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World Desk

Future Soch World Desk covers international politics, conflicts, markets, diplomacy and global developments with context for Pakistani readers.

World Cup 2026 sets new single-day attendance record

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World Cup 2026

A new FIFA World Cup attendance record was set on June 16, with a total of 281,223 fans attending four matches in a single day at the 2026 tournament, FIFA said.

According to the governing body, the figure surpassed the previous one-day record of 277,070 spectators set during the 1994 World Cup.

FIFA said matches involving France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway, Argentina, Algeria, Austria and Jordan attracted record crowds, contributing to the milestone.

The organization added that 1,309,652 fans attended matches during the tournament’s first six days, with average attendance standing at 65,483 spectators per game.

Based on the current pace, the 2026 World Cup is on course to challenge the all-time overall attendance record. A total of 3.5 million spectators attended the 1994 World Cup, and FIFA said a new cumulative mark could be reached by the end of the group stage if the trend continues.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino described June 16, 2026, as a memorable day in World Cup history, saying supporters had created a vibrant and unforgettable atmosphere and underscored football’s global popularity.

Veteran cricket journalist Qamar Ahmed dies at 88 in Karachi

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Veteran cricket journalist

KARACHI: Veteran sports journalist and cricket writer Qamar Ahmed has died in Karachi at the age of 88, his family said. He had been suffering from a heart condition.

Qamar Ahmed was regarded as one of Pakistan’s pioneering cricket journalists. During a career spanning several decades, he covered more than 400 Test matches and over 600 One-Day Internationals, in addition to numerous International Cricket Council events around the world.

Born on Oct. 23, 1937, in India’s Uttar Pradesh, Qamar Ahmed spent many years living in England and earned international recognition as a cricket writer and analyst.

He also played 17 first-class matches and captained Hyderabad in Pakistan’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

His funeral prayers will be offered after Maghrib prayers on Thursday at Bait-us-Salam Mosque in DHA Phase IV, Karachi.

Fatima Sana signs with Birmingham Phoenix for The Hundred

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Fatima Sana

LAHORE: Pakistan women’s cricket team captain Fatima Sana has signed with Birmingham Phoenix for the upcoming edition of The Hundred, becoming the first Pakistani woman cricketer to feature in the British franchise competition.

According to cricket website reports, Birmingham Phoenix added Fatima Sana to their squad as a replacement for Australia’s Lucy Hamilton.

The Hundred is scheduled to run from July 21 to Aug. 16. Fatima is set to make history as the first Pakistani female player to participate in the tournament.

Reports said the Pakistan captain will earn a minimum of £15,000 under her contract with Birmingham Phoenix.

However, her availability is expected to be limited because of Pakistan’s white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, which runs from July 23 to Aug. 4. The scheduling overlap could restrict the number of matches she is able to play in the competition.

Venomous snake spotted at Germany World Cup training camp in US

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Venomous snake

WINSTON-SALEM: A venomous snake was spotted at Germany’s World Cup training camp in the United States, prompting precautionary measures for players and staff, captain Joshua Kimmich has revealed.

Speaking to reporters in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Kimmich said the team was informed that the snake was venomous and that immediate medical attention would be required in the event of a bite.

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He added that while such bites are rarely fatal, the situation was still treated seriously due to potential health risks.

According to German media reports, the snake is believed to be a copperhead viper, a species commonly found in the region whose venom can require urgent medical treatment.

The German Football Association said no changes have been made to the team’s training schedule, though players have been advised to remain cautious during outdoor sessions.

Meanwhile, Austria’s national team has reportedly restricted the use of bicycles at its training camp due to similar safety concerns involving snakes in the area.

Austria beat debutants Jordan 3-1 in World Cup comeback win

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Austria beat

SAN FRANCISCO: Austria produced a strong comeback performance to defeat World Cup newcomers Jordan 3-1, securing their first victory in the tournament since 1990.

In an entertaining Group-stage clash, both sides played an attacking brand of football, but Austria proved decisive in the closing stages to seal all three points.

Romano Schmid opened the scoring in the 21st minute to give Austria an early lead. Jordan responded after the break when Ali Olwan struck five minutes into the second half to level the match.

Austria thought they had regained the lead through forward Marko Arnautovic, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review confirmed handball.

The breakthrough finally came in the 76th minute when Jordan defender Yazan Al-Arab scored an unfortunate own goal, restoring Austria’s advantage.

Arnautovic later converted a penalty in stoppage time to confirm the 3-1 win for Austria.

