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Spanish and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has hit back at Spanish fans after “anti-Muslim” chants were heard during Spain’s friendly match against Egypt on Tuesday (Mar 31). Yamal, Ballon d’Or runner-up in September, took a dig at his own fans while stating that he is also a Muslim. He termed the chants “intolerable,” with Barcelona Police now investigating the matter, which became a talking point after the friendly match.

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<h2>Yamal takes dig at Spanish fans</h2>The chanting "was aimed at the opposing team and was not something personal against me, but as a Muslim, it is still a lack of respect and something intolerable," Lamal wrote on Instagram.&nbsp;"To those who sing these things: using a religion as a form of mockery on a pitch shows you up as ignorant and racist."&nbsp;Spanish police on Wednesday said they were investigating "Islamophobic and xenophobic" chants that were heard during a Spain-Egypt international football match in Barcelona, which the prime minister said "tarnish" the country. Egypt's national anthem was also jeered ahead of the 0-0 draw on Tuesday in a pre-World Cup friendly, while authorities at La Liga side Espanyol's RCDE Stadium appealed to fans more than once over the public announcement system to refrain from making offensive comments.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a>&nbsp;It was the latest in a string of similar incidents to overshadow Spanish football in recent years, with Real Madrid's Brazilian attacker Vinicius Junior in particular repeatedly racially abused.&nbsp;"We are investigating yesterday's Islamophobic and xenophobic chants at RCDE Stadium during the Spain-Egypt friendly match," Catalonia's regional police force, the Mossos d'Esquadra, wrote on X.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a>&nbsp;A section of supporters had chanted: "Whoever doesn't jump is Muslim."&nbsp;Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned an "unacceptable" incident on X, adding: "we cannot allow an uncivil minority to tarnish the reality of Spain, a diverse and tolerant country."&nbsp;Justice Minister Felix Bolanos said on X that "racist insults and chants embarrass us as a society".&nbsp;"The far right will not leave any space free from their hatred, and those who remain silent today will be complicit," he added.

Spanish police on Wednesday said they were investigating "Islamophobic and xenophobic" chants that were heard during a Spain-Egypt international football match in Barcelona, which the prime minister said "tarnish" the country. 

Spanish and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has hit back at Spanish fans after “anti-Muslim” chants were heard during Spain’s friendly match against Egypt on Tuesday (Mar 31). Yamal, Ballon d’Or runner-up in September, took a dig at his own fans while stating that he is also a Muslim. He termed the chants “intolerable,” with Barcelona Police now investigating the matter, which became a talking point after the friendly match.

Spanish police on Wednesday said they were investigating "Islamophobic and xenophobic" chants that were heard during a Spain-Egypt international football match in Barcelona, which the prime minister said "tarnish" the country.&nbsp;

Yamal slams Spanish fans for 'intolerable' anti-Muslim chants during Egypt friendly; Police launch investigation

Premier League outfit Chelsea on Wednesday (April 1) announced a record pre-tax loss of £262.4 million ($349.3 million) for the year ending 30 June 2025. Chelsea, who are bidding to finish in the top four of the Premier League, registered the loss despite winning two major trophies in the last 12 months. The Blues won the Club World Cup in the United States and also lifted the Europa Conference League title, becoming the first club to win all major European honours.<h2>Chelsea register losses</h2>The previous highest recorded pre-tax loss in the Premier League was the £197.5 million posted by Manchester City for the 2010/11 season. Chelsea posted a profit of £128.4m in the previous year's accounts, but this was aided by the sale of the women's team to Blueco Midco, a subsidiary company, for nearly £200 million. Chelsea said that the losses were due in part to increased operating costs in 2024/25 compared to the previous year.&nbsp;Revenue was £490.9 million, the club said, the second-highest recorded by the Blues, and included some of the money earned from winning last year's Club World Cup. Later Wednesday, a Football Association report into agents' fees in 2025/26 had Chelsea leading the Premier League with a spend of £65.1 million, well ahead of 'second-placed' Aston Villa's £38.4 million. Altogether, the English top-flight club spent £460.3 million on agents' fees.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a>&nbsp;Last month, Chelsea admitted to breaching Premier League rules in relation to some £47.5 million of undisclosed payments made under former owner Roman Abramovich. The Blues were fined £10.75 million and given a suspended one-year transfer ban by the Premier League.&nbsp;But, unlike other clubs, they escaped a points deduction, a move justified by the Premier League on the grounds that Chelsea's new owners, a consortium led by US businessman Todd Boehly, had self-reported the information that led to an investigation and had demonstrated "exceptional co-operation" throughout. Chelsea were deemed compliant with the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) for the three-year period ending 2024/25.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a>&nbsp;The rules allow for maximum losses of £105 million over three years, but some of the losses clubs post in their financial reports can be overlooked under PSR, for example, spending on women's football and youth development. Chelsea also announced on Wednesday that their women's team, champions of England's elite Women's Super League for the past three seasons, posted a loss of £17.1 million, despite generating £21.3 million in revenue.

Last month, Chelsea admitted to breaching Premier League rules in relation to some £47.5 million of undisclosed payments made under former owner Roman Abramovich. The Blues were fined £10.75 million and given a suspended one-year transfer ban by the Premier League.

Premier League outfit Chelsea on Wednesday (April 1) announced a record pre-tax loss of £262.4 million ($349.3 million) for the year ending 30 June 2025. Chelsea, who are bidding to finish in the top four of the Premier League, registered the loss despite winning two major trophies in the last 12 months. The Blues won the Club World Cup in the United States and also lifted the Europa Conference League title, becoming the first club to win all major European honours. Chelsea register losses The previous highest recorded pre-tax loss in the Premier League was the £197.5 million posted by Manchester City for the 2010/11 season. Chelsea posted a profit of £128.4m in the previous year's accounts, but this was aided by the sale of the women's team to Blueco Midco, a subsidiary company, for nearly £200 million. Chelsea said that the losses were due in part to increased operating costs in 2024/25 compared to the previous year. Revenue was £490.9 million, the club said, the second-highest recorded by the Blues, and included some of the money earned from winning last year's Club World Cup. Later Wednesday, a Football Association report into agents' fees in 2025/26 had Chelsea leading the Premier League with a spend of £65.1 million, well ahead of 'second-placed' Aston Villa's £38.4 million. Altogether, the English top-flight club spent £460.3 million on agents' fees. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions Last month, Chelsea admitted to breaching Premier League rules in relation to some £47.5 million of undisclosed payments made under former owner Roman Abramovich. The Blues were fined £10.75 million and given a suspended one-year transfer ban by the Premier League. But, unlike other clubs, they escaped a points deduction, a move justified by the Premier League on the grounds that Chelsea's new owners, a consortium led by US businessman Todd Boehly, had self-reported the information that led to an investigation and had demonstrated "exceptional co-operation" throughout. Chelsea were deemed compliant with the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) for the three-year period ending 2024/25. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL The rules allow for maximum losses of £105 million over three years, but some of the losses clubs post in their financial reports can be overlooked under PSR, for example, spending on women's football and youth development. Chelsea also announced on Wednesday that their women's team, champions of England's elite Women's Super League for the past three seasons, posted a loss of £17.1 million, despite generating £21.3 million in revenue.

Last month, Chelsea admitted to breaching Premier League rules in relation to some £47.5 million of undisclosed payments made under former owner Roman Abramovich. The Blues were fined £10.75 million and given a suspended one-year transfer ban by the Premier League.

Premier League: Chelsea announce record pre-tax loss of £262.4 million

The Italian national team had another day to forget in the FIFA World Cup qualification on Thursday (Mar 31) as they missed out on football’s biggest carnival, having lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The defeat meant Italy would not play in the FIFA World Cup for the third consecutive time and would have to watch the tournament from home. So what are the major reasons for Italy’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026?<h2>Failure at academy level</h2>Italy won the 2006 FIFA World Cup, having enjoyed success two decades ago and being top of the world before the downfall began. Exiting the 2010 FIFA World Cup at the group stage might have looked like a fluke, with many past champions enduring the same fortune. However, the root of the cause started with academy structures.&nbsp;Italy’s football league Serie A is designated as one of the best in the world, but has been on a decline in recent years. No team from Serie A has won the Champions League since 2010, while Inter Milan and Juventus’ run to the final in the last decade came unrewarded.&nbsp;While France with Kylian Mbappe, England with Harry Kane, Germany with Kai Havertz and Spain with Ferran Torres have been blessed with some of the best strikers of the current generation, that is not the case for Italy. Italy’s current team relies on the services of Moise Kean, a Premier League outcast, while none of their best players are part of powerhouse clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona and other clubs.&nbsp;Gianluigi Donnarumma and Riccardo Calafiori remain a handful of names who play for big clubs. Compare this to other teams like England, Spain, France and Germany, their national team players represent big clubs like Real Madrid and other powerhouses.This clearly highlights Italian football’s lack of quality and lack of interest, along with top-quality players.<h2>Lack of replacements</h2>Italy had a wealth of talent with the likes of Paolo Maldini, Francesco Totti, Andrea Pirlo and others during the 2000s. They won the 2006 FIFA World Cup and reached the final of the Euro 2000 with a wealth of players. However, the lack of good products at the club level meant that Italian players produced were not up to the mark to replace players like Maldini, Totti and Pirlo. This directly resulted in a drop in quality at the national team. Lack of vision from clubs also resulted in teams not producing good-quality players. &nbsp;&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a><h2>Revenue model</h2>Taking a look at club facilities, Italian football does not have a recognised home stadium like Wembley of England and has seen a lack of investment. Teams like Roma and Lazio, AC Milan and Inter Milan and Chievo Verona and Hellas Verona share the same stadiums with no modern facilities. Modern facilities directly impact the ticket sales and revenue generation model of the club and also the player development area.&nbsp;Lack of advanced features when compared to clubs in England, Germany and Spain sees Italian football produce less revenue and in turn miss out on investment.&nbsp;Powerhouse companies are more interested in investments in England and Spain than in Italy because of the modern facilities and revenue model. Lack of funding for a long period of time has directly resulted in a lack of quality both on and off the field.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a><h2>The fluke</h2>Missing on the 2018 FIFA World Cup may have been a fluke, but considering what has transformed over the years, Italy’s fluke moment was the 2020 Euro success. Italy defeated England in the final in 2021, but that now remains a fluke. Italy's missing on three consecutive World Cup appearances is not a fluke but indeed their success in Euro 2020.&nbsp;The Azzurri have paid a high price for not addressing key issues like player replacement, academy investments and vision. While blame could be laid on the managers, considering other teams and their investment in the youths, Italy was clearly undone.&nbsp;Norway’s investment in the youth paid off as they finished group winners in the qualification stage and hammered Italy both home and away.

 The defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday meant Italy would not play in the FIFA World Cup for the third consecutive time and would have to watch the tournament from home. So what are the major reasons for Italy’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026?

The Italian national team had another day to forget in the FIFA World Cup qualification on Thursday (Mar 31) as they missed out on football’s biggest carnival, having lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The defeat meant Italy would not play in the FIFA World Cup for the third consecutive time and would have to watch the tournament from home. So what are the major reasons for Italy’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026? Failure at academy level Italy won the 2006 FIFA World Cup, having enjoyed success two decades ago and being top of the world before the downfall began. Exiting the 2010 FIFA World Cup at the group stage might have looked like a fluke, with many past champions enduring the same fortune. However, the root of the cause started with academy structures. Italy’s football league Serie A is designated as one of the best in the world, but has been on a decline in recent years. No team from Serie A has won the Champions League since 2010, while Inter Milan and Juventus’ run to the final in the last decade came unrewarded. While France with Kylian Mbappe, England with Harry Kane, Germany with Kai Havertz and Spain with Ferran Torres have been blessed with some of the best strikers of the current generation, that is not the case for Italy. Italy’s current team relies on the services of Moise Kean, a Premier League outcast, while none of their best players are part of powerhouse clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona and other clubs. Gianluigi Donnarumma and Riccardo Calafiori remain a handful of names who play for big clubs. Compare this to other teams like England, Spain, France and Germany, their national team players represent big clubs like Real Madrid and other powerhouses. This clearly highlights Italian football’s lack of quality and lack of interest, along with top-quality players. Lack of replacements Italy had a wealth of talent with the likes of Paolo Maldini, Francesco Totti, Andrea Pirlo and others during the 2000s. They won the 2006 FIFA World Cup and reached the final of the Euro 2000 with a wealth of players. However, the lack of good products at the club level meant that Italian players produced were not up to the mark to replace players like Maldini, Totti and Pirlo. This directly resulted in a drop in quality at the national team. Lack of vision from clubs also resulted in teams not producing good-quality players. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions Revenue model Taking a look at club facilities, Italian football does not have a recognised home stadium like Wembley of England and has seen a lack of investment. Teams like Roma and Lazio, AC Milan and Inter Milan and Chievo Verona and Hellas Verona share the same stadiums with no modern facilities. Modern facilities directly impact the ticket sales and revenue generation model of the club and also the player development area. Lack of advanced features when compared to clubs in England, Germany and Spain sees Italian football produce less revenue and in turn miss out on investment. Powerhouse companies are more interested in investments in England and Spain than in Italy because of the modern facilities and revenue model. Lack of funding for a long period of time has directly resulted in a lack of quality both on and off the field. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL The fluke Missing on the 2018 FIFA World Cup may have been a fluke, but considering what has transformed over the years, Italy’s fluke moment was the 2020 Euro success. Italy defeated England in the final in 2021, but that now remains a fluke. Italy's missing on three consecutive World Cup appearances is not a fluke but indeed their success in Euro 2020. The Azzurri have paid a high price for not addressing key issues like player replacement, academy investments and vision. While blame could be laid on the managers, considering other teams and their investment in the youths, Italy was clearly undone. Norway’s investment in the youth paid off as they finished group winners in the qualification stage and hammered Italy both home and away.

&nbsp;The defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday meant Italy would not play in the FIFA World Cup for the third consecutive time and would have to watch the tournament from home. So what are the major reasons for Italy’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026?

Explained: Why Italy missed out on a third consecutive FIFA World Cup qualification

Italy, the 2006 FIFA World Cup winners, failed to qualify for the 2026 edition of the grandest showpiece event in North America, with the country’s Sports Minister Andrea Abodi urging the Italy Football Federation chief to step down from his position. Italy has failed to seal its FIFA World Cup berth for a third consecutive time, after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shoot-out on Tuesday (Mar 31). Although the head of the federation (FIGC), Gabriele Gravina, said he would not step aside from his position, a board meeting next week would likely decide his fate.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 BREAKING: Italy are OUT of the 2026 World Cup. Third World Cup missed in a row. ❌🇮🇹 <a href="https://t.co/ckUngZVDHD">pic.twitter.com/ckUngZVDHD</a>&mdash; Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2039094097651077188?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"It's clear that Italian football needs to be rebuilt from the ground up and that starts with changes at the top of the FIGC," Abodi said in a statement.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026-all-you-need-to-know-about-football-s-biggest-carnival-teams-hosts-groups-matches-and-more-1775042378028">FIFA World Cup 2026: Complete guide to teams, groups, hosts, format and fixtures</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, Abodi's comments come amid hostilities between the Italian government and Gravina, who, when speaking to the media after Italy's defeat, lashed out at a perceived lack of support or football from the state. Gravina also referred to other sports as "amateur" and "state sports" compared to football due to the large number of athletes, particularly Olympians, who are nominally employed by different arms of Italy's armed forces and police.&nbsp;Italy claimed a record 30 medals at the recent Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, including 10 gold medals, and left the 2024 Summer Games in Paris with 40 medals. The Mediterranean nation also has top performers in a wide variety of other sports, with tennis star Jannik Sinner, a four-time Grand Slam winner, the most obvious example.&nbsp;"I believe it is a mistake to deny responsibility for the third missed World Cup qualification and accuse the institutions of a presumed failure while downplaying the importance and professionalism of other sports," added Abodi, who has been sport minister in Giorgia Meloni's hard-right government since 2022.&nbsp;(With inputs from AFP)

Italy’s Sports Minister Andrea Abodi has demanded FIGC President Gabriele Gravina resign after the Azzurri’s shock playoff defeat to Bosnia. Following a third straight World Cup miss, the leadership of Italian football faces an unprecedented crisis.

Italy, the 2006 FIFA World Cup winners, failed to qualify for the 2026 edition of the grandest showpiece event in North America, with the country’s Sports Minister Andrea Abodi urging the Italy Football Federation chief to step down from his position. Italy has failed to seal its FIFA World Cup berth for a third consecutive time, after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shoot-out on Tuesday (Mar 31). Although the head of the federation (FIGC), Gabriele Gravina, said he would not step aside from his position, a board meeting next week would likely decide his fate.

Italy’s Sports Minister Andrea Abodi has demanded FIGC President Gabriele Gravina resign after the Azzurri’s shock playoff defeat to Bosnia. Following a third straight World Cup miss, the leadership of Italian football faces an unprecedented crisis.

