Iran is heading to the World Cup while the country is at war with the primary host nation, a situation that is unique in the tournament’s history.

In exclusive interviews with The Associated Press during a team camp in Turkey, two members of Iran’s squad described how the conflict is affecting its World Cup preparations.

“Well, to be honest, it’s not easy,” said Saeid Ezatolahi, a 29-year-old midfielder who also played for Iran in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

“That’s going to be my third World Cup. So for me and some of the other players, it might be easier to manage these kind of things,” he said in English on the sidelines of a training session on Wednesday. “But at the end … it is going to be difficult for us because at the same time, we are following the news in our country and the political things, of course, can affect the mind of the players and the people.” 
The Iran team has spent more than two weeks in Turkey, mostly practicing at the coastal resort Antalya, and some went to the capital Ankara to submit visa applications at the U.S. embassy. Media access to their World Cup preparations has been limited, and the players rarely speak to international journalists.

Iran will be based in Mexico during the World Cup 
The team is set to travel to Mexico this weekend after receiving visas from the Mexican embassy in Ankara. The team said Thursday that the process of obtaining entry permits had been finalized for all members of the squad. Problems with visa processing meant Iran’s World Cup training base was moved from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, on Mexico’s border with California.

Iran will play its first two games near Los Angeles, which has a large Iranian community, many of whom oppose the current government.

“So for sure, we are expecting to have a lot fans during our games at the stadium,” Ezatolahi said. “And this is going to be a lot pressure for us because the expectation is going be high. I just wish we can make them proud and show them that Iranians, they are prepared for every hard job in the world,” he said. 

Mohammad Ghorbani, 24, is going to his first World Cup for Iran.

“It’s true that we are facing special circumstances right now but we are football players and we have to play, practice, and prepare ourselves for the competitions we have ahead,” the Abu Dhabi-based player told the AP in Farsi.

“On the other hand, we know that our people have been going through a lot of difficulties throughout the war, and we are going there for them, to get the best results for their joy and the joy of the people of our country.” 
The U.S. and Israel launched its war against Iran on Feb. 28, killing its supreme leader and other top officials. Iran responded with strikes targeting Israel, U.S. forces and the Gulf Arab states. It also has maintained a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, imperiling global energy supplies.

Despite a nominal ceasefire being in place, Iran and the U.S. have yet to negotiate a permanent end to the war and attacks continue in the region.

Iran is in Group G with New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt 
Iran’s team is not required to enter the United States until June 14, one day before its first match against New Zealand at the Los Angeles Rams’ stadium in Inglewood.

Iran returns to Inglewood to face Belgium on June 21 and completes Group G in Seattle, against Egypt on June 26.

“I’m really proud to be part of my national team,” said Ezatolahi, whose career has taken him to play for clubs in Spain, Russia, England, Belgium, Denmark, Qatar and now Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

“We need to clear up our minds and be fresh because our target and our duty is to fight for our people, to represent our country and to show how good we are,” he said.

Ghorbani agreed, saying the team wants to bring joy to Iranians.

“The best message I can give right now is that the Iranian team is showing what it means to be a team,” he said. “We are showing that we are one team under one flag that can bring joy to our whole country, and to show the power of Iranian players and Iranian people to the world.

Queensland Country Bank Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 14 NRL game between North Queensland Cowboys and
Dolphins. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm with Dolphins heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the North Queensland Cowboys vs.
Dolphins
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday June 6, 2026 at 5:30 pm

Where: Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

North Queensland Cowboys vs Dolphins Odds

North Queensland Cowboys vs Dolphins Preview

Two Queensland sides with finals ambitions collide in Townsville as the Cowboys attempt to rebound from a disappointing loss against one of the competition’s form teams. North Queensland had built momentum with consecutive victories before being brought back to earth by Canberra, while the Dolphins enter this clash riding a four-game winning streak and boasting one of the NRL’s most potent attacks. The visitors receive a major boost with the returns of Herbie Farnworth, Kodi Nikorima, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo, adding further firepower to a backline already in outstanding touch. The Dolphins have also enjoyed recent success in this matchup, winning four of six meetings and posting scores of 58 and 43 points in their two victories over the Cowboys last season. With both sides possessing attacking weapons across the park, another high-scoring contest appears likely.

PAK vs AUS 3rd ODI Highlights© AFP

Poland head coach Jan Urban praised his players after their 2-2 draw with Nigeria’s Super Eagles in an international friendly at the Stadion PGE Narodowy in Warsaw.

