The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has placed Indian national Amritpal Singh on its 'Most Wanted' fugitives list, accusing him of playing a key role in an alleged transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

According to the FBI, a federal arrest warrant was issued against the 30-year-old by the US District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles on June 23. Singh faces charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess controlled substances, along with conspiracy to export controlled substances.

Linked to Cross-Border Drug Network

The investigation forms part of Operation Hardball, a multi-agency crackdown targeting the alleged Ravinder Dhanda Organized Crime Group, a Canada-based criminal network suspected of trafficking large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine across North America.

Federal investigators allege that Singh was an active member of the organisation and played a significant role in facilitating high-value drug shipments moving through Mexico, the United States and Canada.

Authorities believe the syndicate used established cross-border trafficking routes to smuggle narcotics while coordinating operations across multiple jurisdictions.

FBI Releases Identity Details

As part of its public appeal to locate the suspect, the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office has released Singh's photograph and identifying details.

According to the agency:

• Name: Amritpal Singh

• Date of Birth: January 7, 1996

• Age: 30 years

• Height: 5 feet 9 inches

• Weight: Approximately 135 pounds

• Hair: Black

• Eyes: Brown

• Citizenship: Indian

The FBI said the photograph released was taken in 2024.

Officials have not disclosed Singh's current location but indicated that the alleged crime group's operations across Canada and Mexico may allow members to move between international borders.

Public Asked to Share Information

In its wanted notice, the FBI urged the public not to confront the suspect and instead provide any information directly to law enforcement agencies.

"Amritpal Singh is wanted for his alleged involvement in a transnational criminal organization. If you have any information concerning this case, please contact your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate," the agency said.

Authorities have also encouraged people to submit information through the FBI's official tips portal.

International Cooperation Expected

Given the international scope of the investigation, officials are expected to work closely with law enforcement agencies in multiple countries, including Canadian authorities and international policing partners, to locate and apprehend the suspect.

Legal experts say cases involving organised transnational narcotics trafficking typically require coordinated investigations, intelligence sharing and extradition procedures among participating countries.

Investigation Continues

Operation Hardball remains active as investigators continue efforts to dismantle the alleged drug trafficking network and trace other individuals suspected of involvement.

The FBI has not disclosed additional operational details, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

US President Donald Trump has urged FIFA to award a future FIFA World Cup exclusively to the United States, saying the country should host the tournament again—but this time without Canada and Mexico. Trump made the remarks during a FIFA World Cup reception held ahead of Sunday's final between Spain and Argentina.

Addressing guests at Trump Tower in New York, Trump praised the success of the 2026 tournament and encouraged FIFA to bring the competition back to the United States.

“You should choose the United States of America again. This time we will leave Canada and Mexico out,” Trump said.

He added, in a light-hearted tone, that FIFA should “pick somebody else for the next one and that will take some of the anger, hatred and steam out of everyone.”

Eyes on the 2038 FIFA World Cup

Trump's comments are widely seen as an informal pitch for the 2038 FIFA World Cup, the next men's tournament still available for bidding.

The hosting rights for the next two editions have already been decided:

• 2030 FIFA World Cup: Spain, Portugal and Morocco will jointly host the tournament, while Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay will stage the opening matches as part of the centenary celebrations.
• 2034 FIFA World Cup: Saudi Arabia has been confirmed as the host nation.

With those tournaments already allocated, the 2038 World Cup is expected to become the next major bidding contest.

Trump Mentions Joint US-China Hosting Idea

During his speech, Trump revealed that FIFA President Gianni Infantino had once suggested the possibility of the United States and China jointly hosting a World Cup.

Joking about the proposal, Trump said players would have “a nice short flight in between games.”

Although the remark drew laughs, FIFA has not announced any plans regarding the 2038 bidding process.

Reference to Balogun Suspension Controversy

Trump also revisited the controversy surrounding US striker Folarin Balogun, who received a red card during the United States' victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The president said he personally contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to seek a review of the decision. FIFA later lifted Balogun's automatic one-match suspension, allowing him to play against Belgium—a decision that drew criticism from football fans and analysts worldwide.

Praising Infantino during the reception, Trump remarked:

“You made another great decision. You'll never get credit for that.”

Trump's Continued Interest in Major Sporting Events

Trump has frequently highlighted the importance of hosting global sporting events in the United States. Throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he has attended several football-related events and promoted the tournament as a showcase of America's ability to stage international competitions.

His latest remarks suggest he would like to see the United States once again compete for hosting rights when FIFA opens the bidding for the 2038 FIFA World Cup.

Brazil's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign ended in heartbreak as Norway produced one of the tournament's biggest upsets, defeating the five-time champions 2-1 in the Round of 16. The defeat not only sent Norway into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in their history but also marked the end of Neymar's international career.

The 34-year-old Brazilian forward, who had announced before the tournament that it would likely be his final World Cup, confirmed his retirement from international football after the match. An emotional Neymar broke down in tears at the final whistle before being consoled by teammates following Brazil's earliest World Cup exit since 1990.

