Category: Top News

SOUTHAMPTON: Bangladesh have won the toss and decided to bat first against Pakistan in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2026 fixture. 

Head to Head

Both teams have played 20 times in the limited-overs format. Pakistan have won 16 out those games while Bangladesh managed to win only four.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Muneeba Ali (wk), Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Iram Javed, Saira Jabeen, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana (capt), Tasmia Rubab, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, Tuba Hassan

Bangladesh: Juairiya Ferdous, Dilara Akter, Sharmin Akhter, Nigar Sultana(capt &wk), Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Nahida Akter, Rabeya Khan, Shanjida Akter, Marufa Akter

Ten-man Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0 at the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Friday, a result that kept their hopes alive and also guaranteed that co-hosts the USA win Group D.

Turkey’s defeat means they become the second team, after Haiti, to be eliminated from the ongoing mega-event.

Matias Galarza scored the only goal in a game that featured the first sending off in World Cup history for a player covering their mouth during an on-field confrontation, for Miguel Almiron.

Galarza’s low, long-range shot evaded Turkey goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir after just 63 seconds.

Former Newcastle forward Almiron was given his marching orders in first-half stoppage time after covering his mouth while he appeared to direct a comment at Turkey’s Mert Muldur.

In a scrappy match, Deniz Gul had a golden chance to equalize in the 88th minute when Paraguay’s keeper Orlando Gill could only parry a shot, but he stabbed his shot wide of the goal.

Merih Demiral glanced a header wide in the dying seconds and was almost in tears afterwards as the Turkey players slumped to the turf in bitter disappointment.

READ: Carlo Ancelotti provides positive Neymar update ahead of Scotland clash

PHILADELPHIA: Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Neymar is on course to return for the Seleção’s final Group C match against Scotland after missing the opening two fixtures of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The 34-year-old forward has been sidelined since suffering a calf injury in mid-May and was unavailable for Brazil’s draw against Morocco and Friday’s 3-0 victory over Haiti.

However, following the comfortable win in Philadelphia, Ancelotti delivered encouraging news regarding the fitness of the Santos star, indicating that his long-awaited comeback could come in the final group-stage encounter.

“Neymar will train individually tomorrow, then rejoin the group on Monday, and he will be ready for the game against Scotland,” Ancelotti told reporters.

Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!

Neymar has not featured for Brazil since October 2023 and has spent recent weeks working his way back from the injury that disrupted his preparations for the tournament.

Brazil responded strongly against Haiti after beginning their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco.

A brace from Matheus Cunha and a third goal from Vinicius Junior secured a convincing victory that moved the five-time world champions to the top of Group C.

Brazil and Morocco are both on four points, but Ancelotti’s side lead the standings on goal difference and are now in a strong position to qualify for the last 32.

The Italian manager was pleased with the overall display and felt his team had shown noticeable improvement compared to the opening game.

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“It was a complete match, much better in the first half. In the second half, we had more control, but we created plenty of chances and could have scored more goals,” Ancelotti said.

“It was what we expected from this game: better quality, fewer mistakes, more effectiveness in attack and more control at the back.”

He added that there was still room for improvement as Brazil prepare for the knockout rounds.

“In terms of intensity it was a good match. Obviously we still have to improve, and we will improve to be ready for the knockout stage,” he added.

READ: Dutch star Frenkie de Jong doubtful for World Cup clash against Sweden

Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong is a doubt for the FIFA World Cup 2026 match against free-scoring Sweden on Saturday after colliding with a team-mate, coach Ronald Koeman said.

Speaking on the eve of the clash in Houston, Koeman said Barcelona star De Jong was hurt in a collision with fellow midfielder Quinten Timber.

Timber, who came on as a substitute in a 2-2 draw against Japan in Texas, is definitely out with mild concussion.

Koeman bristled when asked to give more details, particularly over the precise injury De Jong suffered.

De Jong played the whole of Sunday’s entertaining stalemate with Japan.

“There was a collision which caused a light concussion, so Quinten will not play this match. After this match, he might be ready,” former international defender Koeman said Friday.

“But Frenkie also had minor complaints about his physical condition… let’s see how he will be tomorrow.”

Asked where the injury was for De Jong, who has 67 caps for his country, Koeman would only say it was “below his abdomen”.

