Iran take centre stage at World Cup as Spain make bow
LOS ANGELES: Iran will take centre stage at the World Cup on Monday (Jun 15) after arriving in the United States following a build-up shrouded by uncertainty due to war in the Middle East.
State California Sport News
Iran Siap Mengguncang Piala Dunia 2026, Amir Ghalenoei Pimpin Latihan Panas di California
Amerika Serikat - Iran serius menatap Piala Dunia 2026. Amir Ghalenoei memimpin latihan intensif di California demi mematangkan strategi jelang laga perdana.
Mehdi Taremi says Team Melli playing for 'every Iranian' at WC - ESPN
LOS ANGELES — Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei and forward Mehdi Taremi said that they will be playing for all Iranians at the FIFA World Cup, as the prospect of protests looms ahead of their opening fixture against New Zealand.
Qatar's keeper Abunada enjoys 'most beautiful moment' at World Cup after setbacks
SANTA CLARA, California, June 14 : Qatar's resilience against Switzerland owed much to goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada, whose key saves kept them in the game, a remarkable comeback for a player once close to retirement due to a serious back injury.
Iran's manager, striker pledge to play for all Iranians despite protests
INGLEWOOD, California, June 14 : Iran's coach and their key player said the national team will strive to bring joy and unity to Iranian people around the world, despite war and other tensions making their World Cup adventure uniquely challenging.
New Zealand brush aside politics ahead of World Cup opener against Iran
INGLEWOOD, California, June 14 : New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley brushed aside the political backdrop to his side's World Cup opener against Iran on Monday, saying his players were focused solely on football despite heightened attention surrounding the match.
Netherlands coach Koeman defends tactics after frustration against Japan
SANTA CLARA, California, June 14 : Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman defended his tactics and substitutions after Dutch hopes of victory in their World Cup opener were foiled by a late Japan goal in the 2-2 draw on Sunday. Two well-taken goals by captain Virgil van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville either side of Keito Nakamura's conversion put the Netherlands in the lead twice but a deflected Daichi Kamada strike two minutes from time saw the spoils shared. Six minutes after Summerville's 64th-minute goal, Koeman took off the winger in a triple substitution and later added a third centre back in Nathan Ake. The more defensive setup backfired, though, with Japan seizing the initiative and Ogawa firing a header goalward to set up Kamada's equalising deflection. Koeman, however, said he had no regrets about his tactics and that shoddy defending was to blame. "There was also a problem with pressure on the flanks. So if you look at the game, both goals, well, we didn't defend well," he told reporters. "Football is a funny game because, after Japan scored the second goal, they started defending as well. "So we could have scored a third goal.
Austria end long World Cup exile against debutants Jordan
SANTA CLARA, California, June 14 : A resurgent Austria buoyed by European success will end a 28-year exile from the World Cup in California on Tuesday against a Jordan team making its first step on the global stage.