United News of Bangladesh

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has expressed confidence that teenage star Lamine Yamal will be available for the team's opening match of the FIFA World Cup despite ongoing recovery from a hamstring injury. Speaking on Wednesday, De la Fuente confirmed that Yamal will miss Spain’s warm-up match against Iraq in A Coruña on Thursday. However, he said the Barcelona forward is on track to be fit for Spain’s Group H opener against Cape Verde in Atlanta on June 15. “If nothing changes, he could be ready to play on June 15,” De la Fuente said, adding that the coaching staff will assess whether Yamal is ready for game time or should continue building fitness ahead of the second group match. The 18-year-old suffered a left hamstring injury while taking a penalty for Barcelona in a Spanish league match on April 22. Earlier this week, Yamal admitted he feared the injury could rule him out of the World Cup and said he had hoped for a timely recovery. De la Fuente also revealed that Nico Williams and Víctor Muñoz, who are recovering from injuries, will not feature in Thursday’s friendly. Players involved in the recent UEFA Champions League final will also be rested. Spain’s final pre-World Cup friendly is scheduled against Peru in Mexico on Monday. After facing Cape Verde, Spain will play Saudi Arabia on June 21 in Atlanta before taking on Uruguay in Guadalajara on June 26. Spain, which won its only World Cup title in 2010, has failed to progress beyond the round of 16 in subsequent editions. De la Fuente said the squad is eager to begin its campaign and perform strongly in the tournament.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Wednesday announced the squad for the 1st and 2nd ODIs of this month’s series against Australia in Dhaka, with all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, and wicketkeeper batter Nurul Hasan Sohan making a comeback.   The three-match series will begin on June 9, with the second and third matches scheduled for June 11 and 14, respectively. From the squad that played in the last ODI series in April against New Zealand, batsmen Afif Hossain and Mahidul Islam Ankon have been left out. Mosaddek makes a return to the Bangladesh fold after four years. The 30-year-old right-hander had last played an ODI in August 2022. Wicket-keeper batsman Nurul is also back after missing the series against New Zealand. Australia will play a bilateral ODI series in Bangladesh for the first time in 15 years, making their first visit to the country since 2011. The hosts face a daunting historical challenge, having lost all previous home ODIs against the tourists. Overall, Bangladesh have managed just a single victory against Australia in their 22 encounters in the format. Bangladesh squad against Australia: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Captain), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana.

Bangladesh will host the 2026 edition of the men’s SAFF Championship in Dhaka from November 4 to 17, South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) confirmed on Wednesday. The official announcement was made during a press conference at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, India. The regional marquee tournament was originally scheduled for September. However, scheduling conflicts arose due to India's prior commitments in the ASEAN Cup during that window. It will be the fourth time that Bangladesh is hosting the event.  Bangladesh hosted the SAFF men’s football event for the first time in 2003, and the event returned to Bangladesh for the second time in 2009. The last time Bangladesh hosted this event was in 2018. 

England has turned to German coach Thomas Tuchel in a renewed effort to end its 60-year wait for a second World Cup title, placing its hopes in a manager whose appointment initially sparked mixed reactions. The decision to appoint Tuchel was not universally welcomed. At his official unveiling in 2024, the former Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach jokingly referred to criticism over his nationality, saying, “I’m sorry I have a German passport.” He had been greeted that morning by critical headlines in the British  media. Messi, Ronaldo and Ochoa headline FIFA World Cup final squad lists Despite the backlash, Tuchel’s record as a Champions League-winning coach in three countries and England’s previous experience with foreign managers-including Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello-strengthened his case. There were also reports linking Pep Guardiola to the role before Tuchel’s appointment. Tensions were further shaped by the long-standing football rivalry between England and Germany, although debate over Tuchel’s nationality quickly eased due to his media approach and England’s perfect World Cup qualifying run. According to academic Jan Rüger, author of Great Powers: A History of Britain and Germany, the reaction reflects improved Anglo-German relations, noting that such an appointment would have been “unthinkable” in the 1990s. Tuchel is the 14th coach tasked with ending England’s trophy drought, which dates back to their 1966 World Cup win. His predecessor Gareth Southgate led England to back-to-back Euros finals and a World Cup semifinal but faced intense criticism, including abuse during Euro 2024. Tuchel has made bold squad decisions, excluding high-profile players such as Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold, while including 35-year-old Jordan Henderson. England captain Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice remain central to his plans. Tuchel, who guided Chelsea to the 2021 Champions League title and PSG to the final, said success depends on team unity rather than individual talent. “I love the difficult decisions because they bring clarity and edge,” he said. “We will always try to select and build the best group, not just collect the best talents.” Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo said the squad believes it can win the tournament.

