United News of Bangladesh

Iran will not be able to participate in the upcoming FIFA World Cup due to the ongoing conflict involving Israel and the United States, the country’s sports minister Ahmad Donyamali said. Speaking on Iranian state television, Donyamali said the current situation makes participation impossible. It remains unclear what impact Iran’s absence would have on the tournament. Sources- Al Jazeera Iraq coach urges FIFA to postpone world cup playoff amid Iran war

FIFA expects that Iran’s national football team will be able to travel to the United States and take part in the upcoming World Cup, despite the ongoing conflict between the two countries. FIFA President ‘Gianni Infantino’ said on Tuesday that he spoke with US President Donald Trump about preparations for the tournament and received assurances that the Iranian team would be allowed to enter the United States to compete. The ‘2026 FIFA World Cup’, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, is set to begin in about three months. Iran is scheduled to play its group matches in the US, starting against New Zealand in Inglewood, California on June 15. The team will then face Belgium on June 21 before concluding its group stage campaign against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. Iranian officials had recently indicated that their participation in the tournament might be uncertain due to the ongoing war. Infantino said he discussed the situation with Trump during a meeting Tuesday night. “We also talked about the current situation in Iran and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” he said, adding that Trump confirmed the team would be welcome to take part in the tournament in the United States. Infantino and Trump maintain a close relationship. Trump was previously awarded FIFA’s inaugural peace prize, an honour many observers believe was created with him in mind. However, Iranian fans had already faced restrictions earlier, as they were included in the initial version of a travel ban introduced by the Trump administration. Infantino said global events like the World Cup are important for bringing people together, particularly during times of conflict, and thanked Trump for his support. Earlier this week, FIFA World Cup chief operating officer ‘Heimo Schirgi’ said the tournament is too significant to be postponed because of the global tensions linked to the ongoing US and Israeli war against Iran. Schirgi said FIFA is closely monitoring developments in the conflict but remains confident that the tournament will proceed as planned. “We are taking it day by day and hope there will be a resolution,” he said. “The World Cup is too big, and we hope all teams that have qualified will be able to participate.”

Kylian Mbappé did not train with Real Madrid on Tuesday ahead of the crucial Champions League tie against Manchester City, though coach Álvaro Arbeloa said the French striker could return soon. Mbappé has been sidelined since February 21 due to a knee problem, which also ruled him out of Madrid’s win over Benfica in the Champions League playoffs. “Well, he’s better. Obviously, we have to take one day at a time and see how he is evolving,” Arbeloa said through an interpreter. “But this week has been positive. He’s back giving a good feeling. And we are looking forward to having him back soon.” Madrid confirmed that Mbappé, along with other injured players, did not participate in training. It would be a major surprise if he features against City on Wednesday, despite earlier suggestions from Arbeloa that he could return within days. The French forward’s absence adds to Madrid’s injury woes. Midfielder Rodrygo is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, and Jude Bellingham, who has been sidelined for over a month, also did not train on Tuesday.

Five members of Iran’s women’s national football team have received humanitarian visas in Australia after concerns were raised about their safety following their refusal to sing the Iranian national anthem during an Asian Cup match. Australia’s Immigration Minister Tony Burke said the players were moved to a secure location by police before their visa applications were approved early Tuesday. He confirmed the athletes as Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh and Mona Hamoudi. Burke said the players had stressed that they were not political activists but athletes seeking safety. After several days of discussions, authorities were informed on Monday that the five women wanted to remain in Australia. They were subsequently taken from their hotel to a secure place, where the minister later approved their transition to humanitarian visas around 1:30am local time. Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later confirmed the decision, while the government said the remaining members of the team would also be allowed to stay if they chose to do so. Humanitarian visas in Australia provide long-term protection and allow recipients to live, work and study in the country. Concerns over the team’s safety intensified after the players declined to sing the national anthem before their Asian Cup match against South Korea last week. The move sparked criticism from conservative voices in Iran, with some commentators calling the players “traitors” and demanding punishment. Supporters gathered outside the stadium in Gold Coast over the weekend, chanting “save our girls” as the team bus left the venue. Activists and members of Australia’s Iranian community have urged authorities to offer protection to players who fear repercussions if they return home. The issue also drew international attention after US President Donald Trump publicly called on Australia to grant asylum to the players, saying the United States would consider accepting them if Australia did not. Human rights advocates said athletes competing in international tournaments should have the freedom to express themselves without fear of retaliation. Former Australian football captain Craig Foster said activists had serious concerns about the safety of the players, many of whom have families in Iran. Despite strong support from fans, it remains unclear whether other members of the Iranian squad will also seek protection or return to Iran after the tournament.   With inputs from BBC

