India’s players and support staff celebrate with the trophy after winning the T20 World Cup final match against New Zealand, in Ahmedabad, India, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP)
TimesofIndia.com in Ahmedabad: Since that emotional night on November 19, 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, India have won the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy but the feeling of incompleteness persisted due to the heartbreak in the 50-over World Cup final. In the build-up to the 2026 title clash at the same venue, the unforgettable past was remembered. Even though Suryakumar Yadav hadn’t lost a single series since taking charge in 2024, the hype of the World Cup was approached with caution. In the final, the team carrying the burden of a billion hopes in 2026 and the billion heartbreaks of 2023, delivered. And delivered with aplomb!A dominant India completely outplayed New Zealand to seal an emphatic win and become the only T20I side in history to lift back-to-back World Cup titles, and also became the first side win the trophy at home. The much-anticipated title clash turned out to be a no-contest with Suryakumar Yadav and Co. clinically owning the night, occasion and match to add another ICC trophy to their cabinet. This was coach Gautam Gambhir’s second title in as many outings in command, completing a thoroughly entertaining, and dominating, two-year cycle leading up to the big night in Ahmedabad.Chasing a mammoth 256 runs, New Zealand never really got going. Maybe it was the noise. Maybe it was the Indian bowling but bar Tim Seifert (52) and skipper Mitchell Santner (43), none of the other batters worked for the BlackCaps. Santner had wished to replicate Pat Cummins & Co. from three years ago, but in the end it was an insipid showing.For India, Jasprit Bumrah took 4/15 and stood on the cusp of taking a hat-trick at one stage. Axar Patel took three; Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakaravarthy and Abhishek Sharma plucked one each. Only Arshdeep Singh, who would take headlines for his needless go at Daryl Mitchell, went wicketless.Sometimes one shot brings a player back into form but for India, Lockie Ferguson’s over in the powerplay opened the floodgates and set the tone for the remainder of the innings. Edges flew in unintended directions but achieved the desired result. The New Zealand speedster tried to overcompensate by erring in length and was dealt with disdain. Control was not his strongest suit in the fourth over, which went for 24 runs and also brought up the first 50-run opening stand in a T20 World Cup final since the 2009 edition.India openers Sanju Samson (89 off 46 balls) and Abhishek Sharma (52 off 21 balls) put on 98 runs in just 43 balls after New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to field at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The opening stand set the tone for India as they posted 255 for 5.Abhishek Sharma was not in complete control but rode his luck to either make enough connection or find the right placement. There were a couple of chances for the fielders but “just enough” remained for the powerplay. Just one over of off-spin in the powerplay proved a tactical blunder from the Black Caps as both Sanju Samson and Abhishek feasted on some very ordinary bowling to post 92/0, the highest powerplay score in the tournament’s history. Although the two had different control percentages, they easily found and cleared the boundaries, giving the side an ominous start.The first two overs, when the fielding restrictions were on, were the only time India seemed happy to block a few deliveries as absolute carnage unfolded the moment Jacob Duffy was introduced into the attack. After 12/0 at the end of the second over, the openers added 80 runs in the next four overs. Abhishek kept batting in the same gear, the way he had longed for in the games preceding the title clash, and reached the fastest half-century of the tournament off only 18 balls. The warm hug from coach Gautam Gambhir during the drinks interval showed how the dressing room had always stood behind him and celebrated what was a superb knock under pressure.While Abhishek departed shortly after scoring his half-century, Samson continued business as usual, looking in pristine form and completing his third consecutive half-century in the tournament. The shot selection, clean connections and effortless ability to time the ball sweetly made the New Zealand bowlers duck for cover. Both Samson and the next batter, Ishan Kishan (54 off 25 balls), did not let the momentum slip as together they added 105 runs off just 48 balls to put the Kiwis on the mat.Right from the moment he walked out to bat, Ishan looked a man possessed and instantly found his spots, just as he has been doing for the last couple of months. There was muscle, there was grace and there were plenty of runs as India produced yet another daunting display with the bat. It was something expected from this dangerous unit before the start of the tournament and something that finally happened when it mattered the most, in the Super 8s, the semi-final and now the final.Samson’s 46-ball 89 and Kishan’s 25-ball 54 were exactly the contributions India needed from their top order on this batting paradise, which was aided by listless bowling. James Neesham briefly applied the brakes with a tight third over but Shivam Dube (26 not out off 8 balls) was ready to play another impactful hand to push the total beyond 250 and well beyond the Kiwis’ reach.The 256-run chase required the Kiwis not just to fly but to soar. They had the firepower in the ranks but a big match, a well-rounded Indian bowling attack and over 85,000 fans behind the defending champions meant it was going to be anything but a repeat of the domination seen in the Eden Gardens semi-final. The powerplay holds the key in these mammoth chases and India aced the first six overs to break the opposition’s back before they could gain momentum in the run chase.It could have been much worse had Shivam Dube not interrupted Arshdeep Singh’s celebration by dropping a sitter off his bowling but the combined brilliance of the left-armer, Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel reduced the opponents to just 52/3.Brief Scores:India: 255 for 5 in 20 overs. (Sanju Samson 89, Ishan Kishan 54, Abhishek Sharma 52; James Neesham 3/46).New Zealand: 159 all out in 19 overs. (Tim Seifert 52, J Bumrah 4/15, Axar Patel 3/23).
