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Iran to Play World Cup Warm-up Behind Closed Doors

FILE PHOTO: File Photo: Soccer Football - International Friendly - Iran v Gambia - Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya, Türkiye - May 29, 2026 Iran players REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: File Photo: Soccer Football - International Friendly - Iran v Gambia - Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya, Türkiye - May 29, 2026 Iran players REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo/File Photo
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Iran to Play World Cup Warm-up Behind Closed Doors

FILE PHOTO: File Photo: Soccer Football - International Friendly - Iran v Gambia - Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya, Türkiye - May 29, 2026 Iran players REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: File Photo: Soccer Football - International Friendly - Iran v Gambia - Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya, Türkiye - May 29, 2026 Iran players REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo/File Photo

Iran will play their final World Cup warm-up behind closed doors in Türkiye on Thursday before departing for their tournament base in Mexico on Saturday, the Iranian FA (FFIRI) said on Wednesday.

Although it was one of the first teams to qualify, Iran's participation in the World Cup has been in doubt since the US and Israel launched air strikes on the country in late February.

The squad have played three friendlies in two training camps in Antalya since the start of the war - losing to Nigeria and beating Costa Rica and Gambia - and on Thursday will face Mali in the Turkish ⁠sea resort.

"Considering the ⁠importance of the Iranian national football team's friendly match against Mali, and in line with the tactical objectives of Iran's head coach, tomorrow's match against Mali will be held behind closed doors and without media attendance," Reuters quoted FFIRI as saying in a statement.

The FFIRI persuaded FIFA to allow the team to swap its tournament ⁠base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, and from there they will commute across the border to their first two group games against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles.

Their third and final Group G game against Egypt is in Seattle.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday said Washington had "no problem" with the Iranian team entering the country, but would not let officials or staff with ties to the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) accompany them.

"What we're not going to allow is for them to ⁠embed in ⁠their delegation a bunch of people that we know have nothing to do with athletics and have ties to the IRGC or things of that nature, so we were going to watch that very closely," Rubio said during a House of Representatives committee hearing.

Both the US and Canada, who are co-hosting the World Cup with Mexico, classify the IRGC as a "terrorist entity."

FFIRI President Mehdi Taj was refused entry into Canada for the FIFA Congress in late April because of his links to the elite military force.

Iran are scheduled to kick off their campaign against New Zealand on June 15.

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Senegal Skipper Koulibaly Owns up to Mistakes Against Norway

Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly , left, and Norway's Erling Haaland vie for the ball during a World Cup Group I match in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly , left, and Norway's Erling Haaland vie for the ball during a World Cup Group I match in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
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Senegal Skipper Koulibaly Owns up to Mistakes Against Norway

Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly , left, and Norway's Erling Haaland vie for the ball during a World Cup Group I match in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly , left, and Norway's Erling Haaland vie for the ball during a World Cup Group I match in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)

Senegal ‌captain Kalidou Koulibaly owned up to key mistakes in his side’s World Cup group-stage loss to Norway on Monday that left the African side in danger of early elimination.

Koulibaly’s slips allowed Norway to win 3-2 and book their place in the next round along with France, while Senegal, who before the tournament had been touted as strong outsiders, have yet to pick up any points and must win their match against Iraq in Toronto on Friday if they ‌are to have ‌any chance of being one of ‌the ⁠best third-placed finishers.

"At ⁠the top level, football comes down to the details. The team that makes the fewest mistakes wins. Today, I made a lot of mistakes and that’s a real shame,” Koulibaly told reporters after the game.

“The standard at the World Cup is very high and so there is no room ⁠for error. We made too many mistakes ‌to stand any chance of winning ‌the match.”

Koulibaly misjudged a clearance and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was ‌unable to keep out substitute Marcus Pedersen's rasping shot to ‌give Norway the lead close to halftime.

The 35-year-old defender, whose place had been questioned after the defeat to France in their opening game in Group I, was also culpable for Erling Haaland’s ‌two goals in the second half.

Despite a litany of defensive errors, Senegal sometimes looked ⁠dangerous on ⁠the counter-attack, with Ismaila Sarr getting two goals back, including one in stoppage time.

“Chasing the game is very difficult. Mentally, the team reacted well though. Despite the setbacks, there was a surge of energy and the players did everything they could to try and secure a draw but we didn't manage it. You have to believe until the very end,” added Koulibaly, who was taken off in the 72nd minute.

"Now we have to believe right to the end. We’re going to play a big match against Iraq and try to win," the skipper said.

