United News of Bangladesh

Chelsea overcame a slow start to secure a comfortable 2-0 win over Burnley on Wednesday, narrowing the gap at the top of the Premier League with Arsenal. Pedro Neto opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a well-placed header from a cross, giving Chelsea the breakthrough after a period of sustained pressure. Enzo Fernández sealed the result in the 88th minute, firing home to ensure a third consecutive league victory for Enzo Maresca’s side. Chelsea controlled the game with 59% possession and 15 attempts on goal, four of them on target. Burnley, meanwhile, managed eight shots, two of which tested the goalkeeper. The win lifts Chelsea to 23 points from 12 matches, while Arsenal remain top with 26 points and a game in hand. The Gunners will face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. The Blues are set to meet Barcelona next Tuesday in the Champions League before returning to league action against Arsenal on November 30.

UEFA has imposed a three-match suspension on Bayern Munich forward Luis Díaz following the red card he received during his side’s Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month. Diaz scored twice in Bayern's 2-1 win over defending champions PSG on November 4, but he was sent off shortly before the interval for a dangerous tackle on Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi. The challenge left Hakimi with a severely sprained left ankle, and he has been sidelined ever since. UEFA stated that Díaz was punished for “serious rough play,” handing the winger a three-game ban. As a result, the Colombia international will miss Bayern’s away match against Arsenal on Wednesday, followed by home games against Sporting CP on December 9 and Union Saint-Gilloise on January 21. Earlier on Friday, Bayern manager Vincent Kompany said he had expected Díaz to receive only a one-match suspension. Bayern currently lead the Champions League standings with 12 points from four matches, ahead of Arsenal and Inter Milan on goal difference. Since joining from Liverpool in the summer, Díaz has scored three goals in four Champions League appearances for Bayern this season and added six goals in 10 Bundesliga games.    

Italy, a four-time World Cup champion, faces yet another daunting path to qualification after Thursday’s FIFA playoff draw set up a challenging route for the Azzurri, who have missed the last two editions of the tournament. Italy, knocked out by Sweden in 2018 and stunned by North Macedonia in 2022, will host Northern Ireland in a single-elimination semifinal on March 26. The winner will then travel to face either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina for a place at the expanded 48-team World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Northern Ireland is expected to pose a test similar to North Macedonia, which survived heavy pressure in Palermo in 2022 before delivering a stoppage-time winner that eliminated Italy. European Playoff brackets In another playoff bracket, Ukraine will host Sweden, with the winner earning a home final against Poland or Albania. Ukraine, unable to host qualifiers at home amid the ongoing Russian invasion, played its group-stage games across three Polish cities and could potentially host Poland again — in Poland. Sweden, which finished last in its qualifying group won by Switzerland, reached the playoffs through last year’s Nations League. Ukraine, meanwhile, has playoff pedigree: they beat Scotland in a delayed 2022 semifinal before falling to Wales in the final. Europe’s newest football nation, Kosovo, begins its historic bid for a first World Cup appearance with an away tie at Slovakia. The winner will host Turkey or Romania in the playoff final. Kosovo, recognized by UEFA and FIFA in 2016 alongside Gibraltar, declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Ireland, buoyed by remarkable back-to-back wins over Portugal and Hungary, with all five goals scored by Troy Parrott, will travel to face the Czech Republic. The winner will host Denmark or North Macedonia. Denmark dropped into the playoffs after a dramatic 4-2 defeat in Scotland on Tuesday, sealed by a stoppage-time turnaround that eclipsed Ireland’s own late comeback in Budapest. Intercontinental Playoffs FIFA also conducted the draw for the six-team intercontinental playoffs. Seeded Iraq will face either Bolivia or Suriname in a one-game qualifier next March. Congo, seeded in the other bracket, will meet the winner of a single-match semifinal between New Caledonia and Jamaica. All six intercontinental matches will be played in Mexico between March 23 and 31, at venues in Guadalajara and Monterrey, both of which will stage World Cup games next June.

