Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has criticised Fifa for the impact that his nation’s war with the US has had on preparations for their first game World Cup 2026 against New Zealand tonight, having been forced to move their base to Mexico, visa issues plaguing members of their delegation and travelling fans being stripped of match tickets.
“I have felt the tension from the first moment we arrived at this World Cup,” said Taremi. “This kind of tension, it undermines that joy and it undermines the message of Fifa and our people, which is that football brings about peace. I feel like this World Cup could have provided a better atmosphere than it has.”
Iranian protesters have vowed to disrupt the match to show their displeasure at the brutal ruling regime, with plans to boo the anthem and turn their backs to display currently prohibited pre-revolutionary flags. If that happens, there is a chance the match could be halted, with Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei under specific instructions from the country’s government to stop play if pre-revolutionary flags are brandished or if negative chanting is audible.
Elsewhere, Fifa’s discrimination monitor at the World Cup has called for the removal of a video review official after he appeared to make a hand gesture resembling a white supremacist sign. Shaun Evans, an Australian official, was seen making an “OK” symbol with his right hand in front of his right leg ahead of Germany’s clash with Curacao. The gesture, with thumb and forefinger touched in a circle and other fingers outstretched, was designated a hate symbol by the New York-based Anti-Defamation League in 2019.
Meanwhile, as England continue to build up to Wednesday’s game with Croatia, Jordan Henderson has leapt to the defence of teammate Jude Bellingham, claiming external criticism is way off the mark. Thomas Tuchel’s side will hope to avoid a stumbling start like Spain, who were held by debutants Cape Verde in their opener on Monday.
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Jordan Henderson defends England teammate Jude Bellingham: ‘We all love him’
As England continue to build up to Wednesday’s game with Croatia, Jordan Henderson has leapt to the defence of teammate Jude Bellingham, claiming external criticism of the Real Madrid midfielder is way off the mark.
It has been suggested that one of the reasons Thomas Tuchel wanted veteran Henderson in his World Cup squad was his good relationship with Bellingham, who has developed a reputation externally as something of a tricky character.
“I know a lot gets written in the media and I really find it hard to read sometimes because I just know how big an influence Jude is on this team, how good a teammate he is off the field,” said Henderson.
“And what he gives us is just something really special, he really gives us the X-factor in our team.
“I do think a lot of the media and the stuff that gets written isn’t all true to be honest, or a lot of it is actually untrue. But we all know what he can do, and how much we all love him inside the camp, and I suppose that’s the main thing.”
Belgium vs Egypt LIVE
The next helping of World Cup action is just about to get underway – it’s Belgium against Egypt in a lovely little Group G encounter.
Sweden boss Graham Potter says someone may have bitten his ear during celebrations
An early contender for bizarrest story of the 2026 World Cup.
Let’s just hope Graham Potter’s ear will recover…
The France puzzle standing between Didier Deschamps and World Cup immortality
There would appear little reason that France can’t reach a third straight World Cup final – but there are still a few puzzle pieces for Didier Deschamps to consider, Richard Jolly writes.
Ousmane Dembele backed to bring PSG form to national team
Didier Deschamps has backed Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele to play a key role in France’s quest for further World Cup glory.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Dembele claimed the prestigious award last September and has since gone on to win a second successive Champions League with his club.
The 29-year-old is yet to make the same individual impact at international level, scoring only seven goals in 59 caps since his debut a decade ago.France begin their Group I campaign on Tuesday against Senegal in New Jersey.
Les Bleus are bidding to reclaim the World Cup following an agonising penalty shoot-out defeat to Argentina in the 2022 final after lifting the trophy in 2018.
“He started early with the national team, but he’s also had quite a few setbacks due to injuries,” manager Deschamps said of Dembele, according to L’Equipe. “At club level, there are matches every three days, and this Ballon d’Or, which he deserves, has brought him into the spotlight.
