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Iran ‘welcome to compete’ in World Cup, says Trump

Iran ‘welcome to compete’ in World Cup, says Trump

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US President Donald Trump would “welcome” Iran’s participation at the upcoming World Cup in North America, despite the ongoing Middle East war, the White House said on Wednesday.

The war, triggered by US-Israeli strikes on February 28, has thrown into doubt Iran’s participation at this summer’s men’s football World Cup, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The US administration was confirming an Instagram post by FIFA chief Gianni Infantino earlier in the day.

Infantino wrote that at a meeting to discuss preparations for the competition, “President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.”

ALSO READ: Iran cannot participate in FIFA World Cup 2026 – Sports Minister Donyamali

The comments marked the first time that Infantino, who in December created a FIFA Peace Prize and awarded it to Trump, has acknowledged the ongoing war in the Middle East.

Trump’s remarks to Infantino are a stark contrast to his comments last week when he told Politico: “I really don’t care” if Iran plays at the World Cup.

The US president’s change of stance came as Iranian officials suggested they might not turn up anyway after American and Israeli attacks, including the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

“Considering that this corrupt government has assassinated our leader, we do not have the conditions to attend the World Cup in any way,” Ahmad Donyamali, the Minister of Sports and Youth, told state-run television on Tuesday.

“They have forced two wars on us in eight or nine months, and have killed and martyred several thousand of our people. Therefore, we definitely do not have the possibility to attend.”

Published on Mar 11, 2026

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Deadspin | Japan leaves injured Kaoru Mitoma off World Cup roster Japan midfielder Kaoru Mitoma (7) controls the ball as USMNT midfielder Luca de la Torre (14) defends at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio on Sept. 9, 2025. Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images Japan left injured midfielder Kaoru Mitoma off the 26-man World Cup roster announced by coach Hajime Moriyasu on Friday. Mitoma suffered a hamstring injury during Brighton’s Premier League match against Leeds on Saturday, leaving his World Cup status in serious doubt. That was confirmed with Friday’s reveal of Japan’s roster. “The medical team assessed that it would be difficult for him to get back to fitness during the tournament,” Moriyasu told reporters Friday. Monaco forward Takumi Minamino also will miss out on the World Cup after the 31-year-old suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in December. Moriyasu did take a chance on some other players dealing with injury issues, with Wataru Endo, Ko Itakura and Takehiro Tomiyasu included on the roster. Ajax defender Tomiyasu has dealt with multiple injuries that have led to him not appearing for Japan for nearly two years, while Liverpool midfielder Endo has only played in eight Premier League matches this season due to an ankle injury. Sporting CP defensive midfielder Hidemasa Morita did not make the roster after totaling seven appearances in World Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, defender Yuto Nagatomo will make his fifth World Cup appearance. “I was able to select only 26 players, but I feel sorry that I couldn’t select many other players,” Moriyasu told reporters Friday. “However, I selected these 26 based on their past performances and through conversations with the coaching staff, believing that this is our best squad right now. I think I have chosen the best 26 players in order for Japan to win on the world stage at this moment.” Mitoma, 28, has nine goals in 31 appearances for Japan. Japan has won five consecutive matches ahead of its final pre-World Cup friendly against Iceland in Tokyo on May 31. The Japanese will then travel to the team’s base camp in Nashville, Tenn., where they will train at the Nashville SC Training Center. They begin their Group F play against the Netherlands in Arlington, Texas on June 14, followed by matches against Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico on June 20 and Sweden back in Arlington on June 25. JAPAN WORLD CUP ROSTER Goalkeepers: Tomoki Hayakawa, Keisuke Osako, Zion Suzuki Defenders: Ko Itakura, Hiroki Ito, Yuto Nagatomo, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara, Junnosuke Suzuki, Shogo Taniguchi, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Tsuyoshi Watanabe Midfielders: Ritsu Doan, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Takefusa Kubo, Keito Nakamura, Kaishu Sano, Ao Tanaka Forwards: Keisuke Goto, Daizen Maeda, Koki Ogawa, Kento Shiogai, Yuito Suzuki, Ayase Ueda –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Japan #leaves #injured #Kaoru #Mitoma #World #Cup #rosterJapan midfielder Kaoru Mitoma (7) controls the ball as USMNT midfielder Luca de la Torre (14) defends at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio on Sept. 9, 2025. Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Japan left injured midfielder Kaoru Mitoma off the 26-man World Cup roster announced by coach Hajime Moriyasu on Friday.

Mitoma suffered a hamstring injury during Brighton’s Premier League match against Leeds on Saturday, leaving his World Cup status in serious doubt. That was confirmed with Friday’s reveal of Japan’s roster.

“The medical team assessed that it would be difficult for him to get back to fitness during the tournament,” Moriyasu told reporters Friday.

Monaco forward Takumi Minamino also will miss out on the World Cup after the 31-year-old suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in December.

