King Abdullah II of Jordan visited Arlington on Saturday, meeting with Mayor Jim Ross ahead of his country’s FIFA World Cup match against Argentina at AT&T Stadium, known during the tournament as Dallas Stadium.

FIFA world cup 2026: King of Jordan visits Arlington ahead of WC match against Argentina

Football meets finance in WION's special series, Pitch & Portfolio. As France and Sweden prepare to battle on the World Cup stage, we compare the two nations beyond the pitch—GDP, trade, innovation, exports, global brands and economic strength. Which country dominates where it matters off the field? Watch as we break down the ultimate economic showdown between France and Sweden.

World Cup of Economies: France vs Sweden

Germany lose on penalties to Paraguay after a 1-1 draw in their FIFA World Cup 2026 last-32 match. Germany were ranked number 10 in the world by the game’s governing body, FIFA, entering the tournament, while Paraguay were ranked 41st. The German defeat is potentially the greatest upset in World Cup football, but is surely the biggest at the knockout stage.


FIFA World Cup 2026: Paraguay stun Germany in World Cup shocker to reach last 16

Hong Myung-bo resigned as head coach of South Korea on Sunday following the country's group-stage exit ​from the World Cup.
Hong made the announcement at the ‌team's training camp in Guadalajara after results on Saturday meant the Koreans would not advance to the last 32 as one of ​the eight third-placed finishers in the group phase.

FIFA World Cup 2026: South Korea coach Hong Myung-Bo quits after World Cup exit

While International teams fight on the pitch, China's manufacturing grid is quietly supplying nearly 70% of everything from official match balls to fast-selling fan collectibles like Lionel Messi merchandise. 

FIFA World Cup 2026: World Cup boosts toys' sales in China

Japan and Sweden shared the points in a 1-1 draw on Thursday, with both teams securing places in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup.
The result saw Japan finish second in Group F behind the Netherlands, while Sweden also advanced to the Round of 32. Japan will now face tournament favourites Brazil on Monday, while Sweden's next opponents will be confirmed after the remaining group-stage matches.


FIFA World Cup 2026: Japan, Sweden reach World Cup last-32 After Draw

Germany's World Cup campaign has suffered a major setback after Ecuador came from behind to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory and secure a place in the knockout stage.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Ecuador Knocks Germany Out of the World Cup in New Jersey

The race for the World Cup 2026 knockout stage is heating up in Group F. The Netherlands are on the brink of qualification, while Sweden and Japan face a decisive showdown with Round of 32 hopes on the line. With third-place qualification still possible, every goal could prove crucial.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Netherlands, Sweden, Japan Battle For Knockout Spots

The World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race is heating up as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland battle for scoring supremacy. With goals flowing and records at stake, the fight for football's most coveted individual prize is only getting more intense. The question now is who can keep delivering when the pressure peaks.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Race For Golden Boot at the FIFA World Cup Heats Up 

Bosnia and Herzegovina have kept their World Cup dreams alive after securing a spectacular 3-1 victory over Qatar in their final Group B fixture. With the knockout stages within their grasp for the first time ever, the team delivered a clinical performance under pressure, crushing Qatar's defense and setting off massive celebrations.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Bosnia And Herzegovina Beat Qatar 3-1, Qualifies for Knockouts 

World Cup 2026 witnessed its first weather-related disruption after lightning and heavy rain forced a lengthy suspension of France's match against Iraq in Philadelphia.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Lighting Stops World Cup Clash Between France And Iraq

Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Senegal 3-2 to secure a place in the World Cup 2026 knockout stage. The Manchester City striker continued his red-hot form, breaking Norway records and putting his side through with a game to spare.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Haaland Fires Norway Into World Cup Last 32

World Cup fever is taking over Los Angeles as a local bakery has gone viral after creating World Cup-themed conchas shaped like jerseys, trophies and footballs, drawing crowds that spill onto the sidewalk. As fans line up for edible tributes to their favorite teams, the bakery's creations have become a unique symbol of football mania spreading far beyond the stadium.

 FIFA World Cup 2026: Why Fans Are Lining Up for this Bread

Cape Verde's remarkable World Cup story continues. After stunning Spain in their tournament debut, the Blue Sharks earned another impressive result by holding two-time champions Uruguay to a thrilling 2-2 draw.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Cape Verde Holds Uruguay After Stunning Spain Shock

A jersey worn by football legend Pelé is expected to fetch as much as $6 million at auction, highlighting the enduring global appeal of one of the sport's greatest icons.

