Iran’s US Stay Extended for World Cup Finale

The US Department of Homeland Security has granted Iran’s football team extended stay in the US for their final World Cup group game. They can now arrive in Seattle two days before facing Egypt, an extra day beyond their previous 24-hour limit. This change follows a complaint from the Iranian Football Federation regarding unfair treatment.

US authorities have eased travel restrictions on Iran’s World Cup squad, allowing the team to arrive two days before their next match in Seattle

Washington has loosened its grip on Iran’s World Cup travel arrangements at least for now.

The Department of Homeland Security has extended Iran’s permitted US entry window to two days before matches, up from the previous 24-hour limit, AP News reports. The team had also been required to leave immediately after games, creating serious logistical headaches around recovery and preparation.

Officials say the move is aimed at improving fairness across the tournament. Iran had already shifted its base camp to Mexico to manage the tight restrictions amid ongoing diplomatic tensions. The adjustment offers some relief but the broader political backdrop to Iran’s participation in a US-hosted World Cup remains anything but straightforward.

Donald Trump will join FIFA president Gianni Infantino to present the World Cup trophy at MetLife Stadium on July 19

Donald Trump is set for his biggest sporting cameo yet.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Trump will join him at MetLife Stadium on July 19 to help present the World Cup trophy, BBC Sport reports. The two have grown notably close, with Infantino telling Fox they will “be together all the time” during the final.

Trump hasn’t attended a match yet but may still show up before the tournament wraps. The US is hosting 78 of the 104 games across the co-hosted competition with Canada and Mexico. It’ll be another high-profile sporting appearance for the president who was recently booed at the NBA Finals.

VIA BBC SPORT ON X:

Team news – Tuchel changes defence, Partey starts for Ghana

England’s team to face Ghana is in! 🦁🚨

There are two changes from the Three Lions’ previous win over Croatia, with Marc Guehi and Djed Spence replacing John Stones and Nico O’Reilly 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🔄 pic.twitter.com/h3PEY4KcGd

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 23, 2026

VIA OWURAKU AMPOFO ON X:

Ghana XI to face England. Looks like a 4-3-3.

• Thomas Partey returns
• Benjamin Asare starts
• Inaki Williams in the team pic.twitter.com/K4klK1C37e

— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) June 23, 2026

VIA WINNA FC ON X:

🚨| BREAKING: If Portugal finish second in their group, this could be their path to the semi-finals.😬 pic.twitter.com/LmpJeQgu0d

— Winna F.C. | Football Time (@WinnaFC) June 23, 2026

🚨| BREAKING: If Portugal finish second in their group, this could be their path to the semi-finals.😬

Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi all scored braces as the World Cup goal scorer record was broken by Lionel Messi. Lionel Messi missed a penalty but made up for it with unerring finishes to break Miroslav Klose’s record and stamp his name as the leading men’s goalscorer of all time with eighteen goals. Messi has paid unwavering faith in his abilities from his country through hattricks and a brace, he would be hoping to lead his country to back-to-back titles, talkSPORT reports.

Kylian Mbappe served up a reminder of why he became France’s leading goalscorer of all time this year with another clinical brace with Ousmane Dembele on the scoresheet as France put Algeria to sword winning 3-0. Mbappe is on course to break Messi’s record bu will have to wait till the end of the tournament to be sure

Erling Haaland reminded the world why he is Norway’s top marksman and leading goalscorer with another brace on a day full of them in his bid for the World Cup golden boot. He netted twice in the first half of Norway’s opener vs Iraq before following it up with a brace against Senegal as they ran out 3-2 winners. He’d be hoping to extend his tally on the final day before the knockout stages commence.

Elsewhere, Algeria came from behind to beat Jordan 1-2 with Amin Gouiri scoring the winner. They face Austria in their final group game in what could be the decider for the knockout stages.

VIA GOAL ON X:

Erling Haaland said that Norway's game vs France doesn't matter as they have already qualified for the round of 32 🤯

'We're through, which is incredible. I couldn't care too much about that game now. They're probably going to win against us, they're probably going to win the… pic.twitter.com/Q6mQUJk8Hv

— GOAL (@goal) June 23, 2026

Erling Haaland said that Norway’s game vs France doesn’t matter as they have already qualified for the round of 32 🤯

‘We’re through, which is incredible. I couldn’t care too much about that game now. They’re probably going to win against us, they’re probably going to win the whole tournament’ 😬

Is Haaland right to say this, or should he have more faith in his nation? 🇳🇴

🚨 BREAKING! Julián Álvarez: “I don’t want to hide or act like I don’t want to be clear. I try to be honest”.

“I spoke to Atlético people and I think the BEST for everyone involved is for me to LEAVE”.

“I want to fulfill my DREAM”, told ESPN. 💭 pic.twitter.com/hoguWEAIXX

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 22, 2026

Julian Alvarez just dropped a transfer bombshell — and Barcelona are buzzing. The Atletico striker said a move is “the best thing for everyone” as he chases his dream, reigniting Barca links. Per Barca Universal, Gavi and Fermin Lopez reacted online, with several players seeing Alvarez as the long-term heir to Lewandowski in Flick’s attack.

Atletico Madrid are weighing a stunning swap deal: Julian Alvarez to Arsenal, Viktor Gyokeres heading the other way plus €40m-€60m cash, per Tribuna. Atletico are reportedly refusing to deal with Barcelona despite Alvarez’s preference for a Catalan move. Simeone sees Gyokeres as the perfect fit — and Sørloth could even be offloaded too.

Barcelona are reportedly ready to raise the stakes for Julian Alvarez, preparing a massive €120m–€130m bid after Atletico Madrid rejected an earlier €100m offer.

According to Tribuna, Barça believe Alvarez’s recent comments about wanting to “fulfil his dream” have strengthened their position and could pressure Atletico into talks. However, Atletico remain firm, insisting the Argentine is not for sale and pointing to a reported €500m release clause.