World Cup
Morocco, Spain Enhance Judicial Framework for 2030 World Cup
Morocco and Spain signed a joint declaration of intent Tuesday in Madrid outlining judicial cooperation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Justice Ministers Abdellatif Ouahbi and Félix Bolaños García signed the agreement during the Moroccan minister’s visit.
The declaration focuses on judicial cooperation in fighting cross-border organized crime, primarily through information and experience exchange.
“The two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to friendly relations and constructive cooperation between their countries, illustrated by the signing and implementation of several international judicial cooperation agreements,” noted the statement from the Moroccan Ministry of Justice.
It aims to optimize existing cooperation mechanisms by adapting them to World Cup requirements. This includes the sharing of best practices and the consolidation of joint commissions through the regular organization of committees, as provided for in civil and penal judicial assistance conventions. These efforts build upon discussions that began in Madrid in April 2024.
Upgrading the judicial system is another priority, which encompasses plans to accelerate digital transformation, improve justice access, promote alternative dispute resolution, and strengthen cross-border case management.
Both ministers stressed that this collaboration is vital for the tournament’s success, asserting the role of an efficient judicial system in ensuring legal security for international events.
They agreed to establish a mixed justice commission between Morocco, Spain, and Portugal to develop a special cooperation framework. This body will be in charge of supporting World Cup preparations with specific action plans for security and legal challenges associated with organizing a global spectacle of this magnitude.
Ouahbi’s visit to meet his Spanish counterpart is part of strengthening the historical bilateral cooperation between Morocco and Spain. He was accompanied by Morocco’s ambassador to Spain, Spain’s ambassador to Morocco, and senior officials from the Moroccan Ministry of Justice.
A combined preparation
This is not the first such agreement Morocco has signed in preparation for the tournament. In January, Morocco and Portugal signed a similar joint declaration of intent in Lisbon to strengthen judicial cooperation.
-Moroccan World News
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The 2026 World Cup final will feature its first ever halftime show, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday.
The 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The tournament will feature 104 matches instead of the previous 64 games, including an additional knockout round.
The final will be played at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, home of NFL teams New York Giants and New York Jets.
“I can confirm the first ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final in New York, New Jersey, in association with Global Citizen,” Infantino said on Instagram.
FIFA will be working with international education and advocacy organisation Global Citizen as well as British band Coldplay for the halftime show.
-Reuters
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Ahmed Musa and Sadiq Umar are returnees to the Super Eagles as head coach, Éric Sékou Chelle named his first assembly since he was named Nigeria’s helmsman in January.
He has named goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Adeleye Adebayo, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Simon Moses in a provisional list of 39 players for this month’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
There are also goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar.
Defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche and Papa Daniel Mustapha, and forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Akor Adams are named for the first time ever, while there could be returns for home-based goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defender Jordan Torunarigha, midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo andforwards Cyriel Dessers andNathan Tella, if they eventually make the final list of 23.
Nigeria, fifth on the group C log behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic and Lesotho, square up to leaders Amavubi of Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, 21st March before taking on Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo four days later.
NIGERIA’S PROVISIONAL LIST OF 39 PLAYERS FOR RWANDA, ZIMBABWE
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Paralimni, Cyprus); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Jordan Torunarigha (Gent FC, Belgium); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Anthony Dennis (Goztepe SK, Turkey); Chrisantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough FC, England); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Southampton FC, England); Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars); Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)
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It is 14 days to the resumption of the 2026 World Cup qualifying series in Africa. Group C leaders, Rwanda will be hoping to consolidate as they host Nigeria who on the other hand are hoping to rebuild their tattered campaign.
In their last encounter last November, Rwanda inflicted a 2-1 defeat on Nigeria in Uyo, the first time since both teams first met 20 years ago in 2006 World Cup qualifiers.
Significantly, both teams since November have experienced managerial changes, opting for African coaches other than their nationals.
While Nigeria opted for Mali’s Eric Chelle, Rwanda at the weekend announced the 56-year-old, Algerian, Adel Amrouche as a replacement for Germany’s Frank Torsten Spittler whose contract was not renewed last December.
But the Algerian had once rejected handling Rwanda. Eleven years ago, Amrouche, who, like Nigeria’s Chelle Holds dual nationality as he is also a Belgian, posted on his Facebook page that he was not interested in handling the Amavubi of Rwanda.
“It’s not true that I am interested in the Amavubi job. I am happy with the current job of coaching the Kenyan national team, but I wish success to whoever gets the job. I believe in Rwanda, they have a coach in Rayon, who can take Amavubi to another level. Give coach Eymael the chance,” Amrouche said in his face book post.
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