burger menu icon
Programs
Newscasts
Sports

US Decision Eases Travel Limits on Iran World Cup Delegation

The United States eased restrictions ​on the Iran squad's travel arrangements at the World Cup on ‌Tuesday, allowing them to travel two days before their next match, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said.The Iranian team were previously only allowed ​to enter the U.S. a day before a match, a ​move that led the coach to say Iran were "the ⁠most oppressed team in the whole World Cup.""For the Iranian ​team’s third match in Seattle on June 26, the team ​has been permitted to come into the U.S. two days before the match," a DHS spokesperson said."The Iran team will still be required to leave ​the day the match ends. The overall security measures and ​protocol are the same. We remain committed to providing the safest tournament possible ‌for ⁠players, staff, and fans alike."FIFA and the Iranian team did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Iran expressed intent last week to lodge a complaint with soccer's world governing body FIFA over the ​travel restrictions the ​team have ⁠been facing, commuting from their tournament base in Tijuana, Mexico, the day ahead of their games ​in the United States. The restrictions come amid ​high tensions ⁠between Washington and Tehran following a nearly four-month war.In March, U.S. President Donald Trump said while Iran were welcome to participate in the tournament, ⁠he ​believed it was not appropriate that ​they remain there between matches "for their own life and safety."

24-06-2026 13:21

US Decision Eases Travel Limits on Iran World Cup Delegation

The United States eased restrictions ​on the Iran squad's travel arrangements at the World Cup on ‌Tuesday, allowing them to travel two days before their next match, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said.The Iranian team were previously only allowed ​to enter the U.S. a day before a match, a ​move that led the coach to say Iran were "the ⁠most oppressed team in the whole World Cup.""For the Iranian ​team’s third match in Seattle on June 26, the team ​has been permitted to come into the U.S. two days before the match," a DHS spokesperson said."The Iran team will still be required to leave ​the day the match ends. The overall security measures and ​protocol are the same. We remain committed to providing the safest tournament possible ‌for ⁠players, staff, and fans alike."FIFA and the Iranian team did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Iran expressed intent last week to lodge a complaint with soccer's world governing body FIFA over the ​travel restrictions the ​team have ⁠been facing, commuting from their tournament base in Tijuana, Mexico, the day ahead of their games ​in the United States. The restrictions come amid ​high tensions ⁠between Washington and Tehran following a nearly four-month war.In March, U.S. President Donald Trump said while Iran were welcome to participate in the tournament, ⁠he ​believed it was not appropriate that ​they remain there between matches "for their own life and safety."

24-06-2026 13:21

Haaland strikes twice as Norway secure knockout progression

Erling Haaland scored his second World Cup 2026 brace in a row as Norway beat Senegal 3-2 on Monday to punch their ticket to the last 32.Norway substitute Marcus Holmgren Pedersen struck late in the first half in New Jersey before Haaland doubled the lead shortly after the break.Ismaila Sarr cut the deficit for Senegal, only for Haaland to punish more slack defending as Norway moved through to the knockout rounds with a game to spare despite a late consolation from Sarr.Manchester City forward Haaland now has four goals in two games at the tournament, hot on the heels of Lionel Messi's double earlier in the day which carried him to a record 18 World Cup goals. Not to be outdone, Kylian Mbappé scored another brace too as France beat Iraq 3-0.Norway have lost only once in their last 18 matches and will take on France in a compelling battle for top spot in the group in Boston on Friday.Senegal must beat Iraq, who are also without a point, in their final game to stand a chance of avoiding an early exit.Led by the unstoppable Haaland, who increased his astonishing international goals tally to 59 in 52 games, Norway recorded back-to-back wins at the World Cup for the first time.They added weight to the belief they can do serious damage at these finals with a dominant display against a Senegal side that paid heavily for their errors.Norway quickly set the tone as Kristoffer Ajer's header forced Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy into a terrific save with his legs at a corner, but they lost full-back Julian Ryerson to injury early on.Captain Martin Odegaard skied over an inviting cut-back from the right for Norway, as Nicolas Jackson looked Senegal's most dangerous threat.Mendy again came to Senegal's rescue with a superb block to deny Odegaard after Haaland cushioned down Antonio Nusa's chipped cross into the box.However, Koulibaly was at fault once more, failing to clear as Haaland steered a volley in off the crossbar from Patrick Berg's cross, delighting Norwegian fans who provided a colourful backdrop with their viral rowing chant.Mory Diaw came on for the injured Mendy in goal, but only a headed goalline clearance from Pathe Ciss prevented Oscar Bobb from netting Norway's fourth.Sarr's second of the night set up a tense finish, but Norway held on to join France in the next round and leave Senegal's hopes hanging by a thread.