Erling Haaland proved to be the difference-maker for Norway, scoring both goals to secure a famous victory at MetLife Stadium. The Manchester City striker's brace also strengthened his bid for the tournament's Golden Boot, taking his tally to seven goals.

Brazil struggled to find rhythm throughout the contest and only managed a late consolation after Neymar converted a penalty in stoppage time. However, the goal was not enough to prevent the South American giants from crashing out of the competition.

Speaking after the match, a visibly emotional Neymar confirmed that his journey with the national team had come to an end.

"I tried, I tried. Now, it's over. I started here; I finished here," he told Brazilian broadcaster Globo.

The moment carried symbolic significance, as Neymar had made his senior Brazil debut at the same venue—then known as the New Meadowlands Stadium—against the United States in August 2010, scoring on his debut. He now retires as Brazil's all-time leading men's international scorer with 80 goals, surpassing Pelé's official tally.

Neymar also became only the second Brazilian male footballer after Pelé to score in four different FIFA World Cup tournaments. He finishes his international career with 130 appearances, second only to Cafu's 142 matches for Brazil.

Injuries, however, once again limited Neymar's impact on the biggest stage. A recurring right calf injury restricted him to just two appearances during the tournament. He featured briefly against Scotland in the group stage before coming off the bench against Norway in the Round of 16.

Despite entering the match late, Neymar remained involved until the end. The closing moments witnessed a heated exchange between the Brazilian forward and Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland before Neymar calmly converted his penalty. After scoring, he responded with a sarcastic smile toward the Norwegian goalkeeper, but the brief confrontation could not change Brazil's fate.

For Neymar, the World Cup remained the one major title that eluded his glittering career. In 2014, his campaign ended prematurely because of injury before Brazil's historic semifinal defeat to Germany. Belgium knocked Brazil out in the 2018 quarterfinals, while Croatia eliminated the Seleção on penalties in 2022 despite Neymar scoring in extra time. Norway's victory has now brought his international journey to a close without the coveted World Cup trophy.

Meanwhile, Norway celebrated a landmark achievement as Haaland's clinical performance carried the Scandinavian nation into uncharted territory. They will now face England in the quarterfinals.

England booked their place after defeating co-hosts Mexico 3-2 in a dramatic Round of 16 encounter at the iconic Estadio Azteca. Jude Bellingham scored twice in quick succession during the first half before Julián Quiñones reduced the deficit for Mexico.

England's challenge became more difficult early in the second half when defender Jarell Quansah received a straight red card for a dangerous studs-up tackle, forcing his side to play with ten men.

Harry Kane restored England's two-goal advantage from the penalty spot before later conceding a penalty that Raúl Jiménez converted for Mexico. Despite relentless late pressure from the hosts, England held firm to secure victory and set up a quarterfinal clash against an inspired Norwegian side.

With Neymar's farewell and Norway's historic breakthrough, the Round of 16 delivered one of the most memorable days of the FIFA World Cup 2026, signalling the end of an era for Brazilian football while opening a new chapter for one of Europe's emerging footballing nations.

The result marked one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, with Norway advancing to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history. They will now face England, who secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over hosts Mexico to book their place in the last eight.

At MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Norway produced a disciplined and clinical performance led by star striker Erling Haaland, who scored both goals to eliminate one of football’s traditional powerhouses. Brazil, despite enjoying significant possession and creating several opportunities, failed to convert key chances and paid the price against a resilient Norwegian side.

The match remained goalless at halftime, though Brazil had an excellent opportunity to take the lead in the 15th minute. Following a VAR review, the South American giants were awarded a penalty. However, midfielder Bruno Guimaraes saw his effort brilliantly saved by experienced Norwegian goalkeeper Orjan Nyland, who went on to make several crucial stops throughout the contest.

Nyland denied attempts from Gabriel Martinelli and Vinicius Junior as Norway held firm under sustained Brazilian pressure. The missed penalty proved costly as Norway grew into the game after the break.

The breakthrough arrived in the 72nd minute when Andreas Schjelderup delivered an inviting cross from the left flank and Haaland powered home a header to give Norway a 1-0 advantage. Brazil pushed forward in search of an equaliser but left themselves exposed at the back.

Deep into stoppage time, Haaland struck again. The Manchester City forward calmly beat his marker before slotting the ball through defender Danilo’s legs and into the net, effectively sealing Norway’s historic victory. The goals took Haaland’s tally in the tournament to seven, drawing him level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot.

Neymar pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 100th minute, but the goal only reduced the deficit. Moments later, the final whistle confirmed Brazil’s earliest World Cup elimination since 1990.

The match also marked the end of an era for Brazilian football. Shortly after the defeat, Neymar announced his retirement from international football, bringing the curtain down on a distinguished career with the national team.

