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Iran football team trains in Turkey amid war tensions and World Cup safety fears

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Iran’s men’s national football team has trained in southern Turkey as the players gear up for two crucial pre-World Cup friendlies.

Their preparations are unfolding against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tension, with the squad anticipated to attract significant attention amid the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The team conducted a training session in Belek, a resort area near Antalya, under stringent media restrictions.

Officials stated the measure was to prevent distractions ahead of matches deemed vital for their World Cup readiness.

This cautious approach aligns with recent revelations from federation President Mehdi Taj, who last week confirmed discussions with Fifa regarding relocating Iran’s World Cup fixtures from the United States to Mexico due to player safety concerns.

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Trump indicated it would not be ‘appropriate’ for Iran to play at the World Cup
Trump indicated it would not be ‘appropriate’ for Iran to play at the World Cup (AFP/Getty)

This follows a warning from US president Donald Trump that it would not be “appropriate” for Iran to play in this summer’s tournament.

The Iranian camp has largely sought to maintain a low public profile, anticipating intense political and media scrutiny as the tournament approaches.

In Belek, no interviews with players or coaches were granted, with a team media representative emphasising the squad’s complete focus on their immediate competitive programme.

The team is scheduled to face Nigeria on Friday and Costa Rica on Tuesday in Antalya, fixtures that were originally planned for Jordan but moved to Turkey following the outbreak of the Iran war.

While players appeared relaxed during the sunny training session, with staff and team members observed chatting and joking, individual controversies have recently emerged.

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Forward Mehdi Taremi faced scrutiny after swapping shirts with an Israeli opponent while playing for his club, Olympiacos, in Greece.

Separately, prolific striker Sardar Azmoun, who boasts 57 goals in 91 internationals, was omitted from the squad.

Iranian media reported his exclusion stemmed from a perceived act of disloyalty to the government, following an Instagram post featuring him meeting Dubai’s ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

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Virat Kohli Serves IPL 2026 Rivals Major Warning, Slams 19-Ball 45 In RCB Intra-Squad Match. Watch

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) mentor and batting coach Dinesh Karthik hailed Virat Kohli after the batter scored a 19-ball 45 in the team’s second intra-squad practice game ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Speaking after RCB’s second practice game on Wednesday, Dinesh Karthik praised Virat Kohli for his strong performance in the warm-up match, highlighting his consistency, evolving game plan, and relentless drive to improve. He also emphasised Kohli’s energy and influence both on the field and within the team environment.

“Good game today. The class of Virat came through quite nicely up front, played some lovely shots. The greatness about Virat is every year he comes up with a certain plan, a certain intent. You saw how he’s really upped what he wants to do. I feel this year he’ll try and get even better. That tells a lot about the person that he is. He’s always trying to push his boundaries. And also what he brings in terms of energy to the crowd, to the meetings – those are all big things, and that’s a big part of Virat’s personality as well,” Karthik said in a video posted by RCB on social media.

RCB held their first intra-squad warm-up match on Monday. In that match, wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma scored a 37-ball 81, skipper Rajat Patidar smashed a blazing 25-ball 74, while Kohli played a quick 12-ball 29-run cameo.

Batting first, the team led by Venkatesh Iyer posted 234/7, with Jitesh (81 in 37 balls), Tim David (36 in 14 balls), Iyer (30 in 16 balls) and Virat (29 in 12 balls) dominating the scorecard. In their 20 overs, the other team, led by Krunal, fired 247 runs, with Rajat (74 in 25 balls), Padikkal (63 in 33 balls) and Krunal (58 in 33 balls) delivering standout performances.

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RCB will kickstart their IPL 2026 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad at home in Bengaluru on March 28.

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Women’s Champions League highlights: Manchester United 2-3 Bayern Munich

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Manchester United fan Pernille Harder scored twice against her childhood club at Old Trafford as Bayern Munich gained a precious first-leg advantage in their Champions League quarter-final tie.

REPORT: Manchester United 2-3 Bayern Munich

Available to UK users only.

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Joe Flacco calls out ‘dumb’ teams for not making him an NFL starter

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NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Joe Flacco may be 41 years old, but he still thinks he has plenty left in the tank.

The Super Bowl XLVII champion signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals to be Joe Burrow’s backup, but he wants much more than that.

“Not being one of those guys to go sign somewhere, yeah, it pisses me off a little bit,” Flacco said.

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Joe Flacco makes pass

Joe Flacco of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter of the game at Paycor Stadium on Oct. 16, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

He then added a parting shot at just about every team in the league.

“And believe me, I wish I was the guy somewhere, and I think teams are dumb for not having me be that guy,” he said.

Flacco started last season for the Cleveland Browns and was their Week 1 quarterback, but with two rookies in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the wings, the writing was on the wall.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco warms up

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco warms up before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Dec. 7, 2025. (Mark Konezny/Imagn Images)

Cleveland traded him to Cincinnati after Burrow suffered a serious turf-toe injury, and he found some success. Flacco played well despite going 1-5 as a starter with the Bengals. He threw for at least 200 yards in four of his six starts, and the Bengals’ offense averaged more than 27 points per game.

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But with his success, despite his wishes to be a starter, it’s a good consolation prize.

“I feel like I have unfinished business. That’s part of why I’m here and still playing and doing all those things…” he said. “I had a lot of fun with Joe, and Joe’s the guy.”

Flacco, who was Super Bowl MVP with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2012 season, has played for the Broncos, Jets, Eagles, Jets again, Browns, Colts, Browns again and the Bengals.

