A small cruise ship struck a reef near the island where the Tom Hanks’ movie “Cast Away” was filmed — and the operator has now shed light on what led to the incident.
The April 4 collision occurred when one of its vessels hit a finger reef near Monuriki Island in Fiji during worsening weather conditions, according to Blue Lagoon Cruises.
“While the investigation is in its early stages, conditions upon the ship anchoring in the area were calm, and it appears a severe squall caused the ship’s anchor to drag toward a nearby reef whereby the ship became grounded,” Blue Lagoon Cruises said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.
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“The response time available for crew was limited,” the operator added.
Blue Lagoon Cruises said roughly 30 passengers were on board at the time. Citing Fiji Navy sources, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported the vessel was also carrying about 30 crew members.
Blue Lagoon Cruises struck a reef and needed an emergency evacuation near the island used for filming the beloved Tom Hanks “Cast Away” film.(20th Century-Fox/ Getty Images)
Around dawn, a large high-speed ferry arrived alongside the vessel to assist with the evacuation.
All guests and non-essential crew disembarked with their luggage and personal belongings, according to Blue Lagoon Cruises.
Passengers were transported back to Port Denarau, where Blue Lagoon Cruises arranged hotel accommodations, along with alternative activities and experiences, the company said.
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No injuries were reported among guests or crew.
In recent years, several reef groundings have led to emergency rescues.
In 2025, the expedition ship Coral Adventurer struck a reef off Papua New Guinea, leaving about 80 passengers stranded for days, according to reporting by Cruise Passenger and an Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigation.
The film, directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks, grossed over $429 million worldwide.(Tim Boyle/Getty Images)
In 2024, a New Zealand naval vessel grounded on a reef near Samoa, caught fire, and sank, requiring evacuation of all crew, according to a New Zealand Defense Force inquiry.
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Monuriki Island is a small, uninhabited island in Fiji’s Mamanuca archipelago.
It is known for its white sandy beaches, rocky cliffs and dense tropical vegetation, surrounded by water and coral reefs.
Monuriki Island is known for its white sandy beaches, rocky cliffs and dense tropical vegetation.(iStock)
Its remote, untouched landscape made it a perfect filming location for the 2000 movie “Cast Away,” starring Tom Hanks.
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Since the film’s release, Monuriki has become a popular day-trip destination, often informally called “Castaway Island” (not to be confused with a nearby resort island with that name).
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Despite its fame, it remains undeveloped with no permanent residents.
Visitors come to hike, snorkel and explore filming spots like the famous “Wilson” beach.
Jessica Mekles is an editor on the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.
Travelers wait in line at a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas, US, on Monday, March 9, 2026.
Mark Felix | Bloomberg | Getty Images
The surge in fuel prices since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran nearly two weeks ago is already driving up airfare. Consumers’ appetite for travel this year will dictate just how much.
Cathay Pacific on Thursday said it would roughly double fuel surcharges on tickets starting March 18.
Earlier this week, Australia’s Qantas said it israising fares to help cover its costs, Scandinavian Airlines said the “unusually rapid and substantial increase” in fuel prompted it to raise prices, and Air New Zealand pulled its financial outlook “until fuel markets and operating conditions stabilise,” adding that it has made “initial fare adjustments.”
“If the conflict leads to continued elevated jet fuel costs, the airline may need to take further pricing action and adjust its network and schedule as required,” Air New Zealand said.
U.S. airline CEOs and other executives will update investors on Tuesday at the J.P. Morgan Industrials Conference in Washington, D.C.
Analysts expect an earnings hit at least in the first quarter if not the first half of the year, though the impact will depend on how long higher fuel prices last.
“We think a hit to 1Q EPS appears almost certain at this point,” UBS airline analysts Atul Maheswari and Thomas Wadewitz wrote in a note last week.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said last week on the sidelines of an event at Harvard University that higher fares were likely on the way because of the surge in fuel prices.
Kirby said travel demand is still strong, however. Two other senior airline executives at U.S. carriers, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to media, also said travel demand has held up. If those trends persist, it could give airlines more pricing power, but that will depend on the war’s duration.
“Airlines never met a higher fare they didn’t want,” said Scott Keyes, founder of flight deal company Going, previously known as Scott’s Cheap Flights.
So what should consumers do?
Keyes said travelers can’t lose by booking early, as long as they’re not buying restrictive basic economy tickets. That way, customers can try to exchange or cancel their tickets and buy cheaper ones if airfare ends up falling.
