Foreign Minister Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa, in a statement, said Ghana had problems with “the highanded and extremely unfair decision” to reject a visa application by Partey, “a key member of Ghana’s senior national team”.

“Ghana has dispatched an official note of protest” to Canada, said the statement, adding that the “note also requested that Canada reviews its unfortunate decision”.

The Villarreal midfielder, who previously played for Arsenal, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022.

A trial has been set for next year, allowing the 32-year-old to represent Ghana at the World Cup, but he will not be involved in Wednesday’s match in Toronto.

“While respecting Canada’s sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws, Ghana considers that reliance on unproven charges in the absence of a judicial determination raises fundamental questions of fairness and proportionality,” said the statement

FIFA has confirmed that Partey would not be able to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, to Canada for their opening match against Panama on June 17.

The 32-year-old will be eligible to play in Ghana’s subsequent Group L games against England and Croatia, both taking place in the United States.

The emphatic Group D win marked a dream start for the co-hosts, whose four goals were their most ‌ever in a World Cup match.

Balogun became the first US player to score twice in a World Cup game since the 1930 tournament.

“Amazing result,” US captain Tim Ream said. “It’s exactly the way we wanted to start the tournament.”

The US broke through Paraguay’s vaunted defence in the seventh minute when Pulisic deftly split two players and found Weston McKennie, whose cross was kicked into the net by Damian Bobadilla ​for an own goal.

Shortly after the first-half hydration break, Pulisic raced with the ball up the left side and sent a perfect cross to Balogun, who angled ​his shot past the diving goalkeeper Orlando Gill for a 2-0 lead.

Balogun struck again on the stroke of halftime, taking a long ⁠pass and shaking off a sliding defender and hammering a left-footed shot into the top corner of the net to wrap up a flawless half for the home side.

Pulisic injury concern

The only blemish on the night for the US came when Pulisic was substituted at halftime by coach Mauricio Pochettino because of tightness in his calf.

“It was difficult for ​him to walk, but I hope that it is not a big issue and he can be ready for the next one,” Pochettino said.

Paraguay came out of the break with more intensity and finally got on the board in the 73rd minute with a goal from substitute Mauricio, who took advantage of a defensive lapse by the US.

But the Americans continued to control the game, and Gio Reyna ​scored from the edge of the box with the outside of his right foot in the closing action of the match.

“The opposition were better than us,” Paraguay defender Junior ​Alonso said.

“We were able to play further forward (in the second half). These are things we need to improve on for the next match. We have two games left, and we must improve. Regretting ‌things won’t ⁠help us at all; we need to use these mistakes to improve and put in a better performance that brings us closer to victory.”

Ream said his team would seize on the momentum.

“There’s not a whole lot of words to describe the feeling,” he said.

“You want to start the tournament off on a good foot, scoring four goals, getting three points. It sets you up for the rest of the group stage, for sure.”

High-profile spectators

Played under Los Angeles Stadium’s massive, semi-translucent roof, the game drew a crowd of high-profile spectators, including Tom ​Cruise and David Beckham, who was honoured ​with a star on the Hollywood Walk ⁠of Fame earlier in the day.

Despite pre-tournament concerns over high ticket prices, Los Angeles Stadium was sold out for the match, with the NFL home of the Rams and Chargers — and site of next year’s Super Bowl — configured for a World Cup capacity of ​70,492.

“Massive thank you to the fans because the energy they gave to the team was amazing,” Pochettino said.

“We can do amazing things ​if the fans are ⁠in this as well.”

The US entered the tournament looking to improve on their last-16 finish in Qatar.

Paraguay, meanwhile, came through the demanding CONMEBOL qualifying campaign to make their first appearance in the tournament since 2010.

The first men’s World Cup match on US soil in 32 years included a pregame performance by singer Katy Perry and a parade of nations, where some booing could ⁠be heard ​when the flag of Iran was carried into the stadium.

Iran play their first match of the tournament ​in Los Angeles on Monday.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio watched the match alongside Paraguay President Santiago Pena and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

The US will again be favoured when they face Australia on June 19 in Seattle, ​while Paraguay will look to bounce back when they travel to Santa Clara to face Turkey.

While more than ​80,000 squeezed into the Azteca stadium to watch the ​opener between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, the optics ⁠of unoccupied rows at the 46,000-seat stadium in Guadalajara, ​a city with a deep-rooted football culture, have intensified criticism ​of FIFA’s commercial strategy for the first 48-team World Cup.

Some fans at the stadium blamed the high ticket prices for the rows of empty ​seats and criticised FIFA for their pricing model.

Reuters has ​contacted FIFA for comment.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday defended FIFA’s ticket pricing ‌following ⁠criticism from supporters who argued the cost of attending matches had become prohibitive. He said ticket prices were on a par with other major sporting events.

FIFA has sold more than ​6 million tickets ​for the ⁠tournament and previously highlighted strong interest from across the Americas, with Infantino saying demand had exceeded ​expectations by “a factor of 10 or more”.

However, ​groups such ⁠as Football Supporters Europe (FSE) had warned that “extortionate” pricing would exclude ordinary fans. According to FSE, ticket prices for this tournament have ⁠jumped fivefold ​compared to the 2022 World Cup ​in Qatar.

South Korea beat the Czechs 2-1 in the Group A match.

“Jose Mourinho will join ‌Real Madrid on July 13, the day preseason begins,” Real said in a statement.

The move comes after Real endured a humiliating end to their domestic campaign, with Barcelona clinching the league title with a 2-0 victory in ‘El Clasico’ last month.

It marked the first ​time in 94 years that the Spanish league had been decided by a meeting between the ​fierce rivals.

The record 15-times Champions League winners have also failed to clear the quarter-final ⁠stage in the last two seasons, prompting club preisdent Florentino Perez to act decisively after two seasons without a ​major trophy.

Real had sacked Xabi Alonso following a Spanish Super Cup loss to Barcelona in January before his replacement Alvaro Arbeloa also failed to get the best out of a fractured dressing room that descended into chaos.

The breaking point came when captain Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni engaged in a dressing room fight that resulted in Valverde being taken to hospital with a ​cut, with both players being fined 500,000 euros ($581,750) each.

Mourinho, 63, previously managed Real’s ‘Galactico’ signings from 2010-2014 after arriving ​fresh from a treble-winning campaign with Inter Milan.

During his tenure at Real, the fiery Portuguese manager won the Copa del ‌Rey in ⁠2010-11 and delivered the LaLiga title the following season with a record-breaking 100-point tally while challenging Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Barcelona side.

