Category: Sports

Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, has changed his mind on the country to win this year’s World Cup.

The 2026 World Cup will commence today, Thursday, as Mexico takes on South Africa.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, Ferdinand backed Spain to win the World Cup, having previously named France as his favourites for the tournament.

“If Didier Deschamps manages [Ousmane] Dembele and [Kylian] Mbappe, they will go and win it. Right, Kylian, your best games, the best I have seen you, are from the left,” Ferdinand said.

“You go on the left, you cut in and just slap goals, and you get six goals this tournament. Dembele, you start the press, and you finish things off and get five goals.

“[Desire] Doue on the right and [Michael] Olise in the No.10. Game over. Game over, no questions. No more questions, your honour.”

However, when put on the spot and asked to pick his World Cup winners, Ferdinand responded: “A fit Lamine Yamal, a fit Nico Williams and a fit Rodri… Spain takes some beating.

“I have been saying France every day until today.”

When asked why he had decided to change his prediction, Ferdinand replied: “I don’t know, I just thought if those boys are fit, then they go and win it.”

World Cup 2026: Rio Ferdinand changes mind on country to win trophy

Super Falcons striker Esther Okoronkwo has returned to training following an injury layoff, DAILY POST reports.

Okoronkwo picked up a hamstring injury in AFC Toronto’s league clash with Halifax early last month.

The 29-year-old has missed her club’s last five league matches due to the setback.

She also missed Nigeria’s recent friendlies against the Terangha Lionesses of Senegal.

The talented forward is now expected to feature in AFC Toronto’s league clash against Montreal Roses at the  York Lions Stadium on Saturday.

Okoronkwo played a key role in AFC Toronto’s title success last season.

WAFCON 2026: Boost for Super Falcons as Esther Okoronkwo returns to training

Former England striker, Michael Owen, has tipped France to win the 2026 World Cup.

This year’s edition of the tournament kicks off on Thursday night.

Most bookmakers have Spain as their favourites to be world champions, adding to the European Championship they won two years ago.

But Owen, who played in three World Cups during his career, believes Les Bleus are “miles better” than the rest of the competition.

He also predicted that the Three Lions will make it to the semi-final at best, while Germany will be dark horses.

“I think England will be a quarter-final or a semi-final at best would be my guess, but I have a sneaky feeling that Germany could do well,” Owen told Metro.

“I think they could do well. So France would be my pick, England to get to the quarters or semis and Germany to be the dark horses.”

2026 World Cup: Michael Owen names favourites to win trophy, dark horses

There was a demand for the jersey of Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, following their 2-1 win over Nigeria in an international friendly on Wednesday night.

But it was defender Bruno Onyemaechi who was the lucky Super Eagles player to take it home.

Onyemaechi posted Ronaldo’s shirt on his social media hours after the game.

Ronaldo himself had posted a picture of him and the right-back on Instagram, with the caption: “The preparation is done. Eyes on the World Cup.”

The five-time Ballon d’Or was the centre of attention from Nigerian players and coaches, as they jostled to take pictures with him at full-time.

Ronaldo played for 64 minutes and missed a couple of chances to score against the Eagles.

Super Eagles player gets Ronaldo’s shirt after 2-1 defeat to Portugal revealed

Chelsea legend, John Terry, has insisted that former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel is very upset about Nigeria’s absence from this year’s FIFA World Cup tournament because he can’t do more commentating.

The former England international stated this during a virtual media roundtable on SuperSport.

Terry said, “Nigeria will be a big miss. I would’ve loved to see the top team, like Nigeria [at the World Cup], be there because they’ve got some great individuals.

“I know Obi [Mikel] is very upset that they [Nigeria] are not there. It means he can’t do more commentating on the World Cup. That is why he was upset.”

The World Cup will start today, and Nigeria won’t take part in the competition after failing to qualify for the competition.

World Cup 2026: Why Obi Mikel is very upset about Nigeria’s absence – John Terry

Former Chelsea star, Emmanuel Petit, has named Enzo Fernandez as the player who wants to leave the club as manager Xabi Alonso arrives at Stamford Bridge this summer.

Petit believes the Argentina World Cup winner is ‘fed up’ at Chelsea and should leave the Premier League west London club.

