World Cup
African football has the platform for historic World Cup success
Africa could break the glass ceiling of winning the World Cup in the next 10 years, partly thanks to a platform highlighting to foreign clubs the most talented youth from the continent, the co-founder has boldly claimed to AFP.
Morocco’s surprise run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals sparked hopes that such a moment is not far off.
Benjamin Balkin, though, thinks Eyeball, the digital platform he co-founded in 2020, could be the determining factor in ensuring that happens as it provides a shop window for talent which would previously have been missed.
Balkin cheerfully describes himself as a “failed footballer” having played in the academy of French club Monaco but was told he would fall short in the senior ranks.
As a Monaco ballboy, Balkin marvelled at the skills of Ivory Coast superstar Yaya Toure and Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor.
It was the spark that lit the fuse and has years later resulted in Eyeball investing in an Under-19 championship for Senegalese academies, United Future League, in Senegal.
That is one part of their investment as they also provide video cameras to 5,000 youth coaches globally, who film training sessions and add tags to individual players which are then placed on the platform.
High-profile clubs like German champions Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea can access the footage.
It costs clubs just 92 euros ($97) a day to be able to scout 30,000 players across Africa.
Balkin, born in France to Danish parents, says by moving abroad the players grow in every sense which ultimately benefits their national sides.
“Those players leaving African academies and going to European or American academies, their football understanding skills, IQ will improve, because of just a better level of training, better infrastructure,” Balkin told AFP from Copenhagen.
“When those players come back and play for the national team, the national teams will also benefit from that and perform probably at a better level.
“So maybe if we speak again in 10 years, we’ll have an African nation that has won the World Cup, that wouldn’t be surprising.”
‘Much more transparent’
Balkin’s friend and now colleague Oliver Durr Dehnhardt experienced how difficult it was to acquire African talent when he was a scout at Dutch giants Ajax.
“We made a partnership with Cape Town FC in South Africa for a few years,” he told AFP.
“It didn’t work out. We got one player out of it and it was still too messy.
“So in the end, before Eyeball, the idea in Africa was, let’s wait until they come to Europe and then we just need to accept that we will have to pay 10, 15, 20 million euros for them.”
The 30-year-old Dane said that picture was transformed when Eyeball, who say they are the only players in this market, came on the scene.
“In my later stage at Ajax, we were starting to look actively in Africa because Eyeball enabled that for us,” he said.
“With the United Future League, they actually built the structure that was missing and gave us the opportunity to see the players a year, year-and-a-half before they made their senior debut.
“So all of a sudden, we were able to replicate the process that we have in Europe to Africa.”
In years gone by there have been plentiful stories of young talent brought to Europe by unscrupulous agents and when they fail to make it are left to fend for themselves, often condemned to sleeping on the streets.
Balkin, 26, believes such behaviour is now “outdated” but Eyeball provides a safety net.
“It certainly made things much more transparent,” he said.
“That’s the biggest thing. So throughout the system, you’re actually able to get correct information on players.
“So first of all, like, when are they born? What is the nationality?
“Clubs and scouts are able to reach out directly to other clubs down there in Africa without having to go through intermediaries.”
Balkin highlights the story of 19-year-old Assane Ouedraogo, who through the platform earned a move from his Ivory Coast club San Pedro to Charlotte in the MLS, although he is currently on loan at MLS Next Pro side Crown Legacy FC.
“With the sign-on bonus, he was able to buy a house for his parents.”
-AFP
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A football commentator has been stripped of his World Cup credentials by FIFA after an expletive-laden tirade against the organisation and match officials during Paraguay’s 1-0 victory over Turkey in which Miguel Almiron was sent off.
Jorge Chipi Vera lost his composure on live television when Paraguay’s Almiron became the first player sent off at the tournament for violating a new rule that forbids players from covering their mouths during on-field confrontations.
Almiron was dismissed for remarks made to Turkey’s Mert Muldur with his hand covering his mouth in first-half stoppage time.
The furious broadcaster called FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the referee “thieves”, accusing them of “killing football” as Paraguay were reduced to 10 men, but he later apologised and said on X late on Monday that his accreditation had been cancelled.
“During the broadcast of the match between Paraguay and Turkey, I had an outburst,” Vera said in his lengthy apology.
“In the midst of my frustration over the expulsion of a player from my country, and feeling that my national team was being harmed, I used offensive and unacceptable expressions against the referee, FIFA, and its authorities.”
Vera said the sanction meant he can no longer participate in his media outlet’s World Cup coverage “either inside the stadiums or outside them” and it covers “any type of participation or coverage related to the World Cup”.
FIFA declined to comment, but a source familiar with the matter said the governing body considered Vera’s language unacceptable and his actions inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected of accredited broadcast personnel.
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
The source suggested that, while FIFA had no problem with freedom of speech against the laws of the game, Vera’s repeated use of a highly offensive Spanish phrase directed at FIFA officials was viewed as particularly shocking.
FIFA banning journalists from tournaments is extremely rare.
