United News of Bangladesh

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has recalled veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from retirement for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The 40-year-old goalkeeper, who retired from international football after the 2024 European Championship, was included in Germany’s 26-man squad announced on Thursday. Neuer’s return comes at the expense of Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, who had earlier been assured of the No. 1 position before reports surfaced that Nagelsmann was considering bringing Neuer back. “We told Oli in March that we had a meeting with Manu,” Nagelsmann said, admitting Neuer’s return was “a blow” for Baumann. Baumann has made 11 appearances for Germany, while Neuer has played 124 matches for the national side. Neuer’s last appearance came in Germany’s Euro 2024 quarterfinal defeat to Spain. The call for Neuer’s return intensified following several impressive performances for Bayern Munich, particularly in the Champions League quarterfinals against Real Madrid. However, concerns remain over Neuer’s fitness after Bayern confirmed he is currently sidelined with a calf muscle problem. Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, once seen as Neuer’s successor, has struggled with injuries and made only two appearances for Girona after joining the club on loan earlier this year. Germany’s squad also includes Bayern star Jamal Musiala, who recovered from a broken leg suffered during the Club World Cup in July. “He's healthy, he's fit and will help us a lot to play a good World Cup,” Neuer said about Musiala. Germany, four-time world champions, have been placed in Group E alongside Ivory Coast, Ecuador and Curacao. The team will begin preparations in Herzogenaurach on May 27 and play warm-up matches against Finland and the United States before the tournament begins. Germany: Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nübel (Stuttgart) Defenders: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), David Raum (Leipzig), Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Pascal Groß (Brighton), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich) Midfielders: Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Aleksandar Pavlović (Bayern Munich), Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Forwards: Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart), Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sané (Galatasaray)

