WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump is reportedly considering an expansion of his travel ban to include Nigeria, Ghana, and 34 other countries, many of them in Africa, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia and Oceania, according to a leaked State Department memo reviewed by The Washington Post.
The internal directive, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was sent to U.S. diplomats over the weekend and outlines new travel restrictions unless the listed countries comply with stricter identity verification and immigration protocols within 60 days.
The memo cited concerns ranging from an inability to provide verifiable identity documents to high rates of U.S. visa violations by nationals of the affected countries. Notably, the guidance also provides exceptions for nations willing to accept deported third-country nationals, potentially easing other restrictions.
Among the countries named are 25 African nations, including Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, alongside several Caribbean states such as Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia. The list also includes Bhutan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, and Syria in Asia, as well as Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu in Oceania.
Governments of these 36 countries have been given a deadline of 8 a.m. Wednesday to submit an initial plan of action to meet the State Department’s new vetting requirements.
A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the internal deliberations but emphasized that the agency “continually reviews policies to ensure the safety of American citizens and compliance with U.S. immigration law.”
The White House has not responded to requests for comment, and it remains unclear if or when the proposed restrictions will be enacted.
The move comes just one week after Trump reinstated his first-term travel ban, reimposing full entry bans on 12 countries and partial restrictions on seven others. In January, Trump signed an executive order instructing the State Department to identify nations with insufficient screening and vetting practices for possible suspension from the U.S. visa program.
The sweeping policy proposals are part of Trump’s wider anti-immigration agenda, which he says includes the “largest mass deportation operation” in U.S. history, and the revocation of visas and humanitarian protections for tens of thousands of foreign nationals.
The proposed additions to the travel ban list — particularly involving Nigeria and Ghana, two key U.S. economic and security partners in West Africa — are expected to spark diplomatic pushback and legal scrutiny if finalized.
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (BN24) — Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Abidjan on Saturday, rallying near the headquarters of the independent electoral commission to protest the exclusion of opposition leader Tidjane Thiam from the upcoming October 25 presidential election.
Despite torrential rains, supporters of Thiam’s Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI) filled the streets in a peaceful demonstration, demanding the reinstatement of Thiam and three other prominent opposition figures who were barred from the final candidate list released by the electoral commission on June 4.
Thiam, the former CEO of Credit Suisse and a central figure in Ivorian politics, was disqualified on the basis of dual nationality, according to a prior court ruling. Although born in Ivory Coast, Thiam held French citizenship, which he officially renounced in March. The court ruled that the renunciation came too late to meet eligibility requirements — a decision the opposition has sharply criticized.
In a video message posted on Facebook, Thiam thanked his supporters and called for sustained mobilization. “Beyond my own case, this is a movement to ensure democracy prevails in our country. I will soon be with you in Abidjan so we can continue this fight,” he said.
Protesters, clad in green and white — the colors of the PDCI — carried signs that read “Corrupt justice” and “Thithi president”, using Thiam’s nickname. Senior party members entered the electoral commission offices to deliver a formal letter demanding that all excluded candidates be restored to the electoral list.
“We strongly denounce the arbitrary and unjust removal of President Thiam and other key opposition leaders from the electoral list,” said PDCI Executive Secretary Sylvestre Emmou, addressing reporters after the meeting.
The protest comes amid mounting political tension in Ivory Coast, a country still scarred by the post-election violence of 2010–2011, which left over 3,000 dead. Fears are growing that political exclusion could again ignite unrest ahead of the election.
President Alassane Ouattara, who has been in power since 2011, is expected to announce his candidacy later this month at a ruling party congress. Though Ivory Coast’s constitution imposes a two-term limit, Ouattara has argued the 2016 constitutional referendum reset the count, allowing him to seek a fourth term if he chooses. His 2020 re-election was widely disputed and boycotted by opposition parties, further eroding confidence in the electoral process.
The exclusion of major opposition figures like Thiam is seen by critics as a blow to the country’s democratic integrity, and demonstrations are expected to intensify in the lead-up to the vote.
