Azerbaijan
FIFA has unveiled the official mascots for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. They are Maple the Moose, Zayu the Jaguar, and Clutch the Bald Eagle, symbolizing the host countries of the tournament.
A citizen of Azerbaijan, suspected of selling counterfeit US dollars, has been extradited from Moldova to Ukraine. The man was part of a criminal group that produced counterfeit banknotes in Turkey and supplied them to Ukraine.
Serbia plans to sign a three-year agreement with Russia for the import of 2. 5 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually. The country already receives gas from Azerbaijan and Russia, and also has significant reserves in its gas storage facility.
In Poland, the Central Bureau of Investigation liquidated a criminal group involved in the illegal trade of luxury cars. Almost 600 vehicles were illegally smuggled to Russia and Belarus, and companies received over 40 million zlotys in undue VAT refunds.
The 80th session of the UN General Assembly has begun in New York and will last until September 29. It will bring together about a hundred presidents and over 40 prime ministers to discuss global challenges and strengthen international cooperation.
The Ukrainian national team dropped to 28th place in the FIFA ranking, losing two positions after defeats in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Spain topped the ranking for the first time since 2014, displacing Argentina.
Ukraine received 100 additional permits for cargo transportation from Azerbaijan and 300 from Bosnia and Herzegovina. These permits will allow carriers to perform more trips and expand their business.
Portuguese club Benfica sacked head coach Bruno Lage after their defeat to Azerbaijani club Karabakh in the Champions League. Club president Rui Costa stated that it was time for a change, and insider Fabrizio Romano reports on negotiations with Jose Mourinho.
Former goalkeeper of Kyiv "Dynamo" and Donetsk "Shakhtar" Artur Rudko was detained while attempting to illegally cross the border. According to unofficial information, he is currently undergoing basic military training in one of the training centers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
On September 16, the first round of the 2025/2026 Champions League begins, where for the first time since the 2005/2006 season there are no Ukrainian clubs. However, Ukrainian footballers will play as part of European teams, including Trubin, Sudakov, Lunin, and Zabarnyi.
The European Union is considering imposing sanctions on companies in India and China that facilitate trade in Russian oil as part of a new package of restrictions. The US proposes tariffs of up to 100% for China and India, and will also affect Russian oil companies.
In Kyiv, the bodies of a 38-year-old woman and her 14-year-old daughter were found with signs of strangulation in a rented apartment. The woman's cohabitant, a 37-year-old citizen of Azerbaijan, committed suicide on September 10.
The Ukrainian national team drew 1:1 with Azerbaijan in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Heorhiy Sudakov's goal was equalized after a penalty awarded for Oleksandr Zinchenko's handball.
The Ukrainian national team will play its second 2026 World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan on September 9 at 7:00 PM in Baku. Bookmakers predict a victory for Ukraine.
Serhiy Rebrov commented on the strike on Heorhiy Sudakov's home. The coach believes this will add motivation to the Ukrainian national team players for the match against Azerbaijan.
Viktor Tsyhankov will not play against Azerbaijan due to a muscle injury. This is already the fifth player who has left the national team due to injury.
The Ukrainian national football team lost to France with a score of 0:2 in the first match of the 2026 World Cup qualification. The goals for France were scored by Olise and Mbappé.
The Ukrainian national football team will play its first 2026 World Cup qualifier against France in Wroclaw. Bookmakers consider France the favorite, despite their squad losses.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces likely received MiG-29 fighter jets from Azerbaijan. A photo of a Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 with Azerbaijani camouflage appeared on social media.
Forward Roman Yaremchuk will not play for the Ukrainian national team against France due to injury. Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin and defender Oleksandr Tymchyk are also out of the squad.
Defender Vitaliy Mykolenko has left the Ukrainian national team's camp due to an injury. He will be replaced by Vladyslav Dubinchak in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against France and Azerbaijan.
The death toll from the earthquake in Afghanistan has risen to 1,124 people. More than 3,251 people were injured, and over 8,000 homes were destroyed.
The Finnish Foreign Minister and the OSCE Secretary General announced the termination of the Minsk process. This decision is related to the peace agreements between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Turkish President Erdogan informed Putin about Ankara's work towards a just end to the war in Ukraine. He also emphasized the importance of negotiations in Istanbul for peace efforts.
In Afghanistan, a 6-magnitude earthquake claimed the lives of 812 people and injured 2800. Authorities are appealing for international aid, as the country is already struggling with humanitarian crises.
Armenia and China officially entered into a strategic partnership, agreeing to expand cooperation in political, economic, and humanitarian spheres. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a joint statement during the SCO summit, reaffirming support for the "one China" principle.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Putin in China will "wriggle out" regarding negotiations. The President of Ukraine emphasized that Russia is the only one who seeks to prolong the war.
Lille defeated Lorient 7-1 in the third round of Ligue 1, scoring all goals in the second half. Romain Perraud opened the scoring, and Hamza scored a brace.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin during the SCO summit. The parties discussed strategic partnership, growing trade, and cooperation in energy and digitalization.
Serhiy Rebrov called up Kyiv "Dynamo" winger Nazar Voloshyn to the main squad of the Ukrainian national team. This happened before the opening matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament against France and Azerbaijan.