FIFA World Cup 2026 - players.bio

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.

Saudi Arabia hold Uruguay, Egypt raise hopes in strong Arab World Cup showing

DUBAI: Uruguay dominated but had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia in the sweltering heat of Miami on Monday to leave an intriguing Group H wide open.

Late Araujo equaliser denies Saudi Arabia victory in World Cup

RIYADH: Egyptian fans most certainly felt a sense of déjà vu while watching Saudi Arabia take on Uruguay. Like Egypt, the Green Falcons took the lead in the first half. And like Egypt, they conceded after the break, unable to hold on for victory. Yet, also like the Pharaohs, Saudi Arabia will feel they deserved more, even if a draw against one of the tournament’s strongest sides would have been gladly accepted before kickoff.

Egypt’s 92-year wait for a World Cup victory continues after frustrating draw with Belgium

RIYADH: Romelu Lukaku will not be a popular man in Egypt tonight. His quick-fire equalizing effort for Belgium, albeit officially recorded as a Mohammed Hany own goal, came just eight seconds after his introduction as a substitute, and it denied the Pharaohs what would have been their first-ever World Cup victory. Instead, the 92-year wait for a win continues.

Qatar’s goalkeeper Abunada enjoys ‘most beautiful moment’ at World Cup

SANTA CLARA, California: 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.

Spain stunned in 0-0 draw with World Cup debutants Cape Verde

ATLANTA: Cape Verde announced themselves on the World Cup ‌stage with a stunning 0-0 draw against Spain on Monday, frustrating the European champions who dominated possession and had 27 goal attempts but could find no way past 40-year-old keeper Vozinha. The African side built a blue-shirted barricade in front of Vozinha and dared Spain, who dominated almost everything in the Group H draw except the scoreline, to find a way through. Spain had almost 75 percent possession, but Cape Verde’s first match at a World Cup became a heroic exercise in resistance, discipline and occasional survival. At the final whistle, Vozinha was named player of the match and left the pitch in tears after a performance that turned him into the face of Cape Verde’s historic night. For Spain, it had uncomfortable echoes of their 2022 World Cup round-of-16 exit to Morocco: endless passing, ‌a defensive ‌wall at the other end and a growing sense that all ‌the ⁠possession in the ⁠world means little if the penalty area is locked shut and you cannot find the keys. Cape Verde defended deep from the start in a five-man low block, often crowding their own box with almost the entire team. Spain moved the ball from side to side, probing for cracks, but the African debutants were organized, stubborn and impressively calm under pressure. Luis de la Fuente’s decision to rest Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams from the starting lineup against theoretically easier opponents removed much of Spain’s ⁠usual thrust. Ferran Torres and Gavi, used wide, struggled to provide ‌the pace and one-on-one menace that has made Spain ‌so dangerous in recent years.

South American teams start off on the wrong foot

PHILADELPHIA: South American teams have got off to disappointing start to the World Cup, failing to produce a win in three games.

Ahead of the Egypt–Belgium match, ambassadors exchange national team jerseys

CAIRO: Ahead of Egypt’s World Cup clash in Seattle against Belgium on Monday in the opening match of Group G, the ambassadors of the two nations have exchanged team shirts as a sign of their “strong friendship.”

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Sport News

Iran coach says squad ordered out of US after World Cup opener, says team is ‘most oppressed’ this tournament

Saudi Arabia hold Uruguay, Egypt raise hopes in strong Arab World Cup showing

Late Araujo equaliser denies Saudi Arabia victory in World Cup

Egypt’s 92-year wait for a World Cup victory continues after frustrating draw with Belgium

Qatar’s goalkeeper Abunada enjoys ‘most beautiful moment’ at World Cup

Spain stunned in 0-0 draw with World Cup debutants Cape Verde

South American teams start off on the wrong foot

Ahead of the Egypt–Belgium match, ambassadors exchange national team jerseys