“I gave everything I had. My journey started here and now it ends here. My chapter with Brazil is over,” the 34-year-old said after the match.

The symbolism was significant. Neymar made his Brazil debut at the same venue in 2010 against the United States and chose the same stadium to bid farewell to international football. He confirmed that he will continue playing club football and remains under contract with Brazilian side Santos FC.

Despite injury struggles in recent years, Neymar leaves behind an extraordinary international legacy. He represented Brazil in 130 matches, making him the country’s second-most capped player behind Cafu. His goal against Norway took his international tally to 80 goals, surpassing Pele’s record of 77.

The strike also saw Neymar equal another iconic milestone, becoming only the second Brazilian after Pele to score in four different FIFA World Cup tournaments.

Brazil’s elimination extended another unwanted trend. It was the sixth consecutive World Cup in which the Selecao were knocked out by a European nation, following defeats to France (2006), the Netherlands (2010), Germany (2014), Belgium (2018), Croatia (2022) and now Norway (2026).

Elsewhere, England advanced to a third successive World Cup quarter-final after overcoming Mexico 3-2 in a thrilling contest. Jude Bellingham scored twice in quick succession before Harry Kane added a penalty in the second half. England held on despite playing with ten men for more than 35 minutes following Jarell Quansah’s red card.

The quarter-final clash between Norway and England now promises to be one of the most intriguing matchups of the tournament, with Norway chasing another historic milestone and England seeking a return to the World Cup semi-finals.

Shakira and Burna Boy light up ceremony as Mexico beats South Africa 2-0; streaming woes trigger backlash in India

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off in spectacular fashion at the Azteca Stadium on Thursday night, but the opening day was anything but straightforward. A colourful ceremony headlined by Shakira and Burna Boy was followed by a fiery match that saw three red cards and a Mexican victory. Meanwhile, thousands of kilometres away in India, the tournament’s digital broadcaster found itself in the middle of a social media storm.

Mexico defeated South Africa 2–0 in the opener, but the match will be remembered as much for the dismissals as for the goals. The referee brandished three red cards – two against South Africa and one against Mexico – raising early concerns about discipline in this expanded 48-team tournament.

Ceremony lights up Azteca

The two-hour opening ceremony featured Colombian pop star Shakira, who has now performed at four World Cups, alongside Nigerian singer Burna Boy. The duo performed the official tournament song “Die-Die”. Mexican acts including Belinda, Los Ángeles Azules, and rock band Maná also took the stage.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino later unveiled the World Cup trophy, joined by Hollywood actress Salma Hayek. Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin rounded off the performances before the first match kicked off.

Mexico strikes early

The home side wasted little time. In the 9th minute, South African captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made a costly error on a back-pass. Mexico’s Julián Quiñones pounced and slotted home the tournament’s opening goal. The striker nearly added a second just before halftime, but his shot rattled the post.

South Africa struggled to mount any serious attack in the first half and trailed 1–0 at the break.

Jiménez doubles the lead

Mexico’s second goal arrived in the 67th minute. Roberto Alvarado delivered a cross from the right, and striker Raúl Jiménez rose to meet it with a powerful header. That sealed the 2–0 win for the hosts in front of a raucous home crowd.

Three red cards in opener – a worrying sign?

The match turned chaotic early in the second half. In the 49th minute, South African midfielder Sphephelo Sithole was shown a straight red card for a foul from behind on Bryan Gutiérrez. Things got worse for the visitors in the 84th minute when Themba Zwane received his marching orders for violent conduct, reducing South Africa to nine men.

Deep into stoppage time, Mexico’s César Montes also saw red for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

For context, the entire 2022 World Cup in Qatar recorded just four red cards. The 2018 edition in Russia also had four. The 2006 tournament still holds the unwanted record of 28 red cards. With three in the opening match alone, concerns are already being raised that this edition could break that mark.

 Zee5 faces heat over streaming quality

Back in India, the excitement quickly turned to frustration. Zee5, the official streaming partner for the FIFA World Cup 2026, faced massive backlash on social media within hours of the broadcast starting.

Users complained of poor video quality, frequent buffering, and intrusive advertisements – even for paid subscribers. Several viewers also reported a glitch during the live stream of the opening ceremony. The criticism trended on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), with many demanding refunds or urging the platform to fix the issues before the next matches.

Neither Zee5 nor FIFA’s Indian representatives have issued an official statement so far.

Protests outside the stadium

Away from the football, tensions simmered on the streets of Mexico City. Dozens of demonstrators gathered near the Azteca Stadium ahead of the opening match, demanding higher wages for teachers and better public amenities. Protesters accused the government of prioritising the World Cup while ignoring social issues. The protests remained peaceful, but they served as a reminder of the domestic challenges facing the host nation.

 South Korea pull off upset

On the pitch, there was more drama on matchday one. Asian giants South Korea staged a comeback to beat Czech Republic 2–1. Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu scored for the Koreans, while Ladislav Krejci netted the lone goal for Czechia.