A supersized World Cup with more teams, more games and even more host nations than ever before leaves a big question hanging over the biggest sporting show on earth: How much is too much? The latest edition of the World Cup — co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico — will push the boundaries of how far the most popular sport on the planet can go before it reaches breaking point. Be it the limits of physical endurance as top players threaten strike action over an ever-congested calendar, the attention span of fans in an age of seemingly wall-to-wall televised soccer or the exorbitant prices people are prepared to pay for tickets — or even parking — the pressure points are numerous going into the June-July tournament. With an expanded 48-team format — up from 32 — played out over nearly six weeks, some say this year’s tournament risks a dilution of FIFA’s most prized product. “I personally think it’s kind of taken a little bit of the excitement and quality away from the tournament and it’s almost like it doesn’t start until the round of 32,” former U.S. forward Clint Dempsey told The Associated Press. The expanded format has effectively removed the chance of several top teams being drawn in the same group — known as a “group of death” in soccer vernacular. Much of the jeopardy traditionally seen in the early stages of the tournament has been removed until the round of 16 because the eight best third place teams also advance from the groups the round of 32. “I think the biggest danger is dilution of spectacle,” said Jonathan Wilson, author of The Power and the Glory: A New History of the World Cup. “Maybe FIFA gets away with it this time because it’s the first expanded tournament and because ticket prices are enormous. But eventually broadcasters and fans may stop caring if the tournament doesn’t become interesting until the last 16,” Wilson said. “A World Cup game should feel almost must-watch... Nobody is watching 90 out of 104 games. It’s just too much.” FIFA says it’s growing the game FIFA President Gianni Infantino says the expansion of the tournament will make the game “truly global” and create opportunities for countries that “would never have dreamed to participate” in a World Cup. The theory is that given a greater chance to qualify, more nations would increase grass roots funding and therefore improve the standard of soccer around the globe. Four nations will be making their debut at this year’s tournament, including tiny Curacao, the smallest by population ever to qualify. “It’s a big achievement for us to make it, but we also want to show that we can play and that we deserve to be there,” Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room said. Jordan, Cape Verde and Uzbekistan are the other debutants. Haiti has qualified for the first time since 1974. “As children, we all watched the World Cup. We all dreamed of playing in the World Cup. But it was just a dream, a fantasy when you’re a child. Qualifying and being able to participate is unimaginable,” said Haiti midfielder Yassin Fortune. There are certainly feel-good stories. Like Haiti goalkeeper Josué Duverger, who will swap regional soccer in Germany to rub shoulders with Brazil superstars like Vinícius Júnior and Neymar. New Zealand has called up defender Tommy Smith from Braintree Town, which was relegated from the fifth tier of English soccer this season. Critics say sometimes less is more Maheta Molango, chief executive of England’s Professional Footballers’ Association, has been one of the leading voices warning about the impact on top players being asked to play more and more soccer. He says the quality of the product is being diminished and soccer should follow the lead set by the NFL and appreciate the “value of scarcity.” The NFL averages nearly $11 billion in revenue per season from its media deals, with teams playing 17 regular season games and up to 21 if they make the Super Bowl. The English Premier League is the world’s richest and most watched soccer league in the world, yet its financial figures do not match the NFL’s. Its teams play 36 games each per season and its latest domestic broadcast deal was worth $9 billion, at current exchange rates, over a four-year period. Its international deals from 2022-25 were reportedly worth $7.2 billion. Even combined, its yearly broadcast revenue is less than half of the NFL’s. Considering the greater global reach of soccer, the sport needs to think about the quality of its output, Molango said. “We target China, the U.S., India. So this, in my view, should make us reflect on the value of scarcity because sometimes we always think that more is more, but I disagree,” he said. “The starting point has to be ‘let’s put back the quality of the show at the center of our project.’” Growing concerns about players’ health Not only is the product in question, but players unions are concerned about the physical and mental strain on top stars, who are given less rest time. After this World Cup many will have played three consecutive years of major tournaments in the off-season, following the European Championship and Copa America in 2024 and the newly-expanded Club World Cup last summer. In December, the global players’ union FIFPRO said Chelsea had seen a 44% spike in injuries after winning the Club World Cup. Several top players including Brazil stars Rodrygo, Éder Militão and Estevao have been ruled of the tournament after picking up injuries in recent months. “I think the top players get treated a little bit like cattle,” former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher said. “If they start getting criticism for the performances at certain stages of the World Cup, I think we’ve got to remember how much football they’ve played and the conditions that they’re playing the game in and it just doesn’t seem like anyone who organizes football ever thinks about the demands physically and mentally on the on the top players.” More games means more revenue for FIFA The World Cup is FIFA’s main revenue generator and the financial advantage to expanding it is compelling. More games — 104 in total — means more tickets to sell, with prices rising to thousands of dollars for the best seats at the biggest matches. When tickets went on general sale in January they ranged from $140 to $8,680. Since then some have been made available for less and others for significantly more — rising to a face price of $32,970 for the final. FIFA can make more money on its resale marketplace where it takes a 30% commission from each sale. In April the platform listed four tickets to the final for just under $2.3 million each. Fans have accused FIFA of a “monumental betrayal” over its pricing strategy, but demand appears to be high and the not-for-profit organization says the money it makes goes back into the sport. In that case, soccer can expect a bumper windfall from the World Cup, with more than $9 billion in revenue anticipated this year. It remains to be seen if the supersized format it is a turn-off for fans. Audience measurement company Nielsen says interest in international soccer in the U.S. is on the rise. The most watched game on television in the U.S. between 2023-25 was Spain vs. England in the Euros final, with an average audience of 6.6 million. Second was the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia with 6.5 million. At the time of reporting FIFA had struck media deals with 180 territories to broadcast the tournament, with more to come, indicating appetite remains strong even amid wider concerns.  

