Iran on Saturday slammed World Cup host the United States over what it called “discriminatory treatment” in not granting visas for some members of the Iranian delegation to the tournament. “Why do you not say that visas were denied to a large portion of the managerial and executive staff, technical advisers, and others who are an integral part of any national football team?” the Iranian embassy in Turkey said in a post on X, referring to an earlier announcement by US envoy Tom Barrack that visas had been granted to players.

France to lift World Cup trophy, Brazil to flop: economists say

France will beat Spain to lift the World Cup trophy and five-times winners Brazil are expected to be the biggest flops, according to a Reuters survey of economists who said football was still harder to call than inflation. For 160 respondents from around the globe, this poll conducted once every four years is a welcome break from their macroeconomic forecasting in an era of wars, energy shocks and revived “transitory” versus persistent inflation debates. Their brief this time is the biggest World Cup yet - a 48-team tournament spanning 104 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico - the first staged in three countries.

Germany starlet Karl ruled out of World Cup

Teenage Germany forward Lennart Karl has been ruled out of the World Cup after sustaining an injury in training, the German Football Federation (DFB) said on Friday. “Lenny tore a muscle bundle today in the final training season and is ruled out because of this injury. Have a good recovery, we’re thinking of you,” the DFB said on Instagram.