The historic memorabilia is drawing intense interest from collectors and football fans alike, with experts predicting it could become one of the most valuable sports jerseys ever sold. The auction underscores Pelé's lasting legacy both on and off the pitch.

Pele's Jersey Expected To Fetch $6 Million! 

Veteran midfielder James Milner has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 40, bringing an end to one of the most enduring careers in English football. Milner, who spent the final chapter of his playing days with Brighton & Hove Albion, said it was the "right time" to step away from the game. Known for his professionalism, versatility and longevity, Milner leaves behind a legacy built across multiple Premier League clubs and countless memorable moments.


End of an Era: James Milner Retires at 40 After Remarkable Career 

Southampton lost an appeal on Wednesday against their expulsion from the Championship play-off final after they were thrown out for spying on a Middlesbrough training session. An English Football League independent disciplinary commission on Tuesday kicked the Saints out and reinstated Middlesbrough, who lost 2-1 on aggregate to Southampton in the semi-finals. Boro will now face Hull at Wembley on Saturday for a place in the Premier League.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/manchester-city-legend-bernardo-silva-on-club-legacy-time-for-new-generation-to-shine-pep-guardiola-premier-league-2026-title-arsenal-1779300317832">Man City legend Silva on club’s legacy: ‘Time for new generation to shine’</a>"A league arbitration panel has tonight dismissed Southampton Football Club's appeal against the independent disciplinary commission's sanction following the admittance of multiple breaches of EFL regulations," the English Football League said on Wednesday."The determination means that the original sanction of expulsion from the Championship play-offs remains in place, as does the four-point deduction to be applied to the 2026-27 Championship table."Southampton issued a statement calling the decision "an extremely disappointing outcome".It added: "While we fully acknowledge the seriousness of this matter and the scrutiny that has followed, the club has consistently believed the original sporting sanction was disproportionate, a view that has been widely shared by many in the football community over the last 24 hours."While tonight is a painful moment, this football club will respond with humility, accountability and determination to put things right."Saints chief executive Phil Parsons earlier on Wednesday said the club "cannot accept a sanction which bears no proportion to the offence".Parsons said Southampton had been "denied the opportunity to compete in a game worth more than £200 million ($269 million) and one which means so much to our staff, players and supporters".<h2>Hull frustrated by uncertainty</h2>Southampton highlighted a £200,000 fine imposed on Leeds in 2019 for spying on Derby as evidence of a precedent the EFL should follow in their case.However, when Leeds were punished, the EFL's regulation 127 -- which specifically forbids clubs from observing an opponent within 72 hours of a match -- did not exist.It was introduced after Leeds were sanctioned to help clarify what had been an uncertain situation.Southampton have also admitted to spying on a training session at Oxford in December and one at Ipswich in April, in addition to the Middlesbrough session.All three incidents occurred after the appointment of German coach Tonda Eckert as Southampton manager in December.Middlesbrough, who called for Southampton to be expelled from the play-offs before Tuesday's hearing, welcomed their removal from the final, saying the ruling "sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct".Meanwhile, Hull owner Acun Ilicali voiced his frustration at the delay in confirming his side's opponents and warned postponing the final would cause a "big, big problem" given international call-ups."We miss nine days of training (to prepare for Middlesbrough instead of Southampton) so in this case we are very disappointed," he told Sky Sports."I believe in my boys and our coach 100 percent, but when you look at the picture it doesn't seem too fair that we don't know who we play."

Southampton issued a statement calling the decision "an extremely disappointing outcome". Boro will now face Hull at Wembley on Saturday for a place in the Premier League.

