Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Infantino said Trump would be present at MetLife Stadium on July 19 for the tournament’s final match and would join him in presenting the trophy to the winning team.

According to the FIFA president, the pair are expected to participate together in the post-match celebrations and award presentation.

The announcement marks a significant role for the U.S. president at the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Although Trump has not attended any World Cup matches so far, members of his administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have been present at games during the competition.

Trump’s appearances at major sporting events have often drawn mixed reactions from spectators. He was recently met with boos from sections of the crowd during Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.

A similar reaction occurred during the trophy presentation ceremony at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in New Jersey, where Trump joined officials on stage after Chelsea’s victory.

Following that ceremony, Chelsea captain Reece James said he had expected the U.S. president to leave the stage after presenting the trophy but was surprised when he remained with the team during the celebrations.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is expected to attract a global audience and will bring together political leaders, football officials and fans from around the world for the tournament’s climax.

People Gazette

The victory marked a perfect start for the defending champions, while Messi etched his name further into football history by equalling the World Cup all-time scoring record with 16 goals.

The Argentine captain also achieved another remarkable milestone before kick off, becoming the first player to feature in six FIFA World Cup tournaments during his 200th international appearance.

Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a superb curling effort, moving level with some of the tournament’s greatest goalscorers.

He doubled Argentina’s lead in the second half after reacting quickest to a rebound from an Alexis Mac Allister shot, taking his World Cup tally to 15 goals.

The 38-year-old completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute with a composed finish from the edge of the penalty area, drawing level with former Germany striker Miroslav Klose as the competition’s joint all-time leading scorer.

Messi received a standing ovation from supporters when he was substituted shortly after completing his treble.

Elsewhere, France opened their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal, thanks largely to a brace from Kylian Mbappe.

The French forward’s double saw him surpass Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time leading goalscorer, taking his international tally to 58 goals.

France coach Didier Deschamps praised Mbappe’s performance, describing him as a player capable of deciding matches in an instant.

In another World Cup fixture, Norway defeated Iraq 4-1, with Erling Haaland marking his World Cup debut with two goals.

The Manchester City striker scored either side of Iraq’s equaliser before Norway added two more goals to secure a comfortable victory.

Haaland’s brace increased his international goal tally to 57 goals in just 51 appearances for Norway.

Argentina’s victory places them in a strong position in Group J as they continue their quest to retain the World Cup title they won in Qatar in 2022.

AFP

Sonko made the remarks during an interview with RFI and France 24 in Dakar on Monday, where he discussed Senegal’s chances against the reigning opponents in the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener.

The Senegalese lawmaker said he believes his country will secure victory, while also reflecting on the large number of players of African origin in the French national team.

“I think Senegal will win. At least, that’s my hope, like every Senegalese person,” he said.

He added that beyond the sporting contest, the match carries a broader symbolic meaning connected to Africa’s contribution to global football talent.

“In any case, it’s only a football match. But if you want to look at the match politically, then whoever wins, Africa will have beaten Africa,” Sonko said.

According to him, the composition of the French squad highlights the role Africa plays in producing world-class talent and should encourage deeper reflection on the continent’s value in global affairs.

He noted that Africa possesses vast human and natural resources, a youthful population and a strategic global position that should be better recognised in international relations.

Sonko also suggested that such realities should influence discussions around migration and Africa’s relationship with Western countries.

“The message I always give to Africans is that if we understand our own value and embrace it ,we have natural resources, we have human resources, a rapidly growing and overwhelmingly young population and a strategic position then I believe the balance of needs is not where people often think it is,” he said.

The remarks came during a broader interview in which he also discussed Senegal’s domestic politics, economic development, and regional security issues in West Africa.

Sonko was elected Speaker of the National Assembly in May, shortly after serving as Prime Minister under President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

The encounter appeared headed for a goalless draw before Amad struck in the 90th minute, calmly finishing off a well-worked move initiated by Wilfried Singo to hand the Elephants a crucial opening-day victory.

The defeat brought an end to Ecuador’s impressive 19-match unbeaten run, which had lasted nearly two years.

Ecuador created several chances throughout the contest but were repeatedly denied by bad luck and resilient defending. John Yeboah, Alan Minda and captain Enner Valencia all hit the woodwork as the South Americans struggled to find a breakthrough.

Ivory Coast also threatened, with Elye Wahi striking the crossbar early in the second half, while goalkeeper Yahia Fofana produced a number of key saves to keep Ecuador at bay.

