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Iraq Await Bolivia or Suriname in World Cup Playoff Tournament

FIFA World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Play Off - Second Leg - Iraq v United Arab Emirates - Basra International Stadium, Basra, Iraq - November 18, 2025 Iraq's Amir Al-Ammari and Merchas Doski celebrate after the match REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
FIFA World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Play Off - Second Leg - Iraq v United Arab Emirates - Basra International Stadium, Basra, Iraq - November 18, 2025 Iraq's Amir Al-Ammari and Merchas Doski celebrate after the match REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
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Iraq Await Bolivia or Suriname in World Cup Playoff Tournament

FIFA World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Play Off - Second Leg - Iraq v United Arab Emirates - Basra International Stadium, Basra, Iraq - November 18, 2025 Iraq's Amir Al-Ammari and Merchas Doski celebrate after the match REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
FIFA World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Play Off - Second Leg - Iraq v United Arab Emirates - Basra International Stadium, Basra, Iraq - November 18, 2025 Iraq's Amir Al-Ammari and Merchas Doski celebrate after the match REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

Iraq will play either Bolivia or Suriname to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after the inter-confederation playoff tournament draw was held on Thursday to decide the pathways that determine two slots for the 2026 World Cup.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of Congo await either New Caledonia or Jamaica in the other pathway. The six teams from the AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL and the OFC confederations will play in the inter-confederation playoff tournament in Guadalajara and Monterrey in March.

Seeded teams Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo directly advanced to the two playoff finals. Iraq are trying to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since their debut appearance in 1986.

Graham Arnold's side reached the playoffs in dramatic fashion by beating the United Arab Emirates with a penalty in the 17th minute of stoppage time for a 3-2 aggregate win.

Congo kept alive hopes of a World Cup place as they edged continental powerhouse Nigeria 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra time to win the African qualifying playoffs.

Jamaica failed to get the win needed over Curacao to qualify directly, leading Steve McClaren to resign as their head coach despite reaching the playoffs. Bolivia finished seventh in the South American qualifiers, sealing the playoff spot with a shock 1-0 win over Brazil in the final round of games. A separate draw was held for the European playoffs where 16 teams will battle it out for four remaining spots.

PLAYOFF TOURNAMENT DRAW PATHWAY

1 Semi-final 1: New Caledonia v Jamaica Final: Democratic Republic of Congo v Winner of SF1 PATHWAY 2 Semi-final 2: Bolivia v Suriname Final: Iraq v Winner of SF2

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Archer Steps Down as WTA CEO After Less Than 2 Years in the Role

FILE - Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain's racket lies on the court during his second round match against Reilly Opelka of the US at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
FILE - Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain's racket lies on the court during his second round match against Reilly Opelka of the US at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
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Archer Steps Down as WTA CEO After Less Than 2 Years in the Role

FILE - Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain's racket lies on the court during his second round match against Reilly Opelka of the US at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
FILE - Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain's racket lies on the court during his second round match against Reilly Opelka of the US at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Portia Archer has stepped down from her role as chief executive officer of the WTA less than two years after being appointed, the governing body of elite women's tennis said on Wednesday.

WTA chair Valerie Camillo informed staff, members and other stakeholders of Archer's departure on Wednesday in a note which the organization shared with Reuters.

The letter did not specify a reason for Archer's departure but said she had left her role effective April ⁠20 ahead of ⁠her contract renewal.

The American had replaced Steve Simon, who relinquished his role as CEO after eight years in late 2023. Simon remained as executive chairman of the organization until Camillo was appointed in October last year.

"We are ⁠working through a transition plan for the leadership of the WTA and will share an update on this by mid-May," Camillo wrote in the note.

Archer, previously a senior executive at the National Basketball Association, took charge as WTA CEO in July 2024 and led day-to-day business strategy and operations, helping it expand into new markets.