Joe Flacco finds a receiver

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) throws a pass against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Paycor Stadium on Nov. 2 2025. (Katie Stratman/Imagn Images)

He has thrown for 48,176 yards, 272 touchdowns and 172 interceptions in 19 seasons. He is 10-6 in the playoffs with 3,530 yards passing, 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Mohamed Salah’s top 5 iconic moments during his time at Liverpool FC | Football News

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Liverpool fans are bracing themselves for the end of an era as Mohamed Salah prepares to leave Anfield after nine sensational years. The Egyptian forward, who has lit up the Premier League with his pace, skill, and finishing ability, leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable moments. 
From crucial goals to historic performances, here are five of Salah’s most memorable contributions in a Liverpool shirt.

 


1. Champions League Redemption: Penalty vs Tottenham, Madrid, June 1, 2019

 

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After the heartbreak of the 2018 Kiev final, where Salah was injured following a clash with Sergio Ramos, the 2019 Champions League final offered a chance for redemption. Salah approached his penalty with steely determination, recalling the previous year’s setback to fuel his resolve. His composed finish past Hugo Lloris not only gave Liverpool an early advantage but also served as poetic justice after the prior year’s disappointment. It was a defining moment of resilience and maturity for the superstar.

 
 


2. Historic Hat-Trick: Manchester United, Premier League, October 24, 2021

 

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Salah silenced doubters and made history at Old Trafford with a stunning hat-trick. He first assisted Naby Keita’s opener before scoring twice before halftime and completing his treble in the second half with a Jordan Henderson setup. This performance marked the first hat-trick by an opposition player at Old Trafford in the Premier League era, cementing Salah’s reputation as a big-game performer and a nightmare for Liverpool’s fiercest rivals.


3. Masterclass vs Manchester City: Premier League, Anfield, October 3, 2021

 


During one of the most thrilling Liverpool-City encounters under Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, Salah’s goal stood out for its brilliance. Evading three defenders with exquisite close control and finishing with a right-footed strike past Ederson, Salah displayed skill reminiscent of Lionel Messi. This goal exemplified his peak form and ability to deliver in high-stakes Premier League clashes.

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4. Champions League Quarter-Final Brilliance: Manchester City, April 10, 2018

 


In the 2018 quarter-final, Liverpool had won the first leg 3-0, but the second leg posed a significant challenge as City pushed hard for a comeback. Salah’s calm, precise finish over Ederson showcased his ability to maintain composure under pressure. Celebrating with arms outstretched, he embodied confidence and dominance, giving Liverpool fans one of the season’s iconic European moments.

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5. First Premier League Goal at Anfield: Arsenal, August 27, 2017

 

Salah’s first league goal at Anfield was a glimpse of his extraordinary talent. Collecting the ball from his own half, he surged past multiple Arsenal defenders with breathtaking speed and control before finishing clinically. This goal not only announced Salah as a player of special quality but also signaled the start of a decade of thrilling performances for Liverpool supporters. 
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Mohamed Salah at Liverpool: By the Numbers 


4 Golden Boots: Salah secured the Premier League’s top scorer award four times during his Liverpool career (2017-18, 2018-19, 2021-22, 2024-25), equalling Arsenal legend Thierry Henry’s record. 


8 Major Trophies: The Egyptian superstar helped Liverpool lift two Premier League titles, one Champions League, one FA Cup, two League Cups, the Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup. 

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$50 Million Transfer: Liverpool paid $50 million to sign Salah from Roma in 2017. 


255 Goals: Salah scored 255 goals for Liverpool, placing him third on the club’s all-time scoring list behind Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285). 


435 Appearances: Across all competitions, Salah made 435 appearances, leaving an indelible mark on the club’s history.

 

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NFL fans react as Patrick Mahomes throws ball 3 months after tearing ACL

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The Kansas City Chiefs had an underwhelming 2025 season as they missed the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade. Their season got worse after quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ ACL injury.

Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the Week 15 clash against the nfl/los-angeles-chargers” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer” data-is-sponsored=”false”>Los Angeles Chargers. The Pro Bowl quarterback, who is eyeing a Week 1 return for the 2026 season, shared a clip of himself throwing the ball in rehab on his Instagram story.

“Day by day! Felt great being able to throw the ball around today,” Mahomes wrote.

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NFL fans reacted to Mahomes starting to throw after just 100 days of recovery.

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“Going to be a great backup to Fields.”

Going to be a great backup to Fields

“Good. We want him nice and healthy for bills chiefs week 1, it wouldn’t feel right to beat the chiefs without him there.”

Good. We want him nice and healthy for bills chiefs week 1, it wouldn’t feel right to beat the chiefs without him there.

“Great for him. Let me know when 350lb linemen are chasing and tackling him.”

Great for him. Let me know when 350lb linemen are chasing and tackling him.

“Literally 0 drive off the left leg. Absolutely pointless even practicing like this, all you’re going to do is ingrain bad habits. It’s good for an instagram video though I guess.”

Literally 0 drive off the left leg. Absolutely pointless even practicing like this, all you’re going to do is ingrain bad habits. It’s good for an instagram video though I guess.

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“He does NOT want Fields to start next season 😂”

@MySportsUpdate He does NOT want Fields to start next season 😂

While Mahomes continues on his road to recovery, the Chiefs traded for ex-New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields last week. The five-year veteran is the Chiefs’ insurance if Mahomes fails to recover in time for the 2026 season.

Also Read: Patrick Mahomes predicted to get help from 2,282 YD college WR as per latest mock draft

Also Read: Patrick Mahomes’ injury timeline puts Justin Fields chasing unprecedented NFL history: Report

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