Sport
Brazil squad leaves stadium after match with Argentina suspended
Brazil’s national soccer team left the Corinthians arenas Sunday night after the World Cup qualifier match with Argentina was suspended by Brazilian health officials.
On Sunday, officials from Brazil’s health regulator Anvisa walked on to the pitch at the Corinthians arena and stopped the game around five minutes after kickoff, Reuters reported.
They objected to the participation of three Argentine players they say broke COVID-19 quarantine rules.
The players were surprised at the encroachment and the Argentines quickly left the field, although the two coaches, along with Argentina captain Lionel Messi and Brazilian players, gathered at the side of the pitch a few moments later to discuss the stoppage.
The incident occurred just hours after Anvisa had said four Argentine players must isolate and could not play in the match.
The three who started the game, Cristian Romero, Giovani Lo Celso and Emiliano Martinez, were among four Argentine players who play in England’s Premier League.
Brazilian Football Confederation president said he was “indignant” with the scenes that reverberated around the football world, Reuters reported.
Under Brazilian rules, visitors who have been in the UK in the 14 days before entering the country must quarantine for 14 days on arrival.
Anvisa were tipped off the four did not state that information on their immigration forms and on Sunday morning they confirmed the details given were “false”.
Nevertheless, the three, along with Emiliano Buendia, were allowed to travel to the Corinthians arena.
Buendia and Martinez play for Aston Villa and Lo Celso and Romero are with Tottenham Hotspur.
The confusion comes amid continuing anger in South America at rules which have robbed several teams of key players for this month’s three World Cup qualifiers.
Brazil were without nine key men for Argentina game, and other South American sides have also lost players due to a decision by some European clubs not to let their players travel to the continent.
Brazil currently lead the South American qualifying group for Qatar 2022, six points ahead of second-placed Argentina. The top four qualify automatically for Qatar.
Afghanistan’s U-20 national football team played out a 0-0 draw against Kyrgyzstan in the CAFA U-20 Championship on Sunday in Dushanbe.
The match marked Afghanistan’s fourth appearance in the regional tournament after earlier defeats against Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Afghanistan lost 3-1 to Turkmenistan in their opening match, followed by a 2-0 defeat to Uzbekistan and another 2-0 loss to Tajikistan.
The draw against Kyrgyzstan earned Afghanistan its first point of the competition.
Sport
USA aim for strong home campaign at FIFA World Cup 2026
USA also enjoyed memorable campaigns in 1994 and 2002, reaching the Round of 16 on home soil in 1994 and advancing to the quarter-finals in Korea and Japan in 2002.
The United States will make its 12th appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 when it co-hosts the expanded 48-team tournament alongside Canada and Mexico.
Placed in Group D, the Americans will begin their campaign on home soil hoping to improve on their Round of 16 finish at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Now coached by former Argentina international Mauricio Pochettino, the Stars and Stripes are preparing for a highly anticipated tournament after automatically qualifying as co-hosts.
Pochettino took charge of the national team in September 2024 following the departure of Gregg Berhalter. The experienced coach previously managed top European clubs including Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur.
The USA will open the tournament against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles before facing Australia in Seattle on June 19. Their final group-stage match will be against Türkiye on June 25 in Los Angeles.
The Americans have a long history at the World Cup dating back to the inaugural tournament in Uruguay in 1930. Their best performance came in that first edition, when they reached the semi-finals before losing to Argentina.
USA also enjoyed memorable campaigns in 1994 and 2002, reaching the Round of 16 on home soil in 1994 and advancing to the quarter-finals in Korea and Japan in 2002.
At the 2022 tournament in Qatar, the Americans progressed unbeaten from a difficult group featuring England, Iran and Wales before being eliminated 3-1 by the Netherlands in the Round of 16.
Former captain Landon Donovan remains USA’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with five goals across the 2002, 2006 and 2010 tournaments. Donovan also holds the national record for most World Cup appearances with 12 matches.
Among the most iconic moments in U.S. World Cup history was the shock 1-0 victory over England at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, regarded as one of the greatest upsets in football history.
Another unforgettable performance came at the 2014 World Cup when goalkeeper Tim Howard made a tournament-record 16 saves against Belgium in the Round of 16, despite the Americans eventually losing 2-1 after extra time.
USA’s biggest World Cup victories remain the back-to-back 3-0 wins over Belgium and Paraguay during the 1930 tournament, with Bert Patenaude scoring the first hat-trick in World Cup history against Paraguay.