An irritated Koeman, who was criticised by sections of the Dutch media for his substitutions against Japan, added when pushed again: “Quinten tripped and this caused an injury for Frenkie.

“I have already explained quite a lot about his injury.”

Sweden started their campaign with a 5-1 hammering of Tunisia.

READ: Paraguay’s Almiron sent off under new FIFA ‘mouth-covering’ rule

Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron claimed an unwanted piece of football history on Friday after becoming the first player to get a red card for covering his mouth during an on-field confrontation under new FIFA rules.

Former Newcastle player Almiron was given his marching orders in first-half stoppage time after covering his mouth while he appeared to direct a comment at Turkey’s Mert Muldur during the two teams’ World Cup Group D game in Santa Clara, California.

Paraguay were leading 1-0 when Almiron was dismissed following a VAR review.

FIFA announced in April that players who cover their mouths in confrontations with opponents will be given a red card.

The initiative being rolled out at the World Cup is part of a broader effort to combat racism, FIFA has said.

Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!

The new rule follows controversy earlier this year when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni was accused of racially abusing Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior during a Champions League game in February.

Prestianni denied racially abusing Vinicius but was later banned for six matches — with three of those suspended — for “homophobic conduct”.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been a prominent supporter of the new law.

“If you do not have something to hide, you don’t hide your mouth when you say something. That’s it, as simple as that,” Infantino said in March.

READ: Morocco set unique African record with World Cup win over Scotland

BOSTON: Morocco created history on Friday as their 1-0 victory over Scotland in the FIFA World Cup 2026 saw the Atlas Lions establish the longest unbeaten group-stage run by an African nation.

The North Africans secured all three points in their Group C encounter thanks to an early strike from Ismael Saibari, who found the net after just 71 seconds to score the fastest goal of the tournament so far.

Saibari’s effort gave Morocco the perfect start, and the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists controlled much of the contest before withstanding late pressure from Scotland, who pushed hard in the closing stages in search of an equaliser.

Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!

The victory extended Morocco’s impressive record against European opposition in the World Cup group stage.

They had entered the match having lost just one of their previous six group-stage meetings with European sides, with that defeat coming against Portugal in 2018.

More significantly, the result saw Morocco rewrite African World Cup history.

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The Moroccan side is now unbeaten in their last six group-stage matches at the tournament, surpassing the previous African record jointly held by Cameroon and Senegal.

Cameroon had gone five consecutive group matches without defeat between 1982 and 1990, while Senegal matched the feat across the 2002 and 2018 editions.

READ: Matheus Cunha double fires Brazil past Haiti as Caribbean side crash out

PHILADELPHIA: Matheus Cunha scored twice, and Vinicius Junior added another as Brazil eased to a commanding 3-0 victory over Haiti in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C clash at Lincoln Financial Field on Friday.

The win put Carlo Ancelotti’s side firmly in control of their group campaign, while Haiti became the first team to be eliminated from the tournament after suffering a second consecutive defeat.

Brazil dominated proceedings from the outset and opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Vinicius Junior’s initial effort was saved by the Haitian goalkeeper, but Cunha reacted quickest to turn home the rebound and register his first goal of the tournament.

Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!

The Manchester United striker doubled Brazil’s advantage 13 minutes later following another contribution from Vinicius.

Receiving a precise pass from the Real Madrid forward, Cunha surged into the penalty area and, despite being forced wide and onto his weaker left foot, produced a brilliant finish into the roof of the net.

Vinicius then got on the scoresheet himself deep into first-half stoppage time, finishing off another swift Brazilian attack to make it 3-0 before the interval.

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Neither side managed to add to the score after the break, with Brazil comfortably seeing out the contest to claim all three points and strengthen their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.

However, the victory was slightly overshadowed by an injury scare involving winger Raphinha. The Barcelona star went down in the 39th minute and received immediate treatment from the medical staff as concerned teammates gathered around him.

Although the 29-year-old was able to walk off under his own power, he appeared uncomfortable as he made his way to the bench.

READ: Brazil suffer Raphinha injury scare during Haiti clash

PHILADELPHIA: Brazil were dealt an injury concern during their FIFA World Cup 2026 encounter against Haiti after winger Raphinha was forced off in the first half at Lincoln Financial Field on Friday.

The Barcelona star went down in the 39th minute and immediately received treatment from the medical staff, with teammates gathering around him as concerns grew over his condition.

