World Cup
African teams’ race to World Cup 2026 begins on 13 November
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
For the Nigeria Super Eagles and the other 53 national football teams in Africa, the race to the expanded World Cup 2026 to be held in the US, Canada and Mexico will begin in the second week of November.
That is the key point of the outcome of the executive committee meeting of CAF held in Algiers on Thursday.
A major deduction is that there will be nine groups of six teams each.
All the group leaders will automatically qualify for the World Cup finals.
It therefore follows that each team will play 10 matches.
The four best runners-up will then have a CAF play-off to produce an African candidate for inter-continental play-off where a possible 10th team could qualify for the World Cup.
Approved Dates: FIFA World Cup 2026 African Qualifiers:
- Match Day 1 & 2 : November 13-21
- Match Day 3 & 4 : June 3-1, 2024
- Match Day 5 & 6 : March 17 -25, 2025
- Match Day 7 & 8 : Sept. 1-9, 2025
- Match Day 9 &10: Oct. 5-14, 2025
- CAF Play-off: Nov. 10-18, 2025
- FIFA Play-off : March 2026
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK
England will look to secure their place in the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds when they take on Ghana in a Group-stage clash that could also see captain Harry Kane write another chapter in the nation’s football history.
Kane enters the match level with Gary Lineker as England’s highest scorer in FIFA World Cup history, with 10 goals apiece. A goal against Ghana would see the Bayern Munich striker become England’s outright leading marksman on football’s biggest stage.
The Three Lions will, however, face a Ghanaian side that has developed a reputation for attacking football at the World Cup. The Black Stars have scored in eight of their last nine matches in the competition and will be confident of troubling England’s defence.
With both sides chasing valuable points, the encounter promises an intriguing battle between England’s experience and Ghana’s flair and resilience.
For Kane, the match presents an opportunity to add another record to a glittering international career. For Ghana, it offers the chance to claim a statement victory against one of the tournament favourites.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK
Croatia captain Luka Modrić is poised to reach another remarkable milestone when the Vatreni face Panama in their latest FIFA World Cup fixture.
The veteran midfielder is expected to make his 200th international appearance, becoming one of the few players in world football to achieve the feat. The landmark match further underlines the enduring influence of the Real Madrid legend, who continues to be the heartbeat of the Croatian team.
Croatia will start as favourites against a Panama side still searching for a breakthrough result against European opposition at the World Cup. The Central Americans previously faced Belgium and England during their debut campaign in Russia in 2018 and lost both encounters.
Panama will be eager to upset the odds and keep their hopes alive, but Croatia’s blend of experience and tournament know-how makes them formidable opponents.
All eyes, however, will be on Modrić as he celebrates a historic personal milestone while seeking to guide his country another step closer to the knockout phase.
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World Cup
One dead, eight injured in stampede in Jordan as fans watched World Cup match, says Jordan News Agency
One person died, and eight others were injured after a stampede during a crowded gathering of fans in central Amman to watch Jordan’s World Cup match against Algeria early on Tuesday, Jordan News Agency reported, citing the country’s Public Security Directorate (PSD).
The incident occurred at Hashemite Square, where large numbers of fans had gathered in the capital to watch Jordan’s 2-1 defeat to Algeria, according to the Jordan News Agency.
Emergency teams transported nine injured people to the hospital after heavy congestion and crowd movement at the venue led to the crush. One of those injured later died, while the others sustained minor to moderate injuries, it reported citing the PSD.
Experts were investigating to determine the exact cause of death, it added.
Large crowds of spectators had gathered across the capital to follow the match, with Jordan competing in their first World Cup.
-Reuters
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Kane Eyes World Cup Scoring Record as England Face Dangerous Ghana
Modrić Set for 200th Croatia Cap Against Ambitious Panama
One dead, eight injured in stampede in Jordan as fans watched World Cup match, says Jordan News Agency
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