The Bangladesh government has decided to purchase the broadcast rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup directly from the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) for approximately Tk 73 crore. The state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) will acquire the 'all media rights' under a direct purchase method approved by the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase, chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. The contract value has been set at Tk 72.70 crore.

According to the proposal from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, BTV will obtain full media rights directly from FIFA, covering satellite, terrestrial, digital, and OTT platforms. Officials noted that previous major sports events often required intermediaries, increasing costs. This direct agreement is expected to ensure transparency and cost efficiency.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will begin on June 11 and continue until July 19. With this initiative, millions of Bangladeshi football fans will be able to watch all matches live without additional expenses.

Iraq’s national football team faced an unexpected controversy upon arriving in the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Star striker Aymen Hussein was detained and questioned for nearly seven hours by US immigration authorities at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. After the lengthy interrogation and a detailed inspection of his mobile phone, Hussein was eventually allowed to enter the country. However, the team’s official photographer, Talal Salah, was denied entry after being held for more than ten hours and having his phone searched.

According to an Iraqi Football Association official, US Customs and Border Protection officers closely monitored the team upon arrival. Hussein, aged 30, was separated from his teammates immediately after disembarking. His decisive goal against Bolivia in the playoffs had secured Iraq’s place in the World Cup for the first time in 40 years.

The incident has cast a shadow over Iraq’s historic qualification, raising concerns about the team’s preparation and morale ahead of the tournament.

Two students from Quantum Cosmo School and College in Lama, Bandarban, have won gold medals at the Singapore Open Gymnastics Championship. The event took place from June 1 to 8, 2026, where the athletes were officially selected to compete. Uchingwang Marma earned gold in the steel rings event with 12.150 points and bronze in the floor event with 11.600 points. Menton Tony Mro secured gold in the pommel horse event with 13.150 points.

According to the Quantum Education Service Program in-charge, Saleh Ahmed, the success resulted from long-term training and close supervision by coaches. He stated that their goal is to develop international-standard gymnasts from the grassroots level. Lama Upazila Executive Officer Md. Moin Uddin expressed pride on behalf of the local community, noting that the students represented Bangladesh internationally and brought honor to the area.

The achievements mark a significant milestone for the Quantum Cosmo institution and highlight the growing presence of Bangladeshi gymnasts in international competitions.

Brazil concluded its World Cup preparations with a 2-1 victory over Egypt in an international friendly held in Cleveland, United States, on Saturday. Substitute forward Endrick scored the winning goal just six minutes after entering the field, ensuring a confident finish for the five-time world champions. The match began with Bruno Guimarães capitalizing on an early Egyptian error to give Brazil the lead, but Egypt equalized soon after through Mostafa Zico following a defensive lapse.

Brazil suffered a setback when right-back Wesley was forced off with an injury in the 15th minute, replaced by veteran defender Danilo. Coach Carlo Ancelotti made eight substitutions after halftime, including Endrick, whose strike from Raphinha’s pass decided the match. Despite Mohamed Salah’s late appearance, Egypt failed to break Brazil’s defense.

With consecutive wins in their two warm-up matches, Brazil enters the World Cup in strong form. The team will begin its campaign on June 13 against Morocco in Group C, which also includes Haiti and Scotland.

A memorial gathering was held outside Hampden Park Stadium in Scotland to honor Palestinian footballers killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza. The event was organized by Red Card Glasgow and took place at the main entrance of Scotland’s national stadium. Participants were seen laying wreaths and displaying footballs, jerseys, shoes, and Palestinian scarves in tribute to the deceased athletes.

According to the organizers, the purpose of the gathering was to pay respect to the memory of the Palestinian footballers and to draw attention to the impact of the ongoing conflict on the world of sports. The event highlighted the intersection between sport and humanitarian concern amid the continuing violence in Gaza.

The memorial served as a symbolic act of solidarity, emphasizing the human cost of the conflict and the loss felt within the sporting community.

Iran has accused the United States of refusing visas to several officials and technical staff linked to its national football team just days before the World Cup begins. U.S. officials stated on Friday that all Iranian players and essential support staff had received visas ahead of Iran’s first match on June 15 in Los Angeles. They added that the U.S. remains vigilant to prevent any misuse of the visa system.

