Category: Sports

Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy had the spectators out of their seats in the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the Estadio Azteca on Thursday ahead of the opening match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.

The 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026 is also being hosted by the United States and Canada and will feature 104 games, culminating in the final in New Jersey on July 19.

Dancers twirled around a giant model of the World Cup trophy while fireworks went off in the historic 80,000-capacity stadium which hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals and has been renovated for this year’s tournament.

In the highlight of the ceremony, Colombian star Shakira and Burna Boy performed “Dai Dai”, the official song of the tournament, bringing roars from the crowd.

J Balvin and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli were among the other performers before kickoff as the noise levels ramped up.

Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!

“It’s already a party in Mexico,” Ingrid Orozco, a 40-year-old supporter, told AFP. “It’s amazing,” said Gustavo Ramírez, 19.

While there was a festive atmosphere inside the stadium, there were chaotic scenes in the centre of Mexico City where thousands of fans pushed and shoved as they attempted to enter the official World Cup fan zone shortly before the 1800 GMT kickoff.

Access to the fan zone in Zocala plaza was hampered by metal barriers erected in recent days to prevent protesting teachers reaching the area.

“Stop pushing and shoving, there are children here, you’re like animals!” a city official shouted through a megaphone as he tried to control access to the venue where the opening game was to be shown on a giant screen.

Some fans threw water bottles and hurled insults at police as well as chanting in support of the Mexican team.

“It’s crazy,” said Javier Maciel, a 25-year-old fan. “There could have been better organization.”

The local government announced on social media that the site was “full” and suggested fans go to other plazas.

President Claudia Sheinbaum had been expected to watch the game at the fan zone but cast doubt on her presence following days of protests in the area by teachers demanding pay rises.

READ: Tentative dates for ODI World Cup 2027 revealed: report

The ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2027 is set to return to African soil for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century, with the tournament provisionally scheduled to run from October 4 to November 21 across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

According to reports, the proposed dates of the World Cup 2027 were approved during a recent International Cricket Council (ICC) board meeting in Ahmedabad, with formal ratification expected at the ICC Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh next month.

South Africa is expected to shoulder the bulk of the hosting responsibilities, with Cricket South Africa (CSA) likely to stage at least 41 of the tournament’s 54 matches across eight venues.

Zimbabwe is set to host between eight and 10 fixtures, while Namibia is expected to stage three matches.

The 2027 edition will mark the first men’s ODI World Cup in Africa since the 2003 tournament, which was jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya.

Zimbabwe’s role in the event is also set to expand, with a third venue expected to be added alongside Harare Sports Club and Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

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The new Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls is reportedly nearing completion and is expected to host domestic cricket later this year before its official inauguration in 2027.

Plans for South Africa to play an international fixture at the venue this August have reportedly been shelved, although the ground remains on course to be included in the World Cup venue list.

The upcoming tournament will also see the ODI World Cup revert to a 14-team format after the previous two editions featured only 10 teams.

The participating sides will be divided into two groups of seven, with the top three teams from each group advancing to the Super Six stage.

As Full Members, South Africa and Zimbabwe are expected to qualify automatically for the tournament. Namibia, however, will need to secure its place through the qualification pathway.

The event will also hold added significance as it is set to become the first major tournament of the ICC’s 2027–2031 Future Tours Programme (FTP), which governs the international bilateral calendar.

READ: FIFA World Cup 2026: Groups, full schedule and Pakistan match timings

The wait is almost over as the FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to get underway in North America in a few hours, ushering in a historic new era for international football.

Co-hosted by the United States of America (USA), Mexico and Canada, the 23rd edition of the tournament will be the largest World Cup ever staged, featuring 48 teams and a record 104 matches across 16 venues.

The tournament begins on June 11 with hosts Mexico taking on South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium.

While the match is scheduled to start at 1pm local time (19:00 GMT), football fans in Pakistan will need to stay up late, with kickoff set for 12:00 AM PST on June 12.

Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!

The expanded format means more teams, more matches and a packed 39-day schedule running through to the final on July 19.

Defending champions Argentina arrive in North America looking to retain the trophy they won in Qatar four years ago, while traditional powerhouses such as Brazil, France, England, Spain and Germany will also be among the favourites for football’s biggest prize.

With most matches taking place across North American time zones, supporters in Pakistan and across South Asia are expected to follow many fixtures during late-night and early-morning hours.

The tournament’s new structure divides the 48 participating nations into 12 groups of four teams each.

FIFA World Cup 2026 groups

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic

Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkiye

Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway

Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

A total of 104 matches will be played before the world champions are crowned, making the 2026 edition the most extensive and ambitious World Cup in history.

