World Cup Controversy

The Egypt coach crossed his arms into FIFA's official racism-alert symbol during Egypt's heartbreaking exit to Argentina — but no protocol was triggered, and nobody has explained why One of the most talked-about moments of the 2026 FIFA World Cup didn't come from a goal. It came from a gesture. As Egypt's dramatic Round of 16 exit to Argentina reached its final, chaotic minutes, head coach Hossam Hassan raised both arms and crossed his forearms into an "X" in front of the fourth

Iran's push for a ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 has been shrouded in further controversy when head coach Amir Ghalenoei revealed his squad did not have sufficient time to recover after being ordered to leave the United States immediately following their Group G opener against New Zealand. Melli came away with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand Monday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. But instead of remaining overnight to recover, the Iranian delegation was allegedly ordered to head straight back

An aide to US President Donald Trump has called for the Fifa to swap Iran with Italy in the next World Cup, according to reports in the Financial Times on Wednesday. According to the FT, which cites people familiar with the matter, the plan is also part of an effort to mend relations between Mr Trump and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after her government and widely supportive sections of the Italian media fell out with the American president following his assaults on

Pakistan cricket chief Mohsin Naqvi said on Monday that a decision will be held back for up to a week finalising whether the team would pull out of next month's Twenty20 World Cup, paving the way for a potential boycott over Bangladesh backing down. Naqvi was scheduled to meet Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday to seek his advice but a call is expected before then with the cricket board boss posting on X: "The final decision will either be taken Friday or next