Up,” reinforcing the organization’s zero-tolerance stance against racism in football and society.

FIFA also announced the return of its “Be Active” campaign, encouraging children and fans to engage in daily physical activity through football-themed exercises, dance workouts, and fan events during the tournament.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11 and will bring together 48 national teams in one of the largest sporting events in history.

The opening match in the United States will see the U.S. national team face Paraguay. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will feature a record 104 matches across 16 host cities, beginning on June 11 in Mexico City and ending with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Football fans in Afghanistan will be able to follow all the action live on the Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN), which holds the exclusive broadcasting rights for the tournament in the country. ATN will broadcast matches live on Ariana Television, providing full coverage of the world’s biggest football event for Afghan viewers.

Fans are also encouraged to stay connected with Ariana Television and Ariana News on social media for the latest updates, including match schedules, team news, and other FIFA World Cup 2026 developments as the tournament draws closer.