World Cup
2030 FIFA World Cup: Morocco and UK Seal Strategic Partnership Agreement
In a significant boost to preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, Morocco and the United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday in Salé, near Rabat. The agreement aims to deepen bilateral cooperation in key areas related to the tournament, including sports infrastructure, transport systems, and economic development.
The MoU was signed by Fouzi Lekjaa, Morocco’s Minister Delegate for the Budget and President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), alongside David Lammy, the UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. Lekjaa also serves as a member of the FIFA Council.
Speaking from Rabat, Lammy emphasized the UK’s strategic interest in building stronger international partnerships. “Growth and prosperity will underpin our relationship with Morocco and beyond, helping forge new opportunities at home and abroad,” he said, highlighting the agreement as part of London’s broader global engagement strategy.
Beyond sports, Lammy’s visit marked a notable geopolitical development as the UK officially announced its support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan—a proposal viewed by London as a credible and pragmatic solution to the Western Sahara issue.
Douglas Alexander, UK Minister for Trade Policy, reinforced the importance of Morocco as a gateway for British trade and investment. “Morocco is becoming an increasingly vital economic partner, especially as the UK seeks to grow its presence in emerging markets,” he remarked.
The joint initiative reflects a shared ambition to transform the 2030 FIFA World Cup into more than just a sporting spectacle. Both countries envision the tournament as a platform for economic, social, and cultural opportunity.
The UK has committed to sharing its technical expertise and facilitating connections between Moroccan partners and British businesses experienced in hosting major international events. The collaboration will span stadium construction, transport logistics, event management, and related sectors—laying the groundwork well ahead of kickoff.
For Morocco, this partnership aligns with a broader national vision that sees sports as a catalyst for development and global engagement. The 2030 World Cup presents an unprecedented opportunity to bring this vision to life.
The signing ceremony, held at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Salé, was attended by high-level officials from both governments. It underscored not just diplomatic goodwill, but a concrete, forward-looking partnership aimed at lasting impact.
With the 2030 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, Morocco and the UK have taken a decisive step toward shaping the tournament’s legacy through ambition, cooperation, and shared expertise.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Global music stars Shakira and Burna Boy have joined forces to release Dai Dai, the Official Song of the FIFA World Cup 2026, in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
FIFA announced on Friday that the song, released via Sony Music Latin, is now available on all major streaming platforms as excitement continues to build ahead of the expanded World Cup tournament to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico next year.
According to FIFA, Dai Dai combines the global sounds and energy of Shakira and Burna Boy in what it described as a vibrant celebration of football, culture and unity.
The song will also serve a humanitarian purpose, with royalties supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative targeting the raising of $100 million before the end of the tournament to provide children around the world with access to quality education and football opportunities.
FIFA revealed that Shakira will donate her royalties from the song to the fund, while Sony Music will match the first $250,000 raised through an additional contribution.
The release further strengthens Burna Boy’s growing global profile and marks another major collaboration between African music and international football events.
FIFA also confirmed that Shakira will co-headline the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show on July 19, introducing a historic first for the World Cup final. The halftime spectacle is expected to unite global artists in a celebration blending sport, music and social impact in support of the education fund.
Dai Dai follows earlier releases including Lighter, Por Ella, Echo and Illuminate as part of the buildup to the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album, with more singles expected in the coming weeks.
FIFA said the album project reflects the diversity and global spirit of the World Cup by featuring artists from different continents, genres and cultures, while using football and music as unifying forces for fans worldwide.
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Uncapped goalkeeper Robin Risser and Crystal Palace duo Maxence Lacroix and Jean-Philippe Mateta were all named in France’s World Cup squad by coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday.
Risser was picked on the back of his performances for Racing Lens, who will finish second in Ligue 1 and compete in the French Cup final later this month. The 21-year-old was voted Ligue 1’s best goalkeeper earlier this week.
He gets a first call-up at the expense of Lucas Chevalier, who had been expected to feature but was overlooked after losing his starting berth in the Paris Saint-Germain team and being sidelined injured. Chevalier has not played since January.
Striker Mateta, who debuted last October, has won three caps and was selected ahead of Randal Kolo Muani to fill the place vacated by Hugo Ekitike, who suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon playing for Liverpool against PSG in the Champions League last month.
“He has a different profile to other strikers,” said Deschamps of his choice.
CAMAVINGA WILL BE DISAPPOINTED WITH OMISSION
There was also speculation about whether Deschamps would stick with Eduardo Camavinga, after a disappointing season with Real Madrid, but the coach chose defender Lacroix, who made an impressive debut against Brazil in March.
“I would imagine it is a huge disappointment for him, but he has had a tough season with injury as well,” the coach said of Camavinga.
There were no other surprises in the 26-man squad, which has 10 players who featured in the last World Cup final in Qatar four years ago, while Lucas Hernandez, N’Golo Kante and Kylian Mbappe remain from the side that won in Moscow in 2018.
Captain Mbappe leads a formidable attack that also features Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and rising star Michael Olise.
The squad was announced live on the main nightly news bulletin on France’s TF1 channel.
France compete in Group I at the World Cup against Iraq, Norway and Senegal.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Robin Risser (Racing Lens), Brice Samba (Stade Rennais)
Defenders: Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Lucas Hernandez (Paris St Germain), Theo Hernandez (Al Hilal), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).
Midfielders: N’Golo Kante (Fenerbahce), Manu Kone (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris St Germain)
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Bradley Barcola (Paris St Germain), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue (both Paris St Germain), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).
-Reuters
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Carlo Ancelotti extended his contract as Brazil manager until the 2030 World Cup, the Brazilian soccer federation (CBF) said in a statement on Thursday.
Ancelotti joined Brazil in 2025 and will lead the team at this year’s World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
-Reuters
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