Speaking after the match, Amad said the team remains determined to make a significant impact at the tournament.

“We came here to make history. We still have two more matches ahead of us, and we need to approach them with the same mentality and try to win them,” he said.

The victory puts Ivory Coast in a strong position in Group E ahead of their next fixture against Germany, while Ecuador will look to bounce back when they face Curaçao in their second group game.

The four-time world champions made the perfect start when Felix Nmecha scored after just six minutes, registering the fastest goal of the tournament so far.

However, Curaçao stunned the German side midway through the first half when Livano Comenencia found the back of the net to score his country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal, sparking celebrations among the Caribbean nation’s supporters.

The equaliser briefly disrupted Germany’s rhythm, but Julian Nagelsmann’s men quickly responded. Defender Nico Schlotterbeck restored the lead with a header before Kai Havertz converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time to give Germany a 3-1 advantage heading into the break.

Germany wasted little time extending their lead after the restart, with Jamal Musiala scoring moments into the second half to put the result beyond doubt.

Nathaniel Brown and substitute Deniz Undav added their names to the scoresheet as Germany continued to dominate proceedings, while Havertz completed his brace late in the game to cap an impressive performance.

The victory saw six different German players score, highlighting the attacking quality and depth within a squad considered among the favourites for the tournament.

Despite the heavy defeat, Curaçao secured a memorable milestone through Comenencia’s goal, which marked the nation’s first-ever strike at a FIFA World Cup in their debut appearance at the competition.

The emphatic win puts Germany in a strong position in Group E and sends an early warning to their rivals, while Curaçao will seek to recover in their next fixture as they continue their historic World Cup campaign.

The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, kicks off on Thursday, with the final scheduled to take place next month at the New York New Jersey Stadium, formerly known as MetLife Stadium.

City officials unveiled “Thierry Henry Way” at the intersection of West 50th Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan as part of activities celebrating the global football event.

Henry, a former France international who helped his country win the 1998 FIFA World Cup, joined the ceremony through a video call. The ex-Arsenal and Barcelona forward also enjoyed a successful spell in Major League Soccer with New York Red Bulls, where he played for five seasons before retiring in 2014.

In a similar gesture, New York authorities renamed the intersection of Shea Road and Meridian Road in Queens after Brazilian football icon Pele.

Officials said the honorary street names will remain in place until November 1, serving as a tribute to the two football greats and their impact on the sport worldwide.

The initiative is part of efforts to celebrate the World Cup and highlight New York’s role as one of the tournament’s key host cities.

AFP

Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the task force, made the remarks on Tuesday during an event hosted by the Atlantic Council in Washington.

According to him, the United States has continued to process entries for participating teams, noting that 35 national squads have already arrived in the country without issue.

“No players, no coaches have been denied,” Giuliani said. “There have been some officials who have been denied, and for good reason.”

He added that the visa decisions were part of broader security considerations aimed at preventing individuals deemed a risk from entering the country under the guise of tournament participation.

“We’re striking that balance between making sure that any bad actors that try to come into the country under the guise of the World Cup will not get access to the United States,” he said.

Giuliani was specifically questioned about Somali referee Omar Artan, who was reportedly turned back at Miami airport after being denied entry. Artan had recently been recognised as men’s referee of the year by the Confederation of African Football and was expected to become the first Somali official to participate in a World Cup tournament.

While declining to provide detailed reasons, Giuliani said the decision was justified.

“I can’t go into the details, but at a high level, it was for a very good reason,” he said.

Somalia is among several countries affected by travel restrictions introduced under a broader immigration policy framework, which has tightened entry requirements for certain nationals.

Giuliani also addressed concerns surrounding Iran’s participation, noting that while the team itself has been cleared, some officials and support staff were denied visas. Iran is expected to play its group-stage matches in the United States but has reportedly relocated its training base to Mexico due to ongoing geopolitical tensions.

The Iranian Football Federation confirmed that some staff members were denied entry and that supporter ticket allocations had been affected.

Giuliani insisted that all coaching staff necessary for the team’s participation had been cleared to enter the country, while maintaining that denied applications involved individuals whose roles were under question.

“There are some Iranian officials that are not coming in — again for very good reason,” he said, adding that some individuals claiming to be coaches may not have had legitimate roles.

He further stated that there were currently no credible security threats linked to the tournament, but confirmed that intelligence agencies were maintaining heightened monitoring ahead of the event.