“If you book a $500 summer flight today, and two weeks from now the price drops to $350, you can call up the airline and get the $150 difference back as a credit. Heads you win; tails the airlines lose,” he said.
Read more about the Middle East conflict’s travel impact
Fuel costs
Jet fuel is airlines’ biggest cost after labor, accounting for about a fifth or more of expenses, depending on the airline.
United alone spent $11.4 billion last year on fuel, at an average price of $2.44 a gallon, according to a securities filing. U.S. jet fuel on Wednesday was going for $3.78 a gallon, according to Platts.
Jefferies airline analyst Sheila Kahyaoglu said in a note Thursday that she expects “the most acute financial impact to airlines from surging oil prices to be in the next 30-90 days as airlines have been booking yields for close-in flights assuming a much lower fuel price and carriers cannot retroactively raise fares.”
She said Delta Air Lines and United, which produce most U.S. airline profits, are better positioned than other carriers because of their high-end demand. Risks to demand, particularly for more price-sensitive customers, include the recent jump in gasoline prices.
Jet fuel has more than doubled in some regions since the first U.S.–Israel attacks on Iran on Feb. 28.
Oil prices surged to roughly four-year highs after the initial strikes. Energy prices have swung wildly since then as traders assess just how long the war — and all the logistics headaches — could last.
U.S. jet fuel prices were up more than 60% from before the attacks to a peak last week, according to pricing data assessed by Platts. Jet fuel can rise by a greater degree than crude because it includes the price of processing and ever-more difficult and costly transportation from oil fields to refineries to airplane fuel tanks.
On Feb. 27, the day before the before the attacks, the cost to fill the fuel tanks of a Boeing 737-800 would have would have been about $17,000 based on average prices in New York, Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles, compiled by Argus. Less than a week later, on March 5, it would have cost more than $27,000, based on Argus prices. On Tuesday, after oil prices fell following President Donald Trump’s comment that the Iran war could end “very soon,” it would have cost around $23,000.
Line Service Technician Austin Beadles refuels a plane using a Federal Aviation Administration approved unleaded aviation fuel at Sheltair at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Sheltair, a fixed-base operator, will offer the Swift UL94 unleaded aviation alternative gas to pilots. (Photo by Matthew Jonas/MediaNews Group/Boulder Daily Camera via Getty Images)
Matthew Jonas | Boulder Daily Camera | MediaNews Group | Getty Images
After prior fuel price surges, airlines started making customers pay for bags — or charging them more. Even seemingly minor changes in weight can save airlines hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars, a year in fuel. United in 2018 changed to a lighter paper stock for its in-flight magazine. In 2014, American Airlines said it would switch to digital manuals for flight attendants, following changes for pilots. It said at the time that it would save $650,000 in fuel a year.
All about capacity
High fuel prices don’t automatically mean higher fares. The ongoing strong demand for travel is a key factor and so is capacity, or the amount that carriers fly.
If airlines raise fares and passengers balk, then capacity will likely go down in the form of fewer frequencies on a route or broader cuts, in more severe cases.
“Airlines love to say fuel is expensive so you have to pay more. What they’re doing is they’re setting the expectation,” said Courtney Miller, founder of Visual Approach Analytics, an airline industry advisory firm. “They price to prevent empty seats.”
If fuel prices come down, “they’re not suddenly saying ‘We’re making too much money,'” Miller added. “But they are likely to add another flight.”
Capacity, especially to and from the Middle East, is constrained because of airspace closures and other stop-and-start flights. More than 46,000 flights have been canceled to and from the region since the Feb. 28 attacks began, aviation data firm Cirium said.
Those constraints are driving up fares as well as demand, as United’s Kirby said, from regions where customers are looking for alterative routes.
Airspace closures are also requiring airlines to take longer, more fuel-guzzling routes, but many have strong demand, too.
Qantas, for example, told CNBC that its flight from Perth, Australia, to London is temporarily stopping in Singapore to refuel, allowing it to pick up another 60 customers, and that its Perth-London and Perth-Paris routes are more than 90% full this month, 15 percentage points higher than normal for this time of year.
Finnair said the increased demand for travel to Asia from Helsinki has pushed up its prices by 15% on average.
“The impact of higher fuel prices will be reflected in market fares with a delay, as airlines typically hedge at least part of their fuel purchases,” it said.
Airlines have been grappling with airspace closures for years, including from on-and-off conflict in the Middle East and since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, that have left a large swath of airspace out of use for many carriers.
