The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, and the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Alexander De Croo, arrived in Kabul on Sunday for a visit focused on Afghanistan’s humanitarian and development challenges.

According to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, the two officials were received at Kabul International Airport by the ministry’s deputy minister, Abdul Rahman Rashid.

Welcoming the delegation, Rashid said a field visit provides a more accurate understanding of conditions in Afghanistan than written reports. He said millions of Afghans have lived abroad for years while maintaining ties to their homeland and expressed hope that greater attention to the needs of refugees would help protect their dignity and improve their living conditions.

Barham Salih said the purpose of the visit was to assess the challenges facing the Afghan people firsthand and explore ways to address them.

He added that around six million Afghans have returned to the country since 2023, describing the figure as a global record, and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting Afghans and ensuring humanitarian assistance reaches those in need.

UNDP’s De Croo said the United Nations maintains an active presence in Afghanistan and will continue supporting the country through development, healthcare and humanitarian assistance. He also pledged efforts to help create more employment opportunities for Afghans.

The ministry said the visit reflects the international community’s commitment to supporting the Afghan people as they face ongoing economic and humanitarian challenges.

Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, Abdul Salam Hanafi, met with Qatar’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Mardef bin Ali Al-Qashouti, in Kabul, the embassy announced in a statement on Sunday.

According to the statement, the two sides reviewed the latest developments in Afghanistan and discussed ways to support the Afghan people.

The embassy did not provide further details on the issues discussed or announce any specific agreements reached during the meeting.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has entered the Round of 16, with the knockout bracket now taking shape as the remaining teams battle for a place in the final on July 19 in New Jersey.

France and Morocco became the first nations to book their quarter-final places on Saturday, while six more last-16 ties over the next three days will complete the quarter-final lineup.

Morocco produced one of the standout performances of the tournament with a convincing 3-0 victory over Canada in Houston, while France edged Paraguay 1-0 in Philadelphia thanks to another decisive display from Kylian Mbappe. The two sides will now meet in the first quarter-final on July 9 in Foxborough.

Sunday’s action sees five-time champions Brazil take on Norway in New Jersey, before England face hosts Mexico in Mexico City early on Monday in one of the most anticipated ties of the Round of 16. Later on Monday, European heavyweights Portugal and Spain renew their fierce rivalry in Arlington.

The remaining last-16 fixtures take place on Tuesday, with the United States facing Belgium in Seattle, defending champions Argentina meeting Egypt in Atlanta, and Switzerland taking on Colombia in Vancouver.

The quarter-finals begin on July 9, with France already confirmed to face Morocco. The winner of Brazil versus Norway will meet either Mexico or England, while Portugal or Spain will face either the United States or Belgium. On the opposite side of the bracket, Argentina or Egypt will meet Switzerland or Colombia for a place in the semi-finals.

The semi-finals are scheduled for July 14 in Arlington and July 15 in Atlanta, before the tournament concludes with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.

With traditional powerhouses including Brazil, Argentina, France, England, Spain and Portugal still in contention, alongside surprise challengers such as Morocco, Norway, Egypt and Colombia, the battle for football’s biggest prize is entering its decisive stage, with every remaining match now a winner-takes-all contest.