After a brief stoppage, the 29-year-old managed to get back to his feet and made his way off the pitch under his own power.

Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!

Before leaving, he exchanged handshakes with goalkeeper Alisson and forward Vinicius Junior, who appeared to indicate that the problem was related to Raphinha’s hamstring.

Teenage winger Rayan, 19, was introduced as his replacement, while Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti and members of the bench offered words of encouragement as the Barcelona forward headed to the dugout with his head down.

Brazil were leading 2-0 at the time, thanks to a first-half brace from Matheus Cunha. Vinicius Junior later added a third goal to put the five-time world champions firmly in control.

Raphinha had earlier come close to opening his account at the tournament, but his effort drifted wide and was subsequently ruled out for offside.

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The injury scare comes after the winger experienced fitness issues earlier in the season.

He missed several friendly matches in the latter part of the year and was also absent for Brazil’s March fixture against Croatia after picking up an injury in a defeat to France.

The ongoing tournament marks Raphinha’s second World Cup appearance. Despite establishing himself as one of Brazil’s key attacking players, he is still searching for his first World Cup goal.

READ: Canada star Ismael Kone to miss rest of World Cup 2026: team

Canada midfielder Ismael Kone has undergone surgery after suffering a broken leg in his team’s defeat of Qatar and will miss the remainder of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the team management confirmed on Friday.

Kone was stretchered off in the second half of Canada’s 6-0 Group B thrashing of the Qataris in Vancouver on Thursday after a clumsy challenge from Assim Madibo.

Madibo upended Kone with a challenge from behind to leave the Italy-based midfielder writhing in agony and clutching his left leg.

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The seriousness of the injury was immediately apparent as teammates frantically called for help from the Canadian medical staff on the sidelines.

Kone was eventually stretchered off the pitch, waving to the crowd as he inhaled from an oxygen pipe.

Madibo, who had initially been given a yellow card for the tackle, was sent off after it was upgraded to red following a VAR review, the second Qatari dismissal after Homam el-Amin was given his marching orders in the first half.

The Canadian team later took to X to reveal that the midfielder has undergone surgery and will be out of the ongoing home tournament.

“Last night, Ismael Kone underwent successful surgery to repair a lower limb fracture,” a post on the Canada team’s account on X said.

Last night, Ismaël Koné underwent successful surgery to repair a lower limb fracture. He is expected to make a full recovery but will miss the remainder of FIFA World Cup 2026™️.

You will come back stronger, Isma! 🫶 pic.twitter.com/fjQjNz6Y8j

— CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) June 19, 2026

“He is expected to make a full recovery but will miss the remainder of FIFA World Cup 2026. You will come back stronger, Isma!”

Canada are on the brink of reaching the second round of the World Cup for the first time in history and need only a draw in their final group game against Switzerland to finish top of Group B.

READ: Spain’s Yamal provides update on his availability for Saudi clash

Spain star Lamine Yamal said on Friday that it is “too soon” for him to play a full 90 minutes as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury, ahead of the European champions’ FIFA World Cup 2026 game against Saudi Arabia.

Luis de la Fuente’s men were held to a surprise goalless draw by debutants Cape Verde in their Group H opener and will be hoping to get up and running on Sunday when they face the Saudis.

On Monday, Barcelona winger Yamal made his first appearance since suffering the injury in mid-April, coming on as a 71st-minute substitute against Cape Verde.

“It’s very early, it’s unnecessary,” the 18-year-old told Spanish public broadcaster RTVE about his readiness to play an entire game. “It’s not the time to play a whole match, but I can play whatever minutes the coach wants.”

Catch all FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates here!

Coach De la Fuente told Radio Cope on Thursday that Yamal would be able to play “an hour” this weekend in Atlanta.

Yamal could not inspire his teammates in the closing stages against a dogged Cape Verde, but his Barcelona teammate Pau Cubarsi backed him to deliver at the tournament.

“We already know Lamine’s qualities,” Cabarsi said Friday. “Whether he comes on or not, he’ll help us as much as possible, but I think whoever plays in his place will do just as well.”

Spain were the pre-tournament title favourites, but they have not got past the last 16 at a World Cup since lifting the trophy for the first time in 2010.

READ: Ismael Saibari fires fastest World Cup goal as Morocco beat Scotland