Iran have made their feelings very clear with a strongly worded handwritten note following their World Cup exit. It is the third letter they’ve left across the pond, but while the previous two appeared well-natured, focussing on the positives of a tournament shrouded in controversy, Team Melli have now ditched that blissfully ignorant (or accepting) approach.

Amir Ghalenoei’s side drew all three of their Group G matches and finished as the ninth-best third-place team, with only the top eight advancing to the knockout stage. But issues surrounding their admirable efforts to make history and progress from the group stages for the first time undoubtedly played a role in them falling short of that milestone.

Geopolitical tensions undoubtedly contributed to the emotional strain on players and staff, many of whom left behind a homeland caught up in conflict involving the United States and Israel. Those challenges were compounded by logistical issues. Due to Donald Trump’s strict visa policies, Iran were required to travel more than any other team during the group stage, only being permitted to enter the US on the night before matches, with them immediately returning to their training base in Mexico afterwards.

Iran’s Final Handwritten Note is Their Most Honest Yet

Daniel Cole via Reuters

Days after leaving a shorter note to thank Los Angeles for hosting their clash with Belgium, Iran paid tribute to Mexico for taking them in at short notice. But they also complained that they were not fighting on a level playing field with other teams. The note, which was handwritten in black pen, read: “To the noble people of Mexico and the beautiful city of Tijuana, thank you! You showed us that hosting a FIFA World Cup is about far more than stadiums and tickets. True hosting is about respect, humanity and dignity.

“We will never forget the kindness of the people of Tijuana. From this day forward, Mexico will always be more than a host nation to us; it will be our second home and our second team.

It continued: “We leave Tijuana believing that football fans around the world witnessed not only the hardship endured by Iranian football, but also the resilience of a nation that refused to trade its dignity, horror, and values despite every challenge.

“And we will never forget that those who celebrated Iran’s elimination were the same people who had previously celebrated the suffering and loss of innocent Iranian lives. That alone reveals the difference in how humanity is understood.

“World Cups come to an end. Administrators change, but civilisations such as Iran, Egypt and Mexico – built upon truth, respect, and human dignity – endure through history. Match results become part of football history. The honour of nations becomes part of human history. With respect, Iranian National Team.”

Algeria 3-3 Austria Controversy That Denied Iran Qualification

Iran’s World Cup dream ended in dramatic and controversial fashion in the final Group J match between Algeria and Austria. Team Melli needed either side to win in Kansas City, with a draw enough to send both nations through at Iran’s expense. For long periods, that is exactly how the game appeared to be playing out, with neither side showing much urgency to break the deadlock despite a six-goal thriller unfolding.

The controversy centred on the knockout bracket. Had Algeria won the match, they would have leapfrogged Austria into second and been rewarded with a significantly tougher route through the tournament, starting with Euro 2024 winners Spain.

Finishing second, meanwhile, offered what many viewed as a more difficult path. As a result, some Iranian supporters questioned whether both teams were content with a draw once they realised the implications.

Those suspicions only intensified in stoppage time. Riyad Mahrez appeared to have ruined the script when he fired Algeria into a 3-2 lead in the 93rd minute, a goal that would have sent Iran through and forced Algeria onto the more difficult side of the bracket. Television pictures appeared to show some of his teammates reacting with frustration rather than celebration, before Austria equalised just three minutes later through Sasa Kalajdzic, bringing about speculation of ‘match-fixing’.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was left concerned by the performance of one England player following Wednesday’s hard-fought 2-1 win over DR Congo.

Thomas Tuchel’s side survived a scare against the African nation at the Atlanta Stadium thanks to their talismanic captain Harry Kane, whose two second-half goals sealed a place in the last 16.

Brian Cipenga gave DR Congo a shock 1-0 lead in the seventh minute with a finish that beat England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford at his near post. England were then thwarted on several occasions by Lionel Mpasi, who produced a superb performance in between the sticks.

But with 15 minutes remaining, England were rescued by Kane, one of the leading contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or award. The Bayern Munich star secured the victory with a stunning winner in the 86th minute, setting up a daunting last 16 clash against joint-hosts Mexico at their famous fortress, the Azteca Stadium.

Zlatan Saw England Star ‘Struggling’

REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

While Tottenham defender Djed Spence received criticism from fans and pundits alike for his unconvincing display, it was the performance of another England star that concerned former Sweden international Ibrahimovic.