Southampton lost an appeal on Wednesday against their expulsion from the Championship play-off final after they were thrown out for spying on a Middlesbrough training session. An English Football League independent disciplinary commission on Tuesday kicked the Saints out and reinstated Middlesbrough, who lost 2-1 on aggregate to Southampton in the semi-finals. Boro will now face Hull at Wembley on Saturday for a place in the Premier League. Also Read - Man City legend Silva on club’s legacy: ‘Time for new generation to shine’ "A league arbitration panel has tonight dismissed Southampton Football Club's appeal against the independent disciplinary commission's sanction following the admittance of multiple breaches of EFL regulations," the English Football League said on Wednesday. "The determination means that the original sanction of expulsion from the Championship play-offs remains in place, as does the four-point deduction to be applied to the 2026-27 Championship table." Southampton issued a statement calling the decision "an extremely disappointing outcome". It added: "While we fully acknowledge the seriousness of this matter and the scrutiny that has followed, the club has consistently believed the original sporting sanction was disproportionate, a view that has been widely shared by many in the football community over the last 24 hours. "While tonight is a painful moment, this football club will respond with humility, accountability and determination to put things right." Saints chief executive Phil Parsons earlier on Wednesday said the club "cannot accept a sanction which bears no proportion to the offence". Parsons said Southampton had been "denied the opportunity to compete in a game worth more than £200 million ($269 million) and one which means so much to our staff, players and supporters". Hull frustrated by uncertainty Southampton highlighted a £200,000 fine imposed on Leeds in 2019 for spying on Derby as evidence of a precedent the EFL should follow in their case. However, when Leeds were punished, the EFL's regulation 127 -- which specifically forbids clubs from observing an opponent within 72 hours of a match -- did not exist. It was introduced after Leeds were sanctioned to help clarify what had been an uncertain situation. Southampton have also admitted to spying on a training session at Oxford in December and one at Ipswich in April, in addition to the Middlesbrough session. All three incidents occurred after the appointment of German coach Tonda Eckert as Southampton manager in December. Middlesbrough, who called for Southampton to be expelled from the play-offs before Tuesday's hearing, welcomed their removal from the final, saying the ruling "sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct". Meanwhile, Hull owner Acun Ilicali voiced his frustration at the delay in confirming his side's opponents and warned postponing the final would cause a "big, big problem" given international call-ups. "We miss nine days of training (to prepare for Middlesbrough instead of Southampton) so in this case we are very disappointed," he told Sky Sports. "I believe in my boys and our coach 100 percent, but when you look at the picture it doesn't seem too fair that we don't know who we play."

Southampton issued a statement calling the decision "an extremely disappointing outcome". Boro will now face Hull at Wembley on Saturday for a place in the Premier League.

