The biggest signing yet for Zuffa Boxing takes the main stage on Sunday when the world’s consensus top cruiserweight, Jai Opetaia, makes his promotional debut against power-punching Brandon Glanton in the main event of Zuffa Boxing 04. The 12-round fight will crown the first Zuffa Boxing world champion in the promotion’s short history.
Opetaia (29-0, 23 KO) is on his second stint as IBF cruiserweight champion and is looking to add the honor of being the first fighter to ever hold a Zuffa Boxing championship.
However, the IBF aspect took a detour after Friday’s press conference. Despite the belt being present on the dais and Opetaia saying that any issues with sanctioning the fight for his title to be defended were resolved, the IBF put out a statement saying they were not sanctioning the fight. Instead, the IBF says it will strip Opetaia of his title for participating in the event.
Opetaia truly established himself as an elite heavyweight with a 2022 win over Mairis Briedis. While a win over an established top fighter like Briedis was already an impressive accomplishment, the fact that Opetaia managed the feat with his jaw broken in two different places immediately built an aura around the Australian.
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Opetaia would defeat Briedis in a rematch three fights later, and didn’t have to suffer through a massive injury to do so the second time around. Since the second Briedis win, Opetaia has rattled off four knockout victories while unsuccessfully hunting for the biggest game in the division.
While unification bouts and fights against the rest of the elite of the division have eluded Opetaia, there has never been a doubt about his quality as a fighter.
“It would mean the world to me,” Opetaia told CBS Sports about potentially becoming the first Zuffa Boxing champion. “I think from this fight on, to become undisputed, you’ll need to have the Zuffa Zuffa Boxing 04 — Jai Opetaia vs. Brandon Glanton: Predictions, start time, card as well. I’m honored to be the first.
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“I still have hard work to do on Sunday before this happens. I’m not counting my chickens before they hatch. I’ve done the hard work, and I have the ability to win this fight. Now it’s about executing the gameplan.”
In Glanton (21-3, 18 KO), Opetaia faces a fighter with blistering power. Glanton has also never been stopped in his professional career, making for a matchup of two men with heavy hands and solid chins — at least thus far in their careers.
Glanton has come up short in three of his career bouts, dropping a 2022 split decision to David Light, a 2023 majority decision to Soslan Asbarov and a 2025 unanimous decision to former WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith.
Despite those three losses, Glanton has shown plenty of skills, including in his most recent fight, a stoppage win over former unified title challenger Marcus Browne. Glanton’s gritty split decision win over Efetobor Apochi in 2021 stands out as a fight that proves the depths to which Glanton will dig to find victory, even when the knockout doesn’t come.
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There are two more featured bouts on the main card on Sunday. Ricardo Salas is set to take on Jesus Saracho in a welterweight contest. Salas has won four straight bouts but has not stepped up against a fighter Saracho’s caliber since 2021. Saracho, meanwhile, is 3-0-1 in his last four outings. Plus, Adan Palma is set to take on Pablo Rubio at featherweight.
Let’s take a closer look at the rest of the fight card for Sunday before getting to a prediction and expert pick on the main event below.
Zuffa Boxing 04 fight card, odds
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Jai Opetaia -1400 vs. Brandon Glanton +800, inaugural Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight title
Ricardo Salas -240 vs. Jesus Saracho +185, welterweights
Adan Palma -215 vs. Pablo Rubio +165, featherweights
Shinard Bunch -140 vs. Vlad Panin +110, welterweights
Joshua Juarez -200 vs. Jardae Anderson +155, heavyweights
Jaycob Ramos -150 vs. Ethan Perez +120, featherweights
Brady Ochoa vs. Adrian Serrano, lightweights
Emiliano Alvarado -2500 vs. Erick Rosado +1000, featherweights
Where to watch Zuffa Boxing 04
Date: March 8 | Location: Meta APEX — Las Vegas Prelims begin at 6 p.m. ET Main card begins at 9 p.m. ET Watch live:Paramount+ (subscribe now for as little as $8.99 per month)
Prediction
Glanton is a tough fighter with good power. He’s proven he can hang with some good fighters. The problem is, Opetaia is not a good fighter, he’s a great one. Glanton is a top 15 fighter around the tier of fighters Opetaia has handled well in his career. Of course, if Glanton lands a few heavy shots, it could significantly alter the texture of the fight, if not end it outright.
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Ultimately, Opetaia is simply the better fighter — the best in the world in the division, no less. And it is likely too tall a task for Glanton to suddenly step up his game to a level he’s never shown before at 34 years old and 24 fights into a professional career. Opetaia wins on Sunday, but Glanton is going to make him work for it. Pick: Jai Opetaia via TKO10
Cincinnati Reds star Hunter Greene faced a major setback on Tuesday as it was revealed he may miss up to four months following right elbow surgery.
Greene was diagnosed with bone chips and loose bodies in his elbow, the team said. He needed an MRI last week after he left a spring training game with right elbow stiffness.
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene pitches against the Chicago Cubs in the second inning at Great American Ball Park on May 23, 2025.(Katie Stratman/Imagn Images)
He explained his situation in a statement posted to his Instagram Stories. He said he started to experience discomfort in his elbow toward the end of the 2025 season but wanted to keep pitching in hopes of getting the Reds into the postseason. He said he received an MRI in Los Angeles when the season was over and it found the bone fragments, “but standard treatment was recommended.”
“I felt no discomfort a few days later, and as I started my offseason throwing program, I felt great,” he said. “However, the pain returned as I got close to the start of camp and as I began throwing harder and manipulating pitches more. The irritation in my elbow is affecting my ability to finish and execute pitches without a sharp stabbing pain. I simply need to have the bone spurs removed.
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene reacts as Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Teoscar Hernandez runs the bases on a three-run home run on Sept. 30, 2025.(Sam Greene/The Enquirer-USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
“All I want to do is play the game I love and compete with my brothers as we take on the 2026 season. But it’s important that this procedure take place now instead of trying to pitch through it, not be sharp on the mound and risk further injury. Trust me, nobody is more frustrated than I am.”
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He said he will undergo the operation on Wednesday.
Greene is one of the hardest throwers in baseball. He had a 2.76 ERA with 132 strikeouts in 19 starts in 2025. He missed some time with a right groin strain. The issue sidelined him until Aug. 13.
Cincinnati finished 83-79 and third in the National League Central division.
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene pitches against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on May 28, 2025.(Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn Images)
The 26-year-old was an All-Star in 2024 and finished that season with a 2.75 ERA and 169 strikeouts. He also experienced right elbow soreness that year and spent time on the injured list.
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.
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