The Super Eagles took the lead twice during the match, but Poland fought back on both occasions to earn a share of the spoils in an entertaining contest.

Nigeria opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Terem Moffi finished off a move created by Moses Simon. Poland levelled in first-half stoppage time through Kacper Potulski, who headed home from a cross by Nicola Zalewski.

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle made seven changes at half-time, including giving Abdullahi Bewene his debut. Nigeria regained the lead in the 77th minute when substitute Paul Onuachu scored from the penalty spot.

However, Poland refused to surrender and grabbed a dramatic equaliser in the fifth minute of added time through Przemyslaw Wiśniewski to make it 2-2.

Despite not winning the match, Urban said he was happy with the way his team performed against a strong Nigerian side.

“The same thing happened as in our previous matches – we played well but the opponent scored. I was not worried because we were playing good football,” Urban said.

“It was a good game against a strong team. The goal we conceded could have been avoided. Until then, we had not allowed many dangerous chances.”

Urban admitted he was frustrated by how efficiently Nigeria took their opportunities but said the overall performance gave him confidence.

“The opponent did not create many chances but still scored from two or three opportunities. They punished us well. But these are friendly matches and we will learn from them,” he said.

The Poland coach also revealed that tactical changes helped his side improve after the break.

“We were thinking about the result, but we were also playing well and creating chances. We were close to scoring again.

“We had planned to switch to a four-man defence if needed. Later, when we wanted to push for the equaliser, we made the change and it helped us.”

Urban said his team would now focus on the UEFA Nations League and promised that there would be no room for experimentation.

“We will take the Nations League very seriously. I cannot imagine it any other way,” he added.

Nigeria will continue their European tour with another international friendly against Portugal on June 10.

Over six months have passed since Anthony Joshua knocked out Jake Paul, and there is a real possibility the American will not fight again professionally.

Ahead of his shot at Joshua, Paul consecutively defeated former world champions in Mike Tyson and Julio Cesar Chavez, a feat which reads better than it looks given both men were shadows of their former selves when the bouts took place.

However, against two-time heavyweight ruler, Joshua, Paul had no ace up his sleeve. There was no noticeable advantage in his favour and no real reason other than self-belief to expect anything other than a brutal defeat as he admirably stepped through the ropes in pursuit of a famous upset.

The fairytale did not come to fruition for ‘The Problem Child’. Instead, Paul was dealt a cruel serving of reality as Joshua closed the show in style and broke his jaw in two places in the sixth round, leaving the former YouTuber requiring surgery.

Since then, the 29-year-old superstar has underwent further surgery, and, in his latest update on the matter, admitted that there a real possible that the injury and potential complications may see him unable to fight again.

Speaking to Pro Boxing Fans, Joshua showed little remorse, believing that he did what was asked of him by fight fans.

“That is what was asked of me when I took the fight, [to end Jake Paul’s boxing career,] and I think that I delivered.”

Whilst his body may not be prepared for a ring return, Paul’s mind remains undeterred, having recently revealed that he has sent a major offer to Canelo Alvarez, hoping to secure a showdown with the Mexican superstar next year. Doctors must first approved, which has no foregone conclusion.

He will remain in the sport, however, with promotional company MVP performing well and carving out a unique platform for female fighters.

Group F looks on paper like one of the most intriguing of the 2026 World Cup, with four sides who will all fancy their chances of progressing to the knockout rounds.

The Netherlands may not have the attacking firepower of previous generations, but they have vast quality and experience in defence and midfield, and will start the group as the favourites to take top spot. But they face competition from a talented Japanese side who are ranked 18th in the world, a Swedish team with outstanding forward players, and a hard-to-beat Tunisian outfit.

With the newly expanded 48-team format, there is the potential for an odd situation in which it is preferable to qualify finishing third than it is to finish second, where Brazil are likely to await in the round of 32. It also means there will be a strong incentive to win the group, and that should make it all the more interesting to watch.

Group F fixtures

(all times BST)

14 June, 9pm: Netherlands v Japan – AT&T Stadium, Arlington

15 June, 3am: Tunisia v Sweden – Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe

20 June, 6pm: Netherlands v Sweden – NRG Stadium, Houston

21 June, 5am: Japan v Tunisia – Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe

26 June, 12am: Sweden v Japan – AT&T Stadium, Arlington

26 June, 12am: Tunisia v Netherlands – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City

Netherlands

The Dutch may only be eighth favourites before the World Cup begins, according to most bookmakers, but they say defences win tournaments and Netherlands have one of the best in North America this summer.

