United News of Bangladesh

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.  

Sheikh Morsalin scripted a 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. Even if qualification was never a realistic target.   What turned out to be the winning goal came fairly early, capping what was probably the home team's best passage of play on the night, working some openings in the Indian backline and testing Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in the Indian goal. From well inside his own half, Morsalin started a counter attack by releasing Rakib Hossain into wide open spaces on the left, then ran almost the length of the pitch to arrive in the opposition box just in time to meet the return pass from Rakib, who did brilliantly. Morsalin pounced on a moment's hesitation between the Indian goalie and defender to execute a deft finish that ended up nutmegging Gurpreet.  Cue bedlam in the arena, as over 23,000 football-lovers packed into the National Stadium on this wintry evening sensed something special was in the offing. Only the footballers seemed to have other ideas.  From that moment, Bangladesh fought to protect the lead with grit and discipline, trading in the zeal and enterprise that leads to chances and most notably handed over possession of the ball to a struggling India side that ended the night bottom in their group.

Barcelona will finally return to their eternal home, Spotify Camp Nou, this weekend, with the club confirming that Saturday’s LaLiga match against Athletic Club will be played at their historic home ground. In a statement, the Catalan Club said that the match for LaLiga matchday 13 against Athletic Club, scheduled for Saturday, November 22 at 16:15, will indeed be held at Spotify Camp Nou. The decision follows the club’s receipt of the first occupancy license corresponding to Phase 1B, which permits an increased capacity of up to 45,401 spectators. Although renovation work is still underway, Barça received a key license from the local council on Monday, allowing matches to be hosted with a limited capacity of 45,401 spectators. Camp Nou has been closed for major refurbishment since 2023, forcing Barcelona to play their home fixtures at the city’s Olympic Stadium. The original plan was to return by the end of 2024, but multiple delays pushed the timeline back. With the new approval, the Spanish champions will once again play in front of a sizeable home crowd. The club initially received permission in October to reopen the venue, but the capacity limit at the time, within 25,991, was deemed financially unviable for an immediate return. Earlier this month, Barcelona held a test event at Camp Nou with just under 23,000 fans attending an open training session, which president Joan Laporta described as a success. Following the test event, Barça submitted documentation last week to extend the capacity limit and received clearance on Monday. Saturday’s match against Athletic will also kick-start a busy run of fixtures for the Catalan side. Barcelona are scheduled to travel to Chelsea in the Champions League next, before hosting consecutive home games against Alavés and Atlético Madrid—now cleared to be played at Camp Nou. However, uncertainty remains over whether the Champions League tie against Frankfurt on December 9 will be held at Camp Nou or return to the Olympic Stadium. UEFA has different regulations from La Liga regarding mid-season venue changes, though Laporta has expressed optimism, saying the club has plans in place to meet all requirements, including covered seating for officials. At present, the stadium’s lower two tiers are complete, while construction continues on the third tier and the new roof structure. Full renovation is expected to be completed by 2027, when the stadium’s capacity will expand to 105,000.

Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar has been released from the hospital five days after being admitted with a heart-related issue. His current club, São Paulo, said in a statement that the player was discharged on Sunday. The club added that extensive tests showed Oscar had experienced “an episode of vasovagal syncope,” a common cause of fainting triggered by a sudden drop in blood pressure or heart rate. “Stable and clinically well throughout his hospital stay, the athlete will now follow a medical program of rest for the next few days,” the statement continued. Oscar was taken by ambulance to Einstein Hospital Israelita on Tuesday after collapsing during pre-season testing. He was reportedly unconscious for about two minutes and his club said at the time that he “presented a complication with cardiac changes.” The 34-year-old has a contract with Sao Paulo until 2027. He returned to his boyhood club on a free transfer last December after a long spell in China. Oscar won one Europa League title and two Premier League trophies with Chelsea, which he joined in 2012. He moved to Shanghai in the middle of Chelsea’s 2016-17 season for a transfer fee reported to be $73 million. He won three Super League titles in China and became a fan favorite in Asia. Oscar played for Brazil at the 2014 World Cup where he scored the only goal in its 7-1 semifinal defeat to Germany, which went on to win the tournament.

A record 48 teams will take part in the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. On Sunday, Portugal and Norway became the latest sides to secure their spots. Portugal, playing without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, thrashed Armenia 9-1 to keep the 39-year-old on course to feature in a sixth World Cup — an all-time record if he appears. Norway booked their ticket with a 4-1 win over four-time champion Italy. In total, 43 teams will qualify through their regional competitions, while two more will advance from a six-team intercontinental playoff scheduled for March in Mexico. The three host nations qualify automatically. Qualification breakdown Asia: 8 direct places, 1 intercontinental playoff slotAfrica: 9 direct berths, 1 playoff slotNorth/Central America & Caribbean: 3 direct spots, plus 3 automatic host places, and 2 playoff slots No Ronaldo, no problem: Portugal seal World Cup spot crushing Armenia 9–1South America: 6 direct spots, 1 playoff placeOceania: 1 guaranteed spot for the first time — already claimed by New Zealand — with New Caledonia headed to the playoffsEurope: 16 direct qualifiersTeams already qualified Hosts: United States, Mexico, Canada Africa:Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia Asia:Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan Europe:Croatia, England, France, Norway, Portugal Oceania:New Zealand South America:Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay