Iran World Cup squad lands in south Türkiye for training
TEHRAN: Iran's football team arrived in Türkiye on Monday (May 18) for a training camp and to complete visa applications ahead of the 2026 World Cup, AFP correspondents said.
Mexico Sport News
Canada wins men's NORCECA U19 volleyball gold on home soil in 5-set battle with U.S.
Canada came out on top in a five-set thriller against the United States at the Under-19 NORCECA Men's Continental Volleyball Championship on Sunday in Burnaby, B.C.
Iran’s World Cup football team leaves for Turkiye: media
TEHRAN: Iran’s national football team was headed to Turkiye on Monday to play a final friendly match and apply for visas to fly to the United States for the 2026 World Cup, Iranian media reported.The team plan to participate in the tournament despite co-host Washington having launched a war against Iran with a massive wave of attacks alongside ally Israel on February 28.The fighting has been on hold for weeks thanks to a ceasefire, but peace talks have failed to make a breakthrough and new drone attacks against Gulf countries at the weekend combined with threats from US President Donald Trump raising fears of a return to fighting.The team “departed this morning for Antalya, Turkiye to play its final friendly match before flying to the United States for the 2026 World Cup,” the Tasnim news agency reported.It said the squad consisted of 22 domestic-based players alongside their coaching staff.On Saturday, head coach Amir Ghalenoei said they would also be completing visa applications for the US while in Turkiye.’Let ‘em play’ Iran secured their spot at the World Cup in March 2025, but since then the United States has twice launched attacks on the country.US officials have insisted that Iran is welcome at the tournament, while organizer FIFA has said it will go ahead as planned and rejected Iranian suggestions that their games be moved to co-hosts Mexico or Canada.“I think let ‘em play,” Trump said in late April.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said any problem would not be with Iranian players but “some of the other people (they) would want to bring with them,” suggesting they may have ties to the Revolutionary Guards, which Washington has branded a terrorist organization.Last month, officials from Iran’s football
Azmoun left out of preliminary Iran World Cup squad
May 17 : Iran's attacking talisman Sardar Azmoun was a notable absence from coach Amir Ghalenoei's preliminary World Cup squad as the team gear up for the tournament in North America amid diplomatic tensions surrounding their participation.
Iran have ‘constructive’ meeting with FIFA over World Cup preparations
PARIS: FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom described as “excellent” and “constructive” the meeting held on Saturday in Istanbul with the Iranian federation to ensure Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Iranians are scheduled to be based and play all three of their group matches in the US in spite of the war currently being waged in the Middle East. “We’ve had an excellent meeting, a constructive meeting together with the Iran FA,” said Grafstrom. “I think we’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them to the World Cup. “We’ve had the opportunity to discuss some of the operational matters, like we do with every member association. “But I’m very happy that we were able to have this positive exchange, and both the Iran FA and FIFA are very happy with the meeting and looking forward to welcoming Team Melli in the USA, Canada and Mexico.” The president of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, had said on Thursday that no visas had yet been issued for Iran’s team. But he also described Saturday’s meeting as “positive and constructive” without going into details. “We discussed our concerns and expressed our joint commitment to ensure the smooth participation of Team Melli,” he said. The meeting, which was held at the headquarters of the Turkish Football Federation, comes as the Iranian team prepares to leave on Monday morning for a training camp in Turkiye before heading to the United States. Iran hope to play two friendlies in Antalya.
Arnold urges Iraq to show fighting spirit at World Cup
BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 16 : Iraq coach Graham Arnold said on Saturday he expects his side to show a trademark “fighting mentality” at next month’s World Cup after qualifying for the finals for the first time since 1986.
FIFA says it held positive talks with Iran's FA ahead of World Cup
ISTANBUL, May 16 : FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom held a constructive and positive meeting with Iran's FA (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj on Saturday, he told Reuters, expressing confidence about the country's participation at this year's World Cup.
FIFA says held positive talks with Iran's FA ahead of World Cup
ISTANBUL, May 16 : FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom held a constructive and positive meeting with Iran's FA (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj on Saturday, he told Reuters, expressing confidence about the country's participation at this year's World Cup.