Sports

F1 to Have Extra Test Day from 2027, Engine Tweaks Approved

FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Monaco Grand Prix - Circuit de Monaco, Monaco - June 7, 2026 Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli in action during the race REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Monaco Grand Prix - Circuit de Monaco, Monaco - June 7, 2026 Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli in action during the race REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki/File Photo
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F1 to Have Extra Test Day from 2027, Engine Tweaks Approved

FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Monaco Grand Prix - Circuit de Monaco, Monaco - June 7, 2026 Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli in action during the race REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Monaco Grand Prix - Circuit de Monaco, Monaco - June 7, 2026 Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli in action during the race REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki/File Photo

Formula One teams will be allowed an extra day of pre-season testing from next year while agreed engine tweaks have now been formally approved, the sport's governing body said on Tuesday.

The current allocation of three days of testing has been increased to ⁠four due to ⁠the complexity of the cars, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) said after its World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) met in Macau.

According to Reuters, it ⁠added that the WMSC had ratified proposed changes "to rebalance the contribution of the Internal Combustion Engine and Energy Recovery System contribution across the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

"Updates include targeted adjustments to internal combustion engine output, fuel energy flow ⁠and ⁠energy recovery system deployment, together with increased flexibility in energy management."

The changes aim to allow more flat-out qualifying and less energy management after widespread driver complaints earlier this season that racing had become more artificial and also more dangerous.

Sports

England, Ghana Eye Last 32 as Portugal Look for Lift-off

England forward Harry Kane prepares for a Group L World Cup clash against Ghana. JUAN MABROMATA / AFP
England forward Harry Kane prepares for a Group L World Cup clash against Ghana. JUAN MABROMATA / AFP
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England, Ghana Eye Last 32 as Portugal Look for Lift-off

England forward Harry Kane prepares for a Group L World Cup clash against Ghana. JUAN MABROMATA / AFP
England forward Harry Kane prepares for a Group L World Cup clash against Ghana. JUAN MABROMATA / AFP

England will aim to become the latest of the World Cup big guns to book their place in the knockout rounds on Tuesday as Portugal attempt to kickstart their campaign after a lackluster opening draw.

A day after Argentina and France sailed into the last 32, England face Ghana in Group L knowing that victory will see them safely into the next phase of the tournament, said AFP.

England launched their campaign last week with a stylish 4-2 win over Croatia, a result that has given the Three Lions camp fresh belief as they chase a first major championship win in 60 years.

With captain Harry Kane scoring twice and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham netting, England midfielder Declan Rice believes Thomas Tuchel's squad should be a match for any team in the tournament.

Rice said Monday the challenge for England will be reproducing the swashbuckling attacking display that marked their second-half performance against Croatia.

"We know as players the level, we know what's required, and that second-half performance was probably the benchmark for us in terms of having to start the game at that level," Rice said.

"We believe that if we can do that from the opening minute, with the players that we also have to come on and finish the game, we can beat any opponent in the world.

"We want to be confident in our abilities and what we can do on the pitch."

England's German manager Tuchel meanwhile says his team are already embracing the pressure that comes with a World Cup campaign.

"There are emotions involved and you can at some point feel the tension and feel the pressure. I hope we can cope with it, accept it and turn it around," Tuchel said.

"I heard also a lot about it and I feel of course the excitement and the pressure, but I feel that we have so many winners and so many players who are experienced to cope with the pressure."

England though will be wary of the threat posed by Ghana's Antoine Semenyo, the London-born Manchester City winger who is the focal point of the Black Stars attack.

Ghana, 1-0 winners over Panama in their opener last week, can also qualify for the knockout rounds on Tuesday with a victory at Foxborough, just outside Boston.

- Portugal chase response -

Elsewhere, Portugal will attempt to draw a line under a turbulent first week of the tournament when they take on Uzbekistan in Houston.

Portugal arrived at the World Cup as one of the tournament favorites, boasting a team studded with flair players and spearheaded by veteran Cristiano Ronaldo in attack.

But Ronaldo's leaden performance in a faltering 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo renewed debate about the captain's place in the starting line-up.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has continued to offer staunch support of his 41-year-old captain, despite his failure to score in his last 10 matches at major tournaments.

"He's a good example for us, for all of us," Martinez said of Ronaldo.

"So he really wants to keep on improving, to contribute to the team, and he's really a role model for our team."

Martinez though stopped short of confirming Ronaldo will start against Uzbekistan when asked by reporters on Monday, saying he had not informed his players of the lineup.

Martinez said the disappointment Portugal felt after drawing with the DRC will be motivation against Uzbekistan, who are playing at a World Cup for the first time and will be heavy underdogs.

"The feeling of frustration that we all had as a team, the feeling of disappointment after the game, probably that's the best starting point to prepare for the next game," said the Spaniard.