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Former Green Eagles player, United States-based, Paul Okoku, says if the Super Eagles fail to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the response by Nigerians must be constructive, particularly, in examining both technical and administrative factors.
MEXICO CITY: FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday described as “unfortunate” the case of Somali World Cup referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the United States. “It is unfortunate as well what happened to... Omar, the referee from Somalia.
GENEVA: UN rights chief Volker Turk urged the United States to reconsider its immigration practices for the football World Cup, after fans, a top referee and team officials found themselves barred from the tournament. A record 48 teams and millions of fans are descending on the United States, Canada and Mexico for the first World Cup co-hosted by three nations and the largest and most logistically complex ever staged. But the refusal of US immigration authorities to allow Somali referee Omar Artan, one of Africa’s leading match officials, into the country underlined fears that US President Donald Trump’s immigration policy could leave deep scars on the tournament. “I hope that the issues around racial profiling, around...
Egypt’s coach Hossam Hassan sees the opening match in the World Cup against Belgium as the most difficult game in the “highly competitive” group G. Egypt lost 2-1 to five-times champion Brazil in Cleveland on Sunday, in their final warm-up friendly ahead of their fourth appearance in the World Cup. Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes scored the opening goal early from inside the box and Lyon forward Endrick added in the second half after an assist from Barcelona’s Raphinha. Zico scored for Egypt, while Skipper Mohamed Salah played the second half and seemed to be in good form. “Salah underwent a rehabilitation program with Liverpool and then with the national team, and he is now ready for matches,” Hassan told reporters. Seven-times African champions open their Group G campaign against Belgium on June 15, before facing New Zealand and Iran. “The opening match against Belgium at the World Cup will be extremely difficult, and the group is strong and highly competitive,” Hassan, who competed in the World Cup as a player in 1990, said. Hassan expressed his disappointment after losing to Brazil, but stressed that he was satisfied with the players’ performance despite the loss. “I do not like losing, and I am saddened by the defeat to Brazil, even though they are one of the biggest teams in the world,” he said.
FIFA clarifies rule on bringing of disposable water bottles at World Cup games after outcry LOS ANGELES: FIFA said Friday it will allow fans to bring one “soft, plastic” disposable water bottle into World Cup venues after its ban on refillable bottles sparked an outcry. “All fans will be permitted to bring in one, soft, plastic 20 ounces (590ml), factory sealed disposable water bottle into any FIFA World Cup 2026 match in the USA and Canada,” World Cup chief operating officer Heimo Schirgi, said in a video posted on FIFA’s X account. The announcement, which FIFA called a “clarification” of its water bottle policy, came two days after FIFA said that refillable water bottles wouldn’t be allowed. That was a change to their official stadium code of conduct that could force thirsty supporters to pay for bottled water.
ST. LOUIS, Missouri: Far from its European homeland, Bosnia and Herzegovina has zealous fans in the American Midwest as it prepares for its second World Cup. An estimated 60,000-70,000 Bosnians live in St. Louis, with many arriving in the early 1990s during the Bosnian War and the breakup of Yugoslavia. Bosnia faces Panama on Saturday in an international friendly at St.
TEHRAN: Iran’s football squad, whose participation in the World Cup remains uncertain, have handed their passports to the US embassy in Turkiye for visas, the head of their Football Federation said on Friday. Mehdi Taj said Iran were following instructions from world football’s governing body. Their quest for the visas comes as Iran and the United States remain locked in negotiations to end the Middle East war that began in February with a massive wave of strikes on the Islamic republic. “Yesterday, I had discussions with FIFA regarding the US visas,” Taj said.
Lens defender Saud Abdulhamid will spearhead Saudi Arabia’s World Cup team, with forward Salem Al Dawsari set for a third appearance in the tournament, after coach Georgios Donis named his 26-man squad on Monday. Abdulhamid, who won the French Cup this year, is the only player based abroad in the Saudi squad for the event, which will be held in the US, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. Al Hilal’s Al Dawsari, the 2025 AFC player of the year, is set to feature at his third World Cup, after debuting in 2018 and playing in the 2022 edition. Greek coach Donis will rely on 34-year-old goalkeeper Mohamed Al Owais, who played four games in his two World Cup appearances, while Al Hilal defender Hassan Tambakti and teammate midfielder Mohamed Kanno will lend experience. Al Qadsiah midfielder Mohammed Abu Alshamat will make it to finals, while his twin brother Saleh, who plays for Asian champions Al Ahli was not included in the final list. Saudi lost their first game under Donis 2-1 to Ecuador in a friendly on Sunday and will face Puerto Rico and Senegal in their final warm-ups for the World Cup. They open their Group H campaign against Uruguay in Miami on June 15, before facing Spain in Atlanta on June 21 and Cape Verde in Houston on June 26.
STOCKHOLM: Sweden defender Emil Holm has suffered a muscle injury and will miss the World Cup, with Herman Johansson called up as a replacement, the country’s FA (SVFF) announced on Saturday. The 26-year-old Holm, who has been on loan at Juventus from Bologna, was in Graham Potter’s squad announced on May 12 but is expected to be sidelined for several weeks. The SVFF said FC Dallas midfielder Johansson, 28, has joined the national team camp in Stockholm to replace Holm. “I have fought my whole life to represent my country in a World Cup ... and to have it taken away by an injury.