World Cup
Coaching carousel spins ahead of Africa’s World Cup qualifiers
As the resumption of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Africa approaches, a wave of managerial changes has swept across the continent, injecting fresh tactics and philosophies into the high-stakes battle for a coveted spot in North America.
The focus is not only on the players but also on the significant coaching changes that have occurred during the six-month hiatus.
Matchdays 3 and 4 are set to kick off on Wednesday, with several teams debuting new leadership in hopes of securing their path to North America.
The coaching carousel has brought a mix of seasoned veterans and promising talents to the forefront, each eager to make their mark.
Group A: Egypt, Burkina Faso, and Guinea-Bissau embrace new leadership
In Group A, Egypt leads the pack, but their journey continues under new head coach Hossam Hassan. After a disappointing TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign, Egypt parted ways with Rui Vitoria.
Hassan, a respected figure in Egyptian football, has vowed to steer the Pharaohs back to prominence.
“With or without the additional teams, our primary objective is to qualify for the World Cup, and we’re doing everything in our power to achieve this goal,” Hassan remarked.
He acknowledged the increasing competitiveness of African football, noting that every match is a test of resilience and strategy.
Burkina Faso, another team from Group A that saw a change in their coaching staff, replaced Hubert Velud with Brama Traore.
Traore’s task is to maintain Burkina Faso’s strong form, having earned four points from their opening matches.
Guinea-Bissau, meanwhile, welcomes Luis Boa Morte, the former Fulham assistant, who took over from Baciro Cande. Boa Morte’s challenge will be to elevate the team from its middling start.
Group C: Nigeria entrusts Finidi George with the reins
In Group C, Nigeria made a bold move by appointing Super Eagles legend Finidi George as their head coach after Jose Peseiro’s departure.
Despite reaching the AFCON final, Nigeria felt a change was necessary to boost their World Cup hopes. Finidi George is well aware of the expectations.
“The World Cup qualification matches against South Africa and Benin Republic are a collective responsibility for all Nigerians. I know I am in charge now and the heavy responsibility is on me to win the two World Cup matches,” George stated.
His intimate knowledge of Nigerian football and his experience as an assistant coach should provide the Super Eagles with a tactical edge.
Zimbabwe also sees a shift in leadership, with Jairos Tapera taking the helm on an interim basis after Baltemar Brito’s departure last December. Tapera’s primary goal will be to navigate Zimbabwe through a tough group and keep their qualification hopes alive.
Group F: Côte d’Ivoire’s Resurgence Under Emerse Fae
Côte d’Ivoire, the reigning AFCON champions, look to continue their perfect start in Group F under the permanent leadership of Emerse Fae.
Fae, who led the team to glory after Jean-Louis Gasset’s resignation, has solidified his position as head coach. His remarkable turnaround of the team’s fortunes has instilled confidence among the players and fans alike.
Kenya and Gabon, also in Group F, face a stern challenge with Côte d’Ivoire’s resurgence. Gabon, under Patrice Neveu, and Kenya, led by Engin Firat, will need to bring their best to upset the group leaders.
Group I: Otto Addo Returns to Ghana
Perhaps the most high-profile coaching change is Otto Addo’s return to Ghana in Group I. After Chris Hughton’s sacking in January, Addo, who previously led Ghana at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, has been reappointed.
“The aim is to qualify. It will be difficult, especially the away game with Mali. They have a very good squad,” Addo acknowledged.
His familiarity with the team and understanding of the pressures of World Cup qualification will be crucial as Ghana seeks to improve on their mixed start.
Other Notable Changes and Upcoming Fixtures
In Group E, Niger is now under the guidance of Ezzaki Badou, while Tanzania has promoted Hemed Suleiman to interim head coach following Adel Amrouche’s exit.
Both coaches face uphill battles to keep their teams competitive in a tightly contested group.
With numerous fixtures on the horizon, including marquee matchups like Côte d’Ivoire vs. Gabon and Nigeria vs. South Africa, the next round of qualifiers promises to be thrilling.
As African nations prepare to take the field, the impact of these coaching changes will be scrutinized closely.
-CAF
By Kunle Solaja.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has unveiled Google Gemini as the official Artificial Intelligence partner of Morocco’s national football team in a move aimed at boosting fan engagement and enhancing the digital presence of the Atlas Lions.
