On the eve of the opening match, FIFA president Gianni Infantino held a press conference in Mexico City, addressing the various controversies surrounding the tournament. He also commented on the case of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry upon arrival in the United States before being welcomed back as a hero in Mogadishu.

In athletics, 17-year-old American prospect Cooper Lutkenhaus produced the fastest 800-metre time in the world this year at the Oslo Diamond League meeting.

In tennis, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard reached the quarter-finals in Stuttgart, while Arthur Fils, who has withdrawn from Halle, will arrive at Wimbledon without having played a single grass-court match this season.

If Edin Dzeko played for a bigger footballing nation, this wouldn’t be just his second appearance at the tournament. But 12 years after Bosnia-Herzegovina failed to make it out of the group stage in Brazil, the now 40-year-old striker and his country are back on the game’s biggest stage.

Although Bosnia-Herzegovina, which gained its independence in 1992, has only made it to the one previous World Cup and never qualified for a European Championship, Dzeko has played an incredible 148 times (scoring 73 goals) for his country.

Growing up in a besieged capital

That independence came at a heavy price, as it was engulfed in one of the wars that followed the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. The capital, Sarajevo, was particularly hard hit, enduring almost four years of siege by Yugoslav National Army and the newly formed Bosnian-Serb army, which held the mountains surrounding the city. Between 1992 and 1995 more than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, were killed through shelling and by snipers in Sarajevo alone.

Dzeko was six years old when the war broke out and during the siege, kicking a ball around on the streets of the ever-more battered capital was a welcome distraction.

“Our home was destroyed, so we had to move in with my grandparents. The whole family lived there under one roof, maybe 15 people crammed into an apartment of 35 square meters,” Dzeko told British newspaper The Mail in 2011 of his experience of the war.

“It was constant stress and worry, in case something happened or news came through that someone we knew had been killed. I was only young, and I cried often, through fear. Every day, you could hear the guns firing, and we lost family, friends and even some relatives.”

From Sarajevo to Wolfsburg and beyond

He would continue his development in the academy of one of the city’s two big clubs, FK Zeljeznicar. That’s where he made his debut as a professional in Bosnia-Herzegovina’s topflight in 2003, but this would be the beginning of the end of his career in his homeland. His first coach, who happened to be Czech, convinced FK Teplice to sign him for a reported €25,000 ($28,870) two years later.

There, he attracted the attention of German coach Felix Magath, who brought Dzeko to Wolfsburg in the summer of 2007, the same year he made his debut for the senior national team for Bosnia-Herzegovina. It was in Wolfsburg where he flourished. Alongside Grafite, he was one half of the most prolific striking duo in Bundesliga history, combining for a total of 54 goals (28 for Grafite, 26 for Dzeko) as the pair led the club to their only league title in 2009.

By then, the “Bosnian diamond,” as he had been dubbed by a local broadcaster, was coveted by top clubs all over Europe. He went on to win titles at Manchester City and Inter, while also enjoying successful spells at Roma and Fenerbahce before returning to Italy’s Serie A with Fiorentina this past season. By then he had racked up 369 goals in 856 games in all competitions for his various clubs.

Returning to Germany

At 39, having managed just one goal in five Conference League matches for Fiorentina, and none in his 11 Serie A appearances, it seemed as if his long career was drawing to a close. In December, a frustrated Dzeko started looking for a new club — one where he would again get regular minutes.

This came just as second-division German side Schalke were looking to boost their chances of winning promotion back to the topflight. Their Bosnian-born coach, Miron Muslic, who fled the war with his parents as a child, could hardly believe his luck when he learned that Dzeko was prepared to take a big pay cut to play in a lower league. In fact, Dzeko was so eager to play, that he turned down Schalke’s offer to send a plane for him, having already booked a commercial flight to Germany.

Just days after his arrival, Dzeko was back in his familiar blue and white, the traditional colors not only of Schalke, but also his first club, Zeljeznicar, and the Bosnian national team. Coming on as a sub, he scored his first of six goals in the second half of the season as he helped Schalke seal promotion just weeks after his 40th birthday.

“I’ve won quite a few titles during my career. But I’ve never celebrated one like we did here at Schalke,” Dzeko told the club’s website afterwards. “I said from day one that Schalke belongs in the Bundesliga.”

A ‘perfect few months’

All the while, Dzeko remained captain of the national team, determined to make it to one more World Cup — a proposition that seemed extremely unlikely when another Bosnian legend, Sergej Barbarez, took over as coach of “The Dragons” in April 2024. Not much was expected of Barbarez, considering the fact that although he had completed his coaching badges years earlier, he had absolutely no experience in the role.