However, the self-anointed “Special One” also damaged relations between the clubs to the point that their rivalry nearly spilled over into the Spain dressing room.

Modest trophy haul after Real Madrid

Since leaving Real, Mourinho’s trophy haul ​has been modest.

At Manchester United, ​he won the League ⁠Cup and Europa League, while his recent success came with AS Roma’s third-tier Conference League triumph.

His managerial journey has also included stops at Tottenham Hotspur, Fenerbahce and ​Benfica, where he was under contract until June 2027 and previously said the Portuguese ​club had proposed a renewal.

As Mourinho returns to one of Europe’s most prized leagues, pundits argue that soccer has evolved beyond his pragmatic style.

But Perez sees the veteran manager, known for handling dressing room egos, as the ideal candidate to restore ⁠discipline and ​a winning mentality at the Bernabeu.

With a talented squad including world ​renowned players such as Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham at his disposal, Mourinho might be just the person to ensure ​there is no third trophyless season for Real.

The match fired the starting gun for the ‌quadrennial extravaganza, yet the scrappy encounter will likely be remembered not for its thrilling football but for its flurry of dismissals.

Julian Quinones’s early strike set the tone for a dominant Mexican display in the Group A match with Raul Jimenez’s header midway through the second half removing any lingering tension for the home crowd.

Yet South Africa were reduced to 10 men when Sphephelo Sithole was sent off early in the second half, with ​his teammate Themba Zwane following him off the pitch before Mexico’s Cesar Montes was dismissed in the dying moments.

The ill-tempered match spoiled an otherwise party atmosphere, yet the home ​crowd got to celebrate an opening victory that will set them up nicely to make it out of a group that also ⁠includes South Korea and the Czech Republic.

The hosts’ performance, however, failed to impress Mexico’s demanding coach Javier Aguirre.

“This was a 4-0 match, we didn’t play good enough, but people are ​happy,” he told reporters. “It’s the start of the World Cup - we’ve put the nerves behind us and now we have three points. We’re thinking about what’s next.”

Aguirre’s side next face South ​Korea in Guadalajara on June 18, when South Africa play the Czechs in Atlanta.

Day of firsts

It was a day of firsts for the World Cup, as the first 48-team edition, and the first to be held in three countries, got underway in the first stadium to host three World Cup openers.

It was fitting therefore that the first of a record 104 matches had Mexico clinch a first win in ​the tournament’s opening match after seven previous failures and of course, it was the first World Cup opener to feature three red cards.

The fixture was a repeat of the 2010 ​tournament opener, when South Africa held Mexico to a 1-1 draw in Johannesburg, yet this encounter was played out in a stadium with World Cup history stamped all over it.

The Azteca has witnessed ‌some of ⁠the tournament’s most iconic moments, from Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ and 1986 heroics to Pele’s all-conquering Brazil side of 1970.

While there was none of that era-defining quality on show on Thursday, it mattered little to the hordes of green-clad supporters, who had already been revved into frenzied excitement before a ball was kicked.

With the match played against a backdrop of protests that had threatened to bring Mexico City to a standstill, supporters were taking no chances, with many already hovering around the stadium nearly seven hours before kickoff.

Mexico get off to fast start

An opening ceremony ​that featured Shakira and Burna Boy performing ​the World Cup anthem had pumped up ⁠the crowd still further before Mexico swiftly got down to business.

The game was barely minutes old when Jimenez stung the fingertips of South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams with a volley from 12 yards, but the tournament’s opening goal was not long in coming.

Sithole was robbed ​on the edge of his own box by Lira, preferred in the heart of midfield to captain Edson Alvarez, and he quickly ​fed Quinones who danced ⁠inside before drilling a low finish beneath Williams.

South Africa were clinging on for dear life as the first half came to a close and the second began in a similar vein.

Brian Gutierrez drew the first red card when his marauding run towards the box was stopped in its tracks by Sithole, whose clumsy tackle from behind earned him his marching orders to complete a ⁠miserable afternoon’s work ​for the midfielder.

The crowd had begun to get a little restless at Mexico’s failure to turn their numerical ​advantage into another goal but that frustration was relieved when Jimenez bagged his first World Cup goal, with a powerful downward header past Williams from a devilish cross by Roberto Alvarado.

The game’s finale was dominated by the ​dismissals with Zwane sent off after a VAR check for a supposed arm to the face while Montes was red-carded for Mexico for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

The Colombian singer, long associated with FIFA’s biggest tournament, once again drew attention for her performance, which quickly generated widespread discussion on social media.

Shakira has previously spoken about what makes a World Cup anthem successful, saying it needs rhythm, danceability and a strong chorus that encourages fans to sing along.

Her relationship with the tournament spans two decades.

She first appeared in 2006 with Hips Don’t Lie during World Cup festivities in Germany, before delivering one of the most recognised modern football anthems with Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) in 2010.

She followed it up with La La La (Brazil 2014), further strengthening her association with FIFA World Cup events.

In 2026, her latest performance marks her fourth World Cup appearance overall and her second opening ceremony performance, reinforcing her status as one of the most consistent musical figures linked to the tournament.

Social media reactions highlighted her stage presence, with fans praising her performance and engagement during the show.

Shakira is also scheduled to perform on July 19 at a halftime show, where she will co-headline alongside BTS and Madonna.

The 48-team tournament is also being hosted by the United States and Canada and will feature 104 games, culminating in the final in New Jersey on July 19.

Dancers twirled around a giant model of the World Cup trophy while fireworks went off in the historic 80,000-capacity stadium, which hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals and has been renovated for this year’s tournament.

In the highlight of the ceremony, Colombian star Shakira and Burna Boy performed “Dai Dai”, the official song of the tournament, bringing roars from the crowd.

J Balvin and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli were among the other performers before kickoff as the noise levels ramped up.

“It’s already a party in Mexico,” Ingrid Orozco, a 40-year-old supporter, told AFP. “It’s amazing,” said Gustavo Ramírez, 19.

While there was a festive atmosphere inside the stadium, there were chaotic scenes in the centre of Mexico City where thousands of fans pushed and shoved as they attempted to enter the official World Cup fan zone shortly before the 1800 GMT kickoff.

Access to the fan zone in Zocala Plaza was hampered by metal barriers erected in recent days to prevent protesting teachers from reaching the area.

“Stop pushing and shoving, there are children here, you’re like animals!” a city official shouted through a megaphone as he tried to control access to the venue where the opening game was to be shown on a giant screen.