Below is the complete FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule in Pakistan Standard Time (PST).

Full schedule of FIFA World Cup 2026

Group stage

Friday, June 12

• Mexico vs South Africa — Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City — 12:00 AM PKT
• South Korea vs Czechia — Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan — 7:00 AM PKT

Saturday, June 13

• Canada vs Bosnia — Toronto Stadium, Toronto — 12:00 AM PKT
• USA vs Paraguay — Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles — 6:00 AM PKT

Sunday, June 14

• Qatar vs Switzerland — San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco — 12:00 AM PKT
• Brazil vs Morocco — New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey — 3:00 AM PKT
• Haiti vs Scotland — Boston Stadium, Boston — 6:00 AM PKT
• Australia vs Turkiye — BC Place, Vancouver — 9:00 AM PKT
• Germany vs Curacao — Houston Stadium, Houston — 10:00 PM PKT

Monday, June 15

• Netherlands vs Japan — Dallas Stadium, Dallas — 1:00 AM PKT
• Ivory Coast vs Ecuador — Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia — 4:00 AM PKT
• Sweden vs Tunisia — Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe — 7:00 AM PKT
• Spain vs Cape Verde — Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta — 9:00 PM PKT

Tuesday, June 16

• Belgium vs Egypt — BC Place, Vancouver — 12:00 AM PKT
• Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay — Miami Stadium, Miami — 3:00 AM PKT
• Iran vs New Zealand — Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles — 6:00 AM PKT

Wednesday, June 17

• France vs Senegal — New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey — 12:00 AM PKT
• Iraq vs Norway — Boston Stadium, Boston — 3:00 AM PKT
• Argentina vs Algeria — Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City — 6:00 AM PKT
• Austria vs Jordan — San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco — 9:00 AM PKT
• Portugal vs DRC — Houston Stadium, Houston — 10:00 PM PKT

Thursday, June 18

• England vs Croatia — Dallas Stadium, Dallas — 1:00 AM PKT
• Ghana vs Panama — Toronto Stadium, Toronto — 4:00 AM PKT
• Uzbekistan vs Colombia — Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City — 7:00 AM PKT
• Czechia vs South Africa — Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta — 9:00 PM PKT

Friday, June 19

• Switzerland vs Bosnia — Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles — 12:00 AM PKT
• Canada vs Qatar — BC Place, Vancouver — 3:00 AM PKT
• Mexico vs South Korea — Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan — 6:00 AM PKT

Saturday, June 20

• USA vs Australia — Seattle Stadium, Seattle — 12:00 AM PKT
• Scotland vs Morocco — Boston Stadium, Boston — 3:00 AM PKT
• Brazil vs Haiti — Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia — 5:30 AM PKT
• Turkiye vs Paraguay — San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco — 8:00 AM PKT
• Netherlands vs Sweden — Houston Stadium, Houston — 10:00 PM PKT

Sunday, June 21

• Germany vs Ivory Coast — Toronto Stadium, Toronto — 1:00 AM PKT
• Ecuador vs Curacao — Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City — 5:00 AM PKT
• Tunisia vs Japan — Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe — 9:00 AM PKT
• Spain vs Saudi Arabia — Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta — 9:00 PM PKT

Monday, June 22

• Belgium vs Iran — Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles — 12:00 AM PKT
• Uruguay vs Cape Verde — Miami Stadium, Miami — 3:00 AM PKT
• New Zealand vs Egypt — BC Place, Vancouver — 6:00 AM PKT
• Argentina vs Austria — Dallas Stadium, Dallas — 10:00 PM PKT

Tuesday, June 23

• France vs Iraq — Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia — 2:00 AM PKT
• Norway vs Senegal — New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey — 5:00 AM PKT
• Jordan vs Algeria — San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco — 8:00 AM PKT
• Portugal vs Uzbekistan — Houston Stadium, Houston — 10:00 PM PKT

Wednesday, June 24

• England vs Ghana — Boston Stadium, Boston — 1:00 AM PKT
• Panama vs Croatia — Toronto Stadium, Toronto — 4:00 AM PKT
• Colombia vs DRC — Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan — 7:00 AM PKT

Thursday, June 25

• Switzerland vs Canada — BC Place, Vancouver — 12:00 AM PKT
• Bosnia vs Qatar — Seattle Stadium, Seattle — 12:00 AM PKT
• Scotland vs Brazil — Miami Stadium, Miami — 3:00 AM PKT
• Morocco vs Haiti — Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta — 3:00 AM PKT
• Czechia vs Mexico — Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City — 6:00 AM PKT
• South Africa vs South Korea — Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe — 6:00 AM PKT

