NFL star Hopkins: I wear No10 as a tribute to Messi
The 2025 National Football League (NFL) season kicks off on Thursday, 4 September, and for wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins it will be his 13th campaign. The 33-year-old South Carolina native and Clemson University product has enjoyed a sparkling career, with 984 receptions, 12,965 receiving yards and 83 touchdowns while playing for the Houston Texans, Arizona […]
Stage set for decisive third round of Concacaf qualifying
The big moment has arrived in the Concacaf region. The third round of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 26™ begins on Thursday with 12 teams spread across three groups in search of a coveted ticket to next year’s big dance. The mission is simple: win the group and a place in the World Cup […]
CAF qualifiers: Five must-watch matches
The CAF qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 26™ are entering the final stretch, with matchdays 7 and 8 scheduled for early next month before the concluding two rounds of fixtures in October. Morocco, Egypt and Cabo Verde are among the nations on the verge of qualification as the race intensifies. With eye-catching contests lined […]
Morocco claim continental honours
Three months out from the FIFA Arab Cup™, Morocco have laid down a marker of their title intentions by winning the African Nations Championship (CHAN) for a record third time. Co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the tournament produced plenty of shock results before the Atlas Lions downed Madagascar 3-2 in a thrilling final in […]
Soko’s gamble pays off
In many ways, Patrick Soko’s footballing journey is similar to many other players, however, there is something that makes him stand out. The young Cameroonian was faced with a tough dilemma: he had to choose between sitting a university entrance exam, joining up with his country’s U-17 squad for a training camp, or upping sticks […]
Six stars from early UEFA qualifying
Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 26™ returns this week and, for the first time, every nation will be taking part as some groups begin and others pick up from where they left off. So far, 30 teams have started their journey to the global finals, playing between two and four matches each. Here, FIFA […]
Kaio Jorge: My Brazil call-up was an explosion of emotions
“I always remember that saying, the one that says that Brazilians never give up.” Kaio Jorge lives by that motto. Still only 23 years of age, the Cruzeiro star has had to overcome pain and learn some lessons before reaching the promised land of the Brazilian national team. His 15 goals in 20 games in […]
The state of play in UEFA qualifying
A host of crunch clashes will unfold in UEFA qualifying for FIFA World Cup 26™ in September, as several nations aim to take significant steps towards booking their tickets to the global finals. Groups A to F will get under way, with the likes of European champions Spain and 2022 World Cup runners-up France set […]
Solbakken: Norway have the X factor
The final whistle had long since sounded and rain was teaming down with the relentless ferocity it had all evening, but Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadion was still packed to the rafters. Norway had just steamrollered Italy 3-0 in a FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifier, and the mood was ebullient as the home fans serenaded their heroes. […]
Trio on qualification cusp as outsiders strive to stay alive
Uruguay and Paraguay are a whisker away from joining Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador at the FIFA World Cup 26™. Victory would also qualify Colombia. Venezuela and Bolivia are dreaming of automatic qualification but aware they could miss out on the FIFA Play-Off Tournament slot, which is Peru’s only hope. With established icons Julian Alvarez, Moises […]