Somali referee goes from World Cup snub to European final World Cup

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Somali referee goes from World Cup snub to European final World Cup

In a remarkable twist just days after being excluded from the 2026 World Cup, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup. The match will be between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on 12 August in Salzburg, Austria. Historic appointment for Artan Artan will become the first Somali referee to take charge of a European Super Cup match. This appointment marks a major milestone in a career. He has risen rapidly to prominence across African and international football. His UEFA appointment comes in the wake of the controversy over his absence from the World Cup, where…

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Morocco faces injury setback ahead of World Cup opener

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Morocco faces injury setback ahead of World Cup opener

Morocco have suffered a significant setback just days before the start of their 2026 World Cup campaign, with defender Nayef Akrad and winger Abdel Samad Al-Zalzouli both ruled out through injury. Unfit to play The Moroccan Football Federation, in coordination with FIFA, have confirmed that both star players will miss the tournament. The team have called up Marwan Saadane and Amine Sebaï as replacements ahead of their Group C opener against Brazil. Akrad’s absence is a major blow to Morocco’s defensive structure. A key figure in the run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, he had been included in the squad…

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Washington justifies the exclusion of Somali referee and Iranian officials ahead of the World Cup

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Washington justifies the exclusion of Somali referee and Iranian officials ahead of the World Cup

Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House team tasked with organising the 2026 World Cup, defended the US authorities’ decision to bar Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan and a number of administrative officials from the Iranian national team from entering the United States, stressing that these measures were taken for “very valid reasons”, according to AFP, reporting on a seminar organised by the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington. The comments come at a time of growing questions regarding the security measures taken by the US in the days leading up to the start of the tournament, which it is co-hosting…

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The greatest goalkeepers in World Cup history

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The greatest goalkeepers in World Cup history

In football, a goalkeeper does not always need to lift the trophy to secure his place in World Cup history. Some have built their legacy by enduring on the world’s biggest football stage, whilst others have forged their legend by keeping a clean sheet against their opponents. Throughout the history of the World Cup, two distinct paths to immortality have emerged among goalkeepers; the first is measured by the number of matches a goalkeeper has played, and the second by the number of clean sheets he has kept. World Cup: Hugo Lloris sits top of record books Over the course of…

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Iran fans can’t watch team compete in 2026 World Cup

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Iran fans can’t watch team compete in 2026 World Cup

Iran has suffered a fresh blow just days before the start of the 2026 World Cup, after the Iranian Football Federation announced the withdrawal of its allocated share of fan tickets for its three World Cup matches. The move has sparked widespread controversy and led Tehran to question whether political considerations are influencing the organisation of the tournament. Iran fans left disappointed Reuters cited the Iranian Football Federation, which said it had already begun distributing and selling tickets for the national team’s group stage matches, before it learnt about the tickets being withdrawn. This means Iranian fans will be denied access…

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Everything you need to know about the new qualification system for the 2026 World Cup

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Everything you need to know about the new qualification system for the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup is set to enter a radically different phase in its history, following the decision to increase the number of participating teams from 32 to 48. This expansion has not only increased the number of teams but has also completely reshaped the tournament’s structure, from the group stage right through to the knockout rounds. This change has led to an increase in the number of matches from 64 to 104, with the adoption of a completely new competition format, the biggest since the tournament’s inception. A completely new format: 12 groups and an expanded knockout stage In the…

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French and English clubs dominate list of world’s 20 most valuable clubs

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French and English clubs dominate list of world’s 20 most valuable clubs

Just days before the start of the 2026 World Cup, the latest valuations from the website ‘Transfermarkt’ have revealed which clubs dominate the market. Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) rise to the top of the world’s most valuable clubs for the first time in its history, whilst Premier League clubs have exerted a striking dominance over the global elite. Paris Saint-Germain oust giants from the top The Parisian club has taken the top spot with a market value of €1.37 billion, ahead of second-placed Manchester City at €1.32 billion and Arsenal in third place at €1.25 billion. This rise reflects the transformation the…

