United News of Bangladesh

Victor Osimhen faces the possibility of being one of the finest players of his generation never to appear at a World Cup if Nigeria fails to advance in the African qualifying playoffs for the 2026 tournament, which begin Thursday. Injuries kept Osimhen out for much of Nigeria’s 10-game qualifying group over the past two years, contributing to the Super Eagles landing in a four-team playoff bracket in Morocco, where they first face Gabon. The winner will still need to compete in the six-team intercontinental playoffs in March, likely in Mexico. At 26, Osimhen, top scorer in this season’s Champions League with Galatasaray, is near his peak, combining speed, skill, and power reminiscent of his idol Didier Drogba, all while wearing a protective mask for facial plates inserted after a serious injury four years ago. Osimhen, who once paused soccer to work at a church before breaking out at the Under-17 World Cup, carries Nigeria’s hopes after the country missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The path to the playoffs has been bumpy. In Rabat, players protested unpaid bonuses and initially refused to train. Nigeria, top-seeded in a six-team qualifying group, struggled without Osimhen in November 2023 and June 2024, failing to win its first four games. His six goals in five unbeaten matches last month helped Nigeria finish second behind group winner South Africa. Nigeria enters the playoff semifinal as favorites against Gabon, led by 36-year-old striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Captain William Troost-Ekong reassured fans that the financial dispute was resolved Wednesday. Harry Kane emerges as Barcelona’s ‘top transfer target’ Osimhen first rose to prominence at the 2015 Under-17 World Cup in Chile, scoring in all seven games and netting the opener in Nigeria’s 2-0 final win over Mali. He debuted for the senior team at 18 but missed the 2018 World Cup in Russia after a goalless season at Wolfsburg. He also saw Nigeria eliminated by Ghana in the Qatar qualifiers. Coming from a challenging background as the youngest of seven and losing both parents, Osimhen worked to support his family, even taking a nearly two-year break from football to help at Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s church. He was later nurtured by Nigeria Under-17 coach Emmanuel Amunike. A Serie A winner with Napoli and African Player of the Year in 2023, Osimhen now has the chance to shine on the global stage at the 2026 World Cup. Source: AP 

Barcelona have reportedly identified England captain Harry Kane as their top target to succeed Robert Lewandowski in the No. 9 position next season. According to a report by Will Unwin of The Guardian, the Spanish champions view the 32-year-old Bayern Munich striker as the ideal long-term replacement for Lewandowski, whose contract expires in June 2025. When he moved to Bayern in the summer of 2023, Kane negotiated a series of release clauses in his contract, including one that would allow him to leave for €65 million (£57.1 million or $75.1 million) in the summer of 2026 if he chooses to do so. German outlet BILD reports that Kane must announce his decision to leave during the winter in order to activate the clause for the following summer. Should he make that choice in the coming months, he would be available in the 2026 summer transfer window for a fee of €65 million. Since joining Bayern Munich from Tottenham Hotspur for £100 million in August 2023, Kane has been phenomenal for the Bavarian side—scoring 108 goals in 113 appearances. In September, he became the fastest player this century to reach 100 goals for a club in Europe’s top five leagues. He also ended his long trophy drought in May after playing a key role in Bayern reclaiming the Bundesliga title. Although Kane said last month he was open to staying at Bayern beyond his current deal, which runs until June 2027, the opportunity to join another global powerhouse and compete for further major honours could tempt him to Barcelona. Furthermore, the possible departure of Barcelona’s Polish star Lewandowski at the end of the season could open the door for the English striker to become his successor. However, whether Kane would accept such a proposal remains uncertain. Spanish media suggest that Kane is “considering” a move to Catalonia, but the England captain has publicly dismissed speculation. “I’m very happy here in Munich,” the 32-year-old said last month. “[Leaving] is not something I’m thinking about.” The Catalan club already have another England international, Marcus Rashford, in their squad. Rashford, currently on loan from Manchester United, has been impressive this season with six goals and seven assists. Barcelona also have an option to make his move permanent for £30 million.

Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar is in stable condition in hospital after falling ill with a heart issue, his club Sao Paulo has said. Brazilian media reported that Oscar was doing tests on an exercise bicycle when he collapsed and was unconscious for about two minutes. The 34-year-old was then taken to hospital in an ambulance. “During tests carried out on Tuesday morning, at SuperCT, as part of pre-season preparation, athlete Oscar presented a complication with cardiac changes, and was promptly treated by the club’s professionals and the medical team from Einstein Hospital Israelita, who were present at the scene,” Sao Paulo said in a statement. “The player was then taken to the hospital, where he is clinically stable and remains under observation for further tests to clarify the diagnosis.” Oscar has a contract with Sao Paulo until 2027. He returned to his boyhood club on a free transfer last December after a long spell in China. Oscar won one Europa League title and two Premier League trophies with Chelsea, which he joined in 2012. He moved to Shanghai in the middle of Chelsea’s 2016-17 season for a transfer fee reported to be $73 million. He won three Super League titles in China and became a fan favorite in Asia. Oscar played for Brazil at the 2014 World Cup where he scored the only goal in its 7-1 semifinal defeat to Germany, which went on to win the tournament.

