World Cup
European club finals heroes adjust sights to World Cup in Africa
European club finals match-winners Ademola Lookman and Ayoub el Kaabi turn their attention to 2026 World Cup qualifying in Africa from Wednesday with 52 fixtures scheduled over seven days.
Lookman scored a hat-trick as Atalanta won the Europa League last month, and ended a 51-match unbeaten run by Bayer Leverkusen in domestic and international competitions.
The London-born 26-year-old could lead the Nigeria attack at home to South Africa in Uyo in a repeat of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals won by the Super Eagles on penalties.
A week after Lookman stole the show in Dublin, Moroccan El Kaabi nodded the extra-time winner for Olympiakos against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final in Athens.
He will be a contender for a place in the Atlas Lions attack against Zambia in Agadir in another Cup of Nations repeat with Morocco winning 1-0 in the Ivory Coast last January.
Meanwhile, Kenya are among 17 nations who must stage home matches at neutral venues due to sub-standard venues, stadium renovations or security issues.
Here, AFP Sport highlights five matchday three showdowns that include shock 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco and reigning African champions the Ivory Coast.
Nigeria v South Africa
A powerful Nigerian attack will lack its biggest star — 2023 African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen — through injury and Nathan Tella is absent for undisclosed personal reasons.
But with Lookman, Victor Boniface, Kelechi Iheanacho and Samuel Chukwueze to choose from, coach and former star Finidi George is not short of talent as he prepares for his competitive debut.
South Africa welcome back forward Lyle Foster from demoted Premier League club Burnley, who missed the Cup of Nations due to mental health challenges.
Egypt v Burkina Faso
Prolific Liverpool scorer Mohamed Salah is set to represent Egypt for the first time since an injury against Ghana in a group match cut short his AFCON campaign.
“Mohamed is one of the best footballers in the world and there is no rift between us,” said coach Hossam Hassan, who replaced Portuguese Rui Vitoria after a last-16 exit in the Ivory Coast.
When Salah was injured, Hassan said the star should remain with the national squad in west Africa, but the forward returned to his club for treatment.
Morocco v Zambia
A Hakim Ziyech goal separated the teams at the latest AFCON, where Morocco suffered a shock last-16 loss to South Africa and Zambia failed to make the knockout stage.
Key Moroccan figures in the 2022 World Cup run in Qatar, including goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, defender Achraf Hakimi and forward Youssef en-Nesyri remain.
Coach Walid Regragui also called up Brahim Diaz, an attacking midfielder at European titans Real Madrid for the clash with Zambia, who are on the back foot after a surprise away loss to Niger.
Senegal v DR Congo
Defending champions and among the favourites to win the 2024 AFCON, Senegal only reached the round of 16 before falling to hosts Ivory Coast after a penalty shootout.
Stalwarts like goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly and forward Sadio Mane — all based in Saudi Arabia — remain as the Teranga Lions seek redemption in World Cup qualifying.
The Congolese exceeded expectations by finishing fourth at the AFCON this year and hope Yoane Wissa can replicate his form with Premier League outfit Brentford.
Cote d’Ivoire v Gabon
Coach Emerse Fae has given maiden call-ups to a France-based trio — defender Christopher Operi and forwards Mohamed Bamba and Evann Guessand — for a Korhogo clash with Gabon.
But there are no places in the Cup of Nations title-holders squad for defenders Serge Aurier and Eric Bailly due to a lack of club game time, and winger Wilfried Zaha remains out of favour.
Star Marseille forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang — voted the outstanding African after the 2023-2024 Ligue 1 season — has been recalled having missed the first two matchdays.
-AFP
The United States will stage a star-studded and entertainment-driven opening ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles on Friday, 12 June, as football’s biggest tournament officially takes centre stage across North America.
FIFA announced that the ceremony at Los Angeles Stadium will feature some of the world’s biggest music stars, including Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla, with more international performers expected to be announced in the coming months.
The ceremony, scheduled to begin 90 minutes before kick-off, is expected to deliver a high-energy showcase reflecting the diversity, entertainment culture and global influence of the United States, particularly the creative spirit of Los Angeles, widely regarded as the entertainment capital of the world.
According to FIFA, the Los Angeles spectacle will form part of an unprecedented trilogy of opening ceremonies spread across the three co-host nations: Mexico, Canada and the United States — creating what organisers described as one continental celebration united by “a shared heartbeat.”