MTHATHA, South Africa (BN24) — The death toll from severe flooding in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province has climbed to 86, with search-and-rescue teams continuing efforts to locate the missing nearly a week after torrential waters swept through the region, authorities confirmed Saturday.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu visited the affected area, including the hard-hit town of Mthatha, where teams have been retrieving bodies from the floodwaters since the disaster struck in the early hours of Tuesday.
Mchunu described the floods as a “tragedy of immense proportions,” while also urging residents to dismiss widely circulated false claims on social media alleging that the disaster was triggered by the opening of sluice gates at the Mthatha Dam. “The Mthatha Dam does not have sluice gates,” Mchunu emphasized, addressing speculation that mismanagement had exacerbated the flooding.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, who toured the devastated area on Friday, said an investigation would be conducted to determine whether any structural issues with the dam contributed to the flooding. He noted that a wall of water 3 to 4 meters high surged from the river, sweeping away homes and residents and trapping many inside as waters rose.
Ramaphosa linked the flooding to climate change, warning that South Africa’s coastal and low-lying regions are increasingly vulnerable to weather-related disasters. He cited the 2022 Durban floods, which claimed over 400 lives, as another recent example of extreme weather devastation attributed to global warming.
Weather services had issued alerts last week warning of a severe cold front approaching the region, with heavy rains and gale-force winds forecast. Despite these warnings, many in the largely rural and underdeveloped communities near the riverbanks were unprepared for the storm’s severity.
Emergency teams have been combing through destroyed homes and mud-choked riverbanks, often on foot, in what has become a grueling recovery mission. Authorities fear the death toll may continue to rise, as more people are believed to be missing.
One of the bodies recovered on Saturday was identified as a young boy, estimated to be around 13 or 14 years old, found far from the site of his home. Officials said many children are among the victims, though an exact number has yet to be released. Some of the deceased were discovered up to 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away, swept far downstream by the powerful surge.
Criticism has mounted over the emergency response and the state of local infrastructure, with residents questioning the readiness of authorities in a province long known for its economic hardship and informal housing settlements.
As rescue operations stretch into their sixth day, emergency officials continue to call for public cooperation and patience, acknowledging that search efforts may take days to complete due to the extent of the damage and terrain.
WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a lengthy phone conversation Saturday, discussing rising tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing war in Ukraine, as military conflicts intensify on multiple fronts.
According to a post by Trump on Truth Social, much of the call was focused on Israel’s ongoing airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and Tehran’s retaliatory missile attacks, which have heightened fears of a broader regional war. Trump said he also pressed Putin to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which entered its third year in February.
“He feels, as do I, this war in Israel-Iran should end, to which I explained, his war should also end,” Trump said, describing the call as lasting about an hour.
Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov confirmed the conversation and said the Russian president briefed Trump on Moscow’s recent engagements with leaders in Iran and Israel, including Russia’s proposal for a diplomatic resolution to tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program.
“Vladimir Putin, having condemned the military operation against Iran, expressed serious concern about the possible escalation of the conflict,” Ushakov told reporters. He warned that a spiraling confrontation between Israel and Iran posed “unpredictable consequences for the entire Middle East.”
Putin also reiterated Russia’s willingness to mediate, offering proposals for a mutually acceptable agreement in the context of nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran.
The call came amid growing scrutiny of the deepening Russia-Iran alliance, with Tehran supplying Moscow with drones, ballistic missiles, and other military equipment, according to U.S. intelligence. The partnership has drawn criticism from Western leaders and added a new dimension to the Ukraine conflict.
Despite the rising hostilities, Ushakov said neither Trump nor Putin ruled out the potential resumption of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks. The sixth round of those negotiations, scheduled to take place Sunday in Oman, was called off following Israel’s initial strikes on Iran. Oman’s foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi, confirmed the cancellation.
Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff had been due to attend the talks in Muscat, with hopes of reviving dialogue around Iran’s expanding uranium enrichment program.
In addition to Middle East developments, the two leaders discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, specifically the exchange of prisoners of war. Ushakov noted that a new swap took place Saturday, part of an arrangement brokered earlier this month in Istanbul, involving severely wounded detainees and soldiers under the age of 25.
