United News of Bangladesh

Trent Alexander-Arnold is facing an uncertain future with England’s World Cup squad after being left out of the latest team announced by coach Thomas Tuchel. The Real Madrid right-back was not included in the 35-member squad ঘোষিত on Friday. Instead, Tuchel selected Tino Livramento of Newcastle United, Djed Spence from Tottenham Hotspur, and Jarell Quansah of Bayer Leverkusen as his preferred options in that position. Tuchel admitted the decision was difficult, describing Alexander-Arnold as a top player with great talent and experience. However, he said he chose to stick with players who have recently been part of the squad. The coach explained that he wanted to rely on those who helped England qualify for the World Cup and performed well during recent training camps late last year. Tuchel also acknowledged Alexander-Arnold’s quality, saying he is well aware of his strengths from facing him multiple times in club football, where he often proved challenging to stop. For this final training camp before naming the World Cup squad, Tuchel has selected a larger group of players. Some footballers with heavy match schedules will join the team later, after England’s match against Uruguay on March 27. A number of players are also expected to be released before another friendly against Japan on March 31 at Wembley Stadium. Meanwhile, Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United have been recalled to the squad. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has scored 10 league goals for Leeds United this season, also returns. First-time call-ups have been handed to James Garner of Everton and Jason Steele of Brighton & Hove Albion. The upcoming FIFA World Cup, to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, is scheduled to begin in June.

FIFA has fined the Israel Football Association (IFA) 150,000 Swiss francs ($190,000) for breaching anti-discrimination regulations but declined to act on a Palestinian request to suspend Israel from international football over clubs based in West Bank settlements. The world football body said its disciplinary panel found the IFA responsible for discrimination, racist abuse, offensive conduct and violations of fair play, including tolerance of politicised and militaristic messaging by Beitar Jerusalem supporters and the systemic exclusion of Palestinians from football infrastructure in settlements. One third of the fine must be used on reforms, monitoring and educational campaigns to prevent future incidents. FIFA’s ruling council, chaired by President Gianni Infantino, decided not to pursue formal Palestinian complaints lodged in 2024, saying the final legal status of the West Bank remains unresolved under international law. Separately, Infantino rejected Iranian requests to move their 2026 World Cup group matches from the United States to Mexico, stating the tournament should proceed as scheduled. Iran is due to play two matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. Infantino said FIFA cannot resolve geopolitical conflicts but aims to use football to promote peace, adding that no team has withdrawn from a World Cup since 1950 and altering fixtures for political reasons would be unprecedented.

Asia’s soccer body halted bidding to host its men’s Asian Cup in 2031 and 2035, telling member federations on Thursday it was asked by FIFA to move the tournament to even-numbered years. The Asian Football Confederation’s letter to members seen by the Associated Press came just six weeks after announcing a list of interested candidates, including Australia, Kuwait and South Korea who each wanted to host either tournament. Japan wanted the 2035 edition. The letter said FIFA recently told Asian soccer leaders of planned changes to the international match calendar, and that the world body wants the AFC to stage its marquee men’s event in even-numbered years. The AFC told member federations “following careful consideration” it agreed to align with FIFA’s request — likely pushing the Asian Cup to 2032 and 2036, the same years UEFA's European Championship and South America’s Copa America will be played. FIFA was approached for comment. Bidding for the 2031 and 2035 competitions “will be abandoned in its entirety,” the AFC said. The FIFA-managed calendar sets dates years in advance for national team games and the current calendar runs through 2030. It includes the 2027 Asian Cup which Saudi Arabia hosts starting Jan. 5. The FIFA calendar also mandates when clubs worldwide must release players to national teams for those qualifying games, finals tournaments and friendlies. FIFA has been widely criticized in recent years for not consulting enough on changing the calendar, and the European Union in Brussels is looking at a formal complaint from player unions and domestic leagues.

Lionel Messi has become only the second footballer in history to score 900 goals in top-level professional matches after finding the net for Inter Miami against Nashville SC on Wednesday. The Argentine forward reached the milestone just seven minutes into the Concacaf Champions Cup last-16 second-leg clash at Geodis Park in Tennessee. Since joining Inter Miami in June 2023, the 38-year-old has scored 81 goals in 92 appearances, helping the club win the Leagues Cup and MLS Cup. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Messi has also enjoyed prolific spells with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and the Argentina national team, winning the Ballon d’Or a record eight times. He began his scoring journey as Barcelona’s youngest goalscorer at 17 years, 10 months and seven days in 2005, and went on to score 672 goals in 778 matches for the Spanish giants, winning numerous domestic and international titles. Messi later added 32 goals in 75 matches during a two-season stint at PSG before moving to Major League Soccer. Internationally, he has scored 115 goals in 196 appearances, leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title. According to Opta, most of Messi’s goals have come from his left foot, with a large majority scored from inside the penalty area, alongside 112 penalties and 70 free-kicks.

