News: US immigration measures eased allowing Iran extra day to prepare for final group game v Egypt in Seattle, but will still need to travel back after game. Full story - inc more on team’s #168 Minab messaging & release of AI video - for @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/738...

Iran’s travel restrictions into United States eased for final World Cup group game (Gift Article)

Iran have been granted permission by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to travel to the United States a day earlier.

nytimes.com

For the first time since 1930, the USMNT has won back-to-back games in the men’s World Cup.

KNOCKOUTS UP NEXT 🦅 The USMNT has secured a spot in the Round of 32 with its win against Australia, and can clinch Group D if Paraguay wins or draws against Turkey on Friday night. nyti.ms/4vSjvwS

Every country has played one group stage match at the 2026 World Cup. This is how each of the 12 groups are shaping up.

Australia opens its 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over Turkey. The Socceroos and the USMNT both have three points in Group D.

Fulham have held talks with former Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa over the possibility of succeeding Marco Silva. More from @david-ornstein.bsky.social ⬇️ 🔗 nyti.ms/4dXLMMo

Why has the U.S., the planet's richest and most successful sporting nation, never produced a men's soccer superstar? It boils down to one word: culture. @henrybushnell.bsky.social breaks it down.

Manchester City have made a further verbal offer for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson. The bid is worth £106million with potential add-ons taking it in excess of £120m. More from @david-ornstein.bsky.social ⬇️ 🔗 nyti.ms/4fxt4fM

Totally at the World Cup 😎🌴🇺🇸⚽️ With 104 matches to cover and games kicking off in the middle of the night back in the UK, we've been forced to take drastic action...

Iran wore '#168' pins honouring no. of children reportedly lost in Minab attack, on Mexico arrival. They held up school bags & pictures during March friendlies. Act of remembrance or political messaging & what now at WC? Free read on @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...

Iranian team wears #168 pins for victims of school strike: Will it be allowed during the World Cup? (Gift Article)

The Iranian team previously held up school bags before a friendly match in March as symbols of commemoration.

nytimes.com

Florentino Perez has been re-elected Real Madrid president after the club's first member vote in 20 years. So what does it mean for Perez, his beaten rival Enrique Riquelme and Jose Mourinho? Our writers answer all the key questions: nyti.ms/3RXdbFC

Christian Eriksen is conscious and “doing well under the circumstances” after collapsing on the pitch during Denmark’s friendly match against Ukraine on Sunday, the Danish Football Association (DBU) has said. More from @colinmillar.bsky.social ⬇️ 🔗 nyti.ms/4e3NjiF

When war started this moment looked unlikely, but Iran have now departed for WC. Spent 4 days with in Türkiye as they prepared. Watched training, match & spoke to players & officials as visa row went into last 24hrs. Read free on @theathleticfc.bsky.social here ⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...

How Iran prepared for the World Cup: A 40-hour bus journey, visa issues and a switch to Mexico

The Athletic's Adam Leventhal travelled to Iran's training base in Turkey and spent time following their final tournament preparations

nytimes.com

According to emails seen by The Athletic, FIFA have informed World Cup ticket holders that they have updated the code of conduct and the correspondence told fans that “reusable water bottles are no longer permitted at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ stadiums”. nyti.ms/4x9TQkF

FIFA U-turns on World Cup water bottle policy, bans fans from bringing them into stadiums (Gift Article)

The code of conduct has been altered so fans will no longer be able to take in, or refill, water bottles.

nyti.ms

Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world. The city of angels is home to both the Galaxy and LAFC in MLS and will host two USMNT games at SoFi Stadium in the 2026 World Cup. But be prepared for sitting in traffic... Brought to you by Capital One 🔗 nyti.ms/3RYA1wu

Less than six percent of $98 tickets have been purchased for round-trip New Jersey Transit trains to MetLife Stadium during the FIFA World Cup. Full story from @adamcrafton.bsky.social ⬇️ 🔗 nyti.ms/43bLZW5

Liverpool have formally opened talks with Andoni Iraola about becoming their new head coach. More from @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social ⬇️ 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/732...

Real Madrid could have to pay up to €15million (£12.96m; $17.45m) to secure Jose Mourinho’s appointment as manager following the expiration of a break clause in the 63-year-old’s contract at Benfica. Full story from Mario Cortegana ⬇️ bit.ly/4uTGV4P

New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani has joined forces with regional politicians and New York Red Bulls to secure another ticketing discount, this time providing $25 tickets for fans to see Erling Haaland’s Norway in a World Cup warm-up game against Morocco on June 7. 📝 @adamcrafton.bsky.social

World Cup warm-up game tickets in New Jersey made available for $25 (Gift Article)

New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani has joined forces with regional politicians and New York Red Bulls to secure the discount.

nyti.ms

Twenty-four people were arrested after a parade to mark Arsenal’s Premier League win, while police are investigating after six stabbings during the event. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/732...

James Milner, the Premier League record appearance-holder, has announced his retirement at the age of 40 after a 24-year playing career. More from @andynaylorbrighton.bsky.social ⬇️ 🔗 nyti.ms/4fj2mr3

James Milner has announced his retirement from football at the age of 40. Brighton offered the record Premier League appearances holder a player contract for another year, but he has decided to hang up his boots. www.nytimes.com/athletic/732...

Premier League record appearance-holder James Milner retires at 40

Milner had been offered another year's contract by Brighton & Hove Albion, but he has decided to call it a day.

nytimes.com

Manchester City are set to sign England international Niamh Charles from rivals Chelsea. Exclusive from @charpur.bsky.social and @meganferinga.bsky.social ⤵️ 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/732...

Manchester City win the Women’s FA Cup for the fourth time. Goals from Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, Alex Greenwood, Aoba Fujino and Vivianne Miedema secured a 4-0 win over Brighton in the final. It means City complete a women’s domestic double for the first time in their history.

The South Africa national team have had to delay their trip to North America for the World Cup due to what the country’s sports minister has called “embarrassing and grossly unfair” visa issues. Free to read: bit.ly/4u7gO9g

As it stands there will not be a single Champions League-winning manager working in the Premier League next season — the last time that this was the case was in May 1999 (just before Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United won the Champions League).

How much did each Champions League side earn in prize money this season? Read the full story from @cweatherspoon.bsky.social for free ⤵️ 🎁 bit.ly/3PygaUl

Mikel Arteta says he has watched back every penalty that has been awarded in this season's Champions League. The Arsenal manager was unhappy with the referee's decision to not award a penalty after Noni Madueke went down in the box in extra-time.

Chelsea didn't take long to remind their city neighbours of their Champions League success after their defeat in this year’s final...

After Gabriel missed the decisive penalty, Marquinhos went straight to console his Brazil teammate.