Resign Now: Italy sports minister demands football chief’s exit after World Cup omission

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be the biggest edition in the tournament’s history, bringing together more teams, more matches, and an unprecedented scale across three host nations — United States, Canada, and Mexico. With the competition expanding to 48 teams for the first time, fans can expect a fresh format, intense group-stage battles, and a longer road to glory.&nbsp;From qualified teams and tournament structure to match fixtures and host venues, the 2026 World Cup promises to redefine international football’s grandest spectacle. Here’s a complete guide covering everything you need to know about the teams, hosts, format, and schedule of football’s biggest carnival.<h2>When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?</h2>The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, returning to the traditional summer schedule after the winter World Cup in Qatar in 2022.<h2>World Cup key dates</h2>Group stage:&nbsp;June 11-27Round of 32:&nbsp;June 28 to July 3Round of 16:&nbsp;July 4-7Quarter-finals:&nbsp;July 9-11Semi-finals:&nbsp;July 14-15Third-place play-off ('Bronze final'):&nbsp;July 18Final:&nbsp;July 19 Total&nbsp;Duration: 39 daysTotal matches: 104Teams participating: 48&nbsp;The 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match is scheduled for Thursday, June 11, 2026, featuring host nation Mexico against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca (Mexico City Stadium) in Mexico City.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a><h2>Host Cities &amp; Stadiums</h2>A total of 16 cities across North America will host matches during the tournament. These cities will stage all 104 matches of the expanded World Cup.&nbsp;United States (11 cities)AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, TexasGEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MissouriGillette Stadium in Foxborough, MassachusettsHard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FloridaLevi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CaliforniaLincoln Financial Field in PhiladelphiaLumen Field in SeattleMercedes-Benz Stadium in AtlantaMetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New JerseyNRG Stadium in HoustonSoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California&nbsp;Mexico (3 Cities)Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Jalisco, MexicoEstadio Banorte in Mexico CityEstadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico&nbsp;Canada (2 Cities)BC Place in Vancouver, British ColumbiaBMO Field in Toronto&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a><h2>New Tournament Format (48 Teams)</h2>The 2026 edition will introduce a new expanded format of 48 teams instead of 32.12 groups of 4 teams each in which top two teams from each group and eight best third-placed teams will advance to knockout stage. Teams will compete with round of 32, round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals - before reaching the World Cup final.<h2>Groups</h2>Groups A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, CzechiaGroup B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Bosnia and HerzegovinaGroup C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, HaitiGroup D: USA, Australia, Paraguay, TurkiyeGroup E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, CuracaoGroup F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, SwedenGroup G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New ZealandGroup H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape VerdeGroup I: France, Senegal, Norway, IraqGroup J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, JordanGroup K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, DR CongoGroup L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana<h2>Prize Money Distribution of the 2026 FIFA World Cup</h2>The total prize pool for the tournament stands at $727 million (approximately Rs 6,68,840,000,000 or Rs 66,884 crore), making it the most lucrative FIFA World Cup in history.<h2>Fixtures</h2>Thursday, June 11<ul><li>Group A:&nbsp;Mexico vs South Africa, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Mexico City, Mexico</li></ul>Friday, June 12<ul><li>Group A:&nbsp;South Korea vs Czech Republic, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Zapopan, Mexico</li><li>Group B:&nbsp;Canada vs Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Toronto, Canada</li></ul>Saturday, June 13<ul><li>Group D:&nbsp;USA vs Paraguay, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Los Angeles, USA</li><li>Group B:&nbsp;Qatar vs Switzerland, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Santa Clara, USA</li><li>Group C:&nbsp;Brazil vs Morocco, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;New Jersey, USA</li></ul>Sunday, June 14<ul><li>Group C:&nbsp;Haiti vs&nbsp;Scotland, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Foxborough, USA</li><li>Group D:&nbsp;Australia vs Turkey, kick-off 9:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Vancouver, Canada</li><li>Group E:&nbsp;Germany vs Curacao, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST -&nbsp;Houston, USA</li><li>Group F:&nbsp;Netherlands vs Japan, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Arlington, USA</li></ul>Monday, June 15<ul><li>Group E:&nbsp;Ivory Coast vs Ecuador, kick-off 4:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Philadelphia, USA</li><li>Group F:&nbsp;Sweden vs Tunisia, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Guadalupe, Mexico</li><li>Group H:&nbsp;Spain vs Cape Verde, kick-off 9:30 p.m. IST -&nbsp;Atlanta, USA</li><li>Group G:&nbsp;Belgium vs Egypt, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Seattle, USA</li><li>Group H:&nbsp;Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Miami, USA</li></ul>Tuesday, June 16<ul><li>Group G:&nbsp;Iran vs New Zealand, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Los Angeles, USA</li><li>Group I:&nbsp;France vs Senegal, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;New Jersey, USA</li><li>Group I:&nbsp;Iraq vs Norway, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Foxborough, USA</li></ul>Wednesday, June 17<ul><li>Group J:&nbsp;Argentina vs Algeria, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Kansas City, USA</li><li>Group J:&nbsp;Austria vs Jordan, kick-off 9:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Santa Clara, USA</li><li>Group K:&nbsp;Portugal vs DR Congo, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST -&nbsp;Houston, USA</li><li>Group L:&nbsp;England&nbsp;vs Croatia, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Arlington, USA</li></ul>Thursday, June 18<ul><li>Group L:&nbsp;Ghana vs Panama, kick-off 4:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Toronto, Canada</li><li>Group K:&nbsp;Uzbekistan vs Colombia, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Mexico City, Mexico</li><li>Group A:&nbsp;Czech Republic vs South Africa, kick-off 9:30 p.m. IST -&nbsp;Atlanta, USA</li><li>Group B:&nbsp;Switzerland vs Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Los Angeles, USA</li><li>Group B:&nbsp;Canada vs Qatar, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Vancouver, Canada</li></ul>Friday, June 19<ul><li>Group A:&nbsp;Mexico vs South Korea, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Zapopan, Mexico</li><li>Group D:&nbsp;USA vs Australia, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Seattle, USA</li><li>Group C:&nbsp;Scotland&nbsp;vs Morocco, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Foxborough, USA</li></ul>Saturday, June 20<ul><li>Group C:&nbsp;Brazil vs Haiti, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Philadelphia, USA</li><li>Group D:&nbsp;Turkey vs Paraguay, kick-off 9:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Santa Clara, USA</li><li>Group A:&nbsp;Netherlands vs Sweden, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST -&nbsp;Houston, USA</li><li>Group E:&nbsp;Germany vs Ivory Coast, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Toronto, Canada</li></ul>Sunday, June 21<ul><li>Group E:&nbsp;Ecuador vs Curacao, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Kansas City, USA</li><li>Group F:&nbsp;Tunisia vs Japan, kick-off 9:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Guadalupe, Mexico</li><li>Group H:&nbsp;Spain vs Saudi Arabia, kick-off 9:30 p.m. IST -&nbsp;Atlanta, USA</li><li>Group G:&nbsp;Belgium vs Iran, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Los Angeles, USA</li><li>Group H:&nbsp;Uruguay vs Cape Verde, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Miami, USA</li></ul>Monday, June 22<ul><li>Group G:&nbsp;New Zealand vs Egypt, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Vancouver, Canada</li><li>Group J:&nbsp;Argentina vs Austria, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST -&nbsp;Arlington, USA</li><li>Group I:&nbsp;France vs Iraq, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Philadelphia, USA</li></ul>Tuesday, June 23<ul><li>Group I:&nbsp;Norway vs Senegal, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Toronto, Canada</li><li>Group J:&nbsp;Jordan vs Algeria, kick-off 8:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Santa Clara, USA</li><li>Group K:&nbsp;Portugal vs Uzbekistan, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST -&nbsp;Houston, USA</li><li>Group L:&nbsp;England&nbsp;vs Ghana, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Foxborough, USA</li></ul>Wednesday, June 24<ul><li>Group L:&nbsp;Panama vs Croatia, kick-off 4:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Foxborough, USA</li><li>Group K:&nbsp;Colombia vs DR Congo, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Zapopan, Mexico</li><li>Group B:&nbsp;Switzerland vs Canada, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Vancouver, Canada</li><li>Group B:&nbsp;Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina&nbsp;vs Qatar, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Seattle, USA</li><li>Group C:&nbsp;Morocco vs Haiti, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Atlanta, USA</li><li>Group C:&nbsp;Scotland&nbsp;vs Brazil, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Miami, USA</li></ul>Thursday, June 25<ul><li>Group A:&nbsp;South Africa vs South Korea, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Guadalupe, Mexico</li><li>Group A:&nbsp;Czech Republic vs Mexico, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Mexico City, Mexico</li><li>Group E:&nbsp;Curacao vs Ivory Coast, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Philadelphia, USA</li><li>Group E:&nbsp;Ecuador vs Germany, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;New Jersey, USA</li></ul>Friday, June 26<ul><li>Group F:&nbsp;Tunisia vs Netherlands, kick-off 4:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Kansas City, USA</li><li>Group F:&nbsp;Japan vs Sweden, kick-off 4:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Arlington, USA</li><li>Group D:&nbsp;Turkey vs USA, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Los Angeles, USA</li><li>Group D:&nbsp;Paraguay vs Australia, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Santa Clara, USA</li><li>Group I:&nbsp;Norway vs France, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Foxborough, USA</li><li>Group I:&nbsp;Senegal vs Iraq, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Toronto, Canada</li></ul>Saturday, June 27<ul><li>Group H:&nbsp;Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Houston, USA</li><li>Group H:&nbsp;Uruguay vs Spain, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Zapopan, Mexico</li><li>Group G:&nbsp;New Zealand vs Belgium, kick-off 8:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Vancouver, Canada</li><li>Group G:&nbsp;Egypt vs Iran, kick-off 8:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Seattle, USA</li><li>Group L:&nbsp;Panama vs&nbsp;England, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;New Jersey, USA</li><li>Group L:&nbsp;Croatia vs Ghana, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Philadelphia, USA</li></ul>Sunday, June 28<ul><li>Group K:&nbsp;Colombia vs Portugal, kick-off 5:00 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Miami, USA</li><li>Group K:&nbsp;DR Congo vs Uzbekistan, kick-off 5:00 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Atlanta, USA</li><li>Group J:&nbsp;Algeria vs Austria, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Kansas City, USA</li><li>Group J:&nbsp;Jordan vs Argentina, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Arlington, USA</li></ul>Sunday, June 28<ul><li>Round of 32 - Match 73:&nbsp;Group A runners-up vs Group B runners-up, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Los Angeles, USA</li></ul>Monday, June 29<ul><li>Round of 32 - Match 76:&nbsp;Group C winners vs Group F runners-up, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST -&nbsp;Houston, USA</li><li>Round of 32 - Match 74:&nbsp;Group E winners vs Group A/B/C/D/F third place, kick-off 2:00 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Foxborough, USA</li></ul>Tuesday, June 30<ul><li>Round of 32 - Match 75:&nbsp;Group F winners vs Group C runners-up, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Guadalupe, Mexico</li><li>Round of 32 - Match 78:&nbsp;Group E runners-up vs Group I runners-up, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST -&nbsp;Arlington, USA</li><li>Round of 32 - Match 77:&nbsp;Group I winners vs Group C/D/F/G/H third place, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;New Jersey, USA</li></ul>Wednesday, July 1<ul><li>Round of 32 - Match 79:&nbsp;Group A winners vs Group C/E/F/H/I third place, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Mexico City, Mexico</li><li>Round of 32 - Match 80:&nbsp;Group L winners vs Group E/H/I/J/K third place, kick-off 9:30 p.m. IST -&nbsp;Atlanta, USA</li><li>Round of 32 - Match 82:&nbsp;Group G winners vs Group A/E/H/I/J third place, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Seattle, USA</li></ul>Thursday, July 2<ul><li>Round of 32 - Match 81:&nbsp;Group D winners vs Group B/E/F/I/J third place, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Santa Clara, USA</li><li>Round of 32 - Match 84:&nbsp;Group H winners vs Group J runners-up, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Los Angeles, USA</li></ul>Friday, July 3<ul><li>Round of 32 - Match 83:&nbsp;Group K runners-up vs Group L runners-up, kick-off 4:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Toronto, Canada</li><li>Round of 32 - Match 85:&nbsp;Group B winners vs Group E/F/G/I/J third place, kick-off 8:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Vancouver, Canada</li><li>Round of 32 - Match 88:&nbsp;Group D runners-up vs Group G runners-up, kick-off 11:30 p.m. IST -&nbsp;Arlington, USA</li><li>Round of 32 - Match 86:&nbsp;Group J winners vs Group H runners-up, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Miami, USA</li></ul>Saturday, July 4<ul><li>Round of 32 - Match 87:&nbsp;Group K winners vs Group D/E/I/J/L third place, kick-off 2.30am -&nbsp;Kansas City, USA</li><li>Round of 16 - Match 90:&nbsp;Match 73 winners vs Match 75 winners, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST -&nbsp;Houston, USA</li><li>Round of 16 - Match 89:&nbsp;Match 74 winners vs Match 77 winners, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Philadelphia, USA</li></ul>Sunday, July 5<ul><li>Round of 16 - Match 91:&nbsp;Match 76 winners vs Match 78 winners, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;New Jersey, USA</li></ul>Monday, July 6<ul><li>Round of 16 - Match 92:&nbsp;Match 79 winners vs Match 80 winners, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Mexico City, Mexico</li><li>Round of 16 - Match 93:&nbsp;Match 83 winners vs Match 84 winners, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Arlington, USA</li></ul>Tuesday, July 7<ul><li>Round of 16 - Match 94:&nbsp;Match 81 winners vs Match 82 winners, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Seattle, USA</li><li>Round of 16 - Match 95:&nbsp;Match 86 winners vs Match 88 winners, kick-off 9:30 p.m. IST -&nbsp;Atlanta, USA</li><li>Round of 16 - Match 96:&nbsp;Match 85 winners vs Match 87 winners, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Vancouver, Canada</li></ul>Thursday, July 9<ul><li>Quarter-final - Match 97:&nbsp;Match 89 winners vs Match 90 winners, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Foxborough, USA</li></ul>Friday, July 10<ul><li>Quarter-final - Match 98:&nbsp;Match 93 winners vs Match 94 winners, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Los Angeles, USA</li></ul>Saturday, July 11<ul><li>Quarter-final - Match 99:&nbsp;Match 91 winners vs Match 92 winners, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Miami, USA</li></ul>Sunday, July 12<ul><li>Quarter-final - Match 100:&nbsp;Match 95 winners vs Match 96 winners, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Kansas City, USA</li></ul>Tuesday, July 14<ul><li>Semi-final - Match 101:&nbsp;Match 97 winners vs Match 98 winners, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Arlington, USA</li></ul>Wednesday, July 15<ul><li>Semi-final - Match 102:&nbsp;Match 99 winners vs Match 100 winners, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Atlanta, USA</li></ul>Saturday, July 18<ul><li>Third Place Playoff - Match 103:&nbsp;Match 101 losers vs Match 102 losers, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;Miami, USA</li></ul>Sunday, July 19<ul><li>Final - Match 104:&nbsp;Match 101 winners vs Match 102 winners, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST -&nbsp;New Jersey, USA</li></ul>

From qualified teams and tournament structure to match fixtures and host venues, the 2026 World Cup promises to redefine international football’s grandest spectacle. Here’s a complete guide covering everything you need to know. 

