Page 19 - Latest Updates on FIFA World Cup

Iran's World Cup squad includes 17 domestic players, excludes Azmoun

Iran finalized a 26-man World Cup squad on Monday to play in the United States including 17 home-based players whose clubs have not played since February due to the Middle East regional war. Star forward Mehdi Taremi, who plays in Greece for Olympiakos, was among nine overseas players but they did not include his strike partner at the 2022 World Cup, Sardar Azmoun. Azmoun was dropped from coach Amir Ghalenoei's squad in March, reportedly because of a social media post that angered Iranian authorities during the ongoing war with the United States and Israel. His teammate at Dubai club Shabab Al-Ahli, Saeid Ezatolahi, was picked. Iran features five players with clubs in the United Arab Emirates, two in Belgium, Taremi in Greece and one in Russia. Belgium-based Dennis Dargahi on the official squad list is known as Dennis Eckert Ayensa at his club Standard Liege. Iran is preparing for the World Cup at a training camp in Antalya, Turkey, before a scheduled departure on Friday to its ...

Visa issues leave South Africa assistant coach behind before FIFA World Cup

South Africa's World Cup squad departed for the tournament a day late on Monday and left its assistant coach behind after problems securing travel visas for the United States. South Africa plays co-host Mexico in the opening game of the World Cup on June 11 in Mexico City. It plays one of its group games in the U.S. The team was due to depart on Sunday but that was delayed because it had not received visas for some players and staff members, the sports minister said. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie posted on X that the "debacle" over visas was caused by an administrative error by team officials and called it embarrassing. He demanded a report from the South African Football Association. "We are being made to look like fools," McKenzie wrote on social media. The association said on Monday it had secured visas for all the players and they departed from Johannesburg on a charter flight on Monday afternoon. However, SAFA President Danny Jordaan said assistant coach Helman Mkhalele was

Zee Media to telecast 2026 FIFA World Cup in India after landmark deal

The deal gives Zee access to all major FIFA events across the globe till the 2034 World Cup

Teenager Hugo Sochurek named in Czech Republic's FIFA World Cup squad

Sparta Prague midfielder Hugo Sochurek was included in the Czech Republic squad for the World Cup after he became the youngest player for the national team in a warmup game against Kosovo. The Czechs won 2-1 and 17-year-old Sochurek came on as a substitute on Sunday. Immediately after the game, coach Miroslav Koubek cut his initial selection of 29 to the final 26. FC Cincinnati midfielder Pavel Bucha, Mlada Boleslav forward Christophe Kabongo and Viktoria Plzen midfielder Tomas Ladra didn't make the final cut. "Probably the worst moment of my coaching career," said Koubek, the 74-year-old veteran. In good news for the Czechs, attacking midfielder Adam Hlozek of Hoffenheim, who has recently recovered from long-term calf and foot injuries, returned to the squad to play his first game for the national team since June and scored a goal. The 23-year-old has played 42 international games, scoring five times. The team was scheduled to leave for the United States later Sunday to play one

Australia hands Volpato World Cup spot days after international switch

Cristian Volpato has been vaulted into Australia's World Cup squad just days after confirming a switch of national eligibility from Italy, and four years after he declined an invitation to join the Socceroos ahead of the 2022 tournament. Coach Tony Popovic included the 22-year-old Volpato in the 26-man squad announced Monday, Australian time. He and striker Tete Yengi were among 17 players selected in a World Cup squad for the first time. Skipper Mat Ryan, with 104 international caps, and veteran Mathew Leckie were picked for a fourth World Cup, equaling the Australian record held by Tim Cahill and Mark Milligan. "A range of factors has gone into selecting this final World Cup squad," Popovic said in a statement. "Some difficult decisions had to be made ... but it's also a credit to all the players involved who worked extremely hard during an extended and challenging pre-camp. "I'd like to acknowledge the players who contributed to our direct World Cup qualification but are not par

Visa problems force South Africa to postpone Mexico trip for FIFA World Cup

South Africa's national men's team has postponed its travel to Mexico because of visa issues, just 11 days ahead of the World Cup. Bafana Bafana was supposed to leave for Mexico on Sunday to start its preparations for the tournament. The team is set to play co-host Mexico in the opening game in Mexico City on June 11. "The South African senior men's national team has experienced challenges regarding visas for some players and officials, and as a result the group could not travel to North America this morning as originally planned," the South African Football Association said in a statement Sunday. "SAFA is working around the clock to ensure that the team travels to Mexico City as soon as possible ahead of the opening match of the global tournament," the statement said. The team will continue to train in Johannesburg, South Africa, until departure. SAFA said it would provide an update on the situation after an emergency meeting on Sunday evening. South Africa also faces the Czech .

Can the Fifa World Cup 2026 help US beer industry kick its slump?