“He’s focused like everyone else, with the desire to be good and decisive, as he is quite regularly with PSG, even though this season he’s had physical problems that have led him to miss quite a few matches. We’ve given him time, both physically and mentally, to put the Champions League final behind him and move on. But with Ousmane at his best, it will be a real asset for the French national team.”
Spain held by Cape Verde
Well, there we have it – our first shock, of sorts, of the tournament with a resolute Cape Verde holding firm for a point against Spain. Spain, of course, won the World Cup after being beaten by Switzerland in their opener in 2010, but it’s not an ideal start at all:
Germany hit seven but Curacao’s moment justifies new format
Kai Havertz scored a brace as Germany opened their World Cup campaign with a dominant 7-1 victory over debutants Curacao in Houston.
Felix Nmecha opened the scoring just six minutes in, but Germany were slightly stunned when Livano Comenencia levelled for minnows Curacao, making their maiden appearance at a World Cup, suggesting that the expanded new format is worthwhile when nations can produce moments that inspire generations.
However, a Nico Schlotterbeck header and Havertz penalty soon restored Germany’s advantage at half-time. A comfortable display saw further goals in the second half from Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown, Deniz Undav and Havertz as Germany wrapped up three points in their first Group E game.
Sweden’s deadly duo Isak and Gyokeres both off the mark in win over Tunisia
One of the big challenges for successive Sweden managers has been how to get the best out of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres on the same pitch, at the same time. Graham Potter’s solution against Tunisia was to play a 3-5-2 formation in which his star strikers were paired together, and it paid off with a 5-1 win in which both players got on the scoresheet – as Brighton’s Yasin Ayari scored two belters from range against his mother’s country.
The forward pair were helped by some poor Tunisian defending and goalkeeping, and there remain some question marks over their link-up play. At one point during the second half, Gyokeres should have played Isak through on goal but the Arsenal striker dallied and when he eventually passed, Isak was offside. Gyokeres’s goal might technically have been an Isak assist, but Isak was trying to score himself and the ball only ran to his strike partner when he lost control under pressure.
So perhaps there is still something to work on to develop a thriving partnership in which they are as happy to pass to one another as to take on the shot. But for Potter and Sweden, just seeing their star duo play together is a huge boost after Isak’s season of injuries. Group F rivals Netherlands and Japan will be wary of the threat Sweden pose.
Jordan Henderson defends England teammate Jude Bellingham: ‘We all love him’
As England continue to build up to Wednesday’s game with Croatia, Jordan Henderson has leapt to the defence of teammate Jude Bellingham, claiming external criticism of the Real Madrid midfielder is way off the mark.
It has been suggested that one of the reasons Thomas Tuchel wanted veteran Henderson in his World Cup squad was his good relationship with Bellingham, who has developed a reputation externally as something of a tricky character.
“I know a lot gets written in the media and I really find it hard to read sometimes because I just know how big an influence Jude is on this team, how good a teammate he is off the field,” said Henderson.
“And what he gives us is just something really special, he really gives us the X-factor in our team.
“I do think a lot of the media and the stuff that gets written isn’t all true to be honest, or a lot of it is actually untrue. But we all know what he can do, and how much we all love him inside the camp, and I suppose that’s the main thing.”
Iran captain Mehdi Taremi criticises Fifa over impact of USA war at World Cup
Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has criticised Fifa, with his team is having a challenging World Cup experience amid the multifold disruptions created by their nation’s war with the US.
The Iranians arrived in the Los Angeles area on Sunday from their training base in Tijuana, Mexico, ahead of their clash with New Zealand this evening, while visa issues have plagued members of their delegation and travelling fans have been stripped of match tickets.
“I have felt the tension from the first moment we arrived at this World Cup,” said Taremi. “This kind of tension, it undermines that joy and it undermines the message of Fifa and our people, which is that football brings about peace. I feel like this World Cup could have provided a better atmosphere than it has.”
