Football/Soccer 24 Hours

Last updated: June 6, 2026, 11:42 PM ET

World Cup Visa & Staff Issues Iran’s federation accused the United States of “vindictive behavior” after the State Department refused visas to several senior officials tasked with managing the team’s World Cup logistics, a move that followed a separate denial of entry for technical staff arriving with the players’ visas. The setbacks threaten Iran’s preparation schedule and could force the delegation to operate with a reduced support crew in Qatar.

Club Leadership Turmoil West Ham United announced the immediate resignation of chairman David Sullivan amid unspecified “allegations,” leaving the Premier League club without its long‑time executive and prompting a board‑level reshuffle as the team approaches the final weeks of the domestic season.

Pre‑Tournament Injuries Argentina suffered a blow when centre‑back Leonardo Balerdi was ruled out of the World Cup after a calf strain was confirmed in the final medical scan. Portugal forward Rafael Leão was dismissed for punching an opponent during a 2‑0 warm‑up win over Chile, raising disciplinary questions ahead of the tournament. Germany lost 18‑year‑old midfielder Lennart Karl to a training injury, reducing the squad’s midfield depth. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi received a positive update on his left‑hamstring fatigue, with coach Lionel Scaloni indicating the Argentina captain could feature in the opening warm‑up fixtures.

Warm‑Up Results and Player Ratings Brazil secured a 2‑1 victory over Egypt after teenager Endrick struck early in the second half, highlighting the host nation’s attacking options before the World Cup. The United States endured a 2‑1 loss to Germany at Soldier Field, yet coach Mauricio Pochettino emphasized the “excitement” generated among American fans despite the defeat. In a separate friendly, Sophia Wilson netted her first goal for the US women’s side, but Brazil rallied to win 2‑1 in São Paulo. USMNT midfielder Antonee Robinson earned a 7/10 rating for a spectacular volley in the final pre‑tournament match, underscoring his form heading into the competition. Earlier, the United States had been edged out 1‑0 by Germany, a result Pochettino later described as containing “plenty of positives” for the squad.

European Nations’ Preparations Scotland delivered a dominant performance, thrashing Bolivia and signalling a healthy state one week before their World Cup debut, a boost for a side eager to make an impact on the world stage. England’s Harry Kane was lauded as “irreplaceable” by pundits, with speculation that the tournament could cement his status as a Ballon d’Or contender if he leads the Three Lions to success.

US Host Concerns Service workers at SoFi Stadium voted to authorize a strike just days before the venue is set to host the United States’ opening match against Paraguay, raising security and operational concerns for the tournament’s kickoff.