Iran’s embassy in Turkey alleged that Washington was politically interfering in sports, claiming that many management and technical advisers were denied entry. Iranian state media reported that around 15 administrative officials, including the football federation’s president, vice president, and a media officer, were refused visas. The Iranian team completed training in Turkey and departed for Mexico, where it will stay during the tournament.

Iran called the U.S. position an attempt to conceal the truth and urged FIFA to intervene. The World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico amid ongoing political tensions between Tehran and Washington.

Argentina continued their winning momentum ahead of the World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Honduras in a friendly match held at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. Coach Lionel Scaloni opted to rest captain Lionel Messi for the entire match as a precaution due to lingering muscle fatigue. Lautaro Martínez opened the scoring in the 37th minute from a penalty after Nicolás Tagliafico was fouled, while Giuliano Simeone sealed the win with a precise finish in the 51st minute following a backheel assist from Martínez.

Scaloni made several changes throughout the match but avoided risking Messi, who had sustained a minor injury while playing for Inter Miami on May 25. Although Messi has resumed training with the national team, he is yet to regain full fitness. The coach emphasized that no risks would be taken with the 38-year-old star before the World Cup.

Argentina will play their final warm-up match against Iceland on June 9 before beginning their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria. They are placed in Group J alongside Austria and Jordan.

Brazil’s World Cup preparations are underway amid intense excitement, but star forward Neymar Jr. remains uncertain for the tournament due to an ongoing injury. The 34-year-old has not yet fully recovered and missed Brazil’s recent warm-up matches, leaving doubts about his participation in the team’s opening game. Despite the uncertainty, fans remain hopeful that Neymar will lead Brazil to its long-awaited sixth World Cup title after a 24-year drought.

In a recent interview during the ‘Red Bull Ultimate Soccer Challenge,’ Neymar reflected on his career and said he believes his place in football history is already secured. He expressed pride in his achievements, stating that he has left a lasting mark on the sport and given his best for every club he has represented, including Santos, Barcelona, PSG, and Al Hilal. Neymar also emphasized his dedication to the Brazilian national team.

Regarding his club future, Neymar confirmed he still has one year left on his contract with Santos and intends to complete it before deciding on his next career move later this year or early next year.

Iran has secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the usual nationwide celebrations are missing. Streets that once erupted in joy remain quiet, and social media shows little sign of excitement. Once a symbol of national unity, football now seems overshadowed by a sense of melancholy and detachment.

The shift follows years of political and social upheaval, particularly after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini and the ensuing “Women, Life, Freedom” movement, which divided Iranian society. The national team faced criticism for not taking a clear stance during protests, and many now view it as representing the state rather than the people. Economic hardship, inflation, and the shadow of war have further dulled public enthusiasm.

Sports journalists and fans note that football no longer dominates public discourse, though some believe the passion could return if war tensions ease and internet restrictions lift. For now, Iran’s biggest challenge at the 2026 World Cup may not be its opponents, but reconnecting with its own people.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has announced a temporary suspension of traffic on Prashika Road adjacent to Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. The restriction will be in place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on specific days linked to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Election 2026 and the Bangladesh-Australia cricket series. The affected dates include Sunday for the practice match and BCB election, followed by June 9, 11, and 14 for the three One Day International (ODI) matches.

According to a public notice signed by DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, the measure aims to ensure smooth operations and security during the events. The DMP has requested city residents and drivers to use alternative routes during the closure period. Vehicles heading toward Mirpur-1 are advised to travel via Prashika Crossing, Shialbari Crossing, Rainkhola, and Eidgah Field to reach their destinations.

The DMP commissioner has sought cooperation from all concerned to minimize inconvenience and maintain order during the scheduled cricket and election activities.

FIFA has reversed its earlier decision to ban spectators from bringing water bottles into stadiums during the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The organization announced on Friday via social media that fans will now be allowed to carry factory-sealed, single-use soft plastic bottles of up to 20 ounces (approximately 590 milliliters). The initial restriction, applied to all 16 venues, had been justified on security grounds, citing risks of bottles being thrown onto the field. However, reusable hard bottles will still not be permitted.