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Somali referee refused entry to settler colonial US

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Somali referee refused entry to settler colonial US

With just days to go before the start of the 2026 World Cup, the settler colonial US have been denying entry to fans, players, and officials – this time to Somali referee Omar Artan. At a time when all eyes should be on the stadiums and the national teams, some of the World Cup’s most prominent stories have begun at airports and border checkpoints. Somali referee turned away Somali referee Omar Abdulqadir Artan was set for a historic moment in his career after being selected by FIFA for the 2026 World Cup, making him one of the most prominent African referees…

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Pérez retains Real Madrid presidency after first election in 20 years

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Pérez retains Real Madrid presidency after first election in 20 years

Florentino Pérez has retained his position as president of Real Madrid after winning the club’s first competitive election in two decades, securing a new five-year term at the helm of the club. According to the Guardian, Pérez secured around 65 per cent of the club members’ votes, beating his rival, businessman Enrique Riquelme, who received 35 per cent of the vote, in an election that reflected a stronger opposition movement than in recent years. In his first comments following the announcement of the results, Pérez described the victory as a “historic result”, emphasising that his achievement represented the second-best election result…

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Tuchel tells Bellingham to fight for his place

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Tuchel tells Bellingham to fight for his place

England manager Thomas Tuchel has sent a direct message to Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, emphasising that competition for starting places in the squad heading to the 2026 World Cup will be wide open, with no guarantees for any player. Bellingham’s place not confirmed – yet According to Sky Sports, Tuchel emphasised that Bellingham is one of several players in contention for the playmaker role (No. 10), given the wealth of options available within the England squad. This comes at a time when Bellingham has featured in just four matches during the qualifiers, whilst the coaching staff have relied on other…

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Senegal primed for World Cup after AFCON debacle

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Senegal primed for World Cup after AFCON debacle

Senegal enters the 2026 World Cup finals with a rare blend of ambition, experience and renewal, in an attempt to rewrite one of the most beautiful stories in African football on the world stage. Although the ‘Lions of Teranga’ were unable to go beyond the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup, the signs leading up to the current edition suggest that the West African side possesses the qualities to make it one of the leading contenders to play the role of ‘dark horse’ in the tournament. Senegal had made their way to the World Cup with remarkable consistency, topping their qualifying…

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Eriksen “doing well” after collapse

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Eriksen “doing well” after collapse

Christian Eriksen is expected to be discharged from hospital soon after he collapsed during the friendly match between Denmark and Ukraine five years after surviving a cardiac arrest. The match, in which Denmark was leading 2-1, was halted after the veteran midfielder suddenly fell during the 65th minute, leaving players and fans in shock. Medical teams rushed on to the pitch to provide emergency treatment before he was taken to hospital. Denmark’s national team doctor, Morten Boesen, who is widely credited with saving Eriksen’s life when he collapsed in 2021, said the player is “doing well”. He is with his family…

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FIFA eases restrictions on bringing water into World Cup stadiums

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FIFA eases restrictions on bringing water into World Cup stadiums

Following a widespread wave of criticism and objections from fan groups and health experts, FIFA was partially forced to backtrack on its controversial decision to ban water bottles in World Cup 2026 stadiums. It announced that spectators would be permitted to bring one soft, sealed plastic water bottle into matches held in the United States and Canada. The new decision came just days after an amendment to the “Stadium Code of Conduct,” which FIFA had completely banned reusable bottles, justifying the move on security grounds related to the possibility of using bottles and solid objects as projectiles that could pose a…

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US denies visas to 15 members of Iran’s 2026 World Cup delegation

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US denies visas to 15 members of Iran’s 2026 World Cup delegation