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be the biggest edition in the tournament’s history, bringing together more teams, more matches, and an unprecedented scale across three host nations — United States, Canada, and Mexico. With the competition expanding to 48 teams for the first time, fans can expect a fresh format, intense group-stage battles, and a longer road to glory. From qualified teams and tournament structure to match fixtures and host venues, the 2026 World Cup promises to redefine international football’s grandest spectacle. Here’s a complete guide covering everything you need to know about the teams, hosts, format, and schedule of football’s biggest carnival. When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup? The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, returning to the traditional summer schedule after the winter World Cup in Qatar in 2022. World Cup key dates Group stage: June 11-27 Round of 32: June 28 to July 3 Round of 16: July 4-7 Quarter-finals: July 9-11 Semi-finals: July 14-15 Third-place play-off ('Bronze final'): July 18 Final: July 19 Total Duration: 39 days Total matches: 104 Teams participating: 48 The 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match is scheduled for Thursday, June 11, 2026, featuring host nation Mexico against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca (Mexico City Stadium) in Mexico City. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL Host Cities & Stadiums A total of 16 cities across North America will host matches during the tournament. These cities will stage all 104 matches of the expanded World Cup. United States (11 cities) AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia Lumen Field in Seattle Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey NRG Stadium in Houston SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California Mexico (3 Cities) Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico Estadio Banorte in Mexico City Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico Canada (2 Cities) BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia BMO Field in Toronto ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions New Tournament Format (48 Teams) The 2026 edition will introduce a new expanded format of 48 teams instead of 32. 12 groups of 4 teams each in which top two teams from each group and eight best third-placed teams will advance to knockout stage. Teams will compete with round of 32, round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals - before reaching the World Cup final. Groups Groups A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Czechia Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay, Turkiye Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Sweden Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, DR Congo Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana Prize Money Distribution of the 2026 FIFA World Cup The total prize pool for the tournament stands at $727 million (approximately Rs 6,68,840,000,000 or Rs 66,884 crore), making it the most lucrative FIFA World Cup in history. Fixtures Thursday, June 11 Group A: Mexico vs South Africa, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - Mexico City, Mexico Friday, June 12 Group A: South Korea vs Czech Republic, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST - Zapopan, Mexico Group B: Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - Toronto, Canada Saturday, June 13 Group D: USA vs Paraguay, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST - Los Angeles, USA Group B: Qatar vs Switzerland, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - Santa Clara, USA Group C: Brazil vs Morocco, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST - New Jersey, USA Sunday, June 14 Group C: Haiti vs Scotland, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST - Foxborough, USA Group D: Australia vs Turkey, kick-off 9:30 a.m. IST - Vancouver, Canada Group E: Germany vs Curacao, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST - Houston, USA Group F: Netherlands vs Japan, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST - Arlington, USA Monday, June 15 Group E: Ivory Coast vs Ecuador, kick-off 4:30 a.m. IST - Philadelphia, USA Group F: Sweden vs Tunisia, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST - Guadalupe, Mexico Group H: Spain vs Cape Verde, kick-off 9:30 p.m. IST - Atlanta, USA Group G: Belgium vs Egypt, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - Seattle, USA Group H: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST - Miami, USA Tuesday, June 16 Group G: Iran vs New Zealand, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST - Los Angeles, USA Group I: France vs Senegal, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - New Jersey, USA Group I: Iraq vs Norway, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST - Foxborough, USA Wednesday, June 17 Group J: Argentina vs Algeria, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST - Kansas City, USA Group J: Austria vs Jordan, kick-off 9:30 a.m. IST - Santa Clara, USA Group K: Portugal vs DR Congo, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST - Houston, USA Group L: England vs Croatia, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST - Arlington, USA Thursday, June 18 Group L: Ghana vs Panama, kick-off 4:30 a.m. IST - Toronto, Canada Group K: Uzbekistan vs Colombia, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST - Mexico City, Mexico Group A: Czech Republic vs South Africa, kick-off 9:30 p.m. IST - Atlanta, USA Group B: Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - Los Angeles, USA Group B: Canada vs Qatar, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST - Vancouver, Canada Friday, June 19 Group A: Mexico vs South Korea, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST - Zapopan, Mexico Group D: USA vs Australia, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - Seattle, USA Group C: Scotland vs Morocco, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST - Foxborough, USA Saturday, June 20 Group C: Brazil vs Haiti, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST - Philadelphia, USA Group D: Turkey vs Paraguay, kick-off 9:30 a.m. IST - Santa Clara, USA Group A: Netherlands vs Sweden, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST - Houston, USA Group E: Germany vs Ivory Coast, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST - Toronto, Canada Sunday, June 21 Group E: Ecuador vs Curacao, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST - Kansas City, USA Group F: Tunisia vs Japan, kick-off 9:30 a.m. IST - Guadalupe, Mexico Group H: Spain vs Saudi Arabia, kick-off 9:30 p.m. IST - Atlanta, USA Group G: Belgium vs Iran, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - Los Angeles, USA Group H: Uruguay vs Cape Verde, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST - Miami, USA Monday, June 22 Group G: New Zealand vs Egypt, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST - Vancouver, Canada Group J: Argentina vs Austria, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST - Arlington, USA Group I: France vs Iraq, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST - Philadelphia, USA Tuesday, June 23 Group I: Norway vs Senegal, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST - Toronto, Canada Group J: Jordan vs Algeria, kick-off 8:30 a.m. IST - Santa Clara, USA Group K: Portugal vs Uzbekistan, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST - Houston, USA Group L: England vs Ghana, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST - Foxborough, USA Wednesday, June 24 Group L: Panama vs Croatia, kick-off 4:30 a.m. IST - Foxborough, USA Group K: Colombia vs DR Congo, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST - Zapopan, Mexico Group B: Switzerland vs Canada, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - Vancouver, Canada Group B: Bosnia & Herzegovina vs Qatar, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - Seattle, USA Group C: Morocco vs Haiti, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST - Atlanta, USA Group C: Scotland vs Brazil, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST - Miami, USA Thursday, June 25 Group A: South Africa vs South Korea, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST - Guadalupe, Mexico Group A: Czech Republic vs Mexico, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST - Mexico City, Mexico Group E: Curacao vs Ivory Coast, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST - Philadelphia, USA Group E: Ecuador vs Germany, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST - New Jersey, USA Friday, June 26 Group F: Tunisia vs Netherlands, kick-off 4:30 a.m. IST - Kansas City, USA Group F: Japan vs Sweden, kick-off 4:30 a.m. IST - Arlington, USA Group D: Turkey vs USA, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST - Los Angeles, USA Group D: Paraguay vs Australia, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST - Santa Clara, USA Group I: Norway vs France, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - Foxborough, USA Group I: Senegal vs Iraq, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - Toronto, Canada Saturday, June 27 Group H: Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST - Houston, USA Group H: Uruguay vs Spain, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST - Zapopan, Mexico Group G: New Zealand vs Belgium, kick-off 8:30 a.m. IST - Vancouver, Canada Group G: Egypt vs Iran, kick-off 8:30 a.m. IST - Seattle, USA Group L: Panama vs England, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST - New Jersey, USA Group L: Croatia vs Ghana, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST - Philadelphia, USA Sunday, June 28 Group K: Colombia vs Portugal, kick-off 5:00 a.m. IST - Miami, USA Group K: DR Congo vs Uzbekistan, kick-off 5:00 a.m. IST - Atlanta, USA Group J: Algeria vs Austria, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST - Kansas City, USA Group J: Jordan vs Argentina, kick-off 7:30 a.m. IST - Arlington, USA Sunday, June 28 Round of 32 - Match 73: Group A runners-up vs Group B runners-up, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - Los Angeles, USA Monday, June 29 Round of 32 - Match 76: Group C winners vs Group F runners-up, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST - Houston, USA Round of 32 - Match 74: Group E winners vs Group A/B/C/D/F third place, kick-off 2:00 a.m. IST - Foxborough, USA Tuesday, June 30 Round of 32 - Match 75: Group F winners vs Group C runners-up, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST - Guadalupe, Mexico Round of 32 - Match 78: Group E runners-up vs Group I runners-up, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST - Arlington, USA Round of 32 - Match 77: Group I winners vs Group C/D/F/G/H third place, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST - New Jersey, USA Wednesday, July 1 Round of 32 - Match 79: Group A winners vs Group C/E/F/H/I third place, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST - Mexico City, Mexico Round of 32 - Match 80: Group L winners vs Group E/H/I/J/K third place, kick-off 9:30 p.m. IST - Atlanta, USA Round of 32 - Match 82: Group G winners vs Group A/E/H/I/J third place, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST - Seattle, USA Thursday, July 2 Round of 32 - Match 81: Group D winners vs Group B/E/F/I/J third place, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST - Santa Clara, USA Round of 32 - Match 84: Group H winners vs Group J runners-up, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - Los Angeles, USA Friday, July 3 Round of 32 - Match 83: Group K runners-up vs Group L runners-up, kick-off 4:30 a.m. IST - Toronto, Canada Round of 32 - Match 85: Group B winners vs Group E/F/G/I/J third place, kick-off 8:30 a.m. IST - Vancouver, Canada Round of 32 - Match 88: Group D runners-up vs Group G runners-up, kick-off 11:30 p.m. IST - Arlington, USA Round of 32 - Match 86: Group J winners vs Group H runners-up, kick-off 3:30 a.m. IST - Miami, USA Saturday, July 4 Round of 32 - Match 87: Group K winners vs Group D/E/I/J/L third place, kick-off 2.30am - Kansas City, USA Round of 16 - Match 90: Match 73 winners vs Match 75 winners, kick-off 10:30 p.m. IST - Houston, USA Round of 16 - Match 89: Match 74 winners vs Match 77 winners, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST - Philadelphia, USA Sunday, July 5 Round of 16 - Match 91: Match 76 winners vs Match 78 winners, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST - New Jersey, USA Monday, July 6 Round of 16 - Match 92: Match 79 winners vs Match 80 winners, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST - Mexico City, Mexico Round of 16 - Match 93: Match 83 winners vs Match 84 winners, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - Arlington, USA Tuesday, July 7 Round of 16 - Match 94: Match 81 winners vs Match 82 winners, kick-off 5:30 a.m. IST - Seattle, USA Round of 16 - Match 95: Match 86 winners vs Match 88 winners, kick-off 9:30 p.m. IST - Atlanta, USA Round of 16 - Match 96: Match 85 winners vs Match 87 winners, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST - Vancouver, Canada Thursday, July 9 Quarter-final - Match 97: Match 89 winners vs Match 90 winners, kick-off 1:30 a.m. IST - Foxborough, USA Friday, July 10 Quarter-final - Match 98: Match 93 winners vs Match 94 winners, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - Los Angeles, USA Saturday, July 11 Quarter-final - Match 99: Match 91 winners vs Match 92 winners, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST - Miami, USA Sunday, July 12 Quarter-final - Match 100: Match 95 winners vs Match 96 winners, kick-off 6:30 a.m. IST - Kansas City, USA Tuesday, July 14 Semi-final - Match 101: Match 97 winners vs Match 98 winners, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - Arlington, USA Wednesday, July 15 Semi-final - Match 102: Match 99 winners vs Match 100 winners, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - Atlanta, USA Saturday, July 18 Third Place Playoff - Match 103: Match 101 losers vs Match 102 losers, kick-off 2:30 a.m. IST - Miami, USA Sunday, July 19 Final - Match 104: Match 101 winners vs Match 102 winners, kick-off 12:30 a.m. IST - New Jersey, USA

From qualified teams and tournament structure to match fixtures and host venues, the 2026 World Cup promises to redefine international football’s grandest spectacle. Here’s a complete guide covering everything you need to know.&nbsp;

FIFA World Cup 2026: Complete guide to teams, groups, hosts, format and fixtures

Argentina footballer and global superstar Lionel Messi was visibly emotional after what could be his final match at home. Messi started against Zambia in a friendly on Tuesday (Mar 31) ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 where he's still not certain to play. The quadrennial tournament is scheduled to be played from Jul 11 to Jul 19 in the USA, Canada and Mexico, meaning the 38-year-old may have played his final match at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires in Argentina. Notably, Messi had played a pivotal role in Argentina win its third FIFA World Cup in 2022.<h2>Lionel Messi in Argentina vs. Zambia in FIFA friendly</h2>Argentina won the match 5-0 against Zambia in a full stadium. Messi, who definitely was one of the reasons for massive fan turnout, did not disappoint and scored 43rd minute just before the end of first half to double Argentina's lead to 2-0. Apart from him, Julian Alvarez scored in 4th minute, Nicolas Otamendi scored in 50th minute on a penalty, Dominic Chanda netted one in 68th minute but for Argentina, before Valentin Barco finished things off in 90+4 minutes with another goal.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026-spain-fans-target-egypt-with-anti-muslim-chants-in-friendly-at-barcelona-1775011696100">FIFA WC 2026 | Spain fans target Egypt with anti-Muslim chants in friendly</a>In a video going viral on social media, Messi can be seen being emotional as fans sing songs with the team standing on the pitch. Have a look at he video below:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">🚨💣 Deeply emotional scenes unfolding in Argentina 🇦🇷🥹 Lionel Messi is currently playing what is expected to be his LAST match with the national team on Argentine soil. The final chapter at home for the greatest of all time before the 2026 World Cup. This one really hurts.… <a href="https://t.co/yW8WaYYxyi">pic.twitter.com/yW8WaYYxyi</a>&mdash; Topskills Sports UK (@topskillsportuk) <a href="https://twitter.com/topskillsportuk/status/2039134549767061839?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Will Messi play in FIFA World Cup 2026</h2>There's no certainty as of now on if Messi will play in the upcoming FIFA World Cup or not. Before the tournament though, Argentina are scheduled to play another friendly against Serbia in June and if Messi starts in that, he'll most likely to play in the quadrennial tournament as well.Argentina, winners of 1978, 1986, and 2022, FIFA World Cups, are in Group J along with Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. The defending champions start their campaign against Algeria on June 16 before taking Austria on June 22 and finishing off the group stage against Jordan on June 27.&nbsp;

Messi started against Zambia in a friendly on Mar 31 ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 where he's still not certain to play. The tournament is scheduled to be played from Jul 11 to Jul 19 in the USA, Canada and Mexico, meaning the 38-year-old may have played his final match at home.

Argentina footballer and global superstar Lionel Messi was visibly emotional after what could be his final match at home. Messi started against Zambia in a friendly on Tuesday (Mar 31) ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 where he's still not certain to play. The quadrennial tournament is scheduled to be played from Jul 11 to Jul 19 in the USA, Canada and Mexico, meaning the 38-year-old may have played his final match at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires in Argentina. Notably, Messi had played a pivotal role in Argentina win its third FIFA World Cup in 2022. Lionel Messi in Argentina vs. Zambia in FIFA friendly Argentina won the match 5-0 against Zambia in a full stadium. Messi, who definitely was one of the reasons for massive fan turnout, did not disappoint and scored 43rd minute just before the end of first half to double Argentina's lead to 2-0. Apart from him, Julian Alvarez scored in 4th minute, Nicolas Otamendi scored in 50th minute on a penalty, Dominic Chanda netted one in 68th minute but for Argentina, before Valentin Barco finished things off in 90+4 minutes with another goal. Also Read - FIFA WC 2026 | Spain fans target Egypt with anti-Muslim chants in friendly In a video going viral on social media, Messi can be seen being emotional as fans sing songs with the team standing on the pitch. Have a look at he video below:

Messi started against Zambia in a friendly on Mar 31 ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 where he's still not certain to play. The tournament is scheduled to be played from Jul 11 to Jul 19 in the USA, Canada and Mexico, meaning the 38-year-old may have played his final match at home.

Argentina 5-0 Zambia: Emotional Messi scores in friendly as defending champions prepare for World Cup

The friendly between Spain and Egypt on Tuesday (Mar 30) at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona ended in a draw but not without unwanted drama. The home fans were warned several times over using xenophobic chants against the visiting Muslim players. The two teams ended the match on 0-0 score in what is dubbed as practice before upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, which starts Jun 11 in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Apart from the anti-Muslim chants, there was also loud whistling before Egypt's national anthem, something Spanish federation condemned in harsh words. The stadium screen also showed messages asking home fans to stop with their racist chants.What were the chants during Spain vs. Egypt?The home fans shouted "Musulmán el que no bote" - which roughly means "If you're not jumping, you're a Muslim" coupled with loud whistling before Egypt's national anthem. The whistling continued as the Egyptian players kneeled and kissed the ground at the half-time. Notably, Spain superstar Lamine Yamal is a Muslim with his father being from Morocco and the player recently celebrated his faith with Ramadan.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026-four-time-winners-italy-fail-to-qualify-third-consecutive-time-bosnia-czechs-turkey-and-sweden-through-1775004807303">FIFA WC 2026 | Four-time winners Italy fail to qualify third consecutive time</a>How did Spanish Football Federation react?The Royal Spanish Football Federation not only displayed message on stadium screen asking fans to desist from the xenophobic chants, they condemned the behaviour of fans on social media as well and stood "against racism in football and condemns any act of violence inside stadiums."Spain coach Luis de la Fuent was more severe in his response as he asked for "such people" to be removed from society."I am repulsed by and absolutely reject any form of xenophobia or racism -- it's completely intolerable," De la Fuente said in a news conference. I don't know exactly what the protocol is, but I think it was the right decision to display the message on the scoreboard and make the announcement. Those [chanting] are a disgrace -- and the majority [inside the stadium] whistled them. There's nothing else to say. They are not representative of football. They take advantage of football, as they do in other areas of life. They need to be removed from society -- the further away, the better."Spain and Egypt's in FIFA World Cup 2026Spain are in Group H along with Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay while Egypt are in Group G along with Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran.

The home fans shouted "Musulmán el que no bote" - which roughly means "If you're not jumping, you're a Muslim" coupled with loud whistling before Egypt's national anthem. Spain coach Luis de la Fuent was more severe in his response as he asked for "such people" to be removed from society.

