• Summary

• * New Zealand midfielder Thomas says Iran deserve their spot at World Cup
• * Winger Barbarouses says switching match would not derail team’s preparations
• * Iran have threatened to boycott matches in US but want to play in World Cup

New Zealand soccer players have said they ​would be willing to play Iran outside the United States in their opening match at the 2026 World Cup, ‌as uncertainty persists over the fixture amid geopolitical tensions.

Iran were one of the first nations to qualify for the finals, but their participation has been in doubt since the U.S.-Israeli conflict with the Islamic Republic broke out at the end of February.

Team Melli are scheduled to play all three of their opening-round group matches ​in the U.S., with their June 15 opener against New Zealand in Los Angeles, but the Iranian soccer federation has ​threatened to boycott fixtures on U.S. soil.

New Zealand are preparing as if the Los Angeles match will go ahead ⁠but players said on Wednesday they could accommodate a switch outside the U.S. if necessary.

Netherlands-based midfielder Ryan Thomas said Iran had earned ​their spot at the World Cup, and the All Whites would be able to manage the extra attention generated by the match.

“They deserve ​to be there as qualifiers,” he told Reuters.

“If we’ve got to play them in Mexico or Canada, then yeah, we play them there. It’s not really a big deal for me.”

During the June 11-July 19 World Cup, New Zealand will be based in the southern California city of San Diego, which is a ​short drive to the Mexican border.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said last week her country would be open to hosting Iran’s World Cup fixtures, although ​the final say on any venue switch would be FIFA’s.

Australia-based winger Kosta Barbarouses said players would leave it up to “the people in charge” to make ‌a decision ⁠on the match, but did not think a switch would harm New Zealand’s campaign.

“I don’t think it would derail our preparation at all,” he told Reuters.

“We’ve got a base before our first game, anyway. So, yeah, I don’t see why not.”

SECURITY WORRIES

FIFA has declined to comment on the possibility of switching the venues for Iran’s games but said it was in contact with the Iranian soccer federation and looking forward ​to teams competing as per ​the current match schedule.

Iran also play ⁠Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle during the group phase.

Barbarouses, a 36-year-old father of two, acknowledged concerns about security for the New Zealand-Iran match in Los Angeles but said he trusted authorities ​to ensure the safety of players and their families as the All Whites play their first World ​Cup since the ⁠2010 finals.

“I understand there will be worries for people, but I just think with the magnitude of the event, I would love to have family there,” the Western Sydney Wanderers winger said.

“I would feel safe for them to be over there. I don’t think they’d miss it.”

Thomas said ⁠the New ​Zealand players’ nerves would be high before the match, but that was normal for ​any opener at a major tournament.

“Obviously, there’s a big buildup before the first game,” the 31-year-old said.

“So it’s going to be interesting to see how we deal with ​that, but I’m confident in the group to deal with it on the pitch.”

-Reuters

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Morocco have officially unveiled its new national team kits for the 2026 international season, with manufacturer PUMA combining cultural heritage with modern design in a collection that reflects the country’s growing global football stature.

The launch forms part of a wider global release by PUMA, which introduced new kits for several national teams across multiple continents. However, Morocco emerged as one of the standout highlights, underlining both its football progress and rich cultural identity.

The new home kit retains Morocco’s iconic red base, symbolising passion, strength and national pride. It is complemented by green accents along the sides, inspired by the star on the Moroccan flag. The collar and sleeves feature patterns influenced by traditional Moroccan embroidery, giving the shirt a distinctive cultural finish.

In contrast, the away kit adopts a clean white design, enhanced with subtle geometric patterns rooted in Moroccan craftsmanship. Red and green details remain visible, maintaining a strong connection to national identity while offering a more minimalist look.

According to PUMA, the kits are designed to represent more than just football performance. “Each jersey carries the spirit of a nation — its colours, symbols and stories,” the company stated.

Global Launch with Cultural Focus

The collection was first presented in New York during a street football-themed event at Domino Square, where PUMA blended sport, music and culture in a non-traditional launch setting. Players from participating nations wore the kits in live street matches, creating an authentic connection with fans.

Morocco featured prominently among the 11 nations showcased, alongside Portugal, Senegal, Ghana, and Egypt. The event also highlighted the strong presence of Moroccan and North African communities in Queens, particularly around Steinway Street—often referred to as “Little Morocco.”

