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FIFA World Cup 2026

Updated at:

Opta statistical platform supercomputer names Spain as winner of 2026 FIFA World Cup

The Spanish team’s win in the upcoming championship is estimated at 16%, the French national team enjoys 12.9%, while the reigning World Champions Argentina holds 10.1%

MOSCOW, June 10. /TASS/. The Spanish national football team is the main favorite to win 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to data published by the Opta statistical platform supercomputer.

The Spanish team’s win in the upcoming championship is estimated at 16%, the French national team enjoys 12.9%, while the English team stands with 10.8% and the reigning World Champions Argentina savors 10.1%.

The top ten contenders, according to Opta statistical platform supercomputer, also included Portugal (7.1%), Brazil (6.6%), Germany (5.9%), the Netherlands (3.9%), Norway (3.5%) and Belgium (2.4%).

The artificial web-platform also placed hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, namely the United States, Mexico and Canada, beyond the Top-10 putting them in 17th, 20th and 22nd places respectively.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States between June 11 and July 19. The matches will be staged in 16 cities across the three countries. This will be the first FIFA World Cup featuring 48 teams instead of the previous 32-team format.

Anti-doping measures still priority in Russian track and field athletics — RusAF chief

Pyot Fradkov announced the plans to introduce a code of athletics ethics stipulating unified standards, to set up a relevant commission

Pakistan carries out strikes on Afghanistan, 13 people killed — Afghan authorities

According to the Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, 14 other women and children were injured

Russia may resume electricity supplies to Turkey in September

The opportunity of exporting to Turkey will depend both on electricity prices abroad and on the regime and balance situation in the energy systems of southern Russia and Georgia, Sergey Dregval added

Air defense destroys three more UAVs heading toward Moscow

Emergency service specialists are working at the site where the debris fell

Kuwait air defense systems repelling aerial attack — General Staff

"Kuwaiti air defense systems are currently confronting hostile aerial targets in accordance with approved operational procedures," the emirate’s General Staff reported

Car bomb explosion outside Moscow kills driver — investigative authority

According to investigators, a car was blown up while passing by an apartment building in Balashikha at about 5:30 a.m.

EC head promises Kiev €9 bln by end of month, start accession talks

Ursula von der Leyen also announced that the first negotiating cluster on the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU will open in the coming days

US embassy restricts diplomats’ movement within Israeli territory

US government officials are prohibited from visiting areas of Israel adjacent to the borders with Lebanon, Egypt and the Gaza Strip

Russia says Denmark's plants making military goods for Ukraine support terrorism

Russia regards this step as hostile, Maria Zakharova said

Politicization of UNSC work on Iran will hinder resumption of IAEA inspections — diplomat

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya noted that there are "no grounds to hold a briefing" of the Security Council’s committee 1737 on Iranian sanctions "and there will not be any"

Russian car market ranked sixth in Europe in May

The report notes that the Russian market demonstrated the strongest growth dynamics among Europe’s largest automobile markets

Russian tactical nuclear weapons pose no threat to US — diplomat

"The attempts to put this issue at the core of a strategic stability dialogue or some negotiations on nuclear arms control still hold no prospects," Andrey Belousov said

EAEU won’t abide Armenia’s freeloading position over EU bids — Russian MFA

The republic's leadership is trying to convince its fellow citizens that there is no need to choose between the EU and the EAEU, Maria Zakharova noted

ASEAN will benefit from preserving unity, ability to withstand challenges — Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister stressed that Russia and ASEAN are connected by long-standing and strengthening ties of cooperation

Moscow, Minsk ready to use nuclear weapons to defend Union State — Russia

Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin also noted the demonstrative and provocative build-up of NATO's armed forces in the immediate vicinity of the borders of the Union State

US struck Kuwait with copied Iranian drone to sell it air defense systems — diplomat

The Kuwaiti Civil Aviation Authority said on June 3 that the passenger terminal T1 at Kuwait International Airport has been attacked by drones and missiles launched from Iran

Trump says Iran has 48 hours to make deal or open strait

Time is running out: 48 hours remain before all hell rains down on them, US President said

Ukraine should explain its role in Nord Stream blasts — AfD leader

Alice Weidel argued that Ukraine should also compensate Germany

Trump family earn $2.3 billion from working on cryptocurrency projects — Reuters

According to the agency, the companies that brought profit to the US president's family include World Liberty Financial, AI Financial Corp, and US Bitcoin

