Ahead of the winner-takes-all World Cup qualifying play off in Morocco, the Super Eagles will open camp in Morocco on Sunday 9 November.

The Nigerian side will face the Panthers of Gabon in the first semi-finals of the play-offs scheduled to hold in Rabat, Morocco on 13 November. CAF will on Thursday decide on which of the two semi-final matches will be played at the newly inaugurated Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

The other match will then be played at the newly renovated Al Barid Stadium at the Agdal district of Rabat.

According to a media release by the Nigeria Football Federation, officials of the federation are working with those of the National Sports Commission (NSC) to ensure the success of the Super Eagles at the mini-tournament.

The Super Eagles will square up against the Panthers of Gabon at either the 18,000-capacity El-Barid Stadium or the 22,000-capacity Prince Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex, both in Rabat.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans for a futuristic football venue that promises to redefine the boundaries of sports architecture — the Neom Sky Stadium, a structure that will hover 350 metres (1,150 feet) above the desert floor.

The stadium, set to be completed before the 2034 FIFA World Cup, will be part of the NEOM megacity, specifically within the linear urban project known as “The Line.”

A Stadium in the Sky

Planned to seat 46,000 spectators, the $1 billion arena will be powered entirely by renewable energy sources — solar and wind — in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a national blueprint promoting sustainability and technological innovation.

Access to the suspended venue will be via high-speed elevators and autonomous transport pods, allowing spectators to ascend into the clouds for panoramic views of the desert below.

Inside, AI-driven systems, augmented reality interfaces, and precision acoustic technology will enhance the matchday experience, merging sport with science fiction-like spectacle.

Construction is slated to begin in 2027 and finish by 2032, two years before Saudi Arabia stages the 2034 World Cup. Pending FIFA approval, the Sky Stadium could host matches up to the quarter-final stage.

After the World Cup

Once the global showpiece concludes, the Neom Sky Stadium will transform into a multi-purpose venue, hosting sports and entertainment events year-round.
Plans are also underway for it to serve as the home ground of a future NEOM-based football club, further anchoring it within Saudi Arabia’s growing sports landscape.

Officials say the project “symbolizes Saudi Arabia’s leap into the future,” fusing eco-innovation with iconic design to showcase a new era of sports infrastructure.

Engineering and Ethical Concerns

Despite its breathtaking ambition, the Neom Sky Stadium has raised serious questions among engineers and rights advocates.

Building a stadium suspended hundreds of metres above a desert prone to sandstorms and extreme temperatures presents unprecedented technical and safety challenges.

There are also timeline concerns, with construction scheduled to start in 2027 and end in 2032 — leaving just two years of cushion before the World Cup.

Meanwhile, human rights groups have criticized the broader NEOM project, pointing to reports of labor violations and community displacement in other ongoing developments within the region.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Lionel Messi, still chasing international glory nearly two decades into his career, says he hopes to play at the 2026 World Cup in North America, acknowledging his age and fitness will dictate his role in defending Argentina’s 2022 title.

The Argentine great recently extended his contract with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami through 2028, signalling he is not yet considering retirement despite turning 39 next June.

Speaking to NBC News, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said he will take time next year to assess his physical condition before deciding whether to play in the tournament across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

“It’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup, and I would love to,” the Argentine captain said in the interview released on Monday.

“I would like to be there, to be well and be an important part of helping my team, if I am there. I’m going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter (and see if I can really be 100%, if I can be useful and then make a decision.

“I’m really eager because it’s a World Cup. We’re coming off winning the last one, and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it’s always a dream to play with the national team.”

Messi has enjoyed a professional career spanning more than 20 years, debuting for Barcelona at just 17 in 2004 before playing for Paris St Germain and joining Inter Miami in 2023. He sparked fresh interest in the American league in a critical moment for the sport in North America ahead of hosting next year’s World Cup.

While Messi has amassed countless club and individual accolades, international success had eluded him until claiming the 2021 Copa America before beating France 4-2 on penalties to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“It was the dream of my life,” Messi said of the victory.

“It was also true that it was the only thing missing at a professional level because I had been lucky enough to have achieved everything at an individual level, at a team level with Barcelona, and I think that’s every player’s dream. When you ask a player what their dream is, it’s to be world champion.”

Messi has played in 195 matches and scored a record 114 goals for his country. A return for the 2026 World Cup would mark his sixth appearance in the tournament.

-Reuters

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H