23-06-2026 10:08

Mbappé of France scores 2 goals to reach 16 in World Cup career, tying for 2nd most

Kylian Mbappé of France scored two goals on Monday to reach 16 for his World Cup career, moving into a tie for second most in tournament history as he tries to keep pace with new record holder Lionel Messi.“If I want to keep up with what Leo is doing,” Mbappé said after France beat Iraq 3-0 to reach the knockout stage, “I’ll have to do even more.”France is counting on it as Mbappé tries to lead Les Bleus to their second World Cup title in the last three tournaments. Mbappé would consider it a bonus if he could win it all and pass Messi for the World Cup goals record.The 27-year-old Mbappé is 11 years younger than Messi and should have at least two or three more World Cups to secure the record — at least until the next young superstar comes around to challenge him.“He’s here to score goals and that’s something he’s been doing,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “He’s somebody that has a worldwide aura.”Playing in his third World Cup, Mbappé scored in the 14th minute against Iraq, giving Les Bleus a 1-0 lead in his 100th international game. After a weather delay that extended the halftime break to more than two hours, Mbappé found the net again in the 54th minute to move into a tie with Miroslav Klose of Germany, who had the goals record before this high-scoring World Cup began.Messi scored twice for Argentina earlier Monday to set the tournament record at 18. He had equaled Klose with his first World Cup hat trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria last Tuesday night in Kansas City, Missouri.“Leo always scores,” Mbappé said.Mbappé sent a left-footed strike from about 20 yards out past Iraq goalkeeper Ahmed Basil, who got his first start in the tournament after captain Jalal Hassan allowed all four goals in Iraq’s 4-1 loss to Norway.For his second goal, Mbappé took advantage of a poor pass to the goalkeeper by Iraq defender Zaid Tahseen. France’s Ousmane Dembele controlled the loose ball and passed to Mbappé, who tapped it in with his right foot.The Real Madrid forward had a chance at the hat trick on a late breakaway but missed before he was subbed out at the 90-minute mark. He is one of two men with a hat trick in a World Cup final.“I’ve seen enough criticism on his egotistical side,” Deschamps said. “But that’s not who he is. I reiterate, he’s the team captain. And he’s a bright example for the rest of the group.”Mbappé helped France win the World Cup in 2018 and reach the final in 2022, when he was awarded the Silver Ball as the second-best player. Joined up front by Désiré Doué and reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, France entered this year’s tournament as a co-favorite with Spain.Dembélé also scored in the second half to complete a dominant performance for France. Les Blues won in 1998 and 2018, then lost the 2022 final to Argentina on penalty kicks.Mbappé, one of two men to have a hat trick in a World Cup final, scored his 13th and 14th World Cup goals in France’s 3-1 tournament-opening victory over Senegal. He now has 59 international goals, two more than Oliver Giroud for the most in France’s rich history.His World Cup goals include four this year; eight in 2022, when he won the Golden Boot as the top scorer; and four in 2018.

23-06-2026 09:42

Algeria beats Jordan 2-1 to clinch its first World Cup win since 2014

Algeria scored off two corner kicks in the second half to rally from an early deficit and defeat Jordan 2-1 on Monday night to bolster its chances of advancing to the knockout round of the World Cup.Second-half substitute Nadhir Benbouali headed in a corner kick in the 69th minute and Amine Gouiri provided the game-winner in the 82nd to give Algeria its first win at the World Cup since 2014.The Jordanians had taken the lead for the first time at a World Cup on a first-half goal by Nizar Al Rashdan but couldn’t withstand the continual pressure from Algeria in the second half. This marked the first time Algeria had ever won a World Cup game after conceding the first goal. They had seven losses and two draws previously when that happened. Algeria bounced back after a 3-0 to Argentina in its opening game and can finish second in Group J – and clinch a spot in the knockout round – with a win on Saturday against Austria.Jordan is out of contention for the knockout rounds with a second straight loss. It opened with a 3-1 defeat to Austria but put up a strong effort in its first appearance on soccer's biggest stage.Momentum clearly swung after Benbouali equalized when Riyad Mahrez’s corner kick found him in the middle of the box and he sent a header into the corner that Yazeed Abulaila couldn’t stop. Algeria kept up the attack and took the lead when Gouiri got a touch on a ball in the box that deflected off Abulaila and into the net, setting off an Algerian celebration with their fans just behind the goal at Levi's Stadium.

