Sports

United States President, Donald Trump, has stated that he is unconcerned about whether Iran competes at the 2026 World Cup, despite mounting tensions in the Middle East. The United States will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. Iran secured qualification for the tournament prior to the recent escalation of tensions in the region. Responding to questions about Iran’s involvement, Trump told Politico: “I really don’t care. I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.” His comments follow a series of US and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory actions by Tehran targeting US-allied Gulf states. The conflict has intensified in recent weeks, raising concerns over the stability of several global e...

Nigeria’s Nigeria women's national football team bounced back in style on Tuesday night, defeating the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon 3-1 in Yaounde to level their two-match friendly series. Three days after suffering a slim loss at the Military Stadium, the nine-time African champions returned to the same venue with renewed intensity and purpose. Cameroon once again drew first blood, netting in the seventh minute to briefly raise fears of a repeat outcome. However, Nigeria responded with composure and authority. In the 32nd minute, Chinwendu Ihezuo restored parity, rising above the defence to head home a precise delivery from Rinsola Babajide. The equaliser steadied the Falcons and swung momentum in their favour. Babajide then turned scorer just before halftime, capitalisin...

Real Madrid CF have announced that Rodrygo has sustained a severe knee injury that will sideline him for the rest of the season and rule him out of this summer’s World Cup with Brazil. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the club confirmed: “Following the tests carried out today on our player Rodrygo by Real Madrid’s medical services, he has been diagnosed with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and a tear of the lateral meniscus in his right leg.” The 25-year-old attacker picked up the injury during Monday’s 1-0 La Liga home defeat to Getafe CF. Although Rodrygo came on as a second-half substitute and finished the match, further medical examinations the next day revealed the seriousness of the damage. An ACL rupture typically keeps players out for several months, with rehabilita...

World football governing body, FIFA, has officially begun the final 100-day countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup but has remained silent on the pending disciplinary case involving Nigeria and DR Congo. In a post shared on its official 𝕏 account on Tuesday, FIFA announced: “The biggest-ever @FIFAWorldCup is just 100 days away! 48 teams. 104 games. 11 June to 19 July.” The organisation added that June 11, 2026, will signal “the opening scene to the greatest show in the world,” with Mexico scheduled to take on South Africa in the tournament’s opening match. However, despite the celebratory tone, there was no reference to Nigeria’s protest following its controversial elimination from the qualifiers. The controversy dates back to November 2025 when Nigeria’s Super Eagles were defeat...

Captain and forward for Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, has left Saudi Arabia for Madrid, Spain, following escalating tensions in the Middle East after US-Israeli strikes in Iran. According to the Daily Mail on Tuesday, the 41-year-old departed Riyadh late at night aboard his £61 million ($81 million) Bombardier Global Express 6500 private jet. His reported departure follows regional strikes. The US embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones overnight, and Iranian state media reported that a command and staff building in Bahrain had also been destroyed. Cristiano Ronaldo’s jet. Photo credit: Daily Mail “Riyadh, where Ronaldo lives with his partner Georgina Rodriguez and their five children, has been affected by attacks linked to the regional conflict,” the report said. F...

Football activities across parts of the Middle East have been thrown into disarray following escalating hostilities involving the United States, Israel and Iran, leaving several Nigerian players uncertain about their immediate future. The Qatar Football Association confirmed the suspension of all domestic fixtures from Sunday, while Iran’s Persian Gulf Pro League and the Israeli Premier League have also paused matches amid growing regional tensions. The Asian Football Confederation has equally postponed club championship play-offs scheduled in affected zones. Elite Round of 16 fixtures in the continental Champions League have been rescheduled, and the Finalissima — billed for March 27 in Doha between European champions Spain and Copa America winners Argentina — now hangs in the balan...

UEFA has fined Tottenham Hotspur and imposed a suspended ban on the club’s sale of away tickets after three supporters were found to have made Nazi salutes toward Eintracht Frankfurt fans. The incident occurred during a Champions League fixture at Deutsche Bank Park on January 28, a match Spurs won 2-0. European football’s governing body said the sanctions were issued due to “racist and/or discriminatory behaviour” by Tottenham supporters. The away ticket ban will remain suspended for a one-year probationary period. Tottenham were fined £26,000 (€30,000), with an additional £1,966 (€2,250) penalty imposed for objects thrown by fans. The club swiftly condemned the actions of those involved, describing the behaviour as “utterly abhorrent.” Tottenham confirmed that the three indiv...

Superstar footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, is to undergo 'urgent tests' to discover the extent of the muscle injury he picked up during Al Nassr's 3-1 victory over Al-Fayha over the weekend. The 41-year-old, who missed a penalty during the match, was forced off with less than 10 minutes to go after signalling to the bench that he had picked up a problem. Ronaldo was struggling as he made his way off the pitch, and he was seen with an ice pack on his leg while sitting out the remainder of the game. The injury has left Portugal fans sweating over the fitness of their main man, with the World Cup now just three months away. Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus said: 'Ronaldo suffered muscle fatigue and the medical staff will urgently perform the necessary tests to determine his condition.' ...

The relaunched United States Basketball League has defended its decision to sign banned former NBA player Jontay Porter, saying it believes in “second chances” as the ex-big man attempts to revive his career. Porter, who was handed a lifetime ban by the National Basketball Association in 2024 following a gambling scandal, signed last week with the Seattle SuperHawks ahead of the league’s new season. Despite the controversy surrounding the 25-year-old, league officials say the USBL is standing by its decision. In a statement to TMZ Sports, officials said the league has “always stood for opportunity” and believes in supporting players committed to “learning from their past and rebuilding their future.” Porter is awaiting sentencing in connection with a federal gambling investigation af...