Tag: USA

FIFA president Gianni Infantino told AFP on Tuesday that Iran “will be at the World Cup” and will play their group matches in the United States of America (USA) as scheduled, despite the Middle East war.

“Iran will be at the World Cup,” Infantino said at half-time as Iran beat Costa Rica 5-0 in a friendly in southern Turkey. “That’s why we’re here. We’re delighted because they’re a very, very strong team, I’m very happy.”

“I’ve seen the team, I’ve spoken to the players and the coach, so everything is fine,” added Infantino, whose attendance at Tuesday’s game was unannounced.

Infantino went on to stress that Iran’s “matches will be played where they are supposed to be, according to the draw”.

The World Cup, being hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, starts on June 11.

Iran are set to play their first Group G game against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. They are then scheduled to play Belgium in Los Angeles on June 21 and Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

Iran’s participation had been thrown into doubt by the war with the USA and Israel that broke out on February 28.

“For us, what matters most are FIFA’s rules and regulations. We will comply with whatever FIFA decides. Every host country has made commitments to FIFA and must honour them,” Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, the vice president of the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), told AFP at the match.

The FFIRI had said earlier this month it was “negotiating” with FIFA to relocate the country’s World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also said that her country is prepared to host Iran’s first-round matches at the tournament if needed.

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Infantino initially said that US President Donald Trump had given assurances that the Iranian team would still be welcome. But Trump then stated that Iran’s team should not travel to the tournament “for their own life and safety”.

Iran hit back at Trump’s comments, saying that “no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup”.

On Tuesday, Mohammad Nabi said Infantino had been en route from Mexico to Qatar.

“Having learnt that we were organising friendly matches here, he came to see us in person, and we had a fruitful discussion,” Mohammad Nabi said.

“Given our history in this competition, it is only natural that FIFA should support the Iranian team. Mr Infantino is providing the necessary support to our national team and has given our players a great boost.”

Asked before the game if Iran would be at the World Cup, back-up striker Dennis Eckert Ayensa told AFP: “Inshallah” (god willing).

Iran, who also played a friendly against Nigeria in the Turkish town of Belek last Friday, crushed Costa Rica, who have not qualified for the World Cup 2026, 5-0 on Tuesday.

Skipper Mehdi Taremi, with two penalties, Ali Gholizadeh and Mohammad Mohebbi put Iran four goals up by the break. Half-time substitute Mehdi Ghayedi added a fifth in the 51st minute, by which time coach Amir Ghalenoei had started to empty his bench.

Before the game, Iran’s players wore black armbands and posed with photos of what officials said were young victims of the war, including those killed in an airstrike on a primary school in Iran on the first day of the conflict.

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The United States (USA) kept their slim hopes of qualifying for the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup alive with a 31-run against Namibia in Group A.

Replying to the USA’s 199-4, Namibia finished their 20 overs on 168-6.

For the USA, Sanjay Krishnamurthi hit 68 not out, and captain Monank Patel 52. Namibia’s top-scorer was Louren Steenkamp with 58.

It leaves the USA on four points after their four group A matches, level with India and Pakistan who clash later Sunday.

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Now the USA must wait for the outcomes of the final group games and hope the result goes their way.

Pakistan play Namibia in Colombo and India play the Netherlands in Ahmedabad, with both matches on Wednesday.

Playing XIs

USA: Monank Patel (c/wk), Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Shubham Ranjane, Milind Kumar, Harmeet Singh, Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Ehsan Adil and Saurabh Netravalkar.

Namibia: Jan Frylinck, Louren Steenkamp, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (c), JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Dylan Leicher, Ruben Trumpelmann, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz and Max Heingo.

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CHENNAI: Saiteja Mukkamalla’s 79 and Harmeet Singh’s four-wicket haul powered USA to a big 93-run win over the Netherlands here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in the 21st fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Set a daunting 197, the Netherlands were skittled for 103 in 15.5 overs.

Michael Levitt was dismissed early in a big chase as the Netherlands were 9-1 in 1.1 overs.

After an early wicket, Max O’Dowd and Bas de Leede added 32 run partnership to put the chase back on track.

O’Dowd made 13 from 11 before getting caught, a wicket that sparked a collapse that the Netherlands could not recover from.

The Netherlands innings quickly unraveled as they slumped from 45-3 to 75-6 in 10 overs.

The wickets continued to tumbled and they were eventually bowled out before completing their overs.

Bas de Leede was the top-scorer with 23 off 17, hitting a six and four.

