The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine appealed to the heads of states, parliaments, and governments of democratic countries of the world, as well as the International Paralympic Committee. This appeal concerns the ban on the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in international sports competitions.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stopped the payment of state scholarships to Serhiy Bubka and Yana Klochkova, according to decree No. 967 of December 17. Other Olympic champions and medalists have also been deprived of scholarships.
FIFA has approved a record budget of $727 million for the 2026 World Cup, a 50% increase from the previous tournament. The champion will receive $50 million, while group stage participants will each get $9 million.
The XXV Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo will take place from February 4 to 22, 2026, with 116 gold medals to be awarded across 16 sports. For the first time since 2014, NHL players will return to the ice, and ski mountaineering will make its debut.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine appealed to UEFA and European governments with a demand for a complete ban on the participation of Belarusian national teams and clubs in international tournaments. It is also proposed to restrict the entry of Belarusian athletes until the restoration of Ukraine's sovereignty.
FIFA has announced the launch of a new competition for players under 15, open to all 211 member associations. This decision effectively lays the groundwork for the return of Russian teams to world football after their suspension in 2022 due to aggression against Ukraine.
Ihor Kostyuk has been appointed full-fledged head coach of FC "Dynamo", as announced by the club's president Ihor Surkis. The club's management trusts Kostyuk, who has nurtured many talented players and knows the Dynamo youth well.
FIFA has reduced the price of some World Cup tickets to $60 following a global backlash from fans. These tickets will be available for every game of the tournament in North America and will be distributed through national federations.
FIFA presented the symbolic men's world team of 2025 according to FIFPro. PSG delegated the most players to it.
Santiago Montiel, a player for Argentina's Independiente, won the Puskas Award for the best goal of 2025. His sole goal in the match against Independiente Rivadavia brought victory to the team.
The French forward of Spanish "Real" Kylian Mbappé sued his former team - Parisian "PSG" for more than 60 million euros in compensation.
The General Assembly of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has allowed Russian chess players to participate in international tournaments using their national flag and anthem. The decision was made on December 14, with 61 delegates voting in favor and 51 against.
Wrestler John Cena had his final match in Washington, ending a 23-year career in the ring. The 48-year-old athlete lost the fight to Austrian Walter Hahn, but will continue to work for WWE as an ambassador.
"Dynamo" and "Shakhtar" secured confident victories in the last matches of the Ukrainian Football Championship in 2025. "Dynamo" defeated "Veres" 3:0, and "Shakhtar" scored 5 "clean" goals against "Epicenter".
The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and the Chess Federation of Ukraine urged FIDE not to reinstate the activities of the chess federations of Russia and Belarus. They oppose the return of national teams and the use of state symbols in competitions.
Kateryna Kotsar took second place at the Freestyle World Cup in women's big air in Steamboat, USA. She scored 152.50 points, losing to Naomi Urnes from Canada.
Ukrainian boxer Bohdan Protsyshyn, a master of sports who competed professionally and participated in the show "You are a Champion", died a week before his 38th birthday. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
In India, fans threw bottles and torn seats onto the field after Lionel Messi spent only 20 minutes at the stadium. Thousands of fans paid up to 12,000 rupees to see the footballer, who arrived for the unveiling of a monument in his honor.
Five million ticket requests for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, have been submitted since the last sales phase opened. The group stage match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami on June 27 was the most in-demand.
FC Polissia and GGBET held a PUBSTOMP in Zhytomyr, bringing together football and esports fans to watch the final Major of CS2. Polissia football players were present at the event and communicated with the fans.
In Odesa, two players of the futsal club "Liubart", Dmytro Romaniuk and Nazar Senyk, who were on their way to a match, were mobilized. They are subject to mobilization by age and are preparing for service in the National Guard of Ukraine.
Russia's return to international competitions under the auspices of UEFA, even at the youth level, is impossible until a peaceful settlement of the war. UEFA refused to admit Russia to the U-17 competitions in 2023.
Donetsk Shakhtar secured their advancement to the next stage of the UEFA Football Conference League. In the 5th round match, the Miners defeated Maltese Hamrun Spartans 2-0 away.
Football fans have accused FIFA of "monumental betrayal" after 2026 World Cup ticket prices emerged, reaching over $8,000. The lowest price for the final is $4,185, and the highest is $8,680, which differs from FIFA's statements about $60 tickets.
Kyiv's "Dynamo" lost to Italian "Fiorentina" with a score of 1-2 in the Conference League, which significantly complicated their chances of advancing to the next round. "Dynamo" conceded first, equalized in the 55th minute, but "Fiorentina" snatched the victory in the 74th minute.
The IOC recommends allowing junior athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in international competitions without restrictions. This includes the use of flags, anthems, and uniforms, extending to individual and team sports.
Tetiana Tarasiuk won a silver medal at the Junior IBU Cup in Goms, Switzerland. This is the first international award in the athlete's career.
French tennis player Quentin Folliot has been disqualified for 20 years and fined $70,000 for participating in match-fixing. He committed 27 violations of the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program and must return over $44,000.
The UAF has decided on the venue for the potential two play-off matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Ukrainian national team will play its home games in Valencia, Spain, at the "Ciutat de València" stadium.
The Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) and the Ministry of Sports of Ukraine have released data on over 20 Russian athletes who support the war and have visited occupied territories, yet are seeking to participate in the 2026 Olympic Games. These athletes represent CSKA and Rosgvardia, and actively assist the Russian military.
