United News of Bangladesh

Alongside football, Mexico's famous lucha libre wrestling has become one of the biggest attractions for World Cup visitors, with colourful masked wrestlers filling the streets and arenas as fans from around the world embrace one of the country's most celebrated traditions.= Masked wrestlers can be seen everywhere during the tournament, from stadium surroundings and busy streets to restaurants and bars. Many football fans are taking a break from World Cup action to experience the high-energy wrestling shows that have long been a key part of Mexican culture. While Spain played Uruguay in Guadalajara, thousands of spectators packed the iconic Arena México, known as the home of lucha libre, to watch a headline bout featuring Místico and Máscara Dorada against The Beast Mortos and Sammy Guevara. "It was simply fantastic, we enjoyed it immensely," said Andy Winston from Manchester, who has travelled with his family to all three World Cup host countries, Canada, the United States and Mexico, while supporting England. "You can't come to Mexico and not come to watch lucha libre. It's a great tradition, a classic," he said. Fans wearing football jerseys from England, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Colombia, Spain and Mexico filled the arena, cheering loudly throughout the event. "It was a wonderful night, much better than I imagined," said Brazil's Henrique Nunes dos Santos. "You connect with the spectacle in a way that makes it all seem real. There's a gigantic energy." Lucha libre dates back to the early 20th century and combines American wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, acrobatic moves and theatrical performances. Over the years, it has developed into a unique form of entertainment and was recognised as part of Mexico City's cultural heritage in 2018. "Lucha libre is in our roots. For almost 93 years, it has been part of us Mexicans and has also become a calling card for Mexicans," said Julio César Rivera, spokesperson for the World Wrestling Council. The matches usually feature a battle between the "técnicos," or heroes, and the "rudos," the villains. The wrestlers are known for their colourful masks, which often represent superheroes, animals or other symbolic figures. The masks are much more than costumes. They represent the wrestler's identity, heritage and character, and performers rarely reveal their real names in order to preserve the mystery. Thirty-year-old wrestler Star Black said he fell in love with lucha libre while helping his grandparents sell wrestling masks as a child. "I started to fall in love with the masks, the capes, the aerial maneuvers and the moves of lucha libre, and one day I decided to train," he said.   The World Cup has further boosted interest in the sport. Many international visitors are staying in Mexico because of lower accommodation costs before travelling to matches in the United States and Canada, said José Ángel Garfias Frías, a lucha libre researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. "Lucha libre was already popular, but now with the World Cup, the arenas are much more crowded, and we see many tourists there wearing their national team jerseys," Garfias said. Outside stadiums, wrestling masks are almost as common as national flags, with street vendors selling both. Although FIFA security rules prohibit masks inside stadiums, some fans have still been seen wearing them. Lucha libre and football have long shared a close connection in Mexico. Argentine footballer Gabriel Pereyra famously celebrated goals for Mexican club Cruz Azul by wearing Místico's wrestling mask, while legendary wrestler América Salvaje based his ring identity on Club América's colours. "Lucha libre is Mexico. It's part of our identity. And it's as popular as soccer," said Claudio Díaz, one of many masked supporters celebrating Mexico's advancement to the knockout stage. For wrestler Dragón Legendario, lucha libre reflects Mexican society even more than football. "I feel that soccer doesn't represent us Mexicans as much; lucha libre represents us way more," he said. "People from all walks of life come here, from grandmothers to businessmen to women who run small restaurants. It has all kinds of fans."

France continued its impressive run at the FIFA World Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sweden on Tuesday, becoming the first team to score at least three goals in five consecutive World Cup matches and reinforcing its status as one of the tournament favourites. The win secured Les Bleus a place in the round of 16, where they will face Paraguay this weekend as they pursue a third consecutive appearance in the World Cup final. France has won all four of its matches so far, scoring 13 goals while conceding only two, with its dynamic attacking quartet of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola drawing widespread praise. Norway coach Ståle Solbakken described France's front four as the strongest attacking unit in the competition, while Sweden coach Graham Potter also hailed the French side as the best team he has faced during the tournament. Mbappé continued his prolific form by scoring twice against Sweden, taking his tournament tally to six goals—level with Argentina captain Lionel Messi at the top of the scoring chart. Dembélé has scored four goals, while Olise leads the tournament with five assists. Barcola has contributed one goal and two assists. Mbappé has now scored 18 goals in 18 World Cup appearances, leaving him one short of Messi's career World Cup record of 19 goals. Despite France's dominant performances, midfielder N'Golo Kanté urged his teammates to remain grounded, saying the squad's quality alone would not guarantee success against stronger opponents in the knockout rounds. Head coach Didier Deschamps echoed that view, saying there was still room for improvement despite the team's unbeaten start. He noted that France must continue refining its performances as the level of competition increases. France has adopted an attack-minded 4-2-3-1 formation, allowing its forwards the freedom to interchange positions, making them difficult for opponents to defend against. Deschamps, who captained France to its 1998 World Cup triumph and has managed the national team since 2012, has already recorded his 18th World Cup victory as coach. He announced earlier this year that he will step down after the tournament. Mbappé credited Deschamps with transforming France into a more attacking side than in previous World Cups, pointing to the emergence of a new generation of talented players. France, now ranked No. 1 in the FIFA rankings ahead of Argentina, has defeated Senegal, Iraq, Norway and Sweden en route to the knockout stage. If France overcomes Paraguay, it could face Morocco or Canada in the quarter-finals, with Spain a possible semi-final opponent. The French side is aiming to become only the third nation after Germany and Brazil to reach three consecutive World Cup finals. Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni said the players remain motivated by the disappointment of losing the 2022 final to Argentina on penalties and are determined to make the French people proud by challenging for another world title.

The excitement surrounding the FIFA World Cup could help attract more young children to soccer in the United States, with experts saying the tournament may inspire a new generation of players and lifelong fans. At a World Cup-themed event for toddlers at a library in suburban Kansas City, 17-month-old Jude Cornell eagerly chased soccer balls and played with training equipment while his mother, Kyra Cornell, joked that she was already imagining his future in the sport. The event took place about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from one of the stadiums hosting World Cup matches, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for soccer across the country. Soccer is already one of the most popular youth sports in the United States. According to the Aspen Institute, 7.5% of children aged 6 to 12 played organized soccer in 2024. While that is slightly lower than a decade ago, only baseball and basketball attracted more young participants. Experts say youth participation has long helped turn players into devoted fans. Eighteen-year-old Haley Garbowski, who recently won a state high school championship in Missouri, is one example. A regular attendee at professional women's soccer matches, she now helps coach younger children at a summer sports camp and plans to study business and sports marketing at San Diego State University. Her experience also reflects how soccer fandom often grows within families. While her grandparents never followed the sport, her mother gradually became a fan after watching her daughter play. Michael Lewis, a sports marketing professor at Emory University, said soccer's popularity has been growing steadily across generations. "Soccer is a generational story that's building generation after generation, but it takes a long, long time," he said. Although soccer still trails baseball, basketball and American football in overall popularity, researchers see increasing interest among younger Americans, particularly Millennials and Generation Z. The sport's growth in the United States began accelerating in the 1970s, when international stars such as Pelé played in the now-defunct North American Soccer League. Interest continued to rise after the United States hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1994 and launched Major League Soccer (MLS) two years later. Today's youth soccer system is also much stronger than in previous decades, with competitive academies, travel teams and MLS development programs helping produce better players. Experts say the success of women's soccer has also played a major role in expanding the sport. More girls are joining youth leagues, helping keep participation high while creating a larger fan base. Nicholas Watanabe, a professor at the University of South Carolina, said the long-term success of women's soccer has benefited the men's game as well. In Kansas City, the professional women's team, the Kansas City Current, has become another sign of the sport's growth. The club plays in the first stadium built specifically for a women's professional soccer team and has been involved in local World Cup community events. Despite the progress, analysts say soccer still faces challenges in competing with America's most popular sports. Many of the world's best players compete in Europe, and many American fans follow European clubs instead of MLS teams. Still, experts believe the sport is in its strongest position yet in the United States. Darin White, executive director of the Center for Sports Analytics at Samford University, said he is more optimistic than ever about soccer's future in the country, pointing to its growing popularity among younger fans and increasing interest from marketers. Back at the Kansas library, toddlers continued kicking soccer balls around while one child proudly repeated the name "Messi," referring to Argentine star Lionel Messi. As for Jude Cornell, his mother said she hopes to enroll him in a local soccer program once he is old enough. "You don't know," she said with a smile. "Maybe next spring or summer we start trying."