The friendly between Spain and Egypt on Tuesday (Mar 30) at RCDE Stadium in Barcelona ended in a draw but not without unwanted drama. The home fans were warned several times over using xenophobic chants against the visiting Muslim players. The two teams ended the match on 0-0 score in what is dubbed as practice before upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, which starts Jun 11 in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Apart from the anti-Muslim chants, there was also loud whistling before Egypt's national anthem, something Spanish federation condemned in harsh words. The stadium screen also showed messages asking home fans to stop with their racist chants. What were the chants during Spain vs. Egypt? The home fans shouted "Musulmán el que no bote" - which roughly means "If you're not jumping, you're a Muslim" coupled with loud whistling before Egypt's national anthem. The whistling continued as the Egyptian players kneeled and kissed the ground at the half-time. Notably, Spain superstar Lamine Yamal is a Muslim with his father being from Morocco and the player recently celebrated his faith with Ramadan. Also Read - FIFA WC 2026 | Four-time winners Italy fail to qualify third consecutive time How did Spanish Football Federation react? The Royal Spanish Football Federation not only displayed message on stadium screen asking fans to desist from the xenophobic chants, they condemned the behaviour of fans on social media as well and stood "against racism in football and condemns any act of violence inside stadiums." Spain coach Luis de la Fuent was more severe in his response as he asked for "such people" to be removed from society. "I am repulsed by and absolutely reject any form of xenophobia or racism -- it's completely intolerable," De la Fuente said in a news conference. I don't know exactly what the protocol is, but I think it was the right decision to display the message on the scoreboard and make the announcement. Those [chanting] are a disgrace -- and the majority [inside the stadium] whistled them. There's nothing else to say. They are not representative of football. They take advantage of football, as they do in other areas of life. They need to be removed from society -- the further away, the better." Spain and Egypt's in FIFA World Cup 2026 Spain are in Group H along with Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay while Egypt are in Group G along with Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran.

The home fans shouted "Musulmán el que no bote" - which roughly means "If you're not jumping, you're a Muslim" coupled with loud whistling before Egypt's national anthem. Spain coach Luis de la Fuent was more severe in his response as he asked for "such people" to be removed from society.

FIFA World Cup 2026 | Spain fans target Egypt with anti-Muslim chants in friendly at Barcelona

Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup as a play-off defeat on penalties to Bosnia and Hercegovina on Tuesday meant the Azzurri will not go to this year's tournament in North America, while Turkey, the Czech Republic and Sweden all secured their places at the finals. Italy have won the World Cup four times, but they failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments and will once again have to watch from afar as the field is expanded to 48 teams in the United States, Canada and Mexico.Bosnia won 4-1 in the shoot-out in Zenica after their play-off final finished 1-1 at the end of extra time, with Sandro Tonali the only Italy player to score from the spot as Francesco Pio Esposito blazed their first penalty over and Bryan Cristante smashed his kick against the crossbar.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/iran-will-be-at-football-world-cup-2026-fifa-boss-gianni-infantino-confirms-amid-west-asia-conflict-donald-trump-iran-israel-war-1774969939393">‘Iran will be at the World Cup,’ FIFA boss confirms amid West Asia conflict</a>Moise Kean had given Gennaro Gattuso's Italy the lead on 15 minutes, but they were reduced to 10 men when Alessandro Bastoni was shown a straight red card late in the first half.Bosnia equalised on 79 minutes through Haris Tabakovic, and with no further goals in extra time the tie was decided on penalties."I don't think the boys deserved to suffer such a blow," said Gattuso. "It's difficult to digest."Ranked 66th in the world, Bosnia finished second in qualifying Group H behind Austria before beating Wales on penalties in their play-off semi-final.Their only previous World Cup appearance came in 2014. Now they go into Group B at this year's tournament along with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.The 2014 edition is the last time Italy qualified. They went out in the group stage, like in 2010. They have not won a World Cup knockout game since they last lifted the trophy in 2006.In 2018 they failed to qualify after losing a two-legged play-off final to Sweden, and they also missed out in 2022 after losing a play-off to North Macedonia.<h2>Kosovo dream over</h2>Turkey qualified as Kerem Akturkoglu's 53rd-minute goal secured a 1-0 win in Kosovo, shattering their hosts' dream of appearing at the tournament for the first time.It will be Turkey's first appearance at a World Cup since reaching the semi-finals in 2002. Vincenzo Montella's team will go into Group D along with co-hosts the United States, Paraguay and Australia.Montella's side are ranked 22nd in the world but this will only be Turkey's third ever appearance at the World Cup -- they went to the 1954 tournament before coming third 24 years ago in South Korea and Japan."We achieved our dreams. The World Cup is the pinnacle in this profession," Montella told UEFA.com.Kosovo, ranked 78th, were targeting a first ever World Cup appearance, having only been accepted as FIFA members a decade ago.<h2>Gyokeres heroics, Danes denied</h2>Sweden recovered from a desperate performance in the group stage of qualifying to secure their place at the finals in dramatic fashion.Having beaten Ukraine 3-1 in last week's semi-final, they edged Poland 3-2 in Stockholm, with Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres scoring an 88th-minute winner.Earlier, Sweden had twice taken the lead only to be pegged back, with Anthony Elanga's opener on 20 minutes cancelled out by Nicola Zalewski, only for Gustaf Lagerbielke to put the hosts back in front before half-time.Karol Swiderski got Poland's second early in the second half, but Gyokeres forced the ball over the line after a frantic goalmouth scramble late on.They finished bottom of qualifying Group B without a win, but secured a play-off spot thanks to their performances in the UEFA Nations League.Now coached by Englishman Graham Potter, they will go into Group F at the World Cup along with the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.The Czech Republic matched Bosnia's achievement by qualifying thanks to back-to-back shoot-out victories, as they followed their success against Ireland last week by defeating Denmark 3-1 on penalties in Prague.The match finished 2-2 after extra time, with Pavel Sulc firing the hosts ahead only for Joachim Andersen to head the Danes level.Ladislav Krejci then put the Czechs back in front in extra time, but Kasper Hogh made it 2-2.However, Denmark converted just one of their four penalties, with Rasmus Hojlund, Anders Dreyer and Mathias Jensen all failing from the spot as the Czechs qualify for a first World Cup since 2006.They go into Group A with South Africa, South Korea and Mexico.

Italy have won the World Cup four times, but they failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments and will once again have to watch from afar as the field is expanded to 48 teams in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup as a play-off defeat on penalties to Bosnia and Hercegovina on Tuesday meant the Azzurri will not go to this year's tournament in North America, while Turkey, the Czech Republic and Sweden all secured their places at the finals. Italy have won the World Cup four times, but they failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments and will once again have to watch from afar as the field is expanded to 48 teams in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Bosnia won 4-1 in the shoot-out in Zenica after their play-off final finished 1-1 at the end of extra time, with Sandro Tonali the only Italy player to score from the spot as Francesco Pio Esposito blazed their first penalty over and Bryan Cristante smashed his kick against the crossbar. Also Read - ‘Iran will be at the World Cup,’ FIFA boss confirms amid West Asia conflict Moise Kean had given Gennaro Gattuso's Italy the lead on 15 minutes, but they were reduced to 10 men when Alessandro Bastoni was shown a straight red card late in the first half. Bosnia equalised on 79 minutes through Haris Tabakovic, and with no further goals in extra time the tie was decided on penalties. "I don't think the boys deserved to suffer such a blow," said Gattuso. "It's difficult to digest." Ranked 66th in the world, Bosnia finished second in qualifying Group H behind Austria before beating Wales on penalties in their play-off semi-final. Their only previous World Cup appearance came in 2014. Now they go into Group B at this year's tournament along with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland. The 2014 edition is the last time Italy qualified. They went out in the group stage, like in 2010. They have not won a World Cup knockout game since they last lifted the trophy in 2006. In 2018 they failed to qualify after losing a two-legged play-off final to Sweden, and they also missed out in 2022 after losing a play-off to North Macedonia. Kosovo dream over Turkey qualified as Kerem Akturkoglu's 53rd-minute goal secured a 1-0 win in Kosovo, shattering their hosts' dream of appearing at the tournament for the first time. It will be Turkey's first appearance at a World Cup since reaching the semi-finals in 2002. Vincenzo Montella's team will go into Group D along with co-hosts the United States, Paraguay and Australia. Montella's side are ranked 22nd in the world but this will only be Turkey's third ever appearance at the World Cup -- they went to the 1954 tournament before coming third 24 years ago in South Korea and Japan. "We achieved our dreams. The World Cup is the pinnacle in this profession," Montella told UEFA.com. Kosovo, ranked 78th, were targeting a first ever World Cup appearance, having only been accepted as FIFA members a decade ago. Gyokeres heroics, Danes denied Sweden recovered from a desperate performance in the group stage of qualifying to secure their place at the finals in dramatic fashion. Having beaten Ukraine 3-1 in last week's semi-final, they edged Poland 3-2 in Stockholm, with Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres scoring an 88th-minute winner. Earlier, Sweden had twice taken the lead only to be pegged back, with Anthony Elanga's opener on 20 minutes cancelled out by Nicola Zalewski, only for Gustaf Lagerbielke to put the hosts back in front before half-time. Karol Swiderski got Poland's second early in the second half, but Gyokeres forced the ball over the line after a frantic goalmouth scramble late on. They finished bottom of qualifying Group B without a win, but secured a play-off spot thanks to their performances in the UEFA Nations League. Now coached by Englishman Graham Potter, they will go into Group F at the World Cup along with the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia. The Czech Republic matched Bosnia's achievement by qualifying thanks to back-to-back shoot-out victories, as they followed their success against Ireland last week by defeating Denmark 3-1 on penalties in Prague. The match finished 2-2 after extra time, with Pavel Sulc firing the hosts ahead only for Joachim Andersen to head the Danes level. Ladislav Krejci then put the Czechs back in front in extra time, but Kasper Hogh made it 2-2. However, Denmark converted just one of their four penalties, with Rasmus Hojlund, Anders Dreyer and Mathias Jensen all failing from the spot as the Czechs qualify for a first World Cup since 2006. They go into Group A with South Africa, South Korea and Mexico.

Italy have won the World Cup four times, but they failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments and will once again have to watch from afar as the field is expanded to 48 teams in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

FIFA World Cup 2026 | Four-time winners Italy fail to qualify third consecutive time

In a massive development surrounding Iran’s participation at the forthcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America, Gianni Infantino, the apex body’s president, confirmed the war-ridden country’s involvement amid raging conflict with the tournament’s co-hosts, the US and Israel, in West Asia. Speaking during the half-time of Iran’s friendly against Costa Rica in Turkey on Tuesday (Mar 31), Infantino, whose attendance was unannounced, revealed. Moreover, he said that there will be no change in Iran’s scheduled Group G games, with all its matches set to take place ‘where they are supposed to be, according to the draw.’&nbsp;"Iran will be at the World Cup," Infantino said in a chat with AFP. "That's why we're here. We're delighted because they're a very, very strong team, I'm very happy." &nbsp;"I've seen the team, I've spoken to the players and the coach, so everything is fine," added Infantino.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-world-cup-2026-messi-set-to-play-for-argentina-he-ll-definitely-start-in-friendly-against-zambia-1774926795646">Football World Cup 2026 | Argentina's Messi to start against Zambia in FIFA friendly</a> &nbsp;The US, Canada and Mexico will host the 48-team tournament starting June 11. Iran is scheduled to play their first Group G game against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 before facing Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 27. &nbsp;Meanwhile, Iran's participation had been thrown into doubt by the war with the US and Israel that broke out on February 28. The Iranian Football Federation said earlier this month it was "negotiating" with FIFA to relocate the country's World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico. The Mexican President, Claudia Sheinbaum, also said that her country is prepared to host Iran's first-round matches at the tournament if needed.<h3>Iran-Trump tussle</h3>Infantino initially said that US President Donald Trump had given assurances that the Iranian team would still be welcome. But Trump then stated that Iran's team should not travel to the tournament "for their own life and safety". &nbsp;Iran hit back at Trump's comments, saying that "no one can exclude Iran's national team from the World Cup". &nbsp;On March 19, Infantino said FIFA was committed to making sure the World Cup goes ahead "as scheduled" with "all teams" taking part. &nbsp;"FIFA is looking forward to all teams participating at the World Cup to compete in a spirit of fair play and mutual respect," Infantino said from Zurich during an online FIFA Council meeting. "FIFA can't solve geopolitical conflicts, but we are committed to using the power of football and the World Cup to build bridges and promote peace as our thoughts are with those who are suffering as a consequence of the ongoing wars," added Infantino.&nbsp;(With inputs from AFP)

FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirms that Iran will be at the World Cup despite the ongoing West Asia conflict. Following a surprise appearance in Turkey, Infantino dismissed rumours of relocating Iran's matches to Mexico, insisting Group G games will proceed as scheduled.

In a massive development surrounding Iran’s participation at the forthcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America, Gianni Infantino, the apex body’s president, confirmed the war-ridden country’s involvement amid raging conflict with the tournament’s co-hosts, the US and Israel, in West Asia. Speaking during the half-time of Iran’s friendly against Costa Rica in Turkey on Tuesday (Mar 31), Infantino, whose attendance was unannounced, revealed. Moreover, he said that there will be no change in Iran’s scheduled Group G games, with all its matches set to take place ‘where they are supposed to be, according to the draw.’ "Iran will be at the World Cup," Infantino said in a chat with AFP. "That's why we're here. We're delighted because they're a very, very strong team, I'm very happy." "I've seen the team, I've spoken to the players and the coach, so everything is fine," added Infantino. Also read | Football World Cup 2026 | Argentina's Messi to start against Zambia in FIFA friendly The US, Canada and Mexico will host the 48-team tournament starting June 11. Iran is scheduled to play their first Group G game against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 before facing Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 27. Meanwhile, Iran's participation had been thrown into doubt by the war with the US and Israel that broke out on February 28. The Iranian Football Federation said earlier this month it was "negotiating" with FIFA to relocate the country's World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico. The Mexican President, Claudia Sheinbaum, also said that her country is prepared to host Iran's first-round matches at the tournament if needed. Iran-Trump tussle Infantino initially said that US President Donald Trump had given assurances that the Iranian team would still be welcome. But Trump then stated that Iran's team should not travel to the tournament "for their own life and safety". Iran hit back at Trump's comments, saying that "no one can exclude Iran's national team from the World Cup". On March 19, Infantino said FIFA was committed to making sure the World Cup goes ahead "as scheduled" with "all teams" taking part. "FIFA is looking forward to all teams participating at the World Cup to compete in a spirit of fair play and mutual respect," Infantino said from Zurich during an online FIFA Council meeting. "FIFA can't solve geopolitical conflicts, but we are committed to using the power of football and the World Cup to build bridges and promote peace as our thoughts are with those who are suffering as a consequence of the ongoing wars," added Infantino. (With inputs from AFP)

FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirms that Iran will be at the World Cup despite the ongoing West Asia conflict. Following a surprise appearance in Turkey, Infantino dismissed rumours of relocating Iran's matches to Mexico, insisting Group G games will proceed as scheduled.

‘Iran will be at the World Cup,’ FIFA boss Infantino confirms amid West Asia conflict

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has confirmed the superstar Lionel Messi will start for the country in friendly against Zambia on Tuesday (Mar 31) at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires in Argentina. This could be taken as a sign to Messi's participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 which starts Jun 11. Messi, who helped Argentina lift the trophy in last edition, is 38-year-old and was ambiguous about his participation in the quadrennial event until now. Scaloni's comment gives a hope of ray to fans who will be thrilled to see the footballer to take the pitch on the biggest stage of the sport one more time.<h2>Will Messi play in FIFA World Cup 2026?</h2>While the Argentina squad is not finalized yet for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Scaloni said that the time is here to start cutting the extra players and finalized the 26-player roster for the upcoming tournament.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/deniz-undav-rescues-germany-with-last-gasp-goal-in-ghana-friendly-ahead-of-fifa-world-cup-1774924368887">Deniz Undav rescues Germany with last-gasp goal in Ghana friendly ahead of FIFA World Cup</a>"The list of 26 players [for the World Cup], I think we're above the percentage. We have to start discarding options now based on performance. There is no other option," said Scaloni.Speaking about Messi's participation, Scaloni said: "Yes, I think he'll start from the beginning tomorrow [against Zambia]."Scaloni had previously said that Messi has not yet confirmed to play in the FIFA World Cup 2026 but hoped for the it like the millions of fans across the world."The important thing is that he comes and enjoys it. That he enjoy being at the World Cup, which in theory would be the last, but I wouldn't dare to say anything, but that he enjoys it."<h2>What is Argentina's schedule in FIFA World Cup 2026?</h2>Argentina, winners of 1978, 1986, and 2022, FIFA World Cups, are in Group J along with Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. The defending champions start their campaign against Algeria on June 16 before taking Austria on June 22 and finishing off the group stage against Jordan on June 27.

