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Canada will spend C$1 billion to host World Cup, watchdog says

TORONTO: Canada is ‌expected to spend just over C$1 billion ($727 million) to host the World Cup this summer, according to a report from the federal budget watchdog published on Wednesday. The estimated cost per game is C$82 million, the Parliamentary Budget Officer said, noting that ‌amount is ‌aligned with past ‌public ⁠spending on World ⁠Cup events. Thirteen matches will be played in Toronto and Vancouver during the June 11-July 19 tournament, which Canada is co-hosting with the US and Mexico. Of ⁠the C$1.066 billion price ‌tag, the ‌federal government will cover C$473 million and ‌other levels of government will ‌provide the remaining C$593 million. As of April, the City of Toronto intended to spend C$380 million, which ‌includes federal grants, to host six games. British Columbia ⁠had ⁠planned to spend C$578 million to host seven matches in Vancouver.

Iran focused on fitness in Turkiye after war-enforced furlough

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said he ‌and his staff would have their work cut out getting their squad ready for the World Cup at their training camp in Turkiye with most of the players having been out of action for the last seven weeks. The domestic Arabian Gulf Pro League season was suspended after the United States and Israel launched air strikes on Iran in late February and will not resume until after the World Cup. Of the 30-man squad Ghalenoei named on Saturday, 22 play for Iranian clubs and have been ‌restricted to a ‌Tehran national team training camp since friendlies ‌against ⁠Costa Rica and ⁠Nigeria in Antalya in late March. “Naturally, I am not fully satisfied with the players’ level of readiness,” Ghalenoei told the Iranian FA (FFIR) magazine before the departure for Turkiye on Monday. “But with a training camp that is approximately two and a half to three weeks long, we can make up about 20 to 25 percent ⁠of this shortfall. “We need to raise our domestic-based ‌players to the level required by ‌the modern game,” he added.

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.

Iran at the World a ‘major diplomatic asset’: football chief

TEHRAN: The president of the Iranian Football Federation said late Saturday that if Iran dropped out of the World Cup, it would deprive the country of a “major diplomatic asset.” Mehdi Taj was speaking after the federation (FFIRI) said on Saturday that Iran would take part in the men’s football showpiece this summer despite the Middle East War, but demanded that joint hosts the United States, Mexico and Canada agree to its conditions. “If we do not participate in the World Cup, we will lose a major diplomatic asset,” Taj said in an interview broadcast late Saturday on state television. Iran’s participation in the tournament has been surrounded by uncertainty since the outbreak of war in February, following strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic. But on Saturday, the FFIRI said on its official website: “We will definitely participate in the 2026 World Cup, but the hosts must take our concerns into account. “We will participate in the World Cup tournament, but without any retreat from our beliefs, culture, and convictions.” Taj has set 10 conditions for attending the global spectacle, seeking assurances over the country’s treatment. The conditions include visas being granted and respect for the national team staff, the team’s flag and its national anthem during the tournament, as well as demands for elevated security at airports, hotels and routes to the stadiums where they will play. World football’s governing body FIFA has insisted for weeks that Iran will take part. Iran, who are due to be based in Tucson, Arizona, during the World Cup, face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G. The Iranians open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.

Asia football fans sweat on broadcast rights as World Cup nears

HONG KONG: Swathes of football-mad Asia from China to India and Thailand are yet to confirm broadcast rights for the biggest-ever World Cup with kick-off barely one month away. Unsociable match times in the region is one reason why hundreds of millions of fans have been left sweating about whether they can watch from their sofas. Football’s showpiece is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and begins on June 11 when the Mexicans face South Africa. For fans in Beijing and Shanghai the opening match will start at 3:00 a.m., as will the final. In New Delhi that is 12:30 a.m., although some games will be better timing in Asia. Sandeep Goyal, chairman at advertising agency Rediffusion, told AFP that he was “privy to some discussions” between football’s governing body FIFA and Indian broadcasters. “The first problem is of match timings,” said Goyal. “The bigger, better matches are at 12:30 a.m. or 3:30 a.m.

FIFA invites Iran to headquarters for World Cup talks

PARIS: FIFA has invited the Iranian football federation (FFIRI) to its headquarters for talks over the country’s participation at this year’s World Cup, a source told AFP on Tuesday. Iran’s presence at the tournament, held in the United States, Canada and Mexico between June 11 and July 19, has been shrouded in uncertainty since the eruption of war in the Middle East in February following strikes by the United States and Israel. The source said FIFA had asked the FFIRI to visit its Zurich base “by May 20 to prepare for the World Cup.” Last week, FIFA president Gianni Infantino reiterated Iran will play their World Cup games in the United States as scheduled. “Let me start by the outset, confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino said as he addressed delegates at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver. “And of course, Iran will play (in) the United States of America.” Iran’s delegation was the only absentee from the 211-member congress after a clash with Canadian border officials. Iranian media said FFIRI president Mehdi Taj — a former member of Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — and two colleagues flew home after being “insulted” by Canadian immigration officers. Canada, which designated the IRGC a terrorist organization in 2024, said individuals linked to the force were “inadmissible.” On his return home, Taj told local media he wanted a meeting with FIFA to discuss a variety of subjects. Iran, who are due to be based in Tucson, Arizona, during the World Cup, face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G. The Iranians open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.

Iran will be at World Cup and will play in the US, says FIFA boss

VANCOUVER: FIFA president Gianni Infantino insisted Iran would play World Cup matches in the United States as the soccer governing body’s Congress opened on Thursday without the country’s delegation, its absence highlighting tensions and challenges surrounding the tournament. “Let me start at the outset. Of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026. And of course Iran will play in the United States of America,” Infantino said. “And the reason for that is very simple, we have to unite. It is my responsibility, our responsibility.” US President Donald Trump said he was “okay” with Iran playing at the World Cup.

Netherlands and Tottenham’s Simons to miss World Cup after knee injury

Tottenham Hotspur on Monday confirmed that midfielder Xavi Simons will require surgery on his right knee after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Simons was injured on Saturday during Tottenham’s 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers and left the pitch on a stretcher in the 63rd minute. “Xavi will undergo surgery in the coming weeks and, following ‌that, will then ‌begin his rehabilitation with our ‌medical ⁠team,” the club ⁠said. Netherlands midfielder Simons said on Sunday his season had “come to an abrupt end” after suffering a serious injury that is set to rule him out of the World Cup. “They say life can be cruel and today ⁠it feels that way,” the 23-year-old ‌said in an ‌Instagram post. “My season has come to an abrupt end ‌and I’m just trying to process it. ‌Honestly, I’m heartbroken...

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2026 FIFA World Cup Sport News

Canada will spend C$1 billion to host World Cup, watchdog says

Iran focused on fitness in Turkiye after war-enforced furlough

Iran have ‘constructive’ meeting with FIFA over World Cup preparations

Iran at the World a ‘major diplomatic asset’: football chief

Asia football fans sweat on broadcast rights as World Cup nears

FIFA invites Iran to headquarters for World Cup talks

Iran will be at World Cup and will play in the US, says FIFA boss

Netherlands and Tottenham’s Simons to miss World Cup after knee injury