The captain, Virgil van Dijk, is set to be paired with Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber in the heart of the backline alongside Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven at left-back and Denzel Dumfries – who is due to sign for Real Madrid from Inter – at right-back. That is before you get to Manchester City’s Nathan Ake, Chelsea’s Jorrel Hato and Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke.

Ronald Koeman can call upon an impressive midfield, too, of Ryan Gravenberch, Frenkie de Jong and Tijjani Reijnders – it is just a pity for the Netherlands that Xavi Simons has been ruled out by injury.

Unusually for a Dutch team, it is the attacking options which are a little thin. But Donyell Malen found astonishing form on loan at Roma this season, scoring 14 goals since joining from Aston Villa in January, and he is likely to lead the line.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton)

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Denzel ‌Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal), Micky ⁠van de Ven (Tottenham), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton)

Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Guus Til (PSV Eindhoven), Quinten Timber (Marseille), Mats Wieffer (Brighton)

Forwards: ‌Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Noa ​Lang (Galatasaray), Donyell Malen (Roma), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham), Wout Weghorst (Ajax)

Coach: Ronald Koeman

Star player – Ryan Gravenberch, Liverpool: Liverpool’s holding midfielder has not had an outstanding season by his high standards, but he is one of the best in the world in his position when he’s on form, and will be key both in shielding the defence and carrying the ball upfield.

Breakout talent – Crysencio Summerville, West Ham: The 24-year-old is well known to Premier League fans and could now make an impact on the global stage with his pace and trickery on the ball.

Fifa ranking: 8.

Odds to win the World Cup: 16/1.

Japan

Japan have risen up the world rankings in recent years and find themselves inside the top 20 coming into this World Cup. Consecutive appearances in the knockout stages and wins over Germany and Spain at Qatar 2022 proved their ability to compete with the best in the world.

Hajime Moriyasu has built a well-organised team full of energy and technical craft, who beat England at Wembley in March. Expect to see Japan on plenty of lists of “dark horses” over the coming days.

Their squad play all over Europe, and perhaps most eye-catching this season has been Feyenoord’s Ayase Ueda, who won the Eredivisie Golden Boot scoring 25 goals in 31 games. The great disappointment for Japan is that Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma is injured and will miss the tournament.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Tomoki Hayakawa (Kashima Antlers), Keisuke Osako (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Zion Suzuki (Parma)

Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Shogo Taniguchi (Sint-Truiden), Ko Itakura (Ajax), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax), Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich), Ayumu Seko (Le Havre), Yukinari Sugawara (Werder Bremen), Junosuke Suzuki (FC Copenhagen)

Midfielders: Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Junya Ito (Genk), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), Koki Ogawa (NEC Nijmegen), Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ao Tanaka (Leeds), Kaishu Sano (Mainz), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad)

Forwards: Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord), Keito Nakamura (Stade de Reims), Ito Suzuki (Freiburg), Kento Shiode (Wolfsburg), Keisuke Goto (Sint-Truiden)

Coach: Hajime Moriyasu

Star player – Ayase Ueda, Feyenoord: Not many teams have such an in-form striker at the World Cup.

Breakout talent – Zion Suzuki, Parma: The young goalkeeper has established himself as No 1 for both Parma in Serie A and the Japan national team, and will be playing in his first World Cup.

Fifa ranking: 18.

Odds to win the World Cup: 40/1.

Sweden

Sweden were terrible in qualifying and failed to reach the World Cup through the traditional route. But they were handed another chance through the Nations League play-offs, and they took it in dramatic style when Viktor Gyokeres scored an 88th-minute winner to beat Poland in Stockholm and send Sweden to North America.

Graham Potter took over from Jon Dahl Tomasson in November and steered Sweden to play-off glory. Now his task is to get them out of this tough group – and he has plenty of attacking firepower to call upon.

