United News of Bangladesh

Lionel Messi was denied on a long shot in extra time and Inter Miami and Egypt's Al Ahly settled for a scoreless draw in the opening game of the Club World Cup on Saturday night. Argentina's eight-time Ballon d’Or winner kicked a long, curling shot from the right side that was tipped by diving goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy and brushed off the crossbar in the 96th minute front of a crowd of more than 60,000 at Hard Rock Stadium. Messi also shaved the post with a free kick in the 60th minute in the second half. Miami had its own good fortune, surviving a first half onslaught by 12-time African champion Al Ahly, with goalkeeper Oscar Ustari saving a penalty from Trezeguet just before the break. KEY MOMENT Miami had to rely on veteran Argentine goalkeeper Ustari to keep the game level in the first half, with the 38-year-old pulling off a number of saves as Al Ahly dominated the chances. He produced a crucial double save just before halftime — blocking Trezeguet's 43rd-minute penalty and then getting up quickly to deny the forward again on the rebound. TAKEAWAYS A draw leaves both teams with a battle to advance from Group A with tougher tests likely to come against Brazilian giant Palmeiras and Porto from Portugal. The top two advance to the round of 16. Messi fit as injuries weigh on Inter Miami before Club World Cup Miami can be encouraged by its performance in the second half after being dominated in the first half. Inter Miami had the better chances after the break, with Messi's free kick and curling long shot both hitting the woodwork. WHAT THEY SAID “It was a good party for football. It’s a new competition and the chance to play teams we don’t play normally in our league, so it can be very good for us. You can prove what we can do.” – Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami coach. “I’m disappointed with the result. We could have taken all three points. We respect Inter Miami and their big-name players, but we could’ve finished the game in the first half by scoring three or four goals.” -- Wessam Abou Ali, Ah Ahly forward.

Team Advisers, consisting of the advisers and staff of the  Bangladesh Interim Government beat Team Diplomats, consisting of the diplomats and officials of different Embassies and High Commissions in Bangladesh by 1-0 goal in a Friendly Football match at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday. Team Advisers won the match by a suicidal goal scored in the 22nd minute of the 40 minute affair, played 20 minutes in each half. Law Advisor Dr Asif Nazrul, Youth and Sports Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, BFF President Tabith Awal, among others, played for Team Advisers. Asia Cup World Ranking Tournament: Archery team leaves Dhaka for Singapore on Saturday Spanish Ambassador and the diplomats and officials of UK, USA, Norway, Holland and Denmark played for Team Diplomats.

Veteran defender Jordi Alba will miss Inter Miami’s opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup against Al Ahly due to a leg muscle injury, head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed on Friday. In addition to Alba, the team will also be without Italian midfielder Yannick Bright and Argentine defender Gonzalo Lujan for Saturday’s opener at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. “They won’t be available for this match, but we’re hopeful that one or two of them might be fit for our second game against Porto,” Mascherano said during a press briefing. Mascherano bemoaned his team's mounting injury list, but expressed confidence that his squad's younger players could provide cover. "We have unfortunately had a lot of injuries in the last 20 days, which clearly has weakened us as a group, but not as a team," the former Liverpool and Barcelona player said. Liverpool agrees to pay record fee of $157m for Florian Wirtz "We've shown throughout the season that we have players ready to step up and that puts us much more at ease." While Inter Miami qualified for the Club World Cup by clinching the Supporters' Shield for the best overall record in the 2024 MLS season, Al Ahly secured its spot as winners of the 2020-21, 2022-23, and 2023-24 CAF Champions League. Mascherano said his team would not underestimate the Egyptian club, which last month appointed Spaniard Jose Riveiro as head coach, replacing Marcel Koller. "Al Ahly is one of the biggest teams in Africa," the Argentine said. "It's a team that wins in its league with certain regularity and comfort. "They've had five or six signings for this tournament, which is something that we haven't done, and they changed their head coach a short while ago. But we don't think they will change the way they play. They have a clear style and they are physical. And we know that they have some very good players, especially in the middle of the pitch and in attack." Mascherano also pointed to the strong form and physical condition of captain Lionel Messi, expressing optimism about the Argentine's impact in the tournament. "He's been in great shape this season," Mascherano said. "We've rested him at times, but he's played 15 of the last 16 games, only missing the match against Dallas when we rested the whole team. "Now it's our responsibility to create the ideal environment for him to shine."

