United News of Bangladesh

Italian sports officials say four-time champion Italy is not interested in replacing Iran at the upcoming World Cup following a suggestion to that effect by a Trump administration official. Iran has not withdrawn from the World Cup, and the team is preparing to play in the U.S. despite the war in the Middle East. FIFA has insisted its group stage games near Los Angeles and in Seattle will go ahead as planned in June. The Financial Times reported that Paolo Zampolli, the U.S. special envoy for global partnerships, had suggested the swap to President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino. In a phone interview with the Associated Press on Thursday, Zampolli emphasized that “my request is not a political request.” The ask, which was made to Trump and Infantino on Wednesday, was meant as a contingency plan in case Iran could not participate in the soccer tournament at the last minute. “I had a dream,” Zampolli told the AP. “My request was for the Italian people and the American-Italian people.” He said in the FT interview that, with four titles, the Italian national team’s appearance in the World Cup would be justified. Italian officials pushed back hard at the suggestion, with Sports Minister Andrea Abodi saying Thursday that “first of all, it’s not possible. Secondly, it’s not a good idea.” Luciano Buonfiglio, the president of the Italian Olympic Committee, which oversees all sports in Italy, also dismissed the idea. “I would feel offended,” Buonfiglio said. “You need to deserve to go to the World Cup.” Italy’s Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti called the suggested swap “shameful.” Hours later, Trump was asked at the White House about Iranian soccer players potentially not being allowed into the U.S. for the World Cup. He initially joked, “I don’t think about it too much” before adding, “That’s an interesting question.” “Let me give that some thought,” Trump added. He then deferred to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said, “Nothing from the U.S. has told them they can’t come.” “The problem with Iran would be, not their athletes. It would be some of the other people that they want to bring with them,” Rubio said, suggesting that Iran’s soccer team could bring in people loyal to militant groups disguised as journalists and trainers. “We may not be able to let them in,” Rubio said of people around the team. “But not the athletes themselves.” He added that there had been “speculation that Iran may decide not to come, but then Italy could fill their spot,” without adding details. “If they decide not to come on their own, it’s ‘cause they decided not to come,” the secretary of state said of Iranian athletes. While Iran was among the first teams to qualify for the World Cup, Italy missed out for the third consecutive tournament, resulting in the resignations of its national team coach and soccer federation president. Zampolli has long been a part of the Trump family orbit, having introduced then-Melania Knauss to Donald Trump at a New York Fashion Week party in 1998. He regularly posts on social media about his meetings with Infantino, calling him the “King of Soccer.” Trump last year appointed him as special representative for global partnerships. In March, The New York Times reported that Zampolli had reached out to a top official at Immigration and Customs Enforcement, informing him that the mother of his child was in the country illegally as the two were locked in a custody dispute. She was ultimately deported. The White House did not return a request for comment. Its World Cup task force, housed under the Department of Homeland Security, said it had no comment. FIFA also would not comment. The Iranian embassy in Rome denounced Zampolli’s remarks in a comment on X. “Football belongs to the people, not to politicians,” the embassy said. “Italy earned its soccer prowess on the field, not thanks to political maneuvers. The attempt to exclude Iran from the World Cup shows only the ‘moral bankruptcy’ of the United States, which fears even the presence of 11 young Iranians on the field of play.” Iran’s status at the World Cup, which starts in June, has been a source of debate and concern since the U.S. and Israel launched military attacks on the country in February. Trump in March discouraged Iran from participating in the tournament, citing safety concerns. FIFA has consistently said Iran will stick to the World Cup schedule decided last December, and refused to negotiate any suggestion of moving the team’s games to co-host Mexico. An Iranian government spokesperson said Wednesday that the men’s national team is preparing for “proud and successful participation” in its World Cup games in the U.S. Iran earned one of eight guaranteed World Cup places allocated to the Asian Football Confederation. Should Iran pull out, in theory the replacement should be the United Arab Emirates, the highest-ranked Asian team that didn’t qualify. One possible element of uncertainty is the language of the World Cup tournament rules. FIFA wrote that it can decide to replace a withdrawn team “with another association,” though without specifying the replacement must come from the same continental confederation.  