EU plans to adopt 'mini-package' of sanctions against Russia on June 15 — portal

It will include eight individuals and 46 organizations in the defense and energy sectors, the portal reported

Tehran says US helicopter incident near Hormuz not deliberate — TV

According to the TV channel, Tehran informed mediators that the incident was "unintentional" and occurred "as a result of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz"

Zelensky calls cases of Ukrainian drones appearing over Baltics 'occasional'

Recent reports have pointed to Ukrainian drones entering the airspace of Baltic states, with UAVs reportedly crashing in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia

Lavrov to take part in CSTO Foreign Ministers Council meeting in Kazan

Sergey Lavrov will also brief his colleagues on initiatives aimed at implementing the priorities of Russia’s current CSTO chairmanship

Up to 500 Ukrainian soldiers may be trapped in center of Konstantinovka — expert

Andrey Marochko previously said that Russian troops were advancing on Konstantinovka from two directions

Russian Foreign Ministry says to receive British, French, German envoys, listen to them

Sergey Lavrov recalled that the West, represented by the Eurotroika, had already had the opportunity to influence the conflict resolution, but they "distinguished themselves with a minus sign" by acting as "antiheroes of this whole story"

Reaching US-Iran deal could take months — Vance

US Vice President JD Vance also didn't rule out that the deal could happen in the next week

What is known about prison terror plot foiled by FSB in Russia’s Ulyanovsk Region

The attack was plotted by a supporter of an international terrorist organization, banned in Russia

Trump ready to consider commando raid on Iran if negotiations fail

The US leader believes that the current round of escalation between Israel and Iran will not affect the US-Iran negotiation process

Shunning Russian gas to cost Slovakia hundreds of millions of euros — energy supplier

According to the spokesman, SPP is stepping up efforts to find alternatives to Russian gas

Pentagon needs enemy to justify record-high military spending — US journalist

According to Christopher Helali, the West is working steadily to portray Russia as an enemy

Resumption of wide-scale US strikes on Iran would be costly step — Trump

According to the US leader, a resumption of wide-scale US strikes would lead to the months-long closure of the Strait of Hormuz

Europe’s security destruction, Armenia in CSTO, 'miracles': Lavrov's statements

According to the Russian foreign minister, it would take a miracle for the EU to change its position on Ukraine

Iranian drone takes down US Apache attack helicopter over Strait of Hormuz — CNN

According to CNN, the helicopter was shot down by an Iranian kamikaze drone Shahed and two crew members of the destroyed aircraft were later rescued and taken to safety by a US naval drone

European Commission unveils proposals on 21st anti-Russian sanction package

This sanctions package will be the biggest one over the last two years

Cheboksary comes under missile attack, number of casualties being clarified

The Chuvashia Education Ministry recommended refraining from visiting educational institutions until the threat alert is lifted

What to know about Ukrainian drone attack on passenger bus in Melitopol

No one has been reported injured in the Melitopol bus attack

Chance of Putin-Trump conversation, mediation on Ukraine — Kremlin spokesman's remarks

The mediation process on the Ukraine track is "currently stalled," Dmitry Peskov said

Russia needs 'serious reassurances' from Europe to begin dialogue, says Lavrov

According to the foreign minister, Moscow should be convinced that European proposals are of a serious nature and not just another attempt to protect and preserve, as well as strengthen, the Kiev Nazi regime

Iran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from region

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation

US completes strikes against Iran — CENTCOM

The operation was a proportional response to recent attacks on U.S. forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters, the US Central Command said

Aftermath of Ukrainian drone attack on Russian regions, Sevastopol Panorama struck

A UAV attack injured three people and damaged industrial facilities in the Samara Region

FACTBOX: What we know about Ukrainian drone attack on Panorama of Siege of Sevastopol

Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said the historical building housing the Panorama of the Siege of Sevastopol was virtually destroyed

Iran divides countries into three categories based on use of Strait of Hormuz — TV

According to the TV channel, all states are divided into three categories — "hostile," "neutral," and "friendly"

Kiev makes false promises to Budapest on rights of Hungarians in Ukraine — Russian MFA

According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the actual situation of Ukrainian Hungarians has not changed

US destroys 55% of military capabilities Iran restored during ceasefire — Trump

According to the media, overnight into Wednesday, the US wiped out the radars and air defense systems that Iran had been trying to rebuild

