Decode below three cipher riddles:

26 L of the A
7 D of the W
1000 Y in a M

I am the first thing you need while camping.
I am always with the person named Marcos Valencia and Carrick.
But Pogba Zlatan and Rooney think I am wasteful and do not need me.
I am the second to the last thing to add when you are making a patch.

What am I?

Jim has three close friends at his school: Michael, John and Alice. Two of them play football, two play basketball and two play hockey. The friend who does not play hockey does not play basketball as well. The friend who does not play football does not play hockey.

Can you identify which sport/s is played by which person?

A bag contains 64 balls of eight different colours. There are eight of each colour (including red). What is the least number you would have to pick, without looking, to be sure of selecting 3 red balls?

The answer I give is yes, but what I mean is no. What was the question?

John is pretty weird. He likes toffees but hates chocolates. He loves books but never reads. He likes to build his troops in an online game but does not proceed with the war. He likes to go swimming but is afraid of water.

Seeking this behaviour, can you tell whether he likes balloons and parties?

The Little ant seems to be always confused. Do you know why?

I am soft and cuddly that soothe your heart. But, If you pick my last name I am going to tear you all apart. Who am I?

I have cities, but no houses. I have mountains, but no trees. I have water, but no fish. What am I?

I have two sand hourglasses:
1. A 7 minute one and
2. An 11-minute one.

Using just these 2 sand hourglasses, how can I measure time as 15 minutes?