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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 champion Spain returns home to hero’s welcome

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World Cup champion

MADRID: Spain’s national football team returned home after defeating defending champion Argentina to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing the country’s second world title.

The team’s aircraft landed in Madrid, where players and coaching staff arrived carrying the World Cup trophy after their historic triumph in New York.

Captain Rodri emerged from the plane holding the coveted trophy, smiling as he celebrated Spain’s victory. Head coach Luis de la Fuente and Spanish Football Federation President Rafael Louzán also returned with the squad.

Spain clinched the World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sunday’s final. The match remained scoreless until Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in extra time, ending Spain’s 16-year wait for another World Cup crown.

The victory marks Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title and crowns the team as world champion for the next four years.

World Cup champion Spain returns home to hero’s welcome

by
World Cup champion

MADRID: Spain’s national football team returned home after defeating defending champion Argentina to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing the country’s second world title.

The team’s aircraft landed in Madrid, where players and coaching staff arrived carrying the World Cup trophy after their historic triumph in New York.

Captain Rodri emerged from the plane holding the coveted trophy, smiling as he celebrated Spain’s victory. Head coach Luis de la Fuente and Spanish Football Federation President Rafael Louzán also returned with the squad.

Spain clinched the World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Argentina in Sunday’s final. The match remained scoreless until Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in extra time, ending Spain’s 16-year wait for another World Cup crown.

The victory marks Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title and crowns the team as world champion for the next four years.

Mediators propose 10-Day Iran-US ceasefire to revive diplomatic talks

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Mediators propose

TEHRAN: Mediators have proposed a 10-day ceasefire between Iran and the United States to help reduce tensions and create an opportunity to revive diplomatic negotiations, according to an Iranian official cited by Reuters.

The official said the proposal is under consideration as part of efforts to end the confrontation between the two countries.

The temporary truce is intended to provide space for discussions on restoring a broader agreement between Tehran and Washington.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the purpose of the proposed ceasefire is to identify pathways for reviving an interim agreement, adding that mediating countries are actively working to ease tensions.

Baghaei said messages from Washington have continued to reach Tehran through third-party mediators, indicating that diplomatic channels have remained open despite the heightened tensions.

He also warned that if the conflict expands further, the United States would bear responsibility. Baghaei added that Iran is prepared to respond to any attempt by U.S. forces to seize Kharg Island, a key oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf.

Trump shares poll showing majority support for US-Iran peace agreement

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Trump shares

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has shared the results of a recent opinion poll indicating that a majority of American voters support a peace agreement aimed at ending the conflict between the United States and Iran.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump highlighted survey findings showing that 60% of registered voters support a peace agreement with Iran, while 23% oppose it and 15% expressed no opinion.

Among likely voters, 62% said they support the agreement, 24% opposed it, and 13% said they were undecided, according to the poll shared by the president.

The survey asked respondents whether they supported or opposed a peace agreement to end the war with Iran. According to the poll summary, the proposed agreement includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, easing economic sanctions on Iran, allowing two months of additional negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, and reaffirming that Iran would not develop or acquire nuclear weapons.

Trump did not provide additional comment beyond sharing the poll results. The White House has not independently released further details regarding the proposed agreement or the methodology of the survey.

Emergency alert issued ahead of FIFA World Cup final in New York

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Emergency alert

NEW YORK: Authorities issued emergency flood warnings for parts of New York and New Jersey on Saturday, hours before the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, as severe weather threatened to disrupt travel and pre-match preparations.

The championship match between Argentina and Spain is scheduled for Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. However, deteriorating weather conditions have complicated preparations for both teams and raised concerns for fans traveling to the venue.

Officials warned of potentially life-threatening flash flooding and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel. Emergency alerts sent to mobile phones in parts of New York warned of a flash flood risk through the afternoon and advised people to leave flood-prone areas if instructed by authorities.

The latest weather concerns come after air quality in New York and New Jersey was affected by smoke from hundreds of wildfires burning in Canada. Earlier this week, officials classified air quality in parts of New Jersey as “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

Calls to relocate the World Cup final had already surfaced because of smoky conditions, and the flash flood warnings have added to concerns surrounding the event.

Tournament organizers continue to monitor the weather closely, while both teams have adjusted their preparations ahead of Sunday’s final. No changes to the match schedule had been announced at the time of reporting.

US military confirms two troops killed in Iranian missile attack in Jordan

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US military

WASHINGTON: The US military has confirmed that two American service members were killed and several others were injured during an Iranian missile and drone attack in Jordan, marking one of the deadliest attacks on U.S. forces in the region in recent months.

In a statement, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said the attack occurred on July 17, when U.S. and allied forces were defending against Iranian ballistic missiles and drones. CENTCOM also said one U.S. service member remains missing.

