Quick Read
- Bangladesh women’s cricket team departs for T20 World Cup qualifiers in Nepal, starting January 18.
- Captain Nigar Sultana Joty emphasizes using qualifiers for experimentation with new players and team combinations.
- Malaysia women’s national hockey team aims for a historic first-ever World Cup debut at the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026.
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins June 11, with 42 teams already qualified and 6 spots remaining via March play-offs.
- Ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including a Brazil vs. France friendly, have sparked controversy, with USMNT winger Timothy Weah calling them “too expensive.”
The global sporting calendar is rapidly accelerating towards the highly anticipated 2026 World Cups across various disciplines, with qualifiers, strategic team preparations, and even ticket controversies dominating headlines. From the cricket pitches of Nepal to the hockey fields of Santiago and the grand stadiums earmarked for the FIFA tournament, the stakes are rising for athletes and fans alike.
Bangladesh Women’s Cricket Team Eyes T20 World Cup Qualifiers with Strategic Shifts
The Bangladesh women’s cricket team is embarking on a crucial journey, heading to Nepal for the T20 World Cup qualifiers, which commenced on January 18. Skipper Nigar Sultana Joty shared insights into the team’s meticulous preparation and strategic adjustments in an exclusive interview with The Daily Star. Joty highlighted how domestic competitions played a pivotal role in shaping the squad, with both the National Cricket League (NCL) and Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) being adapted to the T20 format to align with the upcoming qualifiers’ demands. This format shift allowed selectors to identify players exhibiting strong performances and a high level of intent.
Joty emphasized the qualifiers as a vital platform for experimentation and gaining invaluable experience against diverse international opponents before the main World Cup event. “Before a World Cup, we should utilise this platform for whatever experience, experiments, or team combinations we need to try,” she explained. This approach has led to the inclusion of new, aggressive batters like Juairiya Ferdous and Dilara Akter Dola, aimed at addressing past struggles in the top order and enhancing power-hitting capabilities. While Ferdous, an opening batter, is making her international debut, veteran Fargana Hoque Pinky offers a crucial backup plan, providing stability and the ability to anchor an innings.
Regarding her dual role, Joty expressed comfort with captaincy, stating she is “enjoying the captaincy and am not thinking about quitting at the moment.” She also remains flexible about wicketkeeping duties, indicating a willingness to adapt based on team management’s needs. The team’s bowling attack appears robust, with Marufa Akter having recovered from injury and a strong spin department featuring a mix of leg-spin, left-arm, and right-arm options. Joty herself is focused on consistent batting, particularly from her preferred number three or four position, aiming to convert starts into significant contributions for the team.
Malaysia Women’s Hockey Team Chases Historic World Cup Debut
In the world of hockey, the Malaysia women’s national team is on the cusp of a potentially historic achievement as they gear up for the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers 2026. These qualifiers offer the Malaysian women their first-ever pathway to a World Cup appearance, a momentous opportunity that captain Juliani Mohamad Din describes as both an honour and a significant responsibility. Leading her team in Santiago, Chile, Din acknowledges the unique blend of excitement and pressure that accompanies such a high-stakes tournament.
Din believes that embracing this balance is integral to the team’s growth. Past engagements in FIH tournaments and continental events have been instrumental in shaping the squad’s mental fortitude and tactical approach. “Those tournaments taught us the importance of discipline, consistency, and making the right decisions under pressure against top teams,” Din remarked. These hard-earned lessons are expected to be crucial as they navigate the challenges of the World Cup Qualifiers. For the Malaysian team, qualifying for the World Cup would be a dream come true, but even the act of competing in these demanding qualifiers is viewed as an invaluable experience on the international stage.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Countdown to Kick-off, High-Profile Friendlies, and Ticket Price Controversy
The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is well underway, with just under five months remaining until the tournament kicks off on Thursday, June 11. Forty-two nations have already secured their berths across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, leaving six final spots to be decided through intense play-off matches in March. The opening day promises a pair of captivating encounters: co-host Mexico will face South Africa in Group A at the iconic Estadio Azteca, while South Korea will take on one of the successful play-off teams in Zapopan.
Ahead of the main event, high-profile friendly matches are generating considerable buzz. One such fixture is the highly anticipated clash between men’s soccer powerhouses Brazil and France at Gillette Stadium on March 26. Tickets for this exhibition match, part of the “Road to 26” series, went on sale on January 13 via Ticketmaster, with prices starting from $101. This encounter marks the first time these two football giants have met since 2015, rekindling a rivalry between Brazil, the most successful World Cup team with five titles, and France, two-time champions and 2022 runners-up.
However, the excitement surrounding the World Cup is tempered by significant criticism regarding ticket pricing. USMNT winger Timothy Weah openly expressed his disappointment, telling French outlet Le Dauphiné that the prices were “too expensive” and that “lots of real fans will miss matches.” This sentiment resonates widely among soccer fans, particularly in Europe, who have criticized FIFA’s pricing structure. U.S. Soccer’s approach to ticket distribution for its national team matches has also drawn scrutiny. While the federation controls 8% of tickets for USMNT games, it reserves the majority for paying “Insiders”—memberships ranging from $45 to $10,000 annually, granting tiered access to ticket lotteries. Only a scarce allotment of $60 tickets is designated for members of independent supporters groups like the American Outlaws, highlighting a system that many feel prioritizes financial contributions over broad fan accessibility.
The lead-up to the 2026 World Cups underscores a fascinating duality in modern global sports: a fervent pursuit of athletic excellence and national glory, often intertwined with strategic innovation and the emergence of new talent, yet simultaneously challenged by the commercial realities that can alienate the very fans whose passion fuels these monumental events. While teams meticulously plan for victory and historic debuts, the debate over accessibility ensures that the conversation extends beyond the field of play, reflecting broader societal questions about who truly gets to partake in the world’s most beloved spectacles.