Coupe du Monde 2026 : refoulé par les États-Unis, l’arbitre somalien …

Malgré son exclusion de la Coupe du Monde 2026 après un refus d’entrée sur le territoire américain, l’arbitre somalien Omar Artan percevra l’intégralité des honoraires qu’il devait toucher durant la compétition. L’information a été révélée par la BBC, qui affirme que la FIFA a décidé de maintenir sa rémunération en dépit de son absence au […] noplasticplease.life

L’article Coupe du Monde 2026 : refoulé par les États-Unis, l’arbitre somalien Omar Artan sera tout de même rémunéré par la FIFA est apparu en premier sur Tchadinfos.

NEW YORK, USA, Jun 13 – “I am not here to be the best player of the tournament,” said Vinicius Jr on the eve of Brazil’s opening World Cup game.

“I am here to help Brazil get back to the top.”

And the supremely talented forward backed up his words on the pitch at the New Jersey New York Stadium.

Trailing Morocco 1-0 and looking decidedly second best, the five-time world champions got back on level terms thanks to a moment of brilliance by Vinicius on the biggest stage of all.

Receiving the ball on the left side of the penalty area from Bruno Guimaraes’ pass, the Real Madrid forward cut back inside on to his right foot before lashing a brilliant strike into the roof of the net.

It was a goal fitting for the World Cup, an outstanding moment of quality which dug his side out of a huge hole – and saved Brazil from losing their first opening game at a World Cup since 1934.

Yet they were unable to go on and seal an opening win in Group C, with the match ending 1-1 after what former England captain Alan Shearer told BBC Sport was a “ragged” Brazil performance.

South American football expert Tim Vickery, speaking to BBC Sport, added: “Ideally you want the team to make the stars, here you have a case of the star saving the team.”

‘We expected more from Brazil’

Brazil fans worried by this performance should remember that this expanded World Cup – more than any other – is a marathon not a sprint.

Remember Argentina losing to Saudi Arabia in their first game in Qatar four years ago – and then going on to be crowned world champions?

Brazil, seeking a first World Cup triumph since 2002, are still expected to progress to the knockout stage, and have Haiti next in Philadelphia on 19 June followed by Scotland in Miami on 24 June.

However, there will be concern that they looked second best to Morocco for long spells, devoid of the swagger we have come to expect from the nation that produced legends such as Pele, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Zico.

This squad, however, is overloaded with wingers and is lacking numbers in midfield.

Casemiro, 34, showed his age as he toiled in the heat before he was replaced at half-time as Morocco dominated without adding to the lead given to them by Ismael Saibari.

Defender Roger Ibanez also failed to return to the pitch in the second half as Carlo Ancelotti attempted to address the team’s shortcomings.

“We were expecting more from them,” former Uruguay and Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet told BBC Sport.

“I was surprised how bad technically they were today. I don’t know if it was the pitch, maybe the pitch didn’t help but they were missing passes, simple passes that you would expect the Brazilian players to do well.”

Vickery added: “This is precisely why Brazil are so dangerous. How many teams can play that badly and still be in the game? It’s the individuality.”

Ancelotti’s first World Cup match ends in apology

At the age of 67, this was Ancelotti’s first game as a head coach at a World Cup.

“This is a beautiful moment for me,” said the five-time Champions League-winning boss on the eve of the match.

In the end he was forced to apologise following his team’s lacklustre performance in the stifling New Jersey heat.

“I am sorry we didn’t play as well as we hoped,” said the Italian in his post-match media conference.

The Italian – the first overseas coach to lead Brazil at a World Cup – was brought in after a poor qualifying campaign which saw Brazil’s place at the tournament thrown into serious doubt after the team only won three of its first eight qualifiers.

The five-time world champions qualified in the end but not before suffering six defeats in 18 games on the way to finishing fifth in the South American qualifying table.

Their latest indifferent performance will only serve to raise more questions than answers.

“This is the first match of the World Cup,” Ancelotti said. “It wasn’t a bad result but we will keep picking up.

“We have to do better, that’s very clear. We have to have a more balanced team and we have to be more aggressive.

“I am not disappointed but I am not satisfied either. Not everything goes perfect and we have to accept criticism.”

Will Vinicius become Brazil’s darling?

Vinicius’ goal was a moment of breathtaking beauty we have come to expect from the outstanding talent.

Will he kick on and write his name into Brazilian folklore?

“The expectation was for him, by now, to have become the Selecao’s leading figure,” said Brazilian football expert Marcus Alves.

“Yet, four years on from a penalty shootout exit against Croatia in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals, doubts remain around him.”

However, there can be no doubting the quality of his goal here – his 10th for Brazil, with three of those coming on US soil.

“This is where Vinicius Jr comes into his own,” former England goalkeeper Joe Hart told BBC One.

“He was quiet in the game, of course he was, but you can’t criticise players like this on the big stage.

