United News of Bangladesh

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has held discussions with former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti as it looks to appoint a new national team coach following Italy's latest World Cup disappointment. The federation hopes to name a new coach within the week after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for a third consecutive time. Former Italy captain and AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini, who was appointed FIGC technical director earlier this month, confirmed on Thursday that both Guardiola and Ancelotti had been approached. Speaking after a meeting with Serie A clubs alongside new FIGC president Giovanni Malagò and special adviser Leonardo, Maldini said the federation initially contacted Ancelotti before opening talks with Guardiola. "We wanted to begin by speaking with the best coaches in the world to understand whether they would be interested," Maldini said, while declining to provide further details on the negotiations. Guardiola left Manchester City at the end of last season after a highly successful 10-year spell in which he guided the club to numerous domestic and international titles. Over his managerial career with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and City, the 55-year-old has won 35 major trophies. According to Maldini, he and Leonardo recently travelled to Barcelona for discussions with Guardiola about the Italy job. He said the federation aims to appoint the preferred candidate as soon as possible but is prepared to wait if necessary. Ancelotti, meanwhile, recently extended his contract with Brazil through the 2030 World Cup. However, Brazil endured a disappointing campaign, exiting the tournament in the round of 16 following a 2-1 defeat to Norway. The 67-year-old Italian is one of football's most decorated coaches, having won league titles in Italy, England, France, Spain and Germany, along with a record five UEFA Champions League trophies. Italy's latest failure to qualify for the World Cup came after a playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March. The setback prompted the resignations of FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and national team coach Gennaro Gattuso. Gattuso had taken charge only last June after replacing Luciano Spalletti, whose tenure ended following Italy's poor start to the qualifying campaign. Former Italy managers Roberto Mancini, who led the Azzurri to the UEFA Euro 2021 title, and Antonio Conte are also being considered for the role. Former World Cup-winning midfielder Andrea Pirlo has likewise been linked with the vacancy.

Inter Miami said Wednesday it completed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro as a free agent, adding one of the biggest names in world football to a squad that already features Lionel Messi. The announcement was followed by news that the MLS had launched an investigation into alleged irregularities involving the move. Inter Miami said the 34-year-old, who left Manchester United in June, agreed to a contract that runs until the end of 2027, with an option to extend to June 2029. Casemiro confirmed in January that he and United had mutually decided to part ways after four years. In its statement, Inter Miami said it had obtained Casemiro's discovery rights from LA Galaxy as part of the transfer. Under MLS rules, a club may place up to five players on a discovery list, giving it first option to sign any of them ahead of other league clubs. Galaxy had held that priority over Casemiro, meaning Inter Miami needed to reach an agreement with the Californian club before it could pursue him. Casemiro won five Champions League titles at Real Madrid before joining Manchester United in 2022, going on to help the club lift the League Cup and FA Cup. He has earned 91 caps for Brazil and started all five of Brazil's matches at this year's World Cup before the team's round of 16 exit. Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham welcomed the signing, calling Casemiro "a winner who has achieved so much in the game" over his career at Real Madrid and Manchester United. Casemiro himself said in the club's statement: "What motivates me the most, and I think this is true for every player, is winning and continuing to grow." MLS said Inter Miami and LA Galaxy had reached a settlement over Casemiro's discovery rights, though the terms of that agreement will not be made public until the tampering investigation concludes. LA Galaxy confirmed the settlement in a statement of its own, saying the terms "will be released upon conclusion of the tampering investigation currently open with Major League Soccer." MLS said: "The league is gathering all relevant information and will refrain from further comment until the review is complete," adding, "While Inter Miami CF and the LA Galaxy have reached a settlement for the discovery priority [first rights] to sign Casemiro, the terms will be released upon conclusion of the tampering investigation." Under MLS regulations, tampering covers any attempt by a club to negotiate with or make an offer to a player under contract with, or subject to the priority rights of, another club, without league clearance. It is not the first time Inter Miami's transfer dealings have drawn league scrutiny. The club was fined 2 million U.S. dollars in 2021 after MLS found it had breached roster rules in its signing of French midfielder Blaise Matuidi, effectively giving the team four "designated players" rather than the permitted three under a rule introduced when Beckham himself joined LA Galaxy in 2007.  

