International Football
TRUMP SEEKS BUHARI’S SUPPORT FOR US WORLD CUP BID
The bid for the hosting rights of the 2026 World Cup has taken a diplomatic dimension as US president, Donald Trump has sought for support from his Nigerian counterpart, Muhamadu Buhari who was on invitation to the US.
According to agency reports, Trump reportedly told President Buhari: “I hope all African countries and countries throughout the world that we also will be supporting you and that they will likewise support us in our bid along with Canada and Mexico for the 2026 World Cup.”
A tweet by Bloomberg which delivers business and markets news reads: “Trump asks for support from Nigeria and all African countries in the Canada–Mexico–United States bid for the 2026 World Cup”.
This is after President Trump had through tweets, threatened withdrawal of supports to nations who don’t back the joint bid by the United States, Canada and Mexico to host the 2026 World Cup.
Morocco which had bided for the hosting of the World Cup in 1994, 1998, 2006 and 2010 is now seen as possible winner of the 2006 edition which decision will be taken next month. Morocco lost in its first bid to the US in 1994.
U.S. President Donald Trump again asked for support, this time from African nations. It is not the first time an American president is involved in the bid for the hosting of a major sporting event. Barracks Obama spearheaded the Chicago bid for the 2016 Olympics and lost to Rio de Janeiro when the election held in Copenhagen in 2009.
It is strongly against FIFA rules for governments to interfere in the host selection process, so Trump’s comments have the potential to hinder the United States’ bid. Just on Thursday, FIFA warned Trump of the ethics rules surrounding political influence. But it appears the president will continue to voice his support for the bid.
Most African countries are already lined behind Morocco which is making its fifth attempt at hosting the World Cup.
By extension, the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick may have also been committed to the support for Morocco’s bid, especially he being an influential member of CAF Executive Committee and a well-known ally of the Moroccan football chief, Lekjaa Fouzi.
In May last year, Nigeria and Morocco signed a multi-faceted strategic agreement in general football development.
- On May 26, 2017, Morocco and Nigeria signed a multi-faceted strategic agreement in general football development.
The decision on the 2026 World Cup hosts ill be made in Moscow on June 13, the eve of World Cup 2018 kick off.
Well-travelled Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte has been named as Guinea’s new coach, less than a month before their next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Duarte, 56, has twice previously coached Burkina Faso and taken charge of Gabon and Togo, while also coaching at clubs in Portugal, France, Tunisia, Angola and Saudi Arabia.
Guinea’s football federation gave no contract details when they made the announcement on Monday, but said they would be looking for Duarte to “restructure their national team”.
Guinea trail leaders Algeria by eight points in their World Cup qualifying group with four games remaining, leaving them with only a slim chance of qualification.
They play Somalia away on September 5 and then Algeria at home on September 8 in their next two qualifiers although a stadium ban means Guinea have moved their home game to Casablanca, Morocco.
-Reuters
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Veteran coach Louis van Gaal says he has been cured of cancer and is keen for a return to the higher levels of the game.
The 73-year-old announced three years ago that he was suffering from prostate cancer, but told a Dutch television talk show, “I’m no longer bothered by cancer.”
When he announced his illness, Van Gaal was the coach of the Dutch national team, but he has not worked since the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
“Two years ago, I had a few operations. It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end. I have check-ups every few months, and that’s going well. I’m getting fitter and fitter,” he said.
Van Gaal, whose career has included stints at Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, reiterated a lack of interest in returning to club management but said becoming the national coach of a top-tier country could tempt him back.
He now serves as a special advisor to Ajax.
-Reuters
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In a compelling twist of football destiny, Davide Ancelotti is stepping into his own spotlight as he begins his first head coaching role at Brazilian club Botafogo—just months after parting ways with his legendary father, Carlo Ancelotti, at Real Madrid.
The 35-year-old has been appointed as Botafogo’s new manager, the club announced on Tuesday, following the sacking of Renato Paiva. Davide, who has spent the last decade working alongside his father at some of Europe’s top clubs—including Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid—has signed a one-year deal with the Rio-based team.
This marks a significant milestone for the younger Ancelotti, whose career has long been shaped by his father’s influence, but who now faces the challenge of carving his own identity on the touchline.
The move comes shortly after both father and son departed Real Madrid at the end of last season, with Carlo taking over the Brazilian national team. Now, in a poetic alignment, father and son find themselves on different paths within Brazilian football—one leading the Seleção, the other steering the fortunes of a storied domestic club.
Botafogo’s decision to appoint Davide follows a controversial parting with Paiva, who was dismissed just days after their exit from the Club World Cup. Though he oversaw a stunning win over Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain, a 1-0 extra-time loss to Palmeiras in the round of 16 proved to be his final act after just four months in charge.
As Davide Ancelotti begins this new chapter, all eyes will be on whether the son of one of football’s most decorated managers can step out from his father’s shadow—and perhaps, in time, build a legacy of his own.
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