United News of Bangladesh

Global music stars Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS and Shakira headlined the FIFA World Cup's first-ever halftime show on Sunday, delivering a fast-paced performance featuring several international artists, Muppets characters and Hollywood celebrities. Held at MetLife Stadium near New York, the 11-minute show was designed to bring a Super Bowl-style halftime spectacle to football's biggest tournament. Unlike the Super Bowl's single-headliner format, the World Cup show featured several performers, each taking the stage for about two minutes. Madonna opened the performance with her 2000 hit Music, joined by Brazilian football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. After appearing in a pre-recorded roller rink sequence, she entered the stadium in a dune buggy before performing live. Renowned Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel then led an orchestra in a performance of Seven Nation Army, the popular football anthem by The White Stripes. Members of the Muppets, including Animal on drums, also appeared during the performance. K-pop group BTS followed with their global hit Dynamite, wearing red-and-black outfits in a colourful stage performance. Actors Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, appearing as their popular "Ted Lasso" characters, introduced Justin Bieber, who performed Everything Hallelujah with an acoustic guitar in a more relaxed segment. Shakira and Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy then performed Dai Dai, the tournament's official World Cup anthem, which had been played before every one of the tournament's 104 matches. Shakira, dressed in a colourful feathered outfit, was joined by dancers, including children, before Burna Boy joined her on stage. Shakira is well known for World Cup songs, including the iconic 2010 anthem Waka Waka (This Time for Africa). The halftime show concluded with the PS22 Chorus from Staten Island performing alongside Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who curated the event, Gustavo Dudamel, Shakira and several Muppets and Sesame Street characters, including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Cookie Monster and Count von Count. Although Dudamel conducted about 40 musicians from the New York Philharmonic and Venezuela's Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra on the field, the orchestral music had been pre-recorded earlier in the week. Following Spain's victory over Argentina in the World Cup final, Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem celebrated enthusiastically with Spanish supporters inside the stadium. Among other celebrities attending the final were Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner and actor Matt Damon, who attended with his wife, Luciana Barroso Damon. Jennifer Hudson, Post Malone and Tom Cruise feature in pre-match ceremony Before kickoff, Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams, Post Malone and Tom Cruise led the World Cup closing ceremony with musical performances and speeches. British singer Robbie Williams performed FIFA anthem Desire, joined by Nicole Scherzinger and Italian singer Laura Pausini. Online personality IShowSpeed performed his football-themed song Champions, while Post Malone sang his new track Chrome Heartbreaker before teaming up with Swae Lee for their hit Sunflower. Actor Tom Cruise then addressed fans, celebrating the tournament and welcoming the finalists, Spain and Argentina. The national anthems were performed live before the match. Jennifer Hudson sang the US national anthem, while Spain's La Marcha Real was performed by Spanish Brass. Argentine singer María Becerra sang Argentina's national anthem before kickoff.

Lionel Messi faces an uphill battle to win the World Cup Golden Boot after Kylian Mbappé extended his lead in the scoring race, but the Argentine captain remains the favourite to claim a record third Golden Ball when Argentina meet Spain in Sunday's final. Mbappé scored twice in France's 6-4 defeat to England in Saturday's third-place playoff, taking his tournament tally to 10 goals. Messi has eight goals, leaving him needing at least two goals in the final to draw level and three to move ahead. Before the third-place match, Messi and Mbappé were tied on eight goals, with the Argentine leading on the tiebreaker thanks to one more assist. If Messi cannot overtake Mbappé, he is still widely expected to win the Golden Ball, awarded to the tournament's best player. At 39, he has guided Argentina to a second consecutive World Cup final and is already the only player to have won the award twice, having claimed it in 2014 and 2022. "He is history. He is a legend," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. The Golden Boot is the only major individual World Cup honour missing from Messi's long list of achievements, which includes a record eight Ballon d'Or awards. Mbappé, who won the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar despite France losing the final to Argentina, became the first player to score 10 goals in a single World Cup since Germany's Gerd Müller achieved the feat in 1970. If Messi scores enough goals to surpass Mbappé and Argentina win the title, he would become the first Golden Boot winner to play for the World Cup champions since Brazil's Ronaldo in 2002. Spain also have strong contenders for the tournament's other major individual awards. Goalkeeper Unai Simón is among the favourites for the Golden Glove after conceding just one goal in seven matches, while 19-year-old forward Yamine Lamal is a leading candidate for the Best Young Player award, presented to the top performer aged 21 or under. The Golden Ball, Golden Glove and Best Young Player awards are decided by media representatives from a shortlist prepared by FIFA's Technical Study Group.

Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina will take on Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final, a highly anticipated clash between one of football’s greatest individual talents and the sport’s most dominant team in recent years. Messi, who rarely finds himself on the losing side, will lead Argentina against a Spain team that has gone unbeaten in 37 consecutive matches since early 2024. The final is expected to provide a fitting conclusion to the biggest World Cup in history. For Spain, the match offers an opportunity to win a second World Cup title after their 2010 triumph and further establish themselves as the leading force in international football. Argentina, meanwhile, are aiming to become the first men’s team to win consecutive World Cups since Brazil achieved the feat under Pele in 1958 and 1962. For Messi, the final could represent his last appearance in the national team’s famous blue-and-white jersey, giving him another chance to complete a remarkable international career. “On Sunday, we will watch a great show,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said. “Two great national teams — two superteams, in my opinion — very similar in some aspects in terms of attitude and talent. I think it’s going to be an amazing final.” The contest has often been described as a battle between the world’s best player and the world’s best team, but the storyline goes far beyond that. Messi’s connection with Spain The final carries special significance for Messi, who was born in Argentina but spent much of his youth and entire club career in Spain. He could have represented Spain internationally, and Spanish officials attempted several times to convince him to choose their national team. However, Messi remained committed to Argentina. Sunday’s match will be his first encounter with Spain since a 2010 friendly when Argentina defeated the then-world champions. Despite the enormous pressure, Messi said he would approach the final in the same way he has always played football — with joy and passion. “We grew up playing soccer with passion, eager to play,” Messi said. “We played everywhere. We played on the street, at school and with teams. We didn’t think about pressure. It was just natural play.” The final will also feature a unique connection between Messi and Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. The two players were photographed together nearly two decades ago when Yamal was an infant, and they will now meet on football’s biggest stage. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni described Messi as “the best footballer that the world has seen,” saying the forward had become a symbol of football history. Messi’s remarkable comeback with Argentina A decade ago, Argentina’s current success seemed unlikely. Messi briefly retired from international football in 2016 after Argentina lost the Copa America final to Chile on penalties, with Messi missing one of the spot kicks. His retirement lasted only a few weeks, and he returned to continue leading Argentina. Since then, the team has won the Copa America in 2021, the World Cup in 2022 and another Copa America title in 2024. The 39-year-old forward has also continued to shine at club level, playing for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami. He remains a key figure in Major League Soccer and is still capable of producing decisive moments. “He is pure history. History. A legend,” Scaloni said. Spain chasing defensive record Spain enter the final as favourites after producing one of the strongest defensive performances in World Cup history. La Roja have conceded only one goal in their first seven matches and have never fallen behind during the tournament. Argentina, in contrast, have spent more than 100 minutes trailing, including stoppage time. Only three previous champions — Spain in 2010, Italy in 2006 and France in 1998 — won the World Cup after conceding just two goals throughout the tournament. Spain’s current defensive record puts them on course to match or surpass that achievement. Spain captain Rodri warned that Argentina are much more than just Messi. “Argentina is far more than Messi,” Rodri said. “They have proven they are a very complete team with top players. We are the best two teams playing collectively as a group. Of course, we need to be mindful of Leo, but there are many other players.” The final will be the 104th and last match of a tournament featuring 48 teams across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The World Cup was also marked by controversies, including political tensions surrounding Iran’s participation, criticism over FIFA’s decision to overturn the red-card suspension of US forward Folarin Balogun after intervention from President Donald Trump, and calls from the British government for an investigation into Argentina players’ actions involving the Falkland Islands after their semifinal victory over England. However, the tournament will ultimately end with the familiar scene of one team celebrating and another suffering heartbreak. “They have their strengths. So do we,” Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said. “I hope it will be a final that goes down in history.”