Arsenal moved seven points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League after a hard-fought 1-0 win at Brighton on Wednesday, while City drew 2-2 at home against struggling Nottingham Forest. Bukayo Saka’s early strike in the ninth minute proved decisive for Arsenal, as his low shot from the edge of the penalty area beat goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. City nearly snatched a late victory, but substitute Savinho’s stoppage-time attempt was cleared near the line. Elsewhere, Newcastle ended Manchester United’s seven-game unbeaten run under coach Michael Carrick with a 2-1 win, as Jacob Ramsey was sent off and William Osula scored a stoppage-time winner. Chelsea climbed to fifth with a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa, highlighted by João Pedro’s hat trick. In the relegation battle, West Ham edged Fulham 1-0 thanks to Crysencio Summerville’s second-half strike. Forest and West Ham remain in the drop zone, separated only by goal difference.

Atletico Madrid advanced to their first Copa del Rey final in 13 years despite suffering a 3-0 defeat to defending champions Barcelona in the second leg of their semifinal on Tuesday. Atletico progressed 4-3 on aggregate, thanks to their commanding 4-0 victory in the first leg at the Metropolitano Stadium last month. Coached by Diego Simeone, Atletico will play in the Copa final for the first time since winning their 10th title in the 2012-13 season. The final is scheduled for April in Seville. Barcelona mounted a strong comeback attempt at home. Marc Bernal opened the scoring in the 29th minute, while Raphinha converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time. Bernal struck again in the 72nd minute, leaving Barcelona just one goal short of leveling the tie. “We knew it wasn’t easy to overturn a 4-0 deficit, but we gave everything,” Raphinha said after the match. Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso credited his team’s resilience over the two legs, saying it was “a game of 180 minutes.” Barcelona suffered injury setbacks, losing defender Jules Koundé early in the match, while Robert Lewandowski missed the game due to injury. Barcelona, the Spanish league leaders with a four-point advantage over Real Madrid, were aiming to defend their Copa title after defeating Real Madrid in last year’s final. Atletico sit third in La Liga, 13 points behind Barcelona. The winner of the other semifinal between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao will be decided on Wednesday. Both Atletico and Barcelona remain in the Champions League round of 16.

US President Donald Trump has said he is unconcerned about whether Iran participate in this summer’s 2026 World Cup, as tensions escalate following US and Israeli strikes on Iran. The United States is co-hosting the tournament, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, alongside Canada and Mexico. Trump made the remarks in an interview with Politico, saying, “I really don’t care,” when asked about Iran’s involvement. He added that Iran was “a very badly defeated country” and “running on fumes.” Iran have secured qualification for a fourth straight World Cup and are set to begin their campaign in Los Angeles against New Zealand and Belgium, before concluding their group stage fixtures against Egypt in Seattle. Tehran did not withdraw from last year’s competition after the US bombed three of its nuclear facilities. However, amid the current heightened conflict, Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj has reportedly raised concerns about participation. War casts shadow over Messi’s Finalissima, Ronaldo matches and F1 races Speaking to Iranian state television, Taj said it was “far from our expectations that we can look at the World Cup with hope,” adding that sports authorities would determine whether any action should be taken. FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom said on Saturday that the governing body’s priority remains ensuring a safe tournament with full participation.  #From BBC