Southampton lose appeal against explusion from EFL Championship play-off final

India is surely a cricket-crazy country but the game of football has its fans and in huge numbers which makes tournaments like English Premier League very popular in the country. There are fans bases for famous teams including Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and others with young children wanting to play the game as professionals in future like their stars do for these teams. To develop players at grassroot levels, Premier League India recently organized a camp to coaches which would enable young children to take up the sport realize their dream.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-world-cup-2026-us-drops-5k-15k-visa-bond-money-requirement-for-fans-from-five-african-nations-1778737181178">FIFA WC 2026 | US drops visa bond money requirement for 5 African nations' fans</a>Premier League NextGen coaching campaign, which was held in Goa, invited various experienced professionals from the English league to help Indian coaches understand the nuances to developing children's interest, skill, and game awareness and communication.Speaking on the campaign's aim, Premier League India Managing Director Hrishikesh Shende said: "The thought process behind this camp is to create long-term impact by investing in grassroots coaches, because they are key to shaping the future of football in India. Through programmes like NEXTGEN Coach and partnerships such as Dream Sports Foundation, we want to share Premier League expertise, build safer and more inclusive football environments, and strengthen coaching infrastructure at scale. Going forward, the focus is on expanding our footprint, deepening local partnerships, and empowering more Indian coaches and young players across the country.”One of the mentors of the program, Carl Plunkett, who has over 18 years of experience collaborating with senior leadership teams at Premier League Category 1 football academies, spoke to WION in a detailed conversation about the program, what it entails and how it will help promote and develop the game in India. Q) What inspired you to join this program and what are your ideas that you want to implement or you want to share with the Indian coaches specifically?The program has been designed to try and build confidence around the coaches here in India, particularly those that are going to impact in grassroots and working with different children across India. Part of the course is to help them understand with a little bit more knowledge, but a lot of it is about to give them the confidence to create safe and fun environments so that it will be the young people that will benefit from having better coaches. And if you have better coaches, you should have more impactful and fun engaging coaching sessions. Q) What is your coaching philosophy and what would you like to advise the Indian coaches in the program attending with you? How do they go about their coaching philosophy while trying to step up and develop the football as a game in India at grassroots level and beyond?The philosophy is really embedded with inside the course. So, there's lots of key features around the course, which are about how you have, like, generate a better connection with young people. So, what is it that you go about and how you go about doing that? Having simple things like listening skills, being able to effectively question and support people's learning. One of the big things on the course is how you utilize the people around you to help you with the coaching.So, rather than just doing it on your own, are there other support coaches or are there parents who could maybe help you when you're coaching just to be a bit more impactful and fun when you're doing it. The philosophical pieces in here are also about how you make people feel in terms of my coaching manner, in terms of the words I use, in terms of my interaction skills, they're really key to how you want to present yourself as a coach.Q) One of the topics you shared is effective communication is the key. So, how would you advise the coaches here attending this session with you to deal with the conflicting situations, like sometimes a parent might not be happy with a child's progress or there might be a difference of opinion between the players and the coaches regarding drills or strategy. So, how do you suggest the coaches deal with it?The course doesn't refer to maybe challenging conversations, but is really dealing with how you create good conversations. So, it would include things such as your body language, how you might be listening to the words the individual is using, and then maybe even playing that back to them in a way that they know that they're being heard.Ultimately, it doesn't matter where you are in the world, people's skills and interaction skills are all very similar from person to person. And so, when we talk about good conversations with each other, it's really around, if I'm listening to you, do I show interest in my body language? Do I show interest in my eye contact? Do I find ways to ask you to go a little bit deeper with what you're saying, so I can further understand what you're asking? And then that way, you're just showing real interest, which will ultimately develop a better connection between you and the other person.Q) There's always some sort of divide between talent and skill, like the passion for the game and the skills you have, and some children might not be at the level of other children in terms of passion or skill. So what do you suggest the coaches to back more - passion or skill?Definitely, yeah, it's a good question. Here on the course, what we're really asking them to do is to make the kids feel more confident and more comfortable with what they're doing. And then as a result of that, you start to build a passion. And if you can build a passion and people more comfortable with what you're doing, you'll end up getting children who probably currently aren't really interested in sport or football or physical activity into a place where they're running around, they're feeling more healthy. And they're in a position where they are enjoying what's happening.Q) About the coaches that are attending the camp with you, what do you think that their biggest strength as Indian coaches are like, where they can really make an impact in terms of skills or any other attribute of their personality?My feeling is that there's a real willingness to learn. They really want to listen. They really want to work hard at getting better. And the more we provide them opportunities to speak, connect and interact with each other, we're really developing their confidence and willingness to want to grow. And that's been really important this week because in order to get better at anything in life, you need to be able to reflect, you need to be able to understand where you currently are and then also where you need to head to to get better. Q) How do you suggest the coaches keep the focus of young children while they're in the drill or while they're in practice because it could be boring for the young children sometime.Yeah, it's a really good question. So all of the principles that we embed in this program, we offer them eight different games that they can take away with them. We demonstrate them, they get an opportunity to practice. And then within each game, there's a number of progressions which allows them to keep evolving the practice. But you talked about boredom in that example, because these guys are now starting to work out not just what the whole group needs, but maybe where the individuals are at. We talk a lot about differentiation. There's pieces in here that talk about how do you teach to the bottom of the group, but also the top. So if the coach is actively getting around, and they're applying the core principles of this course, you'll probably find that the kids won't get bored. Q) Have you in your coaching program also talked about the mental aspect of the game, like keeping the players' mental space very, very clean, firm, and focused? And what are the drills or methods that coaches can apply to achieve that?There are some subtle moments where they've been designed that players won't be just learning about the technical parts of the game. So passing, shooting, or running. There's also ways that they have to work as a team, which generates opportunities to speak with each other, organize each other, and build strategies. So included with inside the practice games, there are ways to develop young people's psychological and the way they think about things. And that's one of the core principles that we have as part of the Premier League program.

To develop players at grassroot levels, Premier League India recently organized a camp to coaches which would enable young children to take up the sport realize their dream.

