United News of Bangladesh

Somali referee Omar Artan will not officiate at the FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States, FIFA confirmed on Monday. The decision came after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) refused entry to a Somali national who arrived at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday. While CBP did not identify the individual, Artan is the only referee from Somalia appointed for the tournament. FIFA later confirmed that Artan would be unable to participate in training and officiating duties at the World Cup and released a statement from the referee. “Despite the circumstances, I remain positive and focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career,” Artan said. He thanked FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for their support and wished his fellow officials success in the tournament. In a separate statement, FIFA said it had no role in immigration decisions and had been informed by authorities that Artan’s status would not be changed. “As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into the country,” the governing body said. Explaining the decision, CBP said the traveler underwent additional screening upon arrival, which is part of routine inspection procedures when officers need to verify information or assess admissibility. “Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry,” the agency said. CBP noted that all travelers seeking entry into the United States, including athletes, coaches and sports officials, are subject to inspection and security vetting. The agency added that admissibility decisions are made on a case-by-case basis using available law enforcement, immigration and national security information, and that CBP officers have the authority to question travelers and determine their eligibility for entry under U.S. law.

Newly elected Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Director Mir Shakhrul Alam Simanto resigned from his position on Monday, just a day after the formation of the board’s new committee. Simanto, son of State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam, submitted his resignation letter to the BCB president, citing business commitments as the reason behind his decision. Tamim becomes BCB president in election marred by conflict-of-interest claims In the letter, Simanto said he had been elected unopposed as a BCB director from the Rajshahi region. However, as his father serves as a state minister, he currently bears significant responsibilities in managing the family’s business interests. He said those responsibilities will make it difficult for him to properly discharge the duties of a director at an important national institution like the BCB. Simanto further stated that, out of a sense of responsibility and in consideration of the institution’s interests, he decided to step down from the post. He also requested the BCB president to accept his resignation. Simanto was elected unopposed as a BCB director from the Rajshahi region as he was the sole candidate. Before the election, he had already expressed his intention not to serve as a director. He formally submitted his resignation letter within a day of being elected.

Bangladesh ODI captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz is banking on greater all-round depth while seeking tactical maturity from his bowling unit in the home series against Australia, starting on Tuesday in Dhaka.  The latest squad selection has reopened a long-standing debate regarding team balance and how Bangladesh deploy its spin resources. The inclusion of Mosaddek Hossain, returning to the ODI setup after a three-and-a-half-year absence following a strong domestic season with Abahani Limited, gives Miraz a flexible option. Mehidy Hasan Miraz reaches No. 2 in the ICC Test All-Rounder Ranking Despite past selection controversies suggesting the two off-spinning all-rounders could not play together, Miraz dismissed any talk of friction, noting they previously shared the field during the 2019 World Cup. "Mosaddek is a batting all-rounder, and I am a bowling all-rounder – our roles are distinct," he said. "Having an extra cushion in the lineup provides immense security, especially if a frontline bowler has an off day." While Mosaddek offers a reliable backup option, the Tigers’ skipper is pushing his main bowlers to adopt a more aggressive mindset. The captain pointed specifically towards rising leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, challenging him to adapt from the short-burst demands of franchise T20 cricket to the patient build-up required in the 50-over format. Though Rishad proved his match-winning capabilities by taking 12 wickets against the West Indies last October, his recent drop from the final ODI against New Zealand highlighted management's caution regarding his consistency. Historically, Bangladesh's cricket strategy has favoured conservative finger-spinners who excel at containing runs over the unpredictable, attack-minded nature of leg-spin. Miraz, however, wants Rishad to break that mold by becoming more deliberate in his spells. "Franchise T20s and ODIs are completely different dynamics," he said. "Rishad is an essential part of our plans and we trust him completely, but he needs to be more proactive in checking runs while hunting for wickets." By balancing Mosaddek's experience with Rishad's raw wicket-taking potential, the Bangladesh skipper aims to build a versatile game plan capable of troubling a formidable Australian batting lineup. Australia are touring Bangladesh after 15 years. They last travelled to Bangladesh for the 2011 ODI.

