Category: Sports

Holders Super Falcons of Nigeria will open camp in Mohammedia, Morocco on July 15 ahead of their title defence at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, DAILY POST reports.

The Super Falcons will spend one week in Mohammedia before moving to Rabat for their Group C matches.

Head coach Justine Madugu is expected to release his final squad for the competition before the team jet off to Morocco.

The Super Falcons defeated Senegal twice in friendlies last month.

Nigeria will be aiming to win a record-extending 11th title at the WAFCON 2026 finals.

The West Africans will open their campaign against the Scorchers of Malawi at the Al Madina Stadium, Rabat on Tuesday, 28 July.

Their second game against Zambia will hold at the same ground on Saturday, 1 August.

The Super Falcons will round up their group stage campaign against Egypt at the Olympic Stadium, Rabat on Wednesday, 5 August.

WAFCON 2026: Super Falcons open camp in Mohammedia July 15

Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has hailed Spain’s Lamine Yamal as a player with “a very bright future” ahead of their meeting at the 2026 World Cup.

The two countries will face off in the last 32 of the tournament.

Ronaldo was asked for his thoughts on Yamal during the pre-match press conference.

The 41-year-old was however also quick to highlight Spain’s overall quality.

He said: “Lamine is a player with a very bright future.

“I didn’t see any of Spain’s matches, I only saw a bit of the game against Cape Verde, but as I said, he has a very bright future.

“But I see Spain as a whole. They’re very good, they play very well, and it will be very tough.”

2026 World Cup: What Ronaldo said about Yamal ahead of Spain vs Portugal clash

President Donald Trump has hailed FIFA’s decision to suspend a one-match ban for a US forward, Folarin Balogun.

It is a move which has further fuelled allegations of cronyism between Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Balogun is now available to face Belgium in the last 16 despite being sent off against Bosnia.

Moments after the announcement President Trump thanked FIFA for “reversing a great injustice” in a post on Truth Social.

Trump wrote: “Thank you to Fifa for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

2026 World Cup: Trump speaks on FIFA’s shock decision to reverse Balogun’s red card

France International, Kylian Mbappe, currently tops the list of French players with the most goals in a single season for the national team and the top five European leagues.

Mbappe’s second-half goal for France against Paraguay in Saturday’s World Cup Round of 16 clash was his 55th goal in total for the French football national team and also the La Liga in the 2025-2026 season.

The Real Madrid attacker surpassed his last record of 54 goals set in the 2022-2023 campaign for both country and club.

Here is the list of the top five French players with the most goals for country and club in a single season:

1. Kylian Mbappe – 55 goals (2025-2026)
2. Kylian Mbappe – 54 goals (2022-2026)
3. Just Fontaine – 53 goals (1957-1958)
4. Kylian Mbappe – 52 goals (2021-2022)
5. Philippe Gondet – 51 goals (1965-1966)

World Cup: French players with most goals for country, club in history [Top 5]

Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has officially confirmed this is the last time he will play at the World Cup.

Ronaldo stated this during a press conference on Sunday, ahead of their last-16 clash with Spain.

The 41-year-old’s sister, Katia, had hinted that the Al Nassr forward would retire from international football after the tournament.

Ronaldo himself has come out to say he won’t be at the 2030 edition of the competition.

“Yes, it’s my last one. Let’s go and enjoy it,” Ronaldo said.

Ronaldo is the oldest player to feature in six different World Cups.

This is my last World Cup – Cristiano Ronaldo finally confirms

Chelsea’s Andrey Santos is on Manchester United’s shortlist of central midfield targets.

According to Sky Sports, United’s interest in the 22-year-old is in the early stages.

The Red Devils are expected to add two more central midfielders to their squad this summer.

Michael Carrick’s side have already agreed a deal to sign Atalanta and Brazil midfielder Ederson to join them after the 2026 World Cup.

But Manuel Ugarte recently suffered a long-term injury at the tournament, while Casemiro has departed the club.

It is understood that Chelsea don’t view Santos as ‘untouchable’ and would be ready to do a deal at the right price.

Transfer: Man Utd in shock move to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets suffered a 3-2 defeat to Tanzania in their opening fixture at the four-nation invitational in China on Sunday.

Tanzania led 2-0 in the first half through goals from Issa Chole and Hamisi Chenga.

The Golden Eaglets responded after the break, reducing the deficit after a period of sustained pressure.

However, Tanzania regained their two-goal lead courtesy of a fine strike from Kassim Juma.

Nigeria reduced the deficit a few minutes later to make the scoreline more respectable.

Uwejamomere Eboboritse’s side will take on Australia in their second game on Wednesday.

The tournament forms a key part of the Golden Eaglets build-up to the WAFU B U-17 Championship in September.

The competition will serve as the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations.

China Invitational: Golden Eaglets fall to Tanzania in opener 

The organizers of the Ballon d’Or award have said footballers who play anywhere in the world can win the prize.

Their statement clears up a long-running debate over whether footballers must play for European clubs to stand a realistic chance of winning.

With the race for this year’s Ballon d’Or hotting up as the 2026 World Cup nears its conclusion, the award’s official platform examined whether representing a non-European club is a disadvantage.

History would suggest that Europe remains the dominant pathway to football’s highest individual honour.

An analysis of the last 18 men’s Ballon d’Or winners shows that virtually every recipient was playing for a European club when crowned.

Winners including Kaká, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Luka Modrić, Karim Benzema, Rodri and Ousmane Dembélé all played for European clubs, when they were announced winners.

The only exception was in 2023, when Messi took it home, after he had moved to Inter Miami in the MLS.

“Yes, it’s entirely possible to win the Ballon d’Or without playing for a European club,” the organisers said.

“It just looks harder in light of history, but the growing strength of certain leagues outside Europe is shaking things up.”

2026 World Cup: Ballon d’Or organizers releases statement on possible winners

Real Madrid have confirmed their fourth summer signing under their new manager, Jose Mourinho.

The Los Blancos confirmed in a statement on Sunday that they have completed the signing of Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan in a deal worth around £17.3m.

The Netherlands international signed a four-year deal with the Spanish giants that will see him remain at Santiago Bernabeu until 2030.

The 30-year-old becomes the club’s fourth summer signing for Mourinho, following the arrivals of Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool, Bernardo Silva from Manchester City and Marc Cucurella from Chelsea.

Dumfries spent five years at Inter, where he won two Serie A titles and three Coppa Italias.

Transfer: Real Madrid confirm fourth signing under Mourinho

Former Mexico international Javier Hernandez, popularly known as Chicharito, has shared his insights on the ongoing debate regarding Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the greatest of all time.

He emphasized that the discussion centers more on relatability than direct comparison.

Messi and Ronaldo are universally acknowledged as the two greatest players in football history. Nevertheless, the contention over who surpasses the other has persisted for nearly twenty years.

Fans, analysts, players, and all those connected to the sport have expressed their opinions throughout this time.

In a recent interview, as reported by Marca, Javier Hernandez addressed this debate.

When his mother-in-law inquired about who he believes is superior, he responded, “What is it that you admire most?

“Messi is Superman, while Cristiano Ronaldo is Batman. Superman was born with powers; Batman was not. Batman had to cultivate himself through discipline, bravery, and courage until he became exceptional.”

Hernandez elaborated that Lionel Messi possesses an “extraordinary gift,” stating, “He epitomizes pure talent. Observing him play appears effortless, as if the laws of physics do not constrain him.

“He makes the impossible seem straightforward. Teams construct systems around him, which is logical because he is a talent unlike any other in history. Messi symbolizes the aspiration of being born with an extraordinary gift.”

Chicharito remarked that Ronaldo “transformed discipline into his most significant talent” and commended his dedication and drive over the years.

‘One is Superman, the other Batman’ – Chicharito opens up on Messi, Ronaldo debate