Moriyasu did take a chance on some other players dealing with injury issues, with Wataru Endo, Ko Itakura and Takehiro Tomiyasu included on the roster. Ajax defender Tomiyasu has dealt with multiple injuries that have led to him not appearing for Japan for nearly two years, while Liverpool midfielder Endo has only played in eight Premier League matches this season due to an ankle injury.

Sporting CP defensive midfielder Hidemasa Morita did not make the roster after totaling seven appearances in World Cup qualifiers.

Meanwhile, defender Yuto Nagatomo will make his fifth World Cup appearance.

“I was able to select only 26 players, but I feel sorry that I couldn’t select many other players,” Moriyasu told reporters Friday. “However, I selected these 26 based on their past performances and through conversations with the coaching staff, believing that this is our best squad right now. I think I have chosen the best 26 players in order for Japan to win on the world stage at this moment.”


Mitoma, 28, has nine goals in 31 appearances for Japan.

Japan has won five consecutive matches ahead of its final pre-World Cup friendly against Iceland in Tokyo on May 31. The Japanese will then travel to the team’s base camp in Nashville, Tenn., where they will train at the Nashville SC Training Center.

They begin their Group F play against the Netherlands in Arlington, Texas on June 14, followed by matches against Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico on June 20 and Sweden back in Arlington on June 25.

JAPAN WORLD CUP ROSTER

Goalkeepers: Tomoki Hayakawa, Keisuke Osako, Zion Suzuki

Defenders: Ko Itakura, Hiroki Ito, Yuto Nagatomo, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara, Junnosuke Suzuki, Shogo Taniguchi, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Tsuyoshi Watanabe

Midfielders: Ritsu Doan, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Takefusa Kubo, Keito Nakamura, Kaishu Sano, Ao Tanaka

Forwards: Keisuke Goto, Daizen Maeda, Koki Ogawa, Kento Shiogai, Yuito Suzuki, Ayase Ueda

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Japan #leaves #injured #Kaoru #Mitoma #World #Cup #roster">Deadspin | Japan leaves injured Kaoru Mitoma off World Cup roster Japan midfielder Kaoru Mitoma (7) controls the ball as USMNT midfielder Luca de la Torre (14) defends at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio on Sept. 9, 2025. Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images Japan left injured midfielder Kaoru Mitoma off the 26-man World Cup roster announced by coach Hajime Moriyasu on Friday. Mitoma suffered a hamstring injury during Brighton’s Premier League match against Leeds on Saturday, leaving his World Cup status in serious doubt. That was confirmed with Friday’s reveal of Japan’s roster. “The medical team assessed that it would be difficult for him to get back to fitness during the tournament,” Moriyasu told reporters Friday. Monaco forward Takumi Minamino also will miss out on the World Cup after the 31-year-old suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in December. Moriyasu did take a chance on some other players dealing with injury issues, with Wataru Endo, Ko Itakura and Takehiro Tomiyasu included on the roster. Ajax defender Tomiyasu has dealt with multiple injuries that have led to him not appearing for Japan for nearly two years, while Liverpool midfielder Endo has only played in eight Premier League matches this season due to an ankle injury. Sporting CP defensive midfielder Hidemasa Morita did not make the roster after totaling seven appearances in World Cup qualifiers. Meanwhile, defender Yuto Nagatomo will make his fifth World Cup appearance. “I was able to select only 26 players, but I feel sorry that I couldn’t select many other players,” Moriyasu told reporters Friday. “However, I selected these 26 based on their past performances and through conversations with the coaching staff, believing that this is our best squad right now. I think I have chosen the best 26 players in order for Japan to win on the world stage at this moment.” Mitoma, 28, has nine goals in 31 appearances for Japan. Japan has won five consecutive matches ahead of its final pre-World Cup friendly against Iceland in Tokyo on May 31. The Japanese will then travel to the team’s base camp in Nashville, Tenn., where they will train at the Nashville SC Training Center. They begin their Group F play against the Netherlands in Arlington, Texas on June 14, followed by matches against Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico on June 20 and Sweden back in Arlington on June 25. JAPAN WORLD CUP ROSTER Goalkeepers: Tomoki Hayakawa, Keisuke Osako, Zion Suzuki Defenders: Ko Itakura, Hiroki Ito, Yuto Nagatomo, Ayumu Seko, Yukinari Sugawara, Junnosuke Suzuki, Shogo Taniguchi, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Tsuyoshi Watanabe Midfielders: Ritsu Doan, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Daichi Kamada, Takefusa Kubo, Keito Nakamura, Kaishu Sano, Ao Tanaka Forwards: Keisuke Goto, Daizen Maeda, Koki Ogawa, Kento Shiogai, Yuito Suzuki, Ayase Ueda –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Japan #leaves #injured #Kaoru #Mitoma #World #Cup #roster