The United Arab Emirates and Iraq have one final chance to keep their 2026 FIFA World Cup dreams alive in a two-leg series in the fifth round of Asian qualifying. The first leg will be played in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, with the return leg set for Basra, Iraq, next Tuesday. The winner will advance to FIFA’s intercontinental playoffs in March, competing for one of the last two spots in the expanded 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. “Our primary goal is to secure Iraq’s qualification to the World Cup, which would be a historic achievement for our nation,” Iraq coach Graham Arnold said. The 62-year-old Australian, who guided Australia to the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, took charge of Iraq in March and is aiming to return the team to the tournament for the first time since 1986. “Qualifying through the playoffs is a historic opportunity, and we must seize it. Everyone representing Iraq must give their all,” he added. In the third round, Iraq and UAE finished third in their groups, missing out on automatic qualification. Both teams again fell short in October’s fourth round, finishing second behind Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Arnold criticised the format, pointing out the advantages enjoyed by the group winners, including extended rest periods and home support. “Qatar had six days of rest, home support, and it made a huge difference,” he said, adding that he hopes the 60,000 fans expected in Basra can boost his team in the return leg. UAE coach Cosmin Olaroiu expressed similar frustration over the fourth round but said his team is focused on Thursday’s sold-out match at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, where 36,000 spectators are expected. “We have to forget the Qatar match. We still have a chance to qualify, and we must make the most of it. Everyone has a role to play,” he said. Asia has eight automatic spots for the 2026 World Cup, already claimed by Japan, South Korea, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The UAE and Iraq now fight for a final opportunity to reach FIFA’s intercontinental playoffs and keep their World Cup hopes alive.   Source: AP

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo hinted that he will retire within the next two years, confirming that the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his last appearance on football’s biggest stage. “I will be 41 years old and I think will be the moment in the big competition (World Cup),” Ronaldo told CNN’s Becky Anderson in an interview at the Tourism Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday. As for when he’ll retire from the sport, the all-time leading goalscorer in international football history said, “I’m enjoying the moment, but when I mean soon, it’s really soon because I gave everything for football. “I’m in the game for the last 25 years. I did everything. I have many records in the different scenarios in the clubs and also in the national teams. I’m really proud, so let’s enjoy the moment, live the moment.” Ronaldo has scored 143 international goals and is the first-ever male player to score at five World Cups. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is hoping to play at a sixth World Cup next year. He came closest to lifting the trophy on debut in 2006, when Portugal lost to France in the semi-finals. The expanded 48-team tournament, the largest in history, kicks off June 11, 2026, in the US, Mexico and Canada. The World Cup draw is scheduled for December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Portugal have yet to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, but can secure their spot if they beat Ireland on Thursday.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh, in partnership with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and the ICT Division, launched the “One Field, Many Voices” campaign on Tuesday at Sir John Wilson School in Dhaka to promote diversity, inclusion, and digital safety through the power of sports. The event marked the first of the two school activations under the nationwide awareness campaign led by UNDP’s Partnerships for a More Tolerant, Inclusive Bangladesh (PTIB) project. It brought together national women’s football players, diplomats, school students, and educators to raise awareness on cyberbullying, online hate, and the role of sports in fostering unity across Bangladesh’s diverse communities. The campaign builds on a recent social listening study by PTIB that analyzed more than 10,000 online comments about women’s football. The findings revealed that women athletes have become powerful voices of inclusion; breaking stereotypes, inspiring girls, and transforming national pride into a unifying force that transcends religion and ethnicity. Attending the event, Tabith Mohammed Awal, President of the Bangladesh Football Federation, stressed the awareness regarding digital harassment. “Just like on the football field, in life and online we face challenges. Whatever happens on the internet, we can manage and resolve it, especially online harassment, by seeking help or giving help. Digital spaces, like sports, can teach teamwork, resilience, and how to turn challenges into collective victories,” he said. Håkon Arald Gulbrandsen, Ambassador of Norway to Bangladesh, added “Through UNDP’s PTIB, supported by Norway, we’ve seen how sports, and the Bangladesh Women’s Football Team in particular, can turn digital spaces from places of division into platforms of pride, inclusion, and resilience against online harassment.” Welcoming guests to the school, Sabrina Shaheed, Principal of Sir John Wilson School, said, “At Sir John Wilson School, inclusion is at the heart of who we are. Sports allow our students to live that value. To play together, respect one another, and celebrate the strength that comes from diversity.” Dragan Popvic, Senior Programme Advisor of UNDP Bangladesh, highlighted how the campaign bridges inclusion and sports. “Sports need no language, just a ball and the will to play. When we play, we are all the same. These young athletes remind us that teamwork, courage, and respect can unite us both on the field and online. They show us what true inclusion looks like and how women are leading that change.” Md. Abu Sayed, Executive Director, Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), ICT Division, was also present at the event. He said, “The ICT Division is committed to addressing digital harms and cyberbullying, while promoting diversity and inclusion through initiatives like PTIB.” The campaign featured national women’s team members, including Ritu Porna Chakma, Monika Chakma, and Matsusima Sumaiya. They shared their stories of resilience against digital harassment. A friendly match between students and players followed by. Participants pledged to stand against cyber harassment and promote digital empathy. By combining football, youth voices, and digital awareness, “One Field, Many Voices” aims to reach thousands of students and millions online proving that when diversity plays together, unity truly wins.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has suspended 1,024 players from its professional leagues as part of a widening betting scandal. The TFF said the players—who were identified as having bet on football, including 27 from Turkey's top flight—have been referred to the country’s Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK). Following the move, matches in the third and fourth divisions of Turkish football have been postponed for two weeks, although games in the top two divisions will continue as scheduled as per the TFF statement. The Turkish federation has also requested world governing body FIFA for an additional 15 days on top of the winter transfer window to help clubs manage potential squad shortages. Turkish national team defender Seyed Emirhan Elmalı and his Galatasaray teammate Metehan Baltacı are among the 1,024 players named on the list published by the federation on Monday and referred to the disciplinary commission. Elmalı issued a statement late Monday explaining his involvement in the case after being withdrawn from the Turkey squad preparing for World Cup qualifying matches against Spain and Bulgaria. Besiktas, one of Turkey’s biggest clubs, also issued a statement saying two of their players had been referred to the PFDK, adding that the club had “full faith” in the pair’s innocence. Local media reported that eight people, including a club chairman, have been taken into custody by Turkish authorities as part of the investigation. The scandal first grabbed headlines on October 27, when TFF president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu stated at a news conference that hundreds of referees had links to betting accounts. He claimed that of the 571 referees active in Turkey’s professional leagues, 371 had betting accounts and 152 were actively placing bets, including seven who are authorized to officiate top-flight matches and 15 top-tier assistant referees. “Our duty is to elevate Turkish football to its rightful place and to purge it of all its filth,” Hacıosmanoğlu said. Turkish football has enjoyed a strong resurgence in recent years. The country will co-host the men’s UEFA Euro 2032 with Italy, the national team reached the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, and Istanbul has been selected by UEFA to stage several European club finals.