India is surely a cricket-crazy country but the game of football has its fans and in huge numbers which makes tournaments like English Premier League very popular in the country. There are fans bases for famous teams including Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and others with young children wanting to play the game as professionals in future like their stars do for these teams. To develop players at grassroot levels, Premier League India recently organized a camp to coaches which would enable young children to take up the sport realize their dream. Also Read - FIFA WC 2026 | US drops visa bond money requirement for 5 African nations' fans Premier League NextGen coaching campaign, which was held in Goa, invited various experienced professionals from the English league to help Indian coaches understand the nuances to developing children's interest, skill, and game awareness and communication. Speaking on the campaign's aim, Premier League India Managing Director Hrishikesh Shende said: "The thought process behind this camp is to create long-term impact by investing in grassroots coaches, because they are key to shaping the future of football in India. Through programmes like NEXTGEN Coach and partnerships such as Dream Sports Foundation, we want to share Premier League expertise, build safer and more inclusive football environments, and strengthen coaching infrastructure at scale. Going forward, the focus is on expanding our footprint, deepening local partnerships, and empowering more Indian coaches and young players across the country.” One of the mentors of the program, Carl Plunkett, who has over 18 years of experience collaborating with senior leadership teams at Premier League Category 1 football academies, spoke to WION in a detailed conversation about the program, what it entails and how it will help promote and develop the game in India. Q) What inspired you to join this program and what are your ideas that you want to implement or you want to share with the Indian coaches specifically? The program has been designed to try and build confidence around the coaches here in India, particularly those that are going to impact in grassroots and working with different children across India. Part of the course is to help them understand with a little bit more knowledge, but a lot of it is about to give them the confidence to create safe and fun environments so that it will be the young people that will benefit from having better coaches. And if you have better coaches, you should have more impactful and fun engaging coaching sessions. Q) What is your coaching philosophy and what would you like to advise the Indian coaches in the program attending with you? How do they go about their coaching philosophy while trying to step up and develop the football as a game in India at grassroots level and beyond? The philosophy is really embedded with inside the course. So, there's lots of key features around the course, which are about how you have, like, generate a better connection with young people. So, what is it that you go about and how you go about doing that? Having simple things like listening skills, being able to effectively question and support people's learning. One of the big things on the course is how you utilize the people around you to help you with the coaching. So, rather than just doing it on your own, are there other support coaches or are there parents who could maybe help you when you're coaching just to be a bit more impactful and fun when you're doing it. The philosophical pieces in here are also about how you make people feel in terms of my coaching manner, in terms of the words I use, in terms of my interaction skills, they're really key to how you want to present yourself as a coach. Q) One of the topics you shared is effective communication is the key. So, how would you advise the coaches here attending this session with you to deal with the conflicting situations, like sometimes a parent might not be happy with a child's progress or there might be a difference of opinion between the players and the coaches regarding drills or strategy. So, how do you suggest the coaches deal with it? The course doesn't refer to maybe challenging conversations, but is really dealing with how you create good conversations. So, it would include things such as your body language, how you might be listening to the words the individual is using, and then maybe even playing that back to them in a way that they know that they're being heard. Ultimately, it doesn't matter where you are in the world, people's skills and interaction skills are all very similar from person to person. And so, when we talk about good conversations with each other, it's really around, if I'm listening to you, do I show interest in my body language? Do I show interest in my eye contact? Do I find ways to ask you to go a little bit deeper with what you're saying, so I can further understand what you're asking? And then that way, you're just showing real interest, which will ultimately develop a better connection between you and the other person. Q) There's always some sort of divide between talent and skill, like the passion for the game and the skills you have, and some children might not be at the level of other children in terms of passion or skill. So what do you suggest the coaches to back more - passion or skill? Definitely, yeah, it's a good question. Here on the course, what we're really asking them to do is to make the kids feel more confident and more comfortable with what they're doing. And then as a result of that, you start to build a passion. And if you can build a passion and people more comfortable with what you're doing, you'll end up getting children who probably currently aren't really interested in sport or football or physical activity into a place where they're running around, they're feeling more healthy. And they're in a position where they are enjoying what's happening. Q) About the coaches that are attending the camp with you, what do you think that their biggest strength as Indian coaches are like, where they can really make an impact in terms of skills or any other attribute of their personality? My feeling is that there's a real willingness to learn. They really want to listen. They really want to work hard at getting better. And the more we provide them opportunities to speak, connect and interact with each other, we're really developing their confidence and willingness to want to grow. And that's been really important this week because in order to get better at anything in life, you need to be able to reflect, you need to be able to understand where you currently are and then also where you need to head to to get better. Q) How do you suggest the coaches keep the focus of young children while they're in the drill or while they're in practice because it could be boring for the young children sometime. Yeah, it's a really good question. So all of the principles that we embed in this program, we offer them eight different games that they can take away with them. We demonstrate them, they get an opportunity to practice. And then within each game, there's a number of progressions which allows them to keep evolving the practice. But you talked about boredom in that example, because these guys are now starting to work out not just what the whole group needs, but maybe where the individuals are at. We talk a lot about differentiation. There's pieces in here that talk about how do you teach to the bottom of the group, but also the top. So if the coach is actively getting around, and they're applying the core principles of this course, you'll probably find that the kids won't get bored. Q) Have you in your coaching program also talked about the mental aspect of the game, like keeping the players' mental space very, very clean, firm, and focused? And what are the drills or methods that coaches can apply to achieve that? There are some subtle moments where they've been designed that players won't be just learning about the technical parts of the game. So passing, shooting, or running. There's also ways that they have to work as a team, which generates opportunities to speak with each other, organize each other, and build strategies. So included with inside the practice games, there are ways to develop young people's psychological and the way they think about things. And that's one of the core principles that we have as part of the Premier League program.