Preparations for the Iranian national team’s participation in the 2026 World Cup have escalated into a tense political issue, following a visa crisis that triggered a diplomatic spat between Tehran and Washington. Meanwhile, the team continues its technical training, focusing away from the administrative turmoil. For a long time, there were doubts and continuous discussions about whether the Iranian national team would participate in or withdraw from the 2026 World Cup due to the US war against Iran since last February. Visa crisis brings politics back to the World Cup While the Iranian national team players and technical staff received US…

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England — one of the top candidates for the 2026 World Cup

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England — one of the top candidates for the 2026 World Cup

As the 2026 World Cup approaches in North America (USA, Canada, Mexico), England enters the list of serious contenders to win the title for the first time since 1966. This assessment relies on a strong combination of exceptional talent, tactical preparation under Thomas Tuchel’s leadership, a perfect qualifying record, and statistical expectations. Despite a long history of “disappointments” in the knockout stages, the English team appears more balanced and mature this time. The golden generation The English national team possesses one of the strongest squads in the world, combining experience with explosive youth: Attack: Harry Kane (Captain and historical top scorer)…

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Visa crisis threatens media coverage for the 2026 World Cup

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Visa crisis threatens media coverage for the 2026 World Cup

As FIFA continues to promote the 2026 World Cup as the most expansive and inclusive tournament in history, a new crisis has emerged that could overshadow the long-awaited event. The International Sports Press Association has warned of significant difficulties facing dozens of accredited journalists in securing visas to enter the United States. In an official letter to FIFA media officials, the association revealed it has received an increasing number of complaints from accredited journalists—including a large group of Iranian journalists and those from various African nations—who have yet to secure the necessary visas, despite fulfilling all of the tournament’s media accreditation…

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World Cup — Water bottle ban sparks controversy

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World Cup — Water bottle ban sparks controversy

The FIFA has sparked widespread controversy with its decision to amend the policy regarding water bottles inside 2026 World Cup stadiums. After initially banning reusable bottles, FIFA later permitted only small, factory-sealed plastic bottles—a move seen as late and contentious, especially given concerns about high temperatures during the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. World Cup security decision sparks controversy According to Reuters, FIFA justified the decision as a security measure intended to prevent bottles or solid objects from being used as projectiles in the stands, part of a broader policy to tighten stadium safety procedures. However, the ban…

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World Cup history — Streaks and attacking records

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World Cup history — Streaks and attacking records

Days before the start of the 2026 World Cup, a collection of the most prominent historical records that have stood for decades in the archives of the FIFA returns to the forefront. At the top of the list are the long unbeaten streaks of national teams, in addition to the attacking dominance of a number of major teams since the first edition in 1930. These figures do not just reflect match results; they summarize entire eras of footballing dominance and reveal the historical differences between various playing styles over time. Longest unbeaten streaks According to the official statistics issued by the FIFA,…

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FIFA water ban sparks fan backlash ahead of 2026 World Cup

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FIFA water ban sparks fan backlash ahead of 2026 World Cup

Fans attending the 2026 World Cup will not be allowed to bring reusable water bottles into stadiums. The latest restriction introduced by FIFA has sparked criticism and concerns about temperatures across the tournament’s hottest host cities. This year’s tournament features 48 teams for the first time. It will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As a result, several matches are expected to be played in high temperatures and humidity. What has changed in stadium rules? Under the new regulations, fans cannot bring reusable water bottles into venues. However, previously, spectators could carry transparent, empty plastic bottles up to…

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The biggest scorelines in World Cup history

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The biggest scorelines in World Cup history

Most football matches are decided by small margins, but others are not. In fact, matches in the World Cup often feature remarkable scorelines not seen elsewhere. In such games, defensive structure can collapse, and goals accumulate quickly. Sometimes this happens through clear mismatches. At other times, it results from unusually open play. With the 2026 edition approaching in the United States, Canada and Mexico, a record 48 teams are taking part. This raises the bar. Uneven scorelines are all the more likely to appear, particularly when debut nations come up against established football powers. Below are the highest-scoring matches in World…

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