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FIFA unveils official tournament poster to mark 100 days until World Cup kicks off

The newly revealed poster completes the official FIFA World Cup 2026 poster collection, following the release of 16 individual Host City posters last year.

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FIFA on Tuesday, March 3, unveiled the Official Tournament Poster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking 100 days until the start of the global showpiece event that will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The 2026 tournament, set to be the largest in World Cup history, will feature 48 teams and a record 104 matches. The competition will kick off at Mexico City Stadium on June 11 and conclude with the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19.

The newly revealed poster completes the official FIFA World Cup 2026 poster collection, following the release of 16 individual Host City posters last year.

Designed as a vibrant collage with a central player figure, the artwork highlights football’s ability to unite cultures and nations.

In a first for the tournament, three artists collaborated on the official design: Canadian illustrator Carson Ting, Mexican artist Minerva GM, and American artist Hank Willis Thomas. The trio combined their distinct creative styles to produce a single composition intended to reflect unity across the three host nations and the global football community.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the countdown milestone signals the beginning of the final stretch of preparations for what he described as the most inclusive edition of the tournament to date, emphasizing the event’s global reach and cultural significance.

Qualification Update

As the 100-day mark arrives, 42 national teams have secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, including four debutants: Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan. The remaining six spots will be decided through upcoming play-off tournaments, including intercontinental and European qualifiers scheduled during the March international window.

Ticket Sales and Preparations

FIFA confirmed that a final “Last-Minute Sales” ticket phase will open in April, with remaining inventory available on a first-come, first-served basis through the end of the tournament. Hospitality packages are already on sale for fans seeking premium matchday experiences.

With infrastructure preparations advancing across 16 host cities and qualification nearing completion, organizers say the 100-day milestone underscores the scale of an event expected to draw millions of visitors and a global television audience in the billions.

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ACL: Abu Muslim Farah 4-0 Istiqlal Kabul; Omar Zawak 3-1 Sarsabz Yashlar

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Abu Muslim Farah and Omar Zawak secured convincing victories on Monday as the sixth season of Afghanistan Champions League Roshan continued in Kabul.

In the sixth match of the competition, Abu Muslim Farah produced a dominant performance to defeat Istiqlal Kabul 4–0.

Mahboob Hanifi and Omid Popalzai found the net in the first half to give Abu Muslim Farah a two-goal advantage at the break. Alireza Panahi and Farzad Tajik added two more goals after halftime, completing a comfortable victory and earning Abu Muslim Farah all three points.

In the seventh match, Omar Zawak defeated Sarsabz Yashlar 3–1, with Shadab Malekzada stealing the spotlight.

Malekzada scored all three goals for Omar Zawak to complete an impressive hat-trick. Mehran Khas scored Sarsabz Yashlar’s only goal, but it was not enough to prevent Omar Zawak from claiming a convincing win.

Upcoming Fixtures

The Afghanistan Champions League Roshan continues on Wednesday with two matches:

  • Toofan Herat vs. Ariana Khost
  • Khorasan Faryab vs. Aino Mina

Football fans can watch the matches live on Ariana Television Network (ATN).

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Farooq Khan Ahmadzai makes international umpiring debut

He was recently promoted to the ACB’s elite umpiring panel following a competitive selection process.

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Afghanistan’s Farooq Khan Ahmadzai made his international umpiring debut during the first T20I between Afghanistan and India, becoming the seventh Afghan umpire to officiate at international level.

Ahmadzai, one of the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s leading domestic umpires, took charge of his first international match in the opening game of the three-match series in New Delhi on Sunday, September 14.

He was recently promoted to the ACB’s elite umpiring panel following a competitive selection process.

Ahmadzai joins a growing group of Afghan officials who have officiated in international cricket, including Ahmad Shah Durrani, Ahmad Shah Pakteen and Izatullah Safi, who are among the Afghan umpires currently listed on the ICC’s international umpire panel.

Pakteen is the most experienced of the group, having officiated in Tests, ODIs and T20Is.

Ahmadzai has built considerable experience in Afghanistan’s domestic game, having officiated in 38 first-class matches, 59 List A matches and 74 T20s before making the step up to international cricket.

His international debut came during a significant fixture, with Afghanistan facing India in the opening match of their T20I series.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board congratulated Ahmadzai on the milestone and wished him success in his international umpiring career.

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India beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in first T20I

Arshdeep Singh was India’s leading bowler, taking three wickets for 19 runs. Jasprit Bumrah also returned to the Indian playing XI after missing recent assignments because of a left-knee injury.

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India defeated Afghanistan by seven wickets in the first T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday, taking a 1-0 lead in the series after chasing down a target of 157 in 13.4 overs.

Afghanistan made a positive start after being asked to bat first, but their innings was disrupted by a sharp collapse in the middle overs. They fell from 38/1 to 43/5, losing four wickets for five runs and putting themselves under significant pressure.

The collapse began with a run-out involving Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal. After the ball was played towards deep midwicket, the batters attempted a second run but were unable to complete it. Zadran slipped while turning for the run, allowing Ishan Kishan to finish the dismissal with a direct throw.

Afghanistan’s recovery then depended largely on Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi. Omarzai remained unbeaten on 64 from 44 balls, while Nabi contributed 33 as the pair added important runs to take Afghanistan to 156/8 from their 20 overs.

Arshdeep Singh was India’s leading bowler, taking three wickets for 19 runs. Jasprit Bumrah also returned to the Indian playing XI after missing recent assignments because of a left-knee injury.

Afghanistan’s total left little margin for error against India’s batting line-up, and the hosts quickly took control of the chase. Abhishek Sharma scored 82 from 32 balls, reaching his half-century from 22 deliveries with seven fours and seven sixes.

Sharma’s rapid scoring significantly reduced the required run rate and allowed India to maintain control despite the early dismissal of Sanju Samson, who made 10.

Ishan Kishan then provided further stability, scoring 42 from 33 balls. India reached the target in 13.4 overs, with Kishan helping ensure there was no late pressure in the chase.

The sides will meet for their second T20I on Tuesday.

Fans can watch the match live on Ariana Television Network (ATN).

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