‘You can’t dry up an airport’
Most U.S. airlines no longer hedge fuel costs, or lock in prices using futures and other securities. Southwest Airlines was one of the last holdouts, and it quit last year. A spokesman for the Dallas-based airline told CNBC that Southwest currently has “no plans” to resume hedging.
That leaves U.S. carriers more susceptible to price swings.
Travelers at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas, US, on Monday, March 9, 2026.
Mark Felix | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Kirby said there would likely be an impact to United’s first-quarter results and to the second quarter if the war — and blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping channel — persists. However, he said demand was increasing sharply from regions that have been affected by the thousands of flight cancellations and airspace closures in the Middle East.
Because of airlines’ upbeat outlooks on demand to start the year, “the environment is conducive for passing along fare increases. Further, should jet fuel stay higher for longer, it should help push off-peak capacity lower,” supporting unit revenues, UBS analysts said.
Rick Joswick, who heads of near-term oil research and analytics at S&P Global Energy, told CNBC that “demand for jet fuel is inelastic. You cannot shortchange an airport. If the cost of jet fuel goes up, it’s not like the plane will choose not to fly that day.
“You can’t dry up an airport,” he said.
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Sanju Samson being congratulated by head coach Gautam Gambhir. (PTI Photo)
NEW DELHI: India head coach Gautam Gambhir has revealed that Sanju Samson’s match-defining 97 against West Indies proved to be the turning point in India’s triumphant campaign at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!India sealed their third title in the tournament after defeating New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad, completing a memorable campaign on home soil. Reflecting on the journey, Gambhir said Samson’s knock during a tense chase against the West Indies changed the momentum of the entire tournament for India.
Suryakumar Yadav receives grand homecoming after India’s T20 World Cup win
“It’s very difficult to say, but I still believe that Sanju’s 97 against West Indies was the turning point of this campaign. It was a virtual quarter-final. Chasing 195 in a World Cup game is never easy, irrespective of the ground,” Gambhir said on JioStar.According to the former opener, Samson’s calm and controlled approach under pressure lifted the dressing-room mood and gave the squad the belief that the campaign was heading in the right direction.Team India Report Card: Perfect finish to a not-so-perfect T20 World Cup campaign“With the ease and calmness with which he batted, it gave us a lot of confidence in the group that now we were probably on the right track. When Sanju got going and the way Ishan Kishan batted at number three, a lot of things actually started taking shape,” he added.Gambhir also described winning a World Cup as India’s head coach as a deeply emotional moment, saying the opportunity to once again contribute to the country in national colours was something he never expected.“I could have never thought about winning a World Cup as a coach. I never thought I would get the opportunity or privilege to be the head coach of the Indian team because it’s an absolute privilege to again wear the India jersey or do something special for the country,” he said.
Suryakumar Yadav lifts the trophy with Gautam Gambhir as the team members celebrate. (PTI Photo)
The 2011 World Cup winner added that representing India carries a responsibility beyond personal milestones.“When your mom wishes you and tells you ‘well done’, that’s what you play for and what you live for as well. What bigger feeling is there than making 140 crore Indians proud,” Gambhir said.Throughout the tournament, Gambhir said he repeatedly reminded the players that a place in the national dressing room is a privilege.“I’ve always believed that, and I’ve always told the boys as well, that being in that dressing room is a privilege, not an entitlement. Thousands of people would want to be in my position as the head coach of the Indian team, and many would want to be in the position the players are in,” he said.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir with captain Suryakumar Yadav. (Pic credit: BCCI)
He credited India’s success to a fearless, high-impact approach in the shortest format.“From day one, I had a very strong belief that the T20 format is about impact. It’s not about milestones or individual performances. It’s about going out there and creating an impact, whether it’s on the field, with the ball or with the bat,” Gambhir explained.The head coach also highlighted the players’ willingness to adapt to different roles during the tournament, pointing out that captain Suryakumar Yadav set the tone by accepting tactical changes for the team’s benefit.“One thing which will stay with me for the rest of my life is how comfortably the boys accepted different batting positions,” Gambhir said.From Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube shifting roles in the batting order to Jasprit Bumrah delivering in every phase of the innings, Gambhir said the team’s adaptability was the defining feature of India’s title-winning run.
NEW DELHI: In the Stick to Cricket podcast, former England captain Michael Vaughan recently said: “Pound for pound, they (New Zealand) might be the best team.”Vaughan is right.Since the inception of the ODI World Cup in 1975, New Zealand have reached the semi-finals nine times and finished runners-up twice. In the T20 format, the BlackCaps have made the semi-finals five times and will play their second final on Sunday.
