Sports

Ukrainian refugee to play for Dortmund in charity game

AFP

Ukrainian footballer Alan Aussi will play for Borussia Dortmund in Tuesday’s benefit game against his parent club Dynamo Kyiv, but admits his thoughts are often with friends affected by the war with Russia.

“Two of my best friends are on the front line. I contact them daily to see if they are still alive,” said the centre-back, who fled Ukraine after Russia invaded his home country in February.

“It’s difficult for me and their families because every day could be their last.”

The 20-year-old defender played for Dynamo’s under-19 and under-21 teams, but since fleeing Ukraine, Aussi has trained with Dortmund’s under-23 side.

20260330_renta_mh_728x90

He will play for the Dortmund senior team against parent club Dynamo in the friendly, the proceeds of which will go to organisations providing emergency care in Ukraine.

Around 25,000 tickets have been sold, but holders of a Ukraine passport have free admission.

FIFA-level referee Denys Schurman, who also fled Ukraine and is now living with his family in Hamburg, will officiate the first half.

Aussi often checks his phone for news from back home.

“And I’m safe here, playing football. I was very lucky.”

20260330_renta_mh_728x90

He finds it difficult to think about football, but says the proceeds from Tuesday’s match will help back home.

“It’s a very special moment. It’s difficult to concentrate on football. But I’m a professional and I’ll go out and do my best,” he said.

“With this game, we are helping Ukraine.

“It’s important that we can raise as much money as possible.

“Many people need the money, they have no home and nothing to eat.”

20260330_renta_mh_728x90

Dortmund quickly agreed to host Dynamo, who have also recently played against Galatasaray, Legia Warsaw and Romanian side Cluj, with a game against Dinamo Zagreb also planned for Thursday.

“We all sympathise and are deeply shocked,” said Dortmund head coach Marco Rose.

“We have little understanding of what war actually means and what is happening in Ukraine right now. It’s a humanitarian catastrophe.”

Sports

Ancelotti leaves door open for Neymar’s return to Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad

Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, current manager of the Brazil national football team, has opened the door to the possibility of Neymar being included in the final squad for the 2026 World Cup, according to an interview published Saturday by L’Equipe.

“At the moment, he is being evaluated by the Brazilian Football Confederation and by me. He still has two months to prove he has the conditions to play in the next World Cup,” Ancelotti said.

Neymar, 34, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, was left out of the most recent national team call-up for friendlies against France and Croatia. He is also still working to regain full fitness with Santos FC.

Since returning to his club, Neymar has played only a handful of matches in the Brasileirão and the Copa Sudamericana, including an upcoming match against San Lorenzo on April 28. These games could be key for him to convince Ancelotti ahead of the final squad announcement on May 19.

“Neymar has made and continues to make history in Brazilian football. He is a great talent, and it is normal for people to believe he can help us win the next World Cup,” the Italian coach added.

20260330_renta_mh_728x90

When asked whether the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player must be at full fitness to earn a call-up, Ancelotti admitted he does not have a definitive answer but believes Neymar “is capable of returning to 100%.”

International

Trump Says Iran Is Welcome at 2026 World Cup but Warns of Security Concerns

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, said Thursday that the national football team of Iran is “welcome” to participate in the 2026 World Cup, although he suggested it might be safer for the team not to take part in the tournament.

“The Iranian national soccer team is welcome at the World Cup, but I really don’t think it’s appropriate for them to be there, for their own safety,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

His comments came a day after Iran’s sports minister, Ahman Donyamali, said that there are currently no conditions for the country to participate in the tournament following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, during a military offensive launched on February 28 by Israel and the United States.

“After the corrupt government killed our leader, there are no conditions that allow us to take part in the World Cup,” the Iranian official said. He added that the country has faced two wars in the past eight or nine months, resulting in thousands of civilian deaths, making participation in the tournament unlikely.

On Tuesday, the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, met with Trump at the White House.

20260330_renta_mh_728x90

Following the meeting, Infantino said that Trump reiterated that Iran’s national team would be allowed to compete in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

“We discussed the current situation in Iran and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026. During the conversation, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States,” Infantino wrote on Instagram.

Sports

Shakira ignites El Salvador with near sold-out residency at Mágico González Stadium

The recently renovated Jorge “Mágico” González Stadium is rolling out the red carpet for Colombian superstar Shakira, whose string of concerts has sold out almost entirely, confirming the powerful bond between the artist and Salvadoran fans.

The scale of the experience begins as soon as attendees arrive at the venue. Outside the stadium, organizers have installed several photo spots so concertgoers can capture a souvenir from the major event.

Fans attending the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour will witness a top-tier visual production, where technology and robotic lighting effects will shape an atmosphere that shifts dramatically from one segment of the show to another — moving from the intensity of ’90s rock to the festive explosion of urban pop.

Security and crowd management have been top priorities, with a coordinated operation aimed at ensuring smooth entry and exit, allowing spectators to focus solely on enjoying hits that have defined generations.

Beyond the music, the event marks a milestone for the country’s live-entertainment industry, positioning El Salvador as a destination capable of hosting artist residencies once reserved for cities such as Las Vegas or London.

20260330_renta_mh_728x90

The excitement is already visible across the capital: hotels are at full capacity and local businesses are riding the wave of enthusiasm sparked by the latest songs from the Colombian star.