Achraf Hakimi has been crowned the CAF Men’s Player of the Year for 2025, becoming the first Moroccan in 27 years to win the honour and only the second defender ever to claim the award. The Paris Saint-Germain right-back edged past Egyptian star Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen at the awards ceremony held in Rabat on Wednesday. Hakimi now follows in the footsteps of Mustapha Hadji, who last won the award for Morocco in 1998, and Congolese defender Bwanga Tshimen, who claimed it in 1973. Hakimi’s latest milestone caps a standout season in which he played a crucial role in PSG’s treble-winning campaign, helping them secure the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1 and Coupe de France, along with lifting the UEFA Super Cup. In international duty, he also played his part in helping Morocco qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In his acceptance speech, Hakimi said the honour represented a “truly proud moment,” dedicating the achievement to those who supported him throughout his journey. “It’s really an honour for me to be here today, and I’m proud to win such a prestigious trophy,” Hakimi said, thanking his family, teammates, and Morocco head coach Walid Regragui. “This trophy is not just for me — it’s for all the strong men and women in Africa who have dreams, especially those who dream of becoming footballers.” The Morocco skipper had been shortlisted in both 2023 and 2024, while last year’s title went to Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman. Earlier in May, Hakimi also claimed the Marc-Vivien Foé Award, given to the best African player in Ligue 1. Morocco enjoyed further success on the night. Ghizlane Chebbak was named Women’s Footballer of the Year, while Al-Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou won the men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie was voted Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for the third consecutive year, shortly after completing her move to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League. Cape Verde coach Bubista took home the Coach of the Year award after guiding the island nation to their first-ever World Cup qualification, with the tournament set to take place next year across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Bangladesh have climbed three places in the latest FIFA rankings, following a spirited draw against Nepal and a statement victory over regional rivals India. The year-ending rankings, released by FIFA within 24 hours of the close of the men’s international break, kept Spain firmly at the top. Bangladesh played two matches during the November FIFA window. Javier Cabrera’s side began with a 2–2 draw in last Thursday’s friendly against Nepal, before sealing a memorable 1–0 victory over India on Tuesday in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. The results propelled Bangladesh to 180th position, a three-step rise from their previous ranking. India, by contrast, slid six places and now sit 142nd after the defeat. Spain, meanwhile, confirmed their place in next year’s World Cup with one win and one draw across two fixtures. Although they dropped a few points, the 2010 world champions remain atop the global standings. Argentina also held their ground, staying second after a 2–0 victory over Angola in their only match this month. There was no movement in the next two spots either, with France retaining third place and England anchored in fourth. Both sides enjoyed flawless campaigns in this month’s World Cup qualifiers, winning two matches each. Brazil had a mixed outing with a 2–0 win over Senegal followed by a 1–1 draw against Tunisia. The five-time world champions nonetheless climbed two places to fifth. Portugal and the Netherlands each slipped one spot, moving down to sixth and seventh respectively. Belgium remain eighth, while Germany and Croatia rose one position each to ninth and tenth. Italy endured another setback, falling three places to 12th. The four-time world champions, absent from the past two World Cups, now face renewed pressure as they look toward the playoffs to keep their 2026 hopes alive.    

For nearly two hours on Tuesday, Haiti’s daily hardships seemed to slip into the background as the nation came together to witness its football team clinch a long-awaited World Cup berth — the first since 1974. The country’s ongoing crises — rampant violence, widespread hunger and deepening homelessness — were momentarily forgotten after Louicius Deedson struck early in the ninth minute, followed by a well-timed header from Ruben Providence just before halftime. The 2-0 victory over Nicaragua secured only the second World Cup qualification in Haiti’s history. Excited cries of “Grenadye, alaso!” echoed through streets, homes, and temporary shelters as supporters urged the Grenadiers to keep pressing forward. For Haitians, this wasn’t just a crucial win — it was a statement of resilience. “This is more than a football match. It represents hope and unity while our country faces so many difficulties,” said Pierre Jean-Jacques, a 25-year-old mechanic who watched from home. His heart thumped throughout the game, he said, before joining thousands who celebrated late into the night in streets normally deserted out of fear of shootings or kidnappings. “This win gives us a rare moment of happiness,” he added. “I feel proud — it makes me believe we can rise again.” The triumph also coincided with the 222nd anniversary of the Battle of Vertières, a defining moment that propelled Haiti to become the world’s first Black republic. “There could not have been a more meaningful date for our team to make history,” said 18-year-old Vladimir Dorvale, walking with a Haitian flag draped around his shoulders. Teams which have qualified for the 2026 World Cup Haiti’s path to qualification was far from easy. The team played all home fixtures in Curaçao because conditions in Port-au-Prince remain too dangerous — armed groups now control as much as 90% of the capital. Coach Sébastien Migné even had to supervise some players remotely, as repeated violence forced airport closures and prevented him from traveling. When Deedson scored the first goal, gunfire rang out in the neighborhood of student André Michaud, who was watching the match at a nearby bar due to a blackout. Startled at first, he soon realized the shots were celebratory. “I’ve always rooted for Brazil or Argentina,” he said. “Now I finally get to cheer for my own country. I believe Haiti can go far.” Even heavy rain couldn’t stop jubilant crowds from parading through narrow streets, singing “Haiti has qualified! We don’t have a state!” — a pointed remark about the nation’s political chaos. Large gatherings also filled the streets of Pétionville, where brief gunfire only fueled the cheers of fans accustomed to living in danger. Forward Duckens Nazon shared a hopeful message online: “Enjoy this moment. This is only the beginning. Many doubted us, but we never doubted ourselves.” Source: AP 