23-06-2026 09:38

{{ article.title }}

{{safeHTML(article.Text)}}

{{ formatCategoryDate(article.publishDate) }}

Article Image

More

Messi And Ronaldo Get Ready For Sixth And Final FIFA World Cup

Lionel Messi’s career seemed complete after he led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup, but the motivation to keep playing is still there for him and his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo as the duo prepare to make history at this year’s tournament in North America.This will be the last dance for Messi and Ronaldo, who will become the first players to appear in six different World Cups, 20 years on from their fresh-faced debuts at the finals.They have since become icons far beyond the football pitch, two of the most recognisable people on the planet as they head into middle age and contemplate retirement.Messi appeared to suggest that there would not be much point in carrying on after he skippered Argentina to victory in Qatar.“Obviously I wanted to finish my career with this. I can’t ask for any more,” he said after dragging Lionel Scaloni’s side to victory over France on penalties in that World Cup final in Doha.“My career is coming to an end because these are my final years. What more could there be after this?”Plenty more, it turns out.Messi was in the middle of an underwhelming spell at Paris Saint-Germain then, and six months later he departed for Major League Soccer.There he is excelling with Inter Miami, with whom he won the MLS Cup last year.He might no longer be playing at the very highest level every week, but he remains crucial for Argentina.The Barcelona legend captained his country to victory at the Copa America in the US in 2024, and was the top scorer in South American World Cup qualifying.“I love playing football, and I’m going to do it until I can’t any more,” he said recently.At one stage there were some doubts as to whether he would play at another World Cup, a tournament he first graced in 2006, when aged 18 he scored in a 6-0 demolition of Serbia and Montenegro in Gelsenkirchen.“I will do everything to make sure he is there,” insisted Scaloni, with Messi now just two games away from reaching 200 caps.He is set to add to his record of 26 appearances in World Cup matches, including their run to the 2014 final in Brazil.Messi has 13 World Cup goals, meaning Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 is within striking distance, especially as Argentina’s group opponents do not appear the toughest.They will begin against Algeria and Austria before tackling Jordan in Dallas, three days after Messi’s 39th birthday.He has a couple of years on Ronaldo, but the 41-year-old Portuguese talisman was determined to carry his international career on in the hope of landing the ultimate prize.Ronaldo was a teenager when he lost the Euro 2004 final with Portugal on home soil, but he made up for that by captaining them to victory at Euro 2016.Yet the World Cup has proven harder, at least after Portugal got to the 2006 semi-finals.Portugal have won only one World Cup knockout match since, when they hammered Switzerland 6-1 in 2022 with Ronaldo dropped to the bench.Roberto Martinez became coach after that and restored Ronaldo as the first-choice striker, which he remains despite not scoring at Euro 2024 when Portugal lost in the last eight.He is the most-capped men’s player of all time with 226 international appearances, and the former Real Madrid and Manchester United superstar is now set to win the Saudi title with Al Nassr.Ronaldo confirmed recently this would be his last World Cup, insisting: “I’m going to be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment.”Portugal, who go into a group with Colombia, Uzbekistan and DR Congo, are genuine contenders to win it even if there are doubts as to whether Ronaldo is holding back a talented squad.Personally, Ronaldo will be seeking to add to his eight World Cup goals, and finally get a first in the knockout stages.“He is more than just a football player, but for the national team that is all he is,” said Martinez in an interview with Portuguese broadcaster RTP.“He is the captain and he shows exemplary commitment to his country. He is incredible.”Lifting the World Cup at 41 would be quite the way for Ronaldo to finish -- and if both Portugal and Argentina top their groups, he and Messi would be on course to meet in the quarter-finals in Kansas City on July 11.

