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• The Braintree defender going to World Cup with New Zealand

  Smith’s World Cup Return!

  Braintree Town defender Tommy Smith is preparing for his “crowning glory”—a second World Cup with New Zealand, 16 years after his 2010 debut. The 36-year-old, formerly of Ipswich and Colchester United, joins the All Whites’ 26-man squad. Under coach Darren Bazeley, the team is now in Florida, set to face Belgium, Egypt, and Iran in Group G. Smith is eager to test himself against football’s elite.

  Veteran Defender Ready

• Final playoff teams secure 2026 FIFA World Cup spots

  The 2026 FIFA World Cup field is finalized following dramatic playoff wins by DR Congo, Iraq, and four UEFA nations, setting the stage for the 48-team tournament across North America this June.

  ​The 48-team field for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is complete after a thrilling final night of playoffs.

  In the inter-confederation brackets, Axel Tuanzebe’s 100th-minute strike lifted DR Congo over Jamaica, securing their first appearance since 1974.

  Meanwhile, Iraq defeated Bolivia 2-1 in Monterrey to end a 40-year drought, joining France, Norway, and Senegal in a highly competitive Group I.  

  ​UEFA’s final slots were claimed by Türkiye, Czechia, Sweden, and Bosnia & Herzegovina, who famously eliminated Italy on penalties.

  The result marks a third consecutive missed tournament for the Italians.

  For the hosts, the path is now clear: Mexico kicks off the tournament June 11 against South Africa, while the USMNT prepares for a Group D finale against Türkiye on June 25.  

  ​Preparation now shifts to 16 host cities as the expanded 104-match schedule looms.

  Captain Chancel Mbemba remains grounded following DR Congo’s historic qualification, stating, “We’ll stay humble, keep our feet on the ground, and continue to work.”

  With global giants like Brazil and Argentina facing hungry newcomers, the largest World Cup in history promises a “different feel and vibe” across three nations.  

• Iran’s 2026 World Cup participation riddled with uncertainty following ‘boycott America’ pledge

  Mehdi Taj has clarified that while the national team will boycott playing on U.S. soil following recent military strikes, they intend to participate in the 2026 World Cup by moving their fixtures to Mexico.

  Iran soccer president ​Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran soccer federation, announced that the national team is currently training in Türkiye despite ongoing political tension.

  Following air strikes and the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Taj clarified the federation’s stance on the upcoming tournament.

  “We will boycott America, but we will not boycott the World Cup,” Taj stated, as officials seek to move scheduled matches from California to Mexico.

  ​FIFA has resisted these requests, insisting that the tournament “go ahead as scheduled” per the December 6, 2025, fixtures.

  While Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, expressed a willingness to host the Iranian side, FIFA maintains that all teams must compete in their designated venues.

  With President Donald Trump labeling Iran’s presence as potentially inappropriate for safety, the situation remains a high-stakes “game of brinksmanship.”

   

• Egypt, Iran protest planned LGBTQ+ Pride match at 2026 World Cup in Seattle

  Egypt and Iran formally complained to FIFA over the World Cup match branding in Seattle as a “Pride Match,” arguing the LGBTQ+ promotion is offensive and inappropriate for a global sporting event.

  Egypt and Iran have filed official complaints with FIFA concerning the designation of their World Cup match in Seattle as a “Pride Match.”

  The countries, which have harsh anti-LGBTQ+ laws, objected to the match’s branding. They feel the political and social promotion violates the sporting nature of the tournament.

  The host city, Seattle, confirmed it will not remove the designation, citing its commitment to inclusivity. Iran’s football federation stated the move was “grossly offensive.”

  FIFA has acknowledged the complaints but has not indicated whether it will instruct the host cities to cease the practice.

• England to play Croatia in Dallas World Cup opener

  England’s World Cup 2026 journey begins under a retractable roof in Dallas against Croatia on June 17, with a kick-off suitable for UK primetime. Their subsequent group matches are scheduled against Ghana in Foxborough and Panama in New Jersey, with the final also taking place at the NYNJ Stadium.

  Scotland faces challenging kick-off times for their home fans, starting their campaign against Haiti at 2 am UK time. Their following games are against Morocco and Brazil, both scheduled for later in the day, which should benefit players dealing with the heat.

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