By Kunle Solaja, Vancouver

The sounds of singing, dancing and blaring vuvuzelas transformed a training ground in Houston into a slice of Africa as Democratic Republic of Congo supporters gathered in large numbers to cheer their team ahead of a historic return to the FIFA World Cup.

The Congolese national team will begin their Group K campaign against Portugal on Wednesday, marking their first appearance at football’s biggest tournament in 52 years.

The last time the Central African nation competed at the World Cup was in 1974 under the name Zaire. That campaign ended painfully, with three defeats, no goals scored, and 14 conceded. But supporters watching the team’s preparations in Houston believe this generation can write a very different story.

Among the most colourful fans was Dada Muzinga, who wore a clown mask topped with bright red hair as he celebrated his country’s long-awaited return to the global stage.

“I am really happy, man,” Muzinga said. “It’s a long time. I’m 40 years old, but I have never seen the World Cup with my country. I am excited. I know it is going to be really good.”

Muzinga also had a message for Portugal captain and football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, who is expected to lead his side against DR Congo.

“This message is to Cristiano Ronaldo,” he said. “We don’t want any penalties, no red cards. We want to play to the end. Then we will see who wins the game.”

The lively atmosphere at training reflected the growing optimism among Congolese supporters, who believe their team can compete strongly in a group that also includes Colombia and Uzbekistan.

Twenty-four-year-old teacher Claude Byiringiro could barely hide his excitement as he watched the players train.

“I follow the team, and I am really excited it is happening here in Houston,” he said. “I feel like we have a good squad and the chemistry is getting better. Hopefully, we can go far this time.”

For Byiringiro, the experience was especially meaningful because he had spent years watching many of the players from afar.

“These are the players you grew up watching on TV, and now you get to see them represent your country. Not only that, you get to see them live. The way they move the ball is amazing. It feels unreal.”

As the discussion turned to how far the team could progress, confidence among supporters reached a fever pitch. One fan shouted, “All the way to the final,” triggering loud cheers from the crowd gathered around the training session.

DR Congo’s World Cup participation has provided a welcome source of national pride at a difficult time for the country. The tournament comes amid an Ebola outbreak that has cast a shadow over parts of the nation, with hundreds of confirmed cases and significant loss of life reported.

For many Congolese supporters in Houston, however, football offers a rare moment of unity and hope as they prepare to watch their country return to the world’s biggest sporting stage after more than five decades away.

The challenge begins against Portugal on Wednesday, when the jubilant supporters who have brought Africa’s vibrant spirit to Texas will hope their team can announce its return with a memorable result.

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By Kunle Solaja, Vancouver, Canada.

Folarin Balogun, the striker of Nigerian parentage, stole the spotlight on Friday night as his brace inspired the United States to a convincing 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their opening Group D match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The American forward emerged as the difference-maker for the tournament co-hosts, scoring twice in a dominant display that immediately established the United States as one of the teams to watch in the competition.

With the home crowd in full voice, the United States took control of the contest early, but it was Balogun’s clinical finishing that effectively settled the encounter. The striker, whose parents are Nigerian, struck his first goal after being expertly set up by Christian Pulisic, calmly beating the Paraguayan goalkeeper to double the Americans’ advantage.

Balogun was not done. Before the interval, he produced another moment of quality, carving out space for himself before finding the net to complete his brace and hand the United States a commanding 3-0 lead heading into half-time.

The two goals underlined why the former England youth international, who switched allegiance to the United States, is regarded as one of the country’s most important attacking weapons. His movement, pace and composure in front of goal constantly troubled the Paraguayan defence.

Paraguay attempted to mount a response after the break and managed to pull one goal back, but any hopes of a comeback were extinguished when Gio Reyna added a fourth goal to seal an emphatic American victory.

For Nigerian football followers, Balogun’s performance will inevitably attract attention. Born in New York to Nigerian parents and raised in England, the striker was once eligible to represent Nigeria before committing his international future to the United States. His exploits on the biggest stage of world football will therefore be followed closely by many fans back home.

The victory gives the United States a flying start in Group D and strengthens their hopes of progressing deep into a tournament being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

While Christian Pulisic orchestrated much of the attacking play, the night belonged to Balogun, whose two goals provided the foundation for America’s biggest statement yet at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The brace also placed the Nigerian-rooted striker among the early contenders for the tournament’s Golden Boot race, while demonstrating the growing influence of players with African heritage on the global football stage.

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England’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered an unexpected setback after training equipment destined for the team’s base in Kansas City was reportedly stolen during transit, local police have confirmed.

The incident occurred as equipment was being transported from England’s pre-tournament training camp in Florida to Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, where the Three Lions are scheduled to begin their final preparations following their arrival on June 13.

According to local authorities, a vehicle carrying the equipment was broken into before reaching its destination.

“We are investigating a possible theft of equipment from a team vehicle that arrived in Kansas City with items missing this evening,” police said in a statement.

“The investigation is ongoing. Two subjects of interest were taken into custody pending further investigation.”

British media reports indicated that footballs and boots were among the items stolen from the vehicle, although the full extent of the missing equipment has yet to be disclosed.

The incident comes at a critical time for England, who are preparing for their opening Group L fixture against Croatia in Dallas on June 17. While team officials have not commented on whether the theft will significantly disrupt preparations, the loss of training equipment could create logistical challenges ahead of the crucial encounter.

England are among the favourites for the expanded 48-team World Cup and will be hoping to avoid any distractions as they begin their quest for a first world title since 1966.

Security concerns have occasionally surfaced around major sporting events, but it is unusual for a national team competing at a FIFA World Cup to lose equipment in transit. The swift action by law enforcement, including the detention of two persons of interest, has raised hopes that some or all of the missing items may be recovered.

The English squad is expected to proceed with its training programme in Kansas City while police continue their investigation into the incident.

With the countdown to their clash against Croatia now entering its final days, England will be eager to put the off-field disruption behind them and focus on their World Cup campaign.

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