T20 World Cup: Mitchell Santner press conference before IND vs NZ
Yet despite this consistent record, they continue to be labelled as ‘dark horses’.New Zealand are perhaps the most condescended-to team in world cricket. In almost every tournament preview, they are described as the “dark horses” or the side that “punches above its weight.”
Perennial dark horses?
New Zealand won the ICC Knockout Trophy, the tournament that was later renamed the Champions Trophy, in 2000. 21 years later, they defeated India again, this time in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) in Southampton. They also reached successive ODI World Cup finals in 2015 and 2019, finishing runners-up despite not losing to England in either regulation play or the Super Over. They were also beaten in the finals of the 2009 Champions Trophy and the 2021 T20 World Cup, both times by Australia.
We are a very proud sporting nation. It is not only in cricket that we do well for a small country. Whether it is the Olympics, sailing, rugby or even football now, we are doing quite well. And we are very proud of our sporting abilities
Lockie Ferguson | New Zealand fast bowler
Cricket is not the number one sport in the island nation. Not even the second most popular. They have only six first-class teams, yet New Zealand have consistently produced competitive international sides.“It’s the New Zealand way, I think. There’s an in-built confidence, although it is not always loudly expressed. But we have confidence in our abilities,” Lockie Ferguson had told TimesofIndia.com during the ILT20.“We are a very proud sporting nation. It is not only in cricket that we do well for a small country. Whether it is the Olympics, sailing, rugby or even football now, we are doing quite well. And we are very proud of our sporting abilities,” Ferguson added.
Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner of New Zealand during an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 of New Zealand net session at Narendra Modi Stadium on March 07, 2026 in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
Punching above their weight?
Not for the first time in recent years, New Zealand are in the knockout stages of a global tournament. Standing between them and the trophy are the hosts, India.At the start of the 2026 T20 World Cup, New Zealand were not even most people’s top-four picks, let alone ones for the title. Now they have defeated tournament favourites South Africa in the semi-final and on Sunday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad they will take on defending champions India.
I would not mind breaking a few hearts to lift the trophy for once
Mitchell Santner | New Zealand captain
Interestingly, India have never defeated New Zealand in T20 World Cups. New Zealand lead this head-to-head 3-0.India know too well the sting in New Zealand’s tail, having suffered defeats against them in several major global tournaments, including the two finals New Zealand have won and the 2019 World Cup semi-final in Manchester. Mitchell Santner, in the pre-match press conference, made it clear that they would not mind breaking a billion hearts.“Everyone knows we are probably not the favourites. But we do not mind,” he said.“I would not mind breaking a few hearts to lift the trophy for once.”New Zealand do not waste time complaining about conditions or searching for excuses. They confront every challenge head-on with quiet confidence and unwavering focus. They go about their business with little fuss. There is not much razzmatazz about them. That is the New Zealand way. It always has been.
New Zealand’s captain Mitchell Santner during a training session ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final cricket match between India and New Zealand, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)
“It’s easy to say it’s just another game, but everyone knows it’s probably not,” Santner said.“But the way you go about it has to be the same. Whether it is your preparation or what it looks like on the day leading up to the game. It always comes down to a couple of moments.“Especially in T20 cricket, where if you can squeeze the opposition or take advantage in those moments. I think we saw that the other night.“It often comes down to fielding at some stage. If you can be consistent in the way you approach the game, while recognising a couple of moments where you might need to be a little more ruthless, that is important.“You do not have to reinvent the wheel.
Poll
Do you believe New Zealand is truly a ‘dark horse’ in global cricket tournaments?
“You are making a final and coming up against another team that is also playing very good cricket. So it is never that easy.”
New Zealand’s players during a training session ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final cricket match between India and New Zealand, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)
New Zealand are not punching above their weight. This is their weight. The time for pundits and fans alike to acknowledge that has passed but even if they lose this, their credentials only get stronger for the future.
NEW DELHI: If Daryl Mitchell wasn’t representing the Black Caps, he might very well have been playing for the All Blacks. Instead of sending bowlers on leather hunts with his brutal hitting or executing sweeps and reverse sweeps against spinners, the experienced cricketer could have been taking on the role of a forward or back in rugby.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The son of renowned rugby player and current England women’s rugby team coach John Mitchell, Daryl’s journey into cricket began almost by accident — but he quickly fell in love with the gentleman’s game.