The ban had sparked strong backlash from fans, politicians, and organizations, particularly given forecasts of extreme heat across most venues, where temperatures are expected to exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Critics argued that preventing spectators from bringing their own water was unreasonable. England’s supporter group Free Lions accused FIFA of using the policy as a revenue tactic benefiting sponsor Coca-Cola, which will sell beverages inside stadiums. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the original decision “wrong,” while New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani emphasized the need to ensure adequate water access for fans.

The 23rd edition of the World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across the three host nations.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will hold its board of directors election on Sunday. Ahead of the vote, sixteen candidates from the club category met in Dhaka on Friday to share their plans and seek support from councilors. During the meeting, Tamim Iqbal, current head of the BCB’s ad hoc committee and Old DOHS Club councilor, called on elected representatives to put Bangladesh cricket’s interests above personal identity or background once they assume office.

Tamim, a former national captain, noted that Bangladesh cricket has faced instability in recent years due to multiple leadership changes, which have affected the sport’s environment. He emphasized the need to end this turbulence and restore stability to a game that represents the pride and emotion of millions of Bangladeshis. Tamim also said that criticism and questions are natural but expressed confidence that genuine intent and effective work by elected members will gradually build trust.

The upcoming election is expected to pave the way for new leadership in the BCB, and Tamim hopes the new board will prioritize the broader interests of Bangladesh cricket over personal gain.

After weeks of speculation and diplomatic tension, Iranian footballers have finally received US visas to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The White House confirmed that the players were granted approval ahead of their first match in Los Angeles. However, Iran reported that several technical and administrative officials have yet to obtain their visas, with the semi-official Fars News Agency claiming that the US has so far refused to issue them.

The issue gained attention after Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, complained that team members had not received visas even ten days before the tournament. Against the backdrop of strained Iran-US relations following recent military actions involving the US and Israel, the World Cup has become a focal point of geopolitical discussion. Tehran had earlier sought to move its preparations and matches to co-host Mexico due to visa complications.

Despite the tensions, Iran’s ambassador said the team’s participation in the US demonstrates a commitment to peace. The team is scheduled to arrive in Tijuana, Mexico, for training before playing its first match against New Zealand on June 15.

Iran’s national football team is preparing for the upcoming FIFA World Cup amid war and political turmoil. Following a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iranian territory on February 28, the two nations remain in a tense ceasefire. Due to instability at home, the Iranian squad has been training in Antalya, Turkey, since May 18. Players are struggling to stay focused as the conflict and political tension weigh heavily on their minds.

The war has also disrupted administrative processes. Iranian players have yet to receive U.S. visas despite applying through the American embassy in Ankara, even though their group-stage matches are scheduled in the United States. In response, FIFA approved Iran’s request to move its base camp from the U.S. to Mexico, where the team quickly obtained visas and plans to depart on Sunday. However, uncertainty remains about their eventual entry into the U.S. for matches.

Iran’s first two games will take place in Los Angeles, home to a large Iranian diaspora, many of whom oppose Tehran’s government. Players hope expatriates will still support them as they aim to bring joy to war-weary Iranians when their campaign begins on June 15 against New Zealand.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque announced that construction of mini stadiums has begun in every upazila across Bangladesh under government directives. He stated that the initiative is progressing rapidly under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The minister made the remarks on Friday after laying the foundation stone for a mini stadium at Jaluar Dighipar in Kachuai, Patiya upazila of Chattogram. He emphasized that the stadiums will be built according to approved designs and that local communities will be responsible for their maintenance.

Aminul Haque also mentioned that the second phase of the “Notun Kuri Sports” program will start in September, aiming to form teams from the union level and promote grassroots sports talent. The event was attended by Patiya MP Enamul Haque Enam as the chief speaker, along with officials from the National Sports Council and local administration.

The initiative reflects the government’s broader effort to strengthen sports infrastructure and community engagement at the local level.