Bangladesh defeated New Zealand by 55 runs in the series-deciding third ODI on Thursday, driven by a five-wicket haul from returning fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman and a century by Najmul Hossain Shanto. Chasing a target of 266, New Zealand was bowled out for 210 in 44.5 overs. Mustafizur anchored the bowling attack with figures of five for 43, dismantling the middle order after the visitors made a steady start. Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz praised his bowlers and fielders, noting the team anticipated a pitch offering spin and uneven bounce for the fast bowlers. "We knew early wickets would bring us momentum," Miraz said after the match. "They know how to bowl in these conditions." Fast bowler Nahid Rana, who was named Player of the Series after securing eight wickets across the three matches, claimed two wickets in the decider. "I was only thinking today that my captain has asked me to take wickets," Rana said. "I only assess the conditions and then bowl accordingly." Dean Foxcroft provided late resistance for the visitors, scoring 75 off 72 deliveries, including seven sixes. Foxcroft attempted to narrow the deficit but was the final wicket to fall, caught off the bowling of Miraz. Nick Kelly added 59 before falling to Rahman. Earlier, Bangladesh posted 265 for eight after New Zealand won the toss and elected to field. Following a top-order collapse orchestrated by New Zealand fast bowler Will O'Rourke, Shanto and Litton Das stabilized the innings. Entering the match with the score at 9 for two, Shanto scored 105 from 119 balls to earn Player of the Match honors. Litton contributed 76 from 91 deliveries to push the hosts to a defensible total. Shanto commended the New Zealand bowlers for their early precision but emphasized the importance of his 160-run partnership with Litton. "The way Litton played today, really outstanding," Shanto said. "He held one side and I tried to score some runs. It wasn't an easy wicket to bat on. We just tried to make a big partnership."

Najmul Hossain Shanto scored his fourth ODI century to rescue Bangladesh from an early collapse, guiding the hosts to 265 for eight against New Zealand in the series-deciding third match on Thursday. New Zealand require 266 runs to secure the series victory. Shanto hit 105 from 119 deliveries and shared a critical 160-run partnership with wicketkeeper Litton Das, who scored 76, after the home side stumbled to 32 for three inside the first nine overs.Fast bowler Will O'Rourke caused the initial damage for New Zealand. O'Rourke dismissed openers Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan for zero and one, respectively, before removing Soumya Sarkar for 18, finishing his seven-over spell with figures of three for 32. Following the sharp opening burst, Shanto and Das absorbed the pressure and initiated a controlled recovery. The pair relied heavily on strike rotation and gap placement during their 178-ball stand rather than regular boundaries. Left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Litton Das in the 39th over, and later claimed Shanto to finish with two for 50. In the lower-middle order, Towhid Hridoy provided late acceleration, remaining unbeaten on 33 from 29 balls. Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz added a brisk 22 from 18 deliveries before falling to off-spinner Dean Foxcroft. The New Zealand bowling attack maintained discipline during the death overs, restricting Bangladesh to 34 runs in the final five overs while taking three late wickets. Fast bowler Ben Lister secured two of those dismissals in the 49th over, removing Shoriful Islam and Tanvir Islam in quick succession, finishing with two for 62.

Bangladesh suffered a top-order collapse, falling to 71 for three in the first 18 overs against New Zealand in the deciding third ODI in Chattogram.  New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first. The three-match series is currently tied at 1-1, with the visitors winning the opener and Bangladesh securing a six-wicket victory in the second match in Dhaka. Fast bowler Will O'Rourke dominated the opening powerplay, claiming all three wickets to dismantle the host nation's top order. He struck on his second delivery of the match, finding the outside edge of opener Saif Hassan for a scoreless duck, with wicketkeeper Tom Latham completing the catch. O'Rourke then dismissed Tanzid Hasan for one run. Hasan attempted to fend away a back-of-a-length delivery but dragged an inside edge onto his own stumps.  Soumya Sarkar, who provided early resistance with 18 runs from 26 deliveries, suffered a similar fate in the ninth over. Attempting a late cut against O'Rourke, Sarkar chopped the ball onto his stumps to leave Bangladesh in deep trouble at 32 for three.  At the end of the 18-over mark, Najmul Hossain Shanto was unbeaten on 28, and Litton Das was batting on 19.

Iran has said it is fully prepared for its national team to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, despite ongoing security concerns. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said the country’s sports ministry has completed all necessary preparations for the team’s participation. Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, has indicated that Iran is expected to take part in the tournament, which is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump raised concerns over whether it would be appropriate for the Iranian team to attend the event, citing security issues. #From Middle East Eye

The 117th edition of the historic Jabbar-er Boli Khela is set to be held on April 25 at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram, alongside a three-day Baishakhi fair from April 24 to 26. Digital operator Banglalink is sponsoring the event for the 12th time, continuing its long-standing support for one of the country’s most iconic traditional sporting events. Preparations for the event were outlined at a press conference held on Wednesday at the Chattogram City Corporation Library. Also known as Abdul Jabbar-er Boli Khela, the century-old wrestling competition has been an integral part of Chattogram’s cultural heritage since its introduction in 1909 by local merchant Abdul Jabbar Sawdagor. Traditional ‘Jabbar er Boli Khela’ begins in Chattogram Originally aimed at inspiring youth, the event has grown into a major public gathering that draws wrestlers and spectators from across the country each year. Banglalink said its continued association with the event reflects its broader commitment to preserving and promoting Bangladesh’s cultural traditions, alongside its focus on customer service. This year’s competition will be livestreamed on Toffee, enabling audiences nationwide to watch the event in real time and expanding its reach beyond Chattogram. The descendants of Abdul Jabbar, along with members of the local community, continue to play a vital role in organising the event, helping maintain its authenticity and ensuring wide participation. With digital support and growing national interest, organisers hope the traditional sport will reach new audiences while retaining its historic significance.

Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana jumped 32 spots in the latest International Cricket Council One-Day International bowling rankings, reaching 64th place following his match-winning five-wicket haul against New Zealand. Rana, who has played 10 ODIs, secured five wickets for 32 runs and earned Player of the Match honors in the second game of the ongoing series in Mirpur on Monday. Fellow left-arm fast bowler Shoriful Islam, playing his first ODI series since December 2024, climbed to 39th after claiming two wickets in each of the first two matches. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain advanced 10 places to 58th after taking three wickets across the two games. Bangladesh rest key pacers, call up uncapped Saqlain for NZ T20 series In the batting rankings, opener Tanzid Hasan moved up 14 spots to 40th after anchoring the run chase with a 76-run innings in the second ODI. Towhid Hridoy advanced five spots to a joint 26th position following an unbeaten 30, while Najmul Hossain Shanto climbed one spot to 43rd after scoring a half-century in the same match. New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell retained the top position in the batting rankings despite not participating in the current series. In contrast, Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz dropped two places to eighth in the bowling rankings after managing only one wicket in the first two matches. Fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman, who missed the games due to injury, fell seven spots to 55th.

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) on Wednesday conferred a reception to the Bangladesh Under-20 national football team following their title win in the SAFF U-20 Championship. At a event held at the Gulshan Nagar Bhaban, each player of the champion team was awarded a cheque of Tk 50,000, along with crests and souvenirs. Members of the coaching staff were also honoured. DNCC Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton attended the event as the chief guest, while Bangladesh Football Federation President Tabith Awal was present as special guest. DNCC Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Asaduzzaman delivered the welcome speech. Speaking on the occasion, the DNCC Administrator said the nation feels proud whenever Bangladeshi players carry the national flag in victory laps, adding that football in the country is entering a new phase. He also noted that steps are being taken, under the prime minister’s directives, to free open spaces from illegal occupation and make them suitable for sports activities. Addressing the players, he said they are seen as the future of the national team and emphasised that the purpose of the event was to honour and inspire them rather than focus on financial rewards. In his speech, Tabith Awal thanked the DNCC Administrator for supporting sports, saying city corporations play an important role in developing sports and fostering social unity. Among others present were BFF Vice-President Fahad Mohammad Ahmed Karim, members of the U-20 team, DNCC Chief Health Officer Brig Gen Imrul Kayes Chowdhury, Chief Engineer Brig Gen Syed Rakibul Hasan, and officials from both DNCC and BFF.

Mexico has announced increased security measures at major tourist destinations after a deadly shooting at the Teotihuacan pyramids raised fresh concerns ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Authorities said a lone gunman opened fire on tourists Monday at the UNESCO World Heritage site, killing one Canadian visitor and injuring at least a dozen others. President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged security gaps at the site, describing the attack as an “isolated incident” but vowing steps to prevent a recurrence. Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch said forces have been ordered to immediately strengthen protection at archaeological sites and key tourist areas nationwide. Measures include increasing the presence of the National Guard, enhancing security checks and expanding surveillance systems. The shooting comes less than two months before Mexico co-hosts the World Cup with the United States and Canada, with Teotihuacan expected to be a major attraction for visiting fans. The government has already announced a broader security plan involving the deployment of around 100,000 personnel, along with military vehicles, aircraft and drones, particularly in host cities such as Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. Despite officials highlighting a decline in homicides in recent years, the incident has renewed scrutiny over security preparedness as the global tournament approaches.

Real Madrid returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over relegation-threatened Deportivo Alavés, reducing FC Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga to six points. Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior scored on either side of halftime to seal the win at the Santiago Bernabeu, ending Real’s two-match winless run in the league. The result comes after Real’s exit from the Champions League quarter-finals against Bayern Munich. Barcelona have the chance to restore their nine-point cushion when they face Celta Vigo on Wednesday, with six matches remaining in the season. Real Madrid are in danger of ending the campaign without a trophy for only the fifth time this century, having previously gone without silverware in 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10 and 2020-21. With coach Álvaro Arbeloa’s future reportedly uncertain, winning the league could be key to his stay next season. Mbappe opened the scoring in the 30th minute, netting his 24th league goal of the season. Vinicius doubled the lead six minutes into the second half, finishing from a pass by Federico Valverde for his 12th goal of the campaign. Alaves pulled one back with the final kick of the match through Tony Martínez. Real will next travel to Real Betis on Friday, while Alaves host RCD Mallorca a day later. #From BBC