Bangladesh marched into their third consecutive SAFF Women’s Championship final after a thrilling 2-1 victory over Nepal in the tournament's first semifinal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, on Wednesday. Super-sub Sagorika struck the decisive blow in the 84th minute to cap off a dramatic comeback. Latching onto a precise pass from Tohura Khatun, the forward deftly poked the ball past two trailing Nepali defenders and into the back of the net to seal the victory. The high-stakes encounter began with defending champions Bangladesh under heavy pressure as Nepal dominated early possession. The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Nepal’s Gita Rana flicked home a sharp corner from Dipa Shahi to hand her side an early advantage. Nepal nearly doubled their lead in the 36th minute, but goalkeeper Mile Akter managed a crucial deflection to push Priti Rai's long-range effort onto the woodwork. Bangladesh found their lifeline deep into first-half stoppage time through a spectacular, direct corner-kick from Ritu Porna Chakma. The midfielder curled an "Olympic goal" straight into the net from the flag-kick to equalize just before the interval, dramatically shifting the game's momentum. The second half turned into a physical, end-to-end battle. Nepal's Rekha Poudel struck the post early in the second period, while Mile pulled off several vital saves to keep the holders level. At the other end, Nepal's custodian Anjana Rana Magar kept her side in the contest with a spectacular 78th-minute diving save to deny Sagorika.However, Sagorika made amends six minutes later with her clinical finish, ensuring Bangladesh preserved their four-year regional dominance and booked their spot in the final.

England will begin its home Test season against New Zealand at Lord’s on Thursday, hoping to put behind it the disappointment and criticism that followed a heavy Ashes defeat in Australia. The series marks England’s first Test action at home since a difficult tour in which the team suffered one of its quickest Ashes losses in more than a century. The defeat sparked criticism over England’s preparation, tactics and off-field conduct. Despite the backlash, director of cricket Rob Key, head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes retained their positions following a review of the tour. McCullum acknowledged the disappointment among supporters but said the team had to accept criticism and focus on improving. England has since introduced several changes, including stricter team discipline measures and additional coaching support. Former England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor has joined the coaching staff, becoming the first woman to work with England’s men's Test team. The hosts have also made changes to their batting lineup. Openers Zac Crawley and Ollie Pope have been left out, with Durham batter Emilio Gay and young talent Jacob Bethell earning opportunities. Bethell scored his maiden Test century during the final Ashes Test in Sydney earlier this year. Fast bowler Ollie Robinson has also returned to the squad after being dropped in 2024 over concerns about fitness and attitude. Robinson has taken 76 wickets in 20 Tests and will strengthen England’s pace attack while Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse remain unavailable through injury. New Zealand, meanwhile, arrives with a strong bowling unit led by tall fast bowlers Kyle Jamieson and Will O'Rourke, who are expected to play together in a Test match for the first time after recovering from back injuries. The visitors have also welcomed the return of white-ball captain Mitchell Santner from a shoulder injury. All-rounders Santner and Glenn Phillips are competing for places in the playing XI. Attention will also be on veteran batter Kane Williamson, whose long-term international future remains uncertain after stepping away from a full national contract in 2024. The 35-year-old is closing in on the milestone of 10,000 Test runs and has suggested this could be his final Test appearance at Lord’s. Williamson described Lord’s as one of cricket’s most special venues, praising its traditions and unique atmosphere. The three-match series offers England an opportunity to rebuild confidence after the Ashes setback, while New Zealand will be aiming to continue its strong recent Test performances.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa have been included in the final FIFA World Cup squad lists released on Tuesday, featuring a record 1,248 players from 48 nations. The veteran trio are set to appear in the tournament for a record sixth time, according to FIFA. Out of the total players named for the tournament, 357 have previous World Cup experience, while around 891 will be making their debut on football’s biggest stage. The tournament, featuring 104 matches across Canada, the United States and Mexico, also highlights a significant age range among players. Scotland’s Craig Gordon is the oldest at 43 years and 162 days, while Mexico’s Gilberto Mora, aged 17 years and 240 days, is among 22 players under 20. Seven players in total are aged 40 or above. Four countries- Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan — will be making their World Cup debut. FIFA rules allow squad changes only in cases of serious injury or illness up to 24 hours before a team’s first match, with any exceptions requiring approval from the governing body.

