Author: AFP

Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard headline Norway’s FIFA World Cup 2026 squad, which was announced in a video by the country’s King Harald V.

Manchester City striker Haaland and Arsenal midfielder Odegaard, who will captain, are among the starriest names in a 26-man squad that has reached the global tournament for the first time since 1998.

Other prominent names include RB Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa, Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth, Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Ryerson, Crystal Palace’s Jorgen Strand Larsen and Fulham’s Oscar Bobb.

Norway are in Group I along with France, Senegal and Iraq. It has been billed as one of the World Cup’s toughest groups.

But Norway reached the tournament in style, winning all eight of their qualifying matches in a group that included four-time World Cup winners Italy.

“We believe that we have a strong squad. This is a squad that has achieved great results over a long period of time,” said manager Stale Solbakken.

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In his pre-recorded message on social media, King Harald said the country has “waited a long time” to return to the World Cup.

“The hope has lived on — on gravel, on grass and artificial turf… Across long distances, ferries and mountain passes,” he said, as the video showed remote, wild landscapes in a country that stretches far north of the Arctic Circle.

Goalkeeper Sander Tangvik is the only uncapped player in the squad, having made the list in part because rival Nikita Haikin’s attempt to switch his sporting nationality from Russian to Norwegian was rejected by governing body FIFA due to residency requirements.

Norway will play warm-up friendly matches against Sweden and Morocco early next month, before their opening World Cup clash against Iraq on June 16.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Orjan Haskjold Nyland (Sevilla FC/ESP), Sander Tangvik (Hamburger SV/GER), Egil Selvik (Watford FC/ENG).

Defenders: Kristoffer Vassbakk Kopp Ajer (Brentford FC/ENG), Leo Skiri Ostigard (Genoa CFC/ITA), David Moller Wolfe (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/ENG), Fredrik Andre Bjorkan (FK Bodo-Glimt/NOR), Marcus Holmgren Pedersen (Torino FC/ITA), Torbjorn Lysaker Heggem (Bologna FC 1909 SPA/ITA), Sondre Klingen Langas (Derby County/ENG), Henrik Saelebakke Falchener (Viking Football Club/NOR), Julian Ryerson (Borussia Dortmund/GER)

Midfielders: Morten Thorsby (Cremonese SPA/ITA), Patrick Berg (FK Bodo-Glimt/NOR), Sander Berge (Fulham FC/ENG), Martin Odegaard (Arsenal F.C./ENG), Fredrik Aursnes (SL Benfica/POR), Kristian Thorstvedt (Sassuolo/ITA), Thelonious Aasgaard (Rangers FC/SCO), Antonio Eromonsele Nordby Nusa (RB Leipzig/GER), Andreas Raedergard Schjelderup (SL Benfica/POR), Oscar Bobb (Fulham FC/ENG), Jens Petter Hauge (FK Bodo-Glimt/NOR)

Forwards: Alexander Sorloth (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Erling Braut Haaland (Manchester City FC/ENG), Jorgen Strand Larsen (Crystal Palace/ENG)

READ: Michael Carrick given permanent deal as Man Utd manager

Michael Carrick said he wanted to make Manchester United challengers for major trophies again after the club confirmed him as their new permanent head coach on a two-year contract on Friday.

The former United midfielder and captain has overseen a dramatic improvement in form at Old Trafford since taking over following Ruben Amorim’s acrimonious exit in January.

Carrick secured Champions League football with three matches to spare and United wrapped up third spot with Sunday’s 3-2 Premier League victory against Nottingham Forest — his 11th win in 16 games.

The 44-year-old had been backed for the job by a number of players and has now been rewarded with a new deal.

“Manchester United is delighted to announce that Michael Carrick will continue as head coach of the men’s first team, having signed a new contract which will run to 2028,” the club said in a statement on their website.

Carrick won five Premier League titles and the Champions League among a cascade of trophies as a player at United under Alex Ferguson.

But the club has not mounted a realistic challenge for the Premier League since Ferguson retired as a champion in 2013, eclipsed as the dominant force in English football by neighbors Manchester City.

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Carrick said ever since he first arrived at United as a player 20 years ago, he had felt the “magic” of the club.

Now the former Middlesbrough boss, who has had previous coaching stints at United, wants to build on his achievements since January.

“It’s good to make steps, good to get in the Champions League, good to finish third, but (I want) to make this place better,” the ex-England international told club media.

“I must admit on Sunday in the stadium it felt a little bit different. There was a real togetherness and kind of enjoyment from everyone and that was powerful for me.

