United News of Bangladesh

The biggest FIFA World Cup in history got underway on Thursday as co-host Mexico faced South Africa in the tournament’s opening match at the iconic Mexico City Stadium, formerly known as Azteca Stadium. Despite ongoing protests and social tensions in the Mexican capital, more than 80,000 spectators attended the match at the renovated venue, which has been upgraded for the 48-team World Cup jointly hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada. The stadium made history by becoming the first venue to stage three World Cup opening matches, having previously hosted the tournament curtain-raisers in 1970 and 1986. The match marked Mexico’s eighth appearance in a World Cup opener. The Mexicans had lost five of their previous opening matches and drawn the last two, including a 1-1 draw against South Africa at the 2010 World Cup. South Africa, meanwhile, returned to the World Cup stage for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010. Bafana Bafana had also qualified for the 1998 and 2002 editions. Mexico entered the tournament in strong form, carrying an eight-match unbeaten run and having not suffered a defeat since a friendly loss to Paraguay last November. The team is coached by veteran manager Javier Aguirre, 67, who is serving his third spell in charge of the Mexican national side.

The FIFA World Cup kicks off tonight, and although Bangladesh is not among the participating nations, excitement surrounding football’s biggest event has reached fever pitch as always across the country of 170 million people. From bustling cities to remote neighborhoods, conversations revolve around one question: will Brazil, Argentina, France or Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal lift the trophy? Supporters are celebrating the tournament with jerseys, flags, rallies, social media campaigns and countless debates over their favorite teams. Every World Cup transforms the atmosphere in Bangladesh. Rooftops are adorned with colorful flags, tea stalls become venues for passionate arguments, and social media platforms turn into battlegrounds of emotions and football analysis. Four years of anticipation culminate in a few weeks during which millions of Bangladeshis become emotionally invested in the fortunes of teams thousands of miles away. Although Bangladesh has never qualified for the World Cup, football enthusiasts here consider themselves among the tournament's most passionate followers. Farmers, teachers, artists, journalists and professionals from all walks of life rally behind their chosen teams. The passion extends to national sports stars and celebrities as well. When a football rolls on a World Cup pitch somewhere across the globe, its impact resonates in homes throughout Bangladesh. For some, it is the blue-and-white colors of Argentina that stir emotions; for others, it is the magic of Brazil's yellow jersey. Yet the shared sentiment remains the same: the World Cup represents much more than football—it is an emotion. Alongside street processions, giant flags and wall paintings, social media platforms have become major venues for World Cup discussions. Supporters are posting messages supporting their favorite teams and players, sharing predictions and engaging in friendly banter with rival fans. Many are using artificial intelligence tools to create images featuring national flags, football-themed artwork and pictures of public figures wearing their preferred teams’ jerseys. Supporters of Brazil, Argentina, France, Portugal and other nations are engaged in friendly online rivalries, recalling past triumphs while dreaming of future glory. Jersey sales soar The World Cup has also sparked a boom in the sale of football merchandise across Bangladesh. Sports shops, shopping malls, street vendors and online retailers are witnessing increased demand for jerseys, flags, caps, whistles and football accessories. Various Facebook pages and online stores are selling jerseys priced between Tk 400 and Tk 1,000. Popular e-commerce platforms Daraz and Othoba are also reporting strong sales, with jerseys available for between Tk 220 and Tk 1,500 depending on the model and quality. At the capital's Gulistan area and the country's largest sports goods market, Samabaya Twin Tower Market, football jerseys are selling briskly. According to traders, Brazil and Argentina jerseys remain the most popular among customers. Street vendors are selling jerseys at prices ranging from Tk 150 to Tk 1,000, while flags of various sizes are also attracting buyers. Three-foot flags are selling for around Tk 100, five-foot flags for Tk 150-200, and ten-foot flags for Tk 350-600. The scene in some areas resembles a city divided between Brazil and Argentina supporters. Sports merchandise stores at shopping centers including Bashundhara City and Jamuna Future Park are also experiencing strong business. Kalam, a sports goods seller in the Bashundhara City area, said football fans have been crowding stores from morning until closing time. "Compared to normal periods, jersey sales have increased significantly. Depending on whether they are fan edition, player edition or Thai edition jerseys, prices range from around Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,500," he said. Every World Cup revives a familiar question among Bangladeshi football fans: when will Bangladesh qualify for the tournament? While football analysts often find the answer straightforward, ordinary supporters remain hopeful. The tournament has expanded from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 edition. The number of teams, matches, venues and host nations has increased significantly, but Bangladesh remains outside the World Cup picture. Despite not participating, many football observers argue that Bangladesh maintains a unique presence at the World Cup.

