World Cup
This is World Cup, not ‘Trump Cup’
Officials dismiss Trump’s rhetoric of relocating World Cup matches
Senior officials involved in organising the 2026 FIFA World Cup have dismissed growing speculation that U.S. President Donald Trump could influence the relocation of matches from cities governed by Democrats, insisting preparations remain firmly on track.
The controversy erupted after President Trump suggested last month that he might move World Cup games away from San Francisco and Seattle, cities he has criticised for their immigration and public safety policies. This week, he again raised the issue — this time targeting Boston and its Democratic mayor, Michelle Wu — and hinted that he could take the matter directly to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
However, John Kristick, who headed the joint U.S.-Canada-Mexico bid that won hosting rights for the 2026 finals, said such political talk has not affected tournament planning.
“From what I’m seeing, there’s been zero distraction in terms of preparedness,” Kristick told Reuters. “Tickets are already being sold. Hospitality packages have been sold for almost a year now.”
According to FIFA, more than one million tickets have already been purchased by fans from 212 countries and territories.
The United States will stage matches in 11 of the 16 host cities, with Canada and Mexico sharing the remaining venues. The 2026 edition will be the largest World Cup in history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches, marking the first time the global event returns to the U.S. since 1994, a landmark tournament credited with boosting soccer’s popularity in the country.
Earlier this year, Miami World Cup officials reassured international fans that the U.S.’s evolving immigration policies would not hinder attendance or participation.
FIFA, while maintaining that it holds ultimate authority over venue decisions, reiterated this week that “safety and security are obviously the governments’ responsibility,” adding,
“We hope every one of our 16 host cities will be ready to successfully host and fulfil all necessary requirements.”
The U.S. has already had a rehearsal of sorts with the 2024 FIFA Club World Cup, which saw several 2026 host cities stage matches successfully.
Ricardo Trade, former CEO of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Local Organising Committee and of Copa America 2024, noted that venue changes in the U.S. would be logistically possible — but only before the December 5 World Cup draw.
“In a country like the United States, where every state has large, ready-to-use stadiums, I don’t see why it wouldn’t be possible,” he said.
Meanwhile, organisers of the New York/New Jersey Host Committee, which will host eight matches including the final at MetLife Stadium, have shrugged off any fears of disruption.
“We’re doing what we need to do to make sure that we’re putting on the best World Cup experience anyone has ever seen,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the host committee. “We’ve spoken to FIFA, we’re working with the White House Task Force — I don’t think there’s any worry about the games being moved.”
As political rhetoric swirls, organisers insist the focus remains squarely on delivering a seamless, historic celebration when the World Cup returns to North America in 2026.
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World Cup
Scorer of Nigeria’s 1st World Cup 2026 Qualifying Goal, Semi Ajayi Suspended for Gabon Play-Off Duel
By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria defender Semi Ajayi will miss the Super Eagles’ opening play-off match against Gabon on November 13 after accumulating two yellow cards during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series.
Ajayi’s latest caution came in the 55th minute of Nigeria’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Benin Republic on Tuesday, automatically ruling him out of the first of the two projected play-off fixtures.
The Hull City centre-back was the first Nigerian player to be booked in the qualifiers, having received his initial yellow card in the 54th minute of the opening group match against Lesotho on November 16, 2023.
Curiously, both bookings came at almost the same stage of play — the 54th and 55th minutes — and his suspension will see him miss a crucial match just three days before the second anniversary of his first caution.
Ajayi had earlier been Nigeria’s saviour in the qualifiers, scoring the 66th-minute equaliser that rescued a 1-1 draw against Lesotho in the campaign’s opener.
Meanwhile, Ademola Lookman, who served a one-match suspension in the last game against Benin, has now completed his ban.
However, 10 other Super Eagles players remain on the caution list and risk missing the second play-off match should they receive another yellow card.
The players currently walking a disciplinary tightrope include:
- Calvin Bassey – booked in the 45th minute vs Zimbabwe (Nov. 19, 2023)
- Jamilu Collins – booked in the 87th minute vs Zimbabwe (Nov. 19, 2023)
- Umar Sadiq – booked in the 90th minute vs Zimbabwe (Nov. 19, 2023)
- Bright Osayi-Samuel – booked in the 16th minute vs South Africa (June 7, 2024)
- Sodiq Ismaila – booked in the 90+3rd minute vs Benin Republic (June 10, 2024)
- Wilfred Ndidi – booked in the 49th minute vs Rwanda (March 21, 2025)
- Alex Iwobi – booked in the 90th minute vs Rwanda (March 21, 2025)
- Tolu Arokodare – booked in the 90+3rd minute vs Rwanda (March 21, 2025)
- Stanley Nwabali – booked in the 25th minute vs Rwanda (Sept. 6, 2025)
- Bruno Onyemaechi – booked in the 90th minute vs South Africa (Sept. 9, 2025)
With Nigeria eyeing qualification for the 2026 World Cup, discipline will be crucial in the two-legged play-off. The Super Eagles managed a clean record only once in their 10 qualifying matches — the 1-1 home draw with Zimbabwe.
