United News of Bangladesh

Pep Guardiola on Friday has confirmed he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season, bringing to a close a highly successful 10-year spell in which he transformed the club into one of Europe’s dominant forces. Guardiola, whose contract had one year remaining, said he will take charge of his final match against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday. City also announced that he will later serve as a global ambassador for the club. “Don’t ask me the reasons I’m leaving. There is no reason, but deep inside, I know it’s my time,” Guardiola said, adding that while nothing lasts forever, the memories and relationships built at the club would remain permanent. Since arriving in 2016, the Spanish coach guided Manchester City to six Premier League titles and their first-ever UEFA Champions League crown in 2023. During his tenure, he won 17 major trophies with the club, including multiple domestic doubles. Guardiola also set several records, including becoming the first manager to lead a team to four consecutive English league titles and to reach 100 points in a single Premier League season. City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak praised his contribution, saying Guardiola not only improved Manchester City but also “made football better” through his tactical influence and possession-based style that reshaped English football. Despite recent setbacks, including two seasons without a league title and early Champions League exits, Guardiola’s era is widely regarded as one of sustained dominance in modern football. City CEO Ferran Soriano described his impact as historic, noting the difficulty of maintaining consistent success at the highest level. Guardiola’s departure comes amid ongoing scrutiny over alleged financial breaches involving the club, which Manchester City has consistently denied. Guardiola has also publicly backed the club’s innocence. City said his new ambassadorial role will involve providing technical guidance within the club’s ownership network.

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will miss Saturday’s German Cup final against defending champion VfB Stuttgart because of a calf injury, raising concerns over his fitness ahead of Germany’s World Cup campaign. Bayern said Friday that the 40-year-old goalkeeper has “muscle problems in the left calf” and will not be included in the squad for the final. However, the club did not say how long he could remain sidelined. Neuer, who has struggled with injuries this season, picked up the latest problem during Bayern’s final Bundesliga match against Cologne last weekend. The club later said he would need to take a break for the time being. His return to the Germany national team after two years of international retirement was one of the biggest talking points when coach Julian Nagelsmann announced the World Cup squad on Thursday. Nagelsmann confirmed that Neuer would return as Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper for the tournament. Germany will open their World Cup campaign against Curacao in Houston on June 14. The four-time world champion will also play Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Group E. The team is scheduled to begin preparations in Herzogenaurach on May 27 before playing warm-up matches against Finland in Mainz on May 31 and the United States in Chicago on June 6.

Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been left out of Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man England squad for this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has also been omitted, with the 33-year-old saying he was “shocked and gutted” by the decision. Maguire’s mother Zoe also expressed disappointment on social media, saying she was “disgusted” by the call. Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is included after helping his side win the Europa League on Wednesday, alongside Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney, who has scored 32 goals in 32 games in the Saudi Arabian league this season. Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White has missed out despite being among the top-scoring English players in the Premier League this season, level on 14 goals with Watkins and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Manchester City’s Foden and Chelsea’s Palmer — both attacking midfielders who can also play as forwards — have had inconsistent seasons. In a post on Instagram, Maguire confirmed: “I was confident I could have played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had. I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision. I wish the players all the best.” Maguire’s Manchester United teammate Luke Shaw has also been omitted despite his impressive season. Shaw was named in Tuchel’s 55-man provisional squad and there had been a clamour for his inclusion. But with Newcastle’s Dan Burn and Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly included, Shaw is expected to miss out. Chelsea defender Levi Colwill and AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori are also out, though Arsenal winger Noni Madueke has made the cut. He joins Premier League-winning teammates Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze, who is rewarded for his strong form with a place in the 26-man squad. Tottenham defender Djed Spence has also been included, meaning there is no place for Real Madrid’s Alexander-Arnold, Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly or Everton’s James Garner. Spence, 25, suffered a broken jaw in Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat by Chelsea on Tuesday but is expected to wear a protective mask if he plays against Everton in the Premier League on Sunday. The omissions of Maguire, Tomori and Colwill mean Manchester City defender John Stones has been included despite an injury-disrupted season. Tuchel views Stones as a key player but has concerns over his fitness. Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is another to miss out, while Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo keeps his place after earning a recall for previous friendlies. Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson, who has been a mainstay under Tuchel, also retains his spot. The World Cup, to be held across the US, Mexico and Canada, begins on June 11. Foden has played 49 times for England but started only 22 Premier League games for Manchester City this season, scoring seven goals and providing five assists across 32 top-flight appearances. Palmer scored nine goals in 25 Premier League games during an injury-hit campaign for Chelsea, who are eighth in the Premier League after a disappointing season. Speaking to BBC Sport last month, Maguire, who has played 67 times for England and scored seven goals, said he was “desperate” to go to the World Cup. “I think it would be my last World Cup for my country. I’ve been to two, I missed out on the Euros two years ago through injury, which just hurt a lot really. So I’m desperate to go, whatever role the manager would want me for,” he said. “Whether that’s starting or deciding games late on, I still believe even at my age I’m arguably one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes.” England warm up for the tournament with friendlies against New Zealand on June 6 and Costa Rica on June 10. They will open their World Cup campaign against Croatia on June 17, followed by group matches against Ghana and Panama. England World Cup squad Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City) Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham), John Stones (Manchester City) Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) Forwards: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona on loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) #From BBC