Africa’s top women’s basketball team, D’Tigress of Nigeria, arrived in France yesterday to a warm welcome and immediately kicked off their preparations with their first training session under coach Rena Wakama. The team is set to compete in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualification tournament in Lyon-Villeurbanne.
Speaking to NBBF media about the team’s readiness to face some of the world’s strongest basketball nations, multiple award-winning coach Rena Wakama expressed confidence and excitement.
“Our preparations have been intense, and this tournament in Lyon is an important part of that process. It gives us the chance to test ourselves against top competition and see where we stand as a team. The players have shown great commitment, discipline and hunger. I believe we’re moving in the right direction as we prepare for the World Cup in Germany,” she said.
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The final roster of 12 players combines experience, youth, and energy, creating what Wakama described as a balanced squad.
“What’s different this time is the balance we have. We have a strong core of experienced players who understand the expectations and culture of D’Tigress, and we’ve added younger talents who bring fresh energy and competitiveness. Tactically, we are improving with faster transitions, stronger defensive communication, and better team chemistry,” she added.
Acknowledging the high hopes of Nigerians at home and abroad, Wakama emphasised that her players are ready and proud to represent their country.
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“With everything going on in the world today, we are grateful for the chance to play the game we love. These World Cup qualifiers are the only professional women’s basketball games being played and televised globally this week. Representing Nigeria is a huge honour for every player, and we want to make our supporters proud. They will see a team that fights for every possession, plays unselfish basketball, and never gives up. Our goal is to compete strongly, showcase the growth of Nigerian women’s basketball, and continue building the legacy of D’Tigress on the world stage,” she said.
The reigning AfroBasket champions, who face some of the world’s basketball giants, open their campaign on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, against Colombia. They will then face Korea, followed by Philippines, tournament hosts France, and Germany—who will host the FIBA World Cup later this year—from 14 to 17 March 2026, respectively.
India’s captain Shubman Gill during a press conference, ahead of the first ODI cricket match of a series between India and New Zealand, in Vadodara, Gujarat. (PTI Photo/Ravi Choudhary)
NEW DELHI: After India won their third T20 World Cup under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy, former opener Aakash Chopra said it would be difficult for Shubman Gill to return to the T20I side, let alone become captain.Gill, who currently leads India in Tests and ODIs, had made a comeback to the T20I squad in 2025 after 14 months and was even named vice-captain during the Asia Cup.
Gautam Gambhir reflects on India’s World Cup win and backing Sanju Samson in the tournament
However, his form remained underwhelming, failing to score a half-century in 15 matches, which eventually led to his exclusion from the World Cup squad.With India performing strongly and winning the tournament, Chopra believes the team is unlikely to consider Gill for T20I leadership again. “It’s going to be difficult, although the Indian team thought that it would become easier if there were one captain for all three formats. However, it won’t happen at all. I feel we won’t be able to do that because he is the Test and ODI captain, but he can’t get the T20I captaincy. At this moment, even his name coming is difficult because of the way the Indian team has been playing, especially the last four games,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.Chopra also suggested that Gill should focus on excelling in longer formats rather than trying to adjust his game for T20Is. “When are you talking about 250, and that too in a World Cup, then you don’t think you need an anchor. Shubman Gill can adapt and change, but we shouldn’t lose Shubman Gill, the Test batter, in trying to find that, and lose the Shubman Gill who can become an absolute giant in ODIs. I think it’s going to be difficult for Shubman Gill,” he noted.
Cheltenham Festival continues on day two of the event with another round of fierce competition at Prestbury Park and we’ve collated the best free bets to use on the action.