Beer makers are betting on the FIFA World Cup to revive demand, but shifting consumer habits could limit the boost to sales

Five long-standing FIFA World Cup records that may take the fall in 2026

The expanded format has sparked debate among football figures, with concerns raised about maintaining competitive quality.

Vazquez's first-half header lifts Mexico past Australia 1-0 in a WC warm-up

Defender Johan Vazquez scored a first-half goal and Mexico beat Australia 1-0 on Saturday night in a warm-up match for the World Cup. On a corner kick taken by Alexis Vega, Vazquez connected with a header that went in past the right post of goalkeeper Mathew Ryan in the 27th minute. Mexico extended its unbeaten streak to seven games this year and has not lost since Nov. 18, when it fell 2-1 to Paraguay in a friendly match in San Antonio. Mexico will open World Cup play June 11 against South Africa at the Azteca stadium in Mexico City. On the 18th, it will face South Korea in Guadalajara and close out the first round against Czechia on the 24th. The Mexicans will have one last warm-up match next Thursday night in Toluca against Serbia. Australia will open the tournament against Turkey on June 13 in Vancouver, British Columbia, then play the United States in Seattle on the 19th, and conclude the group stage against Paraguay on the 25th, in Santa Clara, California. The Australians l

Canada picks Alphonso Davies for FIFA World Cup despite hamstring issue

Alphonso Davies was named to Canada's World Cup squad on Friday night although it's too soon to tell whether he'll be ready for the team's opener because of a hamstring injury. The defender, who plays for Bayern Munich, was injured earlier this month in the loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semifinals. Davies is Canada's captain and among the most prominent players named to the team, along with Juventus forward Jonathan David, Southampton forward Cyle Larin and Villarreal midfielder Tajon Buchanan. Coach Jesse Marsch named nine defenders, 10 midfielders, four forwards and three goalkeepers to the 26-player roster for the World Cup, which opens on June 11. Marsch included Davies on the team's latest 32-player training camp roster earlier this week, but he did not immediately join the team, instead remaining in Germany to continue his recovery. The team trained this past week in Charlotte, North Carolina, ahead of a pair of preparation matches against Uzbekistan on

Goldman's model shows Spain as 26% probable winner of FIFA World Cup

The analysis combined historical match data, team rankings, scoring talent and geographic factors to forecast the tournament's outcome

Zee nears FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast rights deal in India: Reports

Reports suggest the proposed agreement is valued at approximately $30-35 million, a figure considerably lower than earlier expectations for the tournament's Indian media rights

Carlo Ancelotti to Thomas Tuchel: Meet the coaches of FIFA World Cup 2026

From experienced tacticians like Carlo Ancelotti and Didier Deschamps to younger modern coaches such as Julian Nagelsmann, the competition promises fascinating tactical battles.

Lionel Messi to lead reigning champions Argentina in FIFA World Cup 2026

With his selection, Messi joins Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo as the only male footballers to appear at six different FIFA World Cups.

FIFA WC 2026: Check Argentina's full schedule, squad and team preview here

Argentina arrive in North America after an impressive qualification campaign, finishing with a record of 12 wins, 4 losses, and 2 draws.

Will Neymar be fit to play Brazil's FIFA World Cup 2026 opener vs Morocco?

The veteran forward had earlier brushed aside concerns surrounding his fitness after missing Santos' previous three matches.

Why FIFA World Cup 2026 Ball 'Trionda' needs charging before every game?

Sportswear giant Adidas, which has produced official World Cup balls since 1970, had unveiled the 'Trionda' ball for the 2026 tournament.

FIFA World Cup 2026 predictions: Winners and Runner-ups for all 12 groups

Hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the competition promises heavyweight clashes, debut stories, and potential upsets across all groups.

FIFA WC 2026: Check Netherlands' full schedule, squad and team preview here

The Netherlands begin their World Cup campaign against Japan, immediately facing a difficult test in their quest to finally make history.

Mexico prez sees 'no issue' hosting Iran's World Cup team during tournament

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday that she has "no issue" with her country hosting Iran's World Cup team after its training base was moved from the United States to Mexico for the summer soccer competition. The team will still play its matches in the US but its base has been moved to Tijuana, Mexico, just south of San Diego, California, according to Iran's soccer federation. The development comes against the backdrop of the war in Iran, which the US and Israel launched on Feb 28. Sheinbaum said at a news conference Monday that she was told by a FIFA representative the US was reluctant to have the Iranian soccer team spend time outside the games on US territory. "The United States doesn't want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the United States," Sheinbaum told reporters. She said a FIFA representative had then asked, "Can they stay overnight in Mexico?" "And we said, Yes, no problem. We have no issue with that'," she said. Iran's soccer team is slate