Alexander Isak and Gyokeres make one of the most potent attacking forces at the World Cup, complemented by the pace of Anthony Elanga. Sweden’s hope is that they can outscore their opponents.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Kristoffer Nordfeldt (AIK), Viktor Johansson (Stoke), Jacob Widell Zetterstrom (Derby)

Defenders: Daniel Svensson (Borussia Dortmund), Victor Lindelof (Aston Villa), Isak Hien (Atalanta), Carl Starfelt (Celta Vigo), Elliot Stroud (Mjallby AIF), Gustaf Lagerbielke (Braga), Gabriel Gudmundsson (Leeds), Herman Johansson (FC Dallas), Hjalmar Ekdal (Burnley), Erik Smith (St. Pauli)

Midfielders​: Yasin Ayari (Brighton), Lucas ‌Bergvall (Tottenham), Mattias Svanberg (VfL Wolfsburg), Besfort Zeneli (Union Saint-Gilloise), Jesper ​Karlstrom (Udinese), Benjamin Nygren (Celtic), Ken Sema (Pafos)

Forwards: Taha Ali (Malmo FF), Anthony Elanga (Newcastle), Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal), Gustaf Nilsson (Club Brugge), Alexander Bernhardsson (Holstein Kiel), Alexander Isak (Liverpool)

Coach: Graham Potter

Star player – Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal: His four goals in two games propelled Sweden to the World Cup and, especially given Isak’s fitness issues this season, Gyokeres will be the key attacking player.

Breakout talent – Yasin Ayari, Brighton: The 22-year-old is the second-youngest player in Sweden’s squad and provides ballast in midfield, having already racked up 21 caps and three goals for his country. Also impressed for Brighton during their impressive Premier League campaign this term.

Fifa ranking: 38.

Odds to win the World Cup: 100/1.

Tunisia

Tunisia are the underdogs of the group but they have nothing to be afraid of. They beat France four years ago in Qatar and have repeatedly shown they can be difficult to play against, qualifying for the World Cup without conceding a single goal.

Manager Sabri Lamouchi is still getting to know his team after taking over in January, but the early signs suggest he will play a back four and prioritise young players. Tunisia’s goal is to reach the knockout stages for the first time, and it may be that one win is enough to progress in this newly expanded 48-nation format in which eight third-placed finishers go through to the round of 32.

Tunisia may also be better equipped than their Group F opponents to handle the heat of a North American summer.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Sabri Ben Hessen (Etoile Sahel), Abdelmouhib Chamakh (Club Africain), Aymen Dahman (CS Sfaxien)

Defenders: Ali Abdi (Nice), Adem Arous (Kasimpasa), Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida (Esperance), Dylan Bronn (Servette Geneva), Raed Chikhaoui (US Monastir), Moutaz Neffati (Norrkoping), Omar Rekik (NK Maribor), Montassar Talbi (Lorient), Yan Valery (Young Boys Berne)

Midfielders: Mortadha Ben Ouanes (Kasimpasa), Anis Ben Slimane (Norwich), Ismael Gharbi (Augsburg), Rani Khedira (Union Berlin), Mohamed Hadj Mahmoud (Lugano), Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley), Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Forwards: Elias Achouri (FC Copenhagen), Khalil Ayari (Paris Saint-Germain), Firas Chaouat (Club Africain), Rayan Elloumi (Vancouver Whitecaps), Hazem Mastouri (Dynamo Makhachkala), Elias Saad (Hannover 96), Sebastian Tounekti (Celtic)

Coach: Sabri Lamouchi

Star player – Hannibal Mejbri, Burnley: The Burnley midfielder is still only 23 but has developed into Tunisia’s talisman.

Breakout talent – Ismael Gharbi, Augsburg: Tipped to be the future of Tunisian future when he came through Paris Saint-Germain’s academy to the first team, but his career has stalled since moving to Braga and then Augsburg on loan. The 22-year-old has the platform to show his talent at the WOrld Cup this summer.

Fifa ranking: 46.

Odds to win the World Cup: 500/1.

Group F prediction

The Netherlands should win this group, although it may not be entirely smooth or straightforward. The big question is who comes second, and it will probably come down to that last game between Sweden and Japan. We’ll tip Sweden purely because Kaoru Mitoma’s injury blunts Japan’s attack, but Japan will progress as a third-placed side, with Tunisia missing out.

David Benavidez captured the WBA and WBO cruiserweight world titles last time out and ‘The Mexican Monster’ could be set to further add to his collection, after one world champion has been ordered to face him, or be stripped of his belt.

Having moved up from light-heavyweight and dethroned Gilberto Ramirez in sensational style last month, Benavidez is now in possession of the WBA (Regular) and WBC light-heavyweight world titles, as well as his newly claimed unified cruiserweight crown.

As a result, the 29-year-old has a decision on whether he should return to the light-heavyweight scene or remain up at cruiserweight, where he delivered an arguable career-best display last time out, with a showdown against Jai Opetaia being muted.

