Portugal’s national football team has announced a special tribute to late forward Diogo Jota ahead of their opening World Cup match. The players, including captain Cristiano Ronaldo, will wear specially designed wristbands throughout the tournament to honor Jota, who died in a car accident last year in northwestern Spain. Midfielder Vitinha said the wristbands were gifted by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and include the names of all current squad members along with Jota’s name.

Vitinha explained that wearing the wristbands was not mandatory, but all players chose to do so out of love and respect for their former teammate. He emphasized that the team accepted the gesture wholeheartedly and decided to wear them during matches. Jota had scored 14 goals in 49 appearances for Portugal, and his absence continues to be felt by his teammates.

Portugal will begin their World Cup campaign against DR Congo on Wednesday. Vitinha added that while the team has strong potential, they do not consider themselves favorites and must remain humble and focused to succeed.

The Bangladesh cricket team will receive a Tk 20 million bonus from the government for winning their first-ever One Day International (ODI) series against Australia. The announcement was made on Saturday by State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Aminul Haque following Bangladesh’s historic victory.

Bangladesh defeated the touring Australian side by 86 runs in the first ODI and secured the three-match series 2–0 after a five-wicket win in the second match. The third and final ODI is scheduled for Sunday. The government’s bonus recognizes the team’s achievement in securing a landmark series win against one of the world’s top cricket nations.

The announcement highlights official encouragement for the national team’s performance and marks a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s cricket history.

Ecuador and Ivory Coast are set to begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaigns with a crucial Group E match at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Monday at 5 a.m. Bangladesh time. While Germany is seen as the group favorite, both teams view this encounter as vital to strengthen their chances of advancing to the knockout stage.

Ivory Coast returns to the World Cup after a 12-year absence, having last appeared in 2014. Under coach Emerse Faé, the three-time African champions are aiming to surpass the group stage for the first time, boosted by four consecutive wins. However, they will miss experienced striker Sébastien Haller, and defender Evan Ndicka is doubtful due to injury. Ecuador, led by Sebastián Beccacece, enters the match unbeaten in 19 games, with their defense keeping 13 clean sheets during that run.

Ecuador’s main concern is the fitness of captain and top scorer Enner Valencia, whose absence could weaken their attack. Both teams’ recent form and the high stakes make this one of Group E’s most significant fixtures.

Brazil began their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morocco at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Coach Carlo Ancelotti openly discussed his team’s performance, admitting that early pressure and anxiety among players were major weaknesses. Morocco took the lead in the 21st minute through Ismail Saibari, but Vinicius Junior equalized 11 minutes later. Ancelotti said Brazil’s first half was poor, though the team improved after the break.

The Italian coach, making his World Cup debut as Brazil’s first foreign manager, acknowledged that the team struggled with ball control and balance. He accepted responsibility for the mistakes and emphasized the need for improvement while maintaining confidence. Ancelotti noted that such difficulties are not unusual in a World Cup opener and praised Morocco’s organization throughout the match.

Looking ahead, Brazil will face Haiti on June 20. Ancelotti said he plans to make the team more balanced and attacking, using the squad’s depth to address weaknesses. He also praised Vinicius Junior for his strong performance and predicted a promising tournament for the forward.

Qatar achieved a historic milestone by securing their first-ever World Cup point after a 1-1 draw against Switzerland on June 14, 2026. Despite trailing for most of the match, Qatar equalized in injury time through a dramatic goal that stunned their opponents and delighted their supporters. Switzerland had taken the lead in the 16th minute when Breel Embolo converted a penalty following a VAR review of a foul inside the Qatari box.

The goal marked the first penalty conversion of the 2026 World Cup. Switzerland maintained control for much of the game, with captain Manuel Akanji leading a disciplined defense that repeatedly thwarted Qatar’s attacks. As the match approached full time, Switzerland appeared poised for victory until Qatar’s late counterattack changed the outcome.

The draw gave Qatar a valuable point and their first in World Cup history, while Switzerland were left frustrated after letting victory slip away in the final moments.