Produced in partnership with Balich Wonder Studio, the ceremony will combine large-scale visuals, immersive storytelling and live performances centred around the iconic FIFA World Cup Trophy and the cultural identity of the United States.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the Los Angeles ceremony would underline the scale and global reach of the expanded tournament.
“This opening ceremony in Los Angeles represents the extraordinary scale of what the FIFA World Cup 2026 will become,” Infantino said.
“The lineup of artists reflects the cultural diversity of the United States and the vibrancy of its many diasporas, highlighting the nation’s rich influence on music, entertainment and pop culture.”
Fans attending the event have been encouraged to arrive early, with stadium gates opening four hours before kick-off to allow supporters to participate in activations, entertainment experiences, live pre-match programmes and interactive fan activities.
The ceremony will precede the United States’ opening match against Paraguay in what promises to be one of the biggest sporting and entertainment events of the year.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first to feature 48 teams and 104 matches, will be played across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States, beginning in Mexico City on 11 June before concluding with the final at New York-New Jersey Stadium on 19 July.
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World Cup
June 12 Comes Alive as Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé Lead Canada’s World Cup Opening Celebration in Toronto
Canada will officially welcome the world to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a star-studded opening ceremony in Toronto on Friday, 12 June, showcasing the country’s diversity, multicultural identity and growing football culture.
The ceremony, scheduled to begin 90 minutes before kick-off at Toronto Stadium, will feature performances from leading international and Canadian music stars, including Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy, Vegedream and William Prince.
FIFA said the event would celebrate the energy and diversity of the tournament while connecting fans in Toronto to festivities taking place across the three host nations — Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The Canadian ceremony will revolve around a unique artistic interpretation of the FIFA World Cup Trophy as a mosaic, symbolising the country’s many cultures, communities and people. The production is being organised in partnership with Balich Wonder Studio, which is overseeing the creative vision for the opening ceremonies across all three host countries.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the event as a reflection of Canada’s identity and football ambitions.
“The opening ceremony in Toronto will be a powerful reflection of Canada’s identity and the energy surrounding the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino said. “Through music, culture and unforgettable performances, we will welcome the world with a celebration that is uniquely Canadian while also connected to a larger story unfolding across Mexico and the United States.”
According to FIFA, the ceremony will begin with a visual and musical journey across Canada, highlighting moments and communities from coast to coast to coast as anticipation builds towards kick-off.
Supporters attending the event will also play an interactive role in the celebration, with stadium gates opening four hours before the match to provide access to fan activities, entertainment, rewards and special pre-match experiences.
The ceremony will precede a landmark occasion for Canadian football as Canada face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup match on home soil.
The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States, with the final scheduled for 19 July at New York /New Jersey Stadium.
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Mexico will launch the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a spectacular opening ceremony designed to showcase the nation’s rich cultural heritage, musical diversity and artistic traditions before the tournament’s opening match in Mexico City on 11 June.
FIFA announced that the ceremony at the historic Mexico City Stadium will begin 90 minutes before kick-off and feature an array of international and Mexican music stars, including Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules, Maná and Tyla.
The ceremony is expected to blend modern entertainment with traditional Mexican artistry, placing indigenous talent and folkloric performers at the centre of the production. FIFA said the creative theme for the Mexican ceremony will revolve around the traditional art of “papel picado”, symbolising celebration, craftsmanship and national identity.
The event forms part of a trilogy of opening ceremonies that will also continue in Toronto and Los Angeles as the three host nations jointly stage football’s biggest spectacle for the first time.
Produced in partnership with Balich Wonder Studio, the ceremonies will share a unified creative concept centred on reimagining the FIFA World Cup Trophy through the cultural lens of each host country.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the ceremonies as a symbol of unity and diversity.
“The FIFA World Cup is a moment the world shares, and that begins with how we open it,” Infantino said. “Starting with Mexico City and continuing the next days with Toronto and Los Angeles, these ceremonies will bring together music, culture and football in a way that reflects both the individuality of each nation and the unity that defines this tournament.”
Fans attending the opening match are expected to play an active role in the festivities, with stadium gates opening four hours before kick-off to allow supporters access to entertainment activities, fan activations and pre-match experiences.
The opening game of the tournament will see Mexico take on South Africa in what will also mark a historic occasion for the Mexico City venue, which becomes the first stadium ever to host matches at three different FIFA World Cups.
The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States, culminating in the final at New York/New Jersey Stadium on 19 July.
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