A powerful heat wave is expected to grip much of the central and eastern United States this week, bringing dangerously high temperatures to several cities hosting FIFA World Cup knockout matches and raising concerns for both players and fans. Forecasters say a strong heat dome will push temperatures and humidity to uncomfortable levels, with the heat index, or the "feels-like" temperature, expected to climb above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) in several areas. Open-air stadiums in cities including Boston, Philadelphia and Kansas City are expected to be among the hardest hit. "This week is going to be extremely hot," said Geoff Cornish, assistant chief video meteorologist at AccuWeather. He described it as a major heat wave that is not seen every year. Heat has been a growing concern throughout the tournament, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Scientists say climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, is making extreme heat more frequent and intense around the world. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, extreme heat causes more deaths in the US each year than hurricanes, floods or tornadoes. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat watch for Philadelphia and nearby areas from Wednesday afternoon through Saturday evening, with "feels-like" temperatures expected to reach as high as 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius). In response, FIFA has adjusted the operating hours of its Fan Festival in Philadelphia. Saturday's fan event will end after the conclusion of the 1 p.m. match. Kansas City is also under an extreme heat warning through Friday night, with the heat index forecast to range between 105 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit (40.6 to 43.3 degrees Celsius). The New York City area could experience near-record heat, with temperatures feeling as high as 109 degrees Fahrenheit (42.8 degrees Celsius), while Boston and much of southern New England could see heat index values of up to 111 degrees Fahrenheit (43.9 degrees Celsius). Weather officials warned that the extreme heat could be life-threatening for people without access to cooling or enough drinking water and could also put pressure on transportation, electricity and water systems. Players will have several protections during matches, including medical support and mandatory three-minute cooling breaks in each half. However, health experts warn that even elite athletes remain at risk of heat-related illnesses. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include severe tiredness, headaches, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps and dehydration. In more serious cases, heat stroke can develop and requires immediate medical treatment. Experts also say high temperatures can reduce the intensity of matches, as players often run less and conserve energy to cope with the heat. Fans, volunteers and stadium workers may face even greater risks, especially in outdoor fan zones, parking areas and transport hubs where they could spend long periods in direct sunlight. Health experts also caution that drinking alcohol in extreme heat increases the risk of dehydration. Several host cities and stadiums have expanded access to shaded areas, cooling stations and free drinking water. Medical teams will also be available at FIFA Fan Festivals and around stadiums to treat heat-related illnesses if needed. Health experts advise people attending matches or outdoor events to drink plenty of water, stay in shaded or air-conditioned areas whenever possible, wear light, loose-fitting clothing and avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day. Maggie Aldousany, an associate clinical professor at the University of Miami, said people should begin drinking enough fluids well before attending matches or celebrations rather than waiting until they feel thirsty. Experts also recommend limiting alcohol consumption and checking for signs of dehydration. Light yellow urine is generally considered a sign of good hydration. Older adults, people taking certain medications and those not accustomed to hot weather are among those most at risk. Cornish advised anyone who feels dizzy, overheated or notices they have stopped sweating to move to a cooler place, drink water and seek medical attention immediately if symptoms become severe.

Morocco booked their place in the World Cup Round of 16 after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time on Monday, handing the Dutch their earliest-ever exit from the tournament. The decisive moment came after the shootout was level at 2-2 through four rounds. Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou denied Crysencio Summerville with a crucial save before Ismael Saibari calmly converted the winning penalty, sending the ball into the bottom-left corner as Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen dived the opposite way. The Netherlands had taken the lead in the 72nd minute through Cody Gakpo, who finished from Summerville's assist. Gakpo became emotional after scoring as teammates and coaching staff rushed onto the field to embrace him following the recent loss of his unborn child. Morocco forced extra time when Issa Diop headed home a cross from Chemsdine Talbi in the first minute of stoppage time.  

