Sports
Iran Hits Back at Trump Over World Cup Remarks
A dispute has emerged over Iran’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after US President Donald Trump suggested it would not be appropriate for the Iranian team to take part because of safety concerns.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that Iran would technically be “welcome” at the tournament but questioned whether the team should attend.
“The Iran national soccer team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety,” he wrote.
However, a message posted on the Iranian team’s official Telegram channel pushed back strongly against the comments, arguing that the decision lies with FIFA rather than any individual host nation.
The statement suggested that if security concerns exist, then the host country should reconsider its role instead.
“Certainly, no-one can remove the Iranian national team from the World Cup,” the message said.
“Rather, the country that should be removed is the one that merely carries the title of host but does not have the ability to ensure security for the teams participating in this event.”
The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with matches scheduled to begin on 11 June.
Iran are currently scheduled to play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on 15 and 21 June respectively, before facing Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.
The uncertainty surrounding Iran’s participation follows recent military escalation involving the United States and Israel, which carried out strikes on Iran earlier this month that reportedly killed the country’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran later responded by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and several Gulf states hosting US military bases, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Earlier in the week, Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, said Trump had told him Iran would still be “welcome to compete” at the World Cup.
But Iran’s Minister of Sports and Youth, Ahmad Donyamali, suggested his country might reconsider taking part.
Speaking to the IRIB Sports Network, he said: “Given that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances do we have the appropriate conditions to participate in the World Cup.
“Our boys are not safe, and conditions for participation do not exist.”
Despite those remarks, Iran has not formally withdrawn from the tournament and appears determined to make its own decision on whether to participate.
If Iran ultimately decides to withdraw from what would be its fourth consecutive World Cup appearance, FIFA regulations allow the governing body to select a replacement team, although it remains unclear which nation could take that place.
Sports
Mikel Arteta signs new contract with Premier League champions Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has signed a new contract with Premier League champions Arsenal, extending his stay at the club beyond the end of this season.
The Spaniard took charge of the Gunners in December 2019, meaning the new deal could see him remain at the Emirates for a decade.
Arteta’s previous contract was due to expire at the end of the current campaign. His new agreement includes an increase on his existing £10m-a-year salary, with a further £5m available in bonuses.
The Arsenal manager had reportedly benchmarked his value against the salaries of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, who are both believed to earn more than £20m per year.
“This club is unique, its character and the way it makes you feel, and I have a great sense of privilege that our journey together will continue,” Arteta said.
“We have already built a special bond and created memories that will last a lifetime, and what is so exciting is that this is only the beginning of what we can achieve together.”
The 44-year-old has guided Arsenal to a Premier League title and an FA Cup during his time in charge.
He also led the club to the Champions League final in May, where Arsenal were beaten by Paris St-Germain.
Sports
Jannik Sinner ends season early to undergo knee treatment
Jannik Sinner has ended his season early to undergo treatment on a knee injury.
The Italian has not played competitively since defending his Wimbledon title in July.
The five-time Grand Slam champion said he had “needed to think about my long-term career” before deciding to end his season.
“Me together with the doctors have decided that I need a course of treatment for my knee,” the 25-year-old said in an Instagram video.
“The last couple of years gave me so many beautiful feelings and emotions, which this year is going to be way different.
“I will do everything possible to get back 100%.”
Sinner was the dominant player for much of the year, winning 44 and losing just three of his singles matches.
He won five Masters 1000 titles in a row between March and May, becoming the youngest man to complete the career Golden Masters.
His injury means Alexander Zverev is highly likely to replace him as world number one by the end of the year.
Second-ranked Zverev, who has won the French Open and US Open this year, trails Sinner by 1,280 points in the live rankings.
However, Sinner will be unable to defend the points he earned by winning titles in China, Vienna, Paris and the ATP Finals at the end of last year.
Sinner won six titles in 2026 across all three surfaces and lost just one singles match between March and July.
He reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in five sets, but suffered a shock second-round defeat by Juan Manuel Cerundolo at the French Open in May.
The defeat in hot and humid conditions in Paris ended Sinner’s 30-match winning streak.
He responded strongly at Wimbledon, where he was pushed to five sets in the first round and suffered a bleeding foot during the match before recovering to beat Zverev in the final and successfully defend his title.
Sinner and his generational rival Carlos Alcaraz, who met in three of the four Grand Slam finals last year, played each other only once in 2026.
Sinner won that meeting, defeating the Spaniard in the Monte Carlo Masters final to reclaim the world number one ranking.
He finishes the year with a 10-1 record against top-10 players, with his only defeat coming against Djokovic in Melbourne at the start of the year.
Sports
Mbappe Explains Ceuta T-Shirt Gesture and Says He Stands With Victims
Kylian Mbappe has explained why he rolled up his pre-match T-shirt before Real Madrid’s game at Elche on Tuesday, partially covering a message in support of Ceuta.
The shirts carried the slogan “Todos somos Caballas”, meaning “We are all Caballas” — a nickname for people from Ceuta.
Real Madrid team-mates Vinicius Jr and Ibrahima Konate also rolled up their shirts.
Mbappe said the decision to wear the shirts was made by the club and stressed that his gesture was not intended to oppose the people of Ceuta.
“I want to explain this clearly so people understand. It was the club’s decision to include the T-shirt and to have us wear it. We players had to wear it,” the France international said.
“The first thing I want to say is that I stand in full solidarity with Ceuta and with all the victims.”
Ceuta is a Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast, bordering Morocco and separated from mainland Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar.
More than 100 people died when tens of thousands of migrants crossed into the territory from neighbouring Morocco in July.
“Because before I’m a player, I’m a human being. But I also wanted to make a gesture and spare a thought for all the immigrants who have lost their lives and who are also living in harsh conditions,” Mbappe added.
He acknowledged that his decision could be misunderstood.
“It wasn’t an easy position to take. It was difficult because, in the end, people might think I’m against the people of Ceuta. But no, absolutely not.
“I have nothing against them, and I support them 100% in my thoughts. But I also wanted to spare a thought for all the people who are suffering because, at the end of the day, I’m human, and I don’t want to prioritise one form of suffering over another.
“There are people who are suffering, and it breaks my heart to see that happening in the world. I’m a young man who wants the best for the world we live in.
“I aim to send a message of positivity and peace, and I hope this situation is resolved quickly.”
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