World Cup
Iranian FA says will meet FIFA to seek World Cup assurances in next few days
Iranian soccer chief Mehdi Taj said on Wednesday he will have a meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the next three or four days, at which he will seek assurances that his country will be respected at the World Cup in the United States.
Canada, which is co-hosting the June 11 to July 19 World Cup with the U.S. and Mexico, said it refused entry to Taj last week because of his links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Taj said on Tuesday that Iran would not take part in the tournament if FIFA could not guarantee respect for the country’s institutions in the U.S., where the team will be based and play all three of their group matches.
“We will tell (FIFA) what our expectations are. If they can address them, we will definitely participate,” the FFIRI president told state broadcaster IRIB in Tehran on Wednesday.
“But if there is no guarantee that they will be addressed, then no one has the right to insult us or the pillars of our system.
“And if they continue on the path of disrespect, and even ask our players those kinds of questions, we may make a different decision.”
Both the U.S. and Canada classify the IRGC as a “terrorist entity” and have made it clear they will not admit people with links to the elite military force.
Taj, who served as a high-ranking official with the IRGC before moving into soccer administration, received the backing of Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei for his stance on Wednesday.
“Look, our national football team is not ‘travelling’ to the United States, we are going there to take part in the FIFA World Cup,” Baghaei told reporters in Tehran.
“Therefore, it is FIFA’s responsibility to provide all the necessary facilities and conditions.
“Host governments also have a very clear obligation under FIFA regulations to provide the necessary arrangements and issue the required visas without taking political considerations or motives into account.
“We hope that FIFA, if only for the sake of preserving its own credibility, will certainly take the necessary measures.”
Iran’s participation in the World Cup has been in question since the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes on the Islamic Republic in late February, triggering the war in the region.
Taj also said a wider 30-man squad for the tournament would be selected this week before being cut to the final 26 players after a training camp in Turkey.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei told state media that the squad planned to arrive in the U.S. 14 days before the start of the tournament after the two-week camp.
Ghalenoei said he would like the squad to have two or three warm-up matches, but attempts to set up friendly internationals had proved tricky with teams pulling out at the last minute.
The squad will therefore remain in Tehran for another week before heading to Turkey, where Iran played friendlies against Costa Rica and Nigeria in late March, on May 16.
Team Melli are scheduled to get their campaign underway against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. The team’s U.S. base will be at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
Morocco have become the first African nation to book a place in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after securing qualification from Group C with a match to spare.
The Atlas Lions sealed their passage to the Round of 32 following a 4-2 victory over Haiti in Atlanta, capping an impressive group-stage campaign that also included a goalless draw against Brazil and a 1-0 victory over Scotland.
The result ensured Morocco accumulated seven points from their three group matches, guaranteeing progression and making them the first of Africa’s representatives to reach the tournament’s knockout phase.
Morocco’s qualification continues the country’s impressive World Cup pedigree after becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The North Africans have once again demonstrated their consistency on football’s biggest stage, finishing the group phase unbeaten.
While Morocco can now prepare for the Round of 32, the race continues for Africa’s other representatives. South Africa, Algeria, Egypt and DR Congo all remain in contention for qualification, while Tunisia have already been eliminated.
The Atlas Lions will now await their Round of 32 opponents as they bid to extend another memorable World Cup campaign and continue flying the African flag in the knockout rounds.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Vinicius Junior scored twice as Brazil romped into the second round of the World Cup as Group C winners with a 3-0 victory over Scotland on Wednesday, a result that left the Scots relying on other results going their way to progress.
The electric Real Madrid forward opened the scoring courtesy of a Scottish mix-up in the seventh minute and added his second with a header in first-half stoppage time before Matheus Cunha rounded out the scoring on the hour mark.
The comfortable win, which featured the return after a long absence of Neymar, combined with Morocco’s 4-2 win over Haiti, put Brazil on the road to Houston, where they will meet the Netherlands, Japan or Sweden next Monday.
Scotland, who disappointed their Tartan Army with a timid and error-prone display in the first half, will now hope to advance as one of the eight third-placed teams with the best records over the 12 groups.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Morocco secured their place in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup despite being forced to come from behind twice before defeating spirited Haiti 4-2 in an enthralling Group C encounter on Thursday.
The Atlas Lions finished level on seven points with group winners Brazil, who cruised to a 3-0 victory over Scotland, but had to settle for second place on goal difference. The result means Morocco will now face the winners of Group F — Japan, the Netherlands or Sweden — in the first knockout round.
Although qualification was achieved, the North Africans were made to work hard by a determined Haitian side that exited the tournament with renewed respect despite losing all three group matches in their first World Cup appearance in 52 years.
Haiti stunned Morocco after just 10 minutes when an attack involving Josue Casimir and Jean-Kevin Duverne ended with Lenny Joseph’s backheel forcing the ball into the net off goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. FIFA later ruled the effort an own goal by the Moroccan goalkeeper, adding to the growing list of own goals at the tournament.
Morocco, however, responded positively. Veteran Haitian goalkeeper Johny Placide, making his final international appearance after 15 years of service, frustrated the Atlas Lions with a string of outstanding saves, denying both Ayoub El Kaabi and captain Achraf Hakimi.
The resistance finally broke in the 39th minute when Placide could only parry Bilal El Khannouss’ cross into the path of Hakimi, who reacted quickest to bundle home the equaliser.
The joy was short-lived as Haiti restored their advantage just four minutes later. Duverne turned provider once again, laying the ball off for Wilson Isidor, whose thunderous strike from outside the penalty area left Bounou helpless.
Morocco’s response was immediate. Captain Hakimi surged down the right following an incisive pass from Sofyan Amrabat before cutting the ball back for Ismael Saibari, who calmly slotted home to make it 2-2. It was Saibari’s third goal in as many World Cup appearances, underlining his growing importance to Walid Regragui’s side.
With the game delicately poised, Morocco finally seized control in the 78th minute. Haiti failed to clear a corner, allowing substitute Soufiane Rahimi to control the loose ball before smashing home from close range despite strong protests from the Caribbean side, who appealed unsuccessfully for a foul.
The Atlas Lions sealed victory in stoppage time when Rahimi raced into the area and squared for 20-year-old Gessime Yassine to tap into an empty net. Haitian players halted, believing the ball had gone out of play, but a VAR review confirmed the goal.
The victory maintained Morocco’s unbeaten run in the tournament and ensured progression to the knockout stage, where sterner tests await. While missing out on top spot in Group C, the Atlas Lions will take confidence from their resilience and attacking quality as they prepare for the next phase of their World Cup campaign.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Morocco Become First African Team to Reach World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage
Vinicius double helps Brazil past Scotland into World Cup knockouts
Atlas Lions Fight Back Twice to Seal World Cup Progress
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
- World Cup6 days ago
‘Most Oppressed Team’: Iran Set for FIFA Showdown Over Travel Rules
- World Cup4 days ago
U.S. defends Iran World Cup travel restrictions, says discussions ongoing
- World Cup1 week ago
Doku Faces World Cup-or-Fatherhood Dilemma as Belgium Star Awaits First Child
- World Cup1 week ago
Back in Canada After 39 Years: A Return to Where the Journey Began
- World Cup1 week ago
Tunisia Become Second African Casualty as Sweden Hit Five in World Cup Rout
- World Cup1 week ago
Salah Eyes Birthday Gift as Egypt Seek Historic World Cup Breakthrough Against Belgium
- World Cup4 days ago
Victory on the Pitch, Respect in the Stands: Japan Fans Clean Up After Tunisia Rout
- World Cup7 days ago
South Africa’s Zwane Banned for Three Matches After World Cup Red Card