United News of Bangladesh

Iran will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup following recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes, Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said Wednesday, according to the German press agency dpa. The 2026 World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Iran had been drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt, with all group-stage matches set to take place in the United States. Iran was also absent from last week’s planning summit for World Cup participants held in Atlanta. Earlier, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that U.S. President Donald Trump had assured Iran that its national team would be welcome to compete in the tournament.

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo hinted that he will retire within the next two years, confirming that the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his last appearance on football’s biggest stage. “I will be 41 years old and I think will be the moment in the big competition (World Cup),” Ronaldo told CNN’s Becky Anderson in an interview at the Tourism Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday. As for when he’ll retire from the sport, the all-time leading goalscorer in international football history said, “I’m enjoying the moment, but when I mean soon, it’s really soon because I gave everything for football. “I’m in the game for the last 25 years. I did everything. I have many records in the different scenarios in the clubs and also in the national teams. I’m really proud, so let’s enjoy the moment, live the moment.” Ronaldo has scored 143 international goals and is the first-ever male player to score at five World Cups. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is hoping to play at a sixth World Cup next year. He came closest to lifting the trophy on debut in 2006, when Portugal lost to France in the semi-finals. The expanded 48-team tournament, the largest in history, kicks off June 11, 2026, in the US, Mexico and Canada. The World Cup draw is scheduled for December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Portugal have yet to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, but can secure their spot if they beat Ireland on Thursday.