Iranian FA chief Mehdi Taj demanded that the U.S. respect Iran’s military institutions if the team is to participate in World Cup games scheduled in California and Seattle in the coming months.

Taj’s comments come after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that while the Iranian team would be allowed to compete on U.S. soil, no person affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps would be allowed across the U.S. border. Taj himself was a high-ranking member of the IRGC before joining Iran’s soccer program.

“We are going to the World Cup, for which we qualified, and our host is FIFA – not Mr. Trump or America,” Taj said Tuesday.

“If they accept hosting us, then they must also accept that they must not insult our military institutions in any way. Because if they do, then naturally it could create the same kind of situation that happened in Canada, where there was a possibility we might have to return.”

FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI INFANTINO SAYS IRAN WILL ‘FOR SURE’ PLAY IN WORLD CUP DESPITE CONFLICT INVOLVING US

Taj’s comments referenced a trip he took to the FIFA Congress in Vancouver last week. Canada, like the U.S., designates the IRGC as a terrorist organization, and Taj’s visa was canceled mid-flight, and he was forced to depart the country.

“We need a guarantee there, for our trip, that they have no right to insult the symbols of our system — especially the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” he said in Tehran on Tuesday.

“This is something they must pay serious attention to. If there is such a guarantee and the responsibility is clearly assumed, then an incident like what happened in Canada will not happen again.”

TRUMP ENVOY ASKS FIFA TO REPLACE IRAN WITH ITALY IN 2026 WORLD CUP: REPORT

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says no person affiliated with the IRGC will be allowed on American soil. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

An envoy for President Donald Trump reportedly asked FIFA in April to replace Iran with Italy in the 2026 World Cup.

United States special envoy Paolo Zampolli suggested the idea to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

“I confirm I have suggested to Trump and Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. I’m an Italian native, and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a U.S.-hosted tournament,” Zampolli told the Financial Times. “With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion.”

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The Financial Times reported that the U.S. made the suggestion in part to help mend relations between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir, who has played for Lahore Qalandars, has condemned remarks by Rawalpindiz skipper Mohammad Rizwan, who said Hyderabad Kingsmen “didn’t deserve” qualification for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 playoffs.

Rizwan’s remarks came in the aftermath of a difficult campaign for his side, who managed just one win in 10 matches, including a heavy defeat to the Kingsmen in their final league-stage fixture.

Speaking during the post-match media conference, Rizwan reflected on his team’s inconsistent performances and the overall competitiveness of the tournament.

He emphasised the importance of consistency and momentum in high-pressure matches, while also noting that opposition teams had performed strongly in certain conditions, particularly in Lahore.

“The last match played in Hyderabad, they didn’t deserve it. This can be my own wrong thinking, I’m sorry for this. This is my own opinion. If they go from here properly, if they oust us from here, then they deserve it. The matches that are going on in Lahore, they are doing very well. The rhythm that they are playing, I think it was their luck,” Rizwan said.

Hyderabad Kingsmen sealed their playoff qualification in dominant fashion, defeating Rizwan’s side by 108 runs in a must-win encounter. Batting first, the Kingsmen posted an imposing 244-6 before bowling out Rawalpindiz for just 136.

The result left Hyderabad level on points with Lahore Qalandars, but they advanced to the playoffs on superior net run-rate, securing the final qualification spot.

Reacting to Rizwan’s comments in a recent interview with a local sports platform, Usama Mir expressed strong disappointment over the tone of the remarks, questioning the authority of such judgments given inconsistent performances on the field.

“I was extremely disappointed by his press conference. They themselves haven’t played good cricket, yet they are saying others do not deserve it. I was shocked. Did you deserve it? Who are you to decide that?” Mir questioned.

He further highlighted what he described as a contradiction between performances and public statements.

“You go into a press conference and say that the team did not deserve it because they got all out for 80. Your own team has been getting bowled out for around 100 throughout the tournament. What kind of remarks are these? First, you played terrible cricket, and then you conduct a press conference as if you have achieved something extraordinary,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad Kingsmen’s PSL campaign ended in disappointment as they failed to secure the title in their debut season. They lost the final against Peshawar Zalmi in a low-scoring contest at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

After being put into bat, Kingsmen were restricted to 129 all out in 18 overs. Despite a fighting half-century from Saim Ayub, who scored 54 off 50 balls, the rest of the batting line-up failed to build partnerships.

In reply, Zalmi found themselves under early pressure at 40-4 before Aaron Hardie and Abdul Samad revived the chase with an 85-run partnership.

Samad made 48 off 34 balls, while Hardie remained unbeaten on 56 off 39 deliveries to guide Zalmi to victory with 28 balls remaining and five wickets in hand.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez drew the ire of his own manager on Tuesday night after he hit Boston Red Sox batter Trevor Story with a pitch in the fourth inning, causing the benches to empty.

Valdez struck Story after allowing home runs to Willson Contreras and Wilyer Abreu. Valdez’s pitch to Story’s body came in at 94 mph. Story stared down Valdez as Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler and home plate umpire Adam Beck got in between the two.

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Players and staff from both teams came out of the dugout, but no punches were thrown.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch wasn’t too pleased with Valdez after the game.

“We play a really good brand of baseball here. That didn’t feel like it,” Hinch said, via ESPN. “It’s not judging intent; I have no idea. But I know when you go out on the field and you end up sort of in those confrontations, you usually feel like you’re in your right. And it didn’t feel good being out there.”

“So I understand their frustrations. I understand the moment, and it was a low moment of a frustrating night,” Hinch continued.

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Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Framber Valdez throws during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox in Detroit on May 5, 2026. (Jose Juarez/AP)

Valdez, who was ejected, said through an interpreter that his actions weren’t intentional.

“It was not intentional,” he said. “It might look like it, but it wasn’t. I was trying to throw strikes after the two consecutive home runs. I was trying to go back in the zone and that pitch came out of my hand.”

Story disputed Valdez’s claim.

“It’s pretty undisputable,” he said. “I was in there ready to hit and it showed up way behind me and off the numbers. We all know what’s what.”

Boston Red Sox’s Willson Contreras is congratulated by interim third base coach Chad Epperson after hitting a homerun during the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers in Detroit on May 5, 2026. (Jose Juarez/AP)

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Boston won the game, 10-3.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.