Football fans worldwide are gearing up for the biggest edition of the FIFA World Cup as the tournament gets underway on June 11, 2026. As World Cup fever grips Bangladesh, a government doctor in Patuakhali announced discounted medical consultation services for Argentina supporters, drawing widespread attention on social media. Dr Saiful Islam Rony, a medical officer at Mirzaganj Upazila Health Complex, made the announcement in a Facebook post on Sunday evening. According to the post, Argentina supporters visiting his private chamber during the World Cup and on match days of the Argentine national team will receive treatment at half the usual consultation fee. Patients wearing the team's jersey will be treated free of charge. Dr Rony said the initiative was intended to celebrate the spirit of football and show support for his favourite team. “During the 2026 World Cup, Argentina supporters will receive treatment at half the regular consultation fee at my diagnostic centre chamber, while those wearing the team’s jersey will receive treatment free of charge,” he wrote. He also said patients would receive special discounts on necessary medical services. “We have taken this exceptional initiative to express our love for football and support for our beloved team,” Dr Rony said. He added that sports promote friendship, harmony and joy among people, and the special arrangement was made to allow Argentina fans to share in that spirit. “Let us all support our beloved team and take care of our own health as well,” he said. Earlier, Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman, a pain management specialist and assistant professor of anesthesiology at Patuakhali Medical College Hospital, captured public attention by offering a 50 percent discount on consultation fees to patients who visit his chamber wearing an Argentina jersey. Dr. Habibur, who currently charges Tk 600 per consultation at Greenview Hospital in the town’s Kazipara area, said Argentina supporters will pay only Tk 300 during the World Cup period.  

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the largest in the tournament’s history, featuring 48 teams, 104 matches and three host countries across 39 days of competition. Hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the event marks the first World Cup since FIFA expanded the field from 32 to 48 teams. The new format adds 12 more teams, four additional groups in the first round and a new round of 32 in the knockout stage. The last expansion came in 1998, when the tournament grew from 24 to 32 teams. The 2026 edition is also only the second World Cup to be staged by multiple countries after Japan and South Korea co-hosted in 2002. A total of 16 stadiums will host matches, including 11 venues in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada. Mexico and Canada will each stage 13 matches, while the remaining 78 games, including all quarterfinals, semifinals and the final, will be played in the United States. Here are some key numbers behind the tournament: 1,248 players A record 1,248 players from 449 clubs across 71 countries have been selected for the tournament. Of them, 357 have previous World Cup experience, while 891 will be making their debut. England-based clubs provide the highest number of players with 200, followed by Germany (109), France (86), Spain (86), Italy (71) and Saudi Arabia (49). At club level, Manchester City leads with 19 players in the tournament, ahead of Bayern Munich with 18. Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal each have 16 players, while Barcelona has 15. 226 international appearances Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo enters the tournament with a record 226 international caps. He and Lionel Messi are set to become the first players to appear in six World Cups. Ronaldo remains the only player to have scored in five different World Cups and has netted eight goals in 22 World Cup matches. Messi holds the record for most World Cup appearances with 26 matches, while Luka Modrić is closing in on 200 international appearances. 16 World Cup goals The all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals, held by Miroslav Klose, could come under threat. Messi has scored 13 World Cup goals, while France striker Kylian Mbappé already has 12 goals from the last two tournaments. 8 champions Only eight countries have ever won the World Cup. Brazil leads with five titles, while Italy and Germany have four each. The most recent first-time champions were France in 1998 and Spain in 2010. 2 successful title defenses Only Brazil and Italy have successfully defended a World Cup title. Brazil achieved the feat in 1958 and 1962, while Italy won back-to-back crowns in 1934 and 1938. 6 defending champions eliminated early Six reigning champions have failed to advance beyond the group stage, including three in the last four tournaments. Italy exited early in 2010, Spain in 2014 and Germany in 2018. 3 straight finals? France will attempt to become only the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup finals after winning in 2018 and finishing runner-up in 2022. 23 appearances for Brazil Brazil national football team is the only nation to have appeared in every World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1930. Brazil also leads all countries with 76 World Cup wins, 237 goals and a goal difference of +129. 4 debutants Four nations will make their World Cup debut in 2026: Cape Verde national football team, Curaçao national football team, Jordan national football team and Uzbekistan national football team. Their participation will raise the total number of countries that have played in the World Cup to 84. 7 matches without a win Egypt national football team has played seven World Cup matches without recording a victory, with a record of two draws and five defeats. Only Honduras has gone longer without a win, having played nine matches, but it did not qualify for this year's tournament. 2,720 goals A total of 2,720 goals have been scored in 964 matches across the first 22 World Cups. With 40 additional matches in 2026 compared with previous tournaments, the record of 172 goals scored at the 2022 World Cup is expected to be surpassed. 25-year age gap The oldest player in the tournament is Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who will be 43 years old when the competition begins. The youngest is Mexico midfielder Gilbert Mora, who is just 17, creating an age difference of more than 25 years between the oldest and youngest participants.  