Sam Surridge scored from the penalty spot on Wednesday night as Nashville SC defeated CF Montreal 1-0 to extend its winning streak to five matches. Nashville (12-1-3), which also edged Atlanta United 1-0 on Friday, is now unbeaten in 10 consecutive matches and tops Major League Soccer with 39 points. Surridge converted the penalty in the 68th minute for the game's only goal. The 27-year-old forward has now scored 10 goals in 10 appearances, including six starts, this season. Goalkeeper Brian Schwake made two saves to secure the clean sheet for Nashville. Montreal (4-9-3), which played out a scoreless draw against Toronto last Thursday in its first match after the World Cup break, has now gone five games without a victory. Nashville remains unbeaten at home this season with an 8-0-1 record, while Montreal has struggled on the road, going 1-7-1 away from home.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has cast doubt over his international future after the team's defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. He said he would use the aftermath of the loss to consider what comes next. Writing on Instagram after Argentina returned to Buenos Aires on Monday, Martinez spoke of the disappointment of missing out on a second straight World Cup title and questioned whether it was time to step away from the national team. "We dreamed of winning the World Cup again, of bringing the trophy back to Argentina and making history once more," he wrote. "It's hard to put this pain into words. Now it's time to think about many things, about how to move forward. And maybe it's also time to ask whether my moment to step aside has come." Martinez made no attempt to point fingers after the defeat. Instead, he apologized to Argentina supporters, saying he had given everything he could for the team. "I'm truly sorry," he wrote. "I tried to give everything I had to help my country and my teammates." The 33-year-old was one of Argentina's best players during the tournament. In the final, he produced 11 saves but could not keep out Ferran Torres, whose extra-time goal gave Spain a 1-0 victory. Thousands of supporters welcomed the squad home in Buenos Aires despite cold and rainy weather, applauding the players after their run to a second consecutive World Cup final. Martinez made his Argentina debut in a World Cup qualifier against Chile in June 2021 and quickly established himself as the team's first-choice goalkeeper. He played a central role in Argentina's Copa América and World Cup triumphs and has become one of the senior figures in Lionel Messi's squad. Martinez stopped short of announcing his retirement, but his comments left open the possibility that the World Cup final could prove to be his last appearance for Argentina.

FIFA has opened an investigation into the scuffle involving players and coaching staff from Spain and Argentina after Sunday's World Cup final. The governing body said it has appointed an investigator under Article 36 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code after reviewing the referee's report. "Following an assessment of the match report from the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, disciplinary proceedings have been opened," FIFA said in a statement. It said the disciplinary committee would decide on the next steps after receiving the investigator's report. Spain beat Argentina to lift the World Cup, but celebrations after the final whistle gave way to a confrontation involving players from both teams and members of Argentina's coaching staff. Videos shared on social media showed Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes arguing with Spain defender Eric Garcia before appearing to punch him, setting off a melee.

Spain's World Cup-winning football team is set to receive a heroes' welcome on Monday as the 26-man squad returns home following its 1-0 victory over defending champion Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The players will be welcomed by King Felipe VI, other members of the Spanish royal family and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez before boarding an open-top bus for a victory parade through central Madrid. Thousands of supporters are expected to line the route from near Moncloa Palace, the prime minister's official residence, to Cibeles Square, where a public celebration will be held. The square has traditionally hosted celebrations for Spain's national teams and their supporters. Spain secured only its second men's World Cup title, having previously lifted the trophy in South Africa in 2010.

Spain defender Pedro Porro said he kept a promise to his grandfather by helping Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final on Sunday, setting up the extra-time winner that brought a second star home. Substitute Ferran Torres swept the ball into the roof of the net in the 106th minute after Nico Williams had headed Porro's cross back across goal, giving Spain its first world title since 2010. But the moment carried a deeper personal meaning for the Tottenham right-back. "A few days ago my grandfather told me, 'Bring the cup home, son,'" Porro said in the mixed zone. "Today I fulfilled those words. I can't wait to get out of here and call him, because he will be very happy, very emotional and so am I." Porro, one of the revelations of the tournament, admitted he was still struggling to process the achievement. "I don't believe it. I think the first days will pass and I still won't believe it. But I want to thank all the people who have supported us from the first minute. I don't even want to imagine what Spain is like right now." The 26-year-old has spent much of his club career away from the Spanish spotlight, and said reaching the summit of international football felt like a reward for years of quiet work. "I play in the Premier League, I'm outside of Spain, so a lot of people don't see me much. Since I debuted for the national team, it's never been easy to establish myself here. Now life has given this back to me." Porro's message to the nation was one of shared pride, stressing the unity that carried the squad through the tournament together. "This isn't just about the 11 on the pitch, it's about the 26 of us who lived together. I hope Spain feels proud that we have brought a second star home."