UK betting sites have a wide range of Cheltenham free bets available, from a raft of specific Cheltenham offers tailored to each day and race-specific specials, betting sign up offers, best odds guaranteed, price boosts, acca boosts and more.
We’ve compiled this complete guide for the best Cheltenham offers for the 2026 Festival, which runs until Friday.
Best Cheltenham free bets day 2
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Rank
Bookmaker
Offer
1
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Sky Bet
Get enhanced odds of 60/1 on Majborough to finish in the top three in the Champion Chase. New customers only, £1 max bet and free bets are credited in 6x £10 free bet tokens.
2
Paddy Power
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Back Majborough at 50/1 to win the Champion Chase and get a £10 free bet for the Champions League tonight. Open to new customers who stake £1 on Majborough to win at the normal odds. Enhanced winnings paid as free bets.
3
LiveScore
Bet on the first race on Wednesday and receive a free bet to use on any other race on the card. Free bet value varies from customer to customer. Also, get your money back as a free bet if your horse finishes 2nd, 3rd or 4th in selected races.
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4
Tote
Money back as a free bet on every race at the Cheltenham Festival if your horse finishes second in a race. The maximum free bet refund available is £10.
5
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Virgin Bet
Bet on the Coral Cup (14.40) on Wednesday and if your horse doesn’t win, Virgin Bet will refund your stake in free bets.
The above free bet offers are available to use on betting sites for Cheltenham Festival races on day two.
The best Cheltenham betting sites offer free bets to use on specific races on day two, including the Coral Cup, Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, Cross Country Handicap Chase and the signature event of the afternoon, the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
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Free bets are useful for both new and experienced punters for betting on the action, allowing customers to bet without risking their own funds on races.
Users can secure Cheltenham offers by either using betting sign up offers or existing customers rewards through bet and get promos, loyalty bonuses, price boosts and more.
How we evaluate Cheltenham free bets
Licensing: Cheltenham betting sites recommended on this page are all licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This ensures that customers’ details are protected and they are using a regulated product.
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Welcome offer: Cheltenham betting sign up offers should match the significance of the occasion with higher offers than usual. We only consider
Betting bonuses: A wide range of betting offers should be available including free bets, moneyback specials, best odds guaranteed, non-runner no bet, price boosts, acca boosts, extra places and many more.
Value: We look for free bet offers and promotions that bring users the best Cheltenham odds, either for betting on the event or odds thresholds to unlock betting promos.
Markets: Cheltenham betting offers should cover different markets and bets to offer customers a diverse range of options.
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Payment options: Cheltenham betting offers should permit customers to use wide variety of payment options, including PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay and more to unlock betting sign up offers and others.
(The Independent)
Today’s best Cheltenham odds
Horses to follow at Cheltenham today
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If you’re considering having a bet on Cheltenham today but you’re no sure where to place your money, here’s a few suggestions based on recent form:
In the opening race at 1.20, keep an eye on Bambino Fever. She impressed when winning comfortably at Fairyhouse on her last outing, showing a big improvement on just her second start over hurdles.
In the 2.40, Wodhooh looks interesting with a good record over fences. She has been consistent with solid form this season, only losing to a Champion Hurdler.
One of the day’s biggest draws will be Fact To File in the 4.00. He won this race with ease last year and is back at Cheltenham in rampant form thanks to a dominant win at the Dublin Racing Festival.
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Responsible gambling
Bettors should always gamble responsibly. Always remain within a budget and never exceed it. Never chase your losses.
Anyone can lose a bet even if they know a lot about horse racing. It is easy to get carried away with Cheltenham Festival, so remain in control of your time and betting.
Bettors can use responsible gambling tools provided by betting sites such as deposit limits, loss limits and self-exclusion among others.
Should you wish to seek help for gambling-related issues, there are several charities, organisations and healthcare providers who offer support and information:
We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
It’s day two of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival – Ladies Day.
This afternoon’s seven-race card features four Grade 1 contests where the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase at 4.00pm headlines the day’s card.
Most of the focus will on Majborough, who will likely start a short price. If producing similar form to his win at the Dublin Racing Festival last month, he should win.
13 odd-on favourites beaten
Favourites in the race have a poor record, however. There have been 13 odds-on favourites this century but just three have won. Big name favourites such as Moscow Flyer (2004), Master Minded (2010), Sizing Europe (2012), Un De Sceaux (2016), Douvan (2017), Defi Du Seuil (2020), Chacun Pour Soi (2021), Shishkin (2022) & Jonbon (2025) have all been beaten in the two-mile chasing championship.