Under former President Sepp Blatter, freelance investigative reporter Andrew Jennings was barred from all FIFA events following his allegations of corruption in soccer’s global governing body, many of which were subsequently vindicated in the U.S. courts.
Vera, who works for ABC Cardinal and ABC TV, also apologised to sponsors that support the platforms’ coverage and said he had sent a letter of apology to FIFA, taking full responsibility for his actions.
“Questioning a rule or disagreeing with a refereeing decision never justifies losing control the way I did,” he added.
“I failed you in something fundamental: maintaining the composure and respect that this profession requires.”
-Reuters
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Cristiano Ronaldo added another remarkable chapter to his legendary career by becoming the first player in FIFA World Cup history to score in six different tournaments.
The Portugal captain reached the milestone when he opened the scoring in his country’s Group K match against Uzbekistan in Houston, finishing clinically from close range after a cross from João Cancelo.
The goal ended a frustrating run of 10 matches without scoring at major international finals and further strengthened Ronaldo’s place among football’s greatest players.
Fact File: Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup Milestone
- Historic Achievement: First player to score in six FIFA World Cups.
- World Cup Goals: Equalled Portugal legend Eusébio’s record of nine World Cup goals.
- World Cup Appearances: Featured in every World Cup from Germany 2006 to USA-Canada-Mexico 2026.
- Scored at the 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 World Cups.
- International Goals: 144 goals, the highest total in men’s international football.
- International Caps: 230 appearances, a men’s world record.
- Opponent: Uzbekistan.
- Venue: Houston Stadium, Houston, Texas.
- Assist Provider: João Cancelo.
- Goal Type: Right-foot finish from six yards.
World Cup Timeline
- 2006 (Germany): First World Cup appearance and first World Cup goal.
- 2010 (South Africa): Scored in Portugal’s campaign.
- 2014 (Brazil): Added to his World Cup tally.
- 2018 (Russia): Produced one of the tournament’s iconic performances with a hat-trick against Spain.
- 2022 (Qatar): Became the first male player to score in five World Cups.
- 2026 (USA, Canada & Mexico): Extended the record to six World Cups.
At 41 years old, Ronaldo continues to rewrite football history, setting standards that may stand for generations.
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Ghana produced a disciplined defensive masterclass to hold England to a goalless draw in their FIFA World Cup Group L clash on Tuesday, strengthening the Black Stars’ hopes of reaching the knockout stage while frustrating one of the tournament favourites.
The result left both teams well placed heading into their final group matches, although England will feel they missed an opportunity to secure early qualification after opening their campaign with an entertaining 4-2 victory over Croatia.
For Ghana, however, the point was richly deserved after a resolute display that effectively neutralised England’s formidable attacking weapons.
Coach Carlos Queiroz made his intentions clear from the outset, setting up his side to deny space to Harry Kane and England’s creative players while looking to strike on the counterattack.
Playing under a steady drizzle, England dominated possession, enjoying nearly 80 per cent of the ball during the first half. Yet despite their territorial advantage, Thomas Tuchel’s side struggled to penetrate Ghana’s compact defensive structure.
The Black Stars swarmed around Kane whenever he ventured into dangerous areas and closed down passing lanes with remarkable discipline.
Their effectiveness was reflected in a remarkable statistic: the opening 45 minutes became the first half of any match at the 2026 World Cup in which neither side managed a shot on target.
Tuchel had warned before the encounter that Ghana would be tactically well organised under Queiroz, who is appearing at his fifth FIFA World Cup as a coach and whose experience includes two spells as assistant manager at Manchester United.
England assistant coach Anthony Barry admitted at halftime that Ghana’s defensive approach had surprised the Three Lions.
“They are defending deep, deep, deep — probably deeper than we expected,” Barry observed, urging patience from England’s players.
As the match wore on, Tuchel turned to his bench in search of inspiration.
Bukayo Saka and Nico O’Reilly were introduced after 65 minutes, while Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze followed shortly afterwards. Marcus Rashford was later thrown into the fray as England intensified their search for a breakthrough.
Yet Ghana remained composed and organised.
Having snatched a dramatic last-gasp 1-0 victory over Panama in their opening match, the Black Stars also carried a threat of their own, particularly through the pace of Antoine Semenyo and substitute Prince Kwabena Adu on the counterattack.
England’s best opportunity finally arrived four minutes from time.
O’Reilly rose highest to meet a cross and sent a header crashing against the crossbar. The rebound fell kindly to Kane, but the England captain blasted over from close range in a miss that summed up his side’s frustrating evening.
England captain Harry Kane, midfielder Declan Rice and substitute Nico O’Reilly show their disappointment after the Three Lions were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by a resolute Ghana side in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L encounter at Boston Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts, on June 23, 2026. Photos: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/David Butler II; Reuters/Peter Cziborra.
The Three Lions piled forward during the closing minutes, but Ghana’s defenders stood firm to secure a valuable point.
The draw leaves Ghana in a strong position heading into their decisive final group encounter against Croatia, while England will face Panama seeking the result that will guarantee progression.
For Queiroz and his players, the performance was another demonstration that tactical discipline and collective effort can still frustrate even the most talented opponents on football’s biggest stage.
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