United News of Bangladesh

Ecuadorian football fans are holding on to hope that the national team can deliver a strong World Cup run, offering a rare moment of joy as the country grapples with worsening violence and instability. Across the country, many provinces remain under a state of emergency. Security forces are deployed in large numbers to combat rising crime linked to drug trafficking. Night curfews are common, a fuel crisis has disrupted daily life, and tensions remain high along the border with Colombia. Despite the turmoil, optimism around Ecuador’s national team, La Tri, remains strong. The team qualified second in South America behind world champions Argentina, losing only twice in 18 matches, both narrow away defeats in Argentina and Brazil. Fans believe this squad has the potential to go further than ever before, possibly beyond their best performance of reaching the round of 16 in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. “I bought a giant TV on credit so I could watch Ecuador win the World Cup,” said Mario Uquillas, a 43-year-old shopkeeper in downtown Guayaquil. “At the very least, I hope they reach the quarterfinals. This team deserves it.” In markets like La Bahía in Guayaquil, merchants are cashing in on World Cup excitement, selling jerseys featuring stars such as Arsenal defender Piero Hincapié, Chelsea midfielder Moisés Caicedo, and Paris Saint-Germain defender Willian Pacho. Hincapié recently drew attention after Arsenal won the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years, adding to national pride. Fans may soon see more success stories as Hincapié and Pacho prepare to meet in the Champions League final next weekend. However, the backdrop to Ecuador’s football dream is a grim one. Local football has not escaped the country’s violence. Five players were killed last year and three others died in separate attacks. One of the most shocking incidents happened last December in northern Guayaquil, when gunmen killed Mario Pineida, a former national team player and defender for Barcelona SC. He was shot while at a butcher shop with his mother and partner. His partner died and his mother was injured. The motive remains unclear. Guayaquil, located about 270 kilometers southwest of Quito, is ranked among the most violent cities in the Americas, according to Numbeo’s crime index. Ecuador recorded 9,216 violent deaths last year, with a rate of 50.1 per 100,000 people, according to the Ecuadorian Observatory of Organized Crime.   Rising insecurity has changed daily life, especially in poor neighborhoods where children once played freely in the streets but now often stay indoors after dark due to fear of shootings and robberies. Still, football continues to offer hope, particularly through clubs like Barcelona SC, the country’s most popular team. Its youth academy provides a rare safe space for children, including nearly 300 trainees. “My dream is to play for PSG or Real Madrid,” said 10-year-old Piero Ortega, who has trained at the academy for five years. “I want to become a professional footballer.” Another young player, Washington Vera, also dreams of representing Ecuador internationally. “I want to play for the national team and score goals as a right winger,” he said. Academy coordinator Enrique Benavides said insecurity has forced families to rely on such structured programs. “Fear has entered every community. Nobody feels safe anymore,” he said. “Now children can only train here, because playing in the streets is no longer possible.” For many Ecuadorians, the World Cup represents more than football. It is a brief escape from daily fear and hardship. “Earlier we only dreamed of qualifying. Now we hope for the quarterfinals or even semifinals,” said Guayaquil lawyer Daniel Sánchez. Barcelona SC sporting director Matías Oyola also believes the national team can continue its strong form. “What they did in qualifying was excellent. The World Cup could be a continuation of that,” he said.  

Lionel Messi headed into the World Cup break a bit earlier than planned, and now it'll be Argentina waiting to see if there's an injury to worry about. Messi — who almost never gets subbed out of matches — left in the 73rd minute, meaning he was long gone before Luis Suárez's third goal of the night helped lift the defending MLS champions past the last-place Philadelphia Union 6-4 on Sunday night. No preliminary diagnosis of any issue for Messi was immediately announced. Messi has dealt with hamstring issues at least two other times during his three-year stint with Inter Miami. Messi had two assists and Germán Berterame scored twice during a record-setting first half for Inter Miami. But Messi basically took himself out of play in the 71st minute and reached toward his left hamstring at least once, then didn't even venture toward the Inter Miami bench when he could be subbed out. Messi was replaced by Mateo Silvetti, then left immediately through the tunnel connecting the field with the team’s locker room. Messi was walking under his own power, albeit slowly, and without any team medical personnel with him. Suárez got the go-ahead goal in the 81st minute. Rodrigo De Paul, on his birthday, scored in stoppage time to seal the win for Inter Miami. Heavy rain began falling early in the second half, causing some players to seem to slip on the turf. It wasn't clear if Messi's departure was precautionary or not, and it didn't seem like he took any major missteps during the worst of the rain. Messi has said in the past that he would only play in the World Cup if healthy. Argentina starts group stage play on June 16. Milan Iloski had a first-half hat trick — including two penalty kicks — and Bruno Damiani also scored for Union, which was up 2-0 only 10 minutes into the match. That start set the stage for the teams to be tied at 4-4 at the half. The eight goals by halftime was an MLS record, the league said. Inter Miami (9-2-4, 31 points) enters the break second in the Eastern Conference, two points behind Nashville (10-1-3, 33 points). Inter Miami is also fourth in the Supporters’ Shield standings — a trophy that Philadelphia won last season. The Union won’t be winning that this season. Not even close. They’re at the bottom of the league, a stunning first-to-worst collapse and head into the break with seven points — at 1-10-4. "It's beautiful, it's fun to be a part of the game, it’s fun to sing a national anthem and obviously to see Messi and all these greats so close to me, it’s an honor," said Grammy-nominated and Latin Grammy-winning singer and Miami resident Luis Fonsi, who performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” pregame. "I’m a fan and I’m enjoying every bit of it.” He was asked what it's like to share the field with Messi. “He’s a lot more known than me — times a million," Fonsi said. Messi has already appeared in five World Cups, winning the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player twice — first in 2014, then again in 2022 when he led Argentina to the title. That award has been given out only since 1982, but he is the lone player to win it twice. Argentina is in Group J for the World Cup. Its group stage matches: Algeria, at Kansas City, on June 16; Austria, at Arlington, Texas, on June 22; and Jordan, back in Arlington, on June 27. If Argentina wins that group — and the defending champions would be heavily favored to do so — then Messi would play a Round of 32 match in Miami Gardens on July 3. The only other way for Messi to play in South Florida during the tournament would be if Argentina is in the third-place match on July 18. Of course, all that is contingent on whether Messi plays. And that would now seem to be in at least some question.  

