Tensions continue to simmer between India and Pakistan cricket boards following the Asia Cup 2025 final, with a new controversy emerging over the winner’s trophy.

According to multiple reports, India has still not received the Asia Cup trophy after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi allegedly insisted that Team India collect it directly from the ACC headquarters, which are in Dubai.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly rejected the “unusual” demand, with strong backing from the Sri Lanka and Afghanistan cricket boards.

Trophy dispute deepens after Dubai final

The standoff emerged on the night of the final in Dubai, when Indian players declined to receive the trophy from Naqvi due to heightened diplomatic tensions between the two countries. The refusal came amid strained relations following the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year and subsequent clashes during the Asia Cup.

Frustrated by the boycott, Naqvi reportedly withheld the trophy and placed it under lock and key at the ACC headquarters.

BCCI pushes for official handover

Sources say the BCCI has now written a formal letter to the ACC demanding that the trophy be handed over to India. The ACC is reportedly considering holding a formal ceremony in November to officially present the trophy to the Indian team.

A report by PTI confirms that both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have sided with the BCCI, rejecting Naqvi’s demand that India collect the trophy from the ACC office.

The matter is expected to be raised at the upcoming ICC meeting in November, where the BCCI will seek formal resolution to what it calls an “unprecedented and unnecessary” dispute.

India beat Pakistan in all three matches of the Asia Cup. Each time, the Indian players refused to shake hands with the Pakistan players.

India T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, dedicated the first match win to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir—a statement that resulted in a 30 percent match fee fine by the ICC.

Pakistan paceman Haris Rauf was also fined 30 percent of his fee for displaying political slogans during the second match, also held in Dubai on September 21.

However, opener Sahibzada Farhan was let off for his gun-firing celebration with the bat after reaching a half-century in the same game.

President Donald Trump confirmed Sunday that the White House will host a UFC event on June 14, 2026 — coinciding with his 80th birthday — in what would be an unprecedented fusion of politics and professional fighting.

Speaking at Naval Station Norfolk during a ceremony marking the upcoming 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy, Trump revealed the date for the previously announced event, which he had first teased in July without offering specifics.

The event will be held on the South Lawn of the White House, and according to UFC President Dana White, the organization will spend $700,000 to replace the lawn’s grass after the spectacle. White disclosed the cost in an interview with the Sports Business Journal earlier this week.

Trump’s long-standing relationship with White stretches back to the early 2000s, when Trump’s Atlantic City venue, the Trump Taj Mahal, was among the few willing to host UFC events before the sport’s mainstream rise.

Since taking office, Trump has continued to attend UFC bouts, most recently appearing at a New Jersey fight in June.

He has frequently praised the sport and its fan base, many of whom align with his political following.

The planned White House UFC event has drawn intrigue and scrutiny, marking a rare — if not unprecedented — use of the presidential residence for a commercial sports promotion. TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of UFC, has not yet commented on the announcement.

The June 14 event is expected to be one of the most high-profile UFC showcases of 2026, with additional details — including the fight card and how the event will be broadcast or attended — still to be announced.

FIFA has officially unveiled the adidas TRIONDA, the official match ball for the FIFA World Cup 2026, marking another milestone in the countdown to what promises to be the biggest edition of football’s global showpiece.

The ball’s name, TRIONDA meaning “three waves” in Spanish symbolizes the unique partnership between the tournament’s three co-hosts: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. It’s the first time in history that the FIFA World Cup will be hosted by three nations, a union that the ball’s design celebrates through a bold, vibrant color scheme and symbolic iconography.

“The Official Match Ball for the FIFA World Cup 26 is here and it’s a beauty!” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “I am happy and proud to present TRIONDA. adidas have created another iconic FIFA World Cup ball, with the design embodying the unity and passion of next year’s host nations Canada, Mexico, and the United States.”

“I can’t wait to see this beautiful ball hitting the back of the net. The countdown to the greatest FIFA World Cup ever is on – and the ball is rolling!,” he stated with excitement. 

The TRIONDA’s striking design features red, green, and blue—honoring the national colors of the host countries—along with a four-panel construction that mimics the motion of waves. At its core, the panels form a triangle, representing the unity between the three nations.

Each panel is adorned with national symbols: a maple leaf for Canada, an eagle for Mexico, and a star for the United States. Touches of gold throughout the ball pay tribute to the coveted FIFA World Cup Trophy.

Beyond aesthetics, the TRIONDA is a technological leap forward. It incorporates connected ball technology, featuring a 500Hz motion sensor chip that provides real-time data on ball movement. This innovation, already used in recent FIFA competitions, supports the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system and enhances decision-making accuracy, particularly in offside calls.

The ball’s deep seams and textured surface ensure flight stability and grip, even in wet or humid conditions, enhancing performance for players at the highest level.

The TRIONDA’s launch adds to the mounting excitement ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026, following the unveiling of the Official Mascots and a massive response to the Visa Presale Draw, with over 4.5 million fans from 216 countries and territories participating. FIFA also announced that $1 will be donated to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund for every ticket sold, underscoring the event’s global impact.

As anticipation builds toward the Final Draw in Washington, D.C., on December 5, 2025, and final qualification rounds unfold in the coming months, the TRIONDA serves as both a symbol of unity and a promise of footballing excellence for what is being hailed as the greatest FIFA World Cup ever.