Iran Says No US Visas Issued Yet for 2026 World Cup

FILED - 16 August 2022, Berlin: Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, answers questions from journalists at a press conference after his meeting with the German Chancellor. Photo: Wolfgang Kumm/dpa
FILED - 16 August 2022, Berlin: Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, answers questions from journalists at a press conference after his meeting with the German Chancellor. Photo: Wolfgang Kumm/dpa
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Iran Says No US Visas Issued Yet for 2026 World Cup

FILED - 16 August 2022, Berlin: Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, answers questions from journalists at a press conference after his meeting with the German Chancellor. Photo: Wolfgang Kumm/dpa
FILED - 16 August 2022, Berlin: Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, answers questions from journalists at a press conference after his meeting with the German Chancellor. Photo: Wolfgang Kumm/dpa

Iran's football federation chief on Thursday said no visas had yet been issued for the national team to participate in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, state media reported.

"Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, we will have a decisive meeting with FIFA. They must give us guarantees, because the visa issue has still not been resolved," the state news agency IRNA quoted federation chief Mehdi Taj as saying.

"We have not received any account from the other side regarding who has been granted visas. No visas have been issued yet," he added, AFP reported.

According to Taj, the players were expected to travel to the Turkish capital Ankara for fingerprinting as part of the visa process.

"The players must travel to Ankara for fingerprinting, but we are trying to arrange for this to be done in Antalya so there will be no need to travel to Ankara," he said.

Iran has been at war with the United States and Israel since February 28, though a fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 8.

Tehran and Washington have had no diplomatic relations since 1980 following the hostage crisis at the US embassy that came after the Islamic revolution that toppled the US-backed shah.

Iran held a send-off ceremony on Wednesday for the national football team as it prepared to play in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Iran's national team, also known as TeamMelli, will be based in Tucson, Arizona during the World Cup.

The Iranians open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15 before lining up against Belgium and Egypt in Group G.



Turki Alalshikh Announces Riyadh Season Sponsorship of 2027 Spanish Super Cup in Istanbul

Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Advisor Turki Alalshikh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Advisor Turki Alalshikh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Turki Alalshikh Announces Riyadh Season Sponsorship of 2027 Spanish Super Cup in Istanbul

Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Advisor Turki Alalshikh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Advisor Turki Alalshikh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Turki Alalshikh announced Riyadh Season’s sponsorship of the 2027 Spanish Super Cup, which will be held in Istanbul, Türkiye, as part of Riyadh Season’s continued presence at major international sporting events.

Istanbul will host the Spanish Super Cup under an agreement between the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and Sela, in cooperation with the Turkish Football Federation.

The tournament will take place at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, one of the most iconic venues in football history, which hosted the UEFA Champions League finals in 2005 and 2023, and will now welcome some of Spain’s leading football clubs, SPA reported.

As part of this collaboration, Sela will oversee the Spanish Super Cup in Istanbul and will be responsible for managing the tournament’s commercial rights and operational delivery, in cooperation with the Royal Spanish Football Federation and the Turkish Football Federation, ensuring a world-class experience for clubs, players, broadcasters, partners, and fans.

Riyadh Season’s sponsorship of the tournament extends its role in supporting major sporting events and strengthening its international presence through partnerships with leading global sports institutions and competitions, helping reach new audiences and further enhance Riyadh Season’s presence on the global stage.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, and Atlético Madrid will participate in the tournament. The match schedule, ticketing details, as well as the accompanying fan programs and activities, will be announced at a later date.


Spanish Super Cup Will Be Held in Türkiye in 2027

Spanish Super Cup - Final - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 12, 2026 FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup final REUTERS/Stringer
Spanish Super Cup - Final - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 12, 2026 FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup final REUTERS/Stringer
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Spanish Super Cup Will Be Held in Türkiye in 2027

Spanish Super Cup - Final - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 12, 2026 FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup final REUTERS/Stringer
Spanish Super Cup - Final - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 12, 2026 FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup final REUTERS/Stringer

The 2027 Spanish Super Cup will be held in Türkiye at Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium, the Spanish Football Federation said Thursday.

The Final Four tournament will take place from February 2 to 7 and feature Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad, the federation said in a statement.

 

Barcelona are reigning Super Cup champions after beating Real Madrid in the 2026 final.

The Spanish Super Cup features the winners and runners-up of La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

 

 

 

 


Arbeloa Sent off and Fulham Walks off Before Penalty Shootout in Preseason Game Against Malaga

Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa looks out from the bench prior to the Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Oviedo in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa looks out from the bench prior to the Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Oviedo in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP)
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Arbeloa Sent off and Fulham Walks off Before Penalty Shootout in Preseason Game Against Malaga

Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa looks out from the bench prior to the Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Oviedo in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa looks out from the bench prior to the Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Oviedo in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP)

Fulham's preseason match against Malaga turned out to be not too friendly when the English club walked off and coach Alvaro Arbeloa was red-carded for complaining with the referees.

La Liga host Malaga scored a 90th-minute equalizer for 2-2. Malaga said a penalty shootout was scheduled. Fulham said there wasn't. Malaga kicked a penalty into an open net and claimed the Costa del Sol trophy on Wednesday.

Fulham said on X: “We can confirm that prior to the match, both teams agreed that there would not be a penalty shootout in the event of a draw."

Former Real Madrid coach Arbeloa was sent off for arguing with the officiating crew at the end of the match.

Malaga said a penalty shootout was scheduled but “Fulham left the pitch claiming that a shootout had not been included in the contract.”