But Barbarez, an impressive Bundesliga striker in his own right in the 1990s and 2000s, had a way of inspiring a mainly young Bosnian side to the kind of success they hadn’t seen in over a decade, upsetting Italy in a playoff to qualify for North America. Dzeko was a big part of the campaign.

“I wanted to help bring the club (Schalke) back to where it belongs,” he said. “The fact that I also qualified for the World Cup with the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team has made the past few months perfect. I absolutely made the right decision.”

Edin Dzeko seems to have made a habit of making the right choices over his long career. Seeing him make it to one last World Cup stands out as a feel-good story going into a tournament largely making the headlines for the wrong reasons.

The Dayton Peace Agreement 30 years on

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Edited by: Jonathan Harding 

Advertisement

 

Leichhardt Oval will play host to Sunday’s
Round 15 NRL game between Wests Tigers and
Gold Coast Titans. The game kicks off at 4:05 pm with Wests Tigers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Wests Tigers vs.
Gold Coast Titans
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday June 14, 2026 at 4:05 pm

Where: Leichhardt Oval

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Wests Tigers vs Gold Coast Titans Odds

Wests Tigers vs Gold Coast Titans Preview

Two teams attempting to salvage disappointing campaigns meet at Leichhardt Oval when the Wests Tigers host the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers are reeling after a humiliating defeat to Penrith and have now lost four of their past five matches, a dramatic reversal after their promising start to the season. The Titans arrive with renewed confidence following a stirring comeback win over Brisbane, snapping a lengthy losing streak and producing one of their best attacking displays of the year. Leichhardt Oval has been a fortress for the Tigers, but confidence is fragile after conceding heavy scores throughout the past month. With both teams sitting outside the finals picture and desperate to build momentum, Sunday’s clash looms as a crucial opportunity to keep fading hopes alive.

They were two iconic shirt celebrations that came to define a rivalry like no other – but how much did Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo drive each other?

Hear from leading journalists on how two of football’s greatest players reached unprecedented heights.

Watch Rivals: Messi v Ronaldo now on BBC iPlayer and listen to Sporting Giants: Messi v Ronaldo on BBC Sounds.

Vikings d-lineman Elijah Williams is a success story playing out in real time. Already, the young fella has exceeded expectations by going from offseason tryout to UDFA contract to 53-man roster.

Williams, quite evidently, isn’t incapable of overcoming long odds.

After the second day of minicamp at TCO Performance Center,Vikings Territory had the chance to chat with the Vikings d-lineman for a few minutes. Doing so offered an opportunity to learn a bit more about his comfort level going into his sophomore season, how he has been building his body, and working under the coaching from Ryan Nielsen.

Vikings D-Lineman Elijah Williams is Back and Burly

Williams likes the teaching he’s getting from Coach Nielsen.

Being able to watch the defensive line coach go to work is a treat. He’s ultra specific in his instructions, leaving little room for ambiguity about how to defeat blockers. Williams has noticed: “I love it because he’s just going to make sure that you’re doing the right thing and you understand why you’re doing it. He’s a great coach.”

“That hands on really helps,” Williams clarified, “and you can tell, you can feel his enthusiasm.”

After saying that he’s feeling healthy and well, Elijah Williams described adding on some size to better thrive in the rough-and-tumble life of an NFL lineman.

Williams explained that he’s sitting at 305 and that that has been intentional: “I’m going to stay in that range, it feels better for taking on double teams.” Any lineman living on the inside needs to be able to soak up blocks, but generally it’s a 1T — shaded on the center — who clogs running lanes while demanding a pair of blockers. Williams foresees some of that regardless of being a touch closer to the end of the line.

— READ MORE: Brian Flores Landed the Corner He Had Been Chasing for a While —
— READ MORE: J.J. McCarthy Answers Burning Question Amid Trade Rumors —

Last season, Williams played in seven games, earning 9 tackles within his 42 snaps on defense and 29 snaps on special teams. He’ll be looking to increase his workload and his production.

Describing a willingness to play essentially “everywhere” given Brian Flores’ proclivity for shuffling players around, Williams said that he feels “very comfortable.” Part of that has meant “less nervousness,” thereby allowing him to focus on his “technique.”

“I’m just trying to take it day by day. I just want to be better than I was last year. Make more of an impact on this team,” Williams said.

As things stand, Jalen Redmond is the top player along the defensive line. He’ll be supported by a pair of rookies in Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange. Moreover, Levi Drake Rodriguez is a noticeable presence on the field, offering great burst and energy. He, too, will be somebody who is very important.

