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MEXICO CITY: Iran&#39;s football federation is &quot;negotiating&quot; with FIFA to relocate the country&#39;s first-round matches at the World Cup to Mexico from the United States, citing the conflict in the Middle East, Iran&#39;s embassy in Mexico said Monday. Iran&#39;s participation at this summer&#39;s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been thrown into doubt since the war began late last month. &quot;When (US President Donald) Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,&quot; Iranian football chief Mehdi Taj said in remarks posted on the embassy&#39;s X account. &quot;We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran&#39;s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.&quot; Iran is scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by Egypt in Seattle. The team&#39;s base camp for the tournament is currently slated to be located in Tucson, Arizona. Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran&#39;s ambassador to Mexico, on Monday denounced &quot;the US government&#39;s lack of cooperation regarding visa issuance and the provision of logistical support&quot; for the Iranian delegation ahead of the World Cup, in a statement published on the embassy&#39;s website. He added that he had also &quot;suggested to FIFA that Iran&#39;s matches be moved from the United States to Mexico.&quot; FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP.

Football

Iran's football federation is negotiating with FIFA to relocate the country's first-round matches at the World Cup to Mexico from the United States, citing the conflict in the Middle East.

Iran 'negotiating' with FIFA over moving World Cup games to Mexico: embassy

ISLAMABAD: Iran&#39;s Minister of Sports and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, said that Iran is not in a position to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament is set to start on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Iran are due to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21, respectively, and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.&nbsp; The situation has become uncertain after the US and Israel launched strikes on the country.&nbsp; The crisis intensified after the killing of Iran&rsquo;s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and other countries hosting US military bases.&nbsp; Earlier on Wednesday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said US President Donald Trump had told him Iran is &quot;welcome to compete&quot; at this summer&#39;s finals.&nbsp; In an interview with the IRIB Sports Network, Donyamali said that the current circumstances make participation impossible. &quot;Given that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Our boys are not safe, and conditions for participation do not exist.&rdquo; Donyamali added that ongoing conflicts have heavily affected the country. &ldquo;Over the past eight or nine months, two wars have been imposed on us and several thousand of our people have been killed and martyred. Therefore, we definitely do not have the possibility for participation.&rdquo;

Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali says the country cannot participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to the ongoing war following the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iranian minister says country will not play in FIFA World Cup

BARRANQUILLA: FIFA boss Gianni Infantino told AFP on Tuesday he was &quot;very reassured&quot; about Mexico&#39;s hosting of games in the football World Cup, in his first comments on the violence triggered by the killing of a drug cartel leader.&nbsp;&quot;Very reassured, everything&#39;s good. It&#39;s going to be spectacular,&quot; Infantino said in the Colombian city of Barranquilla, two days after cartel members went on a rampage including in host city Guadalajara over the army&#39;s killing of their leader Nemesio &quot;El Mencho&quot; Oseguera.&nbsp;Mexico is one of the three host countries for the June 11-July 19 World Cup, along with the United States and Canada.&nbsp;The country as a whole, but particularly Guadalajara, was shaken by the violence that followed the killing of the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).&nbsp;At least 74 people were killed during the operation to capture him at a ranch near Guadalajara and subsequent clashes between the security forces and suspected cartel members.&nbsp;Only one was a civilian, according to the government, but residents and tourists alike were left scurrying for cover as cartel gunmen blocked roads in 20 of Mexico&#39;s 32 states and torched vehicles and businesses.&nbsp;No risk&#39; to football fans&quot;It feels like we&#39;re in a war zone,&quot; Javier Perez, a 41-year-old engineer, told AFP on Tuesday in the parking lot of a grocery store replete with burnt-out cars in the Jalisco tourist resort of Puerto Vallarta.&nbsp;The images of anarchy and violence were beamed around the world less than four months before the start of the World Cup, while FIFA on Monday refused to comment.&nbsp;Infantino spoke to AFP at a Colombian Football Federation event.&nbsp;However, Infantino&#39;s optimism was not reflected by the Portuguese Football Federation, who cast doubt on whether their team would play a friendly on March 29 in Mexico City.&nbsp;The federation said it was &quot;closely monitoring the delicate situation currently unfolding in Mexico.&quot;&nbsp;It added that the safety of players, coaches and supporters was a top priority and security considerations would be the deciding factor.&nbsp;Mexico national team coach Javier Aguirre was more upbeat, declaring: &quot;All is going ahead as planned.&quot;&nbsp;Earlier, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum assured that there was &quot;no risk&quot; to World Cup fans and said the situation was &quot;gradually returning to normal.&quot;&nbsp;Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, will host four group-stage matches.&nbsp;Mexico City and the north-eastern city of Monterrey will also host games. Both cities were spared by the recent unrest.&nbsp;In addition to the four matches, including one of the most anticipated of the first round between Uruguay and Spain, Guadalajara will co-host with Monterrey the playoff tournament that will determine the last two teams to qualify for the World Cup at the end of March.&nbsp;Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus ruled out the prospect of Guadalajara being dropped from the tournament over security concerns, saying there was &quot;absolutely no risk&quot; of a change in the line-up.&nbsp;All eyes will be on the central state of Queretaro on Wednesday, when Mexico meets Iceland for a friendly.&nbsp;A first-division game was suspended on Sunday in Queretaro over the violence.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Mexico is ready to host World Cup matches despite recent cartel violence after the death of Nemesio Oseguera. Officials say fans are safe, though some teams remain cautious.