India fans wait for over four hours to see their heroes outside Wankhede
John Mitchell never pressured his son, always encouraging Daryl to pursue whatever he loved. Having already made his mark in the rugby world, John played for the All Blacks, including the 1993 tour of Britain, where he featured in six uncapped matches, captained the side three times, and led his team to victories on each occasion.After his playing career, John went on to coach the All Blacks, as well as teams in England, the USA, Japan, and beyond.Inspired by his father’s sporting achievements, Daryl initially started out in rugby but was soon drawn to cricket. Today, he has carved out a significant place for himself in New Zealand cricket, establishing a legacy in the sport just as his father did in rugby.
“Daryl was obviously brought up around rugby because I played and coached it. As a youngster, he tried both rugby and football. Later, a development officer from Northern Districts approached me and asked if he could try turning my son into a batsman. I agreed. We even created backyard games — for example, a 12-ball challenge where he had to score 15 runs, with six balls bowled fast and six slow, and consequences for hitting sixes over the fence. Over time, Daryl embraced every challenge, loved the sport, and had fun. I never imagined these games would prepare him for where he is today. What he’s achieved is entirely the result of his own development and mindset,” John Mitchell told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.“Before he played for school sides, Waikato under-15, and even Australian Country Schools, he made the first XV at Hale College in Perth. But he simply loved cricket more. He enjoyed rugby, yet he realised he might not have the speed to play at the highest level. Cricket offered him more opportunities and the individual challenges he thrives on. He has always taken his own decisions in his career—and, in fact, made the right ones!” the proud father added with a laugh.
‘DAD, I WANT TO BE A CRICKETER’John had been keeping a close eye on his son’s progress and noticed the natural inclination the right-hander had towards cricket.He patiently waited for the moment when Daryl would come to him and share his aspirations — and that day arrived sooner than expected.One fine day, a 15-year-old Daryl walked up and said, “Dad, I want to be a cricketer.”John smiled and embraced his son. Though he had dominated the rugby world, he understood how cricket had found its way into Daryl’s life — thanks in large part to Daryl’s grandfather, John’s own father.“We’ve always supported our children’s choices. I never wanted to be a dominant parent or interfere as a coach. I let him set his own goals, and whatever he chose, we were 100% behind him. That independence has likely played a big part in shaping the player he is today,” John Mitchell said.
“A development officer first approached us about shaping him as a batsman. Later, another Northern Districts coach, Pat, also guided him. But the greatest influence was his late grandfather, who drove him to cricket, supported him, and filled in whenever I was away,” he added.Does Daryl’s rugby background help him on the cricket field?“I’m not sure it directly helped, but in many ways, yes,” John said.“The foundations he observed — the preparation and mindset of world-class players—likely influenced him. Success doesn’t happen overnight; it comes through learning from wins and losses. Experiencing that early allowed him to master his craft. Physically, he’s a big guy, which helps, but more importantly, it’s his hard work and attitude that stand out,” he added.
DARYL – THE MAN WHO HANDLES FAILURE WELL, ENJOY SUCCESSDaryl donned the international jersey for the first time in 2019, at the age of 27, against India in Wellington. That same year, he made his Test debut against England in Hamilton, scoring a magnificent 73 on debut. However, the right-hander had to wait two more years to earn his ODI cap, which finally came in 2021 against Bangladesh in Dunedin.Since then, Daryl has become a mainstay in the New Zealand cricket setup, featuring in 35 Tests, 59 ODIs, and 102 T20Is. He has grown into a dependable player, one whom his team can rely on whenever he is at the crease.Whether it’s hitting towering sixes, finding gaps, demolishing the required run rate, or changing the course of a game with sweeps and reverse sweeps against the best spinners, Daryl has evolved into a batter that opposing teams plan meticulously against before even stepping onto the field. His ability to adapt to any conditions and deliver under pressure has made him a crucial asset for the Black Caps.
“It’s always a proud moment whenever I see him play for his country and contribute to victories. He’s mature, understands his role, and handles setbacks well. Daryl can play innovative shots, like reverse sweeps, and excels against spinners. Watching him perform for New Zealand is truly rewarding.“The Black Caps have a small player base, but they achieve a lot. They have a good mix of youth and experience. Kane Williamson has set high standards, and Daryl, along with players like Santner, carries that forward. Playing in Asia now gives them exposure to varied conditions and builds confidence,” he said.“One of the biggest qualities in him is how he balances life. No matter what, he makes time for his family. He trains hard, then spends quality time with his daughters, wife Amy, and close friends. He’s also taken up golf and maintains a personal training setup at home. That routine suits his lifestyle and keeps him energised,” the father signed off.
Iran has reportedly threatened to pull out of this summer’s World Cup after US and Israeli airstrikes killed the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The dramatic escalation follows a joint military operation on Saturday which targeted major Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran, following weeks of growing tension.
The attack came shortly after Iran and the United States were in negotiations to curb Iranian efforts to ever obtain a nuclear weapon in exchange for sanction relief that has long crippled the Iranian economy.
It appears those unsuccessful talks were the trigger for the intervention but Democrats decried that Trump had taken action without congressional authorization. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the administration had briefed several Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress in advance.
In the wake of the conflict, Mehdi Taj, the president of the Iranian Football Federation, cast massive doubt over their participation in the upcoming summer tournament.
Speaking on Iranian TV network ‘Tehran’, according to Marca, he said: ‘With what happened today and with that attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the cup.’
Iran has reportedly threatened to pull out of this summer’s World Cup after US and Israeli airstrikes killed the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Pictured: Iran’s national soccer team in March 2025)
Donald Trump, pictured back in December alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, started a military campaign against Iran in the early hours of Saturday
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured) is believed to have been killed after a devastating barrage of 30 bombs obliterated his compound in Iran
He added: ‘But the sports chiefs are the ones who must decide on that.’
Should they choose to participate, Iran could face the United States at the World Cup in Dallas on July 3 if both teams finish second in their respective groups.
The warning comes just 107 days before the Iranian national team is scheduled to kick off its tournament against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
FIFA bosses are now reportedly scrambling to manage the fallout just months before the tournament begins across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Speaking at an IFAB meeting in Wales on Saturday, FIFA general secretary Mattias Grafstrom said: ‘I read the news the same way you did this morning.
‘We had a meeting today and it would be premature to comment on that in detail,’ he continued, as officials weigh up the safety of the upcoming summer event.
‘But of course we will monitor the developments around all issues around the world.
‘We had a final draw in Washington where all teams participated and of course our focus is to have a safe World Cup with everybody participating.’
Should they choose to participate, Iran could face the United States at the World Cup in Dallas on July 3 if both teams finish second in their respective groups
The warning from Taj comes just 107 days before the Iranian national team is scheduled to kick off its tournament at SoFi Stadium
On Saturday, explosions were seen and heard across parts of the Iranian capital, with smoke rising above residential areas
Vehicles burning in Tehran on Saturday after air strikes by Israel and the US
Iran secured their place in a fourth successive World Cup by finishing atop Group A in Asian qualifying, marking them as one of the strongest teams in the AFC.
They are currently drawn in Group G and are scheduled to play Belgium and New Zealand in Los Angeles, with a final group stage fixture against Egypt in Seattle.
The team was slated to be based at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, for the duration of the event, but those plans are now in significant jeopardy.
The latest intervention comes months after thousands of Iranians were killed by Iran’s authoritarian regime in a desperate effort to quell uprisings and protests against Khamenei earlier this year.
On Saturday morning, Trump took to Truth Social to say that Khamenei was dead. ‘Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,’ Trump wrote.
‘This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.
‘This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.’
Khamenei’s death does not guarantee regime change in Iran and Tehran has responded by launching its own attacks across the Middle East.
Israel said the initial strikes had targeted three locations in Tehran where intelligence had indicated that top Iranian officials were gathered.
England’s Will Jacks, left, and Rehan Ahmed (Photo by AP)
England pull off an exciting four-wicket win over New Zealand in the T20 World Cup Super Eights, thanks to a brilliant late fightback by Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed. The victory keeps Pakistan’s semifinal hopes alive, while England finish top of Group 2 with three wins from three matches.
India land in Kolkata for do-or-die WI clash | Semi-final spot on the line
England pulled off an exciting four-wicket win over New Zealand in the T20 World Cup Super Eights, thanks to a brilliant late fightback by Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed. The victory kept Pakistan’s semifinal hopes alive, while England finished top of Group 2 with three wins from three matches. New Zealand batted first and posted 159 for seven in 20 overs. Their batters got good starts but failed to convert them into big scores. Glenn Phillips scored 39, Tim Seifert made 35, and Finn Allen added 29. England’s spinners played a key role in controlling the innings, with Jacks, Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed picking up two wickets each to slow the scoring in the middle overs. England’s chase began poorly as they lost two early wickets and struggled at 58 for four. Harry Brook attempted to steady the innings, but New Zealand kept striking at regular intervals. Tom Banton and Sam Curran added valuable runs, yet England slipped to 117 for six in 17 overs, still needing 43 runs from 18 balls. At that stage, New Zealand appeared firmly in control. However, Jacks and Rehan had other plans. They attacked Glenn Phillips in the 18th over, smashing 22 runs to shift the momentum. The duo then collected 16 runs off Mitchell Santner in the next over, putting England on course for victory. With confidence high, they calmly guided the team home with three balls to spare. Earlier, there had been a brief moment of drama when Seifert was wrongly given out, only for TV replays to overturn the decision. In the end, England held their nerve to complete a thrilling comeback win.
