Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Namibian
… The dispute erupted just days before the June 11 start of the 2026 World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. …
Iran World Cup team heads to Mexico as US visa row eruptsThe Namibian
An Iranian vice president called Monday for striker Sardar Azmoun, who faced allegations of treason from Iran’s state media, to be reinstated to the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. …
Iranian VP urges striker Azmoun’s return to national teamThe Namibian
… The 33-year-old winger, who will captain Egypt at the 2026 World Cup next month, leaves as the Reds’ third-highest goalscorer of all-time on 257. …
African players in Europe: Liverpool legend Salah bids farewellThe Namibian
Senegal have “big dreams” to “achieve great things” at the 2026 World Cup, coach Pape Thiaw said Thursday as he unveiled an expanded 28-man squad for next month’s tournament. …
Senegal have ‘big dreams’ for 2026 World CupThe Namibian
Former Senegal star El Hadji Diouf shares the belief of CAF president Patrick Motsepe that an African team can win the 2026 World Cup, but Nigeria great Jay-Jay Okocha is unsure. …
Former stars differ on whether African team can win 2026 World CupThe Namibian
The 2026 World Cup has bucked the trend of international football’s struggles to compete with the riches of the club game when it comes to securing some of the world’s best coaches. …
World Cup glory attracts superstar coaches into international battleThe Namibian
Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom described as “excellent” and “constructive” the meeting held on Saturday in Istanbul with the Iranian federation to ensure Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. …
Iran have ‘constructive’ meeting with Fifa over World Cup preparationsThe Namibian
… Pirates’ biggest culprit when it came to inaccurate shooting was midfielder Oswin Apoollis, a likely starter for South Africa in the 2026 World Cup opener against co-hosts Mexico next month. …
Pirates must win last match to pip Sundowns for titleThe Namibian
… usmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain), Desire Doue (Paris Saint-Germain), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/GER), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid/ESP), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace/ENG), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan/ITA) The post Mbappe, Dembele head up France squad for 2026 World Cup …
Mbappe, Dembele head up France squad for 2026 World CupThe Namibian
Iran held a send-off ceremony Wednesday for the national football team as it prepared to play in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. …
Iran holds World Cup send off for national football teamIran's World Cup team left Turkey for Mexico on Saturday ahead of the June 11 tournament start, days after the US refused to issue visas for some of the team's support staff. Iran's embassy said a "large" number of managerial and executive staff were denied visas and called for FIFA to hold the US accountable for what it termed discriminatory treatment.
6 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Iran's World Cup team left Turkey for Mexico on Saturday ahead of the June 11 tournament start, days after the US refused to issue visas for some of the team's support staff. Iran's embassy said a "large" number of managerial and executive staff were denied visas and called for FIFA to hold the US accountable for what it termed discriminatory treatment.
6 June 2026 · The Namibian →
An Iranian vice president has urged that striker Sardar Azmoun be reinstated to the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, after he was omitted from the initial squad. Azmoun, 31, recently posted on Instagram affirming his loyalty to Iran and rejecting allegations of treason.
25 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Mohamed Salah played his final match for Liverpool on Sunday in a 1-1 draw with Brentford, leaving as the club's third-highest goalscorer of all-time with 257 goals after nine years at Anfield. The 33-year-old Egyptian winger provided an assist for Curtis Jones before being substituted.
25 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Coach Pape Thiaw unveiled a 28-man Senegal squad for the 2026 World Cup, featuring established stars including Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edouard Mendy alongside emerging talent. Senegal will begin their Group I campaign on June 16 against France in New Jersey, also facing Norway and Iraq.
21 May 2026 · The Namibian →
El Hadji Diouf and CAF president Patrick Motsepe believe an African team can win the 2026 World Cup, citing Morocco's run to the semi-finals in Qatar 2022 as evidence of growing capability. Nigeria's Jay-Jay Okocha remains unconvinced about African chances.
21 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The 2026 World Cup has attracted leading coaches to international positions, including Thomas Tuchel to England and Carlo Ancelotti to Brazil, reversing international football's typical struggles to compete with club football for top talent.
19 May 2026 · The Namibian →
FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom described a meeting held Saturday in Istanbul with the Iranian football federation as "excellent" and "constructive," aimed at ensuring Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Iranian federation president said discussions covered concerns and joint commitment to Iran's smooth participation, though visas had not yet been issued.
18 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Orlando Pirates drew 0-0 at home against Durban City and must win their final match to end a 14-year wait for the South African Premiership title, currently two points behind defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
16 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Coach Didier Deschamps announced France's squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with Kylian Mbappe set to spearhead the attack and likely captain the team despite a recent thigh injury. The squad includes attacking talent such as Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Michael Olise, alongside defensive players including William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano.
15 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Iran held a send-off ceremony for its national football team ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The team, coached by Amir Ghalenoei, will face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G, opening their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
14 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Football Association will soon enter an agreement with the Pakistan Football Federation to build long-term institutional ties and strengthen development pathways in both countries. Preliminary discussions took place at the 76th Fifa Congress in Vancouver, Canada, with formal signing planned during an upcoming Fifa seminar in Miami.
7 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Viktor Gyokeres scored a dramatic late winner to send Sweden to the 2026 World Cup with a 3-2 victory over Poland in their European playoff final. Sweden, which returns to the World Cup after eight years away, joins the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia in Group F.
1 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Amnesty International released a report calling on FIFA and the US, Canada and Mexico to protect fans and communities during the 2026 World Cup, warning that conditions in the host nations—particularly the US under the Trump administration—contrast sharply with FIFA's promise of safety and freedom, with concerns about ICE operations, travel bans for fans from certain nations, and risks to LGBTQ+ supporters.
30 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Morocco's new coach Mohamed Ouahbi began his tenure with a 1-1 friendly draw against Ecuador in Madrid on Friday. The result came as Morocco continues preparation for the 2026 World Cup following the controversial Confederation of African Football decision last week that awarded them the Africa Cup of Nations title over Senegal.
28 March 2026 · The Namibian →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup will be "sold out," with 508 million ticket requests received for seven million available tickets. Infantino defended ticket prices as market-driven and estimated the tournament would generate over $11 billion in revenue for FIFA and around $30 billion in economic impact for the US.
19 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Borussia Dortmund have cut Bayern Munich's Bundesliga lead to six points in two matchdays following Bayern's shock home loss to Augsburg and draw in Hamburg. Dortmund, coached by Niko Kovac, face Wolfsburg this weekend while Bayern play Hoffenheim, with a Dortmund victory potentially narrowing the gap to three points before the teams meet in late February.
7 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Gianni Infantino defended his controversial decision to give US President Donald Trump FIFA's inaugural peace prize at the 2026 World Cup draw in December, dismissing calls for a boycott. Infantino told Sky News that Trump "objectively" deserved the award and rejected suggestions that the World Cup hosting in North America would be boycotted over Trump administration policies.
3 February 2026 · The Namibian →