Members of Iran’s women’s national football team and their support staff have returned to Iran, Fars news agency reported. The agency showed the team being welcomed by officials and members of the public at the Turkiye-Iran Bazargan border after returning from a tournament in Australia. The team was at the centre of controversy for refusing to sing the Iranian national anthem during a match in Australia, prompting an IRIB presenter to label them “traitors.” Iran seeks to move World Cup matches from US to Mexico; FIFA says schedule unchanged Six players and one support staff member initially accepted an offer of asylum in Australia, citing safety concerns if they returned to Iran. However, five of them later changed their minds and left Australia to return home. Tasnim news agency reported that a formal welcoming ceremony will be held on Thursday evening in Tehran.

Real Madrid knocked 10-man Manchester City out of the UEFA Champions League for the fourth time in five seasons, advancing to the quarterfinals with a 2-1 win at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday and a 5-1 aggregate victory. Vinicius Junior converted a penalty early in the second leg to put Madrid ahead, after City captain Bernardo Silva was sent off for handling the ball on his own goal line. Erling Haaland briefly equalized for the hosts before Vinicius scored the decisive goal deep into stoppage time, reports Al Jazeera. City faced an uphill battle after losing 3-0 in the first leg, and the early red card made a comeback impossible. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois thwarted several City attacks, while the Spanish side capitalized on counterattacks to secure the win. Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa said the team is preparing for a tough quarterfinal tie against Bayern Munich. “We know if we want a chance to win, we have to work together, stay compact, and show commitment,” he said. Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain eliminated Chelsea with a 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge, advancing 8-2 on aggregate. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola scored in the first half, while Senny Mayulu added a second-half goal. PSG will face either Liverpool or Galatasaray in the quarterfinals. Arsenal also moved through after a 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen at home, sealing a 3-1 aggregate win. Eberechi Eze opened the scoring with a long-range strike, followed by a precise finish from Declan Rice. The Gunners will meet Sporting Lisbon, who overcame Bodø/Glimt 5-0 after extra time.  

Iran is negotiating with FIFA to shift its three group-stage matches of the 2026 World Cup from the United States to Mexico, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning last week that the team should not attend the tournament, the Iranian embassy in Mexico City said Tuesday. Trump cited safety concerns, while Iran has accused the U.S. of not cooperating on visa arrangements. FIFA, however, said planning for the 48-nation tournament is continuing as scheduled. In a statement, the governing body said it “looks forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on Dec. 6, 2025.”

Barcelona could be the last team Hansi Flick manages. Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League round of 16 clash with Newcastle — the first leg in England ended 1-1, Flick said he has no plans to continue coaching once his tenure at Barcelona concludes. Newly re-elected club president Joan Laporta indicated he intends to extend the German coach’s contract until 2028. Flick, whose current deal runs through 2027, said it’s not yet the time to discuss a renewal but hinted at ending his career in Catalonia. “Everyone knows I’m happy here, but I also need to talk with my family,” the 61-year-old said. “There will be time for that. I love working here. I’ve got a fantastic family and great support in Barcelona. In football, I always aim for the highest level. I’m not thinking about leaving. Barça will be my last club.” Flick did not provide further details on his retirement plans. Laporta was re-elected on Sunday for another five-year term after winning a leadership vote among members. Flick, who previously managed Bayern Munich and the German national team, joined Barcelona in 2024.  

Kylian Mbappé returned to Real Madrid’s squad for Tuesday’s Champions League round of 16 second-leg match against Manchester City. “He is ready to play,” Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa said at a news conference in Manchester on Monday evening when asked about Mbappé’s availability. “So tomorrow you will see.” The France striker has been sidelined since February 21 due to a knee problem, missing five matches across all competitions, including Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over City in the first leg last week. Australia overcome China 2-1 to book place in Asian Cup final Real Madrid’s 26-man traveling squad also includes England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who has not played since February 1 because of a thigh injury. Arbeloa, however, suggested Bellingham is not yet ready to feature at Etihad Stadium, though he will participate in training. “I’m very happy to see him getting closer to the team,” Arbeloa said through a translator. “I think it’s going to be important for his teammates to have him around in training, tomorrow before the game, and during the team talk at halftime.”

Sam Kerr scored the decisive goal in the second half as Australia defeated defending champion China 2-1 on Tuesday to book a place in the Women’s Asian Cup final. The experienced Chelsea forward initiated the move from midfield and finished it with a left-foot strike from a tight angle in the 58th minute, breaking a 1-1 deadlock carried over from the first half. Australia will face the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal between Japan and South Korea. The hosts last lifted the continental title in 2010. China beat Taiwan 2-0 in extra time to reach Women’s Asian Cup semifinals Caitlin Foord had put Australia ahead in the 17th minute, finishing a move that began with Mary Fowler linking up with Ellie Carpenter on the right flank. Carpenter delivered a cross into the box, which Fowler cut back for Foord to score. China leveled the match in the 26th minute when Zhang Linyan converted from the penalty spot after being brought down by goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold following a defensive mistake. All four semifinalists have secured automatic qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, while the losing quarterfinalists will compete in playoffs for two additional spots in Brazil. Meanwhile, Iran players Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, who stayed in Australia on protection visas after their team’s group-stage exit, were seen training with Brisbane Roar in their first public appearance since being granted asylum.