Real Madrid defender Éder Militão sustained an injury to his right leg while playing for Brazil, the club said Wednesday. Madrid said medical tests showed that Militão had hurt an abductor muscle during Brazil's friendly against Tunisia on Tuesday. Militão had to be replaced in the second half of the 1-1 draw. The club said “further updates will follow" on Militão's recovery. Madrid, which plays Elche in the Spanish league on Sunday, has a three-point lead over Barcelona after 12 rounds.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has congratulated the Bangladesh national football team on their impressive 1-0 win over India in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, noting that the victory has made every Bangladeshi proud. "This victory has made every Bangladeshi proud of. This is not just a victory in a football match; it is an inspiration for millions of young people who see sports as a source of positive energy,” he said in his message on Wednesday. Prof Yunus said sports play an important role in nation-building, and such a victory against a strong opponent like India is a significant step forward in this regard. Morsalin’s goal ends 22-year wait, Hamza Era's first win comes over India Sheikh Morsalin scripted the night to remember in Dhaka as Bangladesh defeated India 1-0 on Tuesday, ending a 22-year wait for a competitive victory over their regional rivals and securing their first win of the Asian Cup qualifiers. It also marked the team's first victory in what may come to be known as the 'Hamza Era', and may have ensured that they end their campaign as third in the group, above their much larger neighbours. The Chief Adviser expressed hope that this victory would help Bangladesh football regain its glory days. He also said that since taking office in 2024, the interim government has been providing all-out support to football and expressed hope that future governments will continue this trend.

Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo made an appearance at the White House on Tuesday as President Donald Trump hosted an elaborate dinner in honor of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Ronaldo was seated near the front of the East Room, close to where Trump and the crown prince addressed senior officials from both countries and prominent business figures, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla founder Elon Musk. During his remarks, Trump noted Ronaldo’s presence and mentioned that he had once introduced the superstar to his teenage son. Ronaldo has been a major face of Saudi football since joining Al-Nassr in late 2022 on a contract reportedly worth $200 million per year. Now 40, the Portuguese forward signed a two-year extension with the club in June. Al-Nassr is largely owned by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, which is chaired by the crown prince. Expressing appreciation for Ronaldo’s attendance, Trump said his youngest son, Barron, is a “big fan” and was thrilled to meet the athlete. “Barron got to meet him, and I think he respects his father a little bit more now, just because I introduced you,” Trump joked. The crown prince’s visit marked his return to the White House since diplomatic tensions erupted in 2018 following the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in Istanbul. U.S. intelligence concluded that Prince Mohammed likely approved the operation, a claim he denies. Ronaldo’s trip was also notable because he has rarely visited the U.S. in recent years. He last played in the country in 2014. Ronaldo hints at retirement in “probably one or two years” In 2017, German outlet Der Spiegel reported that Ronaldo had previously paid $375,000 in hush money to a woman who accused him of rape at a Las Vegas hotel in 2009. His legal team insisted the encounter was consensual, and no criminal charges were ever brought. World Cup links Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 World Cup, following a fast-tracked FIFA bidding process that effectively eliminated competition. Ronaldo supported the bid and said last December that he believed the 2034 tournament would be “the best World Cup ever.” He is expected to appear in a record sixth World Cup next year after Portugal qualified on Sunday for the event co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. However, Ronaldo will likely miss Portugal’s opening match after receiving his first red card in 23 years of international play. Portugal’s group-stage opponents will be determined on Dec. 5 during the World Cup draw, an event Trump plans to attend at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Trump has also shown strong support for the 2026 World Cup, displaying in the Oval Office a replica of the trophy loaned by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Source: AP 

FIFA World Cup ticket holders will be eligible for prioritized US visa interviews ahead of traveling for the tournament. The announcement came Monday following a meeting between US President Donald Trump, the White House Task Force, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The new system, the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS), is designed to help the Trump administration maintain its strict immigration protocols while ensuring smooth entry for visitors attending the global event. “America welcomes the world,” Infantino said in a statement. “We have always said that this will be the greatest and most inclusive FIFA World Cup in history — and the FIFA PASS service is a very concrete example of that.” The 48-team tournament will feature 78 matches across 11 US host cities, while three venues in Mexico and two in Canada will also stage games. FIFA said it surpassed the one-million ticket mark just weeks after sales opened in October. Phase 2 of ticket sales began later that month for the next million tickets. Teams worldwide are entering the final stretch of qualifying to fill out the expanded 48-nation tournament. Co-hosts the United States, Mexico and Canada have already secured automatic qualification. The group-stage draw is scheduled for December 5. According to an Associate Press report, President Trump urged prospective visitors to apply for visas “right away.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration has deployed more than 400 additional consular officers globally to meet demand, noting that in roughly 80 percent of countries, visa appointments for US travel are available within 60 days.