Sport
FIFA World Cup trophy: a golden icon

The World Cup trophy is one of the most iconic, most sought-after, prizes in the world of sport and is awarded every four years, to the nation that wins the FIFA World Cup.
Since 1974, Germany, Italy, Argentina, France, Spain and Brazil players have had the chance to lift the trophy above their heads. But who made the award? And how much is it actually worth?
According to goal.com, the World Cup trophy is made up of 30,875 carats of 18 karat (75 percent) gold with bands of malachite around the base. Though it has the appearance of being so, it is technically not made of solid gold.
The trophy weighs 6.175kg and measures 36.5cm high by 12.5cm wide. The trophy is actually hollow inside, but still contains 4,927 grams of pure gold, goal.com states.
Sculptors from seven countries sent in submissions for what was to become the new World Cup trophy. This was to replace the Jules Rimet in 1974. Eventually, it was commissioned to the Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga, as FIFA decided to go with his design.
The Milanese man would also go on to design the original UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup trophies. The current World Cup trophy is the only one that exists in circulation.
A bronze replica is made for winning nations to keep, but there is only one golden version.
Famously, Brazil were allowed to keep the Jules Rimet trophy having won it for the third time in 1970. That trophy was subsequently stolen from the Brazilian FA headquarters, goal.com reported.
The World Cup trophy is the most expensive sports award in the world and according to rates in December 2022, the gold content in the trophy alone was worth $250,000. Experts estimate that the trophy is worth $20 million.
And with just 10 days to go, until this year’s champions lift this spectacular trophy, excitement continues to build.
With only eight teams left, to battle it out for the prize, quarter finals kick off on Saturday.
The first match of the day will see Croatia face Brazil, and in the second game Netherlands comes up against Argentina.
Where to watch
Afghan fans need not miss out on any of the excitement of this year’s tournament which is being broadcast live and exclusively by Ariana Television in Afghanistan.
For the full broadcast schedule CLICK HERE
Sport
FIFA OKs creation of Afghanistan women’s refugee team

FIFA has approved the creation of an Afghanistan women’s refugee team that will compete in matches overseen by the world governing body.
According to FIFA, the team — composed of female players of Afghan nationality who obtained refugee status abroad — would first operate under a one-year pilot phase, which will help the organization determine the long-term viability of the program, Reuters reported.
The FIFA Council must approve the team’s establishment. Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, called the approval a “landmark” moment, adding that “FIFA is committed to giving every girl the possibility to play football.”
FIFA regulations require teams to receive recognition by a national federation in order to compete. The Afghan Football Federation, however, has not acknowledged its women’s teams, in fact banning all women’s sports across the country.
Afghanistan has not had a women’s side compete in an official match since 2018.
Sport
India suspends Indian Premier League T20 cricket tournament

India’s cricket board has suspended the money-spinning Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 tournament amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, Reuters reported on Friday.
Thursday’s IPL match was abandoned midway after fighting began in India’s border regions, but the cricket board attributed the disruption to a power failure at the stadium in the hill city of Dharamsala.
The world’s richest cricket tournament began its current season on March 22, and the final fixture was scheduled to be played on May 25, with matches being spread over 13 venues across the country.
The nuclear-armed neighbours have been locked in conflict since Wednesday, when India targeted multiple locations in Pakistan, claiming they were “terrorist infrastructure” in response to a deadly attack in Kashmir last month.
New Delhi named two Pakistani nationals as suspects and accused Islamabad of being involved in the attack, a charge Pakistan denied and sought an independent probe.
India’s army said Pakistan’s armed forces carried out “multiple attacks” using drones and other munitions across the entire western border on Thursday night and early Friday, a claim Pakistan denied.
Sport
IPL 2025: Dharamsala match abandoned due to security concerns

Thursday’s Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings was called off mid-way through due to security reasons.
This was after the floodlights at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala were switched off and spectators asked to evacuate the stadium.
According to IANS, Arun Dhumal, IPL Chairman, said that the decision was taken as a precautionary measure, based on the red alert issued in Jammu.
Indian media reported the match was called off following air raid alerts in nearby areas, which forced a blackout in the hill town.
The Punjab side was 122 for 1 in 10.1 overs when the lights went out which at first was attributed to floodlight failure. But later the teams and the spectators were evacuated from the stadium for their security.
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