Some fans threw water bottles and hurled insults at police, as well as chanting in support of the Mexican team.

“It’s crazy,” said Javier Maciel, a 25-year-old fan. “There could have been better organisation.”

The local government announced on social media that the site was “full” and suggested fans go to other plazas.

President Claudia Sheinbaum had been expected to watch the game at the fan zone but cast doubt on her presence following days of protests in the area by teachers demanding pay rises.

For years, the tournament was expected to deliver a windfall for America’s travel industry, now grappling with declining international visitors amid what rights groups describe as a climate of fear.

The swarms ‌of fans hotels had counted on have yet to arrive, forcing many to cut rates. Flight bookings have slumped as ticket prices have skyrocketed. Expensive match tickets have further stymied demand, and industry analysts say excitement has been muted compared with past World Cups.

The weak start suggests the traditional World Cup travel playbook - typically dependent on international fans willing to travel long distances and spend heavily to follow their teams - is faltering. Instead, the costs, visa hurdles and the logistics of attending matches across 16 host ​cities in three countries have proved a deterrent.

US travellers, in a country where soccer is less popular than in Europe, are not filling the gap.

It is “overall a disappointment. There’s no other word that ​I can say,” said Vijay Dandapani, CEO of the Hotel Association of New York City. The association has cut its forecast for hotel room revenue tied to ⁠the World Cup by 60% to roughly $60 million, he said.

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last-minute demand yet to materialise

Flight bookings from Europe into most host cities for ​June and July are down 3.8% on average year-over-year, according to Cirium, even after Europeans had already pulled back from travel to the US last year. Bookings from Europe into New York, host of the July 19 final, ​have plunged 15.8%, Cirium said.

FIFA had projected 1.2 million fans would descend on the city, but Dandapani said the New York hotel association is only expecting half a million.

Dandapani said there has been a small uptick in bookings from UK and Norway fans recently, which he called a “positive sign.”

Hotels are hoping for a last-minute surge after the group stage concludes, despite discouraging early data. Average bookings across host cities are up just 0.5% from a year earlier, according to analytics firm CoStar.

Several New York ​hotels are discounting hotel rooms, said Dandapani, including the New York Hilton Midtown, the city’s largest hotel, which has slashed rates for the tournament in half to $415 per night, compared to advertised rates in December, he said.

Hilton in April said it was seeing strong bookings, driven by New York. The following month, Marriott said, “There obviously is still a lot left to book given that the exact matchups for the latter half of the competition have not yet ‌been decided.”

Hilton declined ⁠to comment, while Marriott did not immediately respond to a comment request.

“Some fans are skipping the World Cup altogether,” said Andy Milne, England superfan and author of the book That World Cup Guy. “Friends of mine are heading to Ibiza to watch every match on TV for a fraction of the price. Others are going to Vegas. It’ll still cost money, but far less than tickets, travel, hotels and transport to the stadiums.”

Even affluent fans, who have buoyed the performance of US travel companies, are waiting for matchups to crystallise or for their teams to advance before committing to travel, luxury sports travel company Roadtrips said.

High ticket costs, visas deter visitors

Fans from more than half the ​qualified countries need visas to enter the United States, ​adding cost and uncertainty for travellers already wary ⁠of stricter border enforcement. The Trump administration denied a Somali refugee entry over alleged links to “suspected members of terror organisations.”

FIFA’s ticketing practices have also soured some fans. Organisers introduced record-high base prices and, for the first time, dynamic pricing that raised costs as the tournament neared. FIFA’s decision to allow uncapped resale pricing inflated costs further and drew regulatory scrutiny.

The cheapest ticket in host cities like New York and Miami now approaches $1,000, according to TicketData.

Even if ticket prices halve closer to key matches, last-minute ​demand may remain muted, as ⁠overseas fans still face the cost and complexity of booking travel and securing visas on short notice, said Dana Lattouf, CEO of Tickitto, a UK ticket distributor.

Vacation rentals, which allow groups to split costs, are a rare bright spot. Airbnb told investors in May that the World Cup was on track to be its largest event ever. Data from short-term rental analytics firm AirDNA shows bookings, particularly for budget and economy rentals, are tracking higher in host cities ⁠, including Boston ​and Los Angeles.

Booked average daily rates for rentals across host cities were $218, while travellers looking now would pay about $335 as of June ​8, AirDNA said, as hosts raise prices to capture last-minute demand.

“There is way more leisure demand in all these cities because of the World Cup. That is unmistakable,” said Jamie Lane, chief economist at AirDNA.

Speaking on the eve of the tournament opener between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa, Infantino ‌addressed concerns surrounding Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was barred from entering the US despite having a valid visa.

“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia,” Infantino told a press conference.

“We are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces. We are ​a sports organisation.”

The case has drawn attention to immigration challenges ahead of the June 11-July 19 tournament after US ​authorities said Artan was denied entry because of his links to “suspected members of terror organisations”.

Infantino said ⁠FIFA was continuing to work behind the scenes to resolve outstanding issues but stressed that immigration decisions ultimately rested with national ​authorities.

“We always try to find solutions,” he said. “Sometimes, to immediately start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect of finding a ​solution.”

Asked whether visa-related controversies had made him regret selecting the US as one of the host nations, Infantino said he had no regrets.

“There are issues; it’s normal for an event of this magnitude,” he said. “Some come from the United States, some from Canada, some from Mexico. We deal with ​all of them.”

The FIFA president also pointed to Iran’s participation in the tournament as evidence of his organisation’s efforts to navigate complex ​political circumstances.

“People were saying Iran couldn’t come to the World Cup,” Infantino said. “I promised them they will come.”

He said ensuring Iran’s participation despite geopolitical ‌tensions demonstrated ⁠football’s ability to bring people together.

We want to unite the World

The Swiss-Italian executive repeatedly returned to a message of unity, saying the World Cup could provide a welcome distraction at a time of global conflict and uncertainty.

“When Iran plays, the stadium will be full, and I hope there will be a positive atmosphere because this is football,” he said. “We want to unite the world.”

Infantino ​also defended FIFA’s ticket pricing after criticism ​from some supporters who ⁠argued that the cost of attending matches had become prohibitive.

FIFA has sold more than six million tickets for the tournament, which now has 48 teams, and demand had exceeded expectations by “a factor of ​10 or more”, he said.

“The starting price at $60 is the lowest entry price of any ​of the American ⁠sports in the playoff phases,” Infantino said.