Cristiano Ronaldo finally celebrated his first major trophy with Al-Nassr after scoring twice in a 4-1 victory over Damac FC to secure the Saudi Pro League title on Thursday. The 41-year-old Portuguese star played a key role in helping Al-Nassr win its first major title since he joined the club more than three years ago. After the celebrations, Ronaldo shared a video on social media showing him and his teammates celebrating with the trophy. The post included the message: “It means so much to us,” along with the phrase “Yalla Nassr,” a popular chant among the club’s supporters meaning “Come on, Al-Nassr!” The title triumph came just two days after Ronaldo was named in Portugal’s squad for the upcoming World Cup, which could become his record sixth appearance in the tournament. The win helped Al-Nassr finish at the top of the league table, two points ahead of city rivals Al-Hilal, who ended the 34-match season unbeaten but finished second. Ronaldo scored his 27th and 28th league goals of the season in the second half. Earlier, Sadio Mane and Kingsley Coman had scored on either side of halftime to give Al-Nassr control of the match. With Al-Nassr leading 2-1, Ronaldo extended the advantage shortly after the hour mark with a curling free kick from the left side that went through a crowd of players and into the net. He scored again eight minutes before full time from close range to confirm the victory as celebrations erupted around the stadium. Ronaldo, visibly emotional, received a standing ovation when he was substituted with three minutes left. The title is Al-Nassr’s 11th league championship and its first since 2019.

A large statue of soccer great Pelé was unveiled Thursday in the Mexican city of Guadalajara to commemorate his achievements with the Brazilian national team. Pelé, who died at age 82 in 2022, won one of his three World Cup titles in Mexico at the 1970 edition of the tournament. "This monumental figure of this great player, who played here and scored a great goal, is a great gift to the people of Jalisco and to all visitors,” Jalisco Gov. Pablo Lemus said. “Pelé loved Guadalajara, and the Brazilian national team fell in love with it because the Mexican public gave them everything in 1970.” The 9.5-meter-tall (31-foot) statue is located in a public square called Plaza Brazil outside the Jalisco Stadium, which hosted matches in the 1970 and 1986 World Cups. For its 1970 title run, Brazil played its first-round, quarterfinal, and semifinal matches at the stadium before beating Italy in the final at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. “People who come to the Jalisco Stadium now will stop to take pictures. This statue will be a landmark, especially since it depicts a football star like Pelé,” Lemus said. “It’s a great gift for the World Cup.” In the 2026 World Cup, Guadalajara will host four first-round matches: South Korea vs. Czech Republic on June 12; Mexico vs. South Korea on June 18, Colombia vs. Congo on June 23, and Uruguay vs. Spain on June 26.

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.

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