“He cuts in, smashes it past Bono. What a moment.”

Vinicius talked on Friday about how this was “the most important time in my life and career”.

“I feel great freedom and sincere trust from Ancelotti. He is sure I can do for the national team what I do for Real Madrid,” he added.

“I want to try to write the history of the country and the national team. We must do everything to win.”

Brazil came up short against Morocco.

Failure at this tournament, after a 24-year title drought, would lead to serious questions about how the most successful team in World Cup history moves forward.

The post WORLD CUP: “I am Here To Help Brazil Get Back To The Top,” Says Vinicius Jr After Morocco Draw appeared first on Capital Sports.

Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn is reportedly close to bringing two players with overseas experience to Bloemfontein.

According to Rapport, versatile back Henry Immelman and utility forward Simon Miller could bolster the Cheetahs ahead of the Currie Cup.

Immelman is no stranger to Bloemfontein. The 31-year-old, who can play fullback, wing or centre, attended Grey College before representing the CUT Ixias.

He spent five years with French club Montpellier before moving to Edinburgh in Scotland.

Immelman returned to South Africa in 2023 to join the Bulls, but has found regular game time hard to come by.

Miller would add versatility to the Cheetahs pack. The 25-year-old, currently with Japan’s Shizuoka Blue Revs, is comfortable at both lock and flank.

A former St Alban’s College pupil, Miller made his name at Maties before earning opportunities with Western Province and the Stormers.

He then had a brief stint with the Sharks before heading overseas.

The Cheetahs have prepared for the Currie Cup by hosting the Toyota Challenge, which this year featured three international teams in Romania A, Black Lion from Georgia and Portuguese side Lusitanos.

Steyn’s side faces Black Lion on Sunday (4:30pm).

This story was first published on sarugbymag.co.za. It is republished here with permission.

Après les Etats-Unis, vainqueurs du Paraguay (4 – 1), dans le groupe D, c’était au tour de l’Australie de battre la Turquie (2 – 0), certes dominatrice mais loin d’être réaliste, notamment face à un jeune gardien dont le nom fera certainement tilt à l’avenir, Patrick Beach.

Pour son entrée en lice dans cette Coupe du monde 2026, la Turquie, pourtant favorite, a été surprise par une Australie vaillante et surtout réaliste (0 – 2) au BC Place stadium de Vancouver, au Canada dans le groupe D.

Un but par mi-temps a suffi aux Socceroos de faire la différence et d’occuper la deuxième place du classement, derrière les Etats-Unis vainqueurs du Paraguay à Los Angeles (4 – 1).

C’est dire que dans ce groupe D, on n’a pas attendu le round d’observation pour monter au front, à l’image de toutes ces attaques turques dès l’entame de la rencontre, restées vaines face à une défense héroïque, mais surtout un jeune gardien au nom inspirant, Patrick Beach (22 ans), préféré à l’expérimenté portier de Levante CF (34 ans).

Beach a, durant toute la partie, écœuré les attaquants turcs (30 tentatives). Mieux encore, il est derrière l’ouverture du score, puisque sur une frappe d’Arda Güler, il relance, permettant à Nestory Irankunda d’aller conclure une chevauchée à gauche par un tir au ras du poteau (27^e), après avoir effacé un défenseur avant de battre Cakir.

Les hommes de Vicenzo Montella ne baissent pas les bras et poursuivront leur ascendant, y compris en seconde mi-temps où ils se procureront plusieurs opportunités d’égaliser.

Malheureusement, Beach est sur toutes les balles et dans toutes les positions. Et sur une nouvelle transition offensive, Connor Metcalfe adresse une frappe avant la surface pour placer le ballon au pied du montant gauche du gardien de Galatassaray (75^e).

En face, la cage de Beach est prise d’assaut par les attaquants turcs qui ne trouveront pas de solution face à une défense dense qui ne laisse rien passer. Ils devront se rattraper lors de leur prochaine sortie face au Paraguay, à San Francisco, dans le match des vaincus, alors que l’Australie de Tony Popovic sera opposée aux Etats-Unis à Seattle dans un duel de leadership.

Classement du groupe D :

Class.	Equipes	Pts	J	G	N	P	BP	BC	Diff.
1	Etats-Unis	3	1	3	0	0	4	1	+3
2	Australie	3	1	1	0	0	2	0	+2
3	Turquie	0	1	0	0	1	0	2	-2
4	Paraguay	0	1	0	0	1	1	4	-3

Prochaine journée :

• Le 19 juin 2026, Lumen Field stadium, Seattle (20h00) : Etats-Unis – Australie.
• Le 20 juin 2026, Levi’s stadium, San Francisco (04h00) : Turquie – Paraguay.

L’article CM : Australie – Turquie (2 – 0), quand Beach écœure les Turcs est apparu en premier sur Foot Afrique.