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For USA, it was Shadley van Schalkwyk among the wickets again as he picked up a three wicket haul. Beside him, Harmeet Singh was the other bowler who impressed with his wickets.

Earlier, asked to bat first, USA racked up 196-6 in their 20 overs.

Shayan Jahangir and skipper Monank Patel were off to a flyer with 27 on the board in 2.5 overs.

Kyle Klein provided the Dutch first breakthrough in the form of Jahangir’s wicket, who made 20 off 14, striking two sixes and a boundary.

With the Netherlands 27 for one, Saiteja Mukkamalla arrived at the crease and forged 55 run partnership with Patel to drive USA’s innings.

The pair batted briskly, bringing the team’s total to 82 in nine overs. However, the stand was eventually broken with Patel’s wicket, who made 36 from 22 balls, including a six and three fours.

After his wicket, Saiteja Mukkamalla anchored the chase. The right-hand top-scored for USA with 79 from 51 balls, striking four sixes and four boundaries.

The other notable contribution was from Shubham Ranjane, who made a quick-fire 48 off 24, including two sixes and three fours.

For the Netherlands, Bas de Leede returned with the figures of 3/37 in his four overs.

Playing XIs

Netherlands: Michael Levitt, Max ODowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards (w/c), Zach Lion-Cachet, Logan van Beek, Aryan Dutt, Roelof van der Merwe, Kyle Klein and Fred Klaassen.

USA: Monank Patel(w/c), Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Milind Kumar, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Shubham Ranjane, Harmeet Singh, Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Nosthush Kenjige and Ali Khan.

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COLOMBO: Sahibazada Farhan’s gutsy half-century and Usman Tariq’s three-wicket haul helped Pakistan beat the USA in the 12th fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 here at the Sinhaleese Sports Club on Tuesday.

Set stiff 191, USA fell short by 32 runs despite Shubham Ranjane’s valiant half-century.

USA openers started positively with a 42 run parntership in 4.5 overs.

Andries Gous struck two boundaries before getting caught for 13. Meanwhile, Shayan Jahangir played briskly and took USA to a good score at the end of the PowerPlay.

However, the momentum shifted once fielding restrictions were lifted, as Pakistan’s spinners tightened the screws to slow down USA.

The pressure reaped high rewards in the form of skipper Monank Patel and Shayan Jahangir’s wickets. Patel managed only three while Jahangir departed for a well-made 49 from 34 balls, striking two sixes and five fours.

At this stage USA were 69-3 in 10.2 overs as Milind Kumar and Shubham Ranjane came to the fore.

The pair put on a 54-run partnership from 35 balls, with Ranjane playing the core aggressor’s role. However, the asking rate creeping up, it was not going to be an easy task for USA batters.

Consequently, USA fell wickets at regular intervals despite Ranjane reaching his half-century.

He was eventually trapped lbw in the final over, scoring 51 from 30 balls, striking three sixes and three fours.

Usman Tariq remained the pick of bowlers for Pakistan, returning with the figures of 3/27 in four overs.

Earlier, Sahibazada Farhan, Babar Azam, and a late cameo from Shadab Khan took Pakistan to a strong total.

Asked to bat first, Pakistan piled up 190-9 in their 20 overs.

Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan provided a strong start with a 54-run partnership in 5.1 overs.

However, USA quickly turned the momentum back with back-to-back wickets. Saim was the first to go, scoring 19 from 17 with the help of two sixes. The second one was skipper Salman Ali Agha, losing his wicket on the final ball of the powerplay.

The right-hander only managed one from three balls.

As a result, Pakistan were 56 at the end of the powerplay with Babar Azam and Sahibzada Farhan at the crease.

The pair launched a recovery as USA bowled a few tight overs to restrict the new batter Babar Azam from going big.

Pakistan’s scorecard read 85-2 at the halfway mark of the innings.

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After a slowdown, Sahibzada and Babar soon took advantage of Harmeet Singh’s 12th over. The pair accumulated 21 runs from the over to boost the run-rate and took the score from 101 to 122.

Babar Azam finally finds his groove, hitting six and two boundaries in the over to take his runs tally to 32.

However, USA made a comeback in the 15th over as Babar departed after scoring 46 from 32 balls. In the next over, Harmeet nabbed Farhan as USA made a strong comeback.

Sahibzad top-scored with 73 from 41 balls, laced with six fours and five sixes.

Consequently, Pakistan were reduced to 145-4 in 16 overs.