The partnership, announced ahead of a busy football calendar in May, June and July, will see the federation collaborate with Google Gemini to deploy advanced AI technologies in support of the Moroccan national team.
According to the federation, the strategic alliance is designed to strengthen communication channels with supporters, promote Moroccan football talent both locally and internationally, and showcase the country’s deep passion for the game to a global audience.
Powered by Google’s artificial intelligence technology, Google Gemini will work with the Moroccan federation on a range of digital and interactive initiatives tailored for football fans. The projects are expected to provide innovative experiences for supporters within Morocco and across the world, bringing fans closer to the Atlas Lions.
Among the features highlighted are the use of Gemini’s text-to-image technology, which allows fans to create personalised visuals in support of the national team, as well as the Lyria music-generation model that enables supporters to compose fan songs and recreate stadium atmospheres digitally.
The AI platform will also help fans better understand football by simplifying complex rules, analysing match performances and even predicting possible winners.
Speaking on the partnership, Najib Jarrar described the collaboration as an important step in connecting technology with sport.
“We are proud to support the Moroccan National Team, which honours Moroccan football with its global achievements during this important phase,” Jarrar said.
“Through Google Gemini, we seek to employ the power of AI to elevate the fan experience and celebrate the rich history of Moroccan football. This partnership is not just about technology; it also aims to strengthen the bonds between fans and the sport they love in deeper and more impactful ways.”
Morocco’s national team, popularly known as the Atlas Lions, gained global acclaim after becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
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Veteran Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa has hinted that the upcoming FIFA World Cup could mark the final chapter of his illustrious international career after announcing that he has joined what he described as his “last training camp” with the national team.
The 40-year-old shot stopper is widely expected to be named in coach Javier Aguirre’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Mexico will co-host alongside the United States and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
In an emotional message posted on social media on Monday, Ochoa reflected on his long journey with the Mexican national team.
“Putting this shirt on again was never routine … it was a privilege,” he wrote. “Today begins my last training camp. But this time I see it differently. With a fuller heart, more scars, more memories, and the same excitement as the child who once dreamed of defending this badge.”
If selected, Ochoa will join an exclusive group of players to feature in six FIFA World Cups, alongside football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The experienced goalkeeper previously represented Mexico at the Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 World Cups.
Ochoa, who currently plays for AEL Limassol in Cyprus, also recently suggested that the tournament could signal the end of his professional career.
Speaking to Mexican broadcaster TUDN last month, he admitted that the World Cup “could be the end for me after the World Cup” as he prepares for what is expected to be his final season in football.
“I’ve experienced unforgettable nights, endless matches, anthems that still give me goosebumps, and moments that changed my life forever,” Ochoa added in his social media post.
“And still, every time Mexico calls, something inside me begins again.”
Widely regarded as one of Mexico’s greatest goalkeepers, Ochoa has earned more than 150 international caps and produced several memorable World Cup performances during his career.
Among his standout moments were a remarkable display against Brazil at the 2014 World Cup and his penalty save from Poland captain Robert Lewandowski during the Qatar 2022 tournament.
Mexico will continue their preparations for the World Cup with friendly matches against Ghana on May 22, Australia on May 30 and Serbia on June 4 before opening their Group A campaign against South Africa on June 11.
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Mexico’s education authorities agreed on Monday to keep the 2025-2026 school calendar unchanged, reversing a proposed early end to the academic year that had drawn criticism from parents and raised questions about disruptions linked to the World Cup.
Related Story: https://sportsvillagesquare.com/2026/05/09/mexico-president-wavers-on-plan-to-cut-school-year-by-40-days-for-the-world-cup/
The federal education ministry and state authorities unanimously agreed to preserve the existing 185-day school calendar, Education Minister Mario Delgado said, meaning the school year will still end on July 15 as originally scheduled.
Delgado said the agreement came in response to a call from President Claudia Sheinbaum, while also giving certainty to millions of Mexican families that organise their daily routines around the school calendar.
Authorities said states could still make local adjustments in extraordinary circumstances, including extreme heat or logistical challenges related to the World Cup.
Delgado had previously floated ending the school year on June 5 instead of July 15, citing high temperatures and the need to ease pressure in host cities during the tournament, which Mexico will co-host with the United States and Canada.
-Reuters
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