To develop players at grassroot levels, Premier League India recently organized a camp to coaches which would enable young children to take up the sport realize their dream.

WION ExpertSpeak - Better Coaches, Better Future: Premier League NextGen mentor Carl Plunkett on nurturing football at India’s grassroots

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just over a month away, the streets of Brazil's Rio de Janeiro has turned into an open-air mural museum. Locals have kept alive the tradition of decorating the city for the World Cup.


FIFA World Cup: Rio de Janeiro Decks Up; Rocinha Favela Unveils Street Mural

In a rare and historic sporting moment, a North Korean women’s football club is set to play in South Korea during the AFC Women’s Champions League semi-final. The match goes beyond football, symbolising a brief thaw in relations between the two nations. With political tensions often dominating headlines, this encounter highlights how sport can bridge divides, even if only temporarily, on one of the world’s most sensitive geopolitical stages.


North Korean Club To Play Football In South Korea

A fresh controversy has erupted ahead of a major FIFA event after members of Iran’s football delegation returned home from Canada following entry issues at Toronto airport. Iranian Football Federation chief Mehdi Taj was reportedly denied entry due to alleged links with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which Canada considers inadmissible. The incident has added a geopolitical twist to football diplomacy just weeks before the 2026 World Cup.


Iran Football Chief Denied Entry to Canada Ahead of FIFA Event

Leicester City FC have been relegated to the third tier of English football, marking a dramatic fall for the former Premier League champions. The club’s decline follows a difficult run of form and inconsistent performances, resulting in one of the most shocking setbacks in recent English football history.

Leicester City FC Relegated to Third Tier of English Football

Around 50 people were injured and over 60 arrested in Paraguay over riots that led to the suspension of a football match between two archrivals, police said Monday. The Sunday game between Olimpia and Cerro Porteno, both from the capital Asuncion, was halted after 29 minutes on the orders of the referee. The police said a group of Cerro Porteno fans who arrived late, some without tickets, forced their way into the venue.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nba-playoffs-thunder-celtics-start-with-a-win-but-pistons-lose-to-magic-1776651825724">NBA Playoffs: Thunder, Celtics start with a win but Pistons lose to Magic</a>"Once in the stands, the fans began throwing rocks and bottles filled with water or urine," the capital's police chief Hector Fernandez, told a press conference.Police responded by firing rubber bullets and tear gas into the stands, forcing hundreds of spectators to flee onto the pitch, television footage of the incident showed, with smoke engulfing portions of the stands.A 22-year-old police officer suffered a broken nose and other facial injuries that would require surgery, said David Torales, director of the Rigoberto Caballero Police Hospital.Video of the attack on the officer went viral on social media.Security forces said at least six officers had been injured.Most of those treated in hospital had minor injuries, medics said.The match between Olimpia, which leads Paraguay's top football division just ahead of Cerro Porteno, was played before 40,000 spectators.Police said they were working to "identify those who instigated the conflict so that they may be sanctioned and barred from attending future sporting events."The Paraguayan Football Association (APF) holds that a team must forfeit a match if its supporters force the game to be suspended.Olimpia President Rodrigo Nogues said his club will seek to be awarded the three points from the APF disciplinary tribunal.Cerro Porteno President Blas Reguera, meanwhile, said Olimpia was responsible for stadium security, citing their status as the match's organizing club.

Police responded by firing rubber bullets and tear gas into the stands, forcing hundreds of spectators to flee onto the pitch, television footage of the incident showed, with smoke engulfing portions of the stands.