The World Cup is scheduled to run with heightened security measures as host authorities balance international participation with domestic safety concerns.

AFP

Chelle had sparked fresh rumours about Osimhen’s next destination while explaining the striker’s absence from Nigeria’s upcoming international friendlies against Poland and Portugal. The Franco-Malian coach revealed that Osimhen requested to stay away from the squad in order to focus on a possible transfer.

“We miss two players because Victor Osimhen maybe he is about to change club, so I prefer he stays at home because if he plays and is not at 100 percent is not good,” Chelle said.

The comments quickly fueled speculation about the future of the Galatasaray forward, who has recently been linked with several top European clubs.

However, Osimhen has now responded publicly, insisting that Chelle’s remarks were misunderstood and urging fans and supporters to ignore the growing rumours.

In a message shared on his Instagram Story, the 27-year-old said he had spoken directly with the national team coach to clarify the situation.

“I just got off the phone with Coach Eric Chelle regarding the comments about me in his recent interview.

“Unfortunately, his words have been taken out of context and blown out of proportion. He has great respect for Galatasaray, follows most of our games, and never intended to create any controversy.

“I appreciate the conversation, the opportunity to always represent my country, and I look forward to continuing to work with him. He is a great coach whom I respect a lot, and I kindly ask everyone to disregard the speculation surrounding this matter. Thank you for your consistent support”

Speaking ahead of the fixtures, Chelle explained that Osimhen was excused from the squad due to uncertainties surrounding his club future and the need to ensure he remains fully fit.

“Victor Osimhen may have to change clubs, so I prefer that he stays where he is because if you play and you are not at 100 per cent, it is not good,” the coach said.

Osimhen, who currently plays for Galatasaray, has been linked with several European clubs in recent months amid ongoing transfer speculation.

Nigeria will also be without Lookman, who has been granted time off after what Chelle described as a physically demanding season.

“Lookman is very tired, and Atalanta has asked us to release him,” he said.

The absence of the two attackers represents a significant setback for the Super Eagles, with both players playing key roles for the national team in recent years.

Lookman recently enjoyed another impressive campaign in Europe, helping his club reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Chelle also disclosed that the team has faced administrative challenges ahead of the trip, including visa-related issues affecting some players.

Despite the setbacks, the coach insisted that the team remains determined to compete strongly against both opponents.

“We will go there to fight. If we win, we win. If we lose, we lose. But if we lose, they will have to work for it,” he stated.

The Super Eagles coach described Poland as a strong World Cup-bound side and Portugal as one of the best national teams in world football.

“Poland is a good team. They are going to the World Cup. Portugal may be the best team in the world. So this is a great challenge for us,” Chelle said.

The friendlies will provide Nigeria with an opportunity to test itself against top European opposition as the coach continues rebuilding the squad following the country’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.

“I am sad that we did not go to the World Cup, but maybe this challenge will be something very good for me and for the team,” he added.

City needed a victory to keep the title race alive until the final day of the season, but Bournemouth’s impressive unbeaten run continued as they secured a valuable point at the Vitality Stadium.

The result confirmed Arsenal as champions after Mikel Arteta’s side moved five points clear at the top of the table following their 1-0 win over Burnley on Monday.

The triumph ends Arsenal’s six-year trophy drought and marks their first Premier League title since the 2003/2004 “Invincibles” season.

After finishing second in the league for the past three campaigns, Arteta’s side finally completed the job this season following a strong finish to the title race.

The Gunners responded positively after losing to Manchester City last month, winning four consecutive league matches without conceding a goal.

Meanwhile, City’s title hopes faded despite recently completing a domestic cup double after defeating Chelsea FC in the FA Cup final.

Manager Pep Guardiola had warned that fatigue could affect his team ahead of the Bournemouth clash, especially amid reports that he could leave the club at the end of the season after a decade in charge.

Bournemouth opened the scoring in the 39th minute through Eli Junior Kroupi, whose strike set a new Premier League record for goals scored by a teenager in a debut season.

City struggled to respond for most of the match, with Erling Haaland eventually scoring a late equaliser deep into stoppage time, but the goal came too late to revive their title challenge.

The draw also secured European football for Bournemouth for the first time in the club’s history, with the club guaranteed at least a Europa League place next season.

Attention will now turn to the final day of the season, where teams will continue battling for Champions League qualification spots.

AFP