Afghan women footballers who fled their country after the Taliban returned to power are rebuilding their careers in exile, hoping to once again represent Afghanistan on the international stage after years of uncertainty and displacement. The players, now part of the Afghan Women United program, include athletes like goalkeeper Fatima Yousufi and midfielder Mona Amini. Many left Afghanistan in a hurried evacuation after 2021, when the Taliban banned women from sports and forced the national team to disband. Before the takeover, the players were students and athletes who trained and competed despite social pressure and safety risks. After fleeing, several settled in Australia, while others spread across Europe and the United States, continuing to train with the hope of returning to international football. This week, 23 members of the squad are in Auckland, New Zealand, for a training camp and friendly matches against teams including the Cook Islands. Although the Afghan football federation does not officially recognize the women’s team, FIFA in April approved their eligibility for international competition, marking a major breakthrough for the group. Amini described the recognition as a turning point after years of struggle, saying it allowed the team to once again dream of competing under the Afghan flag. She recalled their participation in a recent “Unite” tournament, where they secured a win and were able to hear their national anthem again for the first time in years. Yousufi, who arrived in Australia with only a backpack, said the recognition revived hope after the loss of home, family ties and their sporting careers. She said becoming an official national team again felt like regaining something they thought was gone forever. Coach Pauline Hamill has helped bring the scattered players together through training camps and international fixtures, identifying talent across different countries to rebuild the squad. The players say their journey remains deeply tied to the experiences of women in Afghanistan who are still unable to access education and sport. They hope their return to international football will serve as a message of resilience and opportunity. Amini said the team’s goal is to represent Afghan women and girls who cannot play freely in their own country, adding that they want to inspire a future generation of female athletes. Yousufi said the group is now focused on education, football and advocacy, and hopes their presence on the global stage will help change attitudes about women’s participation in sport and society.

Fast bowler Nathan Ellis produced a career-best performance of 4-33 as Australia defeated Pakistan by 41 runs in the second one-day international on Tuesday, leveling the three-match series 1-1. Defending 231, Australia bowled out Pakistan for 190 on a challenging pitch that offered significant turn for spinners and uneven bounce for seamers. Ellis played a key role with the ball, striking early and regularly to derail Pakistan’s chase. Reflecting on the conditions, he said Pakistan’s pitches for the series were unlike most ODI surfaces seen around the world. "It's definitely different to the traditional one-day cricket we see around the world at the moment," Ellis said. "It's no secret that today it was pretty low and slow we saw the cutters and the slow balls working a lot today, and the ball started to tail and reverse swing through the 35-to-45-over mark." Australia’s innings was built around half-centuries from captain Josh Inglis (51) and Cameron Green (53), while Matthew Renshaw contributed a brisk 43 and teenager Oliver Peake added 31 off 32 balls. After winning the toss, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi chose to field first. Left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas, who impressed on ODI debut in the first match, claimed 2-27, while leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed took 2-34. Afridi and Haris Rauf shared five wickets, finishing with figures of 3-36 and 2-49 respectively. Pakistan’s chase was led by all-rounder Shadab Khan, who scored 71 from 104 balls after enduring a difficult outing with the ball. He shared a 59-run partnership with Arafat Minhas (33) to revive the innings after Pakistan had slumped to 78-6. However, Ellis broke the partnership by trapping Minhas lbw in the 32nd over. Shadab reached his half-century and struck two sixes, but he was eventually the last batter dismissed, stumped by Inglis off leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha. Ellis had earlier removed opener Maaz Sadaqat in his first over before dismissing Babar Azam for 16 with a delivery that sharply moved back into the batter. Australia captain Inglis said his side felt confident once they crossed the 200-run mark. "It was a pretty good total in the end," Inglis said. "It would have been nice for someone to go on and get a big score, but we thought anything over 200, we were right in the game. "You can always call on Nello (Ellis) on those sort of pitches, his variations are outstanding, and when you've got on-pace at 145 and then your slow balls at just over 100k an hour, it's really tough." Earlier, Australia's innings got off to a poor start when Alex Carey was bowled by the first ball of the match from Afridi. Pakistan quickly introduced spinners Minhas and Abrar during the power play and both found success. Abrar dismissed Matthew Short, while Minhas removed Marnus Labuschagne for 5. Inglis and Green then steadied the innings with a 51-run partnership, showing patience on the difficult surface. Inglis reached his fifty before being bowled by Minhas, while Green added another valuable stand with Renshaw. After completing his half-century, Green was caught at long-on off Abrar. Rauf later bowled Renshaw, but Peake’s late cameo, featuring two sixes and a boundary, helped Australia post a competitive total. Pakistan captain Afridi admitted his team conceded too many runs in the closing overs. "We gave away 20-30 extra runs towards the end," Afridi said. "We lost wickets early on and that built pressure on us it is a spinning track, not easy to bat on, but the way Nathan Ellis bowled - stump to stump - that brought him success." The deciding third ODI will be played at the same venue on Thursday.

The Colombo Kaps has drafted Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud for the 2026 edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL). The Colombo franchise confirmed Hasan's selection during the tournament's official player draft. And with this, he became the latest Bangladeshi cricketer to secure an international league contract. As a regular spearhead of Bangladesh's multi-format pace attack, the young fast bowler is expected to significantly bolster Colombo's bowling lineup with his raw pace and proven wicket-taking ability. Hasan's selection underscores a remarkably strong Bangladeshi contingent in the Sri Lankan franchise tournament this season. He joins several high-profile national teammates who have already secured spots in the competition. Earlier in the draft, veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was recruited by the Jaffna Kings, while opening batter Litton Das joined the Galle Marvels.