World Cup 2026 LIVE: Iran striker sparks outrage with ‘gun’ celebration in New Zealand conflict

Tunisia have taken drastic measures following their 5-1 defeat to Sweden and have sacked supervisor Sabri Lamouchi with two World Cup 2026 group video games nonetheless to play.

Lamouchi solely took cost of the staff in January and managed simply 5 video games earlier than his dismissal. He received as soon as, a 1-0 conquer Haiti, and the Tunisian FA introduced that Mondher Kebaier will take cost on an interim foundation.

Kebaier beforehand led the nationwide staff between 2019-2022 and can probably be in cost for the remainder of the World Cup marketing campaign in america, Mexico and Canada.

The hero of Cape Verde’s gorgeous 0-0 draw with Spain, 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, was left in tears after the match and revealing his mom couldn’t afford the US to come back and watch him on the World Cup.

Vozinha made seven saves to disclaim pre-tournament favourites Spain however the returnable bond of as much as $15,000 (£11,200) that Cape Verde residents should pay to enter the US, meant his mom was unable to finish her software.

“I cried as a result of I grew up with my grandparents and sadly they weren’t right here; they died a couple of years in the past,” he mentioned. “They had been all the things for me, for my life.

“I additionally cried as a result of my mum didn’t handle to be right here due to the visa. Due to the cash we needed to pay for the visa, we didn’t handle to [get it done] on time. I would really like her to be right here, however I’m additionally very blissful. I’ve labored my complete life for this second.”

Two Chinese language soccer followers who had travelled to Mexico to observe the World Cup had been carjacked and robbed at gunpoint by masked males.

The 2 males, Wang Kun and Li Zhe, arrived in Mexico Metropolis on 10 June and had been robbed later that night whereas travelling from Benito Juárez Worldwide Airport to town centre.

The masked assailants, who had been driving a motorcycle, intercepted their automobile and pointed a firearm at them earlier than stealing their luxurious watches, money and passports and fleeing the scene.

The Chinese language embassy mentioned on Monday that one of many suspects had been arrested. The 2 males returned to China on Friday.

New Zealand twice led in opposition to Iran final night time however couldn’t see out the victory as they solely drew 2-2 – irritating boss Darren Bazeley.

“We created a great deal of probabilities,” Bazeley advised TVNZ. “I believed we had been actually, good in possession, defended fairly properly for almost all.

“We have come off dissatisfied not win a recreation as a result of we’re main twice, scored two nice targets, had some moments which was actually good.

“It will damage just a little bit as a result of we had an opportunity to make historical past tonight and win a recreation at a World Cup and we got here actually shut. We did not lose, we stored in it and performed actually, very well.”

We are able to attempt, after all. Theoretically, there ought to be a fabric profit in topping every group.

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Fifa has reportedly given permission to Donald Trump to affix in with the World Cup trophy carry subsequent month, establishing a scene just like final summer season’s awkward World Membership Cup trophy presentation.

It’s being reported by talkSPORT that Fifa has no objection to the US president no objection to Trump breaking presentation protocol and handing the World Cup trophy on to the profitable captain, earlier than remaining within the thick of the celebrations.

Usually, the trophy stays on a plinth and is carried by a member of the profitable staff onto the celebration podium.

Within the Membership World Cup final summer season, Trump awkwardly and memorably stayed subsequent to Chelsea captain Reece James as he lifted the trophy, inflicting bafflement, with Cole Palmer wanting notably confused.

Iranian-People initiated protests at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles earlier than Iran’s World Cup 2026 opener in opposition to New Zealand and others displayed the banned pre-revolutionary flag regardless of Fifa’s ban being upheld.

Some had known as on Iranians to unite and neglect politics ⁠however others displayed symbols of protest in opposition to the federal government.

Right here’s why the flag is banned:

Iran have claimed they had been compelled to go away the US simply minutes after finishing their World Cup opener in opposition to New Zealand.

Restrictions on Iranian gamers getting into the US imply they needed to transfer their coaching base to Tijuana, Mexico and are solely travelling into america the day earlier than the sport.

They wished to remain in a single day in Los Angeles following the sport however captain Mehdi Taremi and coach Amir Ghalenoei reported that they had been compelled to depart virtually straight after the match as a substitute.

“Every thing is sort of a catastrophe truly for us,” mentioned Taremi after the sport. “Nonetheless we’ve some issues as a result of we’re presupposed to be coaching tomorrow morning – restoration – then go away for Tijuana.

“However we’ve to go away Los Angeles proper now, and it’s not good for us. It’s not good for the soccer, as a result of in World Cup, it’s a must to put together good for the subsequent recreation.

“As a result of it’s numerous stress for the gamers and the workers and everybody. However we don’t have that assist and I feel Fifa have to assist us greater than this.”

Ghalenoei confirmed that, including: “We had been supposed to remain right here tonight to get well and return tomorrow lunchtime, however they haven’t permitted us. To be trustworthy, I do not know why. I feel maybe our staff is essentially the most oppressed one in the entire World Cup.”

Fifa World Cup 2026 official Shaun Evans has denied “deliberately” making a gesture that some perceived to be related to an expression of white supremacy.

The Australian referee, working as a part of the VAR staff in Dallas on the World Cup broadcast centre, was seen making an “OK” image along with his proper hand in entrance of his proper leg when the official broadcast of Germany in opposition to Curacao on Sunday reduce away from pre-game footage to indicate the staff of video overview analysts.

The match, performed in Houston, led to many complaints over the gesture, which sees a thumb and forefinger touched in a circle and different fingers outstretched and was interpreted as a hate image by the New York-based Anti-Defamation League in 2019.