Author: AFP

Chess legend and avid football fan Magnus Carlsen predicted on Tuesday that Norway would “hammer” Iraq in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener, and could go on to reach the quarter-finals.

The highest-ranked chess player of all time is in Hong Kong this week to play in the World Rapid and Blitz Team Chess Championships beginning Wednesday.

But the Norwegian and devoted football fan will push his preparation for the tournament to one side to keep a close eye on the World Cup, despite the time difference from North America, meaning some matches will kick off in the early hours.

Norway, back in the World Cup for the first time since 1998, begin their group campaign against Iraq at 6:00 am Hong Kong time on Wednesday (2200 GMT Tuesday).

Despite the early hour, Carlsen will be tuning in to watch his countrymen, spearheaded by talismanic attacker Erling Haaland, who loves a game of chess when not banging in goals.

“I will be up early anyway, so I will 100 percent watch the game live,” Carlsen told AFP.

Football follower Carlsen did not think the World Cup would be too distracting when his WR Team defend their world blitz crown this week and look to add the world rapid title.

“At this point, I don’t really wake up or stay up for World Cup games. But, when it’s Norway (I do) 100 percent,” added the five-time world champion, who is a huge fan of Real Madrid.

Football and chess have become surprise bedfellows in recent months, with many players at the World Cup taking to the ancient board game in their spare time.

Norway’s goalscorer Haaland has recently invested in a ground-breaking new chess tour.

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Egypt forward Mo Salah said he was “addicted” to the game, while Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard and England striker Eberechi Eze are keen players, with the latter winning an amateur tournament in 2025.

The games are more similar than people might think, said Carlsen.

“Strategy, chess and football, it’s not that different really,” he said. “It’s about trying to control certain areas. Of course, football is a much more dynamic game, and there are certain random elements that may come in.”

“But the core principles are the same, like being able to switch from one side to another, like often overloading and then switching the play, probing certain areas and controlling the middle.

“Certain teams, like Arsenal, like to have as little left to chance as possible and to have their gameplay resemble a game of chess.

“As much as I don’t like watching that team, I can appreciate the thought behind it.”

Magnus Carlsen has high hopes for Norway after they dominated a World Cup qualifying group containing Italy by winning all eight games to reach the finals for the first time in 28 years.

Haaland bagged 16 of free-scoring Norway’s 37 goals in their qualifying campaign, with many created by the midfield driven by Odegaard.

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Carlsen expects the goals to keep flowing from the chess-loving Norwegians.

“First of all, we will hammer Iraq in the first game and then we’ll pretty much be through after that,” Carlsen predicted.

Norway then face potentially tougher Group I games against Senegal and France, but the chess grandmaster expects them to reach the knockout phase.

“My current prediction is that we will make it to the round of 16 and, from there on, it’s probably we’re going to be slight underdogs,” he said.

Carlsen said it would be fascinating to measure Norway’s form against the world’s best at the global showpiece.

“I think it’s very hard to say, to be honest,” said Carlsen of what to expect from manager Stale Solbakken’s squad.

“I think there’s a very clear first tier of a few teams,” said Carlsen.

“And then I’m not sure whether Norway is kind of towards the bottom side of that second tier or we’re in the third tier. But I think the quarter-finals are a somewhat realistic goal and, you know, once you get there, anything can happen.”

READ: Iran forced to leave USA after New Zealand clash: coach

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said that his side is the “most oppressed team in the World Cup” after his players were suddenly informed they must travel back to Mexico immediately after their opening game against New Zealand ended in Los Angeles late Monday.

It is the latest logistical nightmare for an Iran squad that arrived at the tournament being co-hosted by the United States of America (USA), Mexico and Canada under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic row between Tehran and Washington.

The US, which was in military conflict with Iran for months, until a peace deal was announced on Sunday, refused to issue visas for some team support staff, and provided travel documents to players only at the last minute.

The team was originally intending to base its training camp in Tucson, Arizona, but moved it at the 11th hour to Tijuana, Mexico due to visa and logistical issues.

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“They delayed our arrivals, (now) they are forcing us to go back early without time for recovery,” Ghalenoei told journalists following a 2-2 draw with New Zealand.