“Enzo Fernandez should go, you cannot keep a player happy if he wants to leave,” Petit told BetVictor.

“He did say that he wanted to leave, and he was fined by the club. Obviously, he wants to leave the club. We are not stupid.

“I think he is fed up and tired with what is going on at Chelsea. It’s been a mess this season. Obviously, he is targeted by Real Madrid. Real Madrid desperately needs to get some strong midfield players.

“I won’t be surprised if he leaves the club and goes to Real Madrid or somewhere else.”

‘He’s fed up’ – Petit names Chelsea player who wants to leave as Alonso arrives

FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, has claimed they don’t have control over everything.

Infantino was speaking on the eve of the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday, while addressing issues around visas into the United States.

When asked if he felt the world football governing body had “lost control of the tournament”.

These accusations came up after Somali referee Omar Artan was turned away at the US border and members of Iran team’s support staff were refused visas.

“We try always to find solutions, but then we need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces, we are a sports organization,” Infantino said at a press conference.

The tournament kicks off on Thursday, with one of the co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa.

2026 World Cup: FIFA breaks silence on visa issues

Former Liverpool star, Danny Murphy, has picked the player that could leave Chelsea between Alejandro Garnacho and Liam Delap.

Chelsea signed Garnacho and Delap Chelsea from Manchester United and Ipswich Town, respectively.

However, Murphy believes Garnacho is more likely to leave Chelsea than Delap because he has struggled at the club.

He pointed out that new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso will, however, give Delap ‘another crack’ next season.

“I think Alejandro Garnacho has struggled, and the fans have not taken to him. If you look at their front line, it’s only really Joao Pedro who has done well,” Murphy told Metro.

“If one were going to leave, I think it would more likely be Garnacho than Liam Delap.

“Delap brings some characteristics that Chelsea don’t have. He is different from Joao Pedro, so I think Xabi Alonso will give him a crack.”

EPL: He has struggled – Danny Murphy picks player to leave Chelsea between Delap, Garnacho

Former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has identified France as the frontrunners for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Les Bleus enter the largest tournament in global football as one of the top contenders.

France has claimed the FIFA World Cup title twice, in 1998 and 2018, and has also been runners-up on two occasions, in 2006 and 2022. The European powerhouse has reached the final four times in the last seven FIFA World Cups.

Wenger has expressed his confidence in his home country to triumph this time after their defeat to Argentina in the 2022 final. He asserts that the remarkable attacking strength of Les Bleus should suffice for them to secure their third FIFA World Cup victory. Wenger stated, as reported by Metro:

“I place them above the rest. France possesses immense talent, and Deschamps brings experience. We have numerous attacking players, which can lead to a slight imbalance offensively.

“However, today’s modern player, even those in attacking roles, understands the importance of contributing defensively. When the score is 0-0 against France with 20 minutes remaining, you are likely to lose the match. Power is what makes the difference.”

He has also highlighted Kylian Mbappe, asserting that the French star has faced undue criticism this season regarding his performances with Real Madrid. He remarked:

“There is one individual who stands at the center of all expectations: Kylian Mbappe. I am willing to wager that he will have an outstanding World Cup. He has been unjustly criticized frequently this season. He joined a mediocre Real Madrid team. Real now has three or four world-class players, whereas previously they had ten. In football, there is always a need for a scapegoat. He has become that [at Real Madrid].”

France is placed in Group I for the FIFA World Cup and is expected to secure the top position.

They will face Senegal, Norway, and Iraq in their group, commencing their campaign against Senegal on June 16.

World Cup 2026: ‘They’re above the rest’ – Arsene Wenger names country to win tournament

Bendel Insurance forward Alex Oweilayefa has signed a new contract that will keep the at the club until 2029.

Oweilayefa penned his new contract with the Benin Arsenals on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old was one of the standout performers for the club in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, last season.

Oweilayefa scored 10 goals in 21 appearances for Insurance.

The new contract is expected to end speculations surrounding his future.

Insurance will open pre-season training on July 5 following a three-week break.

NPFL: Alex Oweilayefa pens new three-year contract with Bendel Insurance