Category: Sports

One of the co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, Mexico opened the tournament with a dramatic 2-0 win over South Africa on Wednesday night.

The match was a repeat of the opening game of the 2010 edition, which ended 1-1.

However, this time around, the Mexicans took control of the match from the blast of the referee’s whistle.

And they were rewarded with the first goal within 10 minutes of play.

Julián Quiñones opened the scoring in the 9th minute, and Raúl Jiménez doubled the lead in the 67th minute.

The goals secured the victory for the co-hosts against a South African side that finished with nine men after two red cards.

Mexico also saw Cesar Montes sent off in stoppage them, but took all three points.

2026 World Cup: Mexico beat 9-man South Africa in opening game

Bayern Munich have handed Arsenal a major summer transfer blow in the battle to sign Eintracht Frankfurt star Nathaniel Brown.

According to Bild’s Head of Football Christian Falk, Brown’s proposed switch to Bayern is nearing completion and the defender is expected to join Vincent Kompany’s side for a fee of just under £56m, including bonuses.

This comes after the Bundesliga champions saw off competition from Arsenal to win the race for the fullback.

Brown has established himself as one of the brightest young talents in Germany.

The 22-year-old made the squad list to represent Germany at the World Cup.

Transfer: Bayern Munich hand Arsenal major blow

Former Arsenal star, Emmanuel Petit, has urged manager Mikel Arteta to keep Leandro Trossard beyond this summer transfer window.

Petit, however, urged Arteta to sell the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus, adding that he needs to sign two wingers and a striker.

“I think it’s easy to know what Arsenal are missing, for me it is wingers,” Petit told talkSPORT when speaking about the players that should leave Arteta’s side.

“For me, the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus. I don’t know about Viktor Gyokeres because he just came into the club.

“Leandro Trossard, I would keep him. But Noni Madueke, for me, isn’t good enough, I’m sorry to say that, but he must do much more than that to improve.”

Arteta told to keep Leandro Trossard, sell three other Arsenal players this summer

Real Madrid have confirmed that Jose Mourinho will officially become their new manager on July 13.

That is the date the Laliga club will begin their preseason preparations ahead of the 2026/2027 campaign.

Benfica will receive a €15m compensation fee for the 63-year-old.

“The Board of Directors of Real Madrid C.F., meeting today, Thursday, June 11, and chaired by Florentino Pérez, has agreed to appoint José Mourinho as first-team coach for the next three seasons, until June 30, 2029.

José Mourinho will join Real Madrid on July 13, the day preseason training begins,” Madrid’s statement read.

LaLiga: Real Madrid confirm date Mourinho will officially join club

Rangers are interested in signing Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu this summer, DAILY POST reports.

Alebiosu only joined Blackburn Rovers from Belgian Pro League outfit Kortrijk at the start of last season.

The Nigeria international was one of the top performers in the Sky Bet Championship during the 2025/26 campaign.

The 24-year-old contributed one goal and five assists in 41 league appearances for Rovers.

Rovers reportedly turned down an offer from Serie A club Genoa for the right-back in January.

They will, however, entertain offers between £3 million and £5 million for Alebiosu this time around, according to Sportsboom.

Rangers want him to replace their former defender, James Tavernier.

Transfer: Rangers line up move for Super Eagles defender

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