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
By KUNLE SOLAJA.
Côte d’Ivoire head coach made four changes to his starting line-up for Thursday’s crucial FIFA World Cup Group E encounter against Curaçao, while the Caribbean side retained the same XI that held Ecuador to a draw in their previous outing.
Seeking to revive their campaign after a defeat to Germany, the Elephants reshuffled both their defence and attack for the must-win fixture.
Three defenders who started against Germany were dropped, with only Odilon Kossounou retaining his place in the back line. Emmanuel Agbadou, Ghislain Konan and Wilfried Singo all made way as Ousmane Diomande, Guela Doue and Christopher Operi were introduced into the defence.
There was also a change in midfield, where Christ Inao Oulai dropped to the bench to accommodate Nicolas Pepe, who joined Ange-Yoan Bonny in a more attack-minded line-up.
Experienced midfielders Franck Kessie and Ibrahim Sangare continued to anchor the centre of the park, while Amad Diallo and Yan Diomande provided additional creativity in support of the forwards.
In contrast, Curaçao coach Dick Advocaat resisted the temptation to alter a side that secured a valuable point against Ecuador. The Dutch tactician maintained his preferred 5-4-1 formation, with Juergen Locadia continuing as the lone striker.
Captain Eloy Room started in goal behind a five-man defence comprising Joshua Brenet, Jurien Gaari, Armando Obispo, Sherel Floranus and Deveron Fonville. The midfield featured Juninho Bacuna, Livano Comenencia, Leandro Bacuna and Tahith Chong, all tasked with supporting Locadia while maintaining the team’s defensive discipline.
The match carries significant importance for both nations. Côte d’Ivoire need a positive result to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive after their setback against Germany, while Curaçao are aiming to build on their encouraging draw with Ecuador and move closer to a historic place in the Round of 32.
Starting Line-ups
Curaçao: Eloy Room; Joshua Brenet, Jurien Gaari, Armando Obispo, Sherel Floranus, Deveron Fonville; Juninho Bacuna, Livano Comenencia, Leandro Bacuna, Tahith Chong; Juergen Locadia.
Côte d’Ivoire: Yahia Fofana; Ousmane Diomande, Christopher Operi, Odilon Kossounou, Guela Doue; Franck Kessie, Ibrahim Sangare, Yan Diomande, Amad Diallo; Ange-Yoan Bonny, Nicolas Pepe.
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Mexico’s 3-0 defeat of Czechia at the FIFA World Cup 2026 produced a remarkable collection of milestones, reinforcing El Tri’s place among the tournament’s most consistent performers.
The victory made Mexico the first Concacaf nation to register 20 wins at the FIFA World Cup, further extending their lead as the region’s most successful team on football’s biggest stage.
The result also marked Mexico’s fourth consecutive World Cup victory, another unprecedented achievement for a Concacaf side. Never before has a team from the region strung together four successive wins at the global finals.
With three victories from three matches, Mexico also progressed through the group stage unbeaten for the sixth time in their World Cup history, matching previous flawless group campaigns in 1970, 1986, 1998, 2002, and 2014.
Playing on home soil has continued to bring out the best in El Tri. They are now unbeaten in their last eight World Cup matches hosted in Mexico, recording six wins and two draws. Even more impressively, they have not conceded a goal in any of their last six home fixtures at the finals.
Mexico’s defensive solidity has become one of the defining features of their campaign. The Czechia match completed only the second World Cup group stage in which Mexico failed to concede a single goal, the first having come during the iconic 1970 tournament. Stretching even further back, El Tri have now gone 14 consecutive World Cup matches without allowing a first-half goal.
The match also showcased the country’s changing generations.
At just 17 years and 253 days, Gilberto Mora became the youngest player ever to start a World Cup match for Mexico, eclipsing Manuel Rosas’ long-standing record set against France at the inaugural tournament in 1930.
Mateo Chávez also entered the history books, becoming the second-youngest Mexican to score on his World Cup debut at 22 years and 43 days. Only Enrique Borja, who scored against France in 1966 at 20 years and 195 days, achieved the feat at a younger age.
Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa added another chapter to his remarkable World Cup career. At 40 years and 346 days, he became the oldest player ever to appear at a FIFA World Cup for a Concacaf nation.
Mexico’s players toss veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa into the air in celebration after the 3-0 victory over Czechia at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 24, 2026. The appearance marked Ochoa’s first match at his sixth FIFA World Cup, extending his remarkable legacy as one of the tournament’s most enduring goalkeepers. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse
His appearance also elevated him to sixth place on the list of the oldest players in World Cup history, behind only Egypt’s Essam El-Hadary, Colombia’s Faryd Mondragón, Cameroon’s Roger Milla, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Northern Ireland’s Pat Jennings.
Ochoa’s 12th World Cup appearance established another regional record, making him the Concacaf goalkeeper with the most matches played at the tournament.
The legendary goalkeeper also climbed into a tie for third place on Mexico’s all-time World Cup appearance list with 12 matches, joining Javier Hernández and Héctor Moreno. Only Andrés Guardado (13 appearances) and Rafael Márquez (19) have featured more often for Mexico at the tournament.
From the emergence of teenage stars to the enduring excellence of one of football’s most celebrated goalkeepers, Mexico’s victory over Czechia was not merely another three points—it became one of the most statistically significant performances in the nation’s rich FIFA World Cup history.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA
Tunisia will chase only their second FIFA World Cup victory over European opposition when they face the Netherlands in their final Group F fixture.
The Carthage Eagles have struggled historically against European teams at the World Cup, with this match marking their 14th such encounter at the finals.
Their task is made even tougher by a Dutch side seeking to complete a sixth consecutive World Cup group-stage campaign without suffering defeat.
The Netherlands have built a reputation for consistency in the opening phase of the tournament, while Tunisia will be desperate to finish their campaign on a positive note with a rare triumph over European opposition.
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