“They are making the situation more and more difficult, facing us with more hurdles, but we’re not going to let that stop us from doing our best.”

According to Ghalenoei, his team had previously been told they would be able to remain in the United States until Tuesday lunchtime “to recover.”

“But again, they haven’t permitted us,” he said. “To be honest, I have no idea why they haven’t told us.”

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The coach said technical staff had been forced to take on managerial duties due to the absence of key personnel.

“That’s why I think we are the most oppressed team in the World Cup,” he said.

Iran played their opener against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, just a day after a peace deal between the US and Iran was announced, bringing an “immediate and permanent” end to military operations on all fronts.

Their star striker, Mehdi Taremi, also slammed his team’s treatment at the tournament as a “disaster” after the game.

“It’s a lot of stress for the players and staff and everyone, but we don’t have that support, and I think FIFA have to help us more than this,” he told reporters. “Everything is like a disaster, actually, for us.”

READ: PCB chairman breaks silence on Younis, Hafeez coaching reports

Iran twice battled back for a 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday in their frenetic opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign that has been utterly overshadowed by war, politics and protests.

The Iranian team’s very presence at the Los Angeles Stadium had long felt uncertain, after months of military conflict between their nation and the United States.

At last able to focus on the football, the Iranian players twice found themselves trailing to the tournament’s lowest-ranked team, thanks to goals from New Zealand striker Elijah Just.

However, with a vocally pro-Iran crowd drowning out planned protests by anti-government demonstrators, equalisers from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi spared Team Melli any further embarrassment.

The Iran team have dealt with a gamut of obstacles before even arriving at this World Cup, from delayed and refused US visas, to moving their training camp to Mexico at the last minute.

Hundreds of protesters against Iran’s ruling regime demonstrated outside the venue on Monday, saying the team does not represent their people.

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Many inside the stadium sported anti-government emblems, nonchalantly flouting FIFA rules against political messaging, and the Iranian anthem received boos and cheers.

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei had insisted on the eve of the game that his players would not “pay attention to any of the hype.”

But his side was stunned by an early New Zealand goal on the counter created by veteran striker Chris Wood. Collecting a long pass in the seventh minute, the Nottingham Forest target man expertly held up the ball, turned and played in the onrushing Elijah Just.

After a sharp exchange of passes with Sarpreet Singh and Wood, Just leapt and smashed a volley into the net.

Iran’s star forward Mehdi Taremi nearly levelled in the 23rd minute, the former Inter Milan man’s long-range effort ricocheting off the right post.

They came close again as Kiwi keeper Max Crocombe was tackled outside his box, only able to watch as a lobbed effort at his open goal faded wide.

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Iran’s equaliser did come in the 32nd minute with a poacher’s finish from wingback Rezaeian. Rezaeian latched onto a rebound following Saman Ghoddos’ smart pass into Shahriyar Moghanlou, whose shot on the turn was blocked by the outstretched leg of Finn Surman.

Iran defender Ali Nemati thought he had scored in first-half stoppage time, but his header from a free kick was comfortably offside.

New Zealand retook the lead in the 55th minute. Motherwell striker Just bagged a brace via a crisp one-two with Wood, after Liberato Cacace had stolen the ball on the halfway line.

But they were again pegged back nine minutes later, as Mohebi’s leaping header from Rezaeian’s superb cross glanced off the inside post.

The game’s final half hour saw Iran on the front foot, but unable to grab a winner due to a combination of sloppy finishing and dogged New Zealand defending.

The draw dents Iran’s hopes of progressing to the knockouts for the first time, though fellow Group G contenders Egypt and Belgium also drew on Monday. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s wait for a first World Cup win goes on.

READ: World Cup referee Shaun Evans cleared over ‘white supremacist’ gesture: FIFA

FIFA on Monday cleared World Cup 2026 referee Shaun Evans of wrongdoing after the Australian official was accused of making a white supremacist hand gesture during a television broadcast.

Evans, who was working as a support video assistant referee during Germany’s game with Curacao on Sunday, was captured placing his index finger and thumb together with his right hand to form a circle.