“If you sell it at a lower price point, it would have gone on secondary markets at much higher prices. Every dollar that comes in goes back to the development of football.”

The World Cup kicks off on Thursday at ⁠Mexico City’s ​Estadio Azteca, which will become the first stadium to host matches at three ​men’s World Cups, with Infantino predicting one of the most competitive tournaments in the event’s history.

The FIFA president said factors including altitude, climate, travel and the ​expanded format would add further unpredictability before concluding: “Let the celebration begin.”

The actor and performer collaborated with music producer Sanjoy and French artist Vegedream on the track, which is part of the FIFA World Cup 2026 music project.

“I wanted this song to feel global but still carry every part of who I am,” Fatehi said, adding that she drew inspiration from her Moroccan roots, Canadian upbringing and career in India.

Fatehi, who is set to perform at the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony in Toronto, said the project was especially meaningful because of the strong Indian representation involved in its production, including the choreographer, dancers and styling team.

She said the collaboration offered an opportunity to showcase Eastern influences on a global stage and called it a “full-circle moment” that brings together different cultures, artists and musical styles through sport and music.

The project features a global lineup of artists, including Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé, Elyanna, Vegedream and Sanjoy.

The FIFA appearance marks another milestone in Fatehi’s association with the football body after her involvement in events linked to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The performance will take place during the World Cup final, with BTS expected to take the stage at halftime. FIFA has promoted the event as part of its wider entertainment programme for the tournament.

The halftime show will be curated by Chris Martin, with special appearances from Sesame Street and The Muppets.

The event will also support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise funds for youth education and access to football worldwide.

BTS previously had a connection to the World Cup through Jungkook, who performed the tournament anthem Dreamers during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

While the group’s setlist has not been announced, fans are eagerly awaiting details about the songs BTS will perform at one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

The World Cup begins on Thursday, with Iran opening their Group G campaign against New Zealand in Los ​Angeles on June 15. They next face Belgium at the same ​venue on June 21 before taking on Egypt in Seattle ⁠on June 26.

“We have informed FIFA that if unofficial flags are ​brought or slogans against the national team are chanted in the stadiums ​where Iran plays in the World Cup, the team manager will definitely be responsible for stopping the match,” Donyamali said on Tuesday, according to Iranian media.

“We have ​been assured that no disruptive incidents will occur in the stadium during ​the match against Egypt.”

Iran and Egypt’s football associations had previously urged FIFA to prevent any ⁠LGBTQ+ Pride-related activities during the Seattle match. The fixture had been designated by local organisers as a “Pride March” to coincide with Seattle’s Pride weekend.

In April, protestors gathered outside the FIFA congress in Vancouver called for Iran ​to be banned from ​the tournament, ⁠saying the team represents the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps rather than the Iranian people.

The Iranian team has also faced organisational ​challenges, with Iran’s football federation saying its ticket allocation was ​withdrawn days ⁠before the tournament, leaving supporters who had already made travel plans unable to attend their team’s matches.

The team, currently training in Tijuana, Mexico, will ⁠be able ​to enter the US the day before each ​match, the Department of Homeland Security said, amid a conflict that has added a geopolitical dimension to ​the tournament.

Instead of one central curtain-raiser, the tournament’s launch will unfold across three host nations, with separate large-scale performances staged in Mexico City, Toronto and Los Angeles over consecutive days.

The opening begins in Mexico City, where performances will include the official tournament anthem Dai Dai, featuring Shakira and Burna Boy, alongside a lineup of Latin American artists.

The programme then shifts to Toronto, where Canadian and international performers, including Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette, are expected to take part in a culturally diverse showcase.

The opening weekend concludes in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium, where Katy Perry is set to headline a major concert featuring additional global artists.

The multi-city format reflects FIFA’s approach to positioning the tournament as both a sporting and cultural event, combining football with large-scale music performances across North America.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will chair the sessions on Friday and Saturday, sources said.

The board has not released a formal agenda, but media reports indicate discussions will cover the Test captaincy, coaching staff, and broader structural reforms.

Among the changes under consideration, former captain Younis Khan is reportedly a leading candidate for the role of Test team head coach. He may also be inducted into the national selection committee.

Former captain Mohammad Hafeez is being considered for the position of Director of International Cricket, with possible inclusion in the selection panel as well.

Reports suggest current Test captain Shan Masood and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed could be relieved of their duties.

Salman Ali Agha is said to be the frontrunner to succeed Masood as Test captain.

Sarfaraz, according to reports, is likely to remain associated with Pakistan cricket in some capacity, potentially with Pakistan Shaheens.

The squad touched down shortly after five a.m. (1200 ​GMT) in the Mexican city, across the border from San Diego, after an overnight flight from Turkiye, where they have been training for the ‌past three weeks.

As the team’s bus pulled away from Tijuana airport, it paused briefly so members of the federation could wave to about 20 fans holding Iranian flags. A cordon of military and police escorted the team from the airport to the Marriott hotel, which will serve as their base.

Soccer is virtually a religion in Iran, a national pastime beloved by people across the ​political spectrum. But for Iran’s team, the tournament has been marred by fraught politics at home, the war with the US, and tensions over whether ​they would actually be able to set foot on US soil to play their games.

Even their presence in Tijuana is politically ⁠tinged. The Iranian federation negotiated at the last minute to move the team’s base camp from Arizona to Mexico, due to uncertainty over whether they would be ​granted visas and a growing feeling in Iran that the squad’s presence in the US should be kept to a minimum. Iran’s ambassador in Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, told Reuters.

Iran ​is scheduled to play their first two Group G games near Los Angeles, against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21, and then face Egypt in Seattle on June 26. Iran and the US could meet in the round of 32 if both teams come second in their groups.

Pressure on players

This is the first World Cup since its inception in 1930 in ​which a host nation is set to receive a country with which it is at war.

But the US tensions are just one of several factors that have turned ​the World Cup into a political battleground for the Iranian team.

Widespread protests that erupted late last year, calling for an end to clerical rule, culminated in a sweeping crackdown that killed ‌more than ⁠2,000 people in the deadliest unrest since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. The US and Israel then attacked Iran on February 28, sparking a months-long war that continues.

Iran’s soccer team were under pressure from all sides, said Abbas Milani, director of Iranian studies at Stanford University.

“It has become a lose-lose for the players,” Milani said. “There are pressures on players not to play with the team, pressure to show comity with the people, and the athletes are just there to play soccer,” he said.

