World Cup
Cape Verde heading for fairytale World Cup berth
The Cape Verde Islands could become the second smallest country to qualify for a World Cup after they took a step closer on Tuesday, while Senegal staged a stunning recovery to boost their chances of a berth at next year’s finals in North America.
Egypt, South Africa and Ivory Coast also moved towards securing first place in their respective groups on a busy day of qualifiers across the continent.
Cape Verde’s 1-0 home win over Cameroon put them four points clear of the Indomitable Lions in Group D and they have their destiny in their hands with two matches to play next month.
The west African island archipelago, with a population of just above 600,000, won in Praia with a 54th-minute goal from striker Dailon Livramento, who stripped Carlos Baleba of the ball in his own half before sprinting away from the defenders and slotting the ball expertly past goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Cape Verde need three points from next month’s qualifiers away to Libya and at home against Eswatini.
Iceland, with about 350,000 people, is the smallest country to have competed at the finals when they played at Russia 2018.
Senegal moved closer to making it three World Cups in a row after coming from 2-0 down to beat Democratic Republic of Congo 3-2 away in Kinshasa, where the 80,000 Stade des Martyrs was packed to capacity four hours before the Group B clash.
SARR VOLLEY
After Nicolas Jackson missed with a close-range header in the fifth minute, the Congolese opened the scoring through Cedric Bakambu in the 27th minute before Yoane Wissa extended their lead five minutes later.
Senegal pulled one back through Pape Gueye in the 39th minute, with Jackson equalising early in the second half before Pape Matar Sarr won the game with an 87th-minute volley to leave his side two points clear of their second-placed opponents.
Egypt would have become the third African country to qualify — after Morocco and Tunisia — had they won in Burkina Faso but a 0-0 draw means they still need two points from their final two Group A fixtures to make sure.
African champions Ivory Coast remain one point ahead of Gabon in Group F after the two teams drew 0-0 in Franceville.
Gabon had the better chances as a noisy home crowd willed them on and came within inches of victory when Shavy Babicka rattled the woodwork three minutes from time.
South Africa remain in the driving seat in Group C after a 1-1 home draw with Nigeria, which all but ends any hopes the Super Eagles had of direct qualification.
An own goal from Nigeria captain William Troost Ekong handed hosts South Africa the lead in Bloemfontein but Calvin Bassey equalised on the stroke of halftime.
The winners of the nine qualifying groups automatically head to the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. with the four best runners-up advancing to a playoff in November, with the potential of a further place at the finals.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday that he met with United States President Donald Trump, who told him he welcomed Iran’s participation in the 2026 Soccer World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
Iran was the only nation missing from a FIFA planning summit for World Cup participants held last week in Atlanta, deepening questions over whether the country’s soccer team will compete on U.S. soil this summer amid an escalating regional war.
Trump told Politico earlier that he is not concerned about Iran’s participation, as they were a “very badly defeated country”.
“We also spoke about the current situation in Iran, and the fact that the Iranian team has qualified to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026,” soccer’s world governing body, FIFA, boss Infantino said in a post on his official social media account.
“During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.
“We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever, and I sincerely thank the President of the United States for his support, as it shows once again that Football Unites the World.”
Iran secured a trip to a fourth successive World Cup by topping Group A in the third round of Asian qualifying last year, but Mehdi Taj, president of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said the viciousness of the attacks by U.S. and Israeli forces did not augur well for the World Cup, to be held from June 11 to July 19.
The Iranians were grouped with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand in Group G. Their matches are scheduled to take place in the U.S., two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
If both the U.S. and Iran finish second in their respective groups, the two countries could meet in a July 3 elimination match in Dallas.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
A delegation from FIFA has begun a crucial inspection tour across Spain, Portugal and Morocco to evaluate preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The two-week tour, which started on March 9, forms part of FIFA’s evaluation process ahead of the official announcement of host stadiums scheduled for December 2026.
The inspection mission, conducted in collaboration with the national football federations of the three countries, is aimed at assessing stadium infrastructure, organisational readiness and logistical arrangements across the candidate host cities.
Spain and Portugal First Stops
The FIFA delegation began its tour in Spain, where it visited major stadium facilities in Barcelona and Madrid. Officials inspected venues and reviewed ongoing infrastructure works as part of the preparations for the historic centenary tournament.
