Iran’s men’s national football team wore black armbands and held schoolbags as their ‌anthem played ahead of a match in Turkey on Friday, in what a team official said was a protest over the killing of schoolgirls on the first day of the Iran war.

Iran were playing a friendly against Nigeria in the Mediterranean ​resort town of Belek ahead of the World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada, ​at which their participation is in doubt due to the conflict.

The men lined up ⁠holding pink and purple bags with ribbons on them — a reference to the attack on the ​Shajareh Tayyebeh School that Tehran says killed more than 175 people, including children and teachers, on the ​first day of joint US-Israeli strikes on the country.

Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, a vice president of the Iranian football federation, told Reuters that the players had decided to stage the protest as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the victims.

“They ​were deeply affected by the bombing of the girls’ school and wanted to express their sympathy,” ​Nabi said, speaking in Farsi through the association’s translator. “This was a collective decision by the team. We are united.”

US ‌military investigators ⁠believe it is likely that US forces were responsible but have not yet reached a final conclusion or completed their investigation.

The UN rights chief urged Washington on Friday to conclude its investigation into the strike at a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council.

Speaking in front of the stadium, Nabi said the ​team was aware of the ​discussions taking place ⁠at the rights council and hoped for a “clear and appropriate decision”.

US President ​Donald Trump ⁠said earlier this month that while Iran’s national team were welcome to play in the US, it might not be appropriate for their “life and safety”.

Iran’s football federation said it was in discussions with football’s world ⁠governing body ​FIFA about moving its World Cup matches to Mexico from ​the US.

The Iranian team lost 2-1 to Nigeria on Friday and will play Costa Rica on Tuesday in another friendly in ​Turkey.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a show-cause notice to fast bowler Naseem Shah for “violating the terms of [his] central contract as well as the media policy and regulations”, according to a press release.

The press release issued by the PCB said that the show-cause notice to Naseem, who also plays for the Pakistan Super League team Rawalpindiz, had been served in accordance with the board’s disciplinary framework.

“Naseem Shah is required to provide a response within the stipulated time,” the press release said, without specifying the date by when Naseem was required to submit his response.

It added that upon receipt and review of Naseem’s response, the PCB would “decide on any further action in line with the regulations”.

“The PCB remains committed to upholding professional standards, contractual obligations, and the integrity of the game,” the press release read.

While the press release did not specify the event that led to the issuance of a show-cause notice to Naseem, the development came a day after the opening night of the 11th season of the HBL Pakistan Super League, where Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz was also present, regarding which a post appeared had on Naseem’s X account.

The post included a video of Maryam from the event and said, “Why is she treated like a queen at Lords?”

It was later deleted and later, another post on Naseem’s account said: “This account of Naseem was recently hacked but [is] now recovered successfully.”

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BERLIN: Germany’s collective strength will be key to their World Cup chances later this year, coach Julian Nagelsmann said ahead of the four-time world champions’ international friendlies in the coming week.

Germany were long known as a ‘Tourniermannschaft’, or tournament team, due to decades of success on the biggest stages.

The term recognised Germany’s history of performing at major tournaments regardless of form or individual quality, but took a hit with group stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

And while they may have some talented individuals, Germany probably do not have a squad to match those of England, Spain or France.

“If you have the best squad in the world, you can just play your game,” said Nagelsmann, whose team play Switzerland in Basel on Friday and then host Ghana in Stuttgart on Monday.

“We have a very, very good squad, but we didn’t have the best squad in the world at the Euros in 2024 or last year.

“We need to achieve a level of variability where we can help a very, very good squad deliver a very, very good performance.”

At the heart of Nagelsmann’s squad for the two upcoming friendlies are seven Bayern Munich players — the most he has selected from the German giants for an international squad.

Bayern midfielder Jamal Musiala would have been the eighth but was left out to continue his injury recovery.

Since taking over in 2023, Nagelsmann has picked on form rather than reputation and has spoken about the need to pick a coherent team built on players who are willing to work hard, rather than the best individuals.

In recent squads, this has meant a heavy reliance on players from 2023-24 double winners Bayer Leverkusen or German cup holders Stuttgart.

With Bayern back to their best this season — having won 36 and lost just two of 42 games played in all competitions — it is no surprise to see so many players in this squad.

One of those is Germany captain Joshua Kimmich.

“It helps the national team when many Bayern players are on the pitch, because we’re a well-oiled machine and we train together every day,” he said on Tuesday. “We have certain automatisms.”

Germany’s Bayern core is complemented by a Premier League attacking trident of Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade, along with in-form Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav, who has 18 goals in 23 Bundesliga games this season.

Often deployed by Nagelsmann as a forward, Havertz embodies the type of flexibility the coach is looking for.

Speaking on Wednesday, Havertz said that he was happy to play wherever he was needed.

“I feel very comfortable in all attacking roles. I’m a very versatile player. I’ve played in various positions for the national team and Arsenal,” Havertz told reporters.

Praising the atmosphere in camp, Havertz said that Germany would use the March friendlies to put the finishing touches on what is already a strong collective.

“(Team spirit) is obviously the most important element — no team can function without cohesion,” he said.

“We’re on the right track there.” He added: “That’s extremely important at a World Cup… I’m very confident the World Cup will be a success.”

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2026

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