Following the result, Austria will next face Argentina, while Jordan will look to bounce back against Algeria.

Messi scores hat-trick as Argentina beat Algeria

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Messi scores

DOHA: Argentina captain Lionel Messi scored a sensational hat-trick to lead his side to a memorable victory over Algeria in their opening World Cup match, giving the defending champions a strong start to their title defense.

The win in the group-stage opener saw Argentina overcome Algeria as Messi delivered a standout performance in his 200th international appearance.

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The 38-year-old forward scored his first goal in the 17th minute to give Argentina the lead. He added his second after capitalizing on an error by Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane in the second half before completing his hat-trick with a powerful strike in the 76th minute.

With the treble, Messi’s World Cup goal tally rose to 16, drawing him level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose as the joint-highest scorer in the tournament’s history.

The Argentine star also achieved another milestone by becoming the first player to feature in six different World Cup editions, having previously played in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and now 2026.

Zidane Iqbal makes history as first Pakistan-origin player to feature in World Cup

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Zidane Iqbal makes

DOHA: Iraq suffered a 4-1 defeat against Norway in its opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, but the game marked a historic moment for Pakistan as midfielder Zidane Iqbal became the first footballer of Pakistani origin to appear in the tournament.

According to international media reports, Iqbal came on as a substitute in the 59th minute, making his World Cup debut and representing Iraq on football’s biggest stage.

Born in Manchester, England, the 23-year-old has a mixed heritage, with his father hailing from Sahiwal in Pakistan’s Punjab province and his mother from Iraq, making him eligible to represent England, Pakistan or Iraq.

Iqbal’s journey to the Iraqi national team included contact from football-linked social media pages and the Iraqi Football Association, which reached out to him and his family through multiple video calls to convince him to represent Iraq.

In a previous interview, Iqbal said the support and affection from Iraqi fans played a key role in his decision to join the national team.

While Iraq could not secure a win in its opening match, the appearance of a player of Pakistani origin on the World Cup stage was widely seen as a landmark moment for Pakistani football supporters, as the country has yet to qualify for the tournament itself.

Trump jokes about being ‘Boss’ after arriving late at G7 summit

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Trump jokes

PARIS: US President Donald Trump joked about being the “boss” after arriving late to a meeting with world leaders during the G7 summit in France, adopting a lighthearted tone as he greeted journalists at the venue.

As he arrived at the summit site, Trump quipped to reporters, “Would you like to be in the meeting? I don’t mind,” drawing attention for his informal remarks.

The meeting came at a time when G7 leaders expressed support for a potential peace agreement with Iran, describing it as a significant diplomatic development.

In a joint statement, the leaders praised Trump’s role in advancing negotiations, calling the agreement a major step forward.

The G7 leaders said the proposed deal represents a historic opportunity to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and emphasized the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement.

Italy’s Meloni says she quit smoking ‘Last Month’ at G7 event

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Italy’s Meloni

PARIS: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said she has quit smoking, revealing the update during informal conversations with world leaders on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France.

Meloni reportedly made the comment during a casual exchange among European leaders, where she said she now relies on coffee to stay alert. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz jokingly referenced smoking during the discussion, prompting Meloni to respond that she had stopped the habit last month.

The Italian leader has previously said in interviews that she had remained smoke-free for 13 years before later resuming smoking.

Following her remarks, Turkish media resurfaced footage from an October 2025 meeting in Egypt in which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seen advising Meloni to quit smoking.

Erdogan is known for his long-standing anti-smoking stance and has frequently encouraged public figures and citizens to give up the habit. His remarks have since drawn renewed attention on Turkish social media after Meloni’s announcement.

G7 Nations welcome US-Iran agreement, pledge support for implementation

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G7 Nations

PARIS: The Group of Seven nations welcomed the announcement of an agreement between the United States and Iran, expressing support for its implementation and broader efforts to promote regional stability.

In a joint statement issued following the G7 summit, member countries said they support the U.S.-Iran agreement and stand ready to play a constructive role in ensuring its effective implementation.

The statement emphasized that unrestricted access through international maritime routes remains a cornerstone of global trade and economic stability.

The G7 countries also voiced support for an immediate and durable ceasefire in Lebanon and backed efforts by the Lebanese leadership to disarm the militant group Hezbollah.

In addition, the group pledged to reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz and strengthen strategic energy reserves to enhance global energy security.

The statement underscored the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region based on the rule of law and international norms.

The G7 comprises the United States, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada.