Cup

El formato expandido de 48 equipos de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026 ha reabierto la posibilidad de un enfrentamiento histórico entre Lionel Messi y Cristiano Ronaldo, algo que nunca se ha visto en el torneo. Con Argentina y Portugal sorteados en grupos separados, cualquier encuentro dependerá enteramente del progreso en la fase eliminatoria. Dependiendo de los resultados, podrían encontrarse en los octavos de final, los cuartos de final o incluso en la final.

Los leales al presidente Mahmoud Abbas ganaron la mayoría de los comicios en las elecciones municipales palestinas, informaron funcionarios electorales el domingo, en una votación que por primera vez en casi dos décadas incluyó una ciudad en la Franja de Gaza dirigida por el rival Hamas.

• Carson Hocevar secured his first career NASCAR Cup Series victory at Talladega Superspeedway, marking a major breakthrough moment in his racing career. • The win came following a dramatic race that featured a major crash, demonstrating Hocevar's ability to overcome adversity and capitalize on opportunities. • This maiden Cup Series victory represents a significant milestone for Hocevar as he continues to establish himself as a competitive force in NASCAR's top series.

Special envoy to Donald Trump suggested the idea‘Firstly not possible … secondly not appropriate’The Italian sports minister, Andrea Abodi, has described a proposal for his country to replace Iran at the World Cup as “not appropriate”, rejecting any idea that the Azzurri will be granted a last-minute berth at this summer’s tournament.On Wednesday it emerged that Paolo Zampolli, a special envoy to Donald Trump, had suggested Italy should be fast-tracked to the World Cup despite their shock defeat by Bosnia & Herzegovina in last month’s playoffs. Zampolli proposed the four-time winners Italy replace Iran and said they would “have the pedigree to justify their inclusion”. But Abodi said that football’s showpiece tournament should remain meritocratic. Continue reading...

US special envoy Zampolli hopes for Italy involvementDoubts remain over Iran’s participationAn envoy to the US President Donald Trump has asked Fifa to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.The plan is an effort to repair ties between Trump and Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out amid the American president’s attacks against Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war, the FT reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Continue reading...

Mikie Sherrill says taxpayers should not carry burdenCosts at World Cup have come under increased scrutinyNew Jersey’s governor, Mikie Sherrill, has hit out at Fifa after reports her state’s transport system will charge $100 for a return ticket to World Cup matches this summer.New Jersey Transit lists the price for a round-trip ticket from New York’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium, which will host eight World Cup matches this summer, including the final, as $12.90. The new pricing, reported by The Athletic earlier this week, puts the return ticket at more than $100 with no reductions for children, seniors or people with disabilities. NJ Transit told Fox 5 New York that the price has not been finalized. A decision is expected in the coming days. Continue reading...

Unite Here co-president demands improvement in working conditions and urges Fifa to keep ICE away from matchesA hospitality union that represents about 2,000 workers at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles has threatened to strike during the World Cup if Fifa leaders do not heed their concerns about working conditions and the presence of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).This summer, SoFi Stadium will be thrust into the national spotlight as it hosts eight World Cup matches. Between June and July, Los Angeles is estimated to see 150,000 more out-of-town visitors than typical for the time period. Continue reading...