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Trump Unveils Fast-Track Visas for World Cup Ticket Holders 

US President Donald Trump speaks while US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Senior advisor to FIFA president Carlos Cordeiro stand near him, as he meets with the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, November 17, 2025. (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump speaks while US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Senior advisor to FIFA president Carlos Cordeiro stand near him, as he meets with the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, November 17, 2025. (Reuters)
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Trump Unveils Fast-Track Visas for World Cup Ticket Holders 

US President Donald Trump speaks while US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Senior advisor to FIFA president Carlos Cordeiro stand near him, as he meets with the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, November 17, 2025. (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump speaks while US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Senior advisor to FIFA president Carlos Cordeiro stand near him, as he meets with the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, November 17, 2025. (Reuters)

President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled special fast-track visas for people with tickets to the 2026 World Cup, but his administration warned it was no guarantee of entry to the United States.

The United States has promised a seamless experience for next year's tournament despite concerns that Trump's border crackdown could hurt fans.

"For those who intend to join us for the World Cup, I strongly encourage you to apply right away," Trump said as he announced the scheme in the Oval Office with Gianni Infantino, the boss of global football body FIFA.

Infantino, who has repeatedly appeared at Trump's side since the Republican's return to the White House in January, said the so-called "FIFA Pass" was a "very important announcement."

"If you have a ticket for the World Cup, you can have a prioritized appointment to get your visa," Infantino said.

"We'll have between five and 10 million people coming to America from all over the world to enjoy the World Cup, and with this FIFA pass, we can make sure that those who buy a ticket, that are legitimate football fans or soccer fans, they can come and attend the World Cup in the best conditions."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, however, issued a warning to those hoping to come for the tournament.

"Your ticket is not a visa," Rubio said at the announcement. "It doesn't guarantee admission to the US. It guarantees you an expedited appointment, you're still going to go through the same vetting."

Rubio said ticket holders would get an interview within six to eight weeks under the plan but urged people to act now.

"Don't wait till the last minute," he said.

Trump has made the World Cup a centerpiece event of both his second presidency and the 250th anniversary of US independence next year.

But the giant sporting extravaganza has not escaped the political turmoil caused by Trump's hardline stance on a host of issues.

Trump has raised the possibility of moving games from certain host cities amid a crackdown on what he says is crime and migration in some Democratic-run cities.

The draw for the World Cup is due to take place in Washington on December 5.

FIFA will present a new peace prize on the same day, with widespread speculation that it could go to Trump.

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Sports

Real Madrid’s Carvajal Suffers Toe Fracture

Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal during the team's training session at club's sport complex in Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain, 23 April 2026. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal during the team's training session at club's sport complex in Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain, 23 April 2026. (EPA)
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Real Madrid’s Carvajal Suffers Toe Fracture

Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal during the team's training session at club's sport complex in Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain, 23 April 2026. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal during the team's training session at club's sport complex in Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain, 23 April 2026. (EPA)

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal will miss the Clasico on May 10 after suffering a toe fracture, his club said Saturday.

The veteran right-back is set to miss the next two weeks according to Spanish media and could return for the club's final game of the season against Athletic Bilbao.

Real Madrid, second, are 11 points behind league leaders Barcelona who could clinch La Liga this weekend with a win at Osasuna, if Los Blancos drop points at Espanyol on Sunday.

Carvajal will be out for the Clasico clash at Barca next Sunday, which may be his last as a Madrid player.

The defender, who has won six Champions League titles and four La Liga titles with Madrid, is out of contract at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old had hoped to form part of Spain's World Cup squad this summer but after an injury-hit season his chances were already slim before his latest setback.

Sports

Alex Zanardi, Auto Racing Champion-Turned-Paralympian, Dies at 59 After Life-Altering Accidents

Alex Zanardi of Italy celebrates holding his gold medal following the medal ceremony for the man's road cycle individual time trial H4 category at the 2012 Paralympics games, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012, at Brands Hatch motor racing circuit near London. (AP)
Alex Zanardi of Italy celebrates holding his gold medal following the medal ceremony for the man's road cycle individual time trial H4 category at the 2012 Paralympics games, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012, at Brands Hatch motor racing circuit near London. (AP)
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Alex Zanardi, Auto Racing Champion-Turned-Paralympian, Dies at 59 After Life-Altering Accidents

Alex Zanardi of Italy celebrates holding his gold medal following the medal ceremony for the man's road cycle individual time trial H4 category at the 2012 Paralympics games, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012, at Brands Hatch motor racing circuit near London. (AP)
Alex Zanardi of Italy celebrates holding his gold medal following the medal ceremony for the man's road cycle individual time trial H4 category at the 2012 Paralympics games, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012, at Brands Hatch motor racing circuit near London. (AP)

Alex Zanardi, the Italian auto racing champion-turned-Paralympic gold medalist whose career was marked by two life-altering accidents, has died. He was 59.