After a brief slowdown, Shadab Khan played a blinder to lift their hopes of reaching the 200-run mark. He made 30 off just 12 balls with the help of four boundaries and a six.

USA bowled well in the final two overs as Pakistan slumped from 177-5 to 190-9 at the end of their innings.

For USA, Shadley van Schalkwyk remained the standout bowler with four wickets to his name.

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COLOMBO: The United States of America (USA) have drafted Pakistan-born fast bowler Ehsan Adil into their squad ahead of their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 encounter against the Green Shirts, following an injury setback in the camp.

Adil replaces right-arm pacer Jasdeep Singh, who was ruled out of the tournament after sustaining a right shoulder injury during a warm-up fixture against New Zealand on February 5.

The Event Technical Committee (ETC) of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup approved Adil’s inclusion, a mandatory requirement for any mid-tournament replacement.

The 32-year-old seamer previously represented Pakistan in three Tests and six One Day Internationals but is yet to make his international debut for the USA.

His addition is expected to bolster the American pace attack ahead of a crucial phase of the tournament.

The ETC overseeing the approval process comprises ICC General Manager – Cricket Wasim Khan, IBC representative Gaurav Saxena, host representative Hemang Amin and independent member Shaun Pollock.

Meanwhile, the USA are coming off a 29-run defeat against India in their opening match at the Wankhede Stadium.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav’s fighting half-century, combined with a disciplined bowling display, proved decisive as the Americans fell short in their chase.

Pursuing a target of 162, the USA managed 132 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs despite showing glimpses of resistance.

USA squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Monank Patel (c), Jessy Singh, Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamala, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane and Ehsan Adil

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MUMBAI: Suryakumar Yadav and bowlers combined to steer India to a 29-run victory over USA in the third fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Set a challenging 162, the USA fell short of the target and managed 132-8 in 20 overs despite showcasing an excellent display with the ball.

India inflicted a poor start on USA, who lost their top three batters in the first three overs.

As a result, USA were reduced to 13-3 with Milind Kumar and Sanjay Krishnamurthi at the crease.

The pair arrested the slide with a 58-run partnership, although it came on the slower side on 52 balls.

USA scorecard read 71 when Varun Chakravarthy broke the partnership to give India an opening.

The mystery spinner removed Milind Kumar who made 34 from 34 balls.

After the breakthrough wicket, Indian bowlers chipped on and took wickets at regular intervals which never allowed the USA batters to settle down.

As a result, they ended short of the target with Shubham Ranjane losing his wicket on the final ball of the innings.

The right-hander’s valiant knock of 37 from 22 included three sixes and two fours.

For India, Mohammed Siraj picked up three wickets.

Ealier, Suryakumar Yadav played a captain’s knock to lift India out of trouble against a disciplined USA bowling lineup

USA capitalized on the decision to bowl first as they limited the strong Indian batting lineup to 161-9 in 20 overs.

The hosts were put in early trouble right from the outset as their dashing opener Abhishek Sharma was sent back for a duck in the second over.

The left-hander could not make his World Cup debut memorable, holing out to a deep cover.

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After an early wicket, Ishan Kishan played some shots and kept the scoreboard ticking.

He added 37 with returning Tilak Varma for the second wicket, bringing the total to 45. However, Shadley van Schalkwyk’s triple-wicket over put his side in a top position at the end of the powerplay.

He removed Kishan (20) and Varma (25), which was followed by the wicket of  Shivam Dube, who could not open his account.

As a result, India were in dire straits with 46-4 at the end of the six overs.

Rinku Singh came to the fore to rescue India and stitched a 26-run partnership with captain Suryakumar Yadav. The pair brought the total to 72 in 11.4 as the partnership was broken in the form of Rinku’s wicket.

The left-hander managed six from 14 before getting caught at long on. The slide continued as all-rounder Hardik Pandya could not trouble the scorers much. He made five as the home side were 77-6.

It was all Suryakumar Yadav’s calculated knock, which not only helped them cross the 150 mark but ensured that they finished on a strong note.

The skipper kept losing partners at the other end and capitalized on the last over from Saurabh Netravalkar, amassing 21 runs.

He remained unbeaten on 84 from 49 balls, striking four sixes and 10 fours.

For the USA, it was a clinical bowling effort except for Netravalkar, who had forgettable figures of 65/0 in four overs. Apart from him, Shadley van Schalkwyk remained the standout bowler, taking four wickets.