During the 2022 World ​Cup in Qatar, Iran’s team were both ​cheered and jeered after refusing to ⁠sing the national anthem, which was viewed as an act of solidarity with anti-government protesters back home. Since then, the pressures on the team had only increased, Milani said.

Visa drama

After weeks of uncertainty, the US awarded visas to all the players on Friday, ​just 10 days before their first match.

But several members of the Iranian squad were not given visas, including “key managerial ​and administrative members,” according ⁠to Iran’s football federation, which accused the US of breaching its host obligations and violating FIFA regulations.

Pasandideh, the Iranian ambassador, said 15 of the 70 members of the party who arrived in Tijuana on Sunday had not been given visas to enter the US.

FIFA did not respond to a request for comment about the dispute.

An official with the ⁠US State Department ​told Reuters on Friday that the administration had issued “the visas necessary for Iran to compete in ​the World Cup, including for athletes and necessary support staff.” The official added: “We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the US under false pretences.”

Mexico’s willingness to host ​the Iran squad was a “gesture of cooperation,” said Tonatiuh Guillen, who ran Mexico’s national immigration agency between 2018 and 2019.

The 19-year-old Russian, long regarded as one of the sport’s brightest prospects, delivered on her promise on the biggest stage of all, ‌claiming a maiden Grand Slam title and joining the select group of active major champions led by players such as Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff.

In doing so, Andreeva became the youngest women’s singles champion at Roland Garros since Monica Seles won her third consecutive title in Paris in 1992, a milestone that underlined the Russian’s precocious talent and the scale of her achievement.

“I’ll be honest, I’ve done a lot of visualisations before. Not just this ​tournament, but I’ve had dreams, I’ve had a lot of thoughts on how it’s going to happen, if it’s going to happen, when it’s going to happen, where,” Andreeva told ​reporters.

“I would say the feeling in real life is so much better, obviously, than in your dreams… looking at this trophy and realising that ⁠this is actually true, and I can call myself a Grand Slam champion.”

While Chwalinska’s remarkable run from qualifying captured the imagination and triggered praise from the greats of the game over the ​past fortnight, the final belonged to a player who increasingly looks equipped to shape the sport’s future.

As the 24-year-old Pole struggled to reproduce the tactical brilliance that had carried her through nine successive victories, ​Andreeva grew stronger with every game, imposing her power, absorbing the pressure and leaving little doubt that a new force has arrived at the top of the women’s game.

“These feelings are extra special. Now I’m already thinking of how I’m going to prepare for the grass season,” she said.

“This thing is a bit addictive, and I really want to do my best to experience all of this for the second time.”

Rankings jump

Chwalinska, however, is now ​allowed to dream of joining the club.

Despite her below-par performance in the final, she will now jump to 21st in the world rankings.

There was no sign of a changing of the guard ​in the men’s doubles as Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos retained the title with a dominant 6-4, 6-2 win over Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten, claiming their third Grand Slam title as a pair.

Spaniard Granollers and Argentine ‌Zeballos, who initially ⁠paired up in 2019, won the French Open and US Open last year and justified their top seeding, having not dropped a set in their 2026 Roland Garros campaign.

The women’s title featured two Grand Slam final debutants, and the most experienced, albeit the youngest, prevailed on a windswept Court Philippe Chatrier.

Eighth-seeded Andreeva’s heavy groundstrokes began to penetrate through the wind while Chwalinska’s trademark touch and variety increasingly deserted her, allowing the Russian to take command of the contest.

The opening set was a tense affair, with both players struggling to cope with the pressure of a maiden Grand Slam final.

Marathon game

Chwalinska, ​only the second woman in the professional era ​to come through qualifying and reach a ⁠Grand Slam final after Britain’s Emma Raducanu won the 2021 US Open, survived a marathon opening service game in which she saved three break points with a mixture of delicate drop shots and bold winners.

Neither player, however, could establish control.

Breaks were traded repeatedly, Andreeva surrendering one service game with two ​double faults while Chwalinska’s forehand often let her down.

At 3-3, Andreeva began finding greater depth and weight off her wings, pushing Chwalinska behind ​the baseline and growing in ⁠confidence, even smiling after netting an easy overhead smash.

She broke for 4-3 when Chwalinska netted a sliced backhand, consolidated for 5-3 and then capitalised on another nervous service game to claim the opening set.

The Russian carried that momentum into the second, breaking immediately and again for a 4-0 lead as Chwalinska struggled to contain her opponent’s relentless pressure.

The Pole briefly threatened a comeback, recovering one break and reducing the deficit ⁠to 5-2, ​but Andreeva remained unmoved, sealing the biggest victory of her young career with a crisp crosscourt backhand winner on her ​opponent’s serve.

The triumph earned Andreeva $3.22 million in prize money, while Chwalinska collected $1.61 million, roughly double her career earnings before arriving in Paris.

“It’ll be different, for sure, but I think, and I hope, I’ll adapt. I’ll definitely work hard,” Chwalinska said.

“I need ​to continue to stay in the present and give my all to be a better player every day.”

“This is despite the ‌fact ⁠that many Iranian football fans, relying on the officially ​announced ​process, ⁠had already made the necessary ​plans to ​attend ⁠the matches,” the FFIRI added in ⁠a ​statement.

Hussein was finally allowed in, but the team’s photographer was barred from entering the United States, said the ​official who works for the Iraqi Olympic Committee, but has ​close contacts with the team.

There was no immediate comment ⁠from the Iraqi Football Association, or from Hussein, a talismanic figure who scored ​the goal that secured the team’s qualification for the finals.

US Immigration ​and Customs Enforcement and the Homeland Security Department did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment on the reported questioning that was also covered by Iraqi ​media.

Fans came out in the early hours of the morning to ​greet the Iraq squad at the airport, holding flags and asking players to ‌pose ⁠for pictures less than a week before the start of the tournament, video on social media showed.

Hussein’s phone was inspected after he arrived, the Iraqi official said.

“National team photographer Talal Salah was held ​for more than 10 ​hours, underwent ⁠similar phone checks, and was ultimately denied entry into the United States,” the official added.

Iraq are returning ​to the World Cup for the first time ​since making ⁠their debut 40 years ago.

Hussein, 30, leads a potent frontline that also features Ipswich Town’s Ali Al-Hamadi and talented youngsters Ali Jassim and Youssef ⁠Amyn.

Iraq ​face France, Senegal and Norway in Group ​I.

The tournament being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico gets underway on ​Thursday.

