England's Chalobah to replace injured Livramento for World Cup
KANSAS CITY: Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has been called into England's World Cup squad after a calf injury forced the withdrawal of Newcastle's Tino Livramento.
New Zealand Sport News
Iran's entertaining draw with New Zealand offers brief respite - ESPN
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Albeit for incredibly different reasons, Iran and New Zealand have had two of the most unusual buildups to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But on Monday evening, all of that was put aside for a soccer game at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) that just might have been the best game of the tournament so far, ending in a pulsating 2-2 draw.
Iran says footballer’s US visa expires after World Cup opener
TEHRAN: An Iranian national football team player’s United States visa has expired, state media reported Tuesday, leaving his future at the World Cup shrouded in doubt with Tehran engulfed in a bitter diplomatic row with Washington. Winger Mehdi Torabi was only issued a single-entry visa instead of the multiple-entry visa given to other Iranian national team players to take part in the global spectacle, where Team Melli earned a 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their opening match on Monday. “Following the national team’s trip to Los Angeles for the match against New Zealand and the conclusion of that game, Torabi’s visa has now expired,” state news agency IRNA reported. The Iranian Football Federation “has taken steps to obtain a new visa for Torabi, so that he can accompany the national team in its upcoming matches,” it added. The agency did not disclose if Torabi successfully departed the US but said “all members of the national team are on board the aircraft” that was leaving the United States for Mexico after the match. The United States and tournament organizers did not immediately comment. The report comes after a series of visa-related issues affecting Iran’s delegation during the Middle East war between the US and Iran. The two nations have agreed a framework to end the conflict, but Iran had already moved its base to Mexico over security concerns and is having to travel in and out of the US for the team’s group-stage games. Iranian officials previously said around 15 members of the delegation were denied US visas. IRNA also said in a separate report that Iranian captain Mehdi Taremi and a staff member faced difficulties at Los Angeles airport after the team’s draw with New Zealand upon their departure. Iran play
New Zealand's Garbett ruled out of World Cup with injury
June 16 : New Zealand midfielder Matt Garbett has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a hamstring injury in training ahead of his side's 2-2 draw with Iran in their Group G opener on Monday.
Iran coach says team 'oppressed' by travel chaos after 2‑2 draw
INGLEWOOD, California, June 15 : Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said on Monday his team were being “oppressed” due to last-minute travel changes stemming from tensions between Iran and the U.S., adding the disruption had affected their performance after a 2‑2 draw with New Zealand.
Iran coach says team ordered out of U.S. immediately after draw with New Zealand
The coach of Iran's World Cup team said it was ordered to leave the U.S. and return to its training base in Mexico only a few hours after opening its politically charged tournament by playing to a 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday night in Inglewood, Calif.
Iran coach says squad ordered out of US after World Cup opener, says team is ‘most oppressed’ this tournament
LOS ANGELES: Coach Amir Ghalenoei said Iran is the “most oppressed team in the World Cup” after his players were suddenly informed they must travel back to Mexico immediately after their opening game ended in Los Angeles late Monday. The coach of Iran’s World Cup team said it was ordered to leave the US and return to its training base in Mexico only a few hours after opening its politically charged tournament by playing to a 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday night. Coach Amir Ghalenoei didn’t say who ordered the Iranians to leave earlier than planned. The team had expected to spend the night in California to maximize the normal recovery process after its opening game, only to be told after the match that everyone must immediately get on a plane for the 140-mile trip back to Tijuana. “They didn’t even give us time to recover,” Ghalenoei said through an interpreter.
'Repressed' Iran forced to leave U.S. after New Zealand draw - ESPN
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei called his team perhaps the «most repressed team in the whole World Cup,» after he said they have been forced to leave Los Angeles and return to their base camp in Tijuana, Mexico, immediately following their opening match.