16-05-2026 11:54

Here are the fastest players at the 2026 World Cup

Australian Jordan Bos, a defender for the national team, topped the list of the fastest players at the 2026 World Cup, according to FIFA data released after the first round of the tournament held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.According to official physical tracking data from FIFA, the Feyenoord left-back reached a top speed of 36.7 km/h during his country’s 2–0 win over Turkey in the opening match. He was closely followed by Norwegian striker Erling Haaland and Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov, both recorded at 36.5 km/h.They edged out well-known speed stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Son Heung-min, and Pedro Neto.Top 10 fastest players (Round 1):Jordan Bos (Australia) — 36.7 km/hErling Haaland (Norway) — 36.5 km/hAbdukodir Khusanov (Uzbekistan) — 36.5 km/hMohamed Toure (Australia) — 35.8 km/hRyan Gravenberch (Netherlands) — 35.6 km/hAlan Minda (Ecuador) — 35.5 km/hSon Heung-min (South Korea) — 35.2 km/hDjed Spence (England) — 35.2 km/hKylian Mbappé (France) — 35.1 km/hPedro Neto (Portugal) — 34.8 km/hEsmir Bajraktarević (Bosnia and Herzegovina) — 34.8 km/h

20-06-2026 13:48

Egypt Secure Historic First World Cup Win, Move Closer to Round of 32

Egypt secured the first World Cup win in its history, coming from behind to defeat New Zealand 3-1 in Vancouver and move to the top of Group G with four points.After conceding early, Egypt responded through Mostafa Abdel Raouf, Mohamed Salah and Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, putting the Pharaohs on the brink of qualification for the Round of 32.Elsewhere in the group, Iran and Belgium played out a goalless draw, leaving both sides on two points.In Group H, tournament debutants Cape Verde continued their impressive run by holding two-time champions Uruguay to a 2-2 draw. The result leaves both teams on two points behind group leaders Spain, who strengthened their position with a 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.

22-06-2026 11:07

FIFA Boss Infantino Faces Questions on Eve of World Cup

Infantino is likely to face tough questions about sky-high ticket prices and an immigration crackdown that has seen a top referee, fans and team officials barred from co-hosts the United States.The head of world football's governing body will give a rare press conference in Mexico City, where co-hosts Mexico play South Africa on Thursday in the opening match at the Estadio Azteca.The 2026 men's World Cup has been expanded to 48 teams and is the biggest and most ambitious in the event's history, with matches also taking place in Canada.But the refusal of US immigration authorities to allow Somali referee Omar Artan, one of Africa's leading match officials, into the country underlined fears that Donald Trump's immigration policy could leave deep scars on the football extravaganza.Artan said the "biggest dream of my life" had been ripped away after he was turned back at the US border."I am very, very disappointed," Artan told The New York Times."I'm just simply a referee who's trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup."Artan, who was named the 2025 men's referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football, would have been the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup.He said he was subjected to an 11-hour interview with border officials at Miami International Airport and then detained for several further hours in a holding cell before being put on a flight back to Turkey."I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa," he added -- an assertion confirmed to AFP by a Somali government advisor.A US State Department official alleged to AFP that the referee was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations", therefore "making the traveler ineligible for admission to the United States".Artan returned to a hero's welcome in Mogadishu and vowed to take part in the next tournament in 2030."I will be at the next World Cup and will continue to make Somalia proud... Despite what has happened to me, I am not discouraged," Artan told more than 100 supporters and journalists at Mogadishu's main airport.Meanwhile, concerns were rising that the curtainraiser in Mexico City could be disrupted by social unrest.Protesters Tuesday blocked an avenue leading to the Estadio Azteca although lines of police prevented the demonstrators from reaching the stadium.Thousands took part in the demonstration following a week of action that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has called a "provocation."Sheinbaum has said that the opening match was "guaranteed," though the left-leaning leader again ruled out using police to repress the demonstrations.On the pitch, Argentina's superstar Lionel Messi scored moments after coming off the bench on Tuesday to dispel any injury doubts and help the holders win their final warm-up game.The 38-year-old Messi had not featured for Argentina in the build-up to their title defence after injuring a hamstring playing for Inter Miami in late May.He was introduced as a substitute with 20 minutes left to huge acclaim from a capacity 88,000 crowd against Iceland in Auburn, Alabama, and his clever through ball played in Lautaro Martinez, who was fouled in the box.Messi, who drove Argentina to their third World Cup crown in Qatar four years ago and is set to feature in his sixth World Cup, lashed in the penalty to help the reigning champions ease to a 3-0 win.Argentina's first match is on June 16, against Algeria in Kansas City.Along with Spain, France and England, Argentina are among the favourites to win the title.Messi is set to feature in his sixth World Cup.

10-06-2026 16:46

{{ article.title }}

{{safeHTML(article.Text)}}

{{ formatCategoryDate(article.publishDate) }}

Article Image

More