Space Day events to spotlight China's latest space exploration feats in Chengdu

China will unveil its latest achievements in deep space exploration, commercial space activities, and research on lunar samples at the launch ceremony of the main events of Space Day, according to China National Space Administration (CNSA) in Beijing on Friday.

April 24 marks the 11th Space Day of China.

The main events for the occasion, including a launch ceremony, a series of space science popularization exhibitions, and a space culture and arts forum, will be held in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Concurrent activities will also include the China Space Conference, space science popularization programs in schools, and technical exchanges.

The launch ceremony will be held in the morning of April 24, during which a promotional video and theme song will be released, along with major announcements regarding the space sector.

"At the space science popularization exhibition, lunar samples collected from both the near side and far side of the Moon by Chang'e-5 and Chang'e-6, respectively, will be displayed side by side. The large-scale space VR (virtual reality) science popularization and science fiction show Footprints in the Stars: Rendezvous on the Lunar Far Side will also invite public participation. The launch ceremony will also feature the release of a series of major announcements, including the latest achievements in deep space exploration, commercial space activities, and research on lunar samples collected by Chang'e-5," said Liu Yunfeng, deputy director of the CNSA's system engineering department, at a press conference on the upcoming Space Day of China.

More than 30 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities across the country will host activities such as space open houses, science popularization lectures, knowledge competitions, and exchange and discussion sessions to mark the Space Day.

Outstanding space-themed films and television programs, including Missions to the Moon - China's first documentary on its lunar exploration - will be broadcast in succession.

Space Day events to spotlight China's latest space exploration feats in Chengdu

All 1,248 players of the 48 teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been confirmed following the submission of final squad lists to FIFA, the world football governing body announced Tuesday.

Lionel Messi of Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico will feature in their sixth World Cup campaigns, while Cabo Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan are going to play their first World Cup.

The tournament opens on June 11 and 104 matches will be played in Canada, Mexico and the United States, with the final to be played on July 19.

"The confirmed squad lists underline the scale and enduring appeal of the tournament with 357 players returning after at least one previous FIFA World Cup squad inclusion. Some 891 players are set to experience the competition for the first time, highlighting both continuity and renewal across the global game," FIFA said.

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon will be the oldest player at the tournament at 43 years and 162 days old, while Mexico's Gilberto Mora will be the youngest at 17 years and 240 days old. There will be 22 players under 20 years old and seven players aged 40 or above at the start of the tournament.

FIFA World Cup squads confirmed