“Leo is doing well, he has already trained partly with the group, he’s no longer completely separated,” Scaloni said. “It’s possible he’ll play a few minutes in the friendlies. We’ll see whether that’s tomorrow’s game or the other one.”

Defending World Cup champions Argentina will take on Honduras in College Station, Texas, on Saturday and play Iceland on Tuesday in Auburn, Alabama.

“He’s much better and that gives us peace of mind,” Scaloni said.

The medical staff of the Argentine national team has plenty of work, starting with their star Messi, who suffered a strain in his left hamstring in Inter Miami’s last match and was not expected to play against Honduras.

Scaloni also confirmed that goalkeeper Juan Musso, of Atletico Madrid, will start the game against Honduras at Kyle Field, given that his first-choice keeper, Emiliano Martinez, suffered a fracture in the ring finger of his right hand during the warm-up for the Europa League final.

Team medical staff has decided to hold him out of both friendlies, although Martinez should be available for the opener against Algeria.

Scaloni will also give minutes to debutant Santiago Beltran, the young River Plate goalkeeper called up for the friendlies.

In defence, right backs Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel are recovering from muscle tears, and the coaching staff has called up Agustin Giay and Nicolas Capaldo to replace them in the friendlies.

Centre-back Cristian Romero is already training with the group after the knee sprain he suffered in April, although he comes in without match fitness.

Scaloni will have to decide whether to give him minutes or wait a few more days. Another case drawing scrutiny is that of Nicolas Paz, who is training separately after taking a heavy hit to his knee.

He has been ruled out for the Honduras game and will be cutting it close for the World Cup debut. Leandro Paredes and Julian Alvarez also arrived at Argentina’s camp in Kansas with physical issues. Although they are improving, it is uncertain whether they will get any playing time in the warm-up matches.

“The situation is improving,” Scaloni said. “They’re fine, and we don’t want to risk them in these games, and the idea is surely that (the injured players) won’t take part in these friendlies.

“In this one (against Honduras), definitely not,” he added. “In the second, there might be a chance that one of them could play.”

Scaloni said the coming week will show “exactly where we stand.”

“For now everything is going quite well, and next week we’ll see,” he said.

Argentina are set to begin their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City.

The row erupted just days before the June 11 start of the 2026 World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The Iranian players, who have been at a training camp in the southern Turkish resort of Antalya since May 18, received their visas late on Friday, Washington’s envoy to Turkey Tom Barrack said on X, hailing the work of the US embassy in Ankara in “processing visas for Iran’s national football team”.

But Iran’s embassy to Turkey hit back on Saturday with a furious response, saying a “large” number of managerial and executive staff and others had been denied visas.

“You have now escalated the deliberate and discriminatory treatment against Iran’s national football team to its highest level,” the embassy wrote on X.

“FIFA must hold the US accountable for violations of its rules and for the discriminatory treatment of Iran’s national football team.”

‘Political interference in sport’

Iran’s Football Federation, whose chief Mehdi Taj was reportedly among those denied a visa, also hit out, describing the decision as “political interference in sport in its worst form”.

“By extending its hostile behaviour towards the Iranian nation into the field of sport, the … US government has deprived Iran’s national team of… the opportunity to compete without discrimination,” it said, pledging to pursue the matter with FIFA.

Iranian state TV’s correspondent in Antalya said the players and their technical staff had received visas, but 15 others on the administrative and management side had not.

It said the matter would be followed up in Mexico.

Tensions over the war have complicated the US visa issue for Iran’s Team Melli who shifted their World Cup base from Tucson in Arizona to the northwestern Mexican border city of Tijuana.

The war began after the US and Israel began bombing Iran on February 28. An April 8 ceasefire, which halted the fighting, is now rapidly unravelling with a recent flurry of strikes by the US and Iran.

In April, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said any problem would not be with the Iranian players but “some of the other people (they) would want to bring with them”, suggesting they may have ties to the Revolutionary Guards, a group on the US terror blacklist.

Taj himself is a former Guards member, Iranian media in the diaspora have said.

Team heads to Mexico

Team Melli were scheduled to leave Antalya for Mexico on a 3:20 p.m. (1220 GMT) flight that Taj said earlier this week would include a stopover in Spain before arriving in Mexico early on Sunday.

But Iran’s state TV gave a later departure time of 5:30 p.m.

The team will be based in the northwestern border city of Tijuana for the duration of the tournament, but all three of their group stage matches are due to be held in the United States.

Iran, who are in Group G, will play New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles on June 15 and 21, followed by a game against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

Ahead of their departure on Saturday, Iran played a final friendly against Mali in Antalya on Thursday, which they won 2-0. They played their first match on May 29, beating Gambia 3-1.

The 38-year-old Messi suffered a muscle strain while ‌playing for Inter Miami in a 6-4 Major League Soccer win over Philadelphia Union 10 days ago, raising concerns over his fitness ahead of the World Cup.

Reigning ​world champions Argentina will face Honduras in Texas on Saturday, before ​playing Iceland in Alabama on Tuesday in their final friendlies ⁠ahead of the World Cup.

“Leo is doing well, he’s already trained with ​the group for part of the session, and that’s significant. He’s no ​longer training separately,” Scaloni said at a press conference in the United States.

“He is improving a lot and could even take part in one of the (warm-up) matches for a ​few minutes. We’ll see whether it’s this one or the next, ​but he’s much better, and that gives us peace of mind.”

With Messi set to play ‌in ⁠his sixth World Cup, Scaloni also recounted the exchange in which he told the Argentina captain he had been selected for the squad.

“I sent him a message, and he told me he would wait for the ​squad list to see ​if he ⁠had been called up,” Scaloni said with a smile. “I told him, ‘You’re called up.’ That’s how it happened.”

Messi, widely regarded ​as one of the greatest players of all time, ​captained Argentina ⁠to the World Cup title in Qatar in 2022.

The World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, runs from June 11 to July ⁠19. ​

Argentina open their title defence against Algeria on ​June 16 before facing Austria and Jordan in Group J.

Suryakumar Yadav has been removed as captain and also dropped from the squad as a player after a difficult IPL 2026 campaign.

The Mumbai Indians batter managed only 270 runs in 13 matches and struggled to reproduce the form that had previously made him one of India’s leading T20 performers.

Iyer, meanwhile, strengthened his position through strong performances both as a batter and a leader in the IPL.

India’s T20 side now begins preparations for its upcoming assignments against England and Ireland.

