Iran are still scheduled to play at this summer’s World Cup and FIFA President Gianni Infantino has offered a fresh update on their place amid the ongoing conflict with the USA and Israel

Iran’s participation had been thrown into doubt by the war with the United States and Israel.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Wednesday that Iran would "for sure" be at the World Cup this summer, despite the ongoing war with the United States.

FIFA High-Performance Specialist Faisal Chibsah has underlined that Carlos Queiroz’s prospects of success with the Black Stars will depend largely on how quickly he adapts.The Portuguese coach, appointed on a short-term four-month deal, has been tasked with steadying Ghana’s preparations for the World Cup following the dismissal of Otto Addo after a string of four consecutive friendly defeats.With limited time before the expanded tournament begins, attention has turned to whether Queiroz can impose his methods effectively in such a compressed window.Chibsah, while acknowledging the pedigree of the 73-year-old former Real Madrid and Portugal coach, stressed that reputation alone will not guarantee results unless he adjusts to the specific realities of the Black Stars environment.“He will bring a bit of discipline to the team, which for me was lacking a lot. We would see [discipline] and also [Ghana would] definitely get an identity.”“The challenge for Carlos now would be how adaptable he can be taking on Ghana.”“Iran, Oman, Qatar [recent jobs of Queiroz] are not Ghana. Ghana, we expect more.”Ghana are aiming to reach the World Cup knockout stages for the first time since 2010, with Group L fixtures against England, Croatia and Panama...

FIFA High-Performance Specialist Faisal Chibsah believes Ghana’s decision to appoint Carlos Queiroz could mark a decisive shift in the Black Stars’ direction, particularly in restoring structure and discipline ahead of the World Cup.Otto Addo was dismissed after a difficult run of four consecutive defeats in international friendlies, leaving the federation to act swiftly with just months remaining before the expanded 48-team tournament.The former Portugal and Egypt coach has been handed a short-term four-month contract to stabilise the team and guide them through the global showpiece.Chibsah expressed optimism about the impact the 73-year-old could have on the squad’s mentality and organisation, while also stressing the demands that come with managing Ghana at this level.“He will bring a bit of discipline to the team, which for me was lacking a lot. We would see [discipline] and also [Ghana would] definitely get an identity,” Chibsah told Joy News.“The challenge for Carlos now would be how adaptable he can be taking on Ghana.”“Iran, Oman, Qatar [recent jobs of Queiroz] are not Ghana. Ghana, we expect more.”Ghana head into the World Cup with ambitions of reaching the knockout stages for the first time since 2010, with Group L...

Le parole del ct iraniano che conferma la partecipazione della sua squadra ai prossimi Mondiali.

The league’s emphasis on youth development has seen its place in the careers of US national team players shift dramatically Sign up for the World Behind The Cup newsletter When the United States men’s national team traveled to France for the 1998 World Cup, they did so with 16 Major League Soccer players on their 22-man roster. This was very much by design. MLS had kicked off in 1996 as a fulfilled promise made to Fifa by US Soccer for the right to host the 1994 World Cup. The new league then set about hoarding as many national team players as it could. In a winless and mirthless tournament in 1998, fraught by a fractious camp, the Americans started an MLS player 21 times in their three group-stage matches, for an average of seven per starting lineup. That number has trended down ever since. In the 2002 run to the World Cup quarter-finals, setting the program’s modern high-water mark, an average of 5.4 MLS players made a start in the USA’s five matches. In 2006, it was 3.33. By 2010, that number had sunk to two; and in 2022, it was only one. In Qatar, the USMNT’s final group stage match against Iran was, in fact, the first time the team had started no MLS players at all at a World Cup since the league’s founding.

Chairman of Ghana’s Parliamentary Sports Committee, Ernest Henry Norgbey, has expressed strong support for the appointment of Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Black Stars, describing the decision as a step in the right direction.The 73-year-old Portuguese tactician was named Ghana’s new head coach following the dismissal of Otto Addo. Queiroz has signed a four-month contract with an option to extend beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Ghana have qualified for the global tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Panama, and Croatia.Speaking on the appointment, Norgbey praised Queiroz’s wealth of experience and tactical discipline, expressing confidence that the veteran coach will command respect from the players.“He comes to the table with a wealth of experience, and I think his tactical discipline will propel the team. I’m sure even the players will also have the kind of respect for him because this is a coach with international rating,” Norgbey said.He also commended the Ghana Football Association for making what he believes is a beneficial choice for the national team.“For once, the GFA has taken...

Chairman of Ghana’s Parliamentary Sports Committee, Ernest Henry Norgbey, has expressed strong confidence in newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz, highlighting the Portuguese tactician’s tactical discipline as a key asset that will drive the team forward at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Queiroz was named Ghana’s head coach following the dismissal of Otto Addo, signing a four-month contract with an option to extend. He will lead the Black Stars in Group L against England, Panama, and Croatia."He comes to the table with a wealth of experience, and I think his tactical discipline will propel the team," Norgbey said."I’m sure even the players will also have the kind of respect for him because this is a coach with international rating."The veteran Portuguese manager, who has previously coached Real Madrid, Iran, and Egypt, faces the immediate challenge of preparing Ghana for the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.Ghana’s campaign begins on June 17 against Panama in Toronto.