Substitute Ferran Torres said destiny was written for Spain to win the World Cup after his extra-time strike sealed a 1-0 victory over 10-man Argentina in Sunday's final. Torres, who replaced Mikel Oyarzabal in the 62nd minute, swept home Nico Williams' knockdown in the 106th minute to hand Spain its second World Cup title and first since 2010. "I think in the end the goal came from 47 million people, not just those of us that are here," said Torres, who hadn't scored in the tournament before Sunday. "Today destiny was written, it was made for us to win. We're far from our people today but we tried to be as close as possible to them." The Barcelona forward admitted facing Lionel Messi's Argentina in the final had been a daunting prospect, but said Spain never doubted its approach. "Finals are hard. When you have Messi on the opposing team you do get worried but we always backed ourselves and tried to show our football and I think we managed to do it once again," he said. Torres had come under scrutiny during the tournament before his match-winning intervention on Sunday. "It was a huge relief [to score]," he said. "I've been criticized throughout the whole tournament but as I said before destiny was written," he added.    

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni admitted that Spain deserved to win the World Cup, saying his team had been outplayed in Sunday's final. The defending champion had scored late goals to win each of its four previous knockout games but was unable to muster another dramatic escape at New York New Jersey Stadium. "I feel sad," Scaloni said after the match. "One could say many things about how we got here, but it's not worth it. I just want to give my endless thanks to these players who once again took us to the final. "They [Spain] were better, that's true, but I will have tremendous memories of what my players achieved. We are great in victory and must be so in defeat as well. Tonight, we show that we know how to lose. We lost, and we accept it. "If they give everything the way they did today, it sets a great example for the people and for our country. You have to pick yourself up again. When you leave everything like that, it's very hard to find fault with anything." Spain controlled possession and barely allowed Argentina into its attacking third. But despite its dominance, the reigning European champion didn't take the lead until substitute Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute. The Albiceleste's cause was made more difficult by the dismissal of Enzo Fernandez for a second yellow card at the end of normal time. Scaloni said he had not spoken to captain Lionel Messi about his future. The 39-year-old scored eight goals in the tournament but struggled to assert his usual influence in the final as Spain's midfield starved him of supply. "He's 39 years old now," Scaloni said. "It was crystal clear for me that he was going to play up until he decided not to. "I hope that everyone feels proud of him, of what he's achieved because he's the best football player ever to set foot on a pitch. I have no doubt about this, and what he did during this World Cup was incredible. But also what he did before this." Scaloni struggled to contain his emotions when asked about his own future. "I will talk to the president [of the football federation]," said the 48-year-old. "I believe it's only fair that I can take this time for myself to think this through. I never thought I would get to this place and it's wonderful. "In order to continue, you need a great deal of things, resetting your mind, rebooting, creating a group like this again - that is very difficult."

