Azizi Developments Recognized for Support at Dubai World Cup

تستعد الجالية البوسنية الصغيرة في تورونتو لعيش أجواء من النشوة اليوم الجمعة خلال مواجهة كندا والبوسنة والهرسك في مونديال 2026 الذي كان لها بمثابة هدية من السماء.
في 31 مارس، عندما نجحت البوسنة والهرسك في إقصاء إيطاليا، بطلة العالم أربع مرات، في الملحق الأوروبي المؤهل إلى المونديال، انتقل المشجعون المجتمعون في مسجد حي إيتوبيكوك، غرب تورونتو، من التوتر إلى «النشوة» في لحظة، كما يروي أنيس جومهور، المسؤول عن البرامج في المركز الإسلامي البوسني.
ويقول إن «الأمر كان مذهلا». ويؤكد أن آلاف البوسنيين من مختلف أنحاء أمريكا الشمالية، وحتى من أوروبا، يتوافدون إلى تورونتو.
ويختم «أردنا أن نظهر لتورونتو جانبا من ثقافتنا، وكيف يعيش مشجعو كرة القدم الأوروبيون هذه الأجواء. سيكون ذلك رائعا حقا بالنسبة للكنديين».

Doha, Qatar: Argentina head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup aiming to defend the title they won so memorably in Qatar four years ago, carrying the confidence of a team that has enjoyed one of the most successful periods in its football history. forestarrow.help

La Albiceleste arrive as reigning world champions after lifting their third FIFA World Cup trophy in 2022. The triumph added to their previous titles in 1978 and 1986 and cemented their status among the sport’s greatest national teams.

Argentina have also strengthened their legacy in recent years by winning back-to-back Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, extending their record haul in the competition to 16 championships.

Under head coach Lionel Scaloni, Argentina have built a squad that combines experience, talent and continuity.

Much of the core that conquered the world in Qatar remains intact, with captain Lionel Messi still leading the side, alongside key figures such as Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez.

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Argentina’s most recent outing was a 2-0 victory over Honduras in a friendly on June 6, providing another positive result ahead of the tournament.

The South Americans have been drawn in Group J, where they will face Algeria, Austria and debutants Jordan. Their campaign begins against Algeria on June 17, with expectations high that they can advance deep into the competition.

Despite Argentina’s recent success, Scaloni has repeatedly warned against complacency and stressed the difficulty of defending a World Cup title.

“It will be a very complex and difficult World Cup. We have to prepare the players because what’s coming is going to be tough; you can’t always win,” the coach said.

Scaloni, who guided Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022 and Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024, has emphasized the importance of managing his squad carefully throughout a demanding tournament schedule.

At the centre of attention once again will be Messi. The 38-year-old captain enters what could be his final World Cup, still determined to compete at the highest level.

“I love playing football, and I’m going to do it until I can’t anymore,” Messi said.

While Argentina are among the favourites, Messi believes several nations arrive in strong form and expects another highly competitive tournament. He highlighted France, Brazil and Portugal among the teams capable of challenging for the title, while also noting that surprises are always part of World Cup history.

The depth of Argentina’s squad provides further reason for optimism. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez remains one of the world’s best in his position, while defenders Romero, Nicolás Otamendi and Lisandro Martinez offer leadership and experience at the back. In midfield, De Paul, Mac Allister and Enzo Fernández continue to drive the team, while Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez provide a potent attacking threat alongside Messi.

Forward Julian Alvarez acknowledged the significance of what could be Messi’s final appearance on football’s biggest stage.

“We’re all fully aware that this could well be Leo’s last World Cup,” Alvarez said. “It’ll certainly make for a special World Cup.”

Mexico City: Mexico ignited their World Cup party with a dominant 2-0 victory over nine-man South Africa on Thursday as the biggest ever edition of the global footballing showpiece kicked off at the iconic Estadio Azteca.

Julian Quinones scored the opening goal of the tournament and veteran striker Raul Jimenez added a second as the co-hosts' bid for qualification from Group A got off to smooth start.

South Africa meanwhile never looked like spoiling the opening day fiesta, and finished with only nine men after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off.

The Mexican-colored red, green and white smoke from pre-game fireworks had barely dissipated before Quinones fired the hosts into the lead on nine minutes, drilling a low shot through the legs of South Africa’s goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams.

A deafening roar cascaded down from the stands of the Azteca, the footballing cathedral that became the only stadium to host games at three different World Cups.

South Africa coach Hugo Broos had warned his players to be ready for the intimidating atmosphere created by a capacity 80,824 crowd at the imposing concrete arena.

But South Africa’s players looked to have a bad case of stage fright as Mexico's fans greeted each completed pass with a raucous chorus of "Ole!" in the opening minutes.

Sithole seemed particularly affected, being caught in possession trying to play out of the back for Quinones' opening goal.

Sithole's miserable afternoon ended with a 49th minute dismissal after bundling over Mexico’s Brian Gutierrez when clean through on goal.

Mexico rammed home their advantage in the 67th minute, with a fine counter attack culminating in Roberto Alvarado crossing for Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Jimenez to nod home at the far post.

It got worse for South Africa in the 84th minute when Zwane was dismissed after a VAR review for flinging an arm into the face of Alvarado.

There was still time for late drama when Mexican defender Cesar Montes was shown a red card for a clumsy challenge on Khulisa Mudau on the edge of the penalty area.