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than a month away, authorities in Mexico are working around the clock to complete a $500 million renovation of Benito Juárez International Airport, the country’s busiest airport. Passengers arriving at the airport are currently navigating through a large construction zone, with drilling, exposed pipes and unfinished floors. At the same time, banners and giant decorations promoting the World Cup are displayed throughout the terminals. Airport authorities told The Associated Press that more than 3,000 workers are putting in up to 20 hours a day to finish one of the biggest renovation projects in the airport’s history. Engineer Luis Ibarra, 28, said he does not mind the ongoing work, noting that the airport has long struggled with flooding, leaking roofs and severe overcrowding. Adm. Juan José Padilla, the airport’s general director, said the first phase of the project is now more than 90% complete. He said the work has been more difficult than expected because parts of the airport are over 50 years old and some original blueprints are missing. “We are facing years of neglect,” Padilla said, referring to decades of underinvestment at the airport, which serves around 120,000 passengers every day. The modernization project began in May 2025 and is being financed entirely by the airport, which has been operated by the Mexican Navy since 2023. Project coordinator Capt. Arturo Flores said the upgrade includes new terminal exteriors, improved restrooms, renovated baggage claim areas and replacement of nearly 100,000 square meters of flooring and lighting. The redesign has also created an additional 30,000 square meters of waiting space for passengers. The second phase of the project is scheduled to start in August, after the World Cup, and continue through December. Security is also being upgraded. The number of surveillance cameras will increase from 2,200 to more than 4,000, with artificial intelligence used to identify suspicious vehicles, luggage and individuals. Padilla said an anti-drone system will also be installed soon. Earlier this month, Mexico’s foreign ministry announced an agreement with the US Department of Transportation to enforce a 2015 bilateral aviation agreement. Under the deal, Mexico will increase the number of landing and takeoff slots available to airlines. The number of slots had been reduced from 61 to 43 per hour during the previous administration and was later raised to 44. Padilla said the number of slots for both domestic and international airlines will soon rise to 46 per hour. The airport overhaul is one of the major infrastructure projects of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The initiative follows a controversial effort by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to shift traffic from Mexico City to a newly built military-operated airport, a plan that failed to attract significant airline and passenger interest.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer congratulated his favourite football club Arsenal F.C. after the London side won the English Premier League title, ending a 22-year wait. “22 long years for Arsenal. But finally, we’re back where we belong. Champions!” Starmer wrote on X shortly after the title was confirmed late Tuesday. The victory offered a welcome boost for Starmer, who is facing growing political pressure after poor results for the Labour Party in local and regional elections earlier this month. Several Labour lawmakers have called on him to step down, one cabinet minister has resigned, and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is seeking a seat in Parliament to challenge him for the party leadership. On the pitch, Arsenal edged past defending champion Manchester City F.C. to secure the biggest prize in English football. Players celebrated deep into the night after winning the title. Midfielder Eberechi Eze shared photos on Instagram until around 5 a.m. local time. One image showed Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard holding an Arsenal-branded bottle in his mouth, seemingly responding to critics who had labelled the team “bottlers,” a British term used for teams that fail under pressure. Arsenal had finished as runners-up in the Premier League for the previous three seasons and had not won a major trophy since 2020. Ødegaard is expected to lift the Premier League trophy after Arsenal’s final match of the season against Crystal Palace F.C. on Sunday. Videos shared on social media showed several Arsenal players, including Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber walking around the club’s Emirates Stadium as dawn broke.

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam produced a masterful bowling performance to claim 6-120, dismantling Pakistan’s stubborn resistance on the final morning to secure a 78-run victory for Bangladesh in the second Test. The dramatic win at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium completes a historic 2-0 series sweep, marking Bangladesh’s fourth consecutive Test triumph over Pakistan. Chasing a monumental and record-defying target of 437, Pakistan resumed the fifth morning at 316-7, needing 121 runs with wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan anchoring their hopes. After wet ground conditions delayed the start of play, the visitors launched a spirited counter-attack to cross the 350-mark, keeping the chase alive and cutting the deficit to double digits. However, Taijul broke through the burgeoning lower-order resistance. He beautifully looped a delivery to dip and turn past the bat of Sajid Khan (28), drawing a sharp outside edge that captain Najmul Hossain Shanto safely caught at first slip. With this dismissal, Taijul completed his 18th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Shoriful Islam then delivered the definitive blow of the morning by removing a valiant Rizwan. Moving a length ball wide of off-stump, Shoriful induced a loose cut shot from Rizwan (94), who picked out Mehidy Hasan Miraz at gully. Rizwan’s departure for a gritty 94 left the visitors in despair, and Taijul swiftly wrapped up the match just an over later, enticing Khurram Shahzad to sky a catch to long-on to bundle Pakistan out for 358. Pakistan's last three wickets fell on 258. Litton Das who scored 126 runs in the first innings followed by 69 in the second innings was adjudged player of the match while veteran Mushifiqur Rahim was named player of the series for scoring 253 runs in the series, including a century in their second innings. The comprehensive series victory was built on sensational individual performances across the five days. After being put in to bat, Bangladesh posted 278 in the first innings, rescued from a top-order collapse by Litton Das’s majestic 126. Bangladesh’s bowlers then restricted Pakistan to 232, securing a crucial 46-run lead despite a defiant 68 from Babar Azam. The hosts drove the game completely out of Pakistan's reach in the second innings by racking up 390. That historic batting display was headlined by veteran maestro Mushfiqur Rahim, who struck an outstanding 137 off 233 balls to notch his 14th career century, eclipsing Mominul Haque for the most Test hundreds in Bangladesh’s history. Though Pakistan's middle-order fought tenaciously during the fourth innings—highlighted by a roaring 134-run partnership between Rizwan and Salman Agha (71)—Taijul's clever variations consistently altered the game's momentum. Having already accounted for Babar (47) and Shan Masood (71) earlier in the innings, Taijul’s final morning masterclass ensured Bangladesh sealed the maximum World Test Championship points on offer. With back-to-back comprehensive victories following their historic away series win in late 2024, Shanto’s clinical side has definitively underscored a profound power shift in Asian red-ball cricket.