“Supporting Manchester United and looking forward to what can happen should always be like that. That’s the drive (to win trophies) and for us to reward the fans would be pretty special.”

Carrick’s deal takes him through to 2028, when United co-owners Ineos want to celebrate the club’s 150th anniversary with the league title.

The midfielder has the chance to become the first man to win the Premier League as both player and manager.

“I’d take that right now,” Carrick said. “That’s the goal and I’ve got to believe it. That’s what we’ve got to aim for. It’s where we want to be as a club.”

Director of football Jason Wilcox said the new permanent boss had impressed since taking the helm at Old Trafford.

“Michael’s achievements in leading the club back to the Champions League should not be understated,” he said.

“He has forged a strong bond with the players and can be proud of the winning culture at Carrington (training ground) and in the dressing room, which we are continuing to build.”

READ: Australian climber sets fastest Everest sea-to-summit record

An Australian climber, Oliver Foran, has made the fastest “sea-to-summit” ascent of Mount Everest, his expedition organizer said Friday, reaching the top in 50 days after he set off from India.

Foran, 27, began his journey in the beginning of April, hoping to break the current verified record of 67 days and raise funds for mental health.

“He summited on May 20… He broke the record summiting Everest from sea to summit in 50 days,” Adriana Brownlee from expedition organiser AGA Adventures told AFP.

The previous record was held by South Korean climber Kim Chang-ho, who walked and then kayaked the Ganges river and cycled to Nepal before trekking up to the base camp in 2013.

 

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“We have just summited Mount Everest… Just set a new sea-to-summit world record, 50 days, all for youth mental health and my mum,” Foran said in a video posted from the summit on his Instagram account Friday.

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“We’ve just made history. I am so tired.”

The Australian climber first cycled 1,150 kilometers (715 miles) from India’s Bay of Bengal coast to Nepal, trekking up to the base camp and eventually climbing up the icy 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) peak.

The sea-to-summit is a rare feat, first completed by another Australian, Tim Macartney-Snape, in 1990.

Macartney-Snape spent three months walking from sea level to Everest’s summit, and it was his documentary that motivated Foran.

In an interview with AFP last month, Foran said he was driven by “something bigger” than himself, recalling his teenage grief when his mother died of brain cancer.

The unresolved grief reached a breaking point seven years later, Foran said, but a call to a friend proved life-saving.

“I made the decision then that… if I ever got the opportunity to stop somebody else from getting to that point or to give them another way, I would,” he said.

Foran partnered with the Australian organization Youturn with a target to raise $200,000 to build a youth mental health support center back home.

They have collected $57,064 so far.

READ: Khushdil Shah reshares post questioning Pakistan ODI squad

In 1970, yellow and red cards were introduced. VAR debuted at the 2018 World Cup, and during the 2022 Qatar tournament, a FIFA directive to referees led to significantly increased stoppage time in matches.

So what can we expect to see at FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America?

Hydration Breaks

Pauses to allow players to take on fluids have been regularly seen in games played in hot conditions, but they have never been introduced as a compulsory element of every match at a World Cup.

That will change this year, with FIFA bringing in three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half — regardless of the weather, even for matches played in cool conditions or under a closed roof.

“There will be no weather or temperature condition in place, with the breaks being called by the referee in all games, to ensure equal conditions for all teams, in all matches,” football’s world governing body said.

FIFA puts the introduction of hydration breaks down to a commitment to player welfare, but cynics might say the decision to effectively split matches into four quarters resembles the way some leading US sports are played and suits American broadcasters who might take advantage by selling advertising during the breaks in action.

VAR to review corners, second yellows

The video assistant referee system was initially introduced to review possible clear and obvious errors in relaton to goals, penalty incidents, straight red cards and cases of mistaken identity.

Earlier this year, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which determines the laws of the game, announced that it would allow VAR’s scope to be extended to cover second yellow cards and corners in time for the World Cup.

That means a review can now take place if a player is sent off for a second booking, as well as straight red card incidents.

VAR will also be able to review a “clearly incorrectly awarded corner” so long, the IFAB says, as “the review can be completed immediately and without delaying the restart”.

Countdowns for goal-kicks, substitutions

Countdowns will be introduced for goal-kicks, throw-ins and substitutions in an attempt to discourage time-wasting.

If a player takes too long, possession will switch to the opposition, meaning a goal-kick could become a corner, or a throw-in would change hands.