Friday, June 26

• Ecuador vs Germany — New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey — 1:00 AM PKT
• Curacao vs Ivory Coast — Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia — 1:00 AM PKT
• Japan vs Sweden — Dallas Stadium, Dallas — 4:00 AM PKT
• Tunisia vs Netherlands — Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City — 4:00 AM PKT
• Turkiye vs USA — Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles — 7:00 AM PKT
• Paraguay vs Australia — San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco — 7:00 AM PKT

Saturday, June 27

• Norway vs France — Boston Stadium, Boston — 12:00 AM PKT
• Senegal vs Iraq — Toronto Stadium, Toronto — 12:00 AM PKT
• Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia — Houston Stadium, Houston — 5:00 AM PKT
• Uruguay vs Spain — Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan — 5:00 AM PKT
• Egypt vs Iran — Seattle Stadium, Seattle — 8:00 AM PKT
• New Zealand vs Belgium — BC Place, Vancouver — 8:00 AM PKT

Saturday, June 28

• Panama vs England — New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey — 2:00 AM PKT 
• Croatia vs Ghana — Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia — 2:00 AM PKT 
• Colombia vs Portugal — Miami Stadium, Miami — 4:30 AM PKT 
• DRC vs Uzbekistan — Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta — 4:30 AM PKT
• Algeria vs Austria — Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City — 7:00 AM PKT 
• Jordan vs Argentina — Dallas Stadium, Dallas — 7:00 AM PKT 

Round of 32

Monday, June 29

• Round of 32 Match 1 — Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles — 12:00 AM PKT
• Round of 32 Match 2 — Houston Stadium, Houston — 10:00 PM PKT

Tuesday, June 30

• Round of 32 Match 3 — Boston Stadium, Boston — 1:30 AM PKT
• Round of 32 Match 4 — Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe — 6:00 AM PKT
• Round of 32 Match 5 — Dallas Stadium, Dallas — 10:00 PM PKT

Wednesday, July 1

• Round of 32 Match 6 — New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey — 2:00 AM PKT
• Round of 32 Match 7 — Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City — 6:00 AM PKT
• Round of 32 Match 8 — Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta — 9:00 PM PKT

Thursday, July 2

• Round of 32 Match 9 — Seattle Stadium, Seattle — 1:00 AM PKT
• Round of 32 Match 10 — San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco — 5:00 AM PKT

Friday, July 3

• Round of 32 Match 11 — Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles — 12:00 AM PKT
• Round of 32 Match 12 — Toronto Stadium, Toronto — 4:00 AM PKT
• Round of 32 Match 13 — BC Place, Vancouver — 8:00 AM PKT
• Round of 32 Match 14 — Dallas Stadium, Dallas — 11:00 PM PKT

Saturday, July 4

• Round of 32 Match 15 — Miami Stadium, Miami — 3:00 AM PKT
• Round of 32 Match 16 — Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City — 6:30 AM PKT

Round of 16

Saturday, July 4

• Round of 16 Match 1 — Houston Stadium, Houston — 10:00 PM PKT

Sunday, July 5

• Round of 16 Match 2 — Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia — 2:00 AM PKT

Monday, July 6

• Round of 16 Match 3 — New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey — 1:00 AM PKT
• Round of 16 Match 4 — Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City — 5:00 AM PKT

Tuesday, July 7

• Round of 16 Match 5 — Dallas Stadium, Dallas — 12:00 AM PKT
• Round of 16 Match 6 — Seattle Stadium, Seattle — 5:00 AM PKT
• Round of 16 Match 7 — Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta — 9:00 PM PKT

Wednesday, July 8

• Round of 16 Match 8 — BC Place, Vancouver — 1:00 AM PKT

Quarter-finals

Friday, July 10

• Quarter-final 1 — Boston Stadium, Boston — 1:00 AM PKT

Saturday, July 11

• Quarter-final 2 — Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles — 12:00 AM PKT

Sunday, July 12

• Quarter-final 3 — Miami Stadium, Miami — 1:00 AM PKT
• Quarter-final 4 — Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City — 6:00 AM PKT

Semi-finals

Wednesday, July 15

• Semi-final 1 — Dallas Stadium, Dallas — 12:00 AM PKT

Thursday, July 16

• Semi-final 2 — Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta — 12:00 AM PKT

Third-Place Match

Sunday, July 19

• Third-Place Match — Miami Stadium, Miami — 2:00 AM PKT

Final

Monday, July 20

• Final — New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey — 12:00 AM PKT

READ: World Cup 2026 opening ceremony: Pakistan time, date, performer list

New York has honored two footballing greats by temporarily renaming streets after Thierry Henry and Pele ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 kickoff, according to the City Council.