The gesture, which has been linked to far-right extremist groups, was spotted by users on social media, prompting a FIFA investigation.

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Evans said the gesture had been entirely unintentional in a statement on Monday.

“FIFA’s independent Disciplinary Committee can confirm that, after looking into the matter involving support video assistant referee Shaun Evans, it has found no evidence of breaches of the FIFA Disciplinary Code,” the governing body said in a statement.

Evans said the gesture had arisen from an “involuntary, subconscious twitch.”

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“I would like to clarify that I did not intentionally make a hand gesture or symbol to communicate a message, affiliation, game or belief of any kind,” Evans said.

“The only explanation I can offer is that the movement was an involuntary, subconscious twitch, and I was unaware I had done it at the time.

“I understand how the gesture has been interpreted, and I regret this, however, I want to be very clear and categorically say that I did not knowingly or deliberately make the hand symbol suggested.”

READ: Cape Verde hero Vozinha sheds ‘tears of resilience’ after stopping Spain

Spain failed to find a way past inspired Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha as the 40-year-old secured a stunning 0-0 draw for the FIFA World Cup debutants and was reduced to tears at his heroics.

La Roja rolled into Atlanta as one of the pre-tournament favourites, with coach Luis de la Fuente boasting that he has the best squad in the competition.

Yet a Spain side featuring a Ballon d’Or winner in Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, fresh from a second consecutive Champions League victory with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and packed with many of the squad that won Euro 2024, could not breach Cape Verde’s dogged defence.

Even the introduction of Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal on his return from injury in the second half did not break the deadlock as Vozinha marshalled his backline to a clean sheet they will never forget.

“Very proud. For me, it is an honour for me to represent my country,” Vozinha told reporters. “We are from a small country. Our qualification was very difficult in a group with Cameroon and Libya, but we knew if we followed the plan of the coach, we had a great chance to qualify.

“The dream came true. We competed against Spain, one of the best teams in the world. We are very happy and proud of all the players and people of Cape Verde.”

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Vozinha was only really tested in a short spell of Spanish pressure just before half-time.

He turned over Mikel Oyarzabal’s looping header and got down well to Ferran Torres’ low shot before producing his best stop at full stretch from an Aymeric Laporte header.

His tears at full-time were provoked not only by the size of Cape Verde’s achievement, but also by the fact that he was not able to share the moment with his mother and grandparents.

“I cried because I grew up with my grandparents and unfortunately they were not here, they died a few years before, and they did everything for me and my life,” he added.

“Also my mum she didn’t manage to be here because of the visa. The money for the visa, we didn’t manage (to do) on time and I would like her to be here.

“But I am very happy and also happy for all the Cape Verdean people.”

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Vozinha’s nomadic career has taken him from his homeland to Angola, Moldova, Cyprus and Slovakia before his latest move to Portugal.

And he now has a legion of new fans. In just a few hours, his Instagram account ballooned from a mere 50,000 followers to two million.

Cape Verde coach Bubista paid tribute to one of his most experienced players, who, on his 89th cap, finally reached the biggest stage in world football.

“He was overcome with emotion. He has a lot of experience and has given so much to get to this stage. They were tears of resilience,” said Bubista.

“He has spent many years with us. I normally do not like to comment on individuals, but he had a great performance. He was the best player on the pitch but I think we were defensively very strong and he is there to help the team.”

READ: Uruguay frustrated by Saudi Arabia in World Cup draw

Uruguay dominated but had to settle for a 1-1 draw in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Saudi Arabia in the sweltering heat of Miami on Monday to leave an intriguing Group H wide open.

The stalemate came hours after one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history when European champions Spain were held 0-0 by debutants Cape Verde in the same group.

After the first round of games in the pool, all four teams have one point.

Defender Abdulelah al-Amri gave the Saudis a surprise lead near the end of the first half, only for Uruguay’s second-half pressure to pay off with 10 minutes left through Maxi Araujo.

Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay racked up 22 shots in the second period, but the Saudi defence and goalkeeper Mohammed al-Owais doggedly held firm.

“We should have won this match,” said the colourful Argentine Bielsa, whose side will play Cape Verde next. “We weren’t able to show the best version of ourselves,” he added, admitting that his side only got going in the second half.

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Uruguay, World Cup winners in 1930 and 1950, saw their arrival in the United States from Mexico delayed by a snag with the paperwork for their plane.

In evening temperatures of more than 30 °C and energy-sapping humidity, both teams struggled to create much in front of goal early on.

Just after the half-hour mark, the Saudi stopper Owais was called into action for a second time to parry a diving header from close range by Federico Vinas.

The Saudis, who stunned eventual champions Argentina 2-1 to start their campaign at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, looked to hit their opponents on the break.

They had their first real opportunity shortly before half-time when Amri forced Fernando Muslera to palm away his fizzing shot.

Four minutes before the break, the defender scored, reacting fastest to poke home from close range after Muslera spilled a header from a corner.

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After a toothless first period, Bielsa had seen enough, dragging off defender Matias Vina and anonymous former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez.

Winger Agustin Canobbio and left-sided Juan Manuel Sanabria were introduced. The double substitution sparked Uruguay, who surprisingly did not play a single World Cup warm-up game, into life.

Saudi coach Georgios Donis, brought in just two months before the tournament, saw his team retreat farther and farther back.

On the hour, Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte pinged the ball against the foot of the Saudi post from well outside the box.

The pressure finally told late on when Owais made a mess of a routine stop, and Araujo gobbled up the rebound.

There looked to be only one winner after that, but Saudi Arabia just about held on for a vital point.

READ: Egypt denied first World Cup win as Belgium salvage draw

Belgium and Egypt drew 1-1 in their World Cup opener on Monday after a second-half Belgian equalizer spoiled Mohamed Salah’s 34th birthday.

Emam Ashour opened the scoring early in the first half in Seattle, before Romelu Lukaku came off the bench after the hour to force Egypt’s Mohamed Hany into an own goal.

With the draw, seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions Egypt’s wait for a first victory at a World Cup goes on.

This is their fourth participation in the global showpiece, and with Group G fixtures to come against Iran and New Zealand, they will hope to break that hoodoo in North America.

“We know Belgium are a good team, (they have) good quality players but we can’t say it was the hardest game or easiest game. Every game for us has got to be three points,” Egypt’s 18-year-old Barcelona forward Hamza Abdelkarim said.

For Belgium, who are now without a win in their last three World Cup matches, going back to their group-stage exit in 2022, this tournament is likely the last chance for the remnants of their golden generation to better their third-placed finish in Russia eight years ago and finally win silverware.

Veterans Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, and Lukaku are the main protagonists of that group still involved in Rudi Garcia’s squad.

“The opening match of a competition like the World Cup is always a tough one, especially against one of Africa’s top teams,” Garcia said.

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“We managed to equalize thanks to a player who came off the bench, which shows just how important the whole squad is.”

With all eyes in the Pacific Northwest on Salah and De Bruyne, it was the ex-Manchester City playmaker that created the first moment of note in the match when he dragged a sharp effort narrowly wide in the seventh minute.

However, it was Ashour who upstaged the pair just before the hydration break when he received the ball in a similar position to De Bruyne but his sweetly-struck effort left Courtois no chance as it whistled into the bottom-right corner.

It was just the second time in their history that Egypt had taken the lead in a World Cup match — after Salah opened the scoring in a 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in 2018.

De Bruyne came within inches of levelling early in the second period when he whipped a close-range free-kick over the Egyptian wall, only to see it rocket off the outside of the post.

Salah responded at the other end as he ghosted into the box but had his downward header punched away by Courtois with Ashour getting his follow-up effort all wrong.

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The match became stretched as both sides came close on a couple of occasions, including a screaming left-footed volley by Belgian captain Youri Tielemans.

With 65 minutes gone, Garcia decided to send on Lukaku.

The change immediately paid dividends as Belgium’s all-time top goalscorer showed his predatory instincts to dash in on a Thomas Meunier cross, with his presence enough to destabilize Hany who put through his own net.

Salah departed the field with 15 minutes remaining as Egypt sought to shut up shop and ultimately held out for a point.

READ: Cape Verde hold Spain to epic draw on FIFA World Cup 2026 debut

Spain’s ghosts of recent World Cup horror shows reappeared in Atlanta as the European champions were held 0-0 by debutants Cape Verde in their opening game on Monday.