The selection committee also announced the Indian squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, with Iyer taking the captaincy role there as well.

Young stars get opportunities

The T20I squad includes some exciting new faces.

Rajasthan Royals’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earned a maiden call-up after a sensational IPL season, scoring 776 runs in 16 innings at an extraordinary strike rate of 237.30.

Lucknow Super Giants’ Prince Yadav also made the squad after a strong performance, taking 16 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 8.82.

Bumrah rested

India’s premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been rested from the T20I series against England and Ireland, following a heavy workload that included the T20 World Cup 2026 and a gruelling IPL season.

Ishan Kishan out

Ishan Kishan has been omitted from the T20I squad for the England and Ireland series but has been included in the Asian Games team.

The selections reflect a mix of experience and youth, with a clear focus on grooming new talent while managing workloads ahead of a busy international calendar.

Multiple reports suggest that the BCCI has decided to relieve current T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav of his leadership role, with only the formal announcement pending.

However, before finalising the move, head coach Gautam Gambhir is expected to be consulted regarding Suryakumar’s future in the team.

Suryakumar’s recent form has raised concerns, making it challenging to retain him both as captain and a key player in the squad.

Although under Suryakumar, India won the T20 World Cup earlier this year, his performance with the bat was unimpressive.

His poor run continued in IPL 2026, scoring just 270 runs in 13 matches for the Mumbai Indians, who finished ninth in the standings.

Three contenders for captaincy

Reports indicate that the BCCI is now looking for a long-term captain ahead of the next T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2028.

So far, three candidates have been shortlisted for the job: Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, and Tilak Varma, with Iyer reportedly in the lead.

Iyer’s experience and consistent performance in the IPL give him an edge, but both Tilak Varma and Ishan Kishan could emerge as surprise contenders.

If Iyer is appointed captain, either Tilak or Ishan is likely to be named vice-captain.

Some reports also suggest that Sanju Samson could be considered for the T20 captaincy.

BCCI may field two T20 teams

With the Asian Games approaching, the BCCI is also expected to announce a separate squad for the event.

There is speculation that India could have two T20 teams simultaneously, which would allow the board to groom future leaders.

It may be mentioned that India had previously won the gold medal in T20 cricket at the 2022 Asian Games.

Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, said late on Thursday that the squad had still not received their US visas, but ​these were granted overnight, the White House official said.

Tehran negotiated ​a last-minute move of the team’s base from Arizona to ⁠Tijuana in Mexico due to the visa issues and a growing ​feeling in Iran that the squad’s presence in the United States should ​be kept to a minimum.

They are scheduled to land in Tijuana early Sunday morning.

Iran is due to play their first Group G match on June 15 against ​New Zealand in Los Angeles, where they will also face Belgium ​before taking on Egypt in Seattle.

The Iran war has turned the World Cup – the ‌biggest ⁠global sporting event – into a geopolitical contest, with both sides appearing to use the tournament for political posturing.

It is the first World Cup, since its inception in 1930, in which a host nation is set ​to receive a ​country it ⁠is at war with.

The US has never formally said it did not want the Iranian team to stay ​on its territory, Ambassador Pasandideh said.

However, Secretary of State Marco ​Rubio told lawmakers on Tuesday that the US would not allow Iran to include in its World Cup delegation individuals linked to the Revolutionary Guards, a powerful ⁠branch ​of the Iranian armed forces.

That could apply ​to several players in the Iran squad who have completed mandatory military service with the ​group.

Vuvuzelas, a horn made with a long plastic shell, ​are a staple of South African soccer matches ​and took the world by storm at the ⁠2010 World Cup in South Africa.

But they have ​drawn criticism over their monotonous droning sound, often likened ​to a swarm of bees.

Along with vuvuzelas, whistles, air horns and other excessively loud noise-making devices are prohibited from all 16 World ​Cup venues, according to FIFA’s stadium code of ​conduct.

Instruments that emit laser beams, laser pointers or similar emissions are ‌also ⁠banned.

The list of prohibited items and behaviours goes on to state that body paint and body tattoos do not constitute clothing. Streaking, flashing or removing clothing to ​reveal intimate ​body parts is ⁠also prohibited.

FIFA has also banned spectators from bringing reusable water bottles into venues, citing ​safety concerns.

Attendees who violate the rules can be ​refused ⁠entry or removed from the stadium, the code says.

The expanded 48-team World Cup, hosted by the US, Canada and ⁠Mexico, ​runs from June 11 to ​July 19. Mexico will open the tournament against South Africa on June ​11.

The governing body, which had earlier permitted empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles inside stadiums, said the updated code — effective from Tuesday — now prohibits them.

Other items ​like bottles, cups, jars and cans are also banned to prevent ​the risk of injury if thrown.

“FIFA is committed to protecting ⁠the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and ​staff,” it told Reuters in a statement.

“FIFA made the decision to prohibit ​bottles to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees.”

“Outside bottles are already prohibited at several of these venues for safety considerations, and FIFA is applying this ​consideration across its tournament stadiums.”

The move has raised concerns among supporters about ​coping with heat, with temperatures at a few venues expected to range between 26 ‌and ⁠28 degrees Celsius, as well as access to drinking water inside stadiums.

FIFA said measures would be in place to deal with the conditions.

“FIFA works closely with each Host City Committee and local authorities on heat ​mitigation factors for fans ​travelling to ⁠the stadium, which can include resources such as misting stations, fans, hydration stations, cooling tents and more around ​the stadium footprint,” the statement said.

“Inside the stadium footprint, ​pricing for ⁠water bottles for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will remain consistent with other events held at each stadium.”

The 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the ⁠US, Canada, ​and Mexico, will run from June 11 ​to July 19.

The tournament will feature 104 matches, up from 64 previously, including an ​additional knockout round.

Batting first, Australia was bowled out for 157 runs in 42 overs, with captain Josh Inglis top-scoring with 65. Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey scored 19 each, while Adam Zampa contributed 10. Seven Australian batsmen failed to reach double figures, including Matthew Short, who was dismissed without scoring.

Shaheen Shah Afridi led Pakistan’s bowling attack with three wickets, supported by Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan, who took two wickets each. The Australian team’s total was the lowest by any side on Pakistani soil.

Chasing 158, Pakistan reached the target in the 42nd over for the loss of six wickets.

On June 11, Mexico City will host the inaugural World Cup match between ‌Mexico and South Africa at Azteca Stadium in the capital.

With Mexico in the global spotlight, teachers and other groups have staged marches and blocked major avenues.