Sports

Trump Envoy Reportedly Seeks to Replace Iran with Italy in World Cup

FILED - 13 December 2024, Switzerland, Zurich: The FIFA logo is seen on the facade of FIFA headquarters before the draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Photo: Christian Charisius/dpa
FILED - 13 December 2024, Switzerland, Zurich: The FIFA logo is seen on the facade of FIFA headquarters before the draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Photo: Christian Charisius/dpa
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Trump Envoy Reportedly Seeks to Replace Iran with Italy in World Cup

FILED - 13 December 2024, Switzerland, Zurich: The FIFA logo is seen on the facade of FIFA headquarters before the draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Photo: Christian Charisius/dpa
FILED - 13 December 2024, Switzerland, Zurich: The FIFA logo is seen on the facade of FIFA headquarters before the draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Photo: Christian Charisius/dpa

A top envoy to US President Donald Trump has asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

The plan is an effort to repair ties between Trump and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out amid the American president's attacks against Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war, the FT reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

"I confirm I have suggested to Trump and (FIFA president Gianni) Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. I'm an Italian native and it would be a dream to see ⁠the Azzurri at ⁠a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion," US special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the FT.

The White House, FIFA, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

Italy suffered a shock in March after the national team missed out on the World Cup for the third time in a row following a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat by Bosnia and Herzegovina in their ⁠qualifying playoff final.

Iran qualified for a fourth successive World Cup last year but after the start of the war requested that FIFA move the team's three group matches from the US to Mexico.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on a visit to an Iran squad training camp in Türkiye last month that all matches would take place as scheduled, while offering the team help with preparations for the tournament.

"We are preparing and making arrangements for the World Cup, but we are obedient to the decisions of the authorities," Iranian football federation (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj told reporters at a pro-government rally in Tehran on Wednesday.

"For now, the decision is for the national team to be fully prepared for ⁠the World Cup."

The decision ⁠on which country would come in if the Iranian government withdrew the team lies in the hands of FIFA, which under Article Six of the World Cup regulations is at liberty to call up any nation it chooses to fill the vacancy.

The World Cup, which is also being co-hosted by Mexico and Canada, gets underway on June 11 with Iran scheduled to kick off their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles four days later.

Sports

Al-Nassr Reaches Asian Champions League Two Final

Al-Nassr scored five goals against Qatari Al-Ahli. (Al-Nassr Club)
Al-Nassr scored five goals against Qatari Al-Ahli. (Al-Nassr Club)
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Al-Nassr Reaches Asian Champions League Two Final

Al-Nassr scored five goals against Qatari Al-Ahli. (Al-Nassr Club)
Al-Nassr scored five goals against Qatari Al-Ahli. (Al-Nassr Club)

Cristiano Ronaldo helped Al-Nassr crush Qatar’s Al-Ahli 5-1 on Wednesday to reach the Asian Champions League Two final and move within touching distance of a first major trophy since joining the Saudi club in December 2022.

The 41-year-old Portugal superstar played for 78 minutes and, while he did not score, French international Kingsley Coman's hat trick inspired a comeback victory in Asia’s second-tier club tournament, The Associated Press reported.

Al-Ahli had a chance to take the lead after seven minutes, but a penalty from former Germany international Julian Draxler was saved by Brazilian goalkeeper Bento.

Four minutes later, the Qatari side went ahead. Sekou Yansane cut inside from the right and curled a low shot into the far corner.

Al-Nassr responded almost immediately, with Coman equalizing from close range after Angelo broke free down the left.

Angelo then put the hosts in front midway through the first half, collecting a pass from Sadio Mane before guiding the ball past the goalkeeper.

Just before the break, Al-Nassr extended its lead as Coman pounced on a loose ball to score from close range.

Coman, who joined from Bayern Munich in 2025, completed his hat trick in the 64th, running onto a pass from Angelo and finishing calmly.

Abdullah Al-Hamdan added a late goal to complete the win.

Al-Nassr, which leads the Saudi Pro League with five games remaining, faces Japan’s Gamba Osaka in the Champions League Two final in Riyadh on May 17.