After completing the Spanish leg of the inspection, the delegation proceeded to Portugal before concluding the tour in Morocco.
Reports from the inspection indicate that FIFA officials were impressed by the progress of the redevelopment of Camp Nou in Barcelona, highlighting the importance of stadium readiness in the final selection of host venues.
Morocco’s Candidate Cities Under Review
The final stage of the inspection will take place in Morocco, where FIFA officials will assess stadiums and facilities in six candidate host cities.
In Casablanca, the delegation will review the construction progress of the proposed Grand Stade Hassan II, which is expected to seat about 115,000 spectators and is being considered as a possible venue for the tournament final.
Other Moroccan venues scheduled for inspection include the Complexe Moulay Abdellah in Rabat and the Grand Stade de Tanger, which is currently undergoing expansion.
Existing stadiums in Marrakech, Agadir and Fès are also being renovated and upgraded to meet FIFA’s technical and safety standards.
Key Areas of Assessment
During the inspection, FIFA officials are evaluating several critical areas including stadium safety, VIP facilities, media operations, transport infrastructure and accommodation capacity for teams, officials and supporters.
Morocco has already embarked on several major projects to strengthen its readiness for the tournament.
These include the implementation of an integrated security system featuring facial recognition technology, surveillance drones and a specialised judicial framework designed to manage large-scale sporting events.
On the administrative side, the Moroccan authorities have established the Morocco 2030 Foundation to coordinate development projects linked to the tournament.
Race to Host the Final
One of the most closely watched aspects of the 2030 World Cup preparations is the competition between Morocco and Spain to host the tournament’s final match.
With the construction of the massive Grand Stade Hassan II and ongoing stadium upgrades across the country, Morocco is positioning itself strongly to host several knockout-stage matches, including potentially the final.
FIFA officials say the ongoing inspection tour is a critical step in ensuring that all candidate cities meet the organisation’s requirements for hosting the global showpiece.
Findings from the two-week inspection will form part of FIFA’s technical evaluation report, which will influence the final decision on host venues expected to be announced in December 2026.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
FIFA Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi said the World Cup is “too big” and that the 2026 tournament will go on as planned despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking at the International Broadcast Centre in Dallas on Monday, Schirgi was specifically asked about Iran, whose participation in the World Cup is uncertain due to the war waged on the country by Israel and the United States.
“At some stage, we will have a resolution, and the World Cup will go on, obviously,” Schirgi said, per NBC 5 in Dallas. “The World Cup is too big, and we hope that everyone who has qualified can participate.”
Schirgi said that FIFA is monitoring the situation in the Middle East closely while working with federal and international partners to evaluate daily developments.
FIFA said last week that it is keeping an eye on events in Iran just months ahead of the start of the World Cup in June. Iran qualified for the tournament through its participation in the Asian Football Conference.
Iran is scheduled to play Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt in Group G. Two of the games are set for Los Angeles, one in Seattle. Schirgi said that FIFA has been in contact with Iran’s soccer federation but declined to provide details of those conversations.
The 2026 World Cup will be the largest in history, with 48 nations competing across three countries. The United States will host games in 11 cities, Mexico in three and Canada in two.
FIFA officials were in Dallas for the announcement of plans for the city’s fan festival, with the International Broadcast Centre inside the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center still under construction. Schirgi said the IBC will operate around the clock during the World Cup and is expected to bring between 3,000 and 3,500 media members to Dallas.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- WAFCON6 days ago
BREAKING: CAF Postpones WAFCON 2026
- DIPLOMACY2 days ago
Trump calls on Australia to give asylum to Iranian women’s soccer players
- World Cup2 days ago
Iraq coach calls for delay to World Cup playoff amid travel shutdown
- DIPLOMACY2 days ago
Morocco Backs Gulf Security, Condemns Iranian Attacks Against Brotherly Arab States
- OBITUARY2 days ago
Breaking! Former Super Eagles Coach Adegboye Onigbinde Dies Four Days After Clocking 88
- OBITUARY7 days ago
Nigerian Sports Journalism Mourns Oyeniyi Oyeleke and Tonex Chukwu
- OBITUARY1 day ago
Nigeria’s Sports Community Mourns Adegboye Onigbinde, A Life Devoted to Football
- World Cup2 days ago
1990 World Cup Winner Riedle Backs Spain, France, Brazil for 2026 Glory