There was a light-hearted moment before the high-pressure clash between England and New Zealand in Colombo when New Zealand’s national anthem accidentally played in fast forward. The unexpected goof-up left players smiling and laughing, easing tension ahead of the must-win Super Eight match at the R Premadasa Stadium.
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Watch:On the field, New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first. Captain Mitchell Santner kept the same playing XI as the previous game, while England made one change, bringing in Rehan Ahmed for Jamie Overton.After the toss, Santner explained his decision clearly. “We’re going to bat first. You have to win games if you want to win a World Cup. Nice to have a run on this wicket the other night. We know what it’s going to do. Does look the same. Looked good in the last game and spun more than we thought. If it’s flatter, have to adjust accordingly. You try to use the dimensions in your favour. Same team,” he said. England skipper Harry Brook said he would have batted first too. “Would’ve won the toss and batted as well. Watched the game the other night, and there was spin here. They’re an amazing side. If we can beat them and try to knock them out, that’ll be great. I think we fielded amazingly throughout the competition. There was mis-execution in the previous game. I think I’ll be sticking at number three. Jamie Overton is out, Rehan Ahmed is in,” he added.England have already reached the semifinals, while New Zealand must win to qualify.
New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra, right, celebrates with teammates the wicket of Sri Lanka’s captain Dasun Shanaka, centre, during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo)
TimesofIndia.com in Colombo: New Zealand kept their T20 World Cup campaign alive with a commanding 61-run win over Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday, a result shaped by composure under pressure with the bat, clinical precision with the ball, and an atmosphere driven relentlessly by Sri Lankan fans who refused to drift away even as the contest slipped beyond their team.Long after the outcome appeared inevitable, the stands remained full, the drums kept beating and the trumpets echoed through the Colombo night. Every boundary was still applauded, every piece of good fielding acknowledged. Wins or losses have never defined Sri Lankan fandom, and even as their World Cup campaign came to an end, the loyalty did not waver. Covering a Sri Lanka match is rarely just about cricket. It feels like a festival, and on this night, the celebration continued despite the pain.
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Santner, McConchie turn the innings
Earlier, put in to bat on a surface that offered grip and variable bounce, the visitors began with intent. Finn Allen counterpunched sharply against Dilshan Madushanka, taking on the movement with instinctive aggression. But as quickly as the tempo rose, it dipped. Allen’s dismissal triggered a brief wobble, Tim Seifert followed soon after, and Sri Lanka sensed an opening.Rachin Ravindra brought fluency through the middle overs, rotating strike and finding the occasional boundary, but the introduction of spin shifted the balance decisively. Maheesh Theekshana, operating with subtle changes of pace and trajectory, strangled New Zealand’s scoring options. Ravindra fell attempting a cut hit too flat, Mark Chapman was undone by turn and bounce, and Daryl Mitchell was beaten by skid rather than spin. From a position of comfort at 75 for 2, New Zealand slid to 84 for 6 in the space of nine deliveries.It was here that Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie stepped in to rescue the innings. The approach was uncomplicated and clear-headed. Survival came first. Boundaries were not chased, singles were valued and dot balls were absorbed without panic. McConchie, playing his first major role of the tournament, broke a 33-ball boundary drought late in the 16th over with a crisp strike through the infield. The release was immediate. Santner followed by reading length early and targeting the shorter leg side boundary with authority. The momentum swing was sudden and decisive. Santner went after Theekshana, who had been Sri Lanka’s most economical bowler until then, muscling slog sweeps and punishing full tosses. McConchie matched him stroke for stroke, using clever bat angles and strong bottom-hand hits to exploit gaps behind square.What had begun as a recovery turned into a late surge. In the final four overs, the seventh-wicket pair plundered 70 runs, transforming New Zealand’s total from fragile to formidable. Santner’s 47 from 26 balls anchored the charge, while McConchie’s unbeaten 31 ensured there was no late collapse. Together, they added 84 in 47 deliveries and lifted New Zealand to a competitive 168 for 7.