Lamine Yamal was left on the bench as the Barcelona superstar is eased back to fitness after nearly two months out with a hamstring injury and even his appearance as a second-half substitute failed to break down Cape Verde’s dogged defence.

Since winning the World Cup for the first time in 2010, Spain have not won a knockout game and their inability to make dominance of possession count was reminiscent of their meek exits in 2018 and 2022.

“Reality has to sink in,” said Spain boss Luis de la Fuente. “This is a World Cup. We know that some teams, on paper, they are not better than us and we thought that we were far better than them. But then it’s a struggle to win.”

Blessed with what coach De la Fuente claimed is the best squad in the competition, Spain were considered among the pre-tournament favourites to go all the way and lift the World Cup on July 19.

But the importance of Yamal and Nico Williams to their chances of success was underlined by a flat performance.

Williams also had an injury-disrupted season at Athletic Bilbao and was not introduced until the 87th minute.

Ranked 67 in the world, Cape Verde were making their debut on the global stage and did a nation of just over 500,000 people proud.

In stark contrast to the searing temperatures faced by some other sides, Atlanta’s state-of-the-art air conditioned stadium meant there was no excuses for the slow tempo of Spain’s build-up.

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Indeed the mid-half hydration break was met by boos with fans frustrated at the break in play despite the cool conditions.

It took until six minutes before half-time for Spain to seriously threaten.

Marc Cucurella, fresh for sealing his move from Chelsea to Real Madrid, sent over a teasing cross that Ferran Torres turned onto the crossbar and Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha got back on his feet to turn Mikel Oyarzabal’s looping header over the bar.

Torres tested Vozinha again moments later before Aymeric Laporte’s header from a corner was also clawed away by the Cape Verde number one just before half-time.

The break came at a good time for the Blue Sharks and they comfortably held out in the second period until Yamal’s entrance after the second hydration break.

Billed as one of the stars of the tournament, the 18-year-old’s appearance instantly lifted the crowd and injected life into the pedestrian Spanish attack.

His first involvement set up a decent opening for fellow substitute Mikel Merino which was too close to Vozinha.

Yamal also began the move that saw Oyarzabal’s effort deflected over with Spain’s best chance of the second half.

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Cape Verde nearly snatched a famous victory in the final minute of the 90 when Dani Borges planted a header too close to Unai Simon.

But even without a winner, 40-year-old Vozinha was reduced to tears at full-time as Cape Verde produced the biggest shock of the tournament so far.

“I’ve worked all my life for this, for this moment, for this dream,” said Vozinha, who plays for Chaves in the Portuguese second division.

“A lot of generations in the past dreamed of this, they didn’t achieve it,” he added. “The dream came true, for all of us.”

Spain’s road to victory in 2010 also began disappointingly with defeat to Switzerland, but they have much to work on ahead of facing Saudi Arabia in Atlanta once more on Sunday.

Cape Verde next take on Uruguay in Miami.

READ: Rutherford, Holder star as West Indies seal T20I series win over Sri Lanka

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente confirmed that Lamine Yamal is fit but will begin the European champions’ World Cup 2026 opener against Cape Verde on the bench.

Barcelona superstar Yamal has not played since suffering a hamstring injury on April 22.

There were fears the 18-year-old could miss Spain’s opening two games of the World Cup, but he has trained all week and is set to feature in Atlanta on Monday.

“He is available, but not to start the game. He is in perfect condition to play some minutes,” De la Fuente told a press conference on Sunday.

Wingers Nico Williams and Victor Munoz are also fit enough only for a place on the bench, limiting De La Fuente’s options in wide areas.

“They are fine to play tomorrow without setting them back. If it was not like that they would not even sit on the bench,” added De la Fuente.

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For the first time, Spain head into a World Cup without a single Real Madrid player in the squad. But that could change in the coming days after the Spanish giants reportedly reached an agreement with Chelsea for the signing of Marc Cucurella for 55 million euros ($63 million).

De La Fuente, though, said he was not concerned his players could be distracted by speculation over their future during the tournament.