Lionel Messi admits that he and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo are “constantly talking” about a future return to Barcelona. The Argentine maestro went viral on social media after posting a picture of himself strolling on the pitch of the new Camp Nou on Monday. It was a nighttime visit, completely unannounced. The greatest player in Barcelona’s history was back at his former home, where he had been “very happy”. Read more: 3 new faces in Argentina squad, Messi uncertain for upcoming friendlies Posting the photos and a short video, Messi wrote in the caption: “Last night I returned to a place I miss with all my soul. A place where I was incredibly happy, where you all made me feel like the happiest person in the world a thousand times over. I hope I can return someday, and not just to say goodbye as a player, like I never got to…” Messi made an emotional exit from Camp Nou in 2021 when, amid financial struggles for the LaLiga giants, no new contract could be signed. He moved to Paris with his family, before eventually heading to Miami. There has been talk over the last four years about a possible return in a playing capacity, but Messi has now committed to a contract in South Florida that will keep him in MLS through the 2028 campaign. While a playing comeback for the Blaugrana has become unrealistic, the 38-year-old superstar still intends to return to his spiritual home. With his secret tour of Barcelona’s iconic revamped stadium, speculation has surged once again. A day later, in an interview with the Spanish newspaper Diario SPORT, Messi discussed his unexpected departure, his hope of returning to Barcelona, and also spoke about the upcoming World Cup.

Atalanta have dismissed coach Ivan Jurić following a seven-match winless streak in Serie A that has left the club struggling in 13th place. The decision came two days after Atalanta suffered a 3-0 home defeat to newly promoted Sassuolo, extending their poor domestic form. Jurić, who replaced Gian Piero Gasperini earlier this year, failed to maintain the team’s competitive edge in the Italian top flight despite a relatively solid start in the Champions League, where Atalanta have recorded two wins, one draw and one loss. Former Monza and Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino is expected to take charge before Atalanta’s next fixture against defending champions Napoli after the international break. Atalanta are currently 11 points adrift of Serie A leaders Inter Milan and Roma. Gasperini, who spent nine successful seasons with Atalanta before joining Roma, has his new side among the early front-runners in the league. Jurić’s dismissal marks the fourth managerial change in Serie A this season, following earlier moves at Juventus, Genoa, and Fiorentina. Source: AP

Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has a muscle injury in his right leg and his fitness is being monitored, the club said Monday. Valverde was hurt in Madrid’s 0-0 draw at Rayo Vallecano in the Spanish league on Sunday, coming off in the 83rd minute to be replaced by Trent Alexander-Arnold. Madrid did not confirm if the injury to Valverde will rule him out of playing in Uruguay’s upcoming games against Mexico and the United States.