“Our president noted that an exchange of prisoners of war is taking place,” Ushakov said, adding that Moscow remains open to further negotiations with Kyiv on humanitarian matters.
Trump also revealed that Putin wished him a happy birthday during the call. The U.S. president turned 79 on Saturday.
TEL AVIV, Israel (BN24) — The confirmed death toll in Israel has risen to 10 following a wave of Iranian missile strikes, with authorities recovering two additional bodies from the rubble in the coastal city of Bat Yam, Israeli emergency officials reported Sunday. The revised toll includes six fatalities in Bat Yam, where search teams are continuing to sift through debris from buildings hit overnight.
According to Daniel Hadad, the regional police commander, at least 180 people were injured in Bat Yam alone, and seven individuals remain missing. “There is great destruction here, lots of rubble and debris that has to be lifted to find the missing,” Hadad told reporters, as quoted by the Times of Israel. He warned that the search could take several more days due to the scale of the damage.
The Iranian missile barrage was part of an escalating conflict following Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure, sparking fears of a prolonged regional confrontation.
Meanwhile, Israel’s airspace remains shut for a third consecutive day, authorities said Sunday, citing ongoing security concerns. In a joint statement, Israel’s transport and foreign ministries announced that all civilian aviation operations are suspended, with no incoming or outgoing flights allowed.
“Due to the security situation and in accordance with the instructions of security authorities, Israeli airspace is currently closed to civilian aviation,” the ministries stated, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Thousands of Israeli nationals remain stranded overseas following the initial closure on Friday, coinciding with Israel’s launch of a coordinated aerial assault on Iranian military and nuclear sites.
A spokesperson for Israel Airports Authority confirmed that Ben Gurion International Airport, near Tel Aviv, would remain closed. “A notice regarding its reopening will be given with at least six hours’ advance warning,” the statement read. “A decision to resume flights to Israel will only be made once it is deemed safe to do so.”
While air travel is suspended, Israel’s land border crossings to Jordan and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula continue to operate, authorities confirmed.
Elsewhere, Iranian state media reported on Sunday that Israel targeted a facility affiliated with Iran’s Ministry of Defence in Isfahan, in the latest strike on the third day of sustained Israeli military action.
“One of the centres affiliated with the Ministry of Defence in Isfahan was attacked, and possible damages are under investigation,” said Akbar Salehi, a deputy provincial governor, according to Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency.
The strike comes amid heightened international calls for de-escalation, as both countries continue to exchange retaliatory attacks across multiple fronts in what analysts warn could spiral into a broader Middle East conflict.
DEHRADUN, India (BN24) — A helicopter carrying Hindu pilgrims crashed early Sunday in India’s northern Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, killing all seven people on board, including the pilot, officials confirmed. The aircraft, operated by Aryan Aviation, had just departed from the Kedarnath temple area, a major Hindu pilgrimage site, and was en route to Guptkashi when it went down minutes after takeoff.
The crash occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. local time in a remote, forested region near the Kedarnath pilgrimage corridor. Initial reports suggest that poor weather conditions were the likely cause of the crash. Authorities said a search and rescue operation was immediately launched, though all passengers had already perished by the time emergency responders reached the wreckage.
Among the victims were pilgrims from the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, according to officials. The bodies were badly burned due to a fire that broke out after the helicopter hit the ground.
The crash follows closely on the heels of a separate aviation tragedy in Gujarat, where an Air India Boeing 787 en route to London crashed into a residential area of Ahmedabad on Thursday, killing at least 270 people, including 241 passengers and 29 on the ground. That accident marked one of the deadliest in India’s aviation history and cast a harsh spotlight on operational and regulatory oversight in the sector.
Sunday’s incident also renews scrutiny on air safety in Uttarakhand’s treacherous high-altitude regions, where helicopters are frequently used to transport pilgrims to sacred sites that are otherwise difficult to reach. Kedarnath, home to one of Hinduism’s most revered shrines, attracts tens of thousands of devotees each year during the summer pilgrimage season. Due to the rugged terrain and limited road access, many opt for brief helicopter rides between temples and nearby towns.