Ajayi’s absence will now test the team’s defensive depth as they prepare for a potentially tricky encounter against Gabon in November.
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By Kunle Solaja
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup takes a dramatic turn next month as Morocco prepares to host a high-stakes four-nation CAF Play-off that could double as a dress rehearsal for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), also set to take place barely a month later in the same country.
Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo, and Gabon — four of Africa’s traditional football powerhouses — will converge on Morocco from 10–18 November 2025 for one final showdown that could be tagged #DestinationMorocco.
At stake is the continent’s last qualification slot for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
AFCON Warm-Up with a World Cup Prize
Interestingly, the quartet are all also qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which Morocco will host in December.
The CAF Play-off, therefore, presents a unique twist — a competitive preview of what may come when the same teams, possibly with overlapping line-ups, return to battle for continental supremacy at AFCON.
Football analysts have already dubbed the mini-tournament “Africa’s most loaded dress rehearsal,” as coaches will have an early opportunity to test tactics, formations, and fitness levels under Moroccan conditions — from the humid coastal cities to the cooler northern terrains that mirror likely AFCON match venues.
Four Nations, One Ticket
The format is straightforward but ruthless. Nigeria, the highest-ranked of the four teams, are projected to face Gabon in one semi-final, while Cameroon will meet DR Congo in the other. Winners will contest the final for Africa’s sixth and last slot at the World Cup.
The play-off champion will then advance to the Intercontinental Play-off Tournament scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico, where they’ll face teams from Asia, Oceania, South America, and North & Central America for one of two remaining global berths.
Nigeria’s Second Chance
For Nigeria’s Super Eagles, the play-off represents a long but vital second chance after narrowly missing direct qualification.
The team’s emphatic 4–0 win over Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday rekindled optimism, with captain William Troost-Ekong pledging that the Eagles would “give everything” to secure the ticket in Morocco.
Should Nigeria triumph in the play-off, they could enter the intercontinental phase as one of the seeded teams, courtesy of their superior FIFA ranking — a potential advantage against lower-ranked sides like Bolivia and New Caledonia.
Morocco — The Final Gateway
From Rabat to Marrakech, Morocco once again takes centre stage as Africa’s football hub — hosting two continental-defining tournaments in consecutive months. For fans, #DestinationMorocco is more than a slogan; it is the symbolic meeting point of Africa’s two grandest football journeys: one leading to North America, the other toward continental glory.
For the four contenders, the ultimate is to move from North Africa to North America.
As the countdown begins, anticipation grows. Four nations, one ticket — and perhaps, a foretaste of AFCON battles to come.
#DestinationMorocco — One Last Ticket. Four Contenders. A Continent Watching.
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Three of Africa’s heavyweight teams will have a second chance at World Cup qualification next month, keeping alive their hopes despite not winning their respective groups.
Cameroon, whose eight previous World Cup appearances are the most by an African nation, will be joined by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Nigeria in a playoff tournament in Morocco next month.
The quartet were the four best runners-up across the nine African groups where the winners gained automatic qualification.
They will play two semi-finals on November 13 and then a deciding match three days later with the winner advancing to the intercontinental playoff in March where the last two World Cup places will be decided.
The pairings for the African playoffs have the highest-ranked team in the FIFA rankings of October 23 play the lowest-ranked, and the other tie will have the second-highest taking on the third-highest.
The rankings are not expected to change much from the last issued on September 18 and so Nigeria (45) should play Gabon (79) while Cameroon (52) take on DR Congo (60).
Determining the four best runners-up was a complicated calculation as results against the last-placed team in the groups had to be expunged because one of the nine groups had five participants instead of six.
Up until the last day of qualifiers on Tuesday, the best four runners-up were still not settled with Nigeria only making sure of their place when they scored a fourth goal in their home rout of Benin. It meant Burkina Faso lost out by a single goal.
Nigeria, with six previous World Cup appearances, finished their qualifiers strongly despite a poor overall campaign and look the strongest of the sides in the playoffs, led by Victor Osimhen, who netted a hat-trick on Tuesday.
Cameroon have little of the lustre of previous years, with their government-appointed coach, Marc Brys, having an acrimonious relationship with the federation president, Samuel Eto’o.
DR Congo previously qualified over a half-century ago when the country was known as Zaire, but they were in the driving seat in their group until Senegal fought back from two goals down to beat them 3-2 in Kinshasa last month and take over top place in Group B.
-Reuters
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