Harmeet Singh also provided support from the other end with his two wickets in economical spin bowling.

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DALLAS: Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Shehan Jayasuria has been named in the 15-member USA squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be played across India and Sri Lanka.

The squad will be led by Monank Patel with 10 players from the 2024 edition of the tournament.

Among the notable exclusion is of Aaron Jones, who was charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) with five breaches of the Anti-Corruption Code.

The squad also includes former Sri Lanka player Shehan Jayasuria, who could bring in useful experience having played his most of cricket in Sri Lanka.

 

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Shehan played 12 ODIs and 18 T20Is for Sri Lanka from 2015 to 2020.

Moreover, Jessy Singh, Andries Gous, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Nethravalkar and Ali Khan seasoned campaigners who will bolster the USA squad.

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This will be USA’s second T20 World Cup appearance after playing the 2024 edition, which they jointly hosted alongside West Indies.

 

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One of the notable achievements of USA in the last World Cup was reaching Super Eight stage after defeating Pakistan in their group stage fixture.

The 20-team T20 World Cup 2026 will begin on 7 February in India and Sri Lanka.

The USA is scheduled to play the defending champions India, on the opening day of the tournament in Mumbai.

Following the opening fixture, they will square off against Pakistan on 10 February in Colombo.

USA squad

Monank Patel (C), Jessy Singh, Andries Gous, Shehan Jayasuriya, Milind Kumar, Shayan Jahangir, Saiteja Mukkamala, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Harmeet Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Shubham Ranjane.

USA T20 World Cup Fixtures

February 7 – India vs USA, Mumbai
February 10 – Pakistan vs USA, Colombo
February 13 – Netherlands vs USA, Chennai
February 15 – Namibia vs USA, Chennai

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BULAWAYO: Henil Patel picked up a fifer to set up a comprehensive win for India over USA in the U19 World Cup opener here at the Queens Sports Club on Thursday.

India chased down a mere 96-run target with ease in 17.2 overs in a rain-hit encounter.

The USA started strongly in defense of a small target as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was sent back only in the second over. The left-hander could only score two.

India were further jolted with two quick strikes, with skipper Ayush Mhatre and Vedant Trivedi sent back in a span of two deliveries.

Trivedi and Mhatre were both caught for two and 19 runs respectively. As a result, India were reduced to 25-3 in 5.2 overs.

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However, Abhigyan Kundu and Vihaan Malhotra put chase back on track with 45 run partnership.

Malhotra was dismissed for 18 from 17 after hitting two boundaries, whereas Kundu remained unbeaten 42 from 41 balls with the aid of five fours and a six.

For USA, Ritvik Appidi picked up two wickets.

Earlier, India bowled out USA for 107 in 35.2 overs, thanks to Henil Patel’s bowling, who remained the chief destroyer.

Opener Amrinder Gill made one before a brief partnership of 28 between Sahil Garg and Arjun Mahesh kept Indian bowlers at bay till the eighth over.

However, Deepesh Devendran removed Garg for 18 which sparked a collapse that USA could not recover from.

Indian bowlers continued to chip in with wickets at regular intervals, with Nitish Sudini remaining the highest scorer for his side.

Sudini who made 36 from 52 was the last wicket to fell as USA were bowled out for a partly score.

For India, Henil Patel remained the star bowler as he picked up a five-wicket haul.

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USA pacer Ali Khan has shared a meaningful video message on social media handle ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is set to begin on 7 February in India and Sri Lanka.

The right-arm pacer who hails from Punjab, Pakistan, has played 15 ODIs and 18 T20Is for the USA. Although, USA is yet to announce the squad for mega event, the pacer is set to be included in the team.

The 35-year-old Ali has shared a message on his Instagram account, raising questions over his participation in the World Cup.

“Indian visa denied, but KFC for the win,” he wrote.

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This comes after the reports that cricketers of Pakistan origin or holding green passports could face significant hurdles in securing visas to India for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Earlier, the sources had told that several associate nation teams, including Italy, Oman, UAE, Canada, and the USA, have players of Pakistani descent or dual nationality, and these players are reportedly encountering difficulties in the visa application process for travel to India.

The sources privy to the matter have revealed that the cricket boards of these five nations have formally approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) for guidance, but have received neither a response nor any assurance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Historically, cricketers of Pakistani origin have encountered similar visa challenges, adding to the apprehension ahead of the 2026 tournament.

With the tournament just weeks away, uncertainty remains over whether these players will be able to participate in matches held in India.

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