However, Benavidez has also been named as the WBC’s mandatory challenger in the cruiserweight division and ordered for a fight with WBC cruiserweight champion, Noel Mikaelian, another who has been linked to a clash with Opetaia.

Should Mikaelian refuse a title defence against Benavidez, WBC President has vowed to strip the Armenian of the belt, in an interview with BoxingScene.

“The WBC order is Mikaelian against Benavidez. That’s it. If he takes another fight, he is relinquishing his obligations with the WBC,”

“[There is no deadline] at this time. I’ll be talking to all the different managers. This is a top priority. I’m very much looking forward to making sure this happens.”

If Mikaeilian chooses to proceed with a fight against Opetaia and thus loses his world title, it is expected that Poland-born interim champion, Michal Cieslak, will benefit. He will either be elevated to full world champion and ordered for a first defence against Benavidez, or inserted into a contest for the vacant belt against the three-division world champion.

Manchester United have been linked with a move for £43m-rated Rafael Leao this summer after his expressed his want to leave AC Milan in the summer transfer window

Galatasaray have become the first club to submit an official proposal for Manchester United target Rafael Leao, after the forward confirmed he wants to leave AC Milan this summer.

Speaking in an interview with Sport TV on Saturday, Leao expressed his desire to quit Milan. The 26-year-old has spent the last seven years at the San Siro, scoring 80 goals and adding 65 assists in 291 matches.

Leao said: “I think I gave Milan everything I could give. It is a club that helped me grow a lot and supported me through difficult moments. I am happy to have left my mark on the club’s history.

“Everyone has their dreams, their challenges, the things they want, the goals they want to achieve. And I also want to take on a new challenge in a new league.”

United are among the long list of potential suitors for Portugal international Leao, with Michael Carrick keen to strengthen his forward line in preparation for a return to the Champions League.

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Galatasaray are another club interested and it’s the Super Lig champions who have emerged as the first to make a move for Leao, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. However, the ex-Lille man is reluctant to make the move to Turkey, and is instead waiting on a Premier League side to enter the race.

Leao’s agent is said to have offered him to Arsenal, though the Premier League winners are yet to act on the proposal. United, meanwhile, are said to have registered an interest, but have not taken steps to materialise it.

With the World Cup on the horizon, Leao’s future is expected to be resolved once Portugal have finished at the tournament, as he is poised to have a big part to play in Roberto Martinez’s squad this summer.

When his focus is firmly back on his club career, Leao’s suitors are anticipated to come forward with offers, with Milan hoping to receive a fee of £43million, which would fall into United’s budget.

While United’s primary objective is to add a couple of central midfielders to their squad ahead of the new season, there is money available to bring more depth to the forward line and also at the back.

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Though Matheus Cunha became United’s primary attacker on the left under Michael Carrick last season, he can also play up front and in the No.10 role, leaving room out for another versatile attacker – in Leao – to come into the squad.

United bosses have already added £38m to the transfer kitty as Hojlund’s Napoli move became permanent after the Serie A side qualified for the Champions League, while Marcus Rashford is set to be sold.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

One of the most in-demand fights in boxing right now is a light-heavyweight showdown between unified champion, Dmitry Bivol, and WBC ruler, David Benavidez, for the undisputed 175lb crown.

However, two-division world champion, Teofimo Lopez, believes that the fight could result in a ‘massacre’.

Bivol claimed the undisputed light-heavyweight world title when he avenged a defeat to Artur Beterbiev last February, but the Russian was stripped of the WBC marble soon after, with Benavidez elevated to world champion. 

‘The Mexican Monster’ has since gone on to claim the unified cruiserweight crown, but he maintains that he would be able to drop back down in weight in order to take on Bivol for undisputed honours.

Speaking on the Inside The Ring show, Lopez renamed Benavidez as ‘The Massacre Monster’ whilst discussing the potential fight, believing that the age difference between the two light-heavyweight champions could be a key factor in the outcome of the contest.

“I will call Benavidez, ‘The Massacre Monster’, because man, [that performance against Ramirez] was nasty. He is real nasty, he really is.”

“He [Benavidez] is coming into his prime, while the other one [Bivol] is on his way out. You have got to also think about those things.”

Bivol fulfilled his IBF mandatory by defending his belts against Michael Eifert last weekend, but the WBO have ordered him to take on their mandatory challenger, Callum Smith, in order to retain his WBO strap.

As a result, it seems as though a potential Bivol-Benavidez clash may have to wait until 2027, with Beterbiev also being considered for a trilogy affair.