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Nigeria’s World Cup opponents, South Africa omit Foster due to mental health issues

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South Africa omitted striker Lyle Foster from their squad

Bafana Bafana rated as the team most likely to give the Nigeria Super Eagles a tough time in the qualification for the 2026 World Cup already have issues with one of their potential players.

South Africa omitted striker Lyle Foster from their squad for their opening two World Cup qualifiers this month, a day after his club Burnley said he was struggling with mental problems.

Foster’s participation in January’s African Cup of Nations finals is now in doubt, even if South Africa coach Hugo Broos said on Friday he hoped to see the 23-year-old back in action soon.

“I made contact with the Burnley coach (Vincent Kompany), who I know very well, and also the medical staff,” Broos said.

“Lyle for the moment has a serious medical problem. The team asked us not to give further comment on that out of respect to his family.

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“I hope he will be recovered as soon as possible because he can be a very important player for us,” the Belgian-born coach added.

Burnley announced on Thursday Foster would be sidelined indefinitely.

Foster has scored three goals for struggling Burnley this season in eight appearances.

“We ask for your understanding and respect Lyle’s privacy around this matter and will not be making any more comment until further notice,” the English club said in a statement.

South Africa host Benin in Durban on Nov. 18 in their opening qualifying match for the 2026 finals, followed by a second Group C clash in Rwanda on Nov. 21.

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South Africa will compete at the Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast in January, drawn in Group E with Mali, Namibia and Tunisia.

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

World Cup

As major global sporting events beckon, Morocco’s monarch launches the Kenitra-Marrakech High-Speed rail project

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King Mohammed VI launched construction work Thursday on the Kenitra-Marrakech High-Speed Rail Line (LGV) at Rabat-Agdal train station.

As Morocco continues to attract global visitors, especially in the sporting segments, infrastructural development is ongoing.

The latest is the Kenitra-Marrakech High-Speed Rail Line (LGV) at Rabat-Agdal train station, paving the way for a new era of ultra-modern rail infrastructure across the country.

The project was launched on Thursday by the monarch, King Mohammed VI. Apart from being a centre of major sporting events, Morocco recently launched a tourism initiative that will make the kingdom the ultimate destination.

The internal transport system is being overhauled. The 430-kilometre project forms part of a $9.6 billion railway development program that will transform the country’s transportation network.

It will be recalled that the 2030 FIFA World Cup is being co-hosted by Morocco along with Spain and Portugal.

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It is the first ever transcontinental edition of the World Cup, which also marks the 100th anniversary of the global championship.

According to information from the Moroccan News Agency (MAP), the  Kenitra-Marrakech  LGV reflects Morocco’s strategic vision for sustainable development, particularly the promotion of low-carbon collective mobility solutions.

“This project demonstrates Morocco’s firm determination to continue developing the national rail network,” said an official statement during the ceremony, noting the railway’s role as “the backbone of a sustainable and inclusive transport system.”

The high-speed line will connect Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech while serving Rabat and Casablanca airports.

It will drastically reduce travel times, with journeys between Tangier and Rabat taking just one hour, Tangier to Casablanca 1 hour 40 minutes, and Tangier to Marrakech 2 hours 40 minutes — saving over two hours compared to current durations.

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Saudi Arabia open to 64-team World Cup in 2034

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 World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Third Round - Group C - Saudi Arabia v China - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - March 20, 2025 Saudi Arabia fans in the stands REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo

Saudi Arabia would be ready and willing to host a 64-team World Cup in 2034 if FIFA accepts a controversial proposal to expand the tournament from 48, according to the kingdom’s sports minister.

South America’s CONMEBOL has officially suggested staging the centenary 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco with 64 teams, but the idea has been opposed by some other continental confederations.

Next year’s tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will have 48 countries participating, up from 32 in 2022.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal told a select group of reporters at the Saudi Arabian Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah that his country would have no objection to an increase in the numbers for 2034.

“We’re ready, or we will be ready, inshallah (God willing). If that’s a decision that FIFA takes and thinks that that’s a good decision for everyone, then we’re more than happy to deliver on it,” he said.

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He pointed to the infrastructure already in place for Islamic pilgrims, with four million people attending Mecca for Umrah during Ramadan this year and five million expected for the Hajj.

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 FIFA expected to confirm Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup hosts – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – December 11, 2024 A model of the proposed Roshn Stadium is seen inside the Saudi Arabia World Cup bid exhibition REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo

The global soccer governing body officially announced Saudi Arabia as hosts of the 2034 men’s World Cup in December, a bid that was uncontested but strongly criticised by rights organisations.

The Kingdom has invested heavily in sport over the last few years, but critics accuse it of ‘sportswashing’ its human rights record. The country denies accusations of human rights abuses and says it protects its national security through its laws.

The bid book pledged 15 stadiums, new or refurbished, by 2032 and which are expected to be completed with the help of migrant labour.

Al-Faisal said worker safety was of the highest priority and Saudi organisers were talking regularly with FIFA and 2022 hosts and neighbours Qatar, the first World Cup in the region, to learn from their experience.

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He said the death, reported last month, of a worker at the Aramco Stadium construction site in Al Khobar had come after millions of hours without issue.

“Every incident we take seriously, we file an investigation, we look what went wrong,” said the minister. “Unfortunately, in construction, these things happen.”

He said Saudi Arabia was part of the International Labour Organisation and a 2021 Labour Reform Act had abolished the kafala system that binds migrant workers to one employer and prevents them from leaving without the employer’s approval.

Alcohol, prohibited for observant Muslims, is banned in Saudi Arabia and Al-Faisal confirmed the World Cup would be dry.

“The law now here in Saudi is that there’s no alcohol. Will that change in the future? We don’t know. But I don’t see it really affecting our sporting events at all,” he said.

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“We’ve had more than 100 international events so far. We’ve had people come from all over the world to attend these sporting events. And everyone’s happy with the hospitality, the setup, the experience that they get.

“I don’t see it as an issue, to be honest. So I hope it’s not going to be an issue”.

Alcohol was not sold at stadiums in Qatar, where drinking in public is illegal, in 2022 but beer was available at designated fan zones and in some hotels.

-Reuters

 

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Another continental body, CONCACAF opposes CONMEBOL’s 64-team World Cup 2030 proposal

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Inglewood, California, USA; Concacaf president Victor Montagliani is interviewed for TV before the Concacaf Nations League final between Mexico and Panama at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images/File Photo

A 64-team World Cup in 2030 should not be considered, CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani has said, joining some other confederations in opposing a plan presented by CONMEBOL.

CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez last week officially proposed staging the 2030 World Cup with 64 teams, up from the 48 set to take part in next year’s edition, with the tournament to be hosted largely by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

The opening matches will take place in Uruguay, where the first World Cup was hosted in 1930, along with Argentina and Paraguay.

“I don’t believe expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams is the right move for the tournament itself and the broader football ecosystem, from national teams to club competitions, leagues, and players,” Montagliani told ESPN, opens new tab.

CONCACAF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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The CONMEBOL plan would have a long way to go for approval, with the 48-team 2026 edition already expanded from the 2022 tournament, when 32 countries took part.

The 2026 tournament is set to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

“We haven’t even kicked off the new 48-team World Cup yet, so personally, I don’t think that expanding to 64 teams should even be on the table,” said Montagliani.

His comments echoed complaints by UEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin, who this month voiced opposition to the idea, and Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, who told AFP, opens new tab he fears expansion would lead to chaos.

-Reuters

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