This could be taken as a sign to Messi's participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 which starts Jun 11. Messi, who helped Argentina lift the trophy in last edition, is 38-year-old and was ambiguous about his participation in the quadrennial event until now.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has confirmed the superstar Lionel Messi will start for the country in friendly against Zambia on Tuesday (Mar 31) at La Bombonera in Buenos Aires in Argentina. This could be taken as a sign to Messi's participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 which starts Jun 11. Messi, who helped Argentina lift the trophy in last edition, is 38-year-old and was ambiguous about his participation in the quadrennial event until now. Scaloni's comment gives a hope of ray to fans who will be thrilled to see the footballer to take the pitch on the biggest stage of the sport one more time. Will Messi play in FIFA World Cup 2026? While the Argentina squad is not finalized yet for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Scaloni said that the time is here to start cutting the extra players and finalized the 26-player roster for the upcoming tournament. Also Read - Deniz Undav rescues Germany with last-gasp goal in Ghana friendly ahead of FIFA World Cup "The list of 26 players [for the World Cup], I think we're above the percentage. We have to start discarding options now based on performance. There is no other option," said Scaloni. Speaking about Messi's participation, Scaloni said: "Yes, I think he'll start from the beginning tomorrow [against Zambia]." Scaloni had previously said that Messi has not yet confirmed to play in the FIFA World Cup 2026 but hoped for the it like the millions of fans across the world. "The important thing is that he comes and enjoys it. That he enjoy being at the World Cup, which in theory would be the last, but I wouldn't dare to say anything, but that he enjoys it." What is Argentina's schedule in FIFA World Cup 2026? Argentina, winners of 1978, 1986, and 2022, FIFA World Cups, are in Group J along with Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. The defending champions start their campaign against Algeria on June 16 before taking Austria on June 22 and finishing off the group stage against Jordan on June 27.

This could be taken as a sign to Messi's participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 which starts Jun 11. Messi, who helped Argentina lift the trophy in last edition, is 38-year-old and was ambiguous about his participation in the quadrennial event until now.

Football World Cup 2026 | Argentina's Messi to start against Zambia in FIFA friendly

A last-gasp Deniz Undav goal saved Germany's blushes in an unconvincing 2-1 win over Ghana in a friendly in Stuttgart on Monday. Germany dominated possession and field position against the visitors but needed a Kai Havertz penalty to break through just before half-time. A counter-attacking Abdul Fatawu goal drew the visitors level and the lifeless match looked on track for a draw until Stuttgart striker Undav's 88th-minute effort put Germany back in front.The home fans chanted Undav's name until the striker was brought on at half-time. The former Brighton forward told ARD: "It was crazy to hear how the fans stood behind me," adding "it was a perfect evening. Got the win, scored a goal -- top."Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/aiff-president-kalyan-chaubey-faces-harassment-allegations-from-women-s-panel-head-1774859186635">AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey faces harassment allegations</a>"We were completely in control in the first-half, but we have to make more out of our chances," Undav said.Despite a seventh win in a row, it was an inconsistent performance from Julian Nagelsmann's men against an out-of-form Ghana side."We didn't play in position. There was a lot of 'freestyle' play again, like against Switzerland, which left us very vulnerable to counter-attacks," Nagelsmann said.Former Arsenal player Thomas Partey lined up in midfield for Ghana, making his second international start since telling a London court he would plead not guilty to two new charges of rape, with a trial set to take place in November.Before the game, Nagelsmann seemed unfazed despite Germany's leaky defence in Friday's 4-3 win over Switzerland on Friday, telling reporters "a clean sheet is nice, but above all we need to be winning."The hosts had Ghana pinned back for much of the opening half, with the visitors handing Germany the initiative with misplaced passes and failed clearances.Involved in all four of Germany's goals against Switzerland, Florian Wirtz went close with a dipping free-kick after &nbsp;six minutes, hitting the outside of the post.Nick Woltemade set Wirtz up for what seemed to be Germany's opener just after the half-hour mark, but the Newcastle forward was narrowly offside in the build-up.In first-half stoppage time, VAR showed Jonas Adjetey handled an Angelo Stiller shot, allowing Havertz to convert from the spot.Bayern Munich starlet Lennart Karl came on at half-time and almost set up Germany's second minutes later with a deft chip which Woltemade headed against the crossbar.With 20 minutes left, Ghana broke through on the counter to punish the hosts for their wastefulness, Derrick Koehn threading a ball for Fatawu to tap home.Undav had little impact until the dying stages when he collected a Leroy Sane pass and prodded the winner into the top corner.

Former Arsenal player Thomas Partey lined up in midfield for Ghana, making his second international start since telling a London court he would plead not guilty to two new charges of rape, with a trial set to take place in November.

A last-gasp Deniz Undav goal saved Germany's blushes in an unconvincing 2-1 win over Ghana in a friendly in Stuttgart on Monday. Germany dominated possession and field position against the visitors but needed a Kai Havertz penalty to break through just before half-time. A counter-attacking Abdul Fatawu goal drew the visitors level and the lifeless match looked on track for a draw until Stuttgart striker Undav's 88th-minute effort put Germany back in front. The home fans chanted Undav's name until the striker was brought on at half-time. The former Brighton forward told ARD: "It was crazy to hear how the fans stood behind me," adding "it was a perfect evening. Got the win, scored a goal -- top." Also Read - AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey faces harassment allegations "We were completely in control in the first-half, but we have to make more out of our chances," Undav said. Despite a seventh win in a row, it was an inconsistent performance from Julian Nagelsmann's men against an out-of-form Ghana side. "We didn't play in position. There was a lot of 'freestyle' play again, like against Switzerland, which left us very vulnerable to counter-attacks," Nagelsmann said. Former Arsenal player Thomas Partey lined up in midfield for Ghana, making his second international start since telling a London court he would plead not guilty to two new charges of rape, with a trial set to take place in November. Before the game, Nagelsmann seemed unfazed despite Germany's leaky defence in Friday's 4-3 win over Switzerland on Friday, telling reporters "a clean sheet is nice, but above all we need to be winning." The hosts had Ghana pinned back for much of the opening half, with the visitors handing Germany the initiative with misplaced passes and failed clearances. Involved in all four of Germany's goals against Switzerland, Florian Wirtz went close with a dipping free-kick after six minutes, hitting the outside of the post. Nick Woltemade set Wirtz up for what seemed to be Germany's opener just after the half-hour mark, but the Newcastle forward was narrowly offside in the build-up. In first-half stoppage time, VAR showed Jonas Adjetey handled an Angelo Stiller shot, allowing Havertz to convert from the spot. Bayern Munich starlet Lennart Karl came on at half-time and almost set up Germany's second minutes later with a deft chip which Woltemade headed against the crossbar. With 20 minutes left, Ghana broke through on the counter to punish the hosts for their wastefulness, Derrick Koehn threading a ball for Fatawu to tap home. Undav had little impact until the dying stages when he collected a Leroy Sane pass and prodded the winner into the top corner.

Former Arsenal player Thomas Partey lined up in midfield for Ghana, making his second international start since telling a London court he would plead not guilty to two new charges of rape, with a trial set to take place in November.

Deniz Undav rescues Germany with last-gasp goal in Ghana friendly ahead of FIFA World Cup

Tottenham Hotspur has decided to part ways with coach Igor Tudor by mutual consent on Sunday (Mar 29) after just seven games in charge as the defending Europa League winners battle to stay in the Premier League. Tudor lost five matches in his 44-day reign, leaving Spurs out of the Champions League race and just one point above the relegation zone in the league. Tudor, 47, did not confront the media after last weekend’s 0-3 loss to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest after learning about his father’s demise just after the game ended.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 BREAKING: Igor Tudor leaves Tottenham with immediate effect. <a href="https://t.co/6W7N8hKdfZ">pic.twitter.com/6W7N8hKdfZ</a>&mdash; Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2038262757846340022?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed for head coach Igor Tudor to leave the club with immediate effect," Tottenham said in a statement. "We also acknowledge the bereavement that Igor has recently suffered and send our support to him and his family at this difficult time. &nbsp;"An update on a new head coach will be provided in due course."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We can confirm that it has been mutually agreed for Head Coach Igor Tudor to leave the Club with immediate effect. Tomislav Rogic and Riccardo Ragnacci have also left their respective roles of Goalkeeping Coach and Physical Coach. We thank Igor, Tomislav and Riccardo for their… <a href="https://t.co/I6HUdLdewL">pic.twitter.com/I6HUdLdewL</a>&mdash; Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/2038262428719272232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Tottenham are not in action again for another two weeks when they travel to Sunderland.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-it-is-not-for-me-to-decide-argentina-manager-scaloni-on-messi-s-availability-for-fifa-world-cup-1774678885862">'It is not for me to decide': Argentina manager Scaloni on Messi’s availability for FIFA World Cup</a> &nbsp;Meanwhile, former Brighton and Marseille coach Roberto de Zerbi has been linked with the job, while reports have suggested the club could turn to Sean Dyche's Premier League experience to dig them out of trouble for the final seven games of the season.<h3>Tudor-Spurs relation</h3>Tudor was appointed in February following the dismissal of Thomas Frank. Hired with a reputation of making an immediate impact during a nomadic coaching career, the Croatian was powerless to stop Tottenham's slide towards the relegation trapdoor for the first time since 1977. &nbsp;The London club, ravaged by injuries this season, have not won a league match since late December and is out of every cup competition. &nbsp;Even Tudor's sole victory was fruitless as a 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid failed to overturn a 5-2 first leg deficit in the Champions League last 16. His decision to start and then substitute back-up goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky after just 17 minutes of the first leg in Madrid summed up a chaotic, short-lived reign.&nbsp;(With inputs from AFP)

Crisis at Tottenham! Igor Tudor departs Spurs by mutual consent after just 44 days and 7 games in charge. With the club 17th and one point above the drop zone, who will save them from relegation? De Zerbi and Sean Dyche linked.

Tottenham Hotspur has decided to part ways with coach Igor Tudor by mutual consent on Sunday (Mar 29) after just seven games in charge as the defending Europa League winners battle to stay in the Premier League. Tudor lost five matches in his 44-day reign, leaving Spurs out of the Champions League race and just one point above the relegation zone in the league. Tudor, 47, did not confront the media after last weekend’s 0-3 loss to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest after learning about his father’s demise just after the game ended.

Crisis at Tottenham! Igor Tudor departs Spurs by mutual consent after just 44 days and 7 games in charge. With the club 17th and one point above the drop zone, who will save them from relegation? De Zerbi and Sean Dyche linked.

Tottenham part ways with coach Tudor as Spurs battle to escape Premier League relegation

Kylian Mbappe moved to within one goal of equalling France's all-time scoring record with the opener in a 2-1 win over Brazil as two of the leading World Cup contenders faced off in a glamour friendly in the United States on Thursday. Mbappe ran through to beat goalkeeper Ederson with a delightful chipped finish to give France the lead just after the half-hour mark at the Gillette Stadium near Boston, home of NFL side the New England Patriots. France, World Cup winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, had defender Dayot Upamecano sent off early in the second half but shrugged that off to double their lead courtesy of Hugo Ekitike on 65 minutes.Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil did pull one back 12 minutes from time via a close-range finish by Juventus defender Gleison Bremer, but Les Bleus held on for a victory that will boost confidence two and a half months before the World Cup begins. They play Senegal, Norway and a play-off winner in the group stage."I said beforehand that we couldn't take too much away from this game. It wasn't the World Cup final, but it showed we are in a good dynamic," Mbappe told broadcaster TF1."We are creating lots of chances and we are looking a bit more solid even if we let in a goal at the end. We are moving forward and this will help us prepare for the World Cup."The sight of captain Mbappe scoring in trademark lethal fashion is especially good news for coach Didier Deschamps, after the Real Madrid superstar recently returned from three weeks out with a knee injury.The 27-year-old has now scored 56 goals in 95 appearances for his country, leaving him just one goal away from equalling the France record of 57 goals held by the recently-retired Olivier Giroud.Mbappe will have the chance to match, and perhaps surpass, that record when France play Colombia in the second friendly of this American tour, at the Northwest Stadium near Washington DC on Sunday.There have been four encounters between these powerhouse nations at past World Cups, including the 1998 final won by France and the 2006 quarter-final in which Les Bleus also triumphed.However, this was their first meeting of any sort since a friendly in Paris exactly 11 years ago, won 3-1 by Brazil.The Brazilians go into this year's World Cup -- in which they will face Morocco, Scotland and Haiti in the group stage -- hoping the recent appointment as coach of the revered Ancelotti can make them serious contenders to claim a record-extending sixth title.<h2>Brazilian absences</h2>But this match will have reminded them of the standards required against the very best sides in the international game.Brazil were admittedly missing several key players here, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker, defensive duo Gabriel Magalhaes and Eder Militao, midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and forwards Rodrygo and Estevao among those absent.France, meanwhile, were without Arsenal centre-back William Saliba, but a fearsome attack included Mbappe, Bayern Munich's Michael Olise and Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele, the reigning Ballon d'Or.Dembele released Mbappe for the opener, and that separated the teams at the break.Upamecano was sent off on 55 minutes after American referee Guido Gonzales upgraded a yellow card to red following a VAR review, ruling that the defender had denied Wesley a clear goal-scoring opportunity as he took down the full-back on the edge of the area.Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix, a late call-up to replace the injured Saliba, came on for Dembele to make his debut and bolster the French back line after that.They then increased their lead as Olise supplied Ekitike in the area and the Liverpool striker clipped the ball beyond Ederson for his second international goal.Mbappe and Ekitike were promptly removed, and Brazil were left with too much to do, even if Bremer converted from close range from Luiz Henrique's assist to make it 2-1.Ancelotti will now hope his team can bounce back when they take on Croatia in Orlando, Florida next Tuesday.

The 27-year-old has now scored 56 goals in 95 appearances for his country, leaving him just one goal away from equalling the France record of 57 goals held by the recently-retired Olivier Giroud.

Kylian Mbappe moved to within one goal of equalling France's all-time scoring record with the opener in a 2-1 win over Brazil as two of the leading World Cup contenders faced off in a glamour friendly in the United States on Thursday. Mbappe ran through to beat goalkeeper Ederson with a delightful chipped finish to give France the lead just after the half-hour mark at the Gillette Stadium near Boston, home of NFL side the New England Patriots. France, World Cup winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, had defender Dayot Upamecano sent off early in the second half but shrugged that off to double their lead courtesy of Hugo Ekitike on 65 minutes. Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil did pull one back 12 minutes from time via a close-range finish by Juventus defender Gleison Bremer, but Les Bleus held on for a victory that will boost confidence two and a half months before the World Cup begins. They play Senegal, Norway and a play-off winner in the group stage. "I said beforehand that we couldn't take too much away from this game. It wasn't the World Cup final, but it showed we are in a good dynamic," Mbappe told broadcaster TF1. "We are creating lots of chances and we are looking a bit more solid even if we let in a goal at the end. We are moving forward and this will help us prepare for the World Cup." The sight of captain Mbappe scoring in trademark lethal fashion is especially good news for coach Didier Deschamps, after the Real Madrid superstar recently returned from three weeks out with a knee injury. The 27-year-old has now scored 56 goals in 95 appearances for his country, leaving him just one goal away from equalling the France record of 57 goals held by the recently-retired Olivier Giroud. Mbappe will have the chance to match, and perhaps surpass, that record when France play Colombia in the second friendly of this American tour, at the Northwest Stadium near Washington DC on Sunday. There have been four encounters between these powerhouse nations at past World Cups, including the 1998 final won by France and the 2006 quarter-final in which Les Bleus also triumphed. However, this was their first meeting of any sort since a friendly in Paris exactly 11 years ago, won 3-1 by Brazil. The Brazilians go into this year's World Cup -- in which they will face Morocco, Scotland and Haiti in the group stage -- hoping the recent appointment as coach of the revered Ancelotti can make them serious contenders to claim a record-extending sixth title. Brazilian absences But this match will have reminded them of the standards required against the very best sides in the international game. Brazil were admittedly missing several key players here, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker, defensive duo Gabriel Magalhaes and Eder Militao, midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and forwards Rodrygo and Estevao among those absent. France, meanwhile, were without Arsenal centre-back William Saliba, but a fearsome attack included Mbappe, Bayern Munich's Michael Olise and Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele, the reigning Ballon d'Or. Dembele released Mbappe for the opener, and that separated the teams at the break. Upamecano was sent off on 55 minutes after American referee Guido Gonzales upgraded a yellow card to red following a VAR review, ruling that the defender had denied Wesley a clear goal-scoring opportunity as he took down the full-back on the edge of the area. Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix, a late call-up to replace the injured Saliba, came on for Dembele to make his debut and bolster the French back line after that. They then increased their lead as Olise supplied Ekitike in the area and the Liverpool striker clipped the ball beyond Ederson for his second international goal. Mbappe and Ekitike were promptly removed, and Brazil were left with too much to do, even if Bremer converted from close range from Luiz Henrique's assist to make it 2-1. Ancelotti will now hope his team can bounce back when they take on Croatia in Orlando, Florida next Tuesday.