Liverpool has agreed to pay a transfer fee of 116 million pounds ($157 million) for attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, British media reported Friday. The deal for the 22-year-old Germany international includes a guaranteed 100 million pounds plus 16 million pounds in add-ons, which if achieved would make it a British record. According to AP, the Premier League record for an initial fee was set when Chelsea signed Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for 106.7 million pounds ($131.4 million at the time) in 2023. Later that summer, Chelsea then agreed to pay up to 115 million pounds ($146 million at the time) — with 100 million pounds up front — for midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton. Real Madrid to sign teenager Mastantuono from River Plate after Club World Cup British media including the BBC reported the Wirtz fee — which would be a Liverpool record — without citing a source. Sky Sports reported the fee to be 116.5 million pounds. Wirtz’s move has been expected for several weeks and the player has seemed to confirm it himself on his Instagram account, dismissing reports he asked for the No. 10 shirt held by Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. Wirtz is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days ahead of the signing. Liverpool is aiming to build a dynasty after winning the Premier League title this season. Wirtz would reunite with former Leverkusen teammate Jeremie Frimpong after the Dutch right back signed for Liverpool for a reported 35 to 40 million euros ($39.7 million to $45.4 million) last month. Wirtz only turned 22 last month but has been a key first-team player for Leverkusen since he was 17. He was the star attacking player in the team that won the Bundesliga and German Cup in 2023-24 without losing a game.

Real Madrid has struck a deal to sign River Plate midfielder Franco Mastantuono for the next six seasons. The Spanish club said Friday that the 17-year-old Mastantuono will join in August, meaning he will play for River at the Club World Cup. Madrid is also set to play the tournament in the United States. PSG aims for Club World Cup glory after historic Champions League win Mastantuono is Madrid’s third signing of the off-season after incorporating defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen. Mastantuono made his Argentina debut last week, coming off the bench in the national team's 1-0 victory over Chile in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.

Just weeks after winning the Champions League for the first time in its history, Paris Saint-Germain's eyes are now fixed on FIFA's shiny new Club World Cup. The newly-crowned European champion can add the world title to a trophy haul that also included a French league and cup double this season. “We want to finish the season in style with the cherry on the cake,” coach Luis Enrique said. PSG had already qualified for the rebooted Club World Cup in the United States, but its Champions League triumph may still have come as a relief to FIFA. That's because, while the winner of the bumper tournament will officially be crowned the best club soccer team in the world, there are some notable absentees from the 32-team roster. Some big names are missing The Club World Cup will be without the champion of the most popular league in the world — the Premier League — given Liverpool's failure to meet the qualifying criteria. The same goes for Barcelona and Napoli -- champions of Spain and Italy, respectively. No place either for current Asian champion Al-Ahli from Saudi Arabia or Pyramids — the African champion from Egypt. FIFA likely breathed a sigh of relief then when PSG and Inter Milan advanced to the final of the Champions League, with both teams having already secured their place at the Club World Cup via ranking points for recent runs in Europe's top club competition. Had either of the losing semifinalists — Barcelona or Arsenal — gone on to lift the trophy, then the flagship new tournament would have been without the reigning champion of Europe as well. The qualifying criteria were based on winners of continental trophies in the four years prior to the tournament, but not including the season directly before it. Club World Cup refs to wear eye-level cams — But FIFA’s hidden angle raises eyebrows That's why Chelsea — Champions League winner in 2021 — has a seat at the table despite finishing fourth in the Premier League last month. Chelsea is arriving at the Club World Cup with a new team, coach and even owners since it won the Champions League four years ago. The club is one of 12 from Europe, including stellar names like Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Inter and Juventus. South American clubs are Europe's top rivals Some of Latin America's biggest teams are in the tournament — including reigning Copa Libertadores champion Botafogo from Brazil. Three other Brazilian teams have qualified: Palmeiras, Flamengo and Fluminense. Argentina's famous rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors will also be there — and are expected to be backed by thousands of fans traveling to the U.S. It is the Latin American contingent that likely will likely present the biggest challenge to the European teams. “Everyone wants to compete — the question is how you prepare to win, to try to win. That’s what challenges me,” said Marcelo Gallardo, River Plate head coach. “I want to win. I don’t want to just go and see what happens.” Will it work? FIFA president Gianni Infantino believes the tournament is what the sport has been waiting for — a world championship for club soccer. “For the first time in history, the 32 best clubs in the world will compete in a tournament to determine finally who is the best club in the world,” he said this week. In its previous format, which involved a mini-tournament of just seven teams instead of 32, it never fully captured global interest. Played in the middle of the season for Europe’s top leagues, it had the feel of an exhibition, rather than a serious tournament. European teams dominated the modern era, winning all but one of the last 17 editions. The new format will be a much more exacting examination of the eventual winner — not least because there are so many teams from Europe, but also because there has been a marked drive to improve levels in countries like the U.S. and Saudi Arabia following a slew of star signings such as Lionel Messi, who has transformed Inter Miami. However, it remains unclear how much of an appetite there is among fans for another elite tournament in a calendar that is already saturated. Details on ticket sales have not been released, but prices have dropped as the tournament has drawn closer and seats for the opening game between Al Ahly and Inter Miami on Saturday were still available this week. Marriott Bonvoy, a U.S. Soccer Federation partner, has been offering free tickets to some of its elite members for some games. It also remains to be seen what the television viewing figures will be, with the tournament broadcast globally on streaming service DAZN, which has also made 24 matches available with English-language commentary to TNT in the U.S. Eye-catching matches Al Ahly vs. Inter Miami, June 14, Miami Man City signs Reijnders from AC Milan to complete $150m spending spree Five years after its MLS debut, Inter Miami — the team owned by David Beckham — will kick off in the first game of the Club World Cup. Its opponent in the opener is Egypt's Al Ahly — the winner of a record 12 African championships. It's likely to be party time at the Hard Rock Stadium, but the chance of Al Ahly spoiling Miami's big day is very real. PSG vs. Atletico Madrid, June 15, Los Angeles It will be an early test for PSG against Atletico. This is the type of match that could grace the later stages of any Champions League campaign between two of Europe's finest. Chelsea vs. LAFC, June 16, Atlanta LAFC got in through the back door via a playoff against Club America of Mexico and its reward is an opening game against two-time Champions League winner Chelsea. Real Madrid vs. Al-Hilal, June 18, Miami The anticipation around this one would have been so much more intense had Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal not released Neymar in January, but it still has other star signings like striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. Madrid has a new coach in Xabi Alonso, who can get off to a flying start by winning the world title. PSG vs. Botafogo, June 19, Los Angeles Champions League winner against the reigning Copa Libertadores champion. This is the type of match that would have been the final in the tournament's previous guise — the best of Europe vs. the best of Latin America. Bayern Munich vs. Boca Juniors, June 20, Miami Two soccer giants from different continents clash at the Hard Rock Stadium. This is what this tournament is all about. Expect an electric atmosphere with Boca's fans likely to massively outnumber those cheering on German champion Bayern. Inter Milan vs. River Plate, June 25, Seattle Another clash of continental titans. Champions League runner-up Inter takes on Argentine giant River Plate. Juventus vs. Manchester City, June 26, Orlando City may have relinquished its Premier League title and ended the season empty-handed for the first time eight years, but there's still chance for Pep Guardiola to salvage the campaign with the world title.