Bukayo Saka struck a hat trick as England defeated France 6-4 in a thrilling FIFA World Cup third-place playoff on Sunday, capping one of the highest-scoring matches in tournament history. Saka scored twice before halftime and completed his hat trick with a late penalty as England raced to a commanding 4-0 lead before surviving a spirited French comeback to secure third place. Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa also found the net in the opening half, while Jude Bellingham added England's sixth goal deep into stoppage time to seal the victory. France mounted an impressive second-half fightback through Kylian Mbappe, Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Demele. Mbappe scored twice to cut the deficit to 4-3 before England restored its cushion with Saka's penalty and Bellingham's late strike. The 10-goal contest was the highest-scoring World Cup match since Hungary defeated El Salvador 10-1 in 1982 and featured the most goals ever scored in a World Cup third-place playoff. England coach Thomas Tuchel described the tournament as a success despite the team's semifinal defeat to Argentina, where the Three Lions surrendered a 1-0 lead before losing 2-1. "We are fiercely competitive, so it is difficult to celebrate finishing third because our ambition was to reach the final and win the World Cup," Tuchel said. "But this result can help us move closer to the level of teams like Argentina and France." Bellingham's stoppage-time strike took his tournament tally to seven goals, setting a new record for the most goals scored by an England player in a single World Cup. Captain Harry Kane netted six goals in both the 2026 and 2018 tournaments, matching Gary Lineker's tally from the 1986 World Cup. Mbappe's two goals also saw him surpass Lionel Messi's all-time World Cup scoring record, taking his career total to 22 goals. The France captain has scored 10 goals in this tournament, putting him two clear of Messi in the race for the Golden Boot. Messi, who has 21 World Cup goals overall and eight in this tournament, will have one final opportunity to reduce the gap when defending champions Argentina face Spain in early Monday's final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Speaking after the match, Mbappe said he expected Messi to score in the final but admitted he would rather have been playing for the trophy than leading the scoring charts. "I always try to help my team score. Of course, scoring so many World Cup goals is special, but I would have preferred to be playing in tomorrow's final," he said. The match also marked the end of Didier Deschamps' 14-year tenure as France coach. After the final whistle, Deschamps embraced his players and acknowledged supporters before leaving the field. Reflecting on the defeat, he said France had been deeply disappointed by its semifinal exit and admitted his side had struggled badly in the first half before improving after the break. However, he said he did not want his coaching career to be judged solely on the team's final two matches.

Spain captain Rodri believes his team's place in the FIFA World Cup final is the result of years of steady progress rather than a sudden breakthrough, saying the squad has been building towards this moment over several tournaments. Spain has reached the World Cup final for only the second time, and Rodri said the team's triumph in the Nations League in 2023 and the European Championship in 2024 laid the foundation for its current success. Argentines, Spaniards divided over loyalties ahead of historic World Cup final The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner said Spain now faces its toughest test yet against defending champion Argentina in Sunday's final, adding that his teammates should focus on winning rather than fearing defeat. "We've been gradually growing," Rodri said on Friday. "We have to keep doing the same things we're doing because it has been a process for all five years." Spain has conceded just one goal in seven World Cup matches, including a 2-0 semifinal victory over France. Since opening the tournament with a surprise draw against Cape Verde, La Roja has outscored its opponents 13-1. "Our goal when we got to this World Cup was to win the trophy, and we were convinced that we could achieve this," Rodri said. "We've shown that this national team has been able to defeat great opponents." Spain's route to the final featured decisive late goals from Mikel Merino in both the round of 16 and quarterfinals, while goalkeeper Unai Simón has made nine saves during the tournament. The team's disciplined defending has also been a key factor in its success. Rodri rejected the idea that Spain relies on a single style of play, saying the team has shown it can adapt to different situations. Reflecting on Spain's first World Cup title 16 years ago, Rodri said that team's determination remains an inspiration, but stressed that the current squad is focused on its own development. "We can even do it better," he said. "Against France, we played one of our best matches as a team. But against Argentina, we have to raise our level because they are the champions. I'm really confident that we can do it."

