View from Uruguay: Saudi’s first opponents at the World Cup looking to avoid Argentina’s fate from 4 years ago
LONDON: It is not just Saudi Arabia that have had an uncertain preparation period for the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Sport News
Ayari haunts Tunisia with brace in 5-1 Sweden drubbing
RIYADH: “My son wanted to play for Tunisia, but I asked him to represent Sweden instead, as it is the country that welcomed and developed him,” said Yasin Ayari’s father, Azzouz, in May in an interview with Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.
Iran World Cup coach says ‘impacted’ by politics but ignoring ‘hype’
LOS ANGELES: Iran’s coach Amir Ghalenoei said on Sunday political tensions and visa issues have damaged his side’s preparations for the World Cup but insisted his players will not “pay attention to any of the hype.” Iran have arrived at the tournament under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic row, after the United States — in military conflict with Iran for months — refused to issue visas for some team support staff. They play their opener against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, marking the first time that a World Cup host has hosted a country with which it is at war. The Iran team bus, accompanied by a police motorcycle escort, was met by a small group of anti-regime protesters at training late Sunday. Much larger demonstrations are planned outside the stadium by members of the Iranian diaspora opposed to the nation’s hard-line regime, and there have been threats that the Iran team could walk off the pitch if anti-government banners are displayed. “We are here to perform a good match, a high-quality match. We don’t pay attention to any of the hype and anything that goes on around us,” Ghalenoei said in a press conference in response to a question from AFP. “Naturally, all teams have their own problems, and in many countries, many things happen that have nothing to do with football.” The coach said his team are simply at the World Cup to “represent the respectful people of Iran, be it the Iranians inside Iran or the Iranian diaspora.” “We are not political people...
Ivory Coast break deadlock in 90th minute to defeat Ecuador
PHILADELPHIA: Substitute Amad Diallo struck in the 90th minute to give Ivory Coast a deserved 1-0 win over Ecuador in both teams’ Group E opener on Saturday night. Diallo’s first-time strike of Wilfried Singo’s cross gave the Ivorians their first-ever World Cup victory over South American opposition and halted Ecuador’s unbeaten run in all fixtures at 19 matches. It also put a bow on a 19-year-old Yan Diomande’s dazzling performance as “Les Elephants” pulled even on points with a Germany side that thumped Curacao 7-1 in their opener earlier Sunday. The promising Ivorians — who have the youngest squad at this World Cup — looked to be running out of ideas before Singo found space surging up the right from his defensive post. His cross reached Diallo in stride, with the 23-year-old Manchester United charge deftly guiding it into the bottom left corner with the side of his left boot to give the West Africans a dream start to their first World Cup finals appearance since 2014. Ecuador’s best first-half chances came from Ivory Coast’s casual defending. John Yeboah and Alan Minda struck the bar in the 23rd and 30th minutes, respectively. But it was the West Africans who looked better in possession, with Diomande terrorizing Ecuador’s left side. In the 35th minute, he picked up the ball at midfield, beat fullback Piero Hincapie down the line and dragged a cross into the path of Nicolas Pepe’s late run to the penalty spot.
Egyptians optimistic ahead of World Cup opener against Belgium
Eight years on from Egypt’s last appearance at the World Cup, the Pharaohs are back competing at the quadrennial extravaganza far removed from the negativity that surrounded their campaign at Russia 2018. Back then, the North Africans arrived at the World Cup with Mohamed Salah nursing a shoulder injury he sustained in the Champions League final, just 20 days prior to Egypt’s first game in Russia. The injury cast a dark cloud on the Egyptians, who were present at a World Cup for the first time in 28 years and were hoping to rely on their star winger to lead them against the hosts, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia in their group. Salah missed Egypt’s opening game and was not 100 percent when he played in the other two. Logistical problems (the Pharaohs traveled over 8,500km to play all three games, the most of any team), drama surrounding Salah’s image rights, lack of security at the players’ hotel, and a controversial meet and greet with Chechnyan leadership, all marred Egypt’s long-awaited return to the World Cup and they left Russia with three losses from three games. After failing to qualify for Qatar 2022, Egypt went undefeated under head coach Hossam Hassan to punch their ticket to this year’s World Cup and they kick off their journey in Seattle on Monday against Belgium feeling prepared, positive and confident, despite the difficult task at hand against a team that finished third in Russia 2018. The feeling of optimism extends beyond the players and staff; it is felt on the Egyptian streets and in every household. Even the TV commercials in Egypt are sending a message of hopefulness, be it the Orange ads with the tagline “To all the doubters, this time we’re in it for the long haul”, or Salah’s Pepsi ad set to a Amr Diab
Japan fight back in 2-2 Dutch thriller at World Cup
ARLINGTON, United States: Japan scored an 88th-minute equalizer as they twice fought back to rescue a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in front of 69,285 in Texas on Sunday to open their World Cup campaigns. A match that had bubbled away in the first period sparked into life in the second half. Netherlands skipper Virgil van Dijk scored with a fine header, only for Keito Nakamura to quickly level, before winger Crysencio Summerville’s delicious curled finish into the bottom corner just after the hour. The Dutch looked like they would hold on, but Japan levelled at the death with Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada credited with the goal after a deflection. Sweden face Tunisia in a competitive-looking Group F later Sunday. Japan and the Netherlands are in North America missing key players through injury, but on paper this was still one of the more attractive fixtures in the group stage. Both have been touted as dark horses capable of going far at the tournament — the Dutch have been runners-up three times whereas Japan have never gone beyond the last 16. The Netherlands made a confident start and nearly took the lead after three minutes, Donyell Malen allowed to swivel inside the box and forcing a smart save from Zion Suzuki. The impressive air-conditioned arena is usually home to the Dallas Cowboys, and at the hydration break the NFL team’s cheerleaders were shown on the massive screen hanging over the pitch performing one of their routines. The stoppage seemed to help Ronald Koeman’s side and Roma forward Malen again worked Suzuki with a header from a corner, then Cody Gakpo fired wildly over the bar. Japan’s fans, who had hardly stopped singing and outnumbered the Dutch contingent, were briefly silenced. The first
De Bruyne ready to face Egypt today
RENTON: Kevin De Bruyne has accomplished plenty in his decorated career. Yet, the star Belgian midfielder does not plan to take his fourth World Cup appearance for granted.
World Cup referee Omar Artan will receive full fee from FIFA
ATLANTA: The Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup will still be paid his full tournament fee. A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Omar Artan will still be entitled to payment despite not officiating any games at the near six-week long event. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. They said the fee would be determined after the tournament concludes next month. Artan is one of soccer’s top officials and was named Africa’s best male referee in 2025.