They have said their protests, which are unrelated to the tournament, could intensify unless President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government addresses their demands.

The CNTE, a dissident wing of the national teachers’ union, ​has threatened mass demonstrations at the opening of the World Cup in official statements shared on social media.

The union is ​demanding the government fulfil a campaign pledge to repeal a 2007 law that overhauled the pension and ⁠social security system for public-sector workers, as well as salary increases.

“The current government made a campaign commitment — both the government of (former President) ​Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and President Sheinbaum’s — they said they had that commitment to teachers to strike down that reform … but it never ​happened,” Rodrigo Arias, a schoolteacher from the southern state of Oaxaca with 40 years of classroom experience, said.

“There is neglect. There is a policy of managing timelines, of making commitments that are never truly kept. We will keep mobilising until we are heard — even with the World Cup on the horizon,” added ​Arias, outside the Interior Ministry, where the CNTE was holding a protest while its leaders met with authorities in hope of reaching ​agreements.

The protests are concentrated on Insurgentes and Paseo de la Reforma, two of the capital’s busiest and most emblematic boulevards.

Elsewhere in the capital, teachers ‌were also ⁠blocking roads, generating traffic gridlock and frustrating commuters.

On Tuesday, protesters toppled towering statues of football players on Mexico City’s Paseo de la Reforma.

Arias said those responsible were not members of the union and that the CNTE was not seeking to destroy property or provoke confrontation.

Nevertheless, several businesses along the avenue had by Wednesday erected metal and wooden barriers to protect themselves.

Sheinbaum said at her daily morning press ​conference that she would not be ​baited into provocations or order ⁠a crackdown on the demonstrations.

In downtown Mexico City, retired judges and magistrates were also protesting, demanding severance pay and pensions following a sweeping 2024 judicial reform that restructured the country’s justice system.

“The traffic ​is really affecting us; we’re losing too much time,” lamented Armando Escobedo, a delivery driver, as he ​took a detour ⁠around street closures.

“You have to be empathetic with the teachers, but they do hurt us at work,” he added.

Mexico will host 13 World Cup matches: five in the capital, and four each in the cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey.

Mexico City has undergone several infrastructure projects ahead of ⁠the world’s ​biggest sporting event.

However, renovations at the Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City, ​the country’s largest and busiest airport, and repairs to the capital’s metro system and main avenues have yet to be completed.

On Tuesday, a metal structure from a ​pedestrian bridge at the airport collapsed, injuring a motorist.

The legendary superfan, who has been a routine fixture at Pakistan matches since the 1980s, will take his final bow in front of home crowds after nearly four decades of unwavering support.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) paid tribute to ‘Chacha Cricket’ and invited him as a special guest during the second ODI between Pakistan and Australia in Lahore.

A farewell ceremony was held on the occasion, where ‘Chacha Cricket’ also cut a celebratory cake in recognition of his long-standing association with Pakistan cricket.

Chacha Cricket supported the national team from 1969 to 2026, attending nearly 500 international matches over the course of his lifelong journey as one of Pakistan cricket’s most iconic fans.

Born in Sialkot on October 8, 1949, ‘Chacha Cricket’ first gained prominence during Pakistan’s high-profile matches in Sharjah and officially became a mascot for the national team in 1996.

Dressed in his trademark green kurta, sporting a long white beard and a star-and-crescent cap, ‘Chacha Cricket’ has followed the team across Pakistan and around the world, often making personal sacrifices to do so.

Media reports claimed ‘Chacha Cricket’ gave up a well-paid job in the UAE and even sold his personal belongings just to follow the Pakistan cricket team across the globe, a testament to his extraordinary passion and devotion.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has organised a commemorative ceremony in Lahore to acknowledge ‘Chacha Cricket’s’ enduring presence in Pakistan cricket.

For generations of supporters, ‘Chacha Cricket’ has represented the spirit of the stands — reminding players and fans alike that the heartbeat of cricket often lies as much in the crowd as on the field.

Thursday’s match will serve as both a celebration of his singular journey and a moment for the nation’s fans to say goodbye to one of cricket’s most beloved figures.

The result helped Australia level the three-match series 1-1, with the two sides set to face off in the third and final ODI on Thursday at the same venue.

Earlier, Pakistan bowlers restricted Australia to 231 for nine, with skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi returning figures of 8-1-36-3, Arafat Minhas 10-2-27-2, Haris Rauf 10-1-49-2 and Abrar Ahmed two for 34 in 10 overs.

Shaheen struck on the first ball of the innings to remove Alex Carey, while Abrar and Arafat removed Short and Labuschagne, respectively, within the first 10.4 overs with 51 runs on the board.

Skipper Josh Inglis (51, 74b, 5x4s), batting at three, and no.5 Cameron Green (53, 92b, 1x4, 2x6s) struck valuable half-centuries to put Australia on course for a fighting total.

Towards the end of the innings, the visitors were helped by a run-a-ball 43 from Matthew Renshaw (3x4s) and a 32-ball 31 comprising one four and two sixes by Oliver Peake as they stretched their innings from 184-6 in 43.2 overs to 231-9 in 50 overs.  

Pakistan were jolted with early blows and reduced to 78-6 in 16.3 overs before Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Shadab Khan and Arafat Minhas led the repair work.

For the hosts, the slide began when opening batter Maaz Sadaqat was bowled by player of the match Ellis off the third ball of the innings.

Sahibzada Farhan followed in the next over with Matt Kuhnemann picking up his solitary wicket.

Babar Azam contributed a run-a-ball 16 featuring two boundaries before being dismissed leg-before-wicket by Ellis as the scoreboard read 33 for three in the fifth over.

Short then struck twice in quick succession to send back Salman Ali Agha for seven and Abdul Samad, reducing Pakistan to 58 for five.

Ghazi Ghori provided some resistance with a grinding 48-ball 37, hitting five fours before being bowled by Adam Zampa as the Green Shirts slipped to 78 for six in the 17th over.

Arafat then pushed back with a 43-ball 33 featuring four fours, adding 59 for the seventh wicket with top-scorer Shadab before being trapped leg-before-wicket by Ellis on the final delivery of the 32nd over.

Shadab then anchored the innings with a 104-ball 71; his second-highest ODI score, hitting one four and three sixes, before being stumped by captain Josh Inglis off Tanveer Sangha as Pakistan fell 41 runs short.

For Australia, Ellis finished with figures of 9-1-33-4, while Short bagged three for 36 in his eight overs.