This was a World Cup that looked different from the outset. FIFA had already committed to an expanded 48-team format before it even chose a host, and when the joint bid from Canada, Mexico and the United States won that vote in 2018, the 2026 World Cup became the first to be staged in three countries. Football's governing body later confirmed three other changes: an automatic red card for players who cover their mouths, mandatory hydration breaks in every match, and the awarding of corners to attacking teams when goalkeepers hold the ball too long. STYLE IN CONTRAST The larger tournament showcased a wide array of footballing philosophies and cultures. Structured, possession-based sides built around positional discipline were pitted against bold, higher-pressing teams willing to gamble on pace and flamboyance. Europe itself split into two visibly different schools. France leaned heavily on its phalanx of attackers led by Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise. In contrast, Spain built its game plan on patience and containment. Its defense broke the World Cup record for consecutive clean sheets, reaching six in a row - a run that began in the 2022 World Cup - and goalkeeper Unai Simon's shutout streak extended to 609 minutes following the round of 16 win over Portugal. Morocco headed Africa's hopes with its own model that combined positional awareness with speed and audacity, quicker to close down opponents than the deeper defensive block that characterized its run to the semifinals in 2022. South American sides, meanwhile, showed moments of brilliance, even if several former winners from the region - namely Brazil and Uruguay - fell short of expectations. NEW STARS EMERGE, VETERANS BOW OUT The tournament served as a fertile testing ground for emerging players. A case in point was Morocco's Ayyoub Bouaddi. The 18-year-old, who plays for French Ligue 1 club Lille, represented France at youth level and only became available for the Atlas Lions in May when FIFA approved his allegiance switch. He showed poise beyond his years with performances that have sparked the interest of Manchester City and Arsenal, among other clubs. Cote d'Ivoire's Yan Diomande, 19, entered the tournament with big hopes and justified the hype as the African side reached the knockout rounds before falling to Norway via a late Erling Haaland goal. Colombia's Gustavo Puerta was one of the quieter achievers. The Racing Santander midfielder's creativity and vast passing range proved crucial as Colombia progressed to the round of 16 before losing to Switzerland on penalties. These arrivals were accompanied by some high-profile departures, with modern-day greats Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Neymar all bidding farewell to football's biggest stage. CONTROVERSY ON AND OFF THE PITCH One of FIFA's newest laws made headlines in the group stage. Paraguay's Miguel Almiron became the first player sent off under a rule barring players from concealing their mouths during on-field confrontations. The incident involving Türkiye defender Mert Muldur also earned the Atlanta United winger a one-match suspension that FIFA said was not subject to appeal, ruling him out of Paraguay's final group match against Australia. An even more bizarre episode was the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun. The United States forward was sent off for stepping on the ankle of an opponent during his team's last-32 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, an event that triggered an automatic one-match suspension. Days later, FIFA's disciplinary committee provisionally lifted the ban, fining Balogun 40,000 U.S. dollars and clearing him to face Belgium. The Belgium federation duly contested the decision, but FIFA's appeals committee dismissed the challenge less than eight hours before kickoff. UEFA said the move "crossed a red line," calling it "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable." Balogun himself later said he knew the reversal "would cause a lot of controversy." CHINESE ELEMENTS: The BREAKFAST SHOW For Chinese football fans, mornings became prime-time viewing. With most matches played in China's early hours, breakfast shops, cinemas and coffee chains turned the inconvenience into an opportunity. In Wuhan, one noodle-shop owner brought forward opening hours to 4 a.m., selling up to 200 extra bowls of hot dry noodles a day as customers viewed matches on an oversized screen. Searches for morning-tea restaurants - a Cantonese breakfast tradition - surged nearly ninefold year-on-year in Guangdong province while cinema chains staged more than 28,000 World Cup screenings nationwide to fill their normally quiet matinal slots. The commercial ripple reached manufacturing too: Yiwu's wholesale markets, which supplied an estimated 70 percent of the world's World Cup merchandise, saw exporters shift from generic flag-printed jerseys to patented, team-licensed designs commanding a premium. Twelve time zones away, football had changed how a country starts its day. Chinese companies and products had a visible presence throughout the competition. Lenovo, FIFA's official technology partner, was ubiquitous with artificial intelligence increasingly integrated into areas ranging from match analysis to fan engagement. FIFA has said Lenovo's infrastructure and support services helped underpin key aspects of tournament operations. Hisense also featured prominently through its longstanding partnership with FIFA. The Chinese electronics giant provided display technology for broadcast and officiating systems, highlighting the leading role of Chinese companies in major international sporting events. The tournament crowned a golden generation of attacking players. Mbappe finished with 10 goals while eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, playing in his sixth and likely last World Cup, scored eight times. Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Mikel Oyarzabal also vied for the Golden Boot award. Between them, they redefined what fans should expect from a forward at a major tournament. On Sunday, Spain achieved something even more transcendent. It denied Messi one last glorious chapter in an astonishing career and claimed the tournament's lasting story for itself.