Bangladesh’s women’s national football team delivered a performance of immense grit and character on their Asian Cup debut, holding their own against continental giants China in a 2-0 defeat that felt more like a statement of progress than a loss. Under the evening sky at Sydney, a vocal crowd of 6,000—sounding like 20,000 as expatriate Bangladeshis roared in support—witnessed the South Asian side frustrate the defending champions for long periods. Despite the gulf in experience and physical stature, Bangladesh maintained 41% possession and completed 257 passes against a Chinese side that has appeared in eight World Cups. Coach Peter Butler opted for a bold tactical shift, handing the gloves to youngster Mili Akthar over the veteran Rupna Chakma to counter China’s height advantage. The gamble paid off early as Mili produced a stunning save in the 12th minute to deny star forward Wang Shuang. The defensive unit, led by Afieda Khandakar, Shiuli Azim, and Shamsunnahar Senior, remained organized and resolute, thwarting wave after wave of Chinese attacks for the opening 40 minutes. Bangladesh nearly turned the script upside down in the 14th minute. Star winger Ritu Porna Chakma burst down the left flank, shaking off her marker to unleash a powerful long-range strike. Only a desperate fingertip save from Chinese goalkeeper Chen Chen prevented what would have been a historic opening goal. Premier League corner chaos sparks calls for rule change The drama intensified in the 24th minute when Wang Shuang appeared to have broken the deadlock, only for the goal to be overturned by VAR for offside. The reprieve galvanized the Bangladeshi side, who looked poised to enter the interval on level terms. However, China’s quality eventually told in the 43rd minute when Wang Shuang found the far corner with a clinical long-range effort. Luck further deserted Bangladesh in first-half stoppage time when a deflection off Kohati Kisku resulted in an own goal, doubling China's lead. In the second half, Butler introduced Tohura Khatun and Sapna Rani to inject pace into the attack. While the substitutions increased the tempo and forced the Chinese defense into several hurried clearances, a clinical finishing touch remained elusive. Despite the result, the performance answered pre-match skepticism regarding the youth of the Bangladeshi squad. Facing a team vastly superior in physical metrics and international caps, the young side proved they could compete eye-to-eye with Asia’s elite. Bangladesh will take on North Korea in the next match on March 6.

Mounting grappling and holding during corner kicks in the Premier League have triggered fresh debate over whether football’s lawmakers should amend the rules to curb what critics describe as “corner chaos.” With more goals coming from set-pieces this season, pushing and wrestling inside the six-yard box have become increasingly common, often leaving referees struggling to maintain control. Former top-flight assistant referee Darren Cann said the situation has reached a point where “something needs to be done,” describing it as a growing problem for match officials. Speaking to BBC Sport, Cann noted that as many as 16 players can crowd the goal area during corners, making it extremely difficult for referees to spot and punish infringements. The issue came under scrutiny after last week’s clash between Everton and Manchester United, where players were seen jostling heavily around the goalkeeper. Everton manager David Moyes criticized officials for failing to clamp down, suggesting referees have been reluctant to intervene. According to Cann, attackers frequently crowd goalkeepers to limit their movement, while defenders focus more on blocking opponents than tracking the ball. Moyes pointed to Arsenal as pioneers of such tactics, describing their blocking approach as effective but subtle. Sunday’s match between Arsenal and Chelsea again highlighted the trend, with Chelsea conceding twice from corners in a 2-1 defeat. Liverpool boss Arne Slot said the heavy reliance on physical battles at set-pieces has reduced the entertainment value of games, adding that similar incidents might be penalized in other leagues. Statistics show the Premier League leads Europe’s top five competitions in set-piece goals this season at 27 percent, ahead of Italy’s Serie A, Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s La Liga and France’s Ligue 1. League authorities maintain that the current threshold for fouls and video assistant referee intervention remains appropriate. At the start of the season, a survey of coaches, captains and referees supported the existing approach, with only the most obvious holding being penalized. Seven penalties have been awarded this season for such offences, four following VAR reviews. However, fans have voiced frustration on social media, arguing that VAR appears quick to punish marginal offsides but overlooks clear physical fouls at corners. Possible reforms have been suggested. Cann floated the idea of requiring attackers to begin outside the six-yard box before a corner is taken to reduce congestion. Another proposal, attributed to former striker Alan Shearer, would allow referees to penalize misconduct immediately after the whistle for a restart, rather than waiting for the ball to be in play. Despite the debate, the International Football Association Board, which oversees the Laws of the Game, did not formally address the issue at its latest meeting. Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell said he was unsure whether the behaviour had worsened significantly over the season. For now, the physical battles at corners remain part of Premier League matches, but pressure is building for clearer guidance or rule changes to prevent what many see as an increasingly chaotic spectacle.   With inputs from BBC