Morocco once again placed at the heart of a major international football moment, as PUMA unveiled its new national team kits

Each country had a dedicated cultural space, with Morocco’s section showcasing elements of its heritage, cuisine and fan culture, reinforcing the idea that football extends beyond the pitch.

“We wanted to connect with fan communities by showing up in places that matter to them,” said Nadia Kokni, PUMA’s Vice President for Global Brand Marketing.

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Performance, Sustainability and Growing Influence

Beyond aesthetics, the kits are built with lightweight materials and sweat-control technology aimed at elite performance. PUMA also confirmed that replica versions are produced using recycled materials, aligning with its sustainability goals.

The brand presented the kits directly to the Moroccan national team during their training camp, describing the moment as a “meaningful experience” ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Morocco’s prominent role in the campaign reflects its rising influence in global football, driven by recent performances and strong support from fans both at home and in the diaspora.

PUMA reaffirmed its long-term partnership with Moroccan football, noting plans for further engagement activities within the country in the coming months.

As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues, Morocco’s new kits are set to become a key symbol of the nation’s identity on the global stage—blending tradition, performance and culture in equal measure.

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By Kunle Solaja.

As the final play-offs for the last qualification slots begin this week, the expanded FIFA World Cup 2026 promises to be the most inclusive in history, featuring 48 teams across North America.

Yet, in a familiar twist of footballing fate, several of the game’s most recognisable nations will be missing when the tournament kicks off.

The expanded format may have created more opportunities, but it has not softened the harsh reality of qualification: strong teams still fall, and reputations count for little.

Europe’s Heavyweight Casualties

Nowhere is this more evident than in Europe, where the depth of quality continues to make qualification brutally unforgiving—even with 16 available slots.

Among the most notable absentees is the Serbian national football team, ranked among the top 40 globally. Serbia’s campaign unravelled amid inconsistency in a highly competitive group.

They are joined by a cluster of established European sides: Hungary, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Greece.

All are nations with rich football heritage—European champions, World Cup quarter-finalists, and regular tournament participants. Yet, they failed to navigate a qualification system where only group winners advance automatically, leaving others to the peril of play-offs.

Indeed, several European teams—including Italy, Sweden and Poland—were pushed into the play-offs, underlining the intense competition for places.

The conclusion is unavoidable: Europe simply has more quality teams than available slots.

Africa’s Painful Absences

Africa’s expanded allocation—now nine automatic slots plus a play-off pathway—was expected to ease qualification pressure. Instead, it has produced its own share of heartbreak.

The Nigeria national football team, ranked 26th in the world, stands out as one of the most high-profile absentees. Nigeria’s campaign ended in disappointment after a play-off defeat to DR Congo, who advanced via penalties.

Also missing was Cameroon. DR Congo, meanwhile, remain in contention through the intercontinental play-offs, where they will seek to secure Africa’s final slot.

Nigeria’s absence has drawn particular scrutiny, given its pedigree and talent pool, reinforcing its status as one of the highest-ranked teams globally to miss out.

Political and Structural Absence

Perhaps the most unusual omission is Russia, one of the highest-ranked teams among those absent.

Their exclusion is not the result of on-field failure, but of continued suspension from international football—an illustration of how geopolitics can shape the World Cup landscape as much as sporting performance.

South America’s Lone Casualty

In South America, where qualification has traditionally been ruthless, the list of absentees is notably shorter.

Only Venezuela stands out among the continent’s major casualties, once again falling short despite steady progress in recent years.

The 48-team expansion was designed to broaden access and representation. And in many ways, it has succeeded—bringing new nations into the fold and increasing continental diversity.

Already, over 40 teams have secured qualification, with only a handful of places left to be decided.

But the numbers tell a deeper story: Dozens of teams ranked within the global top 50 have qualified, yet several similarly ranked sides have been eliminated

The paradox remains clear: Expansion creates opportunity, but competition still eliminates quality

From Serbia to Nigeria, Sweden to Cameroon, the list of absentees reads like a shadow World Cup—one that could rival the main tournament in quality and intrigue.

For Nigeria, the disappointment is particularly sharp, shaped by both on-field failure and off-field controversy. For Europe, it is a familiar dilemma of excess quality. For Russia, it is a case of politics overriding football.

Ultimately, the lesson is enduring: No matter how large the World Cup becomes, it will never be large enough to accommodate all of football’s giants.

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