As football fans around the world prepare for Sunday's FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, music can be the perfect way to build the excitement. Whether fans are cheering for defending champions Argentina to win back-to-back World Cups or hoping Spain's teenage star Lamine Yamal shines on the biggest stage, these 10 songs capture the spirit, energy and celebration of the tournament. Here are AP's picks: 1. "Dai Dai" — Shakira and Burna Boy (2026)The official song of the 2026 World Cup combines Latin rhythms with Afrobeats in a multilingual anthem celebrating unity, passion and victory. Colombian singer Shakira said a World Cup song should reflect the emotions and excitement that football brings to people around the world. 2. "DNA (More Than A Game)" — Andrea Bocelli, David Guetta, EJAE and Megan Thee Stallion (2026)This unique collaboration blends opera, pop, electronic dance music and rap in English, Italian and Korean. The song highlights football as more than a sport, describing it as part of people's identity. 3. "La Copa de la Vida (The Cup of Life)" — Ricky Martin (1998)One of the most memorable World Cup anthems ever released, Ricky Martin's energetic hit became the soundtrack of the 1998 tournament in France and remains a fan favourite. 4. "Despechá" — Rosalía (2022)The upbeat Latin pop hit has become a celebration song for Spain's national team, often played after goals and victories. It is expected to feature again if Spain succeeds in the final. 5. "Mi Gran Noche" — Raphael (1967)Spanish music legend Raphael's classic song has become a regular feature of football celebrations across Spain, thanks to its lively melody and timeless appeal. 6. "La Roja Baila" — Sergio Ramos, Niña Pastori and RedOne (2016)Recorded as Spain's official anthem for the 2016 European Championship, the song celebrates the national team's nickname, "La Roja," and continues to be popular among Spanish supporters. 7. "La Cumbia de los Trapos" — Yerba Brava (2000)This energetic cumbia track has become closely linked with Argentina's football team. It was widely associated with the country's World Cup triumph in Qatar in 2022 and remains a favourite among Argentine fans. 8. "Matador" — Los Fabulosos Cadillacs (1993, remastered 2008)Often played after Argentina scores, the song combines ska, reggae and Latin rhythms. While known as a football anthem, it also carries a deeper message about Argentina's military dictatorship. 9. "Dumbai" — Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso (2024)The Argentine duo's modern Latin pop hit mixes trap, electronic and tropical sounds, making it a popular addition to football celebrations. 10. "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" — Shakira featuring Freshlyground (2010)Widely regarded as one of the greatest World Cup songs ever made, the official anthem of the 2010 tournament in South Africa remains a global favourite for football fans. Its catchy rhythm and uplifting message continue to make it a must-play during every World Cup season.

Lionel Messi says Argentina will give everything they have when they take on Spain in Sunday's FIFA World Cup final, as the defending champions aim to retain the title. "We will give it our all," Messi said on Friday during what is expected to be his final public appearance before the title clash in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Messi spoke at Fanatics Fest in New York, where he shared the stage with some of the world's biggest sports stars, including NFL legend Tom Brady, tennis great Novak Djokovic and NBA star Kevin Durant. The event highlighted Messi's global appeal, with the sports icons also taking a group selfie with the Argentine captain. FIFA held its pre-final media event at the four-day sports festival instead of a traditional news conference, allowing hundreds of fans to see the players and coaches up close. Spain captain Rodri praised Messi, calling him the greatest footballer of all time. "It goes beyond words what Messi means as a player and what he means for Argentina," Rodri said. "For me, he's the greatest of all time." Instead of journalists asking questions, the discussion was led by sports stars. Brady asked Messi about a viral photo showing him bathing a baby who later grew up to become Spain winger Lamine Yamal. "What a crazy picture," Messi said. Djokovic asked Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni and Messi how they deal with pressure in major tournaments, while Durant asked goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez what winning back-to-back World Cups would mean for Argentina. Scaloni kept the focus on the match itself. "It's one more game," he said. "We cannot really think about the fact that it's a World Cup final." Argentina have reached the final with a perfect 7-0-0 record and remain the tournament's only unbeaten team. Spain are 6-0-1 after drawing their opening match against Cape Verde. Argentina's road to the final has not been easy. They came from behind to beat England in the semifinals after trailing 1-0 in the second half. They also recovered from a 2-0 second-half deficit against Egypt in the Round of 16, while both their Round of 32 match against Cape Verde and quarterfinal against Switzerland went to extra time. "I've said many times: We never stop fighting," Messi said. Messi received a warm welcome from fans at the event, many of whom recorded his entrance on their phones before cheering loudly as he waved. At the end of the programme, players, coaches and celebrities, including actor Kevin Hart, rapper Travis Scott, former England defender Rio Ferdinand and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, gathered for a group selfie. "Sunday is going to be a great show," Scaloni said. Argentina are aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win consecutive World Cup titles. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said the team is determined to make the country proud. "We've got a group of players and coaches working incredibly hard every day to bring happiness to our country," Martinez said. "We're going to give absolutely our best, with Leo and this team, to bring the World Cup back to our country and celebrate with our people."