“I know the commitment, the professionalism they all have. This happened at the Euros, too, with some of our group, and we lived with it. It has not generated any uncomfortable situation,” he added.

“I can guarantee you that no one in the team would jeopardise the good of the team. And if it is good news for Cucu, or anyone else during the tournament, we will celebrate it.”

Despite limited expectations pre-tournament, La Roja stormed to victory at Euro 2024, beating hosts Germany, France and England in the latter stages.

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This time, they are considered among the favourites to win a second World Cup.

De la Fuente did little to quell expectations as he talked his players up as the best squad in the tournament.

“For me, with all due respect to the rest, it is the best team in the world. The best players,” he said. “To see the level of footballers we have, you only have to see the ones I leave out.

“But the players understand their role and accept it. That is the luck this team has.”

After facing tournament debutants Cape Verde, Spain will also take on Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H.

READ: Germany break Brazil’s World Cup record after 7-1 win over Curacao

Japan fans left the stands spotless after their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against the Netherlands at Dallas Stadium in Texas on Sunday, saying it was “Japanese culture” to tidy up after themselves.

Spectators stayed behind after the 2-2 draw to make sure they left the stadium as they found it, meticulously picking up litter and stuffing it into blue plastic bags.

It is a habit first learned at primary school, and Japan fan Eita Tanaka told AFP that “we have to think about everyone”.

“Japanese people think that when we use a certain place, we were told that you have to make that place look tidier when you leave than it was when you arrived,” said the 20-year-old, clasping a beer and a couple of cups, and wearing Japan’s blue shirt.

“For example, at school in our classrooms we tidy it up after ourselves without our teacher telling us.”

Japan are appearing at their eighth straight FIFA World Cup, and their fans’ cleanliness has become their international calling card.

NFL quarterback Jameis Winston could even be seen joining in the clean-up after Sunday’s game, wearing a blue Japan shirt with his name on the back.

Japan fan Futo Hagiwara said he was proud that the behaviour of his countrymen had been recognised in a positive light.

“This is our culture, that means everywhere we go we need to clean it after ourselves, it’s our spiritual way, our attitude,” he said.

Sociologist and philosopher Masachi Ohsawa believes a mix of social responsibility and peer pressure is behind the fans’ behaviour.

“While Japanese people tend not to take much interest in justice on a large scale, issues like global inequality, conflict or climate change, they are extremely sensitive to moral considerations on a smaller scale,” he said.

“When it comes to people who they share the same space with or have direct personal contact with, they feel a strong desire not to cause them any trouble or make them feel uncomfortable.”

In Japan, cleaning chores are integrated into the education system from a young age, with children seen daily scrubbing floors and tables at schools.

Public waste bins are rare in the country, so people are expected to take their garbage home with them. Disposing of household waste can be a complex process, as it involves sorting rubbish into various categories.

Scott North, emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Osaka, said he and his neighbours get together twice a year to pull out weeds and rake up cuttings.

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He said such groups are organised into leaders and followers, and operate in a similar way to Japanese football supporters.

“Since everyone comes together, there’s an expectation that they’ll act as a group,” said North, an American who has lived in Japan for about 40 years. “And when the leaders break out the bags and say here you go, nobody is going to say no.”

Sociologist Ohsawa said such behaviour could be explained by what Japanese people refer to as “reading the air”.

“In Japan, even if one person starts picking up litter, those around them feel they simply cannot help but join in,” he said. “That’s because if they don’t, the people they are with will think they are a bad person.”

He said peer pressure was a powerful social force.

“In this case, the primary motivation isn’t so much a desire to keep the stadium clean or to avoid causing trouble for the people who have to clean the stadium afterwards,” he said. “It’s more a desire not to be seen as a nuisance in one’s own group.”

Whatever the reasons, Japan’s fans will continue to clean up as long as their team remains in the tournament. Their next match is against Tunisia in Mexico on Saturday, and once again, Japan fans are expected to clean up the stadium.

Fan Hagiwara is eager to continue leading by example.

“We usually don’t tell children they should do it,” he said. “We just show our actions and behaviour, and other people follow.”

READ: Somali referee Omar Artan to receive full World Cup fee