Los Angeles [US], June 16 (ANI): Iran secured a hard-fought 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their opening World Cup match on Monday, in a thrilling contest played against the backdrop of protests by Iranian supporters against the government in Tehran at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
(260616) -- LOS ANGELES, June 16, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Players of Iran walk into the court before the group G match between Iran and New Zealand at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, June 15, 2026.
Only the hackiest screenwriter imaginable would script America’s debasement this way.
How Algeria and Kansas became the World Cup’s most unlikely love story Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 06/15/2026 - 18:35 As Muslim and Arab World Cup figures face heightened scrutiny at the US border, one Midwestern city has embraced Algeria with open arms Patrons in Kansas City bar 'Johnny's Tavern' give a warm welcome to the Algerian National Football Team while holding an Algerian flag (@JohnnysTaverns/X Screenshot) Off Before Algeria had even kicked a ball at the 2026 World Cup, the team had already won over one US city. In Lawrence, Kansas, a college town better known for the University of Kansas Jayhawks than for international football, the Algerian national team’s arrival has triggered an unexpected outpouring of affection. The city’s relationship with the Algerian team, affectionately known as the Desert Foxes, began months before the tournament, when Lawrence was officially announced in February as Algeria’s base camp for the World Cup.
In NYC's Little Senegal, World Cup excitement meets exclusion and economic strain Submitted by Azad Essa on Mon, 06/15/2026 - 01:51 The Senegalese will take on France on Tuesday, but many locals will be excluded from the match taking place just 30 minutes away Saliou Gueye, a sports science student, outside the Senegalese Association of America (Azad Essa/MEE) Off In the barber shops and cafes of Little Senegal, the West African enclave stretching along 116th Street in New York City's Harlem, big screens glow with football matches, flags drape from walls, and nearly every conversation finds its way back to the upcoming clash between France and Senegal. Every third or fourth storefront displays Senegal's green-and-white football shirts, hanging prominently in windows and doorways. Along the avenue, passersby stroll in bucket hats striped red, yellow and green - the colours of the Senegalese flag.
New York [US], June 15 (ANI): At 73, Carlos Queiroz is still one World Cup short of equalling the record for the most appearances by a coach at the tournament, but he is set to enter the history books once again this week. Queiroz will lead Ghana in their Group L opener against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday, extending a remarkable streak that began with Portugal at the 2010 World Cup.
Inglewood [US], June 15 (ANI): New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley said that they are treating their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Iran on Monday as a 'normal game'. Notably, the Iran clash comes amid the backdrop of the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran.
The successes of Iran’s national soccer team used to be a source of celebration. Now, many Iranians can barely muster the energy to care.
World Cup 2026: Saudi football's star-studded revolution has yet to lift the national team Submitted by Bassil Mikdadi on Mon, 06/15/2026 - 07:55 Three years after Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival helped launch Saudi Arabia's football spending spree, questions linger as to whether investment in clubs will translate into international success Saudi Arabia's Salem al-Dawsari controls the ball in the second half of a friendly match with Puerto Rico at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas on 5 June 2026 (AFP/Daniel Jefferson) Off On a sunny winter afternoon at Lusail Stadium in 2022, Saudi Arabia pulled off one of the biggest upsets in football history. Down a goal at half-time, the Green Falcons struck twice early in the second half to take a 2-1 lead over eventual champions Argentina. The result washed away World Cup humiliations from previous tournaments.
(260615) -- LOS ANGELES, June 15, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Iran's head coach Amir Ghalenoei (R) and player Mehdi Taremi attend a press conference at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States, on June 14, 2026.
(260615) -- LOS ANGELES, June 15, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Payam Niazmand of Iran attends a training session at Carson Sports Park in Los Angeles, the United States, on June 14, 2026.
Tijuana [Mexico], June 15 (ANI): Iran's national football team reached the United States, arriving at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday ahead of their FIFA World Cup opener against New Zealand scheduled for Monday. Earlier, Iran football team received a rousing send-off from fans as they left their Tijuana base camp.
The Iranian government has always used the national team to project soft power. That puts players and fans who oppose the regime in a tough spot.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry praised Iran’s rich civilizational and intellectual heritage during a visit to the mausoleum of Avicenna in the western city of Hamedan.
New Jersey [US], June 14 (ANI): Egypt will not display the seven stars representing their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) titles on their jerseys during the FIFA World Cup 2026, according to the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), reported ESPN. The Pharaohs traditionally wear seven stars above their national-team crest to commemorate their record seven continental championships.
(260614) -- ILOCOS SUR PROVINCE, June 14, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Ayda Valinezhad of Iran tries to save the ball during the classification match between Iran and the Philippines at the 2026 AVC Women's Cup in Ilocos Sur Province, the Philippines, on June 14, 2026.
Israel to install statue of Indian Maratha king as gesture of friendship Submitted by Shraddha Joshi on Fri, 06/12/2026 - 12:55 The Israeli consul shared his aim to increase awareness of Indian history among the Israeli public According to the statement by the Israeli Consul General Yaniv Revach (centre), the announcement was to mark the anniversary of the coronation of Shivaji in 1674, marking the establishment of the Maratha empire (X) Off The Israeli consulate in Mumbai announced plans to install a statue of Indian Maratha ruler Shivaji in a major Israeli city, following a meeting between the consul general and the chief minister of the Indian state of Maharashtra last week. “India & Israel are ancient civilisations and are proud of each other's history,” the consulate stated in a post on X revealing the initiative. The 17th-century Indian king, referred to by his title of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has recently been recast by Indian Hindu right-wing groups as a founding icon of Hindu nationalism and armed opposition to Muslim rule, although scholars have contested this reading as ahistoric.
Bulgaria Defeat Iran 3? 0 as Blengini Praises Serve and Block Bulgaria's men earned their first win of the tournament with the straight-sets success over Iran in their second match of the opening VNL leg in Brazil. The team now holds one win and one loss as they prepare to face Argentina next.
(260612) -- ILOCOS SUR PROVINCE, June 12, 2026 (Xinhua) -- Players of Iran celebrate after scoring a point during the pool B match between Iran and China's Hong Kong at the 2026 AVC Women's Cup in Ilocos Sur Province, the Philippines, on June 12, 2026.
World Cup 2026: Ranking some of the best kits from the Middle East and North Africa Submitted by Imene Guiza on Thu, 06/11/2026 - 10:40 A look at five of the best kits from MENA countries competing at this year's tournament Morocco scores highly (Puma) Off The World Cup is finally here, and while there may be plenty of problems surrounding this year's tournament, fans everywhere are hoping, as always, to see some incredible performances on the field. With the world's eyes fixed on the competition for the next five weeks, we've taken a look at some of the best and worst kits representing five of the eight countries from the Middle East and North Africa. Some countries kept things simple.