The FIFA World Cup, the largest edition in the tournament’s history, officially begins today as 48 national teams start their quest for football’s most coveted trophy across the United States, Canada and Mexico. According to Associated Press reports, the opening day marks the start of a 39-day global football spectacle featuring 104 matches played across 16 stadiums in 16 cities, stretching from Mexico City to Vancouver and New York to Los Angeles. The tournament is being staged for the first time across three countries, with Mexico hosting the opening match, Canada joining the schedule on the following day, and the United States hosting its first fixture shortly after. FIFA has described the 2026 edition as a “new era” for the World Cup, expanding the format from 32 to 48 teams. The new structure allows more nations than ever before to participate, with teams divided into 12 groups. The top two teams from each group, along with the best third-placed sides, will advance to the knockout stage. Opening-day matches are expected to draw global attention, with host nation Mexico taking the spotlight amid a festive ceremony in Mexico City. AP reports highlight that veteran players and emerging talents alike will feature in the opening fixtures, including teams returning after long absences and several World Cup debutants. Security has been tightened across all three host nations, with authorities deploying large-scale operations to manage crowds, fan zones and international visitors expected to arrive in record numbers. The final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, marking the culmination of the biggest World Cup ever staged. FIFA officials say the expanded tournament is designed to bring the World Cup to a wider global audience, while boosting participation from emerging football nations. With the opening whistle today, the world’s most-watched sporting event begins a new chapter in football history.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be staged across 16 venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with several stadiums temporarily renamed by FIFA because their commercial naming-rights sponsors are not official tournament partners. The tournament, jointly hosted by the three North American nations, will feature matches at some of the continent’s most iconic sports venues.

A Somali referee selected for the upcoming World Cup who was denied entry into the United States has returned home to a warm reception, with crowds, officials and football supporters welcoming him at Mogadishu’s airport. Omar Artan, who had been set to become the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after making FIFA’s final list, arrived in the capital on Wednesday and was greeted by hundreds of people waving Somali flags. He told supporters he still hopes to participate in the next tournament and urged young Somalis to remain proud of their country. Artan is regarded as one of Africa’s leading referees and was named the continent’s best male referee in 2025. He was stopped at Miami International Airport on Saturday due to what US Customs and Border Protection described as “vetting concerns,” though no further details were provided. Following the incident, FIFA removed him from the tournament’s referee roster. According to the Somalia Embassy in Kenya, Artan had been issued a US visa last week to travel for World Cup preparations in Miami, where officials from the host nations were due to meet referees. His arrival in Mogadishu turned into a public celebration. Supporters, government officials and members of the Somali football community gathered hours in advance at Aden Adde International Airport. On arrival, he was escorted by police to a VIP terminal where he met Somalia’s sports minister and football federation officials. “I promise you, God willing, that I will attend the next one,” Artan said, addressing supporters. “I want the Somali public to take comfort in this and remain confident.” The decision to deny entry to a FIFA-appointed official drew international attention and criticism, raising questions about US procedures ahead of the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Somalia is among several countries affected by new US travel restrictions introduced under the Trump administration’s immigration policy. Artan also called on Somalis to stand by their national identity. “Somalia belongs to us, whether it is in a bad state or a good state,” he said. “That flag belongs to us, and that passport belongs to us.” Despite Somalia’s long-running security challenges and the presence of the al-Shabab extremist group, Artan’s story has been seen by many as a symbol of national pride and possibility. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also expressed support for Artan, saying on X that his achievement had already inspired a generation and that being excluded would not diminish what he had accomplished.

Lionel Messi marked his return from injury with a goal as Argentina defeated Iceland 3-0 on Tuesday in their final warm-up match ahead of the World Cup. The Argentina captain, who is preparing for a record sixth World Cup appearance, came off the bench in the 70th minute and converted a penalty two minutes later after Lautaro Martínez was fouled inside the box. Messi, 38, had been recovering from muscle fatigue and a minor hamstring strain picked up during his last appearance for Inter Miami on May 24. After missing the start of the match, he made an immediate impact once introduced. The Argentina star, the national team’s all-time top scorer with 117 goals, struck a high left-footed penalty in the 72nd minute to seal the win. Argentina, the reigning world champions and three-time winners in 1978, 1986 and 2022, will begin their World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City. Group J also includes Austria and Jordan. The match was only the second meeting between Argentina and Iceland. Their previous encounter came at the 2018 World Cup, which ended 1-1, where Messi had missed a penalty.