This comes after the recent introduction of the eight-second time limit imposed on goalkeepers when they have the ball, which sees a corner given against them if they take too long.

“If the referee considers that a throw-in or goal kick is taking too long or is being deliberately delayed, a five-second visual countdown will be initiated,” said the IFAB.

Meamwhile, players will have 10 seconds to leave the field once their number is shown on the substitute board.

If they fail to do so, they must still leave the field immediately, but the substitute will not be allowed on until the next stoppage in play, after at least one minute of play has elapsed.

Players who receive treatment for an injury, or where their injury causes play to be stopped, must leave the field for one minute before being allowed back on.

Red cards for covering mouths

Players who cover their mouths “in a confrontational situation with an opponent” can now be shown a red card, FIFA said last month.

The announcement came after an incident during a UEFA Champions League game in February when Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni covered his mouth while speaking to Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid.

Prestianni was accused of racist abuse and later received a six-match ban “for discriminatory (i.e. homophobic) conduct”.

In addition, officials would be allowed to show a red card during FIFA World Cup 2026 to any player who leaves the field of play in protest at a decision.

“This new rule will also apply to any team official who incites players to leave the field of play,” FIFA added. “A team that causes a match to be abandoned will, in principle, forfeit the match.”

January’s Africa Cup of Nations final was marred when Senegal players walked off in protest at a penalty awarded to Morocco.

The players eventually returned and Senegal won the match, but the Confederation of African Football later stripped them of the title, saying “that the champions had infringed tournament regulations by walking off”.

READ: Alvaro Arbeloa confirms his departure from Real Madrid

Alvaro Arbeloa announced on Friday that he will be stepping down from his position as head coach of Real Madrid following a season in which the team failed to secure any trophies.

“Yes,” Arbeloa said at a press conference when asked to confirm that he would not be coaching the team next season, amid widespread reports that veteran manager Jose Mourinho is returning to the club.

Los Blancos host Athletic Bilbao on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu in their final La Liga match of a turbulent campaign.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez appointed Arbeloa to replace Xabi Alonso in January, and he is set to be replaced himself by Portuguese veteran Mourinho.

Spaniard Arbeloa said he would not work as a member of Mourinho’s staff if the Portuguese coach is appointed as his successor.

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“Mou has a fantastic technical team, he’s got good people around him, if he comes to Madrid, he will come with his team,” said Arbeloa. “There’s no chance that I would be with him. Then, my future… from Monday I’ll think about that.”

Arbeloa, who played at Madrid between 2009 and 2016 and later coached there at the youth level, said he hoped this match was a “see you later” rather than goodbye.

“I hope it’s a see you later… I’ve always considered this my home, I’ve belonged to Madrid for 20 years in various roles,” said Arbeloa.

“It will be my last game this season as coach of Real Madrid. I don’t know if it will be the last game of my life as coach of Real Madrid.

“We never know. I’ll try and enjoy it and try to get the win.”

READ: Palmer, Foden left out of England squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

Cole Palmer and Phil Foden were among a number of high-profile players left out of the England squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, announced by Thomas Tuchel on Friday.

Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold was also omitted, with Saudi-based Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney the surprise inclusion.

Tuchel, a Champions League winner during his time at Chelsea, has been hired to end England’s 60-year wait to win a major international tournament.

The German, former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Bayern Munich boss, has made a series of bold calls that will be harshly judged if the Three Lions fall short of glory in the coming weeks.

Palmer and Foden played a major role in England’s run to the final of Euro 2024. However, Chelsea playmaker Palmer and Manchester City’s Foden have paid the price for poor seasons with their clubs.

Tuchel said telling players they would not be on the plane to the United States had been tough.

“It was difficult, sometimes painfully difficult and like even in the phone calls I felt the emotion,” he said. “So I called all players that were with us in camp at least one time, I called them, I wanted to show at least the appreciation and the respect for what they have done.”

Tuchel said he could not wait to be on the plane and “be a coach”.

“Now I’m feeling in between relieved and excited and ready to go because once you get the energy back and once you see the excitement of the players that you chose, and then once the decisions are made, it gives you a certain edge, it gives clarity,” he said.

Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin have also been overlooked despite being two of the highest-scoring Englishmen in the Premier League this season.

Veteran Brentford midfielder and former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been included at the expense of Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.

Tuchel has taken a risk on centre-back John Stones despite his lack of involvement at Manchester City during an injury-hit season.

Toney made an impact off the bench at the Euros two years ago, but has played only two minutes of international football since moving to Saudi Arabia in 2024.