The tournament, co-hosted by the United States of America (USA), Canada and Mexico, begins Thursday, and the final will be played next month at the MetLife Stadium, rebranded as the New York New Jersey Stadium, just outside the city.

Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!

Crowds gathered at West 50th Street and 6th Avenue in downtown Manhattan to mark the unveiling of “Thierry Henry Way” by officials, according to videos posted to social media on Wednesday.

“Today, New York City honoured one of the greatest to ever play the game,” New York City Council Member Virginia Maloney wrote on Instagram.

The former Arsenal and Barcelona star, who was a member of the France squad that won the 1998 World Cup, said in a recorded message on Instagram, “I can’t wait to walk around there the next time I go to Rockefeller Center or Radio City Music Hall.”

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The 48-year-old raised his profile in the United States after spending five seasons with the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer (MLS) until 2014.

The city has also renamed the intersection of Shea Road and Meridian Road, in the Queens borough, after Brazilian legend Pele, according to the New York City Council website. The street names will stay in place until November 1.

READ: Younis Khan breaks silence on Pakistan coaching rumours

KARACHI: Former captain Younis Khan has expressed his willingness to return to the national cricket setup in any capacity if offered a role by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), as speculation around his potential appointment as red-ball head coach continues to grow.

Speaking to the media during a visit to a newly constructed sports complex in Baldia Town, Younis said his priority has always been to serve Pakistan cricket, regardless of the position assigned to him.

“If I am given an opportunity, I am ready to serve Pakistan in any capacity,” he said. “In any role, I will try to perform at my best for Pakistan.”

His comments come at a time when reports have linked him with a possible role within the PCB setup, including suggestions that he could be considered for a red-ball coaching position in the future.

The speculation has emerged amid uncertainty surrounding the national team’s coaching structure, with Pakistan recently struggling in the longest format.

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Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who was appointed head coach in April this year, began his tenure with a two-match away Test series against Bangladesh as part of the World Test Championship cycle.

However, Pakistan suffered a 2-0 series whitewash, marking a difficult start and their second consecutive Test series defeat against the same opposition.

Younis, however, avoided directly addressing any formal negotiations, instead focusing on the broader need for experienced former players to contribute to the system.

“Retired players and those who understand the game should come forward and serve Pakistan cricket. Whoever gets the chance should serve Pakistan as a Pakistani,” he added.

During his visit, Younis also inspected the under-construction 24-acre sports complex in Baldia Town, where officials briefed him on planned facilities, including cricket training nets, hockey and football grounds, and indoor gaming courts.

READ: Protesters back at Mexico’s Azteca stadium on eve of World Cup

Hundreds of protesters returned to an area near Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium on Wednesday night, hours before the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026 was due to take place.

Most of the protesters were family members or relatives of “disappeared people” alleged to have been killed or kidnapped by Mexican authorities or criminal gangs.

Police set up a one-mile (1.6km) security perimeter ahead of fans arriving on Thursday and said that they would allow peaceful protests, but only ticket holders would be able to access the stadium.

Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!

The World Cup is set to kick off at the stadium later Thursday with a star-studded ceremony followed by Mexico’s tournament-opening match against South Africa.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum “only cares about her soccer,” said protester Maria de Jesus Soria Aguayo, who has been searching for her son after he vanished in Veracruz state a decade ago.

“It’s disappearance after disappearance and (Sheinbaum) hasn’t done anything,” she told AFP.

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The demonstrators chanted slogans, and there were no direct confrontations with police.

A group of people placed colourful cempasuchil flowers, used in offerings to the dead, in the shape of a cross on the pavement.

Mexico’s government has faced weeks of protests, mainly by teachers demanding better working conditions.

READ: Portugal beat Nigeria in World Cup tune-up despite Ronaldo woes

Portugal beat Nigeria 2–1 in a FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-up on Wednesday, with goals from Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceicao making up for an off night for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Chelsea forward Neto opened the scoring midway through the first half, but Nigeria levelled through Akor Adams before half-time.

Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!

Juventus winger Conceicao restored Portugal’s lead 15 minutes from the end in Leiria as five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo wasted several good chances.

At 41, Ronaldo will be heading to his record sixth World Cup, but there are concerns in some quarters that his presence will prevent Roberto Martinez’s strong side from flourishing.

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With his full squad available following the arrival of the four players who won the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, Martinez started midfielders Vitinha and Joao Neves alongside Manchester United playmaker Bruno Fernandes.