Brazil and Morocco played out a 1-1 draw in their World Cup match on June 14, 2026. The first half was filled with high-paced football, pressing, and two spectacular goals. Morocco took the lead through Ismail Saibari after exploiting a defensive lapse by Brazil. The African side’s energetic start and tactical discipline kept Brazil under pressure, with Morocco registering 12 shots within the first 30 minutes.

Brazil equalized in the 32nd minute through Vinicius Junior, who marked his 50th international appearance with a brilliant solo goal assisted by Bruno Guimarães. The Brazilian forward’s strike ensured his team avoided defeat, maintaining his record of never losing in matches where he has scored. Despite the draw, Morocco’s performance stood out as a continuation of their strong World Cup form, proving their previous semifinal run was no fluke.

The result marked Morocco’s first-ever World Cup goal against a South American team, highlighting their growing stature in global football.

French forward Ousmane Dembélé has issued a warning about Lionel Messi and Argentina ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In an interview with Spanish outlet Marca, the 2025 Ballon d’Or winner praised his former Barcelona teammate, calling Messi the greatest footballer in history. Dembélé said that even at 38, Messi remains one of the most dangerous players in world football and that France must stay cautious because Messi still has the ability to win another World Cup.

Reflecting on France’s penalty shootout defeat to Argentina in the 2022 Qatar World Cup final, Dembélé said that the painful memory continues to inspire the team to perform better. He noted that both France and Argentina have changed since then, but the loss now serves as motivation for improvement.

Dembélé also defended France captain Kylian Mbappé, who has faced recent criticism over his leadership and performances. He argued that Mbappé is often judged too harshly and remains an exceptional player and person, suggesting that public scrutiny is amplified because of his fame.

A young man died in a road accident while participating in a motorcycle rally of Brazil football supporters in Borhanuddin upazila of Bhola. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in front of Monsur Ali Dalal’s house at Togbi Union along the Bhola-Charfassion road. The deceased was identified as Md Ismail, aged 25, son of Md Maksud from Kunjerhat Chowkidar Bari. Witnesses said the rally had started from Borhanuddin upazila in support of Brazil during the World Cup, when Ismail lost control of his motorcycle and fell off the road.

He was rescued and taken to Borhanuddin Upazila Health Complex, where the on-duty doctor declared him dead. According to the residential medical officer Dr Rezwanul Islam, the cause of death was excessive bleeding.

The report did not mention any further investigation or official statements regarding the incident.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is set to unfold across 16 cities amid strained relations among the three neighbors. Despite a show of unity at the draw ceremony in Washington, D.C., underlying disputes over trade, immigration, and drug trafficking remain. U.S. President Donald Trump has emphasized his country’s dominance in the region, a stance that continues to shape cross-border dynamics.

Analysts note that Canada and Mexico still harbor resentment over Trump’s earlier tariff policies and remarks, while internal challenges in Mexico—ranging from infrastructure delays to teacher strikes—add further complications. Experts warn that the logistical hurdles of cross-border travel and heightened U.S. security concerns could exacerbate tensions during the month-long tournament.

Observers suggest that if the three nations manage the event smoothly, it could strengthen regional cooperation and influence ongoing trade negotiations. However, the political sensitivities surrounding the tournament mean that its success or failure could have lasting diplomatic consequences.

Football enthusiasm swept through Palash upazila of Narsingdi as local supporters of Argentina organized a colorful procession on Friday afternoon carrying a 3,000-foot-long national flag of Argentina. The march began at 4 p.m. from Palash Bazar, paraded through the main roads, and concluded at the Palash bus stand. Participants wore Argentina jerseys, waved flags, and filled the area with chants and music.

Supporters said their affection for the Argentina football team has been longstanding. They arranged the event to express support for their favorite team and to spread the festive spirit of football ahead of upcoming matches. Organizer Kalam explained that the initiative aimed to create a football festival atmosphere in the area and share the excitement of the World Cup season.