Declan Rice played almost the entire game before he was subbed off in stoppage-time for John Stones. The all-action midfielder had a stint at right-back after Spence was subbed off but Zlatan believes the Arsenal man was “struggling” against DR Congo.

“We can discuss about details and that, but today I saw England suffering physically,” Ibrahimovic said on FOX Sports.

Indeed, Rice was seen icing his left hamstring after the final whistle, suggesting the 27-year-old is not in peak physical condition ahead of England’s toughest test so far, at altitude, on Sunday night.

Zlatan Questions England Expectation Levels

Reuters/Brett Davis

Zlatan also questioned the expectation levels currently placed on England, who haven’t won the World Cup since 1966.

“If you look at the history books, it was a long time ago that England won the World Cup,” the former Barcelona and Manchester United star said. “Is it a very good team, or a good team? That’s the question here.”

He added: “The fans are always very demanding, expecting a lot, especially the English media… but maybe they think highly about themselves and the reality is something else. You can only prove it in the big tournaments and by winning those trophies.

“Let’s see if Tuchel can do the mission impossible. I do believe the expectations are higher than what they really are.”

WWE always want to set up the most exciting clashes and storylines between their stars to entice and exhilarate their loyal followers.

As it is widely publicised, wrestling is a form of mock combat for entertainment, with roots in both competitive sport and dramatic theatre. The matches have narratives, are scripted, partially choreographed, and the result is predetermined long before the wrestlers enter the ring, which WWE was forced to admit back in 1989.

As such, the promotion arranges a wrestler’s next matches based on the most enticing plot which will gain them the best traction, and this is set to take place again.

Oba Femi’s Future Planned Out

Oba Femi is the current King of the Ring after defeating Jey Urso at Night of Champions in Riyadh on the 27th of June.

The Ruler took victory in Saudi Arabia by escaping a sleeper hold from Uso before hitting two running uppercuts, throwing the American across the ring. Femi then executed the Fall from Grace, obtaining the pinfall victory to clinch the honour.

The 28-year-old is a former two-time NXT champion and former one-time NXT North American champion. He won the NXT Men’s Breakout tournament in 2023 and the 2024 Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge, but it is in 2026 that he has seen his stock skyrocket, defeating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42. Lesnar is an established name in wrestling and holds the record for the most reigns as Universal Champion with three.

After winning the King of the Ring tournament, Femi should have a shot at the world championship with a match at SummerSlam, but it appears that this year, things are going to be a little different, as the Nigerian will be facing off against Lesnar when wrestling gets underway in Minneapolis in August.

Rather than facing the world heavyweight champion Roman Reigns or the new WWE champion Sami Zayn, Femi has chosen to challenge the 48-year-old wrestling stalwart.

It comes after Lesnar praised Femi for his King of the Ring win during their Raw segment this past week, before revealing he is aware of the comments the Nigerian has been making about him. As a result, the Lagos-born wrestler labelled him a b**** before challenging him to a bout at SummerSlam, which Lesnar readily accepted, choosing a Hell in a Cell match.

While Femi isn’t sacrificing his guaranteed world title shot, wrestling fans have been confused as to why he was made to earn the opportunity of the prestigious SummerSlam title match and then elect to take on Lesnar instead, but there is a strong argument for this.

Why Oba Femi Isn’t Going For Title at SummerSlam

According to the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer believes that WWE are biding their time with Femi and gradually building to his crowning moment for a glorious spectacle at WrestleMania 43 rather than at SummerSlam.

Meltzer argued that the promotion wants to slowly develop his image into a ‘monster’ and went a step further, declaring that SummerSlam isn’t ‘strong enough’ for these kinds of match-ups anymore, labelling it ‘B-pay-per-view.’ In Meltzer’s opinion, the big wrestling stories have to take place at WrestleMania.

WrestleMania 43 isn’t due to take place until 2027, so it is a long time for Femi to wait for his title match. Regardless of his decision, though, he’ll first have to survive his third match-up with Lesnar, with the two tied at one apiece following their meetings at WrestleMania 42 and Clash in Italy.

Fans will have to wait with bated breath for the 1st and 2nd of August to see who takes the win in their rubber match, which could increase Femi’s stature even further.