FIFA boss 'very reassured' about World Cup in Mexico despite violence

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Syeda Amna Batool has made history by becoming the first Pakistani to be appointed to the FIFA Institutional Reforms Committee, a key body within world football&rsquo;s global governance structure.&nbsp;The appointment marks a significant step in Pakistan&rsquo;s ongoing efforts to re-establish itself in the international football arena.&nbsp;Batool, a member of Pakistan&rsquo;s National Assembly, participated in the committee&rsquo;s plenary sessions and meetings this week in Qatar. According to an official statement, Batool is currently the only Pakistani serving on a FIFA committee, underscoring the importance of this achievement.&nbsp;The FIFA Institutional Reforms Committee is tasked with reviewing and recommending reforms to governance frameworks, transparency standards, and institutional practices within global football. As part of the committee, Batool&rsquo;s role will involve evaluating existing policies and driving reforms that ensure greater accountability and inclusivity across the sport.&nbsp;In a statement, Batool expressed her commitment to working within the committee to strengthen FIFA&rsquo;s reform mechanisms.&nbsp;&quot;My goal is to bring credible, transparent, and sustainable change to global football governance,&quot; she said. &quot;This is a significant opportunity for Pakistan to contribute to shaping the future of football worldwide.&quot;&nbsp;Batool&rsquo;s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Pakistan&rsquo;s football scene, which has been marred by years of political and administrative instability. Pakistan&rsquo;s football administration has faced a long period of disarray, with internal disputes and external challenges tarnishing its reputation on the international stage.&nbsp;However, with Batool&rsquo;s inclusion in FIFA&#39;s reform efforts, Pakistan is beginning to rebuild its standing. This move is seen as part of a broader strategy by the government to reassert its position in global football.&nbsp;Officials noted that the government, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is keen to stabilize football governance in the country and align with global standards.&nbsp;&quot;Football is not only a sport in Pakistan; it&rsquo;s a tool for youth engagement and social development,&quot; said a government source close to the matter. &quot;With over 60% of Pakistan&rsquo;s population under the age of 30, football has the potential to unite and empower our young people.&quot;&nbsp;In recent months, PM Sharif has engaged with senior officials from regional and international football bodies, including AFC President and FIFA Senior Vice President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa.&nbsp;Sharif has emphasized Pakistan&#39;s commitment to an autonomous and merit-based football system, an essential step in restoring credibility to the national federation.&nbsp;Batool&#39;s appointment reflects these ongoing efforts to position Pakistan as a constructive partner in the global football community. As one of the few women from South Asia in the FIFA structure, her role is also seen as an important representation of gender inclusion in football governance.&nbsp;In parallel, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), under President Syed Mohsin Gilani, has been pursuing both local and international initiatives aimed at reviving the federation after a prolonged period of leadership challenges. Gilani has highlighted the importance of stabilizing the federation&rsquo;s operations and ensuring Pakistan&#39;s compliance with international football standards.&nbsp;Batool, reflecting on her responsibility, said, &ldquo;This is an opportunity not just to contribute to FIFA&rsquo;s reforms, but to ensure that Pakistan becomes a credible and constructive member of the global football family.&rdquo;&nbsp;With sustained efforts on both the governmental and football federation fronts, Batool&rsquo;s appointment signals a hopeful chapter for Pakistan&rsquo;s football future. While much work remains, officials are optimistic that the reform-driven momentum will contribute to Pakistan&rsquo;s successful reintegration into the global football ecosystem.