Lionel Scaloni, calm and expressionless on the touchline, watched as Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning penalty in the 2022 World Cup final, sealing Argentina’s third world title with a dramatic victory over France. While players celebrated wildly, Scaloni initially remained still and silent, almost as if processing the moment in private. Only minutes later did he break down emotionally when a player hugged him and whispered: “We are world champions.” That calmness has long defined Scaloni. He did not react publicly to early criticism over his lack of experience. He stayed composed when Argentina’s World Cup hopes were under pressure from Kylian Mbappé’s goals in the final. And he remains steady now as he leads Argentina into another title defence. Those close to him say Scaloni’s calm mindset is shaped by cycling, a daily routine he adopted after retiring as a player. He spends two to three hours a day riding, often through the mountains of Mallorca in Spain, where he lives, or in his hometown Pujato in Argentina. He says the activity helps him clear his mind and think about football without pressure. “On the bike, you can think about your team, your opponent, how to prepare for the match. It really clears my head,” Scaloni has said in interviews. “It helps me lower my expectations and stay calmer.” In the coming weeks, Scaloni will become only the third coach to lead Argentina in back-to-back World Cups, following César Luis Menotti and Carlos Bilardo, both former champions. But he often rejects comparisons with them, saying they belong to a different level of achievement. Scaloni’s journey to the top job was unexpected. With no senior coaching experience, he took charge temporarily in 2018 after Argentina’s poor World Cup campaign in Russia. At the time, he was not seen as a serious long-term candidate, with names like Mauricio Pochettino and Diego Simeone being discussed instead. Diego Maradona, Argentina’s 1986 World Cup-winning captain, once sharply questioned his ability to lead the national team. Despite doubts, Scaloni stayed on. He guided Argentina to Copa América glory in 2021 and successfully led the team through qualification for the 2022 World Cup. In Qatar, after a shock opening loss to Saudi Arabia, he reshaped the squad by introducing young players such as Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Julián Álvarez. The move helped transform Argentina’s performance, culminating in Lionel Messi delivering a career-defining World Cup triumph. Scaloni later admitted the criticism was expected, given his inexperience, but said he held no resentment. The challenge now is even greater. Argentina must defend their title with Messi approaching the end of his career and amid ongoing tensions within the country’s football administration. Brazil was the last team to win back-to-back World Cups in 1962, a reminder of how difficult the task is. Scaloni has repeatedly stressed that past success guarantees nothing. “I don’t dwell on what we achieved. You always have to look forward,” he said in late 2025. “With this shirt, you can’t relax.” Argentina have remained strong under his leadership, winning Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024 and finishing top of South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, even when Messi missed matches due to fitness issues. Football figures in Argentina say the team’s biggest strength is unity “It’s a team with very clear leadership,” said former World Cup winner Jorge Valdano. “Players haven’t lost their hunger.” However, Scaloni’s tenure has not been without uncertainty. In 2023, he briefly hinted at stepping down after a World Cup qualifier win over Brazil, citing personal and emotional strain. There have also been reports of internal disagreements and broader instability within Argentine football administration, including criticism over match scheduling and governance issues. Despite this, Scaloni has remained focused and largely avoids public controversy. Argentina will begin their World Cup campaign in Kansas City on June 16 against Algeria, followed by matches against Austria and Jordan. Scaloni, true to his style, remains calm and cautious. “We know expectations are high because we are champions,” he said. “But football is unpredictable. Anything can happen.”

North Korea’s Naegohyang FC lifted the Asian Women’s Champions League title on Saturday after edging Japan’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza 1-0 in the final held in Suwon. Kim Kyong Yong scored the decisive goal just before halftime, marking her fourth strike of the tournament. The North Korean forward, who had also netted the winner in the semifinal against South Korea’s Suwon FC, finished from inside the box after being set up by Kim Jung, who broke through the Japanese defence. Played at the Suwon Sports Complex, the match saw limited spectators but Naegohyang FC created more scoring opportunities and maintained control in a closely contested final. Their victory secures the title in only the second edition of the 12-team continental competition, following Wuhan Jiangda’s win last year. The triumph adds to North Korea’s growing dominance in women’s football. In 2024, its national sides won both the FIFA U-20 and U-17 Women’s World Cups, with the U-17 team retaining their crown in 2025. Regionally, North Korea also captured the 2024 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and multiple U-17 continental titles. “We don’t have enough time to explain the evolution of our national football programs,” Naegohyang head coach Ri Yu Il said ahead of the final. “We have a specialised player development system. Players are trained from a young age and as they grow older, they contribute to strong performances in AFC and FIFA competitions.”

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)