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lewis Hamilton are among the sports stars whose schedules are in doubt because of the spreading war in the Middle East. Cancelations and travel shutdowns are already affecting events since the United States and Israel launched a wave of strikes on Iran on Saturday. Organizers of Formula 1 and major soccer games face deciding within weeks whether they can go ahead as scheduled. Middle Eastern nations have become crucial to the world sports landscape over the last decade as event hosts, financial backers and employers for some of the world's top athletes. Key upcoming events The clock is ticking for a decision on whether to cancel or move the “Finalissima” soccer game on March 27 between Spain and Argentina, the champions of Europe and South America. That match would offer Messi a chance to win yet another trophy in a glittering career. Qatar suspended all soccer games until further notice Sunday. Argentina was also scheduled to play Qatar in a friendly March 31. “UEFA is monitoring and carefully assessing all developments of the situation in cooperation with (South American soccer body) CONMEBOL and the (local organizing committee),” European soccer body UEFA told The Associated Press on Monday. Ronaldo's soccer team, Saudi club Al Nassr, has already been affected by a wave of cancelations of Asian Champions League games. His team was scheduled to play Wednesday in Dubai. Formula 1 has races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next month. F1 and its teams typically start to fly in staff and freight weeks in advance, limiting the time to make a decision on whether to go ahead. Governing body FIA says its priority is “safety and wellbeing.” The men's and women's tennis tours and golf's European tour have just finished their Middle East tournament swings and aren't due back for months. Iran is set to play in US at the World Cup Iran is due to send its men's soccer team to the U.S. for the World Cup in just over three months, with a first game June 16 against New Zealand in Inglewood, California. There's doubt over whether Iran can or will take part in the tournament. Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj has said “we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope.” The U.S. government has promised exemptions from its travel bans for athletes and coaches at events like the World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Airspace closures leave athletes stranded Even if some events go ahead, a major concern for athletes and teams will be how they can travel in and out of the region safely. Former U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev is among a group of tennis players waiting in Dubai for a chance to fly out after a tournament there concluded last week. If they can't travel soon, it will affect the BNP Paribas Open starting Wednesday in Indian Wells, California. Cricket and basketball players are facing challenges, too, along with thousands of foreign tourists, while F1 personnel are seeking alternative travel to avoid the region on their way to this week's Australian Grand Prix. A key region for world sports The Middle East's influence on world sports has surged in recent years as countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar have hosted major events and become crucial financial backers. Besides soccer and auto racing, Qatar has a World Endurance Championship sportscar race this month, a MotoGP motorcycle race, a gymnastics World Cup next month and hosts the first Diamond League track meet of the year in May. Qatar also owns Champions League-winning soccer team Paris Saint-Germain. Saudi Arabia, which will host the 2034 World Cup in men's soccer, has funded the LIV Golf breakaway league and become a major player in world boxing.