The 27-year-old has now scored 56 goals in 95 appearances for his country, leaving him just one goal away from equalling the France record of 57 goals held by the recently-retired Olivier Giroud.

Football World Cup 2026 | Unforgiving Mbappe shows glimpses of what may come as France beat Brazil in friendly

The Italian National football team will have a decisive Thursday (Mar 26) evening as they face Northern Ireland in a key clash in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Having missed out on the last two editions of the FIFA World Cup, Italy will have a major task in hand if they are to play in the upcoming edition, which starts in less than three months. So ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifier, here is all you need to know, including live streaming, squads and other key details.<h2>What happens if Italy lose?</h2>The FIFA World Cup 2026 playoff qualifiers in Europe are played over a single leg, meaning the tie will be decided on Thursday, even if it ends in a draw. So in case Italy lose, there will be no way back for the four-time FIFA World Cup winners and they will miss out on the prestigious tournament for the third straight occasion.&nbsp;However, a win will only see them advance to the playoff final, which takes place on Sunday evening.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a><h2>How to watch?</h2>The match will be shown live on BBC Three in the UK, Paramount in the U.S., SonyLIV in India and Stan Sport in Australia. The match will be live on Sony Sports Network on India&nbsp;<h2>Key Details</h2>Kick-off time: Thursday, March 26 at 7:45 p.m. GMT (2:45 p.m. ET; 1:15 a.m. IST, Friday and 5:45 a.m. AEST, Friday).Venue: Stadio di Bergamo, ItalyReferee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)VAR: Pol van Boekel (Netherlands)&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a><h2>Injury and Team News</h2><h3>Italy</h3>Federico Chiesa, F: OUT, discomfortGianluca Scamacca, F: OUT, muscleGianluca Mancini, D: DOUBTSandro Tonali, M: DOUBT<h3>Northern Ireland</h3>Alistair McCann, M: OUT, ankleDan Ballard, D: OUT, hamstringConor Bradley, D: OUT, knee

Having missed out on the last two editions of the FIFA World Cup, Italy will have a major task in hand if they are to play in the upcoming edition, which starts in less than three months.

The Italian National football team will have a decisive Thursday (Mar 26) evening as they face Northern Ireland in a key clash in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Having missed out on the last two editions of the FIFA World Cup, Italy will have a major task in hand if they are to play in the upcoming edition, which starts in less than three months. So ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifier, here is all you need to know, including live streaming, squads and other key details. What happens if Italy lose? The FIFA World Cup 2026 playoff qualifiers in Europe are played over a single leg, meaning the tie will be decided on Thursday, even if it ends in a draw. So in case Italy lose, there will be no way back for the four-time FIFA World Cup winners and they will miss out on the prestigious tournament for the third straight occasion. However, a win will only see them advance to the playoff final, which takes place on Sunday evening. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions How to watch? The match will be shown live on BBC Three in the UK, Paramount in the U.S., SonyLIV in India and Stan Sport in Australia. The match will be live on Sony Sports Network on India Key Details Kick-off time: Thursday, March 26 at 7:45 p.m. GMT (2:45 p.m. ET; 1:15 a.m. IST, Friday and 5:45 a.m. AEST, Friday). Venue: Stadio di Bergamo, Italy Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands) VAR: Pol van Boekel (Netherlands) ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL Injury and Team News Italy Federico Chiesa, F: OUT, discomfort Gianluca Scamacca, F: OUT, muscle Gianluca Mancini, D: DOUBT Sandro Tonali, M: DOUBT Northern Ireland Alistair McCann, M: OUT, ankle Dan Ballard, D: OUT, hamstring Conor Bradley, D: OUT, knee

Having missed out on the last two editions of the FIFA World Cup, Italy will have a major task in hand if they are to play in the upcoming edition, which starts in less than three months.

FIFA World Cup qualifiers: Italy vs Northern Ireland TV channel, kick-off time, live stream, injury, team news

The football world cup is less than 100 days away and the USA, which is co-hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico, has made it a bit difficult for fans as well as athletes to attend the matches. The tournament begins June 11 and goes on till July 19 with the US hosting majority of matches in the 48-team event. In its latest order, the Trump administration had expanded the pilot policy of asking travelers to front up a bond ($5000-$15000) before entering the country. The policy, which started back in 2025 to curb illegal immigration, has now been extended to 50 more countries and five of them have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026.<h2>Fans and athletes of which country need to pay bond to enter US for FIFA World Cup 2026?</h2>In its new order, the US State department has expanded the 2025 policy of asking a visa bond from travelers of 50 countries to exit the US under visa terms. Five of those countries are Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Tunisia - all from Africa and qualified to play in the World Cup 2026. The bond is worth $15,000 and will be refunded when the traveler exists the country. Not only fans but the athletes and officials will also have to pay the bond money to secure their entry in the USA.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-world-cup-2026-fifa-cancels-thousands-of-hotel-rooms-in-us-host-city-of-philadelphia-1774423117503">Football World Cup 2026 | FIFA cancels 2,000 hotel rooms in US's Philadelphia</a><h2>How does it affect the participation of countries?</h2>The five African countries which fall under the new rule from US State department are in low-income bracket. While the athletes and match officials may manage to secure the entry, thanks to funds by their football federation, it could be difficult for the fans to secure entry in the USA to watch their home country play.Tunisia have one group-stage match scheduled in the USA and rest two will be played in Mexico. Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire have two matches, in the group-stage, scheduled in the USA and one in Canada. Algeria and Cape Verde, meanwhile, play all their three group-stage matches in Mexico but might have to pay the visa bond if they advance to next stage.

In its new order, the US State department has expanded the 2025 policy of asking a visa bond from travelers of 50 countries to exit the US under visa terms. Five of those countries are Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal & Tunisia - all from Africa & qualified to play in the World Cup 2026.

The football world cup is less than 100 days away and the USA, which is co-hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico, has made it a bit difficult for fans as well as athletes to attend the matches. The tournament begins June 11 and goes on till July 19 with the US hosting majority of matches in the 48-team event. In its latest order, the Trump administration had expanded the pilot policy of asking travelers to front up a bond ($5000-$15000) before entering the country. The policy, which started back in 2025 to curb illegal immigration, has now been extended to 50 more countries and five of them have qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Fans and athletes of which country need to pay bond to enter US for FIFA World Cup 2026? In its new order, the US State department has expanded the 2025 policy of asking a visa bond from travelers of 50 countries to exit the US under visa terms. Five of those countries are Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Tunisia - all from Africa and qualified to play in the World Cup 2026. The bond is worth $15,000 and will be refunded when the traveler exists the country. Not only fans but the athletes and officials will also have to pay the bond money to secure their entry in the USA. Also Read - Football World Cup 2026 | FIFA cancels 2,000 hotel rooms in US's Philadelphia How does it affect the participation of countries? The five African countries which fall under the new rule from US State department are in low-income bracket. While the athletes and match officials may manage to secure the entry, thanks to funds by their football federation, it could be difficult for the fans to secure entry in the USA to watch their home country play. Tunisia have one group-stage match scheduled in the USA and rest two will be played in Mexico. Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire have two matches, in the group-stage, scheduled in the USA and one in Canada. Algeria and Cape Verde, meanwhile, play all their three group-stage matches in Mexico but might have to pay the visa bond if they advance to next stage.

In its new order, the US State department has expanded the 2025 policy of asking a visa bond from travelers of 50 countries to exit the US under visa terms. Five of those countries are Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Tunisia - all from Africa and qualified to play in the World Cup 2026.

Football World Cup 2026 | US entry to cost $15,000 for players and fans of five African nations

From Harry Kane to Mohamed Salah here is a look at five players with most goals for single Premier League side. The list also features the likes of Sergio Aguero, Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry with Salah announcing his Liverpool exit. 

From Harry Kane to Mohamed Salah here is a look at five players with most goals for single Premier League side. The list also features the likes of Sergio Aguero, Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry with Salah announcing his Liverpool exit.&nbsp;

From Harry Kane to Mohamed Salah, 5 players with most goals for single Premier League side

From Sir Alex Ferguson to Arsene Wenger here is a look at five longest managerial reigns in Premier League history for one club only. The legendary list also consists of names like David Moyes, Jurgen Klopp and Joe Kinnear. 

From Sir Alex Ferguson to Arsene Wenger here is a look at five longest managerial reigns in Premier League history for one club only. The legendary list also consists of names like David Moyes, Jurgen Klopp and Joe Kinnear.&nbsp;

Meet 5 managers with longest managerial reigns in Premier League history, ft. Arsene Wenger (one club only)

With less than 100 days left before the football World Cup 2026 begins on Jun 11, the game's apex governing body FIFA has cancelled couple of thousands of room in one of the host cities - Philadelphia, USA. The 48-team tournament is being co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The move to cancel the room reservations, if FIFA is to be believed, is standard practice i order to streamline things near the start the of the event. The move, nonetheless, is a setback for hotels in Philadelphia which would now hope for fans to fill up the vacant accomodations.<h2>Why did FIFA cancel hotel rooms in Philadelphia?</h2>FIFA cancelling the reserved room in Philadelphia is nothing more than a standard pratices. The governing body of football had booked nearly 10,000 rooms but has cancelled only 2,000 after getting clarity about requirement as the tournament nears. The rooms were booked for various match officials and other members of crew including technicians to ensure a smooth conduct of the event. The cancellations are standard practice after overbooking intially to avoid the scarcity later on.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026-us-host-cities-struggling-with-security-planning-over-funding-freeze-1772117431421">FIFA World Cup 2026 | US host cities struggling with planning over funding freeze</a>According to Ed Grose, president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association, four Centre City hotels were most affected by FIFA's cancellations. Gorse, however, confirmed that everything was done under terms contract by FIFA and no penalties will be levied on the football organization.While we were not excited about that, it's not the end of the world either," Grose said as reported by ABC's Action News. "These are rooms that are going to be put back out on the marketplace and sold to fans who want to come to Philadelphia."<h2>Which cities in the USA are hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches?</h2>The FIFA World Cup 2026 starts June 11 with the US hosting the first match on June 12 in Los Angeles and 15 other cities as the host for 77 other matches. The cities in the US which will be hosting the FIFA World Cup, apart from LA, are Atlanta, Dallas, Boston, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, and San Francisco Bay Area.

FIFA cancelling the reserved room in Philadelphia is nothing more than a standard pratices. The governing body of football had booked nearly 10,000 rooms but has cancelled only 2,000 after getting clarity about requirement as the tournament nears.

With less than 100 days left before the football World Cup 2026 begins on Jun 11, the game's apex governing body FIFA has cancelled couple of thousands of room in one of the host cities - Philadelphia, USA. The 48-team tournament is being co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The move to cancel the room reservations, if FIFA is to be believed, is standard practice i order to streamline things near the start the of the event. The move, nonetheless, is a setback for hotels in Philadelphia which would now hope for fans to fill up the vacant accomodations. Why did FIFA cancel hotel rooms in Philadelphia? FIFA cancelling the reserved room in Philadelphia is nothing more than a standard pratices. The governing body of football had booked nearly 10,000 rooms but has cancelled only 2,000 after getting clarity about requirement as the tournament nears. The rooms were booked for various match officials and other members of crew including technicians to ensure a smooth conduct of the event. The cancellations are standard practice after overbooking intially to avoid the scarcity later on. Also Read - FIFA World Cup 2026 | US host cities struggling with planning over funding freeze According to Ed Grose, president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association, four Centre City hotels were most affected by FIFA's cancellations. Gorse, however, confirmed that everything was done under terms contract by FIFA and no penalties will be levied on the football organization. While we were not excited about that, it's not the end of the world either," Grose said as reported by ABC's Action News. "These are rooms that are going to be put back out on the marketplace and sold to fans who want to come to Philadelphia." Which cities in the USA are hosting FIFA World Cup 2026 matches? The FIFA World Cup 2026 starts June 11 with the US hosting the first match on June 12 in Los Angeles and 15 other cities as the host for 77 other matches. The cities in the US which will be hosting the FIFA World Cup, apart from LA, are Atlanta, Dallas, Boston, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, and San Francisco Bay Area.

FIFA cancelling the reserved room in Philadelphia is nothing more than a standard pratices. The governing body of football had booked nearly 10,000 rooms but has cancelled only 2,000 after getting clarity about requirement as the tournament nears.

Football World Cup 2026 | FIFA cancels thousands of hotel rooms in US host city of Philadelphia

Mohamed Salah will leave Premier League champions Liverpool at the end of the season, the Egypt forward announced on Tuesday as he started a farewell to what the club said were nine "illustrious" years at Anfield. The 33-year-old arrived at Anfield from Roma in 2017 before making 435 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 255 goals to leave him third on the Reds' all-time leading goalscorers chart behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt. Salah has also won the Premier League Golden Boot award on four occasions while starring for Liverpool in both their 2019/20 and 2024/25 title triumphs as well as lifting the 2019 Champions League trophy.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ecb-decides-to-not-sack-mccullum-after-ashses-debacle-review-and-stokes-f-g-love-it-1774330362059">ECB decides to not sack McCullum after Ashses debacle review</a>His Liverpool honours also include a Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups.But the currently injured Salah has scored just five Premier League goals so far this this season, compared with 29 in last term's title-winning campaign.And his Anfield future became the subject of intense speculation after a dramatic bust-up with Liverpool manager Arne Slot in December.He accused Liverpool of throwing him "under the bus" after he was benched for three games in a row and said he had no relationship with the Dutch boss.<h2>‘Unfortunately, the day has come’</h2>Salah, in a video on social media featuring highlights of his time with Liverpool, said: "Hello everyone. Unfortunately, the day has come."This is the first part of my farewell. I will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season."I wanted to start by saying that I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people would become part of my life. Liverpool is not just a football club."It's a passion, it's a history, it's a spirit. I can't explain in words to anyone not of this club."Salah, who in common with many Liverpool players and staff was deeply affected by the death of team-mate Diogo Jota in a car crash in July, added: "We celebrated victory, we won the most important trophies and we fought together through the hardest time in our life."I want to thank everyone who was part of this club throughout my time here, especially the team-mates past and present."And to the fans, I don't have enough words. The support you showed me through the best time of my career, and you stood by me in the toughest times. It's something I will never forget and something I will take with me always."Leaving is never easy. You gave me the best time of my life. I will be always one of you. This club will always be my home, to me and to my family."Thank you for everything. Because of all of you, I will never walk alone," insisted Salah in a reference to the Liverpool fans' chant.<h2>‘Second to none’</h2>Salah's agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, tried to quieten speculation about the future of his client, now a free agent at the end of the season, with an X post that read: "We do not know where Mohamed will play next season. This also means that no one else knows."Meanwhile Liverpool defender Andy Robertson, who signed for the club in the same transfer window as Salah in 2017, paid tribute to his team-mate."Mohamed, thank you," the Scotland defender wrote on Instagram. "Nine of the best years of our lives with amazing memories on and off the pitch. Watching you become the best at what you do and become one of the best to ever have worn the Liverpool shirt has been a joy to watch and be part of.Robertson added: "You deserve a send-off that reflects your status at LFC –- the greatest. Second to none."Liverpool said on their website: "Mohamed Salah is to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career with Liverpool at the end of the 2025-26 season."The forward has reached an agreement with the Reds that will see him close a remarkable nine-year chapter at Anfield."Salah was forced off at Anfield last week after scoring in Liverpool's 4-0 victory against Galatasary, which sealed their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.But injury meant he missed fifth-placed Liverpool's 2-1 loss at Brighton last weekend.

The 33-year-old arrived at Anfield from Roma in 2017 before making 435 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 255 goals to leave him third on the Reds' all-time leading goalscorers chart behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt. He also won Premier League Golden Boot award on four occasions.

