21/06/2026

theSun on Sunday JUNE 21, 2026

2026 WORLD CUP

SPORTS 10

Red Devils risk shock exit Belgium, Iran target vital win as travel drama hamper Team Melli

Sarpreet proud to blaze trail for Sikh community NEW ZEALAND midfielder Sarpreet Singh hopes his appearance at the World Cup can pave the way for other play ers of South Asian heritage to reach the game’s biggest stage. The 27-year-old became the first Sikh to play at a World Cup when he took the field in New Zealand’s 2-2 draw with Iran in Los Angeles in their opener. “It means a lot to me, it means a lot to my people, my family, my community,” he told reporters at the team’s hotel in San Diego, California on Friday. “I’m very happy to be the first, and pave the way for the rest of them coming through. I hope to see many more Singhs and Sikhs and Punjabi footballers coming through, and Indian heritage football ers.”

B ELGIUM faces Iran in a high-stakes World Cup Group G match at the Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) tomorrow (3am Malaysian time) with both teams desperate for a victory after open ing-round draws. Both teams sit on one point in a completely level Group G, follow ing Belgium’s 1-1 draw with Egypt and Iran’s 2-2 stalemate against New Zealand. Belgium, led by manager Rudi Garcia, is heavily favoured but looking for a far more convincing performance. The Red Devils had to rely on a late forced own-goal to salvage a point in their opener. Garcia expects a difficult tactical battle against a disciplined oppo nent. “We want to be the protago nists on the pitch,” he said. “Our draw against Egypt was frustrating, but this group stage requires total respect for our oppo nents. “Iran proved against New Zealand that they are resilient and dangerous on the break. We must go all-in as if this match is a final.” The European side trained in Seattle before arriving in California. Captain Kevin De Bruyne will anchor the midfield, while striker Romelu Lukaku is pushing to start after making a significant impact off the bench on Matchday 1. Iran enters the game under extraordinary logistical pressure. Due to ongoing geopolitical ten sions, Team Melli relocated their tournament base camp from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico. US authorities require the Iranian squad to enter the country within 24 hours of a match and leave the same day, forcing them to commute internationally for group fixtures. Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei has been vocal about the taxing travel restrictions, confirming that the team lodged an official complaint with Fifa. ”We are operating as the most oppressed team at this World Cup,” Amir said. “To be forced out of the country hours after a match without proper recovery or training is an extreme hurdle.

India have never played at a World Cup, though they qualified for the

1950 tournament in Brazil when other Asian nations with drew from qualifying. India

ended up pulling out of the

tourna ment due to

financial con

cerns. Several players with Indian heritage are repre

senting other nations at the finals in North America, including Australia forward Nishan Velupillay, whose mother has southern Indian roots, and Qatar winger Tahsin Jamshid. Sarpreet said he had noticed people supporting him when New Zealand played at a tourna ment in India several years ago. “I always know I’m represent ing them, as well as New Zealand, so I always try and do my best,” he said. New Zealand will bid for their first World Cup win against Egypt in their second Group G match tomorrow (9am) in Vancouver. – Reuters

Belgium’s Kevin de Bruyne (centre) and Timothy Castagne (right) train before their World Cup Group G match against Iran tomorrow. – REUTERSPIC

that matters. We fought back twice against New Zealand and we will show that same spirit against a world-class team like Belgium.” Belgium is expected to domi nate possession, while Iran is likely to deploy a compact defensive low

They rely heavily on captain and star forward Mehdi Taremi to lead the line. “The logistical challenges sur rounding our travel have turned recent weeks into a disaster for our physical preparation,” Mehdi said. “However, when we step onto that pitch in Los Angeles, none of

“But despite these restrictions, our players are stronger than the circumstances. We will set up to frustrate Belgium, absorb their pressure, and play with our hearts.” Iran proved its attacking capa bility against New Zealand, fighting back twice with goals from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi.

block designed to hit on the counter-attack. – Agencies

All Whites, Egypt hunt elusive first wins

the squad fresh. “The first match was incredibly intense, but our medical staff has done an amaz ing job. “We have a fully fit squad, and we are going into this match with the single focus of winning.” Both teams are expected to field unchanged lineups. New Zealand will rely on the hot form of forward Elijah Just, who bagged a brilliant brace against Iran. Egypt will look to captain Mohamed Salah to pull the strings. The Liverpool star adopted a deeper, creative play maker role against Belgium, a tactic Hossam may deploy again to unlock a resolute New Zealand defence. – Agencies

come,” Wood said. Egypt’s renowned defensive resil ience – built on six consecutive clean sheets during African qualifying – suc cessfully stifled Belgium. However, manager Hossam Hassan now wants his star-studded attack to take the initiative against the All Whites. ”We respect New Zealand, but we have big players like (Mohamed) Salah, (Omar) Marmoush, and others who can change a game in a second,” an Egyptian team spokesperson said. “The performance against Belgium gave us a baseline; now we need the three points.” Midfielder Emam Ashour, who scored the crucial equaliser against Belgium, credited the medical team for keeping

Darren Bazeley insists his squad has gained confidence. ”When you’re leading twice in a game you come away with that ‘what if?’” Bazeley told reporters. “We were probably as close as we’ve ever been to winning a game at the World Cup, and we couldn’t quite do that. But the belief is there, and we know we can score at this level.” Captain and veteran striker Chris Wood, who set up both goals in the opener, expects a gruelling physical encounter against the clinical African giants. “Egypt are incredibly disciplined defensively, but we have the physical tools to cause them problems. It’s about being clinical when those half-chances

EGYPT and New Zealand clash at BC Place tomorrow (9am Malaysian time) with both sides chasing a historic first vic tory of the 2026 World Cup following dramatic opening-day stalemates in Group G. Egypt earned a gritty 1-1 draw against European heavyweights Belgium, while New Zealand were left heartbroken after conceding a late equaliser to draw 2-2 with Iran. With the group finely poised, a victory for either side in Vancouver will put them on the brink of the tournament’s knock out rounds. New Zealand were minutes away from their first-ever World Cup win before Iran struck late. Despite the immense disappointment, manager