WASHINGTON: FIFA president Gianni Infantino apologized to Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni after a mix-up during Friday’s 2026 World Cup draw required the coach to wear gloves to touch the trophy.
Infantino invited Scaloni to lift the Cup without gloves during a separate ceremony on Saturday.
The incident came during Friday’s draw for the tournament, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, when organizers seemingly failed to recognize the World Cup-winning coach.
Scaloni, visibly taken aback, said that the officials did not know who he was.
Twenty four hours later, at an event to confirm the tournament’s schedule, Infantino aimed to make amends.
“I apologize on behalf of FIFA. I didn’t know,” he said, calling Scaloni on stage and presenting him with the trophy.
“Of course, the world champions can touch the Cup. I apologize, I didn’t know,” repeated Infantino, adding with a laugh, “What an outrage! It’s just that when you’re a world champion, you look younger every day.”
Argentina will open their 2026 World Cup campaign on June 16 against Austria in Kansas City. They will then face Jordan in Dallas and Algeria.
FIFA apologizes to Argentina coach over World Cup trophy gloves rule
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FIFA apologizes to Argentina coach over World Cup trophy gloves rule
- Scaloni, visibly taken aback, said that the officials did not know who he was
- “I apologize on behalf of FIFA. I didn’t know,” Infantino said
Dubai Basketball hold off Bayern Munich with last-minute winner
- 89-88 victory continues Dubai’s strong home performances in EuroLeague
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball continued their impressive home run in the EuroLeague with a dramatic 89-88 win over Bayern Munich in round 15, securing another victory built on late-game execution. It was the team’s sixth straight league win at the Coca-Cola Arena.
For most of the night, Dubai were forced to chase the game, struggling to find rhythm from the perimeter in the early stages and dealing with long stretches where the offense stalled.
Even when the deficit grew to 12 points in the fourth quarter, Dubai maintained composure, relying on depth and persistence to stay within striking distance.
The turning point came in the final minutes, when Dubai finally unlocked their outside shooting. American guard McKinley Wright and Awudu Abass fueled a late surge from beyond the arc, rapidly cutting into the gap and shifting the momentum with support from a charged 5,000-strong crowd.
Although the visitors briefly reclaimed control entering the last minute, the home team refused to let the game slip away.
“This was a very important victory, where we refused to surrender (at any point),” Dubai’s head coach Jurica Golemac said after the game.
“I think everybody in the arena thought that we could not win this game, but we found guys who were really fighting, who were giving everything for each other and for the club. In the end, this effort rewarded us,” he added.
Wright led Dubai’s scoring with 22 points and seven assists, delivering at critical moments.
Abass added 15 points and seven rebounds while Filip Petrušev and Mfiondu Kabengele each contributed 12. Justin Anderson and Kosta Kondić both finished with 11, rounding out a balanced team performance that highlighted Dubai’s unwavering determination.