Zanardi’s family announced his death on Saturday, saying that he passed away on Friday night.

“Alex died peacefully, surrounded by the affection of those closest to him,” the family said in a statement without providing a cause of death.

In 2020, Zanardi was seriously injured in a handbike accident after crashing into an oncoming truck during a relay event in Tuscany. Zanardi suffered serious facial and cranial trauma in the crash and was put in a medically induced coma.

Nearly 20 years earlier, Zanardi lost both of his legs in an auto racing crash.

"Italy loses a great champion and an extraordinary man, capable of turning every challenge of life into a lesson in courage, strength, and dignity,” Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said on X.

“Alex Zanardi knew how to bounce back every time, facing even the toughest challenges with determination, clarity, and a strength of spirit that was truly exceptional,” Meloni added. “With his sporting achievements, with his example, and with his humanity, he gave all of us much more than a victory: he gave hope, pride, and the strength to never give up. On behalf of myself and the government, I extend my heartfelt thoughts and the sincerest closeness to his family and to all those who loved him. Thank you for everything, Alex.”

Zanardi won two championships in CART in the United States before a brief move to Formula One. He returned to America and was racing in Germany in a CART event in 2001 when both of his legs were severed in a horrific accident the weekend after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. CART raced only because the series was already in Germany at the time of the attacks and could not return to the US.

During his recovery, Zanardi designed his own prosthetics — he joked that he made himself taller — and learned to walk again. He then turned his attention to hand cycling and developed into one of the most accomplished athletes in the world. He won four gold medals and two silvers at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics, competed in the New York City Marathon and set an Ironman record.

His spirit, will, and determination gave the beloved Italian a larger-than-life persona. When he returned to the US in 2019 to compete for BMW at the Rolex 24 of Daytona without his prosthetics, he was the most revered driver in a field that included F1 champion Fernando Alonso.

Drivers from around the world sought out Zanardi for photographs and were transfixed as he told elaborate tales of his adventures in the nearly two decades since many had seen him.

Noted for his infectious smile and fanciful storytelling, Zanardi was praised by Pope Francis after his 2020 crash as an example of strength amid adversity. Francis penned a handwritten letter of encouragement assuring Zanardi and his family of his prayers.

Zanardi’s family added that it “thanks everyone who is sharing their support right now and asks for respect during this time of mourning.”

Funeral details were still to be announced, the family said.

Sports

Kinsky Says de Zerbi Has Lifted Tottenham Spirits as Club Fights to Avoid Relegation

Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - April 25, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi celebrates after the match (Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)
Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - April 25, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi celebrates after the match (Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)
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Kinsky Says de Zerbi Has Lifted Tottenham Spirits as Club Fights to Avoid Relegation

Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - April 25, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi celebrates after the match (Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)
Football - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - April 25, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi celebrates after the match (Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky ‌said the arrival of head coach Roberto De Zerbi has instilled a positive mindset as the club battles to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.

De Zerbi became the club's third manager of the 2025-26 season when he joined Spurs in late March on a long-term contract, replacing Igor Tudor and taking over a team that was already sliding towards the danger zone.

Spurs are 18th in the Premier ‌League table with ‌34 points, two behind 17th-placed West ‌Ham ⁠United, with four ⁠matches remaining in the season.

"By the way he (De Zerbi) speaks, what you read and what you hear from him is that he believes in us and that is a big message that he gives us overall: that the quality is there in the ⁠squad," Kinsky said in an interview with ‌Sky Sports on Friday.

"It's just ‌not to speak about it but to show it. ‌With the combination, with the style that he wants ‌to play, I think our squad fits to that so I believe this is going to work.

"Now we have four points from three games, there is four left ‌and I hope and I believe that this is the right way." Spurs ended ⁠a 16-game ⁠winless run in the league with a victory over already relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers last week, with Kinsky producing a crucial late save from Joao Gomes' free-kick to secure all three points.

"It's very precious. If we wouldn't bring three points from there, of course, it would be much more difficult now," the 23-year-old said about the win against Wolves.

"We are not closer but at least we didn't get further (away). So the difference is still just two points."

Spurs travel to fifth-placed Aston Villa on Sunday.