NEWS

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has declared that merely qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is not the ultimate goal for the Pharaohs, stressing that his side is determined to make a significant impact on the global stage.The former Egypt international, who featured at the 1990 World Cup, believes the current squad possesses the talent and determination needed to achieve a historic breakthrough and elevate Egypt’s status in world football.Speaking ahead of Egypt’s opening World Cup fixture against Belgium, Hassan reflected on his experiences as a player and outlined his ambitions for the national team.“Participating in the World Cup as both a player and a coach is a remarkable achievement,” Hassan said. “Egypt deserves to be among football’s elite nations. In 1990, we showed...

Mehdi Taremi has admitted that the political issues surrounding Iran’s participation in the World Cup have affected the team’s preparations and dampened the excitement usually associated with the tournament.The Iranian forward spoke ahead of his side’s opening Group G fixture against New Zealand in Los Angeles, revealing that the squad has faced a challenging buildup amid heightened tensions involving Iran and the United States.According to Taremi, the pressure and uncertainty began long before the team arrived at the tournament.“This kind of tension takes away from the joy of the World Cup,” he said, adding that the atmosphere had been noticeable from the outset of their journey.Iran’s preparations were further complicated by the decision to move their training camp from T...

A friendly football match between teams from Eniwari and Opuama communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State reportedly ended in tragedy after a young man was allegedly killed following the game.The victim, identified as Thomas Ogbianawei, an indigene of Eniwari, was said to have been attacked after tensions erupted during the match held on Saturday, June 13, 2026.According to community sources, a disagreement among players from both teams escalated into a confrontation on the pitch, though spectators and match officials were not involved in the clash.Reports indicate that after the match, some members of the visiting Opuama team allegedly encountered Ogbianawei along the route between Eniwari and Fonibiri communities and attacked him after identifying hi...

FIFA has officially named Côte d’Ivoire as the youngest squad at the ongoing 2026 World Cup.“Introducing Côte d’Ivoire… Youngest squad at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” with “Average age: 25.8,” FIFA wrote on its official World Cup X handle.FIFA made the announcement on Sunday, June 14, as the Elephants prepared for their first match in the expanded 48-team tournament co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande, born on November 14, 2006, is the youngest player in the Ivorian squad.He is part of an exciting generation that includes Bazoumana Touré (TSG Hoffenheim), Christ Inao Oulai (Trabzonspor), Evann Guessand (Crystal Palace), Guela Doué (Strasbourg), Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Mohamed Koné (Charleroi), Oumar Diakité (Cercle Brugge)...