By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo The DR Congo national football team secured a historic return to the FIFA World Cup after a dramatic 1–0 extra-time victory over Jamaica national football team in a high-stakes intercontinental playoff final in Guadalajara, Mexico. Defender Axel Tuanzebe emerged as the unlikely hero, scoring the decisive goal in the 100th minute
By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo The final pathway to the FIFA World Cup 2026 officially begins on Friday as six nations enter a high-stakes intercontinental playoff, with two coveted spots at football’s biggest stage on the line. Hosted in the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey, the mini-tournament will determine the last qualifiers for the expanded
By Paul Lucky Okoku FIFA’s confirmation of DR Congo in the intercontinental playoff closes Nigeria’s last qualification path, while raising broader questions about governance, timing, and the practical realities surrounding major football decisions. In modern football, victory is earned on the pitch — but integrity, rules, and timely governance determine the stage on which the
By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo World football governing body FIFA has officially confirmed that Democratic Republic of the Congo will compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup intercontinental play-off tournament scheduled to take place in Mexico later this month. The confirmation follows FIFA’s publication of tournament documentation outlining the six participating nations set to battle for
By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo Gianni Infantino has publicly defended Mexico’s readiness to host matches at the 2026 World Cup, insisting FIFA has full confidence in local authorities despite growing security concerns linked to cartel violence. Speaking during recent engagements surrounding tournament preparations, the FIFA president sought to calm fears, emphasizing that no host nation is
By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo The Nigeria Football Federation’s decision to schedule international friendly matches for the Super Eagles in March 2026 has sparked widespread debate about whether Nigeria has quietly conceded defeat in its eligibility dispute with the Fédération Congolaise de Football Association following their loss in the FIFA World Cup qualifying playoffs. However, a
Report compiled by Tayo Salaam, Snr. Correspondent, United Kingdom Introduction Africa’s most populous nation Nigeria will miss back-to-back World Cups after failing to qualify at the second attempt for the 2026 tournament in USA, Canada and Mexico, with Egypt, Senegal, South Africa, Ghana, Cape Verde, Morocco, Cote D’ivoire, Algeria and Tunisia qualified to represent
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasizes that while the new system expedites visa interviews for ticket holders, it does not guarantee U.S. entry. By Rasheed Adewuyi, New York In anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the U.S. government has introduced the “FIFA Prioritized Appointment Scheduling
In anticipation of their pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff matchup against Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Gabon’s national team, the Panthers, have unveiled a formidable 27-man roster. Head coach Thierry Mouyouma announced the squad during a press conference in Libreville on Thursday. The squad features a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents, headlined by