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Can I’ll Sort That give Queally Cheltenham Grade 1
The opening Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Hurdle at 1.20pm will have 13 Irish-trained runners. I’ll Sort That, who was a first winner at the highest level for Waterford handler and jockey, Declan Queally, looks to have a little to find on form based on his BHA rating of 144 – Ballyfad is rated 149 – but could make the frame.
The Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase which Lecky Watson won last season will have 11 Irish challengers in the now 14-runner field, following the withdrawal of Predators Gold and The big Westerner this morning.
Mullins bids for 15th win
The final Grade 1, and race, of the day. the Weatherbys Bumper at 5.20pm will see Willie Mullins bid for a 15th success in the race since its inception in 1992. The Closutton handler has five runners in the race, which interestingly, he won as an amateur jockey in 1996, aboard Wither Or Which.
WWE has been forced to scrap a planned WrestleMania 42 title match due to a real-life injury. With the Show of Shows edging closer with each passing day, the promotion has been hit with a few unfortunate injuries.
Last week, Jordynne Grace was injured during a WWE Main Event taping ahead of SmackDown. She was involved in a match with Alba Fyre, and a video showed her landing awkwardly on her ankle as she came off from the top rope.
Thanks for the submission!
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The referee threw up an X sign, and the match was stopped with doctors checking on Grace. After the match was restarted, Fyre quickly got the pinfall to finish the bout early.
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The former TNA Knockouts Champion later uploaded a photo on social media and was seen wearing a walking boot. Now, it has emerged that her injury has led to WWE scrapping major plans for her at WrestleMania 42.
During the recent edition of Self Made Sessions, Self Made Pro revealed that he was informed that there were plans to have Jordynne Grace compete against Giulia and Tiffany Stratton in a Triple Threat match for the U.S. championship at the Show of Shows in Las Vegas.
“I did hear from somebody that there was an idea to do Giulia vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania for the United States Championship,” he said.
However, he noted that the match may not happen now due to Grace’s injury.
“Now, whether or not this was actually the case, it’s not going to happen anyway because Jordynne Grace has hurt her ankle unless it’s an ankle sprain,” he added.
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Jordynne Grace issued a statement after suffering an injury in WWE
Following the injury, Jordynne Grace shared a photo on Instagram in which she can be seen wearing a walking boot alongside Chelsea Green, who is also dealing with an ankle injury.
She has been getting the chance to shine on SmackDown and recently faced Jade Cargill in a Women’s Championship match. It remains to be seen how long the injury will keep Grace out of action.
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Oct 12, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Walter Nolen (2) reaches to knock the ball loose from LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
As we get further into the 2026 NFL Draft, a big question teams will be forced to ask themselves is “when is the right time to target a QB?”
Obviously, Fernando Mendoza likely will end up being the No. 1 overall pick, but after that, it’s a bit of a tossup as to when the rest of the QB class could begin going off the board. One of the quarterbacks hoping to get his name called sooner than later is LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier.
Background
Oct 18, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Louisiana State Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) stands in the pocket against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Nussmeier spent three seasons as a backup quarterback at LSU, including spending a year behind former No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels. Nussmeier finally got his chance to start for the Tigers in 2024, and he took full advantage with an explosive year.
That prompted some extraordinarily high expectations heading into 2025, but instead of taking another leap forward, Nussmeier regressed. It didn’t help that he suffered a pretty serious injury prior to the season that may have been misdiagnosed. Now, he is widely viewed as a mid-round pick after spending much of last offseason as a candidate to rise into the first round.
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Strengths
Oct 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Louisiana State Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) throws during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Nussmeier has a very quick, repeatable release, so he has many of his throwing mechanics down at this point. That snappy release leads to a lot of completions in the short and intermediate portions of the field.
If you watch Nussmeier’s play in 2024 before his injury, you’ll notice a ton of velocity on throws and an ability to really push the ball downfield. However, that wasn’t as evident in 2025, which could be a cause for concern heading into the NFL.
Finally, Nussmeier has some underrated athletic ability in the pocket. He definitely can scoot for some yards when he needs to, and he has some strong footwork to dance around pressure in the pocket.
Weaknesses
Nov 8, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) throws before the game with Alabama at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
As aforementioned, it might be tough for NFL teams to fully trust Nussmeier given how different he looked in 2025 following his injury compared to pre-injury in 2024. He obviously was hampered by his abdominal injury, so perhaps a full offseason to recover can help (there is evidence that this could be the case following his Senior Bowl performance).
