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Officials from the Palestine Football Association have been denied entry to Canada ahead of a crucial FIFA meeting in Vancouver. The Palestine Football Association had requested FIFA to intervene with Canadian immigration authorities on their behalf.The annual FIFA Congress is set to take place in Vancouver on April 30, serving as an unofficial kickoff to the World Cup, which begins on June 11 in Mexico City. The Palestinian officials had hoped to address the issue of Israeli football clubs playing competitive matches in what the PFA argues is occupied Palestinian territory in the West Bank.Following a submission by the PFA to Congress in 2024 on the issue, FIFA undertook to investigate claims of illegal matches in the occupied territories. However, the report published in March saw FIFA rule it would 'take no action' over the claims. The Palestine Football Association president, Jibril Rajoub, is understood to be one of the three individuals denied a Canadian visa, alongside the PFA's general secretary and head of legal affairs.The decision to deny the officials visas comes amid general concern over access to the World Cup, with travel bans already in place in the United States, affecting Haiti, Iran, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has stated that there will be no adverse effects on travel for teams or supporters at the tournament.

Javier Mascherano announced his resignation as Inter Miami’s head coach, ending a brief but landmark tenure that delivered the franchise’s inaugural MLS Cup. In an official club statement, Mascherano cited “personal reasons” for his departure and confirmed that his entire coaching staff would also leave the organization. Inter Miami named sporting director Guillermo Hoyos as the interim head coach, tasking him with stabilising a side that has already shown signs of strain. “First and foremost, I would like to thank the club for the trust they placed in me, every employee who is part of the organization for the collective effort, but especially the players, who made it possible for us to experience unforgettable moments,” Mascherano said. “I will always carry with me the memory of our first star, and wherever I am, I will continue to wish the club all the best moving forward.” Mascherano arrived ahead of the 2025 season with limited senior‑team experience, having only coached Argentina’s youth national sides. Nevertheless, he and former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi steered Inter Miami to a 2‑1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps, securing the club’s first MLS title. The defending champions have stumbled early in the new campaign: they have drawn their first two matches at the brand‑new Nu Stadium and recorded three wins in five league fixtures. The most glaring setback came in the Concacaf Champions Cup, where Miami were eliminated by Nashville SC in the Round of 16. Off the pitch, Mascherano inherited a roster in transition. Long‑time stalwarts Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba retired, while Luis Suárez has been relegated to the bench following the high‑profile signing of Germán Berterame, who has yet to find his scoring rhythm.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are not armed while working in Canada, the agency said in a statement released as the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws near. The clarification comes amid public anxiety that U.S. officers might be deployed at tournament venues in Toronto and Vancouver.According to an ICE spokesperson quoted by CBC, the agency’s personnel collaborate with Canadian law‑enforcement partners on joint investigations into narcotics, weapons smuggling and human trafficking. However, they do not perform operational duties such as executing search warrants or making arrests on Canadian soil.ICE maintains five offices across Canada, including locations in the World Cup host cities of Toronto and Vancouver, which together will host 13 matches. Despite this presence, a spokesperson for Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree emphasized that ICE has no legal jurisdiction in Canada.Federal law grants U.S. immigration agents the power to arrest and detain individuals suspected of violating U.S. immigration statutes, but those powers do not extend beyond American borders. The distinction is crucial as Toronto’s city council recently passed a motion opposing any deployment of U.S. agents at World Cup venues.The clarification follows earlier protests, such as the February demonstration in Milan where hundreds rallied against ICE’s presence ahead of the Milano‑Cortina Winter Games. Those events underscore the sensitivity surrounding foreign law‑enforcement agencies operating in host nations of major sporting events.By confirming that its agents are unarmed and lack enforcement authority in Canada, ICE aims to allay concerns and preserve the collaborative spirit between the United States and Canada as they prepare for a tournament expected to draw millions of visitors.

Ali Ahmed experienced goose bumps watching Canada walk out at the last World Cup, a surreal moment for the winger who had never witnessed his nation compete on football's biggest stage. This time around, he'll not only be at home but at the heart of the action in two cities that hold special significance for him.Jesse Marsch's Canadian side faces Qatar and Switzerland in Vancouver after an opener against a potential European playoff winner in Toronto. An encounter with Italy in Ahmed's hometown would carry particular weight, given the city's substantial Italian population and his parents' Ethiopian heritage with their love for Italian football. Football has been ingrained in his family since childhood, a passion that has guided his remarkable journey.On the outskirts of Toronto, a teenage Ahmed used to sneak onto Toronto FC's training pitches before dawn for kickabouts with friends. His persistence and determination eventually led him to professional football, though not through the conventional path. At 17, he turned down a Toronto FC academy spot to pursue opportunities in Portugal, Spain, and the Netherlands, facing numerous challenges along the way.Now at Norwich City since January, the 25-year-old has established himself as a key player on the left wing, contributing significantly to the team's improved form in the Championship. Ahmed started all seven Norwich matches during Ramadan, waking before 4am for Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal. His experience fasting during a crucial period of the English season has been a learning curve, though he's noted the exceptional support he's received in England.Ahmed candidly discusses his upbringing in Toronto's Lawrence Heights neighborhood, an area experiencing significant gun violence. Despite the challenges, he describes a close-knit community where people supported each other. Football provided an escape route, leading him to opportunities he never anticipated.His career has seen remarkable highs, including playing against Lionel Messi's Argentina at the Copa América and scoring in the MLS Cup final defeat to Inter Miami. After being knocked unconscious during a Canadian Championship match in 2023, Ahmed's determination only grew.As Canada prepares to host the World Cup, Ahmed sets ambitious goals: "I want to win our group. And then from there, into the knockout rounds. It's important to have that belief that we can play with anybody. Why not?" With home advantage in two cities that mean the world to him, Ahmed sees the perfect setup for both himself and the Canadian team.