The British government has called on FIFA to investigate Argentina's national football team after its players celebrated a World Cup semifinal victory while holding a banner asserting Argentina's claim over the disputed Falkland Islands. Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the World Cup semifinal in Atlanta on Wednesday. During the post-match celebrations, players displayed a banner handed to them by supporters that read, "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" ("The Malvinas are Argentine"). Argentina refers to the Falkland Islands as Islas Malvinas. The islands became the focus of a 10-week war in 1982 after Argentina's military government invaded the British-controlled territory. Britain regained control following the conflict. UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle described the players' actions as "entirely inappropriate" and said he expected FIFA to conduct a thorough investigation. Under FIFA's disciplinary code, political, ideological, religious or offensive messages displayed at stadiums are prohibited. Violations can result in fines ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. FIFA had not commented on the matter as of Thursday. Argentina defender Lisandro Martínez said the banner carried strong emotional significance. "I can imagine a Malvinas war veteran seeing that banner and crying," said Martínez, who has played for Manchester United in England for the past four years. "I don't know whether there will be sanctions, but the message simply expressed our belief that the islands belong to us." Long-running political dispute The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory with a population of around 3,500 people. They are located about 480 kilometres off Argentina's coast and nearly 13,000 kilometres from Britain. Argentina maintains that Britain illegally took control of the islands in 1833. Britain says its claim dates back to 1765 and that it expelled Argentine forces attempting to establish sovereignty over the territory in 1833. The 1982 Falklands War claimed the lives of 649 Argentine troops, 255 British military personnel and three islanders. The conflict coincided with the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, where Argentina, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland all competed. British broadcasters declined to televise Argentina's opening match of the tournament, in which the defending champions lost to Belgium. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes said the banner reflected a painful chapter in his country's history. "It is a sad part of our history for everyone involved, and it still hurts," he said. "We knew we were playing for them as well." FIFA's political neutrality under scrutiny Kyle told the BBC that politics should remain separate from football, adding that the issue was now FIFA's responsibility. FIFA's commitment to political neutrality has faced renewed scrutiny during this World Cup. Critics have questioned decisions by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the governing body's disciplinary panel, particularly after United States forward Folarin Balogun was allowed to play against Belgium in the round of 16 despite receiving a red card in the previous match. Under FIFA rules, Balogun should have been suspended for the next game, but the ban was postponed for one year on probation. Belgium went on to beat the United States 4-1 and advance to the quarterfinals. Infantino is expected to attend Sunday's World Cup final between Argentina and Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey, alongside US President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei. Similar incidents in the past Argentina's players displayed the same "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" slogan during a World Cup warm-up match in Buenos Aires in 2014. FIFA later fined the Argentine Football Association 30,000 Swiss francs (about $37,000) after that tournament. In another case, South Korean footballer Park Jong-woo received a two-match FIFA suspension after displaying a banner reading "Dokdo is our territory" following South Korea's victory over Japan in the bronze medal match at the 2012 London Olympics. More recently, during the 2022 World Cup, FIFA fined Serbia's football federation 20,000 Swiss francs (about $24,800) after a political banner showing Kosovo as part of Serbia and carrying the slogan "No Surrender" was displayed in the team's dressing room before a match against Brazil.

Argentina and England will reignite one of international football’s most storied rivalries when they face off in the FIFA World Cup semifinals on Thursday at 1:00 am, with a place in Monday’s final against Spain at stake. The semifinal in Atlanta brings together two of the sport’s traditional powerhouses, whose World Cup clashes over the decades have produced some of football’s most memorable and controversial moments. England coach Thomas Tuchel acknowledged the significance of the fixture, describing both national teams as iconic and their previous encounters as deeply embedded in football history. The rivalry stretches back to the 1960s, but gained greater intensity during the 1966 World Cup quarterfinal when England defeated Argentina 1-0 in a heated contest that saw Argentine captain Antonio Rattin sent off. England went on to lift its only World Cup title that year. Twenty years later, Argentina gained revenge in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal, where Diego Maradona inspired a 2-1 victory with his infamous "Hand of God" goal and a remarkable solo effort widely regarded as one of the greatest goals in World Cup history. Argentina eventually won the tournament. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Maradona’s famous second goal remains one of football’s most unforgettable moments and continues to inspire generations of fans. The rivalry continued in 1998 when England midfielder David Beckham was sent off during a round-of-16 defeat on penalties after an incident involving Argentina’s Diego Simeone. Beckham later found redemption by scoring the decisive penalty in England’s 1-0 group-stage victory over Argentina at the 2002 World Cup, contributing to Argentina’s early elimination. Despite the history between the teams, Tuchel said his focus has been on preparing his players for the match itself rather than dwelling on past encounters. Both teams have faced difficult paths to the last four. Defending champions Argentina survived tough knockout matches against Cape Verde and Egypt before overcoming a 10-man Switzerland side 3-1 after extra time in the quarterfinals. England also had to battle through adversity, coming from behind to defeat DR Congo and Norway before edging co-host Mexico 3-2 in an exhausting round-of-16 contest despite playing part of the match with 10 men. Argentina captain Lionel Messi has once again been central to his team's campaign, scoring eight goals and contributing key assists. England, meanwhile, has relied heavily on captain Harry Kane and midfielder Jude Bellingham. Both players have scored six goals during the tournament, with Bellingham netting twice in each of England’s previous two matches. The winner of Thursday’s semifinal will face Spain in the World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Monday.