The Netherlands and Morocco were locked at 1-1 after regulation time in their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash on Monday, sending the match into extra time. The Dutch took the lead in the 72nd minute when Cody Gakpo found the net from a pass by Crysencio Summerville. Following the goal, Gakpo was embraced by his teammates and coaching staff as he became emotional on the field. The forward and his partner, Noa van der Bij, recently revealed they had lost their unborn child. Morocco equalised deep into stoppage time as Issa Diop headed home a cross from Chemsdine Talbi in the 91st minute to force extra time. The fixture featured the two highest-ranked teams in the Round of 32, with Morocco entering the tournament ranked sixth in the world and the Netherlands seventh.

Paraguay pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating four-time champions Germany 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw following extra time, securing a place in the Round of 16. The match at Foxborough, Massachusetts, remained deadlocked after 120 minutes before goalkeeper Orlando Gill made two crucial saves in the shootout. José Canale then converted the decisive sudden-death penalty to seal Paraguay’s historic victory. It marked the first time Germany have lost a World Cup penalty shootout. The Germans missed three of their six spot-kicks, with Jonathan Tah blasting his sudden-death attempt over the crossbar after goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had kept Germany alive by saving Fabián Balbuena’s penalty. Germany also had a potential extra-time winner ruled out. Tah headed home from a corner in the 102nd minute, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review found Waldemar Anton had fouled Gill before the header. Paraguay took the lead in the 42nd minute when Julio Enciso headed in a cross from Matías Galarza following a well-worked move initiated by Miguel Almirón. Germany equalized seven minutes into the second half through Kai Havertz, who redirected Florian Wirtz’s cross past Gill. Ranked 41st by FIFA before the tournament, Paraguay frustrated Germany with a disciplined defensive display despite conceding most of the possession. The victory sends the South American side into the last 16, where they will face the winner of Tuesday’s match between France and Sweden on Saturday in Philadelphia. For Germany, ranked 10th in the world, the defeat extended a disappointing run at the World Cup since lifting the trophy in 2014. After group-stage exits in the previous two editions, the four-time champions were eliminated in their first knockout match of the 2026 tournament. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann admitted the result fell well short of expectations, while Paraguay goalkeeper Gill credited thorough preparation for the team's success in the shootout.

In Bangladesh, the FIFA World Cup is more than a sporting event. From village tea stalls to city rooftops, the tournament brings an outpouring of passion as fans proudly display their favourite teams' flags and jerseys. Among young people in particular, football often inspires a level of enthusiasm that few other social movements can match. However, when that passion extends beyond the thrill of the game, it can create a lasting impact. That is the idea behind Argentina Fans for Nature, a youth-led initiative that has transformed support for the Argentine national football team into a nationwide environmental campaign. As one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, Bangladesh continues to face increasingly frequent heatwaves, erratic rainfall, river erosion, cyclones, salinity intrusion and biodiversity loss. Rapid urbanisation has also reduced green spaces as concrete development continues to expand. In this context, planting trees is no longer just an environmental gesture; it is now an important part of building climate resilience. Environmental experts have repeatedly stressed that addressing climate change requires coordinated efforts by the government, the private sector and the public. Many consider meaningful participation by young people a key element in building a sustainable environmental movement. Against this backdrop, the campaign launched a nationwide programme on June 7 to distribute and plant 4,000 saplings across Bangladesh. Hundreds of volunteers participated in the initiative in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Gazipur, Rajshahi, Bogura, Kushtia, Faridpur, Madaripur, Jashore, Narayanganj, Noakhali and Cox's Bazar. Unlike conventional tree distribution programmes, the initiative places equal emphasis on long-term care. Each participant is encouraged not only to plant a sapling but also to take responsibility for nurturing it for at least two years, recognising that ensuring a tree's survival is far more important than planting it. The campaign has distributed nearly 70 species of native fruit, forest and medicinal trees, including mango, black plum, jackfruit, coconut, dewa, mahua, drumstick, Indian gooseberry, arjun, neem, wood apple, jarul, royal poinciana and golden shower. Beyond providing fruit and shade, these trees are expected to contribute to carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, soil fertility and ecological balance. Critics often target young people for their immersion in social media or sporting rivalries. Yet initiatives such as Argentina Fans for Nature demonstrate that, with positive leadership and a meaningful objective, they can become powerful agents of social change. When support for a football team inspires someone to plant a tree, sport evolves from entertainment into a catalyst for environmental action. The campaign concluded with a gathering at Shaibal Beach in Cox's Bazar, where more than a hundred supporters received saplings. Organisers also announced that if Argentina wins the World Cup, they will launch a nationwide campaign to plant an additional 40,000 trees. The pledge reflects an ambition to turn football enthusiasm into a long-term environmental movement. The initiative is organised by the Chandrakoli Foundation, which has also been promoting the practice of planting trees to mark personal milestones such as weddings, birthdays, childbirth, anniversaries and memorials. Over the past five years, the foundation has distributed nearly 2,000 saplings to families of newborns at the Mohammadpur Union Health Complex in Subarnachar, Noakhali. The World Cup will come to an end. Flags will come down, and the celebrations will fade. But the saplings planted today will continue to grow for decades, providing shade, fruit, oxygen and habitat for wildlife. In the years ahead, they may stand as a lasting reminder that a nationwide football celebration also gave birth to thousands of new green dreams. Football brings joy to millions. When that joy grows into a tree—and eventually into a forest that helps protect future generations—it becomes far more than a celebration of sport. It becomes an investment in the country's future.

South Korea's early exit from the World Cup has triggered widespread criticism and uncertainty over the future of the national team, with President Lee Jae Myung publicly condemning the team's performance and media reports suggesting that coach Hong Myung-bo has stepped down. South Korea began its campaign with a victory over the Czech Republic national football team but suffered defeats to the South Africa national football team and the Mexico national football team in their remaining Group A matches. The team had hoped to progress to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams in the expanded tournament. However, those hopes were dashed after the Congo national football team defeated the Uzbekistan national football team 3-1 on Saturday. The disappointing campaign prompted a strongly worded response from President Lee, who described the result as both surprising and deeply troubling. In a lengthy statement, the president criticised the structure and management of the national team and questioned the decision to appoint Hong as coach. "Once again, it has been proven that personnel decisions determine everything. If loyalty and factionalism are valued over competence and an incapable person is appointed as a leader, the outcome is predictable," Lee said. Hong, 57, was serving his second stint as South Korea's head coach. He also led the team at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where South Korea similarly failed to advance beyond the group stage. South Korea are one of Asia's most consistent World Cup participants, having qualified for 11 consecutive tournaments since 1986. Their best performance came in 2002 when they reached the semifinals as co-hosts of the tournament. President Lee also called on the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to review the national team's failures and reform the country's sports administration. "I sincerely apologise to the public for the deep disappointment caused by this situation. We will move swiftly to reform sports administration to ensure this does not happen again," he said.

Egypt reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history after securing a 1-1 draw against Iran on Friday, while Iran were left waiting to learn whether they will also advance. The result saw Egypt finish second in Group G behind Belgium, who sealed top spot with a 5-1 win over New Zealand in Vancouver. Belgium had earlier drawn 1-1 with Egypt in the group stage. Iran still have a chance of reaching the knockout rounds for the first time since the tournament expanded to 48 teams, but their qualification now depends on other results. Egypt made a bright start, taking the lead in the fifth minute through Mahmoud Saber. Mohamed Salah, the former Liverpool forward, played a key role in the move before Saber fired the ball through the legs of Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. Iran responded quickly, with Ramin Rezaeian equalising nine minutes later to level the match. The Iranians thought they had snatched a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time when Shoja Khalilzadeh found the net in the 93rd minute. However, the goal was ruled out for offside after a video review, denying Iran all three points. A victory would have guaranteed Iran a place in the knockout stage. The match, promoted as a "Pride Match" in Seattle, ended with Egypt celebrating a historic qualification, while Iran's hopes of progressing remain uncertain.