Local residents described the spontaneous youth-led procession as an eye-catching event that generated widespread enthusiasm among people in and around Palash Bazar.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Cricketers’ Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CoAB) have expressed deep concern over allegations that national team spinner Nayeem Hasan was harassed and physically assaulted by law enforcement officers in Chattogram. The incident reportedly occurred late on June 12 under the Lalkhan Bazar flyover when Nayeem was returning home from the airport after a Dhaka Premier League match. Nayeem claimed that officers stopped his vehicle, attempted to force him into another car, and assaulted him even after he identified himself as a national player.

Following the incident, BCB issued a statement condemning the treatment of a national cricketer as unacceptable and called for a full, impartial investigation. The board said it is maintaining contact with Nayeem and his family and coordinating with local authorities to ensure a fair resolution. It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting players’ safety and dignity.

CoAB also strongly condemned the alleged assault, urging Chattogram Metropolitan Police to take strict action against those involved. The association’s president, Mohammad Mithun, assured Nayeem of full support from fellow cricketers.

Co-host United States began their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with an emphatic 4-1 win over Paraguay in a Group D match held in Los Angeles. Under coach Mauricio Pochettino, the team dominated from the start, with Folarin Balogun scoring twice to lead the victory. The match also saw an early own goal by Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla and a late strike from substitute Giovanni Reyna.

Balogun’s brace made him only the second American player to score multiple goals in a single World Cup match, following Bert Patenaude’s hat-trick in 1930, also against Paraguay. The 4-1 result equaled the United States’ largest winning margin in World Cup history, matching their 3-0 victories over Paraguay and Belgium in 1930. Christian Pulisic played a key role in creating the opening goal and assisting Balogun’s first.

The win gave the United States a confident start to their home World Cup campaign, while Paraguay faced early disappointment in the tournament.

A body was discovered near the hotel where Iran’s national football team is staying in Tijuana, Mexico, as the team trains for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Local police reported that a gray Toyota SUV had been left abandoned for several days in a supermarket parking area close to the team’s hotel and the Caliente Stadium training venue. When a strong odor emerged from the vehicle on Friday, residents alerted authorities. Police found a body wrapped in a black plastic bag inside the trunk, showing clear signs of violence and physical injury.

According to AFP, a special forensic team, under the direction of the Tijuana Prosecutor’s Office, examined the vehicle and collected evidence before sending the body for autopsy. Authorities confirmed that there is no indication of any connection between the incident and the Iranian national team. Police are treating it as a separate criminal case.

Iran had chosen Tijuana as its World Cup base after canceling a planned training camp in the United States due to ongoing political and military tensions between the two countries.

Bangladesh advanced to the semifinals of the under-20 category in the ongoing International Handball Federation (IHF) Trophy tournament in Dhaka. On Friday, the host team defeated the Maldives by 39–17 in their second group-stage match, securing a place in the semifinals. Bangladesh will face Yemen in the first semifinal on Saturday.

Sumal Tonchongya, who played a key role in the victory against the Maldives, said the win was a result of strong teamwork and expressed happiness at earning his first international award. He added that the team had been confident from the first match and that his performance reflected that belief.

Earlier in the day, India beat Bangladesh 39–35 in the under-18 category. Bangladesh will next face Nepal in the under-18 division on Saturday, while India will play Afghanistan the same day.

Ghana’s World Cup campaign faced a setback after Canada denied a visa to team vice-captain Thomas Partey. The decision prevents the midfielder from joining the squad for their opening match against Panama at Toronto’s BMO Field. The Canadian government did not provide an explanation for rejecting his application, leaving Partey unable to travel from the team’s training camp in Boston.

Reports suggest the refusal may be linked to multiple sexual assault allegations against the 32-year-old player, which he has denied. Legal proceedings related to these cases are scheduled to begin next year. FIFA clarified that it has no role in host countries’ visa or immigration decisions, while Canada’s immigration department stated that national security is prioritized and officials have the authority to deny entry when deemed necessary.

Although Partey will miss the first match, he may still feature in Ghana’s next two group-stage games against England and Croatia, both scheduled to take place in the United States. The incident has renewed scrutiny over coordination between FIFA and host nations regarding visa and immigration procedures.