Mohamed Salah will leave Premier League champions Liverpool at the end of the season, the Egypt forward announced on Tuesday as he started a farewell to what the club said were nine "illustrious" years at Anfield. The 33-year-old arrived at Anfield from Roma in 2017 before making 435 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 255 goals to leave him third on the Reds' all-time leading goalscorers chart behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt. Salah has also won the Premier League Golden Boot award on four occasions while starring for Liverpool in both their 2019/20 and 2024/25 title triumphs as well as lifting the 2019 Champions League trophy. Also Read - ECB decides to not sack McCullum after Ashses debacle review His Liverpool honours also include a Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups. But the currently injured Salah has scored just five Premier League goals so far this this season, compared with 29 in last term's title-winning campaign. And his Anfield future became the subject of intense speculation after a dramatic bust-up with Liverpool manager Arne Slot in December. He accused Liverpool of throwing him "under the bus" after he was benched for three games in a row and said he had no relationship with the Dutch boss. ‘Unfortunately, the day has come’ Salah, in a video on social media featuring highlights of his time with Liverpool, said: "Hello everyone. Unfortunately, the day has come. "This is the first part of my farewell. I will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. "I wanted to start by saying that I never imagined how deeply this club, this city, these people would become part of my life. Liverpool is not just a football club. "It's a passion, it's a history, it's a spirit. I can't explain in words to anyone not of this club." Salah, who in common with many Liverpool players and staff was deeply affected by the death of team-mate Diogo Jota in a car crash in July, added: "We celebrated victory, we won the most important trophies and we fought together through the hardest time in our life. "I want to thank everyone who was part of this club throughout my time here, especially the team-mates past and present. "And to the fans, I don't have enough words. The support you showed me through the best time of my career, and you stood by me in the toughest times. It's something I will never forget and something I will take with me always. "Leaving is never easy. You gave me the best time of my life. I will be always one of you. This club will always be my home, to me and to my family. "Thank you for everything. Because of all of you, I will never walk alone," insisted Salah in a reference to the Liverpool fans' chant. ‘Second to none’ Salah's agent, Ramy Abbas Issa, tried to quieten speculation about the future of his client, now a free agent at the end of the season, with an X post that read: "We do not know where Mohamed will play next season. This also means that no one else knows." Meanwhile Liverpool defender Andy Robertson, who signed for the club in the same transfer window as Salah in 2017, paid tribute to his team-mate. "Mohamed, thank you," the Scotland defender wrote on Instagram. "Nine of the best years of our lives with amazing memories on and off the pitch. Watching you become the best at what you do and become one of the best to ever have worn the Liverpool shirt has been a joy to watch and be part of. Robertson added: "You deserve a send-off that reflects your status at LFC –- the greatest. Second to none." Liverpool said on their website: "Mohamed Salah is to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career with Liverpool at the end of the 2025-26 season. "The forward has reached an agreement with the Reds that will see him close a remarkable nine-year chapter at Anfield." Salah was forced off at Anfield last week after scoring in Liverpool's 4-0 victory against Galatasary, which sealed their place in the Champions League quarter-finals. But injury meant he missed fifth-placed Liverpool's 2-1 loss at Brighton last weekend.

The 33-year-old arrived at Anfield from Roma in 2017 before making 435 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 255 goals to leave him third on the Reds' all-time leading goalscorers chart behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt. He also won Premier League Golden Boot award on four occasions.

'The day has come': Mohamed Salah announces exit from Liverpool after ongoing season

Nico O'Reilly’s double proved decisive as Man City beat Arsenal to win their ninth Carabao Cup title on Sunday (Mar 23). Playing at the historic Wembley Stadium, Man City beat Arsenal 2-0 as O'Reilly’s two goals in four minutes in the second half made the difference to see Man City extend their dominance in the cup competition. For Arsenal, their dream of lifting a domestic treble and an unlikely quadruple took a dent, while they still lead the Premier League title race by nine points.<h2>Man City lift ninth title</h2>Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa already had a tortured relationship with the League Cup and the Spaniard's latest mishap in the tournament's showpiece proved decisive. Allowing Rayan Cherki's cross to slip through his fingers, Kepa presented O'Reilly with the chance to put City ahead in the second half. O'Reilly struck again just four minutes later to seal City's ninth League Cup, giving boss Pep Guardiola a record fifth triumph in the competition.&nbsp;Mikel Arteta chose to ignore Kepa's League Cup history when he selected the former Chelsea keeper instead of first-choice David Raya, but the gamble backfired spectacularly. Playing for Chelsea in the 2019 final, he infamously refused to be substituted just before the shoot-out, then failed to save a single kick, while in the 2022 defeat against Liverpool, he missed a penalty in a shoot-out.&nbsp;Arsenal's failure to win the first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup was a painful blow, ending their bid to land an unprecedented quadruple. They paid the price for Arteta's unnecessarily conservative tactics, but the season is far from over for the north Londoners. They remain firmly in control of their bid for a first English title since 2004, while also facing Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals and Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League quarter-finals.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-rohit-sharma-to-sanju-samson-5-highest-individual-score-in-a-lost-chase-in-ipl-yusuf-pathan-kl-rahul-shaun-marsh-ipl-2026-1774084136030">From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL</a>&nbsp;After failing to win silverware last season and falling well behind Arsenal in this season's Premier League title race, this was a vital success for City, coming just days after their Champions League last-16 exit against Real Madrid. Guardiola has yet to confirm whether he will remain at City next season after another season of speculation that this could be his latest campaign in Manchester. But the Spaniard's frenzied celebration of his 15th major trophy at City suggested his passion is undimmed.&nbsp;Now Guardiola can focus on using City's first win over Arsenal since 2023 as a springboard to close the nine-point gap on the Premier League leaders. James Trafford started in goal for City instead of regular first-choice Gianluigi Donnarumma and the understudy quickly repaid Guardiola's faith with a sensational triple save.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-cameron-green-to-liam-livingstone-5-most-expensive-players-in-ipl-2026-auctions-matheesha-pathirana-kartik-sharma-prashant-veer-1774031148132">From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions</a>&nbsp;Kai Havertz was presented with a golden opportunity by Martin Zubimendi's deft pass. But Trafford spread himself to block the German's close-range shot before using his chest and then his outstretched foot to twice deny Bukayo Saka from the rebound. Arsenal stifled City with their well-drilled pressing but showed little creativity after that initial burst.&nbsp;Even the Gunners' trademark dominance at set-pieces was absent and City fans chanted 'boring, boring Arsenal' after Piero Hincapie nodded over from Saka's corner. City were transformed in the second half, tormenting Arsenal with a spell of unrelenting pressure.

Playing at the historic Wembley Stadium, Man City beat Arsenal 2-0 as OReilly two goals in four minutes in the second half made the difference to see Man City extend their dominance in the cup competition.

Nico O'Reilly’s double proved decisive as Man City beat Arsenal to win their ninth Carabao Cup title on Sunday (Mar 23). Playing at the historic Wembley Stadium, Man City beat Arsenal 2-0 as O'Reilly’s two goals in four minutes in the second half made the difference to see Man City extend their dominance in the cup competition. For Arsenal, their dream of lifting a domestic treble and an unlikely quadruple took a dent, while they still lead the Premier League title race by nine points. Man City lift ninth title Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa already had a tortured relationship with the League Cup and the Spaniard's latest mishap in the tournament's showpiece proved decisive. Allowing Rayan Cherki's cross to slip through his fingers, Kepa presented O'Reilly with the chance to put City ahead in the second half. O'Reilly struck again just four minutes later to seal City's ninth League Cup, giving boss Pep Guardiola a record fifth triumph in the competition. Mikel Arteta chose to ignore Kepa's League Cup history when he selected the former Chelsea keeper instead of first-choice David Raya, but the gamble backfired spectacularly. Playing for Chelsea in the 2019 final, he infamously refused to be substituted just before the shoot-out, then failed to save a single kick, while in the 2022 defeat against Liverpool, he missed a penalty in a shoot-out. Arsenal's failure to win the first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup was a painful blow, ending their bid to land an unprecedented quadruple. They paid the price for Arteta's unnecessarily conservative tactics, but the season is far from over for the north Londoners. They remain firmly in control of their bid for a first English title since 2004, while also facing Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals and Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League quarter-finals. ALSO READ | From Rohit Sharma to Sanju Samson, 5 highest individual scores in a lost chase in IPL After failing to win silverware last season and falling well behind Arsenal in this season's Premier League title race, this was a vital success for City, coming just days after their Champions League last-16 exit against Real Madrid. Guardiola has yet to confirm whether he will remain at City next season after another season of speculation that this could be his latest campaign in Manchester. But the Spaniard's frenzied celebration of his 15th major trophy at City suggested his passion is undimmed. Now Guardiola can focus on using City's first win over Arsenal since 2023 as a springboard to close the nine-point gap on the Premier League leaders. James Trafford started in goal for City instead of regular first-choice Gianluigi Donnarumma and the understudy quickly repaid Guardiola's faith with a sensational triple save. ALSO READ | From Cameron Green to Liam Livingstone, 5 most expensive players in IPL 2026 auctions Kai Havertz was presented with a golden opportunity by Martin Zubimendi's deft pass. But Trafford spread himself to block the German's close-range shot before using his chest and then his outstretched foot to twice deny Bukayo Saka from the rebound. Arsenal stifled City with their well-drilled pressing but showed little creativity after that initial burst. Even the Gunners' trademark dominance at set-pieces was absent and City fans chanted 'boring, boring Arsenal' after Piero Hincapie nodded over from Saka's corner. City were transformed in the second half, tormenting Arsenal with a spell of unrelenting pressure.

Playing at the historic Wembley Stadium, Man City beat Arsenal 2-0 as O'Reilly’s two goals in four minutes in the second half made the difference to see Man City extend their dominance in the cup competition.

Nico O'Reilly brace sinks Arsenal as Man City lift ninth Carabao Cup title

Entering without a ticket in a football stadium in England will now be a punishable offense as the new laws are set to come into effect before Sunday’s Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City. The new law means fans entering the stadium without a valid ticket or any other illegal means would be charged under criminal offenses, including a ban of up to five years, as well as a fine of up to £1,000.Entering stadium without ticket will be an offense"Football fans should be able to enjoy the game without feeling unsafe or threatened," said policing minister Sarah Jones.&nbsp;"We're giving the police the tools they need to ensure the chaos we saw at Wembley five years ago never happens again.&nbsp;"Anyone who endangers others by forcing their way into stadiums faces serious consequences."&nbsp;In 2021 July, cases were reported of fans illegally entering Wembley premises for the European Championship final between hosts England and eventual champions England. The event marked a significant wake-up point for authorities as they started taking significant steps to curtail tailgating.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a>&nbsp;It will also be illegal to knowingly attempt to gain entry using forged tickets, passes and accreditation documents, or by posing as a member of staff.&nbsp;Until now, there have been no specific legal penalties for entering a football match without a ticket, with supporters who are caught doing so tending to be ejected without any further punishment.&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a>&nbsp;Sixty-nine arrests were made in relation to last year's Carabao Cup final, with the Metropolitan Police confirming at the time that the majority had been for trying to get into Wembley without a ticket. But until now, police could only charge a culprit with suspected fraud, making prosecution unlikely.&nbsp;The laws will come into effect before Sunday’s Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City, with fans now looking set to be aware of illegal means.

The new law means fans entering the stadium without a valid ticket or any other illegal means would be charged under criminal offenses, including a ban of up to five years, as well as a fine of up to £1,000.



Entering without a ticket in a football stadium in England will now be a punishable offense as the new laws are set to come into effect before Sunday’s Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City. The new law means fans entering the stadium without a valid ticket or any other illegal means would be charged under criminal offenses, including a ban of up to five years, as well as a fine of up to £1,000. Entering stadium without ticket will be an offense "Football fans should be able to enjoy the game without feeling unsafe or threatened," said policing minister Sarah Jones. "We're giving the police the tools they need to ensure the chaos we saw at Wembley five years ago never happens again. "Anyone who endangers others by forcing their way into stadiums faces serious consequences." In 2021 July, cases were reported of fans illegally entering Wembley premises for the European Championship final between hosts England and eventual champions England. The event marked a significant wake-up point for authorities as they started taking significant steps to curtail tailgating. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds It will also be illegal to knowingly attempt to gain entry using forged tickets, passes and accreditation documents, or by posing as a member of staff. Until now, there have been no specific legal penalties for entering a football match without a ticket, with supporters who are caught doing so tending to be ejected without any further punishment. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli Sixty-nine arrests were made in relation to last year's Carabao Cup final, with the Metropolitan Police confirming at the time that the majority had been for trying to get into Wembley without a ticket. But until now, police could only charge a culprit with suspected fraud, making prosecution unlikely. The laws will come into effect before Sunday’s Carabao Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester City, with fans now looking set to be aware of illegal means.

The new law means fans entering the stadium without a valid ticket or any other illegal means would be charged under criminal offenses, including a ban of up to five years, as well as a fine of up to £1,000.

Entering football stadium without tickets to become criminal offense, here's what new laws state

It will be the final throw of the dice for 16 European teams as they look to book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America, as they prepare for the Playoffs. The final week of March will see 16 teams divided across four groups go head-to-head for a place in football’s ultimate showdown. So ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Playoffs in Europe, here is all you need to know, including fixtures, format, broadcast and other key details.<h2>What fixtures will take place in the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026?</h2>Path ASemifinal 1: Italy vs Northern IrelandSemifinal 2: Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina&nbsp;Path BSemifinal 3: Ukraine vs SwedenSemifinal 4: Poland vs Albania&nbsp;Path CSemifinal 5: Turkey vs RomaniaSemifinal 6: Slovakia vs Kosovo&nbsp;Path DSemifinal 7: Denmark vs North MacedoniaSemifinal 8: Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland<h2>When are the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026?</h2>The semifinal round of the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026 will take place on the week commencing on March 26 while the final will take place on the week commencing on March 31.&nbsp;&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a><h2>Where will be the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026?</h2>Teams have been seeded for both the semifinals in each path. Teams seeded in the semifinal will host the semifinal while draws have determined the format for the final of the final.&nbsp;&nbsp;Path A finalSemifinal 2 vs Semifinal 1&nbsp;Path B finalSemifinal 3 vs Semifinal 4&nbsp;Path C finalSemifinal 6 vs Semifinal 5&nbsp;Path D finalSemifinal 8 vs Semifinal 7<h2>What is the format of the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026?</h2>The UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026 will take place in a single leg format with seeded teams hosting the match. Draws have determined the team set to host the final and are mentioned above.&nbsp;&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a><h2>Which channel will broadcast the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026 in India?</h2>The UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026 in India will be broadcasted on the Sony Sports Network.&nbsp;<h2>Which platform will live stream the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026 in India?</h2>The UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026 in India will be telecasted on the Sony Liv App.&nbsp;

The final week of March will see 16 teams divided across four groups go head-to-head for a place in football’s ultimate showdown. So ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Playoffs in Europe, here is all you need to know, including fixtures, format, broadcast and other key details.

It will be the final throw of the dice for 16 European teams as they look to book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America, as they prepare for the Playoffs. The final week of March will see 16 teams divided across four groups go head-to-head for a place in football’s ultimate showdown. So ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Playoffs in Europe, here is all you need to know, including fixtures, format, broadcast and other key details. What fixtures will take place in the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026? Path A Semifinal 1: Italy vs Northern Ireland Semifinal 2: Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina Path B Semifinal 3: Ukraine vs Sweden Semifinal 4: Poland vs Albania Path C Semifinal 5: Turkey vs Romania Semifinal 6: Slovakia vs Kosovo Path D Semifinal 7: Denmark vs North Macedonia Semifinal 8: Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland When are the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026? The semifinal round of the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026 will take place on the week commencing on March 26 while the final will take place on the week commencing on March 31. ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli Where will be the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026? Teams have been seeded for both the semifinals in each path. Teams seeded in the semifinal will host the semifinal while draws have determined the format for the final of the final. Path A final Semifinal 2 vs Semifinal 1 Path B final Semifinal 3 vs Semifinal 4 Path C final Semifinal 6 vs Semifinal 5 Path D final Semifinal 8 vs Semifinal 7 What is the format of the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026? The UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026 will take place in a single leg format with seeded teams hosting the match. Draws have determined the team set to host the final and are mentioned above. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds Which channel will broadcast the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026 in India? The UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026 in India will be broadcasted on the Sony Sports Network. Which platform will live stream the UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026 in India? The UEFA Playoff qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026 in India will be telecasted on the Sony Liv App.

The final week of March will see 16 teams divided across four groups go head-to-head for a place in football’s ultimate showdown. So ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Playoffs in Europe, here is all you need to know, including fixtures, format, broadcast and other key details.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Playoff Qualifiers: Here's all you need to know - fixtures, teams, path, format, live streaming

Thomas Tuchel named his England squad for the upcoming pre-World Cup friendlies against Uruguay and Japan on Friday (Mar 20). There were two notable exclusions, with Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold missing out while Ollie Watkins was also given the cut. England will face Japan and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium in the final week of March in what will be the final international break before the 2026 FIFA World Cup starts in June in North America.<h2>Tuchel excludes key names</h2>In the squad announced, the England manager gave no room to the star defender who now plays in the Spanish capital. Tottenham’s Djed Spence and Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento have been given the nod in the 35-man squad. Reece James is injured and is likely to be back in the frame once fit during the World Cup.&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite naming 10 forwards in the squad, Watkins’s omission highlights the squad as he played a crucial role as back-up to Harry Kane in Euro 2024. He, in fact, scored the winner in the semifinal against the Netherlands to book a place in the final. &nbsp;&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-chris-gayle-to-brendon-mccullum-5-batters-to-score-fastest-t20-world-cup-hundreds-rilee-rossouw-ahmed-shehzad-1768553361691">From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds</a>&nbsp;Explaining his extraordinary squad selection, Tuchel said: "We decided to divide it into two camps, almost. We have a camp where we bring players in who we haven't seen, who haven't played so much, to open up the competition for plane tickets to the US.&nbsp;"From Friday/Saturday, a group will come into camp who have had a rest before. We will go with a new group of players into the match against Japan."&nbsp;ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/meet-indians-to-score-most-runs-in-each-of-last-5-t20-world-cups-ft-virat-kohli-kl-rahul-rohit-sharma-2026-t20-world-cup-1768479871185">Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli</a><h2>Full England squad list</h2>Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Aaron Ramsdale, Jason Steele.&nbsp;Defenders: Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Harry Maguire, Nico O'Reilly, Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori.&nbsp;Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, James Garner, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Adam Wharton.&nbsp;Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Dominic Solanke.