Germany has retained 11 players who reached the 2022 Women's European Championship final for Euro 2025. There's no place for two prominent critics of coach Christian Wück. The 23-player squad announced on Thursday is captained by Bayern Munich's Giulia Gwinn, one of the returning players from the team which lost to England in the 2022 final. North Carolina Courage defender Felicitas Rauch and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Nicole Anyomi were in the 2022 squad but aren’t this time, reports AP. Both have previously criticized Wück for what they called a lack of communication around his decision not to pick them for earlier squads. Rauch was among 12 players included in a reserve list on Thursday. The 20-year-old forward Cora Zicai is considered one of Germany's brightest young players after scoring two goals in her three national team games. Club World Cup refs to wear eye-level cams — But FIFA’s hidden angle raises eyebrows Germany starts its Euro 2025 campaign in Switzerland on July 4 with a group game against Poland followed by Denmark on July 8 and Sweden on July 12. Since the last Euros, Germany suffered its worst ever World Cup result in 2023 with elimination in the group stage, but rebounded to win the bronze medal at last year's Paris Olympics.

Referees at the Club World Cup will wear eye-level cameras to finally allow fans to see exactly what the officials are looking at during a soccer match. Well... not quite. FIFA has announced the innovation will be implemented at its newly-expanded tournament, which kicks off in Miami on Saturday. But on closer inspection, the technology appears to be more about improving the experience for television viewers than improving the game. For instance, only “non-controversial” images will be shown during the match. FIFA has not specified what that means, but don't look for goal-scoring incidents and potential red cards to be included. The camera will be attached to the referee's earpiece. “It is a trial,” Pierluigi Collina, chairman of the FIFA referees committee, said Wednesday. "What will be the future? We will see. “We have said that we want to, let’s say, offer a new experience to TV viewers. We want to show something, let’s say, entertaining. I don’t think that we always need to think of the controversial or potentially controversial incidents on the field of play.” Footage will be checked before being broadcast, rather than shown live. Man City signs Reijnders from AC Milan to complete $150m spending spree FIFA says the refcam view could be used to show unique angles of goals scored and offer different perspectives of the game that normal cameras cannot see. But if restricted to that, it would appear to be a missed opportunity in a sport that is increasingly using advances in technology to improve the accuracy and transparency of decision-making. Another innovation at the Club World Cup — a month-long tournament staged in the United States and featuring 32 of the best soccer teams in the world — is to show footage being reviewed by VAR for the first time on big screens inside the stadium. In theory, the refcam would make referees more accountable for their decisions by allowing fans to see exactly what the official saw before making a call. But it is not even clear how much it would be used to help VAR. While Collina said all footage would be available to the VAR, he questioned how useful the refcam would be in such circumstances. “Honestly, can you believe that a camera position just besides the referee’s eyes can see something that the referee’s eyes cannot see? Honestly, I think it’s difficult to believe,” he said. FIFA, itself, has made clear where it believes the footage would be of most use, saying the test was designed to “explore whether the new camera angle can improve the experience for those watching on television and online by showcasing the referee’s perspective.” It added that the tests would be used to make guidelines for future use. “Step by step” Collina said. "We need to do something new and the simpler the better." Time wasting FIFA also announced a clampdown on time wasting by goalkeepers at the Club World Cup. Previous rules specified keepers can't hold onto the ball for longer than six seconds, but Collina said that was frequently being flouted. Brazil secure 2026 World Cup defeating Paraguay The time limit has now been extended to eight seconds, but referees will be much stricter in enforcement. The referee will also count down from five seconds with their hand to indicate the time remaining. If a keeper holds onto the ball for longer than eight seconds, a corner kick will be awarded to the opposition, rather than an indirect free kick, which was the previous punishment.