Joan Mathew Jacob

Sub-editor/Reporter @sportstarweb | Previously @NewIndianXpress | Completed Integrated Multimedia Journalism @ACJIndia | MCC graduate |⚽

[Joan Mathew Jacob @JoanMathewJacob]

First byline with @sportstarweb. Had a conversation with @ckvineeth and @rinoanto about their nationwide talent expedition 'Soccer Safari'. Do give a read.
https://t.co/iL0AjtXrFV

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

Did Cristiano Ronaldo weigh down Portugal in this FIFA World Cup?

In Sportstar's Insomnia Podcast, @aashin23, @iraiva4716 and @JoanMathewJacob discuss whether Portugal and Ronaldo failed to accept the reality.

Full podcast▶️https://t.co/v9NG41h68o

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

𝐁𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 #𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐀𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐂𝐮𝐩𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞! 👀

@JoanMathewJacob takes on the challenge of ranking 10 players without knowing who's coming next, while @Anishpathiyil makes the task even tougher 😈

Give him a 👍 or 👎 in the comments, and share your own rankings below!

✂️: @Nigamanth_15

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

𝐀 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐀 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐩 ⚽

The biggest upset came in Group E, where Ecuador came from behind to stun Germany 2–1, with Gonzalo Plata scoring the winner in the 77th minute.

Here's @iraiva4716, @JoanMathewJacob and @aashin23 recapping all the overnight action in World Cup Insomnia Ep. 15. 👇

🔗 https://t.co/6aXpr3eHOW

#FIFAWorldCup

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

Grace Dangmei, who called time on her international career aged 30 after India’s win against Bangladesh in the final of the SAFF Women’s Championships, sat down with @rswrites25 to discuss her retirement, future plans, and the state of Indian women’s football.

Full story 🔗https://t.co/8i7gxzJUrC

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

🇦🇷 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢?

@Anishpathiyil, @JoanMathewJacob, and @Sankar210801 talk about Argentina and how the 2022 World Cup victory is playing its part in this edition!

Watch the latest episode of World Cup Insomnia here: https://t.co/QTSFL2r1st

✂️: @Nigamanth_15

#fifaworldcup2026 #football

[Joan Mathew Jacob @JoanMathewJacob]

I stand by everything I said 🐐

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

Someone needs to check on @JoanMathewJacob. He's been difficult to contain since the Messi hat-trick.

Also, sorry @Anishpathiyil, seems like you will never be hearing the end of it.

Catch the full video of the latest World Cup Insomnia podcast episode here 👉 https://t.co/4lp34DMmSl

#FIFAWorldCup

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

Nearly two decades ago, Sangita Basfore’s parents almost did not allow her to take a first step towards professional football. They feared what people would say, considering she would be the only girl training among boys and wearing shorts.

But her persistent pleas prompted a change of heart. And, five international trophies and a handful more in club football surely assure her family that they made the right choice.

✍️: Joan Mathew Jacob

Read the full article here: https://t.co/FqHGGMxs9A

📸: Special Arrangement, Getty Images

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

For this episode of Sportstar's World Cup Insomina podcast, @iraiva4716, @Anishpathiyil and @JoanMathewJacob recap the day's play between co-hosts USA and Canada.

The former registered a comfortable 4-1 win over Paraguay, while Canada managed to eke out a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Watch the full episode 👉https://t.co/775xoo0zGw

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

'𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞' 🏆⚽

What makes this book special? 🤔

Hear from the team that spent months bringing together the stories, moments and memories that have shaped the World Cup's rich history.

As a new chapter of World Cup history begins, relive the iconic moments that made football's biggest tournament unforgettable.

For every fan who wants to know more about the World Cup, this is a book worth owning.

🔗 Tap the link to get your copy now: https://t.co/b7Ht75jKOU

#FIFAWorldCup

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

The FIFA World Cup fever has kicked in!

With less than a week left, take a look at how we brought our World Cup 2026 bumper issue to life.

Grab your copy from stands near you.

Subscribe ▶️ https://t.co/XtXHzsWGBd

📹 @Nigamanth_15 & @EditorShiva
✂️ @Nigamanth_15

#FIFAWorldCup #FIFAWorldCup2026

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

⚽️ FIFA WORLD CUP SPECIAL💫

The latest edition of Sportstar will hit the stands this weekend!

🏆 Cover story by Sportstar Editor Ayon Sengupta
📊 FIFA World Cup group previews
🎙️ Interviews: Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal & Erling Haaland
🔴 Looking at RCB and Arsenal's title triumphs
🏃 India's historic day at Federation Cup
🏏 Preview: Women's T20 World Cup

🎨 Cover by @sinha_soumyadip

Subscribe ▶️ https://t.co/XtXHzsWGBd

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

'𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞'

As the football world cup returns this month, Sportstar brings out its latest book!

