Fans of Brazil poured into New York's Times Square on Friday for spirited celebrations ahead of their first game in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Brazil is the most successful World Cup nation of all time, with five titles in all, although the country's last victory was 24 years ago.
The Latin American will face a difficult opening match against Morocco, which secured its second Africa Cup of Nations title in January and stands in 7th place in the latest FIFA world rankings, only one place below Brazil.
Despite tough challenges ahead, Brazil fans remain confident their team can capture another championship title.
"Expectations are never low when it comes to Brazil or Brazilians. Brazilians are very resilient. They can do anything. And I believe it's fully, fully possible this year," said a Brazil fan.
"I have faith. We've got to have faith. So I truly believe that Brazil is going to have the sixth star at the flag," another fan said.
Brazil faces Morocco in New Jersey on Saturday in one of the most anticipated opening-round matches of the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The team will also meet Haiti and Scotland in Group C.
Brazil fans fill Times Square with drum beats, chants ahead of team's World Cup match
Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh met with Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese foreign minister, in Ulan Bator on Saturday.
During the meeting, Khurelsukh said the Mongolia-China relationship has become a model for inter-state relations in the region.
The two countries have consistently respected each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, while deepening mutually beneficial cooperation across various sectors, he said, noting that bilateral trade is expected to reach 20 billion U.S. dollars this year.
Describing China as Mongolia's good neighbor, Khurelsukh said that developing friendly relations with China is a top priority of Mongolia's foreign policy.
Khurelsukh said Mongolia is committed to the one-China principle, regarding Taiwan as an inalienable part of China's territory, and opposes any form of "Taiwan independence" activities. It also considers matters related to Hong Kong, Xizang and Xinjiang as China's internal affairs. Mongolia will not do anything that harms China's interests, regardless of its relations with other countries.
He also noted that Mongolia is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in regional and international affairs.
For his part, Wang said China has always put China-Mongolia relations at an important place in its neighborhood diplomacy, noting that China has both the will and the capability to be a neighbor that Mongolia can rely on, a trustworthy friend, and a partner in accelerating its development.
Wang reaffirmed China's respect for Mongolia's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the development path that Mongolia has chosen for itself.
He expressed readiness to work more closely with Mongolia to align development strategies, tap into the full potential of bilateral cooperation, advance existing collaboration in areas such as connectivity, energy and mineral resources, trade and investment, and create new growth drivers for cooperation in key minerals, green development, the digital economy, and other emerging fields.
During his three-day visit, Wang is also scheduled to meet with Mongolian Prime Minister Nyam-Osor Uchral and hold talks with Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg.
Mongolian president meets Chinese FM
Mongolian president meets Chinese FM
