2026 World Cup: List of squads, players announced so far - ESPN
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11, which means we will soon know which 26 players will be representing each country in this summer's big event.
Iraq Sport News
Spain coach counting on Yamal and Williams fitness for World Cup
MADRID: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said Tuesday he was counting on wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams to be fit and available for the World Cup next month. Yamal, 18, suffered a hamstring injury in late April, which has caused him to miss the rest of the season for Barcelona, though his club have said he should be fit in time for the start of this summer’s showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Athletic Bilbao’s Williams picked up a muscle injury on Sunday, while Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino is also on the sidelines after breaking his right foot three months ago. “I think that all the players who have been mentioned will be fit and available for the start of the World Cup and I believe for the first match,” De la Fuente told journalists. “But if it’s not for the first match, it would be for the second or third, and it doesn’t cause any major setbacks,” the Spanish coach continued, adding it had been “a very tough year in terms of injuries.” “The world of injuries, which is the tragedy of sport, is what truly keeps us under a lot of pressure, especially in this critical phase because injuries that occur from now on, any minor muscular injury, are really difficult to recover from,” he added. Meanwhile, De la Fuente confirmed that his World Cup squad list will include 26 players but that there would be additional players who would be included for a friendly against Iraq on June 4. Spain’s World Cup opener will be against Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta.
World Cup-bound Iraq get FIFA approval for 2 new players from clubs in US and Scotland
ZURICH: World Cup -bound Iraq have two new players for possible selection after FIFA approved eligibility for Nashville SC midfielder Ahmed Qasem and Dundee United defender Dario Naamo. Both comply with FIFA rules for a binding change of national eligibility because of family ties to Iraq. The national team qualified in March for their first World Cup in 40 years despite travel problems during the Middle East conflict. It’s in a tough World Cup group that includes France, Norway and Senegal, who all feature stellar forward in Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Sadio Mané. Iraq coach Graham Arnold previously led his native Australia at the 2022 World Cup and now can pick two more players nurtured in Europe. The 22-year-old Qasem was born in Sweden and represented that country at youth level through the Under-21s. He moved to Major League Soccer team Nashville last year from Elfsborg. The 20-year-old Naamo was born in Finland and was still playing for its Under-21 team in March.
2027 Asian Cup draw: Singapore to face Australia, Tajikistan, and Iraq in group phase
SINGAPORE: The Lions will face former Asian Cup champions Australia and Iraq at the 2027 Asian Cup following the group stage draw late on Saturday (May 9) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Soccer‑Iraq to face Andorra and Spain in friendlies ahead of World Cup return
May 4 : Iraq will step up preparations for their first World Cup appearance in 40 years with friendly matches against Andorra and former champions Spain, the Iraqi Football Association (IFA) said on Monday.
Prominent N.S. rugby coach uses podcast to show how exercise helps with mental illness
Chartered psychologist and rugby coach James Alder is sharing stories about the mental side of sport and training through a podcast called Trauma, Training & Transformation.
Military Olympians honored at the Pentagon, against backdrop of Iran war
US Military Olympians Frankie Del Duca and Kelly Curtis were honored at the Pentagon for their accomplishments at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, and their service to the nation's safety and freedom.
FIFA makes more World Cup tickets available, but soccer fans criticize lack of transparency
FIFA's release of a new tranche of World Cup tickets has left some fans fuming about a perceived lack of transparency in how seats are being sold, given that premium seating options now on offer were not available previously.