With home support behind them and a new era under Pochettino, the United States will hope to make a deep run at the 2026 World Cup and challenge some of the world’s top football nations on their own soil.
Chennai Super Kings slipped to sixth place in the IPL 2026 standings after suffering a seven-wicket defeat to Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on Friday.
A blistering 38-ball 90 from Mitchell Marsh powered the already-eliminated LSG to a dominant chase of 188, making light work of the target on a slightly two-paced surface. Marsh and fellow Australian Josh Inglis stitched together a commanding 135-run opening stand, exposing CSK’s ineffective bowling attack.
CSK posted 187/5 after a composed 71 off 42 balls from young batter Kartik Sharma, who steadied the innings following an early collapse. Despite some assistance for seamers on the pitch, Chennai’s bowlers failed to capitalize, repeatedly overpitching or offering loose short deliveries that Marsh punished heavily.
The Australian all-rounder was especially brutal against pacer Anshul Kamboj, smashing four consecutive sixes and a boundary in a 28-run over during the powerplay. LSG raced to 86 without loss in the first six overs, with Marsh bringing up his half-century in just 21 balls.
Inglis contributed a fluent 36 before falling to Mukesh Choudhary, while Marsh narrowly missed out on a century after being run out in unfortunate fashion when a deflected straight drive from Nicholas Pooran crashed into the stumps at the non-striker’s end.
Pooran then finished the chase in style, hammering four successive sixes off Kamboj to guide LSG home in just 16.4 overs. Kamboj endured a forgettable outing, ending with figures of 0 for 63 in 2.4 overs.
Earlier, Kartik Sharma rescued CSK after the top order struggled against LSG’s disciplined hard-length bowling. He shared a valuable 70-run partnership with Dewald Brevis, who chipped in with 25.
Kartik attacked spinner Shahbaz Ahmed confidently before expanding his strokeplay against the pacers, including back-to-back sixes off Prince Yadav. He reached his fifty with a six off Mohammed Shami in 35 balls before eventually falling to Ahmed.
LSG pacer Akash Singh played a key role early on, claiming three wickets and removing Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Urvil Patel with disciplined bowling.
The defeat leaves CSK stuck on 12 points from as many matches. They must now win their remaining two games and rely on favorable results elsewhere to keep their playoff hopes alive.
In the next IPL match, Kolkata Knight Riders will face Gujarat Titans today at 6:30p.m. in Eden Gardens in Kolkata. All matches will be broadcast live across Afghanistan on Ariana Television, bringing full coverage of every boundary, wicket, and turning moment to viewers nationwide.
Tahawol: Fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire
Saar: Afghanistan and Russia’s expanding relations
Da Afghanistan Bank strengthens Islamic banking through new training initiatives
Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan play out stalemate in CAFA U-20 Championship
Chinese and Uzbek investors express interest in Afghanistan’s mining sector
New Afghanistan-China transport corridor launched via Turkmenistan
Bayat Power extends gas supply deal with Afghan Gas
Afghanistan signs $46 million deal to develop standard laboratory complexes
Germany to launch online visa system for Afghan study and work applicants in Pakistan
Webinar series highlights growing climate pressures on livelihoods in Afghanistan
Tahawol: Fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire
Saar: Afghanistan and Russia’s expanding relations
Tahawol: Ongoing threats to resume war with Iran discussed
Saar: Possible visit of Pakistani delegation to Kabul reviewed
Tawsia: Economic opportunities for Afghanistan discussed
-
Business4 days agoAfghanistan signs $46 million deal to develop standard laboratory complexes
-
World18 hours agoLarge blast near Beit Shemesh part of pre-planned test: Israeli defense firm
-
Latest News4 days agoMinister of Refugees meets Sadin Ay Yildiz, discusses Afghan migrant issues in Turkey
-
Latest News3 days agoIEA FM receives credentials of new ICRC head in Afghanistan
-
Latest News2 days agoAfghan migrant arrested over alleged assault of schoolgirl in Germany
-
World5 days agoUS war in Iran has cost $29 billion so far, Pentagon says
-
Latest News5 days agoKhalilzad accuses Pakistan of playing ‘double game’ amid Iran-US tensions
-
Latest News3 days agoUS CENTCOM chief says Afghanistan remains key terrorism concern