Brazil has been forced to make a late change to its World Cup squad after right back Wesley was ruled out with a thigh injury less than a week before the team's opening match against Morocco. The Brazilian Football Confederation said on Sunday that Wesley suffered a muscle injury in his left thigh during Brazil’s friendly against Egypt in Cleveland on Saturday. Medical scans later confirmed the injury was serious enough to end his World Cup campaign. "Wesley is a player who is highly valued by the squad and will always remain part of this team striving to win a sixth world title," the confederation said in a statement. Midfielder Éderson, 26, has been called up as Wesley’s replacement and is expected to join the 26-man squad in the United States. Brazil will begin its World Cup group-stage campaign on Saturday at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Meanwhile, concerns remain over the fitness of veteran forward Neymar. The 34-year-old did not travel with the team to Cleveland and is currently sidelined with a calf injury.

Alexander Zverev captured his maiden Grand Slam title on Sunday, defeating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in a five-set thriller to win the French Open at Roland Garros. The third-seeded German secured a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1 victory in more than four hours to claim the first major title of his career in his fourth Grand Slam final. With top rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz absent from the final, Zverev made the most of the opportunity on the Paris clay. The 28-year-old sealed the victory when Cobolli missed an overhead shot on the second championship point. Overcome with emotion, Zverev fell to the court and celebrated his long-awaited breakthrough. Receiving the Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy, Zverev dedicated the triumph to years of perseverance, recalling both his success and heartbreak at Roland Garros. “This court is so special to me,” he said after the match, referring to the serious ankle injury he suffered during the 2022 French Open semifinal against Rafael Nadal and his defeat in the 2024 final. Zverev now joins a select group of players who won their first Grand Slam title in their fourth major final, including Andre Agassi, Goran Ivanisevic and Dominic Thiem. The victory marks a significant milestone for Zverev, who had long been regarded as one of the best players yet to win a Grand Slam title.

Tamim Iqbal, the former national team captain, was elected president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday night, formalizing his rise to the sport’s top office. Following an internal vote by the newly formed 23-member director panel, Tamim transitioned from his role as the head of the interim ad-hoc committee into the board's chief executive position. His path to the presidency was paved by a landslide win in the Category-2 club elections, where he secured 73 of the 76 available votes. While the result was widely anticipated, the lead-up to the election was marked by intense controversy and claims of systemic engineering. Critics and media outlets raised alarms over a clear conflict of interest, noting that seven of the eleven members on the ad-hoc committee—the very group charged with ensuring a neutral vote—were themselves running for board seats. Public frustration was equally palpable, as the interim administration faced widespread ridicule. The board was frequently labeled the "Baper Doa Cricket Board"—a satirical jab implying nepotism—due to the inclusion of influential ministers' children who arrived at their posts without any background in sports administration. This deep-seated political backing effectively hollowed out the election’s democratic core. Competition was scarce, with seven of the ten regional director spots decided without a single vote cast, fueling widespread allegations of backroom deal-making and pressure from powerful government quarters. Regarding the broader election results, the Category-2 club race saw 12 directors elected from a pool of 16 candidates. Four hopefuls—Major Imroz Ahmed, Faiyazur Rahman, Amjad Hossain, and Syed Borhanul Hossain—failed to secure seats. In the regional Category-1 contests, most races were decided by walkovers, with voting restricted to the Barisal and Khulna divisions. Mizanur Rahman, owner of the BPL franchise Fortune Barishal, defeated Muntasir Alam to take the Barisal seat, while Shafiqul Alam and Shantanu Islam claimed the two contested spots in Khulna. Meanwhile, Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir was elected uncontested to Category-3, which represents universities and institutional bodies. The incoming board consists of regional representatives Sayeed Bin Zaman, SM Abdullah Al Fuad, Minhajul Abedin, Moin Uddin Chowdhury, Mir Shakrul Alam, Mirza Faisol Amin, and Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury. The club directors joining Tamim include Masuduzzaman, Fahim Sinha, Asif Rabbani, Yasir Mohammad Faisal Ashik, Mirza Yasir Abbas, Israfil Khosru, Rafiqul Islam, Sarkar Mahbub Ahmed Shamim, Shanian Tanim, Saheed Ibrahim Ahmed, and Sakif Ahmed.