In the squad announced on Friday (Mar 20), England manager Thomas Tuchel gave no room to the star defender Trent Alexander-Arnold who now plays for Real Madrid. Tottenham’s Djed Spence and Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento have been given the nod in the 35-man squad. 

Thomas Tuchel named his England squad for the upcoming pre-World Cup friendlies against Uruguay and Japan on Friday (Mar 20). There were two notable exclusions, with Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold missing out while Ollie Watkins was also given the cut. England will face Japan and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium in the final week of March in what will be the final international break before the 2026 FIFA World Cup starts in June in North America. Tuchel excludes key names In the squad announced, the England manager gave no room to the star defender who now plays in the Spanish capital. Tottenham’s Djed Spence and Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento have been given the nod in the 35-man squad. Reece James is injured and is likely to be back in the frame once fit during the World Cup. Despite naming 10 forwards in the squad, Watkins’s omission highlights the squad as he played a crucial role as back-up to Harry Kane in Euro 2024. He, in fact, scored the winner in the semifinal against the Netherlands to book a place in the final. ALSO READ | From Chris Gayle to Brendon McCullum, 5 batters to score fastest T20 World Cup hundreds Explaining his extraordinary squad selection, Tuchel said: "We decided to divide it into two camps, almost. We have a camp where we bring players in who we haven't seen, who haven't played so much, to open up the competition for plane tickets to the US. "From Friday/Saturday, a group will come into camp who have had a rest before. We will go with a new group of players into the match against Japan." ALSO READ | Meet Indians to score most runs in each of last 5 T20 World Cups ft Virat Kohli Full England squad list Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Aaron Ramsdale, Jason Steele. Defenders: Dan Burn, Marc Guehi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Harry Maguire, Nico O'Reilly, Jarell Quansah, Djed Spence, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori. Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, James Garner, Jordan Henderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Adam Wharton. Forwards: Jarrod Bowen, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Dominic Solanke.

In the squad announced on Friday (Mar 20), England manager Thomas Tuchel gave no room to the star defender Trent Alexander-Arnold who now plays for Real Madrid. Tottenham’s Djed Spence and Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento have been given the nod in the 35-man squad.&nbsp;

Thomas Tuchel names England squad for pre-World Cup friendlies; Trent, Watkins excluded

FIFA fined the Israeli Football Association (IFA) 150,000 Swiss francs ($190,700) on Thursday for "multiple breaches" of its anti-discrimination obligations. A report by the disciplinary committee of world football's governing body found the IFA "failed to take meaningful action against Beitar Jerusalem" for "persistent and well-documented racist behaviour". In October 2024, the Palestine Football Association reported allegations of discrimination by the IFA to FIFA, which initiated an investigation. FIFA did not opt for the sanction requested by the Palestinian FA, which argued for a suspension of the IFA.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-we-ll-boycott-america-but-iran-clears-stance-on-fifa-world-cup-2026-participation-1773909607242">'We'll boycott America, but...': Iran on FIFA World Cup 2026 participation</a>But the IFA was found to have failed to "abide by FIFA's statutory objectives", in a lengthy decision published by its disciplinary committee, which listed several racist incidents in Israeli football.The disciplinary committee highlighted "deficient and substantively inadequate" sanctions against Israeli club Beitar for racist and discriminatory behaviour."Supporters have engaged in persistent and well-documented racist behaviour," the report said of Beitar fans."The club's use of slogans such as 'forever pure', and the repeated chanting of ethnic slurs such as 'terrorist' directed at Arab players are not isolated incidents but rather form part of a systemic pattern of conduct that offends the basic rules of decent behaviour and brings the sport into disrepute."The committee underlined that said club is only a small example of a general failure by the IFA."The IFA was issued with a warning and was ordered to display a "significant and highly visible banner" at its next three FIFA competition home matches, stating "Football Unites the World - No to Discrimination".The IFA will also have to invest one-third of the fine towards implementing a plan to "ensure action against discrimination and to prevent repeated incidents".The report also said that the IFA's failure to respond to "political and militaristic messaging" by the CEO of the Israeli professional league and by Maccabi Netanya "further compounds its breach"."The IFA has made no public statements condemning racism, has not launched any Anti Discrimination campaigns, and has not taken steps to foster inclusion of Arab or Palestinian players," the report continued.“It has not used its platform to promote peace or to counteract the politicisation of football by affiliated clubs and officials.”<h2>'No action' over Israeli teams in West Bank</h2>After a separate investigation, FIFA announced no action would be taken against the IFA over allegations that Israeli clubs based in the occupied West Bank were taking part in Israel's leagues."FIFA should take no action given that, in the context of the interpretation of the relevant provisions of the FIFA statutes, the final legal status of the West Bank remains an unresolved and highly complex matter under public international law," FIFA's governance, audit and compliance committee said in a statement.In 2024, United Nations experts -- mandated by the Human Rights Council but not speaking on behalf of the UN -- said at least eight football clubs had been identified as playing in "Israeli colonial settlements" and called on FIFA to "fulfil its responsibility to respect human rights"."The autonomy and self-regulation in sport must not be detrimental to fundamental human rights," the experts said.In addition to roughly three million Palestinians, more than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements and outposts in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law.

IFA was found to have failed to "abide by FIFA's statutory objectives", in a lengthy decision published by its disciplinary committee, which listed several racist incidents in Israeli football.

FIFA fined the Israeli Football Association (IFA) 150,000 Swiss francs ($190,700) on Thursday for "multiple breaches" of its anti-discrimination obligations. A report by the disciplinary committee of world football's governing body found the IFA "failed to take meaningful action against Beitar Jerusalem" for "persistent and well-documented racist behaviour". In October 2024, the Palestine Football Association reported allegations of discrimination by the IFA to FIFA, which initiated an investigation. FIFA did not opt for the sanction requested by the Palestinian FA, which argued for a suspension of the IFA. Also Read - 'We'll boycott America, but...': Iran on FIFA World Cup 2026 participation But the IFA was found to have failed to "abide by FIFA's statutory objectives", in a lengthy decision published by its disciplinary committee, which listed several racist incidents in Israeli football. The disciplinary committee highlighted "deficient and substantively inadequate" sanctions against Israeli club Beitar for racist and discriminatory behaviour. "Supporters have engaged in persistent and well-documented racist behaviour," the report said of Beitar fans. "The club's use of slogans such as 'forever pure', and the repeated chanting of ethnic slurs such as 'terrorist' directed at Arab players are not isolated incidents but rather form part of a systemic pattern of conduct that offends the basic rules of decent behaviour and brings the sport into disrepute. "The committee underlined that said club is only a small example of a general failure by the IFA." The IFA was issued with a warning and was ordered to display a "significant and highly visible banner" at its next three FIFA competition home matches, stating "Football Unites the World - No to Discrimination". The IFA will also have to invest one-third of the fine towards implementing a plan to "ensure action against discrimination and to prevent repeated incidents". The report also said that the IFA's failure to respond to "political and militaristic messaging" by the CEO of the Israeli professional league and by Maccabi Netanya "further compounds its breach". "The IFA has made no public statements condemning racism, has not launched any Anti Discrimination campaigns, and has not taken steps to foster inclusion of Arab or Palestinian players," the report continued. “It has not used its platform to promote peace or to counteract the politicisation of football by affiliated clubs and officials.” 'No action' over Israeli teams in West Bank After a separate investigation, FIFA announced no action would be taken against the IFA over allegations that Israeli clubs based in the occupied West Bank were taking part in Israel's leagues. "FIFA should take no action given that, in the context of the interpretation of the relevant provisions of the FIFA statutes, the final legal status of the West Bank remains an unresolved and highly complex matter under public international law," FIFA's governance, audit and compliance committee said in a statement. In 2024, United Nations experts -- mandated by the Human Rights Council but not speaking on behalf of the UN -- said at least eight football clubs had been identified as playing in "Israeli colonial settlements" and called on FIFA to "fulfil its responsibility to respect human rights". "The autonomy and self-regulation in sport must not be detrimental to fundamental human rights," the experts said. In addition to roughly three million Palestinians, more than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements and outposts in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law.

IFA was found to have failed to "abide by FIFA's statutory objectives", in a lengthy decision published by its disciplinary committee, which listed several racist incidents in Israeli football.

FIFA reprimands Israeli Football Association for breaching anti-discrimination objectives

The uncertainty over Iran's participation in upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 continues amid the ongoing conflict between US-Israel-Iran. on Wednesday (Mar 18), Iran's football federation chief Mehadi Taj, while receving the women footballers returning from Asian Cup in Australia, reaffirmed that the country will not boycott the quadrennial event. Taj, however, did say that Iran will 'boycott America' but did not elaborate what it meant. FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be played from Jun 11 to Jul 12 and is being co-hosted by USA, Canada, and Mexico. The ongoing conflict between Iran and US-Israel, however, has made it doubtful for the Middle Eastern country to participate in the FIFA tournament.<h2>Will Iran play in FIFA World Cup 2026?</h2>"The national team is holding a training camp in Turkey, and we will also play two friendly matches there," FFIRI (Iranian football federation) president Taj was quoted as saying by the Fars News ‌Agency as reported by several news outlets. "We will boycott America, but we will not boycott ​the World Cup."Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/iranian-women-s-team-players-including-those-who-were-granted-assylum-in-australia-return-home-1773898903204">Iranian women's football team players return hom after Austalian asylum episode</a>The statement comes after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-world-cup-2026-fifa-not-moving-iran-s-matches-outside-usa-and-expect-teams-to-as-announced-schedule-1773827419514">FIFA hinted at not giving importance to Iran's demand</a> of moving group stage matches outside USA for which the Middle Eastern country said it was 'negotiating with FIFA.'<h2>What next for Iran?</h2>Earlier, Iran was hinting at not attending the FIFA World Cup, citing the conflict which started with US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on Feb 28, killing the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenie. Trump, meanwhile, replied back by saying he 'doesn't care' if Iran plays in the World Cup.FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, meanwhile, said that he had spoken to the US president and Trump had assured him of 'welcoming' Iran. The US, notably, had banned the Iran nationals from coming in to the country with an exception for FIFA World Cup 2026 and LA 28 athletes.

FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be played from Jun 11 to Jul 12 and is being co-hosted by USA, Canada, and Mexico. The ongoing conflict between Iran and US-Israel, however, has made it doubtful for the Middle Eastern country to participate in the FIFA tournament.

The uncertainty over Iran's participation in upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 continues amid the ongoing conflict between US-Israel-Iran. on Wednesday (Mar 18), Iran's football federation chief Mehadi Taj, while receving the women footballers returning from Asian Cup in Australia, reaffirmed that the country will not boycott the quadrennial event. Taj, however, did say that Iran will 'boycott America' but did not elaborate what it meant. FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be played from Jun 11 to Jul 12 and is being co-hosted by USA, Canada, and Mexico. The ongoing conflict between Iran and US-Israel, however, has made it doubtful for the Middle Eastern country to participate in the FIFA tournament. Will Iran play in FIFA World Cup 2026? "The national team is holding a training camp in Turkey, and we will also play two friendly matches there," FFIRI (Iranian football federation) president Taj was quoted as saying by the Fars News ‌Agency as reported by several news outlets. "We will boycott America, but we will not boycott the World Cup." Also Read - Iranian women's football team players return hom after Austalian asylum episode The statement comes after FIFA hinted at not giving importance to Iran's demand of moving group stage matches outside USA for which the Middle Eastern country said it was 'negotiating with FIFA.' What next for Iran? Earlier, Iran was hinting at not attending the FIFA World Cup, citing the conflict which started with US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on Feb 28, killing the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenie. Trump, meanwhile, replied back by saying he 'doesn't care' if Iran plays in the World Cup. FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, meanwhile, said that he had spoken to the US president and Trump had assured him of 'welcoming' Iran. The US, notably, had banned the Iran nationals from coming in to the country with an exception for FIFA World Cup 2026 and LA 28 athletes.

FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be played from Jun 11 to Jul 12 and is being co-hosted by USA, Canada, and Mexico. The ongoing conflict between Iran and US-Israel, however, has made it doubtful for the Middle Eastern country to participate in the FIFA tournament.

'We'll boycott America, but...': Iran clears stance on FIFA World Cup 2026 participation

The Iranian women's football team, who was embroiled in asylum drama over the past two weeks and a half, has returned home barring two members of the entourage. Seven members of the Iranian squad had applied for a asylum in Australia during the Asian Cup but five of them, including skipper Zahra Ghanbari, turned back on the decision. The women's team made its way back to Iran through a long route via Malaysia, Oman and then to Istanbul and Turkey’s land Gurbulak-Bazargan border to enter the home country. The members, who were branded 'wartime traitors' by national media not so long ago, will now have a welcome ceremony on Thursday (Mar 19).<h2>Iranian women's football team members go back on Australia asylum - A timeline</h2>The whole drama started when some of the members didn't sing the national athem ahead of their first match in the tournament. The players who did not sing the national anthem were declared 'wartime traitors' &nbsp;by the Iranian national media. The players did sing the anthem in the next matches but the narrative had been set by then.Also Watch - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-messi-reaches-900-goal-milestone-breakdown-of-his-career-in-numbers-1773886740778">Messi reaches 900-goal mark but Inter Miami out of CONCACAF Champions Cup</a>After the incident, five of the Iranian players escaped the Gold Coast hotel to reach Australian embassy and apply for asylum, which they were granted after a little push from US President Donald Trump.Two more of the squad members including one staff applied for the asylum later on and were granted the request as well.Iran accused Australia of coercing athletes into asylum while activists accused Iran of thretaning the families of athletes over asylum decision.<h2>What next for the women's football team members?</h2>After the athletes were given asylum, Iran changed tone and called the players 'children of homeland', promising a welcome ceremony in Tehran.Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, in a post on X, said the players are "children of the homeland, and the people of Iran embrace them."Ghalibaf also said that the players "disappointed the enemies [of Iran] and did not surrender to deception and intimidation by anti-Iran elements," by deciding to comeback to home.Iran's football federation chief Mehadi Taj was present to welcome the women's team at the border and was quoted saying: "We have all gathered here to say well done and to express our appreciation. Although they are women, they showed manly courage and strength," as reported by the Guardian.

The whole drama started when some of the Iran players didn't sing the national athem ahead of their first match in the tournament. Out of 7 who were granted asylum in Australia, 5 decided to return home, leaving only two in island country.

The Iranian women's football team, who was embroiled in asylum drama over the past two weeks and a half, has returned home barring two members of the entourage. Seven members of the Iranian squad had applied for a asylum in Australia during the Asian Cup but five of them, including skipper Zahra Ghanbari, turned back on the decision. The women's team made its way back to Iran through a long route via Malaysia, Oman and then to Istanbul and Turkey’s land Gurbulak-Bazargan border to enter the home country. The members, who were branded 'wartime traitors' by national media not so long ago, will now have a welcome ceremony on Thursday (Mar 19). Iranian women's football team members go back on Australia asylum - A timeline The whole drama started when some of the members didn't sing the national athem ahead of their first match in the tournament. The players who did not sing the national anthem were declared 'wartime traitors' by the Iranian national media. The players did sing the anthem in the next matches but the narrative had been set by then. Also Watch - Messi reaches 900-goal mark but Inter Miami out of CONCACAF Champions Cup After the incident, five of the Iranian players escaped the Gold Coast hotel to reach Australian embassy and apply for asylum, which they were granted after a little push from US President Donald Trump. Two more of the squad members including one staff applied for the asylum later on and were granted the request as well. Iran accused Australia of coercing athletes into asylum while activists accused Iran of thretaning the families of athletes over asylum decision. What next for the women's football team members? After the athletes were given asylum, Iran changed tone and called the players 'children of homeland', promising a welcome ceremony in Tehran. Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, in a post on X, said the players are "children of the homeland, and the people of Iran embrace them." Ghalibaf also said that the players "disappointed the enemies [of Iran] and did not surrender to deception and intimidation by anti-Iran elements," by deciding to comeback to home. Iran's football federation chief Mehadi Taj was present to welcome the women's team at the border and was quoted saying: "We have all gathered here to say well done and to express our appreciation. Although they are women, they showed manly courage and strength," as reported by the Guardian.

The whole drama started when some of the Iran players didn't sing the national athem ahead of their first match in the tournament. Out of 7 who were granted asylum in Australia, 5 decided to return home, leaving only two in island country.

Iranian women's football team players, including those who were granted asylum in Australia, return home

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