Argentina reclaim top FIFA rankings as Qatar slip

DOHA: Argentina (1st, up 2), the reigning world champions, will begin their title defence as the world’s top-ranked side after the June Men’s World Ranking was released hours before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday.

Argentina reclaimed top spot following friendly wins over Iceland and Honduras, overtaking Spain (2nd, unchanged), who were held by Iraq before beating Peru, and France (3rd, down 2), who dropped after defeat to Côte d’Ivoire and victory over Northern Ireland.

Qatar, who lost their friendly against Ireland and played a goalless draw against El Salvador, slipped one place to 56th ahead of their opening Group B clash against Switzerland, who are ranked 19th. noplasticplease.life

Morocco (7th, up 1) climbed to their highest-ever ranking since 1993, overtaking the Netherlands (8th, down 1).

Mexico (14th, up 1), Uruguay (16th, up 1) and Iran (20th, up 1) all moved up, while Senegal (15th, down 1) and the United States (17th, down 1) slipped.

Hungary (39th, up 3), Chile (51st, up 3) and China PR (91st, up 3) were the biggest climbers, while Serbia (41st, down 4), Mali (55th, down 3) and Benin (93rd, down 3) saw the sharpest falls.

Toronto, Canada: Canada coach Jesse Marsch said Thursday the chance to lead the team in a World Cup on home soil was the reason he took the job, hours before the co-hosts' opening match against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

"If you do this for a living this is where you want to be," the American told reporters at Toronto's BMO stadium, which is hosting six World Cup contests.

"I came here to lead them in the World Cup, right, in a home World Cup. I wanted this responsibility," he said.

"I love sitting in that coach's box when the stadium's full and the pressure's on and everybody thinks you're an idiot," Marsch said.

The former US international had been tipped as a possible head coach for his home country after he was sacked by Leeds United in 2023.

But he ended up north of the border, with a chance to secure Canada's first ever World Cup victory.

Canada qualified for two previous World Cups, 1986 and 2022, but lost all six of its matches.

Hopes are higher this year with a roster that includes several players competing in top European leagues.

But Marsch said Canada's top player, Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies, remains unavailable for the Bosnia match because of a hamstring issue.

"We did an MRI with him yesterday. It showed very positive signs that he's healing incredibly well," Marsch said, confirming Davies "will not be available tomorrow."

Stephen Eustaquio will captain the home side in the first ever World Cup match in Canada.

"It's a dream come true," said Eustaquio, who plays for Los Angeles FC of the MLS.

Marsch was asked about nerves within his squad, which is facing unprecedented expectations to advance out of the group stage, but said the environment has been "pretty normal."

"There wasn't really a need for big mental and psychological messages. We're all aware of the World Cup. We're all aware of it being at home. We're all excited," Marsch said.

الأخبارالشيخ عبد العزيز بن سعود: الأمير الوالد قاد نهضة قطر ورسّخ مكانتها الرياضية العالميةأكد سعادة الشيخ عبد العزيز بن سعود بن عبد الرحمن آل ثاني أن رحيل المغفور له بإذن الله تعالى صاحب السمو الأمير الوالد الشيخ حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني، طيب الله ثراه، يمثل خسارة كبيرة ...فتح →

Bosnia-Herzegovina beat Italy to qualify for its second World Cup, and coach Sergej Barbarez said his side had plenty of experience playing higher-ranked countries.

"We are, of course, sort of an underdog here," Barbarez said, adding: "the road (to the tournament) was by no means easy.

But he noted that his team's ability to surprise rivals has limits.

"I love this game between David and Goliath, but the world gets to know you after a while."

يأمل منتخب كندا أن يتوّج نجاحه بكتابة صفحة مشرقة في مونديال 2026 المشارك في تنظيمه مع الولايات المتحدة والمكسيك: تحقيق أول فوز له في المجموعة الثانية، ويفضّل أن يكون ذلك اعتبارا من الجمعة أمام البوسنة والهرسك، وانتزاع بطاقة التأهل إلى الدور التالي.
بعد مشاركتيه السابقتين في كأس العالم 1986 في المكسيك و2022 في قطر، يملك منتخب الـ»كانوكس» حصيلة سلبية من ست هزائم في ست مباريات، ويسعى الى قلب هذه الصفحة في مجموعة تبدو في متناوله نظريا، وتضم أيضا قطر وسويسرا، المرشحة الأبرز لصدارة المجموعة.
وقال مدربه الأمريكي جيسي مارش الذي تولى مهامه عام 2024 ومدد عقده أخيرا حتى 2030: «كأس عالم ناجحة لكندا تعني تجاوز دور المجموعات. مع نظام البطولة، إذا أنهينا المجموعة في الصدارة سنبقى في كندا لمباريات الأدوار الإقصائية، وهذا هدف مهم، لكن الأهم هو التأهل من المجموعة».

فاز منتخب المكسيك على نظيره الجنوب أفريقي بنتيجة 2-صفر في مباراة افتتاح كأس العالم لكرة القدم 2026 أمام 80 ألف مشجع بملعب «أزتيكا» في العاصمة مكسيكو.
وسجل مهاجم نادي القادسية السعودي خوليان كينيونيس الهدف الأول في الدقيقة التاسعة، وسدد بقوة بين ساقي الحارس رونوين وليامس مستغلا هفوة في دفاع جنوب أفريقيا.
وسجل المهاجم خيمينيز الهدف الثاني بضربة رأسية في الدقيقة 67 إثر تمريرة من ألفارو في الجهة اليمنى من خط الهجوم، وشهدت المباراة 3 بطاقات حمراء بواقع 2 لجنوب أفريقيا وواحدة للمكسيك. وأمام 80 ألف مشجع، أطلق الحكم البرازيلي ويلتون سامبايو صافرة البداية أمام ثمانين ألف متفرج.