Pakistan's Syeda Amna Batool makes history as the first Pakistani appointed to FIFA's Institutional Reforms Committee, advancing the nation's role in global football governance. 

In a first, Pakistan's Amna Batool appointed to FIFA institutional reforms committee

PARIS: The winners of the 2026 World Cup will receive $50 million in prize money as part of a record financial contribution for the tournament from FIFA, world football&#39;s governing body announced on Wednesday.&nbsp;The total World Cup prize fund of $655 million (558.5 million euros) represents an increase of almost 50 percent from the $440 million distributed to teams taking part in the last tournament in Qatar in 2022.&nbsp;However, next year&#39;s World Cup -- to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19 -- will be the first to feature 48 teams, a 50 percent increase from the 32 teams last time.&nbsp;The Argentine Football Association received $42 million in prize money after Lionel Messi inspired them to glory three years ago, when they won on penalties in the final against France.&nbsp;France received $30 million for their run to the final. This time, the beaten finalists will pocket $33 million, with the third-place finishers collecting $29 million and the other defeated semi-finalists getting $27 million.&nbsp;Teams eliminated in the group phase will receive $9 million, while all 48 participating nations will get an additional $1.5 million to cover &quot;preparation costs.&quot;

FIFA announced a record $655 million prize fund for the expanded 2026 World Cup, with winners earning $50 million, higher payouts across all stages, and all 48 teams receiving added preparation funding from governing body.

Winners of 2026 World Cup to pocket $50 million in prize money

WASHINGTON: England will open their 2026 FIFA World Cup bid against Croatia in Dallas on June 17, while the latest meeting of Brazil and Scotland at the tournament will take place in Miami, the international governing body of football confirmed on Saturday.&nbsp;The complex nature of the first-ever 48-team World Cup, being played across North America, meant that FIFA needed an extra day to set venues and kick-off times following Friday&#39;s draw.&nbsp;Thomas Tuchel&#39;s England, who are fourth in the current world ranking, will play Croatia at 3 p.m. local time at the AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, just outside Dallas.&nbsp;They will therefore be grateful for the stadium&#39;s retractable roof, which should help keep out the baking afternoon temperatures.&nbsp;England will then go to the northeastern United States for their remaining Group L fixtures, taking on Ghana in Boston on June 23 at 4 p.m. local time, and then facing Panama at MetLife Stadium just outside New York City on June 27 at 5 p.m.&nbsp;European champions Spain will play their first two Group H fixtures, against debutants Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, at the covered, air-conditioned Atlanta stadium.&nbsp;They will then head to Mexico to take on Uruguay in Guadalajara.&nbsp;Holders Argentina, meanwhile, will meet Algeria in Kansas City in their opening match in Group J on June 16 before facing Austria and Jordan in Dallas.&nbsp;France, winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, will play all three Group I matches in the northeastern US, facing Senegal at the MetLife Stadium and Norway in Boston, either side of a fixture in Philadelphia against an intercontinental play-off winner.&nbsp;Brazil, who won the last World Cup staged in the United States in 1994, will meet Morocco at the MetLife Stadium in their first Group C encounter on June 13.&nbsp;Carlo Ancelotti&#39;s team then meets Haiti in Philadelphia on June 19 before a clash with Scotland in Miami on June 24 -- it will be the fifth time the countries have faced off at a World Cup.&nbsp;Other games to look out for include the meeting of Germany and Caribbean minnows Curacao in Houston in Group E on June 14.&nbsp;Co-hosts Mexico will play South Africa in the opening match -- a repeat of the opening game at the 2010 World Cup -- at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11.&nbsp;The final at the MetLife Stadium on July 19 will kick off at 3 p.m.

England will start their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas, with group matches later in Boston and New York. Major fixtures include Brazil-Scotland in Miami, Spain’s early games in Atlanta, and Argentina opening against Algeria.

England to begin FIFA World Cup bid in Dallas after 2026 schedule confirmed

LISBON: Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo can play in the opening matches of the 2026 World Cup after global football governing body FIFA gave him a partially &quot;suspended&quot; ban on Tuesday following a red card.&nbsp;The 40-year-old was sent off as Portugal lost 2-0 in Dublin earlier in November when he elbowed Dara O&#39;Shea in the back, for his first dismissal in 226 international appearances.&nbsp;FIFA banned Ronaldo for three matches, two of which will be suspended and the other has already been served, when Portugal sealed their qualification for next summer&#39;s tournament against Armenia.&nbsp;&quot;In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the serving of the two remaining matches has been suspended under a one-year probation period,&quot; said FIFA in a statement given to AFP.&nbsp;&quot;If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension set out in the disciplinary decision shall be deemed automatically revoked and the remaining two matches must be served immediately at the next official (Portugal) matches.&quot;&nbsp;Ronaldo, the men&#39;s all-time top goalscorer in international football with 143 goals, is aiming to play at a sixth World Cup next summer in the United States, Mexico and Canada.&nbsp;The former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker, currently at Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, has not yet lifted the trophy but did win Euro 2016 with Portugal.&nbsp;Ronaldo attended a dinner in the White House last week where he met US President Donald Trump, who said his son Barron &quot;is a big fan&quot; of the forward.&nbsp;The World Cup group stage draw takes place on December 5.

Cristiano Ronaldo can play Portugal’s 2026 World Cup opener after FIFA suspended two of his three-match bans. Having already served one match, he remains eligible unless he commits a similar offence during a one-year probation period.

Ronaldo cleared for 2026 World Cup opener after FIFA suspends ban

Reuters

RABAT: Morocco set a new record of 16 successive victories by a national team as they completed their World Cup qualifying campaign with 1-0 home win over Congo on Tuesday. Youssef En-Nesyri scored in the 63rd minute in Rabat to ensure Morocco finished their Group E programme with eight wins from eight matches, the only side in the African preliminaries with a 100% record. The victory saw them go past the record of 15 that Spain set over a 12-month period between June 2008 and June 2009. Morocco last failed to win an international when they drew 0-0 with Mauritania in a friendly in March 2024 but have since posted victories in seven World Cup qualifiers, six qualifiers for this year&rsquo;s Africa Cup of Nations finals and three friendlies. Morocco&rsquo;s run does not include matches played by a B team made up only of home-based players that won the African Nations Championship in Kenya in August. Morocco&rsquo;s 19-month winning run saw them score 50 goals and concede four. Spain began their run beating Russia 3-0 in the semi-final of the 2008 European Championship and their 15th consecutive win came with a 2-0 victory over hosts South Africa in their final group game in the 2009 Confederations Cup. They lost their record when the United States beat them in the Confederations Cup semi-final in Bloemfontein. During their winning streak Spain only conceded twice while scoring 39. Morocco have yet to announce plans for friendlies in the November international window but at the end of the year host the Cup of Nations finals, where they meet Comoros in the opening game on December 21.

Morocco’s Abdelhakim El Mesbahi celebrates with teammates after winning the penalty shootout against France in the FIFA U-20 World Cup semifinal at Estadio Elias Figueroa in Valparaiso, Chile, Oct. 15, 2025. (Reuters/Rodrigo Garrido)

Morocco set a new record of 16 successive victories by a national team as they completed their World Cup qualifying campaign with 1-0 home win over Congo on Tuesday.

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