Sports
FIFA Rules Out Postponement of 2026 World Cup Amid U.S.–Iran Tensions
Global football governing body FIFA has dismissed speculation that the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be postponed due to rising tensions linked to the conflict involving the United States and Iran.
In a clarification, FIFA said preparations for the tournament are continuing as planned, stressing that there is currently no reason to delay or relocate the competition.
The 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to kick off on June 11, 2026.
Speculation about a possible postponement emerged following escalating tensions in parts of the Middle East, raising concerns over global travel, security arrangements and the participation of some national teams. However, FIFA officials have played down the rumours, insisting that the tournament remains on track.
Speaking on the issue, FIFA Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi said the scale of the World Cup makes postponement highly unlikely.
According to him, the competition is too large and complex to delay at this stage, noting that preparations across the three host countries are progressing normally.
Schirgi added that work on infrastructure, logistics and tournament planning is continuing according to schedule, while FIFA remains in constant communication with national football associations and relevant authorities.
Concerns about a potential delay gained momentum after the conflict in the Middle East began affecting travel and security conditions in some areas, particularly for teams involved in international competitions and qualification matches.
One of the concerns was raised by Graham Arnold, head coach of the Iraq national team, who recently called on FIFA to postpone his team’s World Cup qualifying playoff match. Arnold cited security concerns and travel complications affecting players and officials in the region.
Despite these concerns, FIFA maintains that the tournament itself is not under threat. The organisation said it continues to monitor global developments closely to ensure the safety of players, officials and fans during its competitions.
With the 2026 tournament expected to be the largest in World Cup history, featuring an expanded format and matches across three countries, FIFA says its focus remains on delivering a successful global football spectacle.
For now, the governing body insists that preparations remain firmly on course and football fans around the world can still look forward to the tournament kicking off in June 2026.
Former Nigerian international footballer Henry Nwosu has died after battling a serious illness.
The sad news was announced on Saturday by ex-Green Eagles captain Segun Odegbami, who revealed that Nwosu passed away at about 4:00 a.m. at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit since Wednesday.
In an emotional message, Odegbami said Nwosu had spent five days in the hospital fighting for his life before he eventually passed away.
“It is with deep pain in my heart that I have to be the conveyor of the news of the death of Henry Nwosu MON,” Odegbami wrote, adding that the football icon had been battling for his life in the hospital.
Nwosu was widely celebrated as one of Nigeria’s finest midfielders during his playing days. He was the youngest member of Nigeria’s squad that won the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, a historic victory that marked the country’s first continental title.
Nicknamed the “Youngest Millionaire” by teammates and fans, Nwosu built a reputation for his creativity and brilliance in midfield, becoming a key figure in Nigerian football during the late 1970s and 1980s.
Beyond his international career, he also contributed to football development in Nigeria after retirement, serving as a coach and mentor to younger players.
Tributes have begun pouring in from across the Nigerian football community, with many describing his death as a major loss to the country’s sporting history.
He is survived by family members and loved ones.
Spanish giants Real Madrid produced a dominant display to defeat Manchester City 3–0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 clash, while Paris Saint‑Germain thrashed Chelsea 5–2 and Arsenal secured a 1–1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen.
At the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid delivered one of the standout performances of the night, with midfielder Federico Valverde scoring a stunning hat-trick to seal a convincing victory over the English champions. The result gives the Spanish side a strong advantage ahead of the second leg.
In Paris, defending champions, PSG overwhelmed Chelsea 5–2 in a high-scoring encounter. Goals from Vitinha, Bradley Barcola, and Ousmane Dembélé helped the French side take control, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added two late goals to secure a comfortable first-leg lead. Chelsea responded through Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernández but defensive errors proved costly for the English club.
Meanwhile, Arsenal salvaged a 1–1 draw away to Bayer Leverkusen in Germany. Kai Havertz converted a late penalty to rescue a point for the Premier League side, keeping their hopes alive ahead of the return leg.
The mixed results marked a challenging night for English clubs in Europe, with Manchester City and Chelsea suffering heavy defeats while Arsenal managed to keep their tie finely balanced. The second-leg fixtures will determine which teams advance to the quarter-final stage of Europe’s elite club competition.
A member of the Iranian women’s national football team who was granted asylum in Australia has reportedly reversed her decision and requested to return to Iran, creating a new twist in the ongoing diplomatic and humanitarian situation surrounding the team.
The incident occurred after several members of the Iranian squad sought refuge in Australia following their participation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The players had reportedly faced backlash at home after refusing to sing Iran’s national anthem before a match, an act widely interpreted as a political protest.
Australian authorities had granted humanitarian visas to multiple members of the delegation, allowing them to remain in the country due to fears they could face persecution if they returned to Iran. At one point, up to seven members of the team had accepted asylum offers.
However, officials confirmed that one of the individuals who initially accepted the offer later changed her mind and contacted the Iranian embassy to arrange her return home. The decision prompted security concerns for the remaining players who had chosen to stay in Australia, forcing authorities to move them to another secure location.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the government respected the player’s right to change her decision, emphasizing that asylum offers were made without pressure and that individuals were free to choose their preferred course of action.
Meanwhile, the situation has drawn international attention, with Iranian state media reportedly criticizing the players who sought asylum and describing them as “traitors,” further raising fears about possible repercussions if they return home.
Several other players remain in Australia under humanitarian visas and could eventually apply for permanent residency.