England will kick off their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas on June 17, before playing Ghana on June 23 and Panama four days later.

England squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City)

Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Tino Livramento, Dan Burn (Newcastle), Marc Guehi, John Stones, Nico O’Reilly (all Manchester City), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)

READ: Harry Maguire ‘shocked’ to be omitted from England squad for World Cup 2026

British climber Kenton Cool reached the top of Mount Everest for the 20th time on Friday, extending his own record for the most ascents of the world’s highest peak by a non-Nepali.

More than 600 climbers have reached the peak since the spring season summits kicked off this month, taking advantage of a brief spell of good weather and typically calmer winds.

“It was reported that he summited Mt Everest today early morning,” Khim Lal Gautam, a government official at the base camp, told AFP.

Mountain guide Cool, 52, first climbed Everest in 2004 and has since had an expedition almost every year, taking clients up the 8,849-metre (29,032-foot) peak.

His 15th summit in 2021 tied him with American Dave Hahn for the most ascents by a non-Nepali climber, and his effort the following year gave him a solo title.

Cool was once told he would not be able to walk unaided again after a rock-climbing accident in 1996 that broke both his heel bones.

He told AFP in a 2022 interview after his 16th ascent that his Everest record was “not that amazing” in the context of achievements by Nepali climbers.

At least seven Nepali climbers have more than 20 summits under their belts.

“I’m really surprised by the interest… considering that so many of the Sherpas have so many more ascents,” he said then.

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Nepali climber Kami Rita Sherpa, 56, dubbed the “Everest Man”, broke his own world record with a 32nd summit of Everest on Sunday.

Lhakpa Sherpa, 52, also broke her own women’s record with her 11th summit the same day.

Nepal has issued a record 492 permits to mountaineers this season, and a city of tents hosting foreign climbers and support staff has been set up at the foot of Everest.

The high numbers have rekindled concerns about overcrowding on the mountain, especially if poor weather shortens the climbing window.

On Wednesday, an estimated 275 people reached the summit in a record-breaking day on the southern face of the peak.

Three Nepali climbers involved in Everest expeditions have died so far this season.

Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 10 highest peaks and welcomes hundreds of adventurers each spring.

A climbing boom has made mountaineering a lucrative business since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa made the first ascent in 1953.

READ: Harry Maguire ‘shocked’ to be omitted from England squad for World Cup 2026

England defender Harry Maguire said Thursday he was “shocked and gutted” to have been left out of Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.

The German coach will name his 26-man squad for the tournament in North America on Friday and began making calls to players the previous day.

Manchester United’s Maguire was part of the England squad in March, having received his first call-up under Tuchel, but the 66-cap defender has confirmed he will not be going to the World Cup.

 

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The centre-back, 33, posted on social media: “I was confident I could (have) played a major part this summer for my country after the season I’ve had. I’ve been left shocked and gutted by the decision.

“I’ve loved nothing more than putting that shirt on and representing my country over the years.

“I wish the players, all the best this summer.”

Maguire has played a major role for United since Michael Carrick took charge at Old Trafford in January, helping the team finish third in the Premier League.

READ: Sadio Mane headlines Senegal squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

Senegal have “big dreams” to “achieve great things” at the FIFA World Cup 2026, coach Pape Thiaw said Thursday as he unveiled an expanded 28-man squad for next month’s tournament.

Key players include Sadio Mane, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Edouard Mendy and captain Kalidou Koulibaly, who has been sidelined since April 8 with a thigh injury.

Emerging stars Monaco’s Lamine Camara, PSG forward Ibrahima Mbaye and Bayern Munich midfielder Bara Sapoko Ndiaye have also been included, with striker Bamba Dieng, rewarded for his impressive end to the season with French club Lorient.

“It’s a balanced and well-thought-out group to meet the demands of this World Cup, which is an intense competition,” former Senegal international Thiaw told a press conference.

The Lions of Teranga will begin their campaign on June 16 against Kylian Mbappe’s France in New Jersey. Group I also includes Norway and Iraq.

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The two teams previously met in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup, their only encounter, which Senegal won and went on to reach the quarter-finals.

“Senegal have three opponents. Why focus on France?” he added. “Norway and Iraq are there. We have a historical connection with France. But for me, it’s not a special match.”

Senegal had a turbulent start to the year when they won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in January, a victory later awarded on appeal in March to opponents and tournament hosts Morocco.