#Mitch #Marner #didnt #goal #NHL #Playoffs #alltimer">Mitch Marner didn’t just have the goal of the NHL Playoffs, it was an all-timer The Las Vegas Golden Knights are moving on to the Western Conference Finals where they run head-first into the Colorado Avalanche blender. Still, we shouldn’t let the future distract us from the fact that Mitch Marner didn’t just have the best goal of these Stanley Cup Playoffs, but one of the greatest goals of all time.This is simply anotherworldly level of skill with the puck work. Not only does Marner have Lacombe draped all over him while he’s on the way to the net, but he has the wherewithal to skate backwards, get low in his stance — and then, well, he becomes a magician. Marner fakes stick side, takes the puck between his legs to go glove side, and dekes between his friggin’ legs to avoid Lacombe and slot the puck in behind the goalie’s legs.It’s an incredible representation of hockey’s duality. One second you’ll have the bruising, the fights, the angst of it all — then the next one of the prettiest things you’ll see in any sport. #Mitch #Marner #didnt #goal #NHL #Playoffs #alltimer

Championship clubs have approved a new financial framework that will cap spending on players and managers at 85 per cent of income from the 2026-27 season, the English Football League announced on Friday.

The new Squad Cost Rules (SCR) system will replace the Profitability and Sustainability Rules, which allow clubs to lose no more than 39 million pounds ($52.02 million) over a three-year cycle.

SCR has operated “in shadow” alongside existing regulations this season and marks a shift towards real-time financial monitoring, rather than reviewing club finances after the event.

ALSO READ: Seamus Coleman to leave Everton at end of season after 17 years

“The SCR system limits clubs’ spending on player and manager-related costs, including transfer fees, to a set percentage of their income, alongside a limited level of owner funding,” the EFL said in a statement.

Owners can still fund their clubs, but that investment will be capped at 33 million pounds over a three-year period, with a maximum of 15 million pounds in a season.

The changes are aimed at giving clubs greater clarity, while the EFL’s Club Financial Reporting Unit monitors spending as it happens instead of checking accounts at the end of the year.

“The framework also includes safeguards around commercial deals linked to owners or associated parties,” the EFL added.

Published on May 15, 2026

#Championship #clubs #approve #costcontrol #framework #season">Championship clubs approve new cost-control framework from next season Championship clubs have approved a new financial framework that will cap spending on players and managers at 85 per cent of income from the 2026-27 season, the English Football League announced on Friday.The new Squad Cost Rules (SCR) system will replace the Profitability and Sustainability Rules, which allow clubs to lose no more than 39 million pounds (.02 million) over a three-year cycle.SCR has operated “in shadow” alongside existing regulations this season and marks a shift towards real-time financial monitoring, rather than reviewing club finances after the event.ALSO READ: Seamus Coleman to leave Everton at end of season after 17 years“The SCR system limits clubs’ spending on player and manager-related costs, including transfer fees, to a set percentage of their income, alongside a limited level of owner funding,” the EFL said in a statement.Owners can still fund their clubs, but that investment will be capped at 33 million pounds over a three-year period, with a maximum of 15 million pounds in a season.The changes are aimed at giving clubs greater clarity, while the EFL’s Club Financial Reporting Unit monitors spending as it happens instead of checking accounts at the end of the year.“The framework also includes safeguards around commercial deals linked to owners or associated parties,” the EFL added.Published on May 15, 2026 #Championship #clubs #approve #costcontrol #framework #season

Seamus Coleman to leave Everton at end of season after 17 years

“The SCR system limits clubs’ spending on player and manager-related costs, including transfer fees, to a set percentage of their income, alongside a limited level of owner funding,” the EFL said in a statement.

Owners can still fund their clubs, but that investment will be capped at 33 million pounds over a three-year period, with a maximum of 15 million pounds in a season.

The changes are aimed at giving clubs greater clarity, while the EFL’s Club Financial Reporting Unit monitors spending as it happens instead of checking accounts at the end of the year.

“The framework also includes safeguards around commercial deals linked to owners or associated parties,” the EFL added.

Published on May 15, 2026

#Championship #clubs #approve #costcontrol #framework #season">Championship clubs approve new cost-control framework from next season

Championship clubs have approved a new financial framework that will cap spending on players and managers at 85 per cent of income from the 2026-27 season, the English Football League announced on Friday.

The new Squad Cost Rules (SCR) system will replace the Profitability and Sustainability Rules, which allow clubs to lose no more than 39 million pounds ($52.02 million) over a three-year cycle.

SCR has operated “in shadow” alongside existing regulations this season and marks a shift towards real-time financial monitoring, rather than reviewing club finances after the event.

ALSO READ: Seamus Coleman to leave Everton at end of season after 17 years

“The SCR system limits clubs’ spending on player and manager-related costs, including transfer fees, to a set percentage of their income, alongside a limited level of owner funding,” the EFL said in a statement.

Owners can still fund their clubs, but that investment will be capped at 33 million pounds over a three-year period, with a maximum of 15 million pounds in a season.

The changes are aimed at giving clubs greater clarity, while the EFL’s Club Financial Reporting Unit monitors spending as it happens instead of checking accounts at the end of the year.

“The framework also includes safeguards around commercial deals linked to owners or associated parties,” the EFL added.

Published on May 15, 2026

#Championship #clubs #approve #costcontrol #framework #season

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