From Uruguay 1930 to the modern-day spectacle, relive every iconic moment, read about the legendary players, revisit the unforgettable goals and more.

🔗 Tap the link to make this special book yours: https://t.co/b7Ht75kiEs

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

Following Spain’s blistering run to the title at Euro 2024, it would not be wrong to suggest that the nation enters the FIFA World Cup 2026 as a heavy favourite.

But the global stage has not been kind to the Spaniards since their triumph in 2010. A disastrous group stage exit in 2014 was followed by round of 16 shootout defeats in both 2018 and 2022.

@JoanMathewJacob looks at the Spain squad for the upcoming showpiece event and takes a deep dive into how it can be a title challenger: https://t.co/l8dzT2doU1

📷 Getty Images

[Joan Mathew Jacob @JoanMathewJacob]

Don't look back in anger.

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

🏆 Premier League x 6
🏆 League Cup x 5
🏆 FA Cup x 3
🏆 Community Shield x 3
🏆 UEFA Champions League x 1
🏆 UEFA Super Cup x 1
🏆 FIFA Club World Cup x 1

Pep Guardiola’s obsession with success and the ability to deliver it time after time has long silenced anyone who dared question him. 🫡

And as Man City announced that he would be stepping down after the final game of the season, it won’t be just the club that misses its greatest manager, but also English football, on which Guardiola has thoroughly left his imprint.

🔗 Read more here: https://t.co/Urw6AUKfiD

✍️: @JoanMathewJacob | 📸: AP

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝! 🔖

📖 Cover Story: The Mane Man — In Rajat Patidar, RCB found its main man and, at long last, its elusive IPL crown 🏆
🥊 Feature on India’s newest boxing sensation, Priya Ghanghas
🏔️ How a cricketing rebellion quietly took root in the shadow of the hills
🇿🇦 How Shabnim Ismail and Dane van Niekerk could fuel South Africa’s maiden ICC title bid
📊 Data story on the diminishing value of a T20 century
⚽ FIFA World Cup Special — Meet the midfield architects and attacking stars
🖼️ Poster: Bruno Fernandes

Subscribe: ▶️ https://t.co/522MAETWuH

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶 𝗮𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲? 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗦𝗼𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗻𝗲𝘆𝗮

Soham Varshneya, a promising midfielder for Bengaluru FC, has carved a unique path from a devoted Barcelona fan to honing his skills in rival Madrid before returning to his roots in India with Bengaluru FC.

In an interview with @JoanMathewJacob , the youngster speaks about his time in Spain and the transition to Bengaluru FC's senior team: https://t.co/CeZWJKO1jW

📷 Special Arrangement

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

At the start of 2026, Indian women’s football looked set to redefine its boundaries as teams across three age groups found themselves preparing for their respective Asian Cups.

Five months in, things certainly have not gone to plan.

In March, it was the senior team that crashed out in the group stage after three losses in as many matches, and a month later, the Under-20 team followed suit, although it managed to record a win against Chinese Taipei.

And now, with Italian manager Pamela Conti at the helm, it’s the youngest lot’s turn to have a crack as the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup kicks off on Friday in Suzhou, China.

Read @JoanMathewJacob 's conversation with the Italian: https://t.co/3BPySS7v4s

📷 AIFF Media

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝! 🔖

📖 Cover: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi — The rise of a teenage sensation
🏃 Interview: Long-distance runner Sawan Barwal on breaking the Indian marathon record
♟️ Candidates 2026 Tournament analysis
🥊 Asian Boxing Championships analysis
📺 FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast uncertainty in India
🖼️ Poster: R. Vaishali — the first Indian to win the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament

Subscribe: ▶️ https://t.co/522MAETWuH

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

@sanjaymanjrekar @sach_pai10 Full episode of The Insight Edge with Sanjay Manjrekar is out now! 🎙️

Watch here: https://t.co/hDfv67cWbn

[Sportstar @sportstarweb]

⭐️ 𝐀 𝐝𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 ⭐️

Praful Hinge becomes the first bowler to take three wickets in the first over of an IPL innings 🔥

Sunrisers Hyderabad bought the Vidarbha fast bowler at his base price of Rs. 30 lakh. It was an emotional moment for the family, Hinge said, especially for his father, who had made him take up fast bowling.

Read here full story: https://t.co/sWLPP3WNDK

✍️: @smat8415 | 📸: Periasamy M, Nagara Gopal