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is considering to file an official complaint at the Asian Football Confederation against controversial  refereeing in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers match between Bangladesh and Singapore here on Tuesday. A controversial decision by match referee deprived Bangladesh from a penalty in added time of the match denying the chance of a possible draw. In the 93rd minute of the match, onrushing Bangladesh forward Foysal Ahmed Fahim was brought down by a Singapore player inside the danger zone. Bangladesh players and fans alike demanded a penalty, but the match referee continued the match denying what looked like a clear penalty. Bangladesh team, studded with two high profile players Hamza Choudhury of England and Shamit Shome of Canada ,conceded a 1-2 goals defeat against upper ranked Singapore in Tuesday's Asian Cup match at their home soil -- National Stadium in Dhaka. Bangladesh Team manager Amer Khan told the local media that the BFF is considering to file an official complaint with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in this regards. “It wasn’t just the coach—our players too were visibly upset with the standard of officiating,” he added. Earlier in the game, a substitution-related issue disrupted the flow of play, halting the match for several minutes. At that point, momentum was with Bangladesh, but the interruption appeared to shift the rhythm. AFC Asian Cup: Bangladesh taste 1-2 defeat against higher ranked Singapore in home match Tuesday Bangladesh will play their next Group C match against Hong Kong also at home on October 9 . Meanwhile, two celebrated booters of Bangladesh teams-- English Premier League playing Hamza Dewan Choudhury and Canadian national team playing midfielder Shamit Shome -- left Dhaka togather by Turkish Airlines flight Wednesday early morning. Another player of the Bangladesh squad, the Italian league playing forward Fahamedul Islam reportedly left Dhaka for his home town Feni and he is expected to fly for Italy on June 17.

Manchester City concluded a $150 million spending spree ahead of the Club World Cup by announcing the signing of Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan on Wednesday. The 26-year-old Reijnders moved for an initial fee of 55 million euros ($63 million) and is the second midfielder — after France playmaker Rayan Cherki — to join City in the special June 1-10 transfer window created to allow sides in the 32-team Club World Cup to reshape their squads. City paid Lyon $41 million for Cherki and also signed Algeria left back Rayan Aït-Nouri from Wolverhampton for $42 million, reports AP. After deciding not to push to sign Florian Wirtz — the Germany playmaker is close to joining Liverpool, according to reports in the British media — City has spent around the same amount on three players. Brazil secure 2026 World Cup defeating Paraguay Add this latest splurge to an outlay of more than $200 million in the winter transfer window and City has already spent at least $350 million on players in 2025 to provide manager Pep Guardiola with a squad capable of reclaiming the Premier League title from Liverpool. Breakthrough season Reijnders has just been named as the best midfielder in Serie A after a breakthrough campaign in which he scored 15 goals and added five assists across all competitions for Milan, which endured a dismal season and failed to qualify for Europe. He joined Milan from AZ Alkmaar in 2023 for a fee of around 20 million euros (then $22.4 million) and recently signed a contract extension through to June 2030. That's the length of his contract at City, too. City is releasing De Bruyne to end his 10-year stint at the club and now has Reijnders and Cherki to link up with Rodri in an enticing midfield set-up. Reijnders said he was “ecstatic” to be joining City. “It is also a dream come true to play in the Premier League," he said. “This league has seen many of the best Dutch players perform through the years and it’s an inspiration to follow in their footsteps.” City director of football Hugo Viana said Reijnders — who specializes in being a ball-carrying midfielder — will add “extra energy, composure and creativity to our midfield.” City announced the transfer of Reijnders a day after the special transfer window closed but appears to have signed him in time for him to play in the new-look, 32-team Club World Cup, which starts on Saturday. City is in the same group as Juventus, Al Ain and Wydad Casablanca and its first match is on June 18.