Henry sets up the defence
In reply, Sri Lanka’s chase never truly found its feet and was disrupted from the first ball. Matt Henry bowled Pathum Nissanka with a delivery that jagged back to hit middle stump. It was a classic seam bowler’s dismissal and a psychological blow that stunned a full house.Henry followed it up with a wicket maiden and then struck again with the first ball of his second over, removing Charith Asalanka. Two overs, two wickets and just three runs conceded summed up his impact. Sri Lanka limped to 20 for 2 at the end of the powerplay, their lowest such total in the tournament, and the uphill climb became steeper with every over.The squeeze never eased. Lockie Ferguson’s pace added urgency without sacrificing control, while Santner and Ish Sodhi closed down scoring options from either end. The fielding mirrored the bowling intensity, with sharp catching and athletic work inside the ring ensuring Sri Lanka were forced to take risks rather than accumulate.The decisive blow came through Rachin Ravindra, whose left-arm spin turned pressure into collapse. Varying his pace and width cleverly, Ravindra lured batters out of their crease and allowed Tim Seifert to shine behind the stumps. Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake were both stumped, beaten by flight, drift and turn. Ravindra struck again when Dasun Shanaka top-edged a cut, and completed his four-wicket haul by dismissing Dushan Hemantha. His figures of 4 for 27 reflected not just wickets, but an ability to sense panic and exploit it ruthlessly.Kamindu Mendis offered brief resistance, but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell ensured chances were taken, Santner chipped in to close out the innings and Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 107.For New Zealand, the victory does more than end Sri Lanka’s campaign. It keeps their own semifinal hopes alive in a tightly contested Super Eight phase. Their blueprint is now clear. Strike early with the new ball, suffocate through the middle overs and trust the depth in their batting to recover from adversity.For Sri Lanka, the tournament ends with disappointment, but also with a reminder of what remains unbreakable. Even as the final wickets fell, the crowd stayed. The band played on, the trumpets rang out and the applause continued. The result belonged to New Zealand, but the night, as always in Colombo, belonged to the fans.Brief ScoresNew Zealand: 168/7 in 20 overs (Mitchell Santner 47, Cole McConchie 31 not out; Maheesh Theekshana 3/30, Dushmantha Chameera 3/38)Sri Lanka: 107/8 in 20 overs (Kamindu Mendis 31; Rachin Ravindra 4/27, Matt Henry 2/14)
South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram, left, and South Africa’s David Miller (AP Photo/ Ajit Solanki)
Aiden Markram’s blistering half-century powered South Africa to a convincing seven-wicket victory over New Zealand on Saturday, moving the Proteas closer to a Super 8s berth in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Markram led the charge in a high-stakes Group D clash, blasting a rapid 86 to dismantle the Kiwi bowling attack and complete the chase of 176 without any real hiccups. South Africa reached their target in just 17.1 overs, marking their third straight win and taking them to the top of the group with six points.
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New Zealand had posted 175 for seven after electing to bat, thanks to a counter-attacking 74-run partnership between Mark Chapman (48) and Daryl Mitchell (32). However, their efforts were undone by South Africa’s incisive bowling and a relentless chase led by Markram. The Proteas began aggressively, with Quinton de Kock (20 off 14) and Ryan Rickelton (21 off 11) providing a brisk start before falling to Lockie Ferguson. Markram then combined with Rickelton for a crucial 40-run burst, pushing South Africa past 100 in just eight overs. Even after Rickelton and Dewald Brevis (21) fell in quick succession, Markram continued to dominate, reaching his half-century off just 28 balls. David Miller (24 not out) finished the job with a huge six over mid-wicket, sealing the win with 17 balls to spare. Earlier, New Zealand had begun strongly, with Tim Seifert and Finn Allen attacking Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi. But Jansen’s steep bounce removed Seifert and Rachin Ravindra, while Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada picked up key wickets to leave the Black Caps struggling at 64 for four inside seven overs. Chapman and Mitchell rebuilt with composure, but Jansen’s return to dismiss Chapman, followed by Mitchell and skipper Mitchell Santner’s cheap dismissal, curtailed the late surge. Jansen finished with 4 for 40, supported by Corbin Bosch (1/34) and Keshav Maharaj (1/24), while James Neesham’s unbeaten 23 went largely in vain.