Switzerland have included forward Zeki Amdouni in their World Cup squad despite his limited playing time this season following a serious knee injury. Amdouni, who suffered an ACL rupture last July, has played less than an hour of club football this season. His recent appearance for Burnley as a late substitute at Arsenal on Monday marked only his third outing off the bench since returning from injury. However, his strong international record of 11 goals in 27 matches helped secure his place in coach Murat Yakin’s 26-man squad, which is expected to be among the favourites in a group featuring co-host Canada, 2022 host Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The squad announcement was made over two days through a social media campaign, with fans tasked with identifying players hidden in photos of Swiss residents at their workplaces. Midfielder Granit Xhaka will captain the side at his fourth consecutive World Cup, extending his national record to 144 appearances. Yakin also made some surprise selections in attack, including Christian Fassnacht and Cedric Itten, both of whom have had limited minutes for Switzerland since 2023. Fassnacht, however, is the top scorer in the domestic league with 18 goals this season. Young Boys goalkeeper Marvin Keller is the only other domestic league player in the squad, while Swiss champions Thun were not represented. Defender Manuel Akanji, who recently won the Serie A title with Inter Milan, is also included. Young prospect Johan Manzambi, who will feature for Freiburg in the Europa League final against Aston Villa, has also been named after impressing at international level with goals against Mexico and the United States last year. Switzerland squad Goalkeepers: Gregor Kobel, Yvon Mvogo, Marvin Keller Defenders: Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, Ricardo Rodriguez, Silvan Widmer, Miro Muheim, Aurèle Amenda, Eray Cömert, Luca Jaquez Midfielders: Granit Xhaka, Johan Manzambi, Remo Freuler, Denis Zakaria, Ardon Jashari, Djibril Sow, Christian Fassnacht, Michel Aebischer, Fabian Rieder, Rubén VargasForwards: Breel Embolo, Noah Okafor, Dan Ndoye, Zeki Amdouni, Cedric Itten

Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam stepped up with a brilliant double-strike to break a menacing partnership, pulling Bangladesh back into the driver's seat on the fourth morning of the second Test in Sylhet. At the end of day four, Pakistan still needed 121 with only three wickets in hand.  The visitors, tasked with chasing a monumental, history-defying target of 437, recovered from early setbacks through a defiant stand before Taijul swung the momentum back to the hosts. The foundation of Bangladesh’s total dominance was established on Day 3 by veteran maestro Mushfiqur Rahim. Mushfiqur played a majestic, record-breaking knock of 137 off 233 deliveries to anchor Bangladesh's second innings to 390. His 14th career Test ton pushed him past Mominul Haque to become the country's most prolific Test centurion, setting up a target well beyond any successful chase in the history of the format. Despite losing quick wickets early on the fourth morning, Pakistan launched a spirited counter-attack. Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha forged a resilient, multi-over partnership that began to cause anxiety in the Bangladesh camp. Salman looked exceptionally fluent, striking six boundaries and a six to reach 71 off just 102 balls, shifting the pressure back onto the home side's bowlers. With the game starting to drift, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto made a tactical gamble, handing the spinner the relatively new ball. The move paid immediate dividends in the 82nd over. Taijul, having beat Salman with a sharp turn on the previous delivery, pushed a quicker arm-ball on a full length. Salman prodded forward to defend, but the ball skidded straight through the gap between bat and pad to shatter the stumps, ending the 134-run stand. Taijul struck again just one over later to completely expose Pakistan's tail. He drew Hasan Ali (0) forward with a beautifully dipping delivery outside off-stump. Caught in two minds, Hasan pushed forward uncertainly, offering a thick shoulder-edge that Shanto safely gathered at first slip. The rapid double-blow reduced Pakistan to 312-7, leaving Rizwan fighting a lone battle alongside the lower order. At the end of day four, they were standing at 316 for 7.

Brazil has included star forward Neymar in their World Cup squad, a decision that surprised many analysts who had doubted his readiness due to lingering fitness issues. The 34-year-old striker, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, is set to feature in his fourth World Cup. However, he has struggled to regain peak form since suffering a serious ACL injury in October 2023. This year, he has made eight appearances for Santos FC, scoring four goals and providing two assists. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed confidence in Neymar’s inclusion, saying the forward has shown improvement and could play a key role in the tournament. “He has improved his fitness, he will be an important player in this World Cup,” Ancelotti told reporters, adding that experience was a key factor behind several selections. The coach also said Neymar still has time to further build his fitness ahead of Brazil’s opening match, highlighting his experience and influence within the squad. Shortly before the squad announcement, Neymar updated his social media profile to include Brazil alongside his club affiliation, signaling his readiness for international duty. Brazil’s 26-man squad also features key attacking players such as Vinicius Junior and Raphinha. Ancelotti, who took charge of the national team in May 2025, recently extended his contract through the 2030 World Cup. However, he faces challenges due to injuries to several players, including forwards Rodrygo and Estevao, who were left out of the squad. Brazil will begin their World Cup campaign against Morocco in New Jersey on June 13, before facing Haiti and Scotland in Group C. Brazil Squad: Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Fenerbahce), Weverton (Gremio) Defenders: Alex Sandro, Danilo, Leo Pereira (Flamengo), Bremer (Juventus), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg) Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Lucas Paqueta (Flamengo) Forwards: Endrick (Lyon), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Júnior (Real Madrid), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St. Petersburg), Neymar (Santos), Rayan (Bournemouth).  

Bangladesh's second innings came to an end at 390 on the third afternoon in Sylhet, setting Pakistan a massive and highly improbable target of 437 runs to win the second Test. The innings break was triggered when veteran Mushfiqur Rahim was finally dismissed for a magnificent 137 off 233 balls. Attempting to clear the boundary off Sajid Khan, Mushfiqur was caught at deep midwicket by Mohammad Abbas. His masterclass included 12 boundaries and a six, anchoring the lower order across the day to ensure Bangladesh drove their lead completely out of Pakistan's reach. Off-spinner Sajid Khan wrapped up the tail to finish with figures of 3-126 from a marathon 33.2 overs, while paceman Khurram Shahzad was the pick of the Pakistani attack with 4-86. Facing a heavily wearing Day 3 pitch that is already offering sharp turn, Pakistan brace for an uphill battle to save the Test match and prevent a 2-0 series sweep.  

A masterclass in batting resilience from veteran Mushfiqur Rahim placed Bangladesh in an impregnable position on the third day of the second Test in Sylhet. Mushfiqur struck his 14th career Test century, steering the hosts to 332-6 in the second innings after 87 overs and extending their overall lead to a massive 378 runs, just shy of the 400-mark. Mushfiqur's unbeaten 104 off 181 balls, studded with nine boundaries, was a historic milestone. The century broke his tie with Mominul Haque (13), making him the outright holder of the record for the most centuries for Bangladesh in Test history.Coming to the crease after Pakistan’s Khurram Shahzad threatened a collapse with four wickets (4-81), the 39-year-old displayed immense composure under the scorching Sylhet sun to systematically bat the visitors out of the game. The innings was bolstered by a gritty top-order performance. Mahmudul Hasan Joy set the tone early with a resilient 52. However, it was Mushfiqur's 123-run stand with Litton Das—who followed up his first-innings 126 with a brisk 69—that completely deflated the Pakistani attack. Pakistan's bowlers struggled to replicate their first-innings discipline on a wearing day-three pitch. Shahzad was the lone bright spot, accounting for the wickets of Tanzid, Mominul, Najmul Hossain Shanto (15), and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (19). However, the visitors found no answers for Mushfiqur, who comfortably marshaled the lower-middle order alongside Taijul Islam (17*). With a commanding 378-run cushion and four wickets still in hand, Bangladesh hold all the aces.