Portugal will leave on Friday to set up a base camp in Palm Beach, Florida. They open their World Cup campaign on June 17 in Houston against the Democratic Republic of Congo, before facing Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K.

READ: FIFA forces Haiti to change World Cup 2026 jersey

Haiti have been forced to change their jersey design just days before their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Scotland after the governing body banned a depiction of a war scene on the shirts.

An illustration of the Battle of Vertieres in 1803, which secured Haiti’s independence, with the Haitian flag had been embedded on the shirts worn by the players in two warm-up friendlies in Florida.

Colombian manufacturer Saeta said on Wednesday that they have modified the kit to meet FIFA’s regulations.

“The final design presented by Saeta was intended as a tribute to the men and women who contribute every day to Haiti’s future and was not intended as a political statement,” Saeta said in a statement posted on Instagram.

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“During the review process, FIFA determined that certain visual elements could be interpreted differently under its equipment regulations and ultimately requested modifications to the design.

“While this interpretation differed from our intention, Saeta respected the process and implemented the final requirements communicated by FIFA.”

Haiti begin their first World Cup campaign in 52 years against Scotland in Boston on Saturday.

The Caribbean minnows, ranked 83rd in the world, then face the might of five-time winners Brazil and African champions Morocco in Group C.

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Haiti’s qualification is one of the most inspiring tales of the tournament.

Despite a backdrop of domestic chaos, with the impoverished nation grappling with gang violence that meant they were unable to play home qualifiers in the country, they have reached their second World Cup in their history.

“We know people might have a bad image of our country, that it has lots of problems, but this will do the country, the people, my family so much good,” star midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde told AFP.

READ: FIFA boss Infantino comments on Somali referee’s deportation

FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday described as “unfortunate” the case of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the United States of America for the World Cup 2026.

“It is unfortunate as well what happened to… Omar, the referee from Somalia. But again, we don’t control everything,” Infantino said at a press conference on the eve of the tournament.

“We try always to find solutions, but then we need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces, we are a sports organisation,” he added.

Artan, voted Africa’s top men’s referee last year, insisted he had the correct visa to enter the United States, but he was turned back at Miami International Airport and then put on a flight back to Turkey over the weekend.

Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!

A US State Department official said the referee was “associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations”, therefore “making the traveller ineligible for admission to the United States”.

Artan would have been the first match official from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup finals.

Infantino was asked by a British reporter if he felt FIFA had “lost control” of its own tournament because of the case of Artan and also Washington’s decision to refuse visas for 15 members of the Iran team’s support staff.

“In 2035, I think, we hope, the women’s World Cup will be in the UK. Would you find it normal that FIFA would dictate to the British government who to let into the country and who not to let in the country? I don’t know, maybe you find it normal?” Infantino asked.

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Gianni Infantino called on the media to “chill and relax,” clarifying later that he did not mean to imply that FIFA was not doing anything about issues such as visas.

“When I say chill, I don’t mean to chill and do nothing, I mean to trust us that we are working behind the scenes, trying to understand,” he said.

“Our world is a very aggressive world; security rules above everything.”

The FIFA president stated that the governing body successfully brought Iran to the USA for the mega-event, despite the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

“It has been successful to bring Iran to play in America, I don’t know who would’ve managed to do that … we don’t live on the moon, we live on planet Earth, and we try our best,” he stated.

READ: World Cup 2026 opening ceremony: Pakistan time, date, performer list

MALE: Pakistan forward Shayak Dost’s brilliant bicycle kick grabbed attention during the clash against Afghanistan in the four-nation football tournament. 

The Green Shirts triumphed over Afghanistan 2-0 to clinch the Diamond Jubilee International Football Tournament final on Wednesday at the National Football Stadium.

Shayak scored a goal in the 23rd minute with a sensational bicycle kick goal after midfielder Otis Khan miscued his effort inside the box, with the loose ball falling perfectly for the forward to finish.

The goal opened the account for Pakistan and pushed Afghanistan on the back foot till the end of the game.

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In the second half, Afghanistan pushed for an equalizer but were repeatedly denied despite Pakistan making several substitutions. The scoreline remained 1-0 in Pakistan’s favour until the end of normal time.

 

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It was forward Harun Hamid’s tactical awareness in the seven minutes of added time that sealed victory. Hamid doubled the lead with a brilliant dribble to seal a memorable victory.

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The victory marked the first time the Green Shirts have prevailed in a senior men’s international final after the 1991 Asian Games.

Moreover, it was Pakistan’s first standalone title since sharing the Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament crown with India in 1952.

READ: Pakistan thrash Afghanistan to clinch four-nation football tournament