The wait is finally over for what FIFA is calling the largest World Cup ever, featuring 48 teams, 104 matches and three host nations  the United States, Canada and Mexico alongside a long list of questions and controversies that have followed the tournament. The competition begins in Mexico City on Thursday, but excitement is mixed with concern over rising ticket prices, political tensions and major logistical challenges of staging a tournament spread across three countries. The action will run until the final on July 19. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has described the event as the “biggest, most inclusive” World Cup in history, predicting stadiums will welcome around seven million fans and billions more will watch globally. He even called FIFA the “official happiness provider for humanity,” though the scale of that claim remains to be tested. The tournament arrives in the United States — which will host most of the matches — at a time of inflation, conflict involving Iran, and controversial immigration policies under the Trump administration, all of which have added a political backdrop to the sporting spectacle. Politics and football closely linked US President Donald Trump has been a strong supporter of the World Cup being held in the country and has repeatedly met Infantino at the White House. Their close relationship has drawn attention, including FIFA awarding Trump its inaugural Peace Prize last year after he missed out on the Nobel Prize. A gold-plated Club World Cup trophy, designed by Tiffany, was also displayed in the Oval Office after the US hosted the tournament last year. Trump has reportedly been told he can keep it permanently as FIFA prepares a new version. Political tensions have also grown internationally. Months ago, a German football official even suggested a possible boycott of the tournament due to Trump’s policies, including threats involving Greenland. Since then, military strikes involving the US and Israel against Iran have further escalated tensions in the Middle East. Iran’s participation has also come under scrutiny. The team shifted its training base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, citing visa difficulties shortly before the tournament. Players also arrived wearing pins honouring victims of a missile strike on an elementary school during the conflict. Ticket prices spark anger FIFA is facing strong criticism over ticket prices, which many fans say are far beyond reach. Initial prices ranged from $140 to $8,680, while some resale listings have surged dramatically — with final tickets reportedly reaching nearly $33,000. On FIFA’s own resale platform, prices have gone even higher, with some listings for final tickets reaching millions of dollars, though the organisation says it does not control resale pricing but earns commission from transactions. Additional costs such as parking fees and transport fares have also shocked fans, with some rail tickets in the US rising several times above normal rates. Despite FIFA’s claim of massive demand, public interest appears mixed. A recent survey found only about a quarter of Americans are even moderately excited about the tournament, while hotel bookings in many host cities have been lower than expected. A massive but debated format The expanded 48-team format has divided opinion, with critics arguing it dilutes quality and reduces early-stage competition, while supporters say it makes the tournament more global and inclusive. Football analyst Jonathan Wilson said the challenge is balancing inclusivity with maintaining the tournament’s competitive integrity, warning that much of the real drama may only begin from the knockout stages. Heat, travel and tough conditions Extreme heat is expected to be another major challenge. Several US host cities, including Dallas, Houston, Kansas City and Atlanta, could experience temperatures above 32°C, affecting players, fans and staff. FIFA has introduced measures such as hydration breaks and revised rules on water bottles to help manage the conditions. Stars, stories and big questions Despite the controversies, attention will ultimately turn to the pitch. Lionel Messi, now 38, may be playing his final World Cup, while 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo is still chasing the only major trophy missing from his career. Brazil, a five-time champion, is hoping to end a two-decade title drought under coach Carlo Ancelotti. England has appointed Thomas Tuchel in its latest attempt to end 60 years of heartbreak, while the United States, led by Mauricio Pochettino, will aim for a historic run on home soil. US captain Tim Ream said the team’s belief is key: “If you go into a tournament thinking you have no chance, then what’s the point? Why not us?”