CAF cited regulations about leaving the field: during the match Senegalese players, coach Thiaw and his staff walked off the pitch in Rabat after Morocco were awarded an added-time penalty, which forward Brahim Diaz ultimately missed.

The Senegalese Football Federation has appealed CAF’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Senegal squad for FIFA World Cup 2026

Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Al-Ahly/RSA), Mory Diaw (Le Havre/FRA), Yehvann Diouf (Nice/FRA)

Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal), Abdoulaye Seck (Maccabi Haifa), Moussa Niakhate (Lyon), Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray), Mamadou Sarr (Strasbourg), Antoine Mendy (Nice), Ilay Camara (Anderlecht), El Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham), Krepin Diatta (Monaco), Moustapha Mbow (Paris FC)

Midfielders: Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), Pathe Ciss (Rayo Vallecano), Pape Gueye (Villarreal), Lamine Camara (Monaco), Habib Diarra (Sunderland), Bara Sapoko Ndiaye (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Sadio Mane (Al Nassr), Bamba Dieng (Lorient), Nicolas Jackson (Bayern Munich), Iliman Ndiaye (Everton), Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace), Cherif Ndiaye (Samsunspor), Cheikh Sabaly (Metz), Ibrahim Mbaye (PSG), Assane Diao (Como)

READ: Ronaldo strikes twice to win first Saudi Pro League title for Al-Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Al Nassr clinched the Saudi Pro League title with a 4-1 win over Damac on Thursday, ending his long wait for domestic silverware.

A trademark free-kick and a close-range finish, both in the final half-hour, sealed the win Al Nassr needed on the last night of the season, with Al Hilal finishing just two points behind.

Ronaldo, 41, who was without a major club trophy since winning Serie A with Juventus in 2020, arrived in the oil-rich desert kingdom to great acclaim in 2023, wept as he watched the final minutes from the bench.

He adds the Saudi championship to his English, Spanish and Italian titles and five Champions League medals.

Al Nassr took a 2-0 lead but were back to 2-1 before Ronaldo’s free-kick on 63 minutes evaded the goalkeeper and a forest of legs to find the far corner.

He struck again nine minutes from time, receiving a cut-back on the edge of the six-yard box and smashing high into the net.

Next up for the all-time leading men’s international goalscorer, with 143 goals, is a sixth crack at the World Cup after he was named in Portugal’s squad this week.

Ronaldo opened the door to a series of big-money Saudi signings when he joined Al Nassr in January 2023 following an unhappy second spell at Manchester United.

Neymar and Karim Benzema were among those to follow after Ronaldo inked a two-and-a-half-year deal estimated at 200 million euros, extended for two years in June 2025.

The stated aim was to turn the Pro League into one of the world’s top five football competitions measured by the quality of players, stadium attendances and commercial success. International interest has been muted, however.

In December 2024, Saudi Arabia was confirmed as host of the 2034 World Cup, a coup as it pushes to decouple its economy from oil and attract business and tourists, partly via the buzz of sports.

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With a record 664 million Instagram followers, Ronaldo has been a highly-visible ambassador as Saudi Arabia tries to turn the page on the ultra-conservative image that has defined it for decades.

The world’s biggest oil exporter and home of Islam has been accused of “sportswashing,” using sport to deflect human rights criticism, as it has invested in Formula 1, golf, boxing and tennis alongside football.

Some of the more outlandish spending on economic diversification, including sprawling tourist developments and NEOM, a futuristic city in the desert, is being reined in.

This month, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund said it was exiting the breakaway LIV Golf tour, after reportedly ploughing more than $5 billion into a venture that split the sport.

Expensive football signings have also waned with the stream of big-money transfers slowing to a trickle.

Ronaldo was the Pro League’s top scorer in his first two seasons, with his career tally now at 973, tantalisingly close to the 1,000-goals milestone.

His Saudi stint has not always been smooth. In 2024, he was left in floods of tears when Al Nassr lost the King’s Cup final to Al Hilal on penalties, denying him his first Saudi title.

This season, he disappeared from Al Nassr’s line-up for three games in an apparent protest at Benzema’s transfer to rival team Al Hilal.

Al Hilal and Al Nassr were among the stable of Saudi teams owned by the Public Investment Fund, the country’s $900 billion sovereign wealth fund.

Before Thursday, Ronaldo’s only silverware with Al Nassr was the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup. He was also disappointed on Saturday, when Al Nassr lost to Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final.

READ: Mohammad Rizwan dropped as Pakistan announce squad for Australia ODI series