Around 50 people were injured and over 60 arrested in Paraguay over riots that led to the suspension of a football match between two archrivals, police said Monday. The Sunday game between Olimpia and Cerro Porteno, both from the capital Asuncion, was halted after 29 minutes on the orders of the referee. The police said a group of Cerro Porteno fans who arrived late, some without tickets, forced their way into the venue. Also Read - NBA Playoffs: Thunder, Celtics start with a win but Pistons lose to Magic "Once in the stands, the fans began throwing rocks and bottles filled with water or urine," the capital's police chief Hector Fernandez, told a press conference. Police responded by firing rubber bullets and tear gas into the stands, forcing hundreds of spectators to flee onto the pitch, television footage of the incident showed, with smoke engulfing portions of the stands. A 22-year-old police officer suffered a broken nose and other facial injuries that would require surgery, said David Torales, director of the Rigoberto Caballero Police Hospital. Video of the attack on the officer went viral on social media. Security forces said at least six officers had been injured. Most of those treated in hospital had minor injuries, medics said. The match between Olimpia, which leads Paraguay's top football division just ahead of Cerro Porteno, was played before 40,000 spectators. Police said they were working to "identify those who instigated the conflict so that they may be sanctioned and barred from attending future sporting events." The Paraguayan Football Association (APF) holds that a team must forfeit a match if its supporters force the game to be suspended. Olimpia President Rodrigo Nogues said his club will seek to be awarded the three points from the APF disciplinary tribunal. Cerro Porteno President Blas Reguera, meanwhile, said Olimpia was responsible for stadium security, citing their status as the match's organizing club.

Police responded by firing rubber bullets and tear gas into the stands, forcing hundreds of spectators to flee onto the pitch, television footage of the incident showed, with smoke engulfing portions of the stands.

50 injured, 60 arrested for riots leading to suspension of football match in Paraguay

 German Bundesliga club FC Union Berlin have strongly condemned sexist abuse directed at interim manager Marie-Louise Eta. The 34-year-old made history on Sunday, becoming the first woman to be named manager of a men's team in Europe's top five leagues, including the Bundesliga. However, her landmark appointment has been overshadowed by online abuse, prompting a strong response from the club.

Sexist Abuse Targets Marie-Louise Eta After Historic Bundesliga Appointment 

Five players in Iran's visiting women's football team have taken asylum in Australia over fears of persecution at home for not singing the national anthem before a match, the government said Tuesday. The Iranian players' silence during the anthem ahead of an Asian Cup tournament match in Australia last week was widely seen as an act of defiance against the Islamic republic. Five players escaped the team hotel on Australia's Gold Coast overnight, holing up in a "safe location" while lodging their claims for asylum, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said."They were moved to a safe location by Australian police. I signed off last night on their applications for humanitarian visas," he told reporters."They are welcome to stay in Australia, and they are safe here, and should feel at home here."The government said it was also ready to help other team members if they need it.US President Donald Trump earlier said he had spoken with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to confirm the women were safe.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026-check-complete-match-schedules-timings-and-venues-1773049474920">FIFA World Cup 2026: Check complete match schedules, timings and venues</a><h2>'He's on it!'</h2>"I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, of Australia, concerning the Iranian National Women's Soccer Team. He's on it! Five have already been taken care of," Trump said Monday on his Truth Social network, less than two hours after an initial post urging Australia to take them in.Trump added that "some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don't return."Albanese said the government had prepared to help the players "for some time" and it was open to helping others in the team."Once it was made clear that these women wanted assistance, the Australian Federal Police moved them to a safe location where they remain," he said.Australia's intelligence service chief was also consulted, the prime minister said."Australians have been moved by the plight of these brave women. They're safe here, and they should feel at home here," he told a news conference.<h2>‘Help is here’</h2>"We are willing to provide assistance to other women in the team, noting that this is a very delicate situation, and it is up to them," Albanese said."But we say to them, if you want our help, help is here, and we will provide that."The prime minister thanked the media for their "restraint" in reporting the story, saying the government wanted to let the players know that help was available in a way that did not endanger them or their families and friends at home.The son of Iran's late shah, US-based Reza Pahlavi, said on social media that he had been informed of the five players' asylum.Pahlavi, who has not returned to Iran since before the 1979 Islamic revolution that ousted the monarchy, has billed himself as the man to lead a democratic transition to a secular Iran as the theocratic regime fights to survive.Politicians, human rights activists and even "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling had called for the team to be offered official protection.A presenter on Iranian state TV had branded the players "wartime traitors" after they stood motionless during the anthem before their match against South Korea.In subsequent games, the players saluted and sang.Crowds gathered outside the Gold Coast stadium where the side played their last match over the weekend, banging drums and shouting "regime change for Iran".They then surrounded the Iranian team bus, chanting "let them go" and "save our girls".On Monday, an AFP journalist saw members of the team speaking on phones from their hotel room balconies.

The Iranian players' silence during the anthem ahead of an Asian Cup tournament match in Australia last week was widely seen as an act of defiance against the Islamic republic. Five players escaped the team hotel on Australia's Gold Coast overnight, holing up in a "safe location" while lodging their claims for asylum.