Japan captain Wataru Endo said Monday that the national team is aiming high at the upcoming World Cup, vowing to achieve something unprecedented in the country’s football history. “We will do our best with pride and passion to achieve something that we’ve never seen before in Japan’s soccer history,” said Endo, a Liverpool defensive midfielder. Endo and his teammates held an open training session lasting nearly an hour at GEODIS Park, home of Major League Soccer club Nashville SC, shortly after arriving in the city. Japan will begin its World Cup campaign on Sunday against the Netherlands in Arlington, Texas, in Group F. More than 5,000 fans attended the session, with supporters travelling from different parts of the United States as well as Japan to watch the team, popularly known as the Samurai Blue. The session ended with players interacting with fans and handing out small gifts. Takuro Kaya and his son Yuhi were among those in the crowd, having driven from North Carolina to see the team. Yuhi’s favourite player is Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton & Hove Albion, who was ruled out of the squad due to a hamstring injury, though the family was still excited to see other stars such as Junya Ito. The father and son duo will also travel to the Dallas area to watch Japan’s matches, as they hope the team can go deep in the tournament. “We’re so excited and motivated to come here,” Kaya said. Japan are appearing at their eighth consecutive World Cup and are aiming to reach the knockout stage for the third straight time. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they produced major upsets by defeating Germany and Spain before being knocked out on penalties by Croatia in the round of 16. The team experienced hot and humid conditions in Nashville following heavy thunderstorms before training. Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki said the weather would not be a major concern. “We practised in Mexico, and it was really hot,” Suzuki said. “So I think of course here in the US is also hot, but now we are getting ready for that.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the largest in the tournament’s history, featuring 48 teams, 104 matches and three host countries across 39 days of competition. Hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the event marks the first World Cup since FIFA expanded the field from 32 to 48 teams. The new format adds 12 more teams, four additional groups in the first round and a new round of 32 in the knockout stage. The last expansion came in 1998, when the tournament grew from 24 to 32 teams. The 2026 edition is also only the second World Cup to be staged by multiple countries after Japan and South Korea co-hosted in 2002. A total of 16 stadiums will host matches, including 11 venues in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada. Mexico and Canada will each stage 13 matches, while the remaining 78 games, including all quarterfinals, semifinals and the final, will be played in the United States. Here are some key numbers behind the tournament: 1,248 players A record 1,248 players from 449 clubs across 71 countries have been selected for the tournament. Of them, 357 have previous World Cup experience, while 891 will be making their debut. England-based clubs provide the highest number of players with 200, followed by Germany (109), France (86), Spain (86), Italy (71) and Saudi Arabia (49). At club level, Manchester City leads with 19 players in the tournament, ahead of Bayern Munich with 18. Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal each have 16 players, while Barcelona has 15. 226 international appearances Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo enters the tournament with a record 226 international caps. He and Lionel Messi are set to become the first players to appear in six World Cups. Ronaldo remains the only player to have scored in five different World Cups and has netted eight goals in 22 World Cup matches. Messi holds the record for most World Cup appearances with 26 matches, while Luka Modrić is closing in on 200 international appearances. 16 World Cup goals The all-time World Cup scoring record of 16 goals, held by Miroslav Klose, could come under threat. Messi has scored 13 World Cup goals, while France striker Kylian Mbappé already has 12 goals from the last two tournaments. 8 champions Only eight countries have ever won the World Cup. Brazil leads with five titles, while Italy and Germany have four each. The most recent first-time champions were France in 1998 and Spain in 2010. 2 successful title defenses Only Brazil and Italy have successfully defended a World Cup title. Brazil achieved the feat in 1958 and 1962, while Italy won back-to-back crowns in 1934 and 1938. 6 defending champions eliminated early Six reigning champions have failed to advance beyond the group stage, including three in the last four tournaments. Italy exited early in 2010, Spain in 2014 and Germany in 2018. 3 straight finals? France will attempt to become only the third nation to reach three consecutive World Cup finals after winning in 2018 and finishing runner-up in 2022. 23 appearances for Brazil Brazil national football team is the only nation to have appeared in every World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1930. Brazil also leads all countries with 76 World Cup wins, 237 goals and a goal difference of +129. 4 debutants Four nations will make their World Cup debut in 2026: Cape Verde national football team, Curaçao national football team, Jordan national football team and Uzbekistan national football team. Their participation will raise the total number of countries that have played in the World Cup to 84. 7 matches without a win Egypt national football team has played seven World Cup matches without recording a victory, with a record of two draws and five defeats. Only Honduras has gone longer without a win, having played nine matches, but it did not qualify for this year's tournament. 2,720 goals A total of 2,720 goals have been scored in 964 matches across the first 22 World Cups. With 40 additional matches in 2026 compared with previous tournaments, the record of 172 goals scored at the 2022 World Cup is expected to be surpassed. 25-year age gap The oldest player in the tournament is Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who will be 43 years old when the competition begins. The youngest is Mexico midfielder Gilbert Mora, who is just 17, creating an age difference of more than 25 years between the oldest and youngest participants.  

Brazil has been forced to make a late change to its World Cup squad after right back Wesley was ruled out with a thigh injury less than a week before the team's opening match against Morocco. The Brazilian Football Confederation said on Sunday that Wesley suffered a muscle injury in his left thigh during Brazil’s friendly against Egypt in Cleveland on Saturday. Medical scans later confirmed the injury was serious enough to end his World Cup campaign. "Wesley is a player who is highly valued by the squad and will always remain part of this team striving to win a sixth world title," the confederation said in a statement. Midfielder Éderson, 26, has been called up as Wesley’s replacement and is expected to join the 26-man squad in the United States. Brazil will begin its World Cup group-stage campaign on Saturday at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Meanwhile, concerns remain over the fitness of veteran forward Neymar. The 34-year-old did not travel with the team to Cleveland and is currently sidelined with a calf injury.