Former national team captain Tamim Iqbal secured the highest number of votes to become a director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday. It has placed him as the frontrunner to be elected the board's next president later on Sunday night.  Tamim, who also headed the ad-hoc committee responsible for organizing the election, secured 73 out of 76 possible votes in Category-2 (Dhaka clubs). Sixteen candidates contested the 12 available director posts in this category. The four candidates who lost the club-category race are Major Imroz Ahmed, Faiyazur Rahman, Amjad Hossain, and Syed Borhanul Hossain. The majority of the board’s leadership took office without a contest, as seven out of ten regional director posts in Category-1 were decided uncontested. Voting took place only in the Barisal and Khulna divisions. In Barisal, Fortune Barishal BPL team owner Mizanur Rahman defeated Muntasir Alam to claim the lone director seat. In the Khulna division, where three candidates vied for two spots, Shafiqul Alam and Shantanu Islam won. Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir had already secured his position uncontested in Category-3, which represents universities and various institutions. Following the confirmation of all 23 elected directors, the newly formed panel will cast their votes on Sunday night to elect the next BCB president, a position Tamim is expected to assume. The newly elected BCB director panel features representatives across three distinct categories. In Category-1, which covers regional divisions and districts, Sayeed Bin Zaman and SM Abdullah Al Fuad won seats for Dhaka, while Minhajul Abedin and Moin Uddin Chowdhury secured leadership for Chittagong. Shafiqul Alam and Shantanu Islam claimed the two available spots for Khulna, alongside individual division representatives Mir Shakrul Alam for Rajshahi, Mirza Faisol Amin for Rangpur, Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury for Sylhet, and Mizanur Rahman for Barisal. The highly competitive Category-2, representing the Dhaka clubs, saw twelve directors take office: Tamim Iqbal, Masuduzzaman, Fahim Sinha, Asif Rabbani, Yasir Mohammad Faisal Ashik, Mirza Yasir Abbas, Israfil Khosru, Rafiqul Islam, Sarkar Mahbub Ahmed Shamim, Shanian Tanim, Saheed Ibrahim Ahmed, and Sakif Ahmed. Completing the board's new leadership structure, Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir secured his position as the sole representative for Category-3, which governs universities and institutional bodies.

As the FIFA World Cup draws closer, the legacy of Brazilian football icon Pelé continues to attract visitors to Santos, the coastal city where he built most of his legendary career. Tourists from around the world visit Santos to explore places linked to Pelé, whose full name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento. His presence can still be felt across the city through colorful murals, football memorabilia and tributes displayed in public spaces. Among the visitors is 67-year-old Mexican retiree Mario Álvarez Gamiño, who traveled to Santos to learn more about the football legend. "His legacy is very important. His life remains an example for everyone," Álvarez said. He praised Pelé not only for his football skills but also for his humility, describing him as a true genius. Pelé, who died in 2022 at the age of 82, spent most of his career at Santos Futebol Clube between 1956 and 1974. He also helped Brazil win three FIFA World Cups in 1958, 1962 and 1970, a record that still stands. The city is home to the Pelé Museum, which showcases the football star's life and achievements through trophies, jerseys, photographs and other memorabilia. Museum director Paulo Monteiro said Pelé's name remains closely tied to Santos around the world. "When people from other countries hear the name Santos, the first thing they think of is Pelé," Monteiro said. "After his passing, our responsibility has become even greater. We want to ensure that his legacy remains alive for future generations." Many of Santos' more than 400,000 residents were too young to watch Pelé play, but they still take pride in his connection to the city. Local bar owner Anderson Albino said Pelé continues to bring attention and visitors to Santos. "We see international media and tourists coming here because of Pelé," Albino said. "For those of us who live in Santos, it is a great honor that he played for our club and represented our city."