Lost in the shuffle, perhaps, is Elijah Williams. The 23-year-old Vikings d-lineman is unlikely to be the second coming of Kevin Williams, but he’s a good ball player who has shown a knack for winning an uphill battle.

The defender is back and heavier. Ideally, that allows him to prove sturdier at the line of scrimmage as he helps a team undergoing a broader youth movement within the front seven.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Advertisement

A look at the Imran Mir-led Afghanistan A squad for the tri-nation series:

Imran Mir(c), Noor ul Rahman(w), Hassan Eisakhil, Bahir Shah, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Farmanullah Safi, Shams Ur Rahman, Khalil Gurbaz, Zahir Khan, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Mohammad Ibrahim, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Khalid Taniwal, Ishaq Rahimi, Faisal Khan Ahmadzai

The wait is finally over.

After years of preparation, billions of dollars in investment and months of anticipation, the 2026 Fifa World Cup will kick off on Thursday night with an extravagant opening ceremony in Mexico before the hosts take on South Africa in the tournament opener.

For Mexico, the occasion marks another chapter in football history. The country becomes the first nation to host matches in three separate World Cups, having previously staged the tournament in 1970 and 1986. This time, however, it shares hosting duties with the United States and Canada as football’s biggest spectacle expands to an unprecedented 48 teams and 104 matches.

Yet as the first whistle approaches, conversations around the World Cup are not limited to tactics, title contenders or star players. Instead, immigration disputes, soaring ticket prices, political tensions and fan protests have emerged as dominant themes in the build-up to the tournament.

And for millions of football fans in India, the next month could also mean sleepless nights.

Midnight kick-offs and early-morning finishes for Indian fans

The 2026 World Cup will be unlike any previous edition for Indian viewers.

Spread across 16 host cities and four time zones in North America, the tournament’s schedule is set to dramatically alter viewing habits. While the opening ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10.30 pm IST, the opening match between Mexico and South Africa will start at 12.30 am IST on Friday.

Over the next month, Indian supporters will need to navigate a demanding schedule, with matches stretching through the night and continuing into the early morning hours. Depending on the venue, games will begin anywhere between midnight and late morning IST.

For a country with one of the world’s largest football audiences, the tournament promises a month-long test of endurance as fans prepare to sacrifice sleep in pursuit of football’s biggest prize.

A World Cup under a cloud

The World Cup has traditionally projected itself as a celebration capable of uniting nations and cultures. This year, however, the tournament arrives amid extraordinary off-field turbulence.

The United States, which will host 78 of the tournament’s 104 matches, including every fixture from the Round of 16 onwards, is currently engaged in a military conflict with Iran — one of the participating nations. That geopolitical backdrop has amplified scrutiny of immigration policies and visa procedures.

In recent weeks, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was denied entry into the United States despite being appointed for World Cup duties. Iraqi footballers and support staff were reportedly detained for questioning upon arrival. Iranian officials have also raised concerns over visa delays affecting members of their delegation.

The incidents have fuelled criticism from supporters, governments and football officials who argue that host nations carry a responsibility to ensure smooth access for players, officials and fans.

Outside the stadiums, protests have also surfaced in parts of Mexico, reflecting concerns ranging from ticket affordability to broader political issues surrounding the tournament.

The ticket price debate refuses to fade

If immigration has become one flashpoint, ticket pricing has become another.

No issue has generated more discussion among supporters than the cost of attending matches.

Fifa initially priced group-stage tickets from $140, while standard seats for the July 19 final in New Jersey climbed as high as $8,680. Hospitality packages surged to $73,200, while prices for some premium final tickets rose to $10,990 before later increasing to $32,970.

The governing body’s dynamic pricing model has attracted criticism from supporters’ groups and consumer organisations, which argue that football’s premier event is becoming increasingly inaccessible to ordinary fans.

For comparison, ticket prices at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar ranged from $69 to $1,607.

The controversy has become so prominent that Fifa President Gianni Infantino addressed the issue directly on the eve of the tournament.

“If you sell it at a lower price point,” Infantino said, “in this particular market it would have gone — which is perfectly legal in this country … in secondary markets at much, much, much higher prices and where would the money go then? Well, to those who organise secondary markets or black market activities and not to football.”

Infantino argued that Fifa’s pricing strategy was designed to keep revenue within football rather than allowing resellers to profit from demand.

The Fifa president also dismissed concerns over investigations launched by authorities in several US states.

“When it comes to these legal investigations or complaints that were made in some states in the US,” he said, “we are very relaxed about it because before starting to sell six-and-a-half or seven million tickets we check what we do with the best lawyers, with the best experts.”

Immigration concerns reach Fifa headquarters

The Fifa president also faced questions about visa controversies involving teams and officials.

Addressing the case of Somali referee Artan, who was denied entry into the United States over unspecified security concerns, Infantino acknowledged Fifa’s limitations.

“We don’t control everything. We try. We’ll discuss, we will speak, we’ll see. Maybe sometimes it’s good as well to just chill, relax,” he said.

“We try to solve everything. Sometimes to immediately start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect of finding a solution.”

Artan had been set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup.

Infantino defended Fifa’s efforts to ensure Iran’s participation despite the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Washington.

“I think it has already been successful to bring Iran to play in America,” he said. “I don’t know who would have managed to do that.”

The Iranian team eventually shifted its training base to Mexico and plans to fly into the United States shortly before matches.

Bigger than ever before

Beyond the controversies lies the tournament itself.

The 2026 edition is the largest World Cup in history, featuring 48 nations instead of 32 and expanding from 64 matches to 104. Fifa expects the competition to generate approximately $11 billion in revenue and attract billions of viewers worldwide.

Infantino went even further in his assessment.

The Fifa president described the World Cup as “the biggest event probably in the history of mankind”. Such claims may sound ambitious, but they underline the scale of the challenge facing organisers.

For the next month, football will dominate conversations across continents. New heroes will emerge, old rivalries will be renewed and one nation will ultimately lift the trophy in New Jersey on July 19 (July 20 according to Indian Standard Time (IST).

Yet as Mexico prepares to welcome the world for the opening ceremony, the tournament begins carrying more baggage than any World Cup in recent memory.

The football may finally be ready to start.

Whether it can reclaim centre stage from the controversies surrounding it remains the tournament’s first big question.

As a (mostly) lifelong Minnesotan, we love that we get all four seasons here. We’ll endure the negative temps because we love snow for the holidays, and while the spring can get soggy, it allows us to shed some layers and get excited for the summer, where we’ll spend the majority of our time on golf courses and lakes. Then comes the fall, our true underrated season, where it’s just about perfect.

And what, you might ask, does this have to do with this story? Let me explain.

The weather here is also extremely unpredictable, and that’s usually the case for Memorial Day. The frigid temps are gone but the heat wave of late July has yet to arrive. The weather usually falls somewhere in-between but varies wildly. That’s exactly what happened this Memorial Day weekend, when a quick trip up north — everyone goes “up north” here — encapsulated three different seasons in a three-day span. That was actually OK by me — it offered the chance to test out some new gear from Vuori.

Known for their premium, stylish and comfortable performance apparel, I snagged my first Vuori shirt a few months ago and loved it. I work from home and like to stay active, so it was a smart and seamless addition to my wardrobe. And some new items from the brand’s men’s golf collection arrived right before my Memorial Day getaway, which turned out to be the perfect testing grounds.

Advertisement

Aim Short 8″

Our Aim Short is a fairway favorite that looks great with polos, sweaters, and t-shirts.

Advertisement

On a 50-degree Saturday morning, the Aim Trousers were perfect for a lakeside coffee stroll, and they fit right in at the restaurant later that night. Lightweight and stretchy, they would have been great for the golf course, too, but when the weather morphed from spring to summer overnight, I changed to the Aim Shorts to hit the pitch-and-putt with the family.

The Aim Collection (both pants/shorts are 67% Polyester, 25% Cotton and 8% Elastane) is exactly what you’d want at a golf resort. Casual and comfortable enough to be on vacation, formal enough for dinner and drinks and perfect for any golf course.

Advertisement

Strato Tech Hoodie

The unbelievably soft Strato Tee reinvented as a hoodie. This long sleeve layer is moisture-wicking, ultra-soft and ready for sprints and spring training.

Advertisement

And the Sunday Element Half Zip — I love the Agate Green Heather option — perfectly complemented the Aim Trousers, while the Strato Tech Polo — so lightweight and comfy I felt like I wasn’t wearing anything — was the dressed-up casual look I needed for a nicer restaurant. Although my favorite item might have been the one I used for the car ride home, the uber-soft Strato Tech Hoodie. I found it ideal for travel-day comfortability, although you can also wear it on a run or out with friends.

Like everything from Vuori, you have options. And the best part? The timing. Father’s Day is fast approaching, and I never know what to ask for. This year? I finally have some great ideas. You can browse more from Vuori below.