Entertainment
New Zealand players willing to play World Cup opener against Iran outside US
New Zealand soccer players have said they would be willing to play Iran outside the United States in their opening match at the 2026 World Cup, as uncertainty persists over the fixture amid geopolitical tensions.
Iran were one of the first nations to qualify for the finals but their participation has been in doubt since the US-Israeli conflict with the Islamic Republic broke out at the end of February.
Team Melli are scheduled to play all three of their opening-round group matches in the US, with their June 15 opener against New Zealand in Los Angeles, but the Iranian soccer federation has threatened to boycott fixtures on US soil.
New Zealand are preparing as if the Los Angeles match will go ahead but players said on Wednesday they could accommodate a switch outside the US if necessary.
Netherlands-based midfielder Ryan Thomas said Iran had earned their spot at the World Cup, and the All Whites would be able to manage the extra attention generated by the match.
“They deserve to be there as qualifiers,” he told Reuters.
“If we’ve got to play them in Mexico or Canada, then yeah, we play them there. It’s not really a big deal for me.”
During the June 11-July 19 World Cup, New Zealand will be based in the southern California city of San Diego, which is a short drive to the Mexican border.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said last week her country would be open to hosting Iran’s World Cup fixtures although the final say on any venue switch would be FIFA’s.
Australia-based winger Kosta Barbarouses said players would leave it up to “the people in charge” to make a decision on the match, but did not think a switch would harm New Zealand’s campaign.
“I don’t think it would derail our preparation at all,” he told Reuters.
“We’ve got a base before our first game, anyway. So, yeah, I don’t see why not.”
Security worries
Fifa has declined to comment on the possibility of switching the venues for Iran’s games but said it was in contact with the Iranian soccer federation and looking forward to teams competing as per the current match schedule.
Iran also play Belgium in Los Angeles and Egypt in Seattle during the group phase.
Barbarouses, a 36-year-old father of two, acknowledged concerns about security for the New Zealand-Iran match in Los Angeles but said he trusted authorities to ensure the safety of players and their families as the All Whites play their first World Cup since the 2010 finals.
“I understand there will be worries for people but I just think with the magnitude of the event, I would love to have family there,” the Western Sydney Wanderers winger said.
“I would feel safe for them to be over there. I don’t think they’d miss it.”
Thomas said the New Zealand players’ nerves would be high before the match, but that was normal for any opener at a major tournament.
“Obviously there’s a big buildup prior to the first game,” the 31-year-old said.
“So it’s going to be interesting to see how we deal with that, but I’m confident in the group to deal with it on the pitch.”
Prince Harry has been losing sleep over Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet’s future risks, particularly following his estranged brother Prince William’s recent powerful move.
The Prince of Wales’ bold decision regarding Andrew caused serious tension for the Duke of Sussex about his and little Sussex’s royal future.
Royal commentator Tom Bower, in his book Betrayal: Power, Deceit And The Fight For The Future Of The Royal Family, made several claims, and one is about Harry’s growing fears for Archie and Lilibet’s titles in William’s reign.
After witnessing the royal family, especially William’s stern actions against Andrew after he portrayed the monarchy in a negative light, Harry anticipates the future King’s wrath.
Tom penned, “The tremors of the unprecedented sanctions against Andrew must have shocked Harry. In public, he remained silent. In private, he realised that his own royal status was no longer invincible.”
The royal expert warned, “Clearly, William was taking no prisoners. Once he was crowned as king, his brother might well show no mercy to him and Meghan.”
Harry knows that the Prince and Princess of Wales still have grievances regarding the Sussexes’ bombshell move to air their family’s drama to the public.
Talking about Meghan, Tom said, “William would undoubtedly rail against her disloyalty. He might even strip Archie and Lilibet of their titles.”
Megan Thee Stallion is excited to collaborate with Cardi B again.
The Grammy-winning rapper has been on a career high this week, making her Broadway debut as the first female Zidler in Moulin Rouge, and a surprise new collaboration with Nickelback on the Cheetos Dill Pickle promo song, Pickle’s Back.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight on Wednesday, March 25, Megan teased what’s next: a long-awaited collaboration with her “girl,” Cardi B.
“Don’t worry about that, don’t worry about that,” she said with a smirk when asked about a possible collaboration with the Bodack Yellow rapper. “This is going to happen again. This is definitely going to happen again. Now, when it’s going to happen, I’m not telling you,” she teased.
The hip-hop icons first collaborated on Cardi’s 2020 hit, WAP. Three years later, they came together for Bongos. More recently, they reunited on stage at Cardi’s ongoing Little Miss Drama tour during a stop in Megan’s hometown of Houston, Texas.
“It was great, I love performing with Cardi,” Megan told ET about the performance. “She’s amazing. Every time we link up, it’s like, we don’t have to see each other for a long time, but every time I see her it’s like, I just saw you yesterday. We just pick back up where we left off from. That’s my girl,” she gushed.
“We’re both authentic, and we both are ourselves. We just both like to laugh, so we don’t really take anything too seriously,” Megan added.
Cardi also gushed over Megan following the performance, sharing a picture of the duo backstage on her Instagram Stories and writing, “I love you so so so so so sooooooo much.”
John Mellencamp capped off a milestone night at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards with both an honor and a heartfelt performance.
He received the Icon Award from his daughter, Teddi Mellencamp, before strumming through acoustic renditions of his most beloved hits.
The 74-year-old rocker was visibly moved as Teddi delivered an emotional tribute, calling her father her “best friend.”
John then handed the trophy back to her, acknowledging her ongoing battle with stage 4 melanoma.
He then turned to the crowd with a mix of humor and encouragement.
“I’ve been doing this 50 years and I’ve enjoyed most of it,” he quipped.
“…for all you young people who are starting out, there’s nothing closer to heaven than writing a song or hearing your songs on the radio, or having a show.”
Mellencamp’s acoustic set, featuring “Jack & Diane” and “Pink Houses”, was a reminder of the enduring power of his catalog.
Since his 1976 debut, he has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide.
He has earned induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and co founded Farm Aid with Willie Nelson and Neil Young, a benefit concert that has supported American farmers for over four decades.
iHeartRadio praised him as “the spirit of the American storyteller.”
It noted that his work has defined eras and influenced generations with its unmistakable voice and point of view.
Mellencamp will now take his greatest hits on the road this summer with the Dancing Words Tour – Greatest Hits, launching in July and spanning 19 dates through August.
The night also featured performances from Kehlani, Lainey Wilson, Ludacris, RAYE, TLC, Salt N Pepa, and En Vogue, while Miley Cyrus received the Innovator Award and Ludacris, who hosted the show, was honored with the Landmark Award.
Taylor Swift, Alysa Liu, Nicole Scherzinger, Nikki Glaser, Sombr, Weezer, Donnie Wahlberg, Jenny McCarthy, Shaboozey and Vin Diesel were among other attendees.
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