The LSU product isn’t exactly a conservative quarterback, either. He’s more than willing to try and fit throws into tight windows. Sometimes it works, and sometimes a throw away would have been better. Less speed on these tight-window throws in 2025 resulted in results leaning more towards the latter.
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Nussmeier’s size will also raise some eyebrows at 6’2″ and just 203 pounds. He’s already suffered a significant injury at the collegiate level, so that could become a problem while taking NFL punishment.
2026 NFL Draft Projection
Nov 8, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) throws a pass during the second half of the game with Alabama at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 20-9. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
NFL Draft Projection: Day 3 (Early-Mid Round 4)
Team Fits: Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets
Nussmeier has shown flashes of talent to develop into an NFL starter, but right now, he is almost certainly better off in a position where he can sit behind a veteran and really hone in his skills before taking the reins of an offense.
Editor’s Note: Statistics from Pro Football Focus helped with this article.
Josh Frey is a senior writer at both PurplePTSD.com and VikingsTerritory.com, with a fascination for the NFL Draft. To … More about Josh Frey
The closure of the US Embassy in Jordan has heightened the frustrations of Jordanian football fans hoping to see their team make their World Cup debut in three months’ time.
While the US-Israeli and Iranian attacks that caused its shuttering on Friday dominate headlines and thoughts, fans looking forward to an escape are left in the dark. The US embassy site simply says that “all immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments are canceled until further notice”.
Having spoken to a number of Jordanian fans, DW understands that many had already had visa applications rejected for the tournament, in which their national team is to play all three group matches in the US. Many more still wait, some having shelled out thousands for tickets. They all want answers from the US or the tournament organizers, FIFA.
Gianni Infantino’s organization did not respond to a DW request for comment, and former Jordan international, Mohammad Khair, said many fans felt frustrated by the lack of clarity.
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Bigger tournament, greater frustrations
“When FIFA decided to add more teams to this World Cup, they should have also made sure it is easy for everyone to go and force the host country to smooth out the visa process,” he told DW.
FIFA’s consistent line on visa issues has been to defer to US immigration and state that such things are outside its remit. The organization also points to the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS) available to ticket holders.
“America welcomes the World. We have always said that this will be the greatest and most inclusive FIFA World Cup in history – and the FIFA PASS service is a very concrete example of that,” said Infantino on its launch in November.
Jordan qualified for their first World Cup in June last yearImage: Ameen Ahmed/NurPhoto/IMAGO
But with FIFA having opened a surprise extra 48-hour ticket window at the end of February — despite previously saying it had sold all available tickets — and further batches expected to come to market ahead of the June 11 tournament opener, Jordan fans without tickets must either buy a ticket and hope for the best or miss out. Those with tickets but no visa may have to take a financial hit on resale.
“We were waiting for this dream to come true. I pursued every possible way to go and support our team, but the visa procedure is really tough,” Jordan fan Mahmoud Obaidat told DW.
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“Plus, there is this random draw (lottery), so you might plan and pay, and then you won’t get any tickets,” he added, referring to fans booking their travel on the off chance they could get lucky. “I applied for a visa three months ago and got rejected.”
Not having obtained a ticket yet, either, Obaidait’s chances of supporting his team in the US appear negligible.
Jordan fans ask for US help
Obaidat at least has the certainty of rejection, unlike many of his compatriots who were waiting on a judgment even before the closure of the embassy. Those fans, like Ghazi Al Samouee, can only appeal to the US and FIFA to hear their plea.
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“The dream of seeing our national team in the World Cup is here, but with heavy hearts, we ask for help from the US Embassy to look closely at the Jordanian fans’ applications. We applied, but we didn’t hear any answer until now. Our applications are stuck there.”
Al Samouee is the leader of the Ultras (hardcore supporters) of Jordanian club Al Ramtha SC and is on the list of fans eligible to apply through the country’s football association. Such fans are usually able to travel to tournaments with minimal fuss and access cheaper tickets.
Contacted by DW, the Jordanian FA declined comment on the matter.
No travel ban but reason for rejection
While Jordan is not under the kind of blanket US travel ban that will prevent fans from Senegal, Ivory Coast, Haiti and Iran (if the team do not boycott) from traveling, it was on the list of 75 countries from which the US has stopped processing immigrant visas earlier this year. The Trump administration said that immigrants from Jordan had “a high rate of collecting public assistance at the expense of the US taxpayer.”