Fire on gas pipeline in Dagestan extinguished

No casualties or injuries occurred

Russia, China view electricity supply contract as valid — Inter RAO

Russia has not supplied electricity to China this year

Kremlin spokesman says Russia’s fight for its regions to end in victory

Dmitry Peskov stressed that Kiev's actions make it clear that Moscow is right in its fight

Israel, US attack amusement park in central Iran

No information on casualties or damage has been reported yet

Another strike hits area near Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran

One of the facility’s security guards was killed, Iran’s AEOI said

Russian Security Council warns negotiations could mask planning for Iran strike

The Pentagon continues to increase US troop numbers in the region, the Russian Security Council said

Russia will respond effectively, harshly to latest EU sanctions package — MFA

Maria Zakharova pointed out that European bureaucrats "are no longer able to do anything else," so all they can do is threaten new restrictions

Russia to release addresses of drone production sites in Canada, diplomat warns

Maria Zakharova said that Russia reserves the right to give an appropriate response

Russian airlines ready to resume flights to Middle East

Russian Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin noted that the route network is reopening gradually and cautiously in order not to create risks to passenger safety

Bahrain air defense systems repelling Iranian attacks

Earlier, the kingdom’s Interior Ministry reported that air raid sirens had been activated

EC head aims to consolidate control over EU countries’ defense policy — Politico

According to the publication, the document has effectively seen no involvement from the European External Action Service, which traditionally handled such initiatives

Magyar wants to meet with Zelensky over agreement on Transcarpathian Hungarians’ rights

According to the Hungarian prime minister, the sides continue discussing where and when he can meet with Vladimir Zelensky for that

Nebenzya comments on pause in Ukraine talks, utter disgrace at UNSC meeting on Starobelsk

The Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations stressed that Kiev had demonstrated its unwillingness to compromise

US-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reported

The Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incident

FACTBOX: What is known about targets of EU’s 21st sanctions package

The European Union intends to adopt a "mini-package" of sanctions against Russia on June 15

Oreshnik missile system used in special military op to confirm its accuracy — expert

"This analysis was necessary for developing a more targeted strike policy against the enemy, including the destruction of critical military and government control facilities, as well as infrastructure in urban Ukraine," Igor Korotchenko said

Panorama of Siege of Sevastopol almost destroyed in Ukrainian drone strike — governor

The panorama would be restored, as it was after the Great Patriotic War, Mikhail Razvozhayev vowed

Top Iranian diplomat calls on US to withdraw troops from Middle East

Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iranian Armed Forces will leave no attack or threat unanswered

Poland does not intend to block negotiations on Ukraine's EU accession — Tusk

"Poland will support Ukraine on its path to Europe on terms that will be European, as well as safe and beneficial for Poland," the Polish prime minister added

Russian troops strike Ukrainian army’s transport, energy sites over past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,330 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

More than 40 UAVs destroyed over Russia’s Voronezh Region overnight

In one of the districts, communications equipment was damaged as a result of falling UAV debris

Ukraine signs first long-term contract for LNG terminal use in Europe

This covers access to the terminal's infrastructure in Klaipeda, Lithuania, for the period from 2033 to 2044

Top diplomat emphasized Iran’s legitimate right to self-defense

Abbas Araghchi condemned the US military aggression and violations of the Islamic Republic’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity

Organizers of 2026 FIFA World Cup withdraw Iran’s ticket allocation — agency

All Iranian football fans who have already finalized their travel plans will now be unable to attend matches supporting their national team

Drones that attacked Melitopol packed with lethal fragments

According to the correspondent, metal balls of various sizes and bolt caps were found at the strike sites

Armenian elections held amid pressure on opposition, Western interference — MFA

According to Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, the Armenian people have demonstrated a clear demand for the steady development of Moscow-Yerevan relations

Russian diplomat denounces Ukrainian attack on Sevastopol museum as 'barbaric act'

Maria Zakharova pointed out that the Panorama of the Siege of Sevastopol was a world-famous work of battle painting, dedicated to the key battle of the Crimean War, the June 6, 1855, Storming of the Malakhov Kurgan

Moscow-led security bloc open to dialogue with NATO — Lavrov

The top Russian diplomat recalled the period with no crises in relations between Russia and the West, with the Russia-NATO Council functioning

Press review: NATO drills near Russia as Armenia keeps same policy after elections

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, June 9th

Russia’s 2,000th R-7 rocket delivers Resurs-P remote sensing satellite into orbit

