As of 19 November, only six spots are remaining for next year’s FIFA World Cup in North America. The co-hosts are Canada, Mexico and the United States of America (USA), who earned their spots by virtue of being hosts. The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. It is the first to be hosted by three countries. This tournament will also be the first to include 48 teams, expanded from 32. The draw for the World…

Nigeria’s Football Federation (NFF) has wasted no time in acknowledging its shortcomings following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. The Super Eagles were pipped to first spot in Group C of the qualifiers by South Africa. They had a second chance in the African play-offs and blew it, going down to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final. “The Nigeria Football Federation wishes to openly and sincerely apologise to His Excellency, President Bola…

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will represent Africa in the Inter-Confederation Play-Offs in March next year, for a possible 10th spot for the continent in the FIFA 2026 World Cup. DR Congo kept their World Cup dream alive after beating Nigeria 4-3 on penalties in Rabat on Sunday night, following a 1-1 draw after extra time in the African play-off final. Frank Onyeka gave the Super Eagles a third-minute lead, but Meschack Elia levelled on 32 minutes, and, after…

Nigeria and DR Congo will meet in Sunday’s CAF World Cup play-off final in Rabat, with the winner advancing to March’s FIFA Inter-Continental Play-Off and keeping their FIFA World Cup 26 dream alive. Kick-off is 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT) at the Stade Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan. Eric Sékou Chelle’s Super Eagles arrive with momentum after a dramatic 4–1 extra-time win over Gabon. Nigeria were pegged back late in normal time but finished emphatically, as Chidera Ejuke struck early…

South Africa’s national teams have been handsomely rewarded by the sports ministry for their respective successes in recent times. The senior football team Bafana Bafana will receive R5 million to share amongst the players and technical team. This comes after Hugo Broos’s men qualified for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, ahead of Nigeria and Benin in Group C of the qualifiers. “This investment is a testament to their hard work and the pride they instill in our nation,” said sports…

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has explained how he managed to put together a group of players that helped South Africa qualify for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. This is the first time South Africa has directly made it to the global showpiece since the 2002 World Cup. The country was part of the 2010 World Cup, but as hosts. “I know you have not always agreed with the choices I made, and I said already that I have a different…

Nigerian football administrator Amaju Melvin Pinnick has called out South Africa’s sports minister Gayton McKenzie for the latter’s comments against the West African nation. The straight-talking McKenzie caused a stir during his interview with Marawa Sports Worldwide some days ago, saying he is against Nigeria qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup via the play-off route. Mckenzie’s comments stem from suggestions that Nigeria was leading the charge for Bafana Bafana to be docked points for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena,…

On Tuesday this week, South Africa breathed a collective sigh of relief when Bafana Bafana crossed the line first in Group C and qualified for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, ahead of Nigeria and Benin. “I don’t think we, as players, realise what we’ve done here. This is history, and I’m so proud to be leading this team,” reflects the skipper Williams, who’s now on 56 caps for the senior national team. Bafana Bafana achieved a 3-0 win over Rwanda…

The South African Football Association (SAFA) employee(s) who almost cost Bafana Bafana their FIFA 2026 World Cup spot will face no punishment, according to president Danny Jordaan. You would be forgiven for thinking heads would roll for the grave error, but no, it is business as usual at SAFA House. Bafana Bafana were almost home and dry when FIFA acted and sanctioned Bafana Bafana for fielding an ineligible player in midfielder Teboho Mokoena, in the 2-0 win over Lesotho played…

The Zambian government has suspended financial support to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) for the senior men’s national team, the Chipolopolo, due to poor performance in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The decision was announced by the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) following a directive from the Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts, Elvis C. Nkandu. According to NSCZ Director and CEO Sombwa Musunsa, the government’s expenditure on the team has become difficult to justify given…