According to the military, four injured service members were transported to hospitals in Jordan for treatment and have since been released. Other personnel who sustained minor injuries were treated and have returned to duty.

CENTCOM said the identities of the two deceased service members will be released 24 hours after their next of kin have been formally notified.

The confirmation came a day after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had targeted the Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan with missiles and drones. The IRGC claimed the attack destroyed two fighter jets, three U.S. aircraft, aircraft shelters and parking ramps at the base.

Those battlefield damage claims have not been independently verified, and the U.S. military has not confirmed the reported destruction of aircraft or other equipment. Russian media also reported that U.S. personnel had not been evacuated from the base before the attack.

West Indies cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers dies at 89

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West Indies

BRIDGETOWN: Sir Garfield Sobers, widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, has died at the age of 89, Cricket West Indies confirmed on Friday.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Sobers died in Barbados, ending a career that transformed the game and established him as one of cricket’s most complete players.

Sobers represented the West Indies in 93 Test matches between 1954 and 1974, scoring 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78 and taking 235 wickets at an average of 34.03. Renowned for his ability to bowl both pace and spin, he was also considered one of the finest fielders of his era.

Australian great Sir Donald Bradman famously described Sobers as a “five-in-one cricketer” because of his extraordinary versatility.

The ICC’s Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, awarded annually to the world’s best men’s cricketer across all formats, is named in his honor.

In a tribute posted on X, Cricket West Indies said, “A great innings has come to an end.”

Sobers made his first-class debut at the age of 16 during the 1952-53 season and earned his Test debut against England in Jamaica a year later, beginning a legendary international career that inspired generations of cricketers.

Canadian wildfire smoke raises air quality concerns ahead of World Cup final

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Canadian wildfire

NEW YORK: Smoke from massive wildfires in Canada has blanketed parts of New York and New Jersey, prompting health officials to issue air quality alerts ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain.

According to international media reports, authorities have advised residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities and limit strenuous exercise as smoke continues to affect air quality across the region.

The World Cup final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where more than 80,000 spectators are expected. While organizers have not announced any changes to the match schedule, the deteriorating air quality has raised concerns ahead of the championship game.

Spain has continued training outdoors since arriving in New Jersey, while Argentina is scheduled to hold its training session on Friday despite the smoky conditions.

The poor air quality has already affected other sporting events. A National Women’s Soccer League match introduced additional hydration and recovery breaks because of the conditions, while some players voiced concerns about competing in polluted air. In Chicago, a Major League Soccer match was postponed due to unhealthy air quality.

Forecasters expect rain on Friday and Saturday to help improve air quality before Sunday’s World Cup final.

Shakira lauds Lionel Messi ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup final

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Shakira lauds

MIAMI: Colombian singer Shakira has voiced her admiration for Lionel Messi ahead of the FIFA World Cup final, praising the Argentine captain’s determination, discipline and continued success on football’s biggest stage.

Following Argentina’s semifinal victory, Shakira shared a message on her Instagram Stories, calling Messi’s performances “beyond extraordinary” and describing him as an example of commitment and perseverance.

“What @lionelmessi is doing is beyond extraordinary. It shows the values of a man who is deeply committed and disciplined, challenging time and all odds,” Shakira wrote.

She also credited Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, for her support throughout his career, saying that having her by his side provides him with strength and inspiration.

 Roccuzzo later reposted the tribute on her own Instagram Stories, responding with a teary-eyed emoji and a white heart.

Messi led Argentina to a 2-1 comeback victory over England in the World Cup semifinals, booking a place in Sunday’s final against Spain.

The Inter Miami star has scored eight goals in the tournament, tying France’s Kylian Mbappé as the competition’s leading scorer.

Shakira will also take center stage during the World Cup final, where she is scheduled to co-headline the first FIFA World Cup halftime show alongside Madonna, BTS and Justin Bieber, with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin serving as the show’s curator. The final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.

Powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake strikes off Mexico’s pacific coast

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Powerful 7.3-

MEXICO CITY: A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on Friday, prompting tsunami alerts for parts of Mexico and neighboring Guatemala, authorities said.

The earthquake was initially reported as magnitude 7.4 before being revised to 7.3. Its epicenter was located offshore near the coast of Chiapas state, close to the border with Guatemala.

Following the quake, authorities issued tsunami alerts for parts of the Pacific coastline in Mexico and Guatemala, urging residents to stay away from beaches and low-lying coastal areas as a precaution.

The tremor was also felt across Guatemala, El Salvador and other parts of southern Mexico, prompting evacuations from buildings in several areas.

Officials said there were no immediate reports of major casualties or widespread damage, though damage assessments were ongoing. Authorities also reported a series of aftershocks and continued monitoring the situation.