United News of Bangladesh

Morocco have been forced to make two changes to their World Cup squad after winger Abde Ezzalzouli and defender Nayef Aguerd were ruled out through injuries ahead of the team's opening match against Brazil. FIFA confirmed late Wednesday that Ezzalzouli and Aguerd had withdrawn from the tournament squad. Ezzalzouli, formerly of Barcelona and currently with Real Betis, played a key role in helping the Spanish club secure qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League. He had also been viewed as one of Morocco’s potential standout performers at the World Cup. Aguerd, who plays for French club Marseille, was an important member of Morocco’s squad that reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first African nation to achieve the feat. Morocco have called up Amine Sbaï of French side Angers and Marwane Saadane of Saudi club Al Fateh as replacements. The North African side will begin their World Cup campaign against Brazil on Saturday at MetLife Stadium near New York. They will then face Scotland on June 19 near Boston before concluding their Group C fixtures against Haiti on June 24 in Atlanta. Ezzalzouli sustained a right knee injury during a warm-up match against Norway last weekend. Initial medical assessments had suggested he might remain in the squad and potentially feature in the knockout stages, but the injury ultimately forced his withdrawal.

Bangladesh need 192 runs in 41 as their revised target in the second ODI against Australia when the play resumes after hours of rain-hit hiatus in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon. Rain came in when Australia were batting at 187 for eight, right after Taskin Ahmed’s double strike. After winning the toss, the visitors decided to bat first. But their dream of putting up a big total was hit hard when they lost three wickets without scoring even a single run. It was the first time in Australia’s history that they lost as many wickets with nothing on the board. Matthew Short was the first man to fall for a duck. It was a back-of-a-length delivery from Taskin Ahmed, which shaped back to the stumps from outside the off. Short failed to play it, suffered his third duck in a row in three ODIs, with one before this series. In the second over of the match, Mustafizur Rahman sent back Cooper Connolly and Matt Renshaw for a duck each. Australia lost its sixth wicket for 81 runs, which raised a genuine concern for them to be bowled out in less than 100 runs. But in the seventh wicket stand, Marnus Labuschagne and Xavier Bartlett posted 103 runs. Australia lost the first match at the same venue, which was their first defeat to Bangladesh in an ODI in 21 years. Bangladesh are now sitting on a good chance to beat Australia in an ODI series for the first time in their history.

Middle-order batter Towhid Hridoy has been appointed the new vice-captain of the Bangladesh T20 International squad, replacing top-order batsman Saif Hassan, who voluntarily stepped down from the role to focus on his batting. The structural shake-up to Litton Das’s led side was confirmed by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief selector Habibul Bashar during a press conference following the squad announcement on Thursday. Saif, who was appointed Litton's deputy ahead of the last Asia Cup, requested the board to relieve him of his leadership duties following a prolonged slump in form. “Our regular T20 vice-captain Saif Hassan personally requested us to relieve him of this responsibility,” Habibul Bashar said. “His goal is to concentrate heavily on his batting rather than carrying the additional pressure of leadership. The board respected his decision, and we have decided that Towhid Hridoy will take over as the T20 team's new vice-captain.” Hridoy brings existing leadership experience to the national setup, having regularly captained at the domestic level, including his current stint leading Mohammedan Sporting Club in the ongoing Dhaka Premier League (DPL). Bashar noted that the selection committee was thoroughly impressed by Hridoy's tactical growth during the domestic tournament. “I watched him captain Mohammedan throughout this DPL season, and his leadership genuinely impressed me,” Bashar added. “He proved himself in all the areas we look for in a leader. His captaincy,  sense of responsibility, on-field behavior, and ability to manage the team under pressure have all been highly positive,” he further said. While external discussions often link young leaders to long-term captaincy roles, the chief selector remained focused on immediate goals, expressing confidence that Hridoy is currently the most suitable fit to support Litton. “Only time will tell what the future holds,” Bashar said regarding Hridoy's long-term leadership prospects. “But right now, he is the best possible choice for the vice-captaincy, and that is why the board finalized his appointment.”

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Thursday announced the squads for the T20I home series against Australia, and the lone away Test against Zimbabwe.  The T20 series against Australia will be played in Chattogram, and the only Test against Zimbabwe will take place in Harare, starting on 28 June. The T20I series matches are scheduled for June 17, 19 and 21.  Bangladesh’s T20I squad: Litton Das (Captain), Parvez Emon, Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Shamim Hossain, Tawhid Hridoy (Vice Captain), Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain. Test squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Tawhid Hridoy, Amite Hasan and Robiul Haque.

Heavy monsoon rain halted Bangladesh’s wonderful bowling display against Australia in the 2nd ODI in Mirpur on Thursday.  After winning the toss, the visitors decided to bat first. But their dream of putting up a big total was hit hard when they lost three wickets without scoring even a single run. It was the first time in Australia’s history to lose as many wickets with nothing on the board.  Matthew Short was the first man to fall for a duck. It was a back-of-a-length delivery from Taskin Ahmed, which shaped back to the stumps from outside the off. Short failed to play it, suffered his third duck in a row in three ODIs, with one before this series.  In the second over of the match, Mustafizur Rahman sent back Cooper Connolly and Matt Renshaw for a duck each.  Australia lost its sixth wicket for 81 runs, which raised a genuine concern for them to be bowled out in less than 100 runs. But in the seventh wicket stand, Marnus Labuschagne and Xavier Bartlett posted 103 runs.  Rain came in when Australia were batting at 187 for eight, right after Taskin Ahmed’s double strike.  Australia lost the first match at the same venue, their first defeat to Bangladesh in an ODI in 21 years. Bangladesh are now in a good position to beat Australia in an ODI series for the first time in their history.  

Australia won the toss and opted to bat first in the second ODI of the three-match series against Bangladesh in Dhaka today. They had won the toss in the opening match too and had decided to bowl first. They lost the first match, which was Bangladesh’s first ODI win against Australia in 21 years. Bangladesh made one change to the playing XI, replacing Saif Hassan with Soumya Sarkar. In his last 10 ODI innings, Soumya scored two fifties. Bangladesh XI:  Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Litton Das (wk), Mosaddek Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana, Tanvir Islam Australia XI: Matt Short, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (capt & wk), Matt Renshaw, Alex Cary, Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Riley Meredith//  

The FIFA World Cup, the largest edition in the tournament’s history, officially begins today as 48 national teams start their quest for football’s most coveted trophy across the United States, Canada and Mexico. According to Associated Press reports, the opening day marks the start of a 39-day global football spectacle featuring 104 matches played across 16 stadiums in 16 cities, stretching from Mexico City to Vancouver and New York to Los Angeles. The tournament is being staged for the first time across three countries, with Mexico hosting the opening match, Canada joining the schedule on the following day, and the United States hosting its first fixture shortly after. FIFA has described the 2026 edition as a “new era” for the World Cup, expanding the format from 32 to 48 teams. The new structure allows more nations than ever before to participate, with teams divided into 12 groups. The top two teams from each group, along with the best third-placed sides, will advance to the knockout stage. Opening-day matches are expected to draw global attention, with host nation Mexico taking the spotlight amid a festive ceremony in Mexico City. AP reports highlight that veteran players and emerging talents alike will feature in the opening fixtures, including teams returning after long absences and several World Cup debutants. Security has been tightened across all three host nations, with authorities deploying large-scale operations to manage crowds, fan zones and international visitors expected to arrive in record numbers. The final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, marking the culmination of the biggest World Cup ever staged. FIFA officials say the expanded tournament is designed to bring the World Cup to a wider global audience, while boosting participation from emerging football nations. With the opening whistle today, the world’s most-watched sporting event begins a new chapter in football history.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be staged across 16 venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with several stadiums temporarily renamed by FIFA because their commercial naming-rights sponsors are not official tournament partners. The tournament, jointly hosted by the three North American nations, will feature matches at some of the continent’s most iconic sports venues.

A Somali referee selected for the upcoming World Cup who was denied entry into the United States has returned home to a warm reception, with crowds, officials and football supporters welcoming him at Mogadishu’s airport. Omar Artan, who had been set to become the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making FIFA’s final list, arrived in the capital on Wednesday and was greeted by hundreds of people waving Somali flags. He told supporters he still hopes to participate in the next tournament and urged young Somalis to remain proud of their country. Artan is regarded as one of Africa’s leading referees and was named the continent’s best male referee in 2025. He was stopped at Miami International Airport on Saturday due to what US Customs and Border Protection described as “vetting concerns,” though no further details were provided. Following the incident, FIFA removed him from the tournament’s referee roster. According to the Somalia Embassy in Kenya, Artan had been issued a US visa last week to travel for World Cup preparations in Miami, where officials from the host nations were due to meet referees. His arrival in Mogadishu turned into a public celebration. Supporters, government officials and members of the Somali football community gathered hours in advance at Aden Adde International Airport. On arrival, he was escorted by police to a VIP terminal where he met Somalia’s sports minister and football federation officials. “I promise you, God willing, that I will attend the next one,” Artan said, addressing supporters. “I want the Somali public to take comfort in this and remain confident.” The decision to deny entry to a FIFA-appointed official drew international attention and criticism, raising questions about US procedures ahead of the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Somalia is among several countries affected by new US travel restrictions introduced under the Trump administration’s immigration policy. Artan also called on Somalis to stand by their national identity. “Somalia belongs to us, whether it is in a bad state or a good state,” he said. “That flag belongs to us, and that passport belongs to us.” Despite Somalia’s long-running security challenges and the presence of the al-Shabab extremist group, Artan’s story has been seen by many as a symbol of national pride and possibility. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also expressed support for Artan, saying on X that his achievement had already inspired a generation and that being excluded would not diminish what he had accomplished.

Lionel Messi marked his return from injury with a goal as Argentina defeated Iceland 3-0 on Tuesday in their final warm-up match ahead of the World Cup. The Argentina captain, who is preparing for a record sixth World Cup appearance, came off the bench in the 70th minute and converted a penalty two minutes later after Lautaro Martínez was fouled inside the box. Messi, 38, had been recovering from muscle fatigue and a minor hamstring strain picked up during his last appearance for Inter Miami on May 24. After missing the start of the match, he made an immediate impact once introduced. The Argentina star, the national team’s all-time top scorer with 117 goals, struck a high left-footed penalty in the 72nd minute to seal the win. Argentina, the reigning world champions and three-time winners in 1978, 1986 and 2022, will begin their World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City. Group J also includes Austria and Jordan. The match was only the second meeting between Argentina and Iceland. Their previous encounter came at the 2018 World Cup, which ended 1-1, where Messi had missed a penalty.