FIFA World Cup 2026 presale opens next week with 1 million tickets
Dynamic pricing will be in operation during the first phase of ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup, with fans paying different prices according to market demand and seats starting at $60, FIFA said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
Fans will have their first chance to secure tickets for next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico during the Visa Presale Draw, opening on September 10, at 1100 ET (1500 CET) and running until September 19.
Open to qualifying Visa cardholders, tickets for group-stage matches will start at $60, with pricing for later stages, including the final, reaching up to $6,730, FIFA said, according to Reuters.
Messi's home farewell grabs the spotlight as South American qualifiers enter final stretch
Lionel Messi is set to play his final World Cup qualifier in Argentina on Thursday, while four South American teams are still competing for the remaining automatic places at the 2026 tournament in what could be a dramatic climax, Reuters reported.
The 38-year-old Argentina captain will take to the pitch at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires to face Venezuela in what he describes as a very special match, with his family set to be in attendance, including his wife, children, parents and siblings.
"It's going to be very special for me because it will be my last qualifying match. I don't know if there will be friendlies or more matches after that," the eight-times Ballon d'Or winner said last week, according to Reuters.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni told reporters on Wednesday that it was "going to be emotional, special and beautiful".
AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers: Nepal to take on host Tajikistan
Nepal are set to begin their journey in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers tonight, facing host nation Tajikistan in their opening match.
The game will take place at Pamir Stadium in Dushanbe and is scheduled to kick off at 8:15pm Nepal time.
Nepal are in Group 'K' of the qualifiers, alongside Tajikistan, the Philippines, and Syria.
The tournament is being held in a single round-robin format.
Nepal will play their second match against Syria on September 6, followed by a clash with the Philippines on September 9.
Syria and the Philippines are also set to face each other today in their group opener.
The top team from each of the 11 groups will earn a spot in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, to be held in Saudi Arabia next year. In addition, the four best first-runner up teams across all groups will also qualify for the tournament.
Nepal’s squad includes Krishal Moktan, Amit Tamata, and Bishal KC as goalkeepers; Bibek Gurung, Bishal Nepali, Lahan Subba, Nigma Lama, Ram Thapa, Shankar Tharu, and Semanta Thapa as defenders; Abhishek Syangtang, Ayush Ghalan, Aaron Thapa, Niraj Karki, Dipesh Gurung, Kritish Ratna Chhunju, Pujan Thapa, Sanjeev Lama, Santosh Khatri, Sujan Magar, and Sumit Shrestha as midfielders; and Rohan Khadgi and Nirajan Dhami as forwards.
Alcaraz zips past Lehecka into US Open semis
Second seed Carlos Alcaraz has yet to drop a set at Flushing Meadows and cruised into the U.S. Open semi-finals on Tuesday, demolishing Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-4 6-2 6-4 on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Reuters reported.
Alcaraz had the crowd in the palm of his hand as he fired off 28 winners and never faced a break point, putting on yet another almost pristine performance. He will next play either 24-times major winner Novak Djokovic or American fourth seed Taylor Fritz.
Lehecka is one of the few players to beat Alcaraz this season, winning in the Doha quarter-finals, but was outclassed this time around and could only watch helplessly as the Spaniard's forehand winner zipped by on match point, according to Reuters.