French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet on Sunday expressed optimism that the World Cup and the French team's impressive performance will be inspiring and create a sense of motivation among young Bangladeshis who want to play football and raise the standard of their team. “This is what happened in France with players like Michel Platini or Zinedine Zidane, who inspired entire generations. For example, Mbappé was 7 years old when France reached the World Cup final in 2006, and that undoubtedly inspired him to persevere,” he told UNB in an exclusive interview ahead of the semi-final against Spain. The French envoy said he believes that this is what France can bring, and he thinks Bangladesh will gradually enter major competitions and develop a high-quality team because there is incredible enthusiasm and a love for football in this country. Asked how football helps strengthen cultural ties between Bangladesh and France, the Ambassador said he believes that the French national team's excellent performance in the World Cup has helped showcase France and highlight the positive aspects of his country. The Ambassador said a united, dynamic French team, full of imagination and skill, with players of exceptional quality, some of whom are truly outstanding, but also with a strong team spirit. “And I think that reflects the values of France, a country that values solidarity. You know that our national motto includes the words "liberty, equality, fraternity." We rarely talk about the last word, but it's important. There is a real sense of brotherhood within this team. They support each other in difficult times,” he mentioned. The French envoy said Mbappé, who is the captain, puts himself at the service of the team. “I believe this is a truly beautiful message, and I think it will encourage our Bangladeshi friends even more to come and visit France.” Highlighting the very strong sporting competition between two friendly nations - France and Spain – the French Ambassador expressed optimism that Bangladesh will gradually enter major competitions and develop a high-quality team because there is incredible enthusiasm and a love for football in this country. “I'm excited that France is playing against Spain; these are always very intense and spectacular matches. I remember the final of Euro 1984, where France, with Michel Platini, narrowly defeated Spain led by Luis Arconada. It was the first France-Spain match I watched,” he said. France stand on the brink of a third successive FIFA World Cup final, but must first overcome Spain in what promises to be a mouth-watering semi-final between two of world football's most accomplished sides on Wednesday. Sporting Competition Responding to a question, the French Ambassador said that, in reality, he does not think France and Spain are rivals. “I believe there's very strong competition, a sporting competition, between them. France and Spain are two friendly nations, two neighbouring countries. We know each other very well, and we respect each other, both in life and in football,” he said, noting that the Spanish team is very impressive and has excellent players. “So, we are very thrilled to be facing such a team in the semi-final.” Asked how the Ambassador is personally preparing for the France-Spain semi-final, he said, “Very simple: I prepared by getting my phone and calling my friend Gabriel (Gabriel Maria Sistiaga Ochoa de Chinchetru), who is the Spanish ambassador in Dhaka. We decided to watch the match together.” To the many fans of the French national team in Bangladesh, the French envoy said he would especially like to thank them for their support and trust. The Ambassador said France strives to bring beautiful play, talent, team spirit, and solidarity to the game. “It's important, beyond the result, that the game is enjoyable to watch. I believe that the ability to surprise, to ignite a match and what we call 'French flair' are part of the DNA of this team. So, I would like to thank you for this enthusiasm, and I want to say, naturally, that I am sure the French team will try its best and put on a great show. And I hope the Blues will win, of course!” he said. If France reaches the final, the French envoy said they will gather the entire French community and watch the match together. “Why not go and watch it at the University of Dhaka, where I know there's an absolutely incredible atmosphere during matches, and the spectators show a great deal of respect for both teams?” he said.