Local disaster management official Nandan Singh Rajwar said protocols for aerial pilgrimage services will be reviewed in the wake of the crash. “Given the growing number of mishaps in this region, we are taking a hard look at weather monitoring and aircraft certification standards,” he said.
Helicopter accidents in the region have become an increasingly frequent hazard. On June 7, a helicopter made an emergency landing on a highway in the Kedarnath Valley due to a technical malfunction; the pilot was injured but all five passengers escaped unharmed. Earlier, on May 8, another helicopter crashed in Uttarkashi district, killing six people including the pilot. One passenger survived.
Officials said Sunday’s crash site was particularly difficult to access due to the steep terrain and dense forest cover, further complicating rescue efforts. A formal investigation has been initiated to determine the precise cause, including whether mechanical failure or pilot error contributed in addition to adverse weather.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation have both been notified and are expected to release a preliminary report in the coming days. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand state authorities have temporarily suspended similar flights in the region pending further safety evaluations.
The tragedy has cast a shadow over the pilgrimage season and reignited calls for improved aviation safety standards, particularly for commercial operators in India’s high-risk, mountainous zones.
TEL AVIV, Israel (BN24) — Israel launched another wave of airstrikes across Iran on Sunday, marking the third consecutive day of escalating hostilities between the two longtime adversaries. The strikes, which reportedly targeted nuclear and military infrastructure, prompted Iranian retaliation as both countries refused to stand down. Planned nuclear talks aimed at defusing tensions were abruptly canceled.
The conflict, which erupted with Israel’s surprise bombardment of Iranian nuclear and military sites on Friday, has since intensified. Iran confirmed strikes on two oil refineries, further raising fears of a broader offensive against its already embattled energy sector—moves that could disrupt global markets.
In a signal of further escalation, the Israeli military used social media to warn civilians in Iran to evacuate arms production facilities. Explosions were again heard in Tehran around midday Sunday, heightening anxiety in the Iranian capital.
The White House under President Donald Trump has stood firmly behind Israel, with Trump warning that Iran must agree to a new nuclear agreement to avoid further destruction. In his Truth Social post, he reiterated that the U.S. was not directly involved in the strikes but threatened massive retaliation if Iran targeted American interests. “We can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict,” he added.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Sunday that Iran’s military response would cease only if Israeli attacks stopped. He accused the United States of being complicit in the strikes and called for accountability.
Sunday’s strikes reportedly focused on Iran’s Defense Ministry facilities and infrastructure linked to its nuclear ambitions. Multiple Iranian officials, including top generals and nuclear scientists, were killed in earlier strikes, suggesting that Israeli intelligence had successfully infiltrated Iran’s high command. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations said 78 Iranians were killed and over 320 wounded so far.
Meanwhile, Iran’s missile attacks against Israel continued overnight and into Sunday, killing at least 10 more people, according to Magen David Adom, bringing Israel’s death toll to 13. Israel’s main airport and airspace remained closed for a third consecutive day.
In the coastal city of Bat Yam, a missile struck an apartment building, killing six, including a 10-year-old and a 9-year-old. Nearby, authorities confirmed that 180 people were wounded and seven remain missing. In the northern town of Tamra, four more people were killed in another strike, including a 13-year-old, while dozens were injured in Rehovot, where the Weizmann Institute of Science reported building damage but no casualties.
Despite Israel’s advanced multi-layered air defense systems, military officials conceded they are not impenetrable. Civil defense teams were seen using drones to search through rubble for survivors amid scorched vehicles and shattered buildings.
China’s foreign minister described Israel’s attack on Iranian nuclear sites as setting a “dangerous precedent,” while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed international appeals for restraint. He warned that the current strikes were minor compared to the power Israel might unleash in the coming days. Israel has maintained that its actions are a preemptive measure to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, asserting its long-standing view that Tehran’s nuclear ambitions pose an existential threat.
Iran, for its part, maintains that its nuclear program is strictly peaceful. However, enriched uranium levels have surged in recent years, and international assessments suggest Tehran could assemble a weapon within months if it decided to pursue one. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) censured Iran just last week for non-compliance with its oversight agreements.
Amid the chaos, indirect negotiations between the U.S. and Iran on reviving a nuclear accord were canceled. The Gulf state of Oman, which has served as a mediator, confirmed that Sunday’s sixth round of talks would not take place. A senior U.S. official said Washington remained open to talks and hoped Iran would return to the table soon.
Satellite imagery analyzed by the Associated Press revealed significant damage to the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, with several buildings destroyed or impaired, including those believed to power centrifuge operations. While the underground sections appeared intact, the extent of internal damage remains unknown. The IAEA also confirmed damage at the Isfahan nuclear complex, stating that four key structures, including a uranium conversion facility, had been hit.
An unnamed Israeli military official said early assessments suggest it would take Iran “much more than a few weeks” to repair both the Natanz and Isfahan sites. The same official claimed Israel had concrete intelligence that the Isfahan facility was being used for military purposes.
Elsewhere, an Israeli drone reportedly struck a natural-gas processing plant in Iran, causing a powerful explosion. Meanwhile, a refinery in Haifa, northern Israel, was damaged in retaliatory Iranian strikes, according to Bazan Group, which reported disruption to pipelines and transmission lines, though no injuries.
As the death toll rises and global markets brace for impact, the absence of diplomacy signals a potentially prolonged and devastating conflict between two of the Middle East’s most entrenched rivals.
ABUJA, Nigeria (BN24) — At least 100 people have been killed in a brutal gun assault on a village in north-central Benue state, according to Amnesty International Nigeria, which reported the attack occurred overnight between Friday and early Saturday in the Yelewata community, located in the Guma area.
The human rights organization stated that dozens remain unaccounted for, and hundreds are believed to be injured and lacking medical assistance. In a statement posted to Facebook, the group described the carnage as devastating. “Many families were locked up and burnt inside their bedrooms. So many bodies were burnt beyond recognition,” Amnesty International Nigeria said.
Disturbing footage circulated on social media in the wake of the assault appeared to show charred remains and homes reduced to ashes. The Benue state police confirmed an attack had taken place in Yelewata but did not release a casualty figure. The scale of the destruction, however, has triggered widespread concern and condemnation.
Although no group has claimed responsibility, the region has been plagued by recurring violence between local farmers and Fulani herders, frequently resulting in mass killings and displacement. These long-standing conflicts are fueled by competition over land and water resources, with farmers accusing herders of allowing cattle to destroy crops, while herders claim grazing rights on routes established in the 1960s.
Last month, gunmen—believed to be herders—killed at least 20 people in Gwer West, also in Benue state. In April, another 40 people were killed in the neighboring Plateau state, marking a steady increase in rural violence across Nigeria’s northern and central belt.
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has dispatched a delegation to Yelewata to support the families of the victims and assess the scale of the crisis. No additional details have been released regarding humanitarian aid or security reinforcements in the area.
The massacre underscores Nigeria’s growing internal security challenges, especially in rural areas where law enforcement presence remains limited and tensions over land rights continue to spark deadly confrontations.
LONDON (BN24) — The United Kingdom is increasing its military presence in the Middle East by sending additional Royal Air Force jets, Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed on Saturday, as hostilities escalate between Israel and Iran. The deployment, which includes Typhoon fighter jets and air-to-air refueling aircraft, is intended to provide contingency support throughout the volatile region.
Starmer, speaking en route to the G7 summit in Canada, described the situation as rapidly evolving and said the UK remained in close contact with its allies. “We’ve already been moving assets to the region, including jets, and that is for contingency support across the region,” he told reporters. “Our constant message is de-escalate, and therefore everything we’re doing, all discussions we’re having, are to do with de-escalation.”
This latest move follows a previous UK military deployment to the Middle East last year, when RAF aircraft were dispatched as part of a broader strategy to deter regional escalation. The Prime Minister emphasized that the current decision continues that posture amid worsening conditions on the ground.
Pressed on whether the UK might intervene directly to defend Israel, Starmer declined to offer specifics but confirmed a “constructive discussion” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “That included discussions about the safety and security of Israel, as you would expect between two allies,” he said. Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s support for Israel’s right to self-defense and underscored Britain’s long-standing concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
The latest developments come as Iran threatens to target British, French, and American military bases if those countries intervene on Israel’s behalf. Tensions soared following a new wave of Iranian missile attacks on Israeli targets late Saturday. In response, Israel’s military said it had launched retaliatory strikes on military installations in Tehran.
The conflict has already resulted in casualties on both sides. Iranian state media reported 60 people killed in strikes on Tehran, while Israeli officials said three people were killed and dozens injured. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned of a “more severe” retaliation should Israel continue its military campaign, prompting Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz to issue a stark warning that “Tehran will burn” if aggression continues.
Downing Street said Starmer also held a phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday to discuss the deteriorating situation. Both leaders agreed on the urgency of de-escalation to avoid broader regional conflict.
Plans for U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, scheduled to resume in Oman on Sunday, were abruptly canceled amid the renewed hostilities. Omani officials, acting as mediators, confirmed the postponement, citing the immediate breakdown in diplomatic conditions.
As leaders gather for the G7 summit, the Middle East crisis is expected to dominate much of the conversation, with growing calls for restraint and urgent diplomacy to prevent further bloodshed.
MIAMI, Fla. (BN24) — The newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 begins Saturday in Florida with a marquee clash between Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly, the most decorated football club in the world. The match marks the start of a monthlong competition now featuring 32 clubs from across the globe, as FIFA debuts its revamped format in the United States.
Inter Miami earned their place in the tournament after finishing atop Major League Soccer’s regular-season standings. The club’s record-breaking 74-point campaign secured their spot ahead of MLS Cup winners LA Galaxy. FIFA confirmed Miami’s participation in October, citing the league’s updated qualification criteria for the global tournament.
Their opening opponents, Al Ahly, arrive as past winners of the CAF Champions League. Although they relinquished their continental crown last season after a semifinal exit against South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, their historic success remains unmatched. Al Ahly have amassed 155 trophies, including a record 45 league titles. For comparison, Real Madrid — the most successful club in Europe — have won 15 UEFA Champions League titles and 36 La Liga championships.
Saturday’s showdown at Hard Rock Stadium is also the debut match for Al Ahly’s new head coach, Jose Riveiro. The Spanish tactician was previously with South Africa’s Orlando Pirates and steps into the role after the departure of Marcel Koller.
Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, was established in 2020 following Beckham’s use of a contractual option from his MLS playing days. The club is also backed by businessmen Jorge and Jose Mas, though Beckham remains its most public face.
The Florida side enters the tournament with injury concerns. Defender Jordi Alba is sidelined with a hamstring issue, and center-back David Martinez is being monitored after reporting discomfort in training. Defensive midfielder Yannick Bright and fullback Gonzalo Lujan are also out. Head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed their absences during a press conference, adding that he hopes to have them available later in the group stage. Despite the setbacks, Mascherano expressed confidence in the squad’s depth and resilience.
Al Ahly, by contrast, reported no injury issues and have had two weeks to acclimate in the U.S. They played a warm-up match against Mexican side Pachuca, also a Club World Cup participant, drawing 1-1 before losing in a penalty shootout. The Egyptian club’s attack is expected to be led by former Premier League forward Mahmoud Trezeguet, who now plays a pivotal role in their front line.
The fixture marks the first-ever meeting between Inter Miami and Al Ahly and will be closely watched as a symbolic encounter between North American and African football traditions. Group A also includes Brazilian champions Palmeiras and Portuguese side Porto, rounding out one of the tournament’s most competitive pools.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 carries a total prize pool of $1 billion, with the eventual champion eligible to earn up to $125 million. The distribution model awards half of the overall prize fund to participating clubs based on both sporting merit and commercial value.
Kickoff on Saturday sets the stage not only for the tournament’s expanded format but also for Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated return to club competition, following rest during Argentina’s recent World Cup qualifying matches. For Inter Miami, the spotlight is firmly fixed on their Argentine icon as they seek to make history on home soil.