Five players in Iran's visiting women's football team have taken asylum in Australia over fears of persecution at home for not singing the national anthem before a match, the government said Tuesday. The Iranian players' silence during the anthem ahead of an Asian Cup tournament match in Australia last week was widely seen as an act of defiance against the Islamic republic. Five players escaped the team hotel on Australia's Gold Coast overnight, holing up in a "safe location" while lodging their claims for asylum, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said. "They were moved to a safe location by Australian police. I signed off last night on their applications for humanitarian visas," he told reporters. "They are welcome to stay in Australia, and they are safe here, and should feel at home here." The government said it was also ready to help other team members if they need it. US President Donald Trump earlier said he had spoken with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to confirm the women were safe. Also Read - FIFA World Cup 2026: Check complete match schedules, timings and venues 'He's on it!' "I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, of Australia, concerning the Iranian National Women's Soccer Team. He's on it! Five have already been taken care of," Trump said Monday on his Truth Social network, less than two hours after an initial post urging Australia to take them in. Trump added that "some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don't return." Albanese said the government had prepared to help the players "for some time" and it was open to helping others in the team. "Once it was made clear that these women wanted assistance, the Australian Federal Police moved them to a safe location where they remain," he said. Australia's intelligence service chief was also consulted, the prime minister said. "Australians have been moved by the plight of these brave women. They're safe here, and they should feel at home here," he told a news conference. ‘Help is here’ "We are willing to provide assistance to other women in the team, noting that this is a very delicate situation, and it is up to them," Albanese said. "But we say to them, if you want our help, help is here, and we will provide that." The prime minister thanked the media for their "restraint" in reporting the story, saying the government wanted to let the players know that help was available in a way that did not endanger them or their families and friends at home. The son of Iran's late shah, US-based Reza Pahlavi, said on social media that he had been informed of the five players' asylum. Pahlavi, who has not returned to Iran since before the 1979 Islamic revolution that ousted the monarchy, has billed himself as the man to lead a democratic transition to a secular Iran as the theocratic regime fights to survive. Politicians, human rights activists and even "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling had called for the team to be offered official protection. A presenter on Iranian state TV had branded the players "wartime traitors" after they stood motionless during the anthem before their match against South Korea. In subsequent games, the players saluted and sang. Crowds gathered outside the Gold Coast stadium where the side played their last match over the weekend, banging drums and shouting "regime change for Iran". They then surrounded the Iranian team bus, chanting "let them go" and "save our girls". On Monday, an AFP journalist saw members of the team speaking on phones from their hotel room balconies.

The Iranian players' silence during the anthem ahead of an Asian Cup tournament match in Australia last week was widely seen as an act of defiance against the Islamic republic. Five players escaped the team hotel on Australia's Gold Coast overnight, holing up in a "safe location" while lodging their claims for asylum.

Amid chaos, five Iranian women's football players given asylum in Australia

Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to Saudi Arabia’s Founding Day by wearing a traditional bisht. The gesture was widely shared on social media, highlighting Ronaldo’s respect for Saudi culture and his engagement with local traditions during his time in the Saudi Pro League. Fans and media praised the moment as a unique blend of sports, culture, and diplomacy.


Cristiano Ronaldo Wears a Saudi Bisht in Founding Day Tribute

Bodo/Glimt are on the march in the UEFA Champions League after dumping out European giants Inter Milan, the latest chapter in a remarkable rise for the tiny club from north of the Arctic Circle. From domestic dominance in Norway to stunning results in Europe, here’s the story behind one of this season’s biggest surprises. 


Bodo/Glimt: Champions League's Giant Killers From the Arctic Circle 

China’s football authorities have handed lifetime bans to 73 people, including a former national team coach. The Chinese Football Association said the move is aimed at restoring integrity and credibility to Chinese football.


China Bans 73 From Football For Life, Ex-Coach Among Those Punished | WION

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has come under criticism for making a widely condemned joke during his address at the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos.


FIFA Chief Criticised For Cheap Joke While Speaking At WEF 2026 In Davos | WION

Manchester City took a 2–0 lead over Newcastle in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi final, but the match was overshadowed by a lengthy VAR decision that ruled out Antoine Semenyo’s second half goal. The strike was disallowed after officials judged Erling Haaland to have interfered from an offside position, sparking frustration from City players and manager Pep Guardiola despite a late goal sealing the win.

Manchester City Beat Newcastle 2–0 as VAR Controversy Dominates Semi Final 

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