Resurs-P satellites are designed for the Earth’s remote sensing and for regional and local monitoring of its surface

European Commission proposes adding Patriarch Kirill to 21st sanctions package — TV

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the package would add 170 individuals and entities to the sanctions list, but did not disclose specific names

Iran strikes US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain — Fars

According to the news agency, it was done "in response to the enemy’s malicious act"

US hopes new strikes on Iran will not derail negotiations — CNN

Washington believes the new strikes will serve as a "warning shot" for Iran

Russia, China, Niger vote against anti-Iranian IAEA resolution — TASS source

According to the source, ten countries abstained, while 21 voted in favor

Duma bans deportation of foreigners who fought in Russian army

According to the bill, they cannot be denied temporary residence permits, residence permits, or work permits

IN BRIEF: What we know about missile attack on Russia’s Volga city of Cheboksary

According to the latest updates, three people were injured in the attack

Trump suggests US could help rebuild Iran’s infrastructure

According to the US leader, Washington would get half of Iran’s oil in return

Any ground operation in Iran could have consequences for global security — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Moscow invariably and fundamentally proceeds from the need to resolve the current crisis around Iran through purely diplomatic means

Partners urge Kazakhstan to raise oil supplies due to Hormuz constraints

Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov stressed that Kazakhstan remained a highly reliable supplier to its partners

Press review: Russia opens Northern Sea Route to West and Jerusalem envoy heads to Moscow

Top stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, June 10th

IRGC carries out retaliatory strikes on US military bases in Middle East

Earlier, the US Central Command reported carrying out strikes on Iran after an American Apache helicopter was shot down over the Strait of Hormuz

IN BRIEF: MFA on turning Ukraine into 'criminal empire' and growing potential for conflict

According to the statement, the conflict potential is growing worldwide amid the West’s dangerous attempts to use terrorist groups and extremist forces to keep afloat hotbeds of tensions

Iranian forces destroy MQ-9 drone, strike US base in Jordan — IRGC

In addition, the "IRGC Aerospace Force, using long-range solid-fuel missiles, struck and destroyed four important targets, including F-35 fighter jet hangars" at the US Al-Azraq air base in Jordan

Ukrainian attacks kill two civilians, leave four injured in Russia’s Belgorod Region

The Ukrainian army carried out 89 attacks on the Belgorod Region in the past 24 hours, targeting 13 municipalities

Kremlin briefing covers Ukrainian attack on Sevastopol Panorama, Putin-Pashinyan meeting

The Kremlin is confident that the Sevastopol Panorama will be restored and will become "better than before"

Russia hits 10 military enterprises in Kiev — Russia’s envoy to UN

Vasily Nebenzya says the Russian armed forces are attacking targets with precision weapons

Putin calls EU sanctions against children's centers nonsense and disgrace to their authors

The Russian leader said it is not clear what effect the authors of such restrictions expect

Iran hits 70% of designated target in retaliatory strikes on US bases — agency

According to the source, Iran’s ballistic missiles struck targets at US bases in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain

Two US strategic refueling aircraft flying over Persian Gulf

Another such aircraft is flying over the Gulf’s western coast

Fracture on Soyuz spacecraft most likely caused by technological error — Roscosmos CEO

It was done by a human hand - there are traces of a drill sliding along the surface, Dmitry Rogozin said

Russia insists on US nuclear weapons withdrawal from Europe — Russian diplomat

Russian Foreign Ministry’s Ambassador-at-Large Andrey Belousov mentioned the existing possibility of inflicting damage on the most important civilian and military infrastructure facilities in Russia

Russian army to ‘keep on working’ until Kiev abandons terrorism — Russian diplomat

Maria Zakharova recalled that Moscow on many occasions had demonstrated through actions rather than words that it was willing to engage in constructive dialogue

Irritation of LGBT-friendly EU proves Russia does everything right — Putin

European officials are irritated by the sight of Russian happy children, the Russian leader said

Hungary rejects double standards in talks on Ukraine’s EU accession &mdash — Magyar

Prime Minister noted that the accession process includes 33 negotiating chapters and stressed that Ukraine still faces a long path before any decision on membership can be made

US begins third wave of strikes on Iran — Axios

Earlier, it was reported the start of a second wave of US strikes targeting air defense systems and radars in Iran

Russian troops strike Ukrainian naval base, ammo and fuel depots in past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 210 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported