Sports
Iran National Football Team will not take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to the conflict in the Middle East
Iran has officially confirmed that their Senior Soccer National team will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, pointing to the ongoing conflict involving host nation the United States as the reason behind the decision.
The announcement was made by Iran’s Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamal, who explained that the prevailing geopolitical climate makes it impossible for the country to take part in the global tournament. Iran’s involvement in the competition had already been in doubt following a sharp escalation in military tensions last month.
According to reports, the situation intensified after the United States and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iran. The attacks reportedly led to the death of the country’s supreme leader and prompted retaliatory actions from Tehran against US-allied states in the Gulf region, further deepening the crisis.
When previously asked about the issue, US President Donald Trump told Politico that he was not concerned about Iran’s potential participation in the tournament. However, even before the official withdrawal was confirmed, the president of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, Mehdi Taj, had hinted that the country’s presence at the World Cup appeared unlikely given the rising political tensions.
Speaking during a televised interview reported by RTÉ, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamal confirmed that Iran would not compete under the current circumstances.
“Since this corrupt government assassinated our leader, we have no conditions under which we can participate in the World Cup,” he said.
“In view of the malicious measures taken against Iran, two wars were forced upon us within eight or nine months, and several thousand of our people were killed. Therefore, we definitely have no possibility of participating in this way.”
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. Iran had been drawn in a group alongside New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, with their matches set to take place in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Earlier, FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed that he had received assurances from President Trump that Iran would be welcomed to compete in the tournament despite the strained relations. Infantino said he had discussed preparations for the competition during a recent meeting with the US leader, reiterating FIFA’s hope that the World Cup would serve as a platform to unite people around the world.
Iran had secured its place at the tournament after finishing top of Group A in the Asian qualifiers, marking what would have been the nation’s fourth consecutive World Cup appearance.
Plans had also been made for the team to set up a training base at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, but those arrangements are now effectively cancelled following the government’s decision to withdraw from the comp
Ghanaian International Brandon Thomas-Asante continued his fine form for Coventry City during their resounding victory over Swansea City in the English Championship on Saturday.
The Black Stars attacker saw 62 minutes of action as Coventry City romped to a commanding 3-0 away win in the Matchday 39 fixture at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Thomas-Asante shot Coventry City shot ahead with a smooth penalty kick in the 32nd minute.
Coventry City doubled the tally six minutes after Thomas-Asante’s goal when England international Matt Grimes scored in the 38th minute, making life difficult for Swansea City.
Thomas-Asante in Ghana squad for two friendlies
The visitors continued their onslaught when Japanese forward Tatsuhiro Sakamoto added a third goal before the break to effectively put the game beyond Swansea City.
Coventry City comfortably saw out the game to claim all three points and strengthen their position on top of the league standings with 80 points, nine points better than second placed Middlesbrough from 39 games.
Thomas-Asante has now scored 12 goals and four assists in 27 Championship appearances.
His contributions for Coventry City could pave a way for his inclusion into the Ghana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He made Otto Addo’s squad for Ghana’s two international friendlies against Austria and Germany this month
The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Appeal Board decided today that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
On the appeal by the FRMF regarding the application of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the CAF Appeal Board made the following rulings:
The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible in form, and the appeal is upheld.
The CAF Disciplinary Board decision is set aside.
The CAF Appeal Board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is upheld.
It is declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
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In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”
The CAF Appeal Board also ruled that:
“The appeal lodged in respect of Mr. Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is partially upheld.
The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that Mr. Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) committed misconduct in violation of Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
The sanction imposed on Mr. Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is amended to a suspension of two (2) official CAF matches, of which one (1) match is suspended.
The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on Mr. Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is set aside.
The appeal lodged in respect of the ball boys incident is partially upheld.
The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is responsible for the conduct of the ball boys during the aforementioned match.
The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the ball boys incident is reduced to USD 50,000.
The appeal lodged in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is dismissed.
The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is confirmed.
The appeal lodged in respect of the laser incident is partially upheld.
The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the laser incident is reduced to USD 10,000.
Sports
Coach Otto Addo announces Black Stars squad ahead of Austria, Germany International Friendlies
Otto Addo has named Ghana’s squad for this month’s international friendlies against Austria national football team and Germany national football team.
Ghana will be playing two friendlies as part of Preparations towards the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA,Canada and Mexico.
Squad Breakdown
Goalkeepers:
Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen)
Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak)
Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic)
Defenders:
Patrick Pfeiffer (SV Darmstadt)
Derrick Luckassen (Pafos FC)
Derrick Kohn (Union Berlin)
Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir)
Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjaelland)
Kojo Oppoong Pepprah (OGC Nice)
Jonas Adjetey (VFL Wolfsburg)
Marvin Senaya (Auxerre)
Alexander Djiku (Spartak Moscow)
Gideon Mensah (Auxerre)
Midfielders:
Thomas Partey (Villarreal)
Elisha Owusu (Auxerre)
Ibrahim Sulemana (Cagliari)
Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo)
Forwards/Wingers:
Brandon Thomas Asante (Coventry City)
Jordan Ayew (Leicester City)
Prince Adu (Viktoria Plzen)
Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah)
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City)
Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City)
Kamal Deen Sulemana (Atalanta)
Daniel Agyei (Kocalispor)
Exciting line-up with a mix of experienced stars like Thomas Partey and Jordan Ayew, plus young talents ready to make their mark.
Ghana found themselves in group L alongside Panama England and Croatia in the FIFA World Cup group.
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