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While this ban does not directly affect World Cup travel visas, it may reflect the US administration’s attitude towards foreigners. A number of fans DW spoke to in Amman were reluctant to voice their fears about such matters publicly. But one said the message from the US embassy was that they “could not be sure that those who go to the United States will return to Jordan after the World Cup is over.”
With travel bans and visa issues, as well as the high price of tickets preventing supporters from making their way to the US to follow their teams, the stands for many matches could be filled with fans from various diaspora populations already in the country. Jordan’s games in California and Texas now appear likely to be among them.
“We, as Jordanians, are hoping to get support from Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinians who live in the USA to cheer for our team, as the Jordanian diaspora is not very large there,” said former player Khair.
While US citizens with links to nearby countries may help FIFA fill their seats and their coffers, it will be tough to stomach for those Jordanians forced to watch their country’s World Cup debut from afar.
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Dana Sumlaji and Sami Jarwan contributed to this report.
Tyson Fury has doubled down on his desire to enter a trilogy showdown with Oleksandr Usyk, but equally admits that he would be fighting an uphill battle.
The 37-year-old will return to action against Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, headlining a Ring Magazine event at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium live on Netflix.
This represents his first outing since losing to Usyk in December 2024, when the masterful Ukrainian defended his undisputed crown with a unanimous decision victory.
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Earlier that year, the pair had engaged in a far more dramatic encounter, with Fury losing a split decision after suffering a ninth-round knockdown.
But while many feel that Usyk deserved to emerge triumphant on both occasions, ‘The Gypsy King’ seemingly remains convinced that he was ‘robbed’ of two monumental victories.
This, it seems, is partly why he announced his retirement at the beginning of last year, referencing his two defeats to Usyk by saying “Dick Turpin wore a mask”.
Fury cannot help but view a potential trilogy clash with a degree of scepticism, believing his opponent will get the decision regardless unless he knocks him out.
“I want a third fight but, the thing is: I know if he stands up at the end of it, I’m not going to get a decision.
“For me, it’s like you may as well give him the fight. Before we even box, give him the W [win] and just give me the money, because that’s what’s going to happen anyway – if I don’t knock him out.
“If I could’ve knocked him out, I would’ve done already. He’s a tough man and, every time he gets hurt, he can sort of nip and run away with his speed and agility.
“So yeah, I’m not going to get a decision; it’s not going to be a fair result.”
First, the 39-year-old must defend his WBC world heavyweight title against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven on May 23, before targeting the winner of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois, which takes place for Wardley’s WBO world title on May 9.
After that, Usyk has insisted that he would be eager to face Fury once again, having potentially reclaimed his undisputed crown.
Aberdeen have made an approach to Scottish Premiership rivals St Mirren for manager Stephen Robinson.
The Pittodrie club have announced they have “been officially given permission to enter formal talks” with the 51-year-old Northern Irishman about their managerial vacancy.
Peter Leven has been in caretaker charge since Aberdeen sacked Jimmy Thelin in early January.
But they suffered a bruising 3-0 defeat by second-tier Dunfermline Athletic in Saturday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final and have won just once in eight outings.
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Robinson, meanwhile, led St Mirren to their second cup semi-final of the season on Sunday as the Paisley side defeated Partick Thistle having already gone on to lift the League Cup in November.
He led the Buddies to top-six finishes in his previous three seasons, although they currently sit 10th, one place and five points below Aberdeen, just three ahead of Kilmarnock in the relegation play-off spot.
Old Park Star (15/8) got favourite backers off to a winning start in the Grade 1 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham this afternoon.
The winner, a 78th at the Festival for trainer Nicky Henderson and his Seven Barrows team, was ridden by Nico de Boinville.
The well-touted Irish-trained representatives disappointed in the opening race, where British-handled winners filled the first four places.
Sober Glory (9/2) was runner-up, one and a half lengths behind the winner.
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The third-placed Mydaddypaddy, ridden by Dan Skelton, was third, a nose behind the runner-up. He may have been the unlucky runner in the race as he found himself sandwiched between the winner and runner-up inside the closing stages.
El Cairos best of the Irish
Best of the Irish was the Gordon Elliott-trained El Cairos (15/2) who came home in fifth place for Jack Kennedy.
Too Bossy For Us, the mount of Paul Townend following the earlier withdrawal of Leader D’Allier, was next best of the Irish-trained runner, with Talk The Talk next to cross the line in seventh.
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