FIFA World Cup 2026 Archives

Brazilian winger Rodrygo set to miss World Cup with knee injury

Real Madrid said Tuesday their winger Rodrygo Goes has suffered a severe knee injury, which will keep him out of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with Brazil this summer.

“Following the tests carried out today on our player Rodrygo by Real Madrid’s medical services, he has been diagnosed with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and a tear of the lateral meniscus in his right leg,” said Real Madrid in a statement.

Rodrygo appeared as a substitute in Madrid’s 1-0 home La Liga defeat by Getafe on Monday, where he sustained the injury.

The 25-year-old stayed on the pitch, but tests revealed the severity of his injury on Tuesday.

Rodrygo had only just returned to action after a month out with tendonitis.

“One of the worst days of my life, how much I always feared this injury… maybe life has been a bit cruel to me lately,” Rodrygo wrote on Instagram later Tuesday.

“I don’t know if I deserve this, but what do I have to complain about? How many wonderful things have I already experienced that I also didn’t deserve?”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The winger said his “dream” of competing at the World Cup this summer was over.

“A major obstacle has arisen in my life, in my career, one that keeps me from doing what I love most for a while,” he continued.

“I’m out for the rest of the season with my club and out of the World Cup with my country, a dream which everyone knows how much it means to me. And all that’s left is for me to be strong as always.”

Carlo Ancelotti, formerly Rodrygo’s coach at Real Madrid, will not be able to call on the forward for record five-time winners Brazil’s bid to secure a sixth World Cup trophy this summer in the United States.

Real Madrid will also miss the forward, particularly with French forward Kylian Mbappe currently sidelined because of a knee sprain.

Alvaro Arbeloa only has three fit attackers available, in Vinicius Junior, Gonzalo Garcia and Franco Mastantuono, ahead of next week’s Champions League last 16 clash against Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu.

READ: Fakhar Zaman doubtful for ODI series against Bangladesh

FIFA World Cup 2026: schedule, format, venues and key details

The FIFA World Cup 2026, set to be the largest edition in the tournament’s history, is now less than six months away, with FIFA having already unveiled the full match schedule, tournament format, venues and key details for the 39-day global spectacle.

Co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, the 39-day mega event will run from June 11 to July 19 and feature an expanded field of 48 teams, up from the traditional 32.

A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 venues spread over the three host nations, making the 2026 World Cup the most extensive and logistically ambitious edition ever staged.

Reigning champions Argentina will arrive aiming to defend the title they lifted at Qatar 2022 under the leadership of Lionel Messi.

The 38-year-old will be chasing a historic achievement, as a successful title defence would see Argentina become only the third nation, after Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962), to win back-to-back World Cups.

Notably, both Italy and Brazil achieved the feat while lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy, meaning Argentina could become the first team to retain the current FIFA World Cup Trophy, in use since 1974.

The 2026 edition will also mark World Cup debuts for Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan, underlining FIFA’s push towards greater global representation as the tournament enters a new era.

Opening match and final venues

The tournament will get underway on June 11 at the Mexico City Stadium, where hosts Mexico will play the opening match against South Africa.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The World Cup will conclude on July 19, with the final scheduled to be played at the New York New Jersey Stadium, formerly known as MetLife Stadium.

Groups confirmed

The 48 teams have been divided into 12 groups of four. The group lineup includes several heavyweight clashes and intriguing matchups:

Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Denmark/North Macedonia/Czech Republic/Ireland
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales/Bosnia
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay, Turkiye/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania
Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, DR Congo/Jamaica/New Caledonia
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana

New format explained

The 2026 World Cup will feature a revamped competition structure. After the group stage, the knockout rounds will begin with a Round of 32, a first in World Cup history.

This will be followed by the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, a bronze medal match and the final.

Tournament phases:

Group stage: June 11–27
Round of 32: June 28–July 3
Round of 16: July 4–7
Quarterfinals: July 9–11
Semifinals: July 14–15
Bronze medal match: July 18
Final: July 19

Full schedule of World Cup 2026

Group stage

Thursday, June 11

Mexico vs South Africa at 3pm (21:00 GMT) – Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico

South Korea vs TDB at 10pm (04:00 GMT on Friday) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico

Friday, June 12

Canada vs TBD at 3pm (20:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada

USA vs Paraguay at 9pm (05:00 GMT on Saturday) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US

Saturday, June 13

Qatar vs Switzerland at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US

Brazil vs Morocco at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US

Haiti vs Scotland at 9pm (02:00 GMT on Sunday) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US

Australia vs TBD at midnight (08:00 GMT on Sunday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada

Sunday, June 14

Germany vs Curacao at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US

Netherlands vs Japan at 4pm (22:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US

Ivory Coast vs Ecuador at 7pm (00:00 GMT on Monday) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US

TBD vs Tunisia at 10pm (04:00 GMT on Monday) – Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico

Monday, June 15

Spain vs Cape Verde at 12pm (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US

Belgium vs Egypt at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada

Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US

Iran vs New Zealand at 9pm (05:00 GMT on Tuesday) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US

Tuesday, June 16

France vs Senegal at 3pm (20:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US

TBD vs Norway at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US

Argentina vs Algeria at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Wednesday) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, US

Austria vs Jordan at midnight (08:00 GMT on Wednesday) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US

Wednesday, June 17

Portugal vs TBD at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US

England vs Croatia at 4pm (22:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US

Ghana vs Panama at 7pm (00:00 GMT on Thursday) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada

Uzbekistan vs Colombia at 10pm (04:00 GMT on Thursday) – Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico

Thursday, June 18

TBD vs South Africa at 12pm (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US

Switzerland vs TBD at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US

Canada vs Qatar at 6pm (02:00 GMT on Friday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada

Mexico vs South Korea at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Friday) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico

Friday, June 19

Scotland vs Morocco at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US

USA vs Australia at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, US

Brazil vs Haiti at 9pm (02:00 GMT on Saturday) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US

TBD vs Paraguay at midnight (08:00 GMT on Saturday) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US

Saturday, June 20

Netherlands vs TBD at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US

Germany vs Ivory Coast at 4pm (21:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada

Ecuador vs Curacao at 8pm (04:00 GMT on Sunday) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, US,

Tunisia vs Japan at midnight (06:00 GMT on Sunday) – Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico

Sunday, June 21

Spain vs Saudi Arabia at 12pm (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US

Belgium vs Iran at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US

Uruguay vs Cape Verde at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US

New Zealand vs Egypt at 9pm (05:00 GMT on Monday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada

Monday, June 22

Argentina vs Austria at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US

France vs TBD at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US

Norway vs Senegal at 8pm (01:00 GMT on Tuesday) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US

Jordan vs Algeria at 11pm (07:00 GMT on Tuesday) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US

Tuesday, June 23

Portugal vs Uzbekistan at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US

England vs Ghana at 4pm (21:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US

Panama vs Croatia at 7pm (00:00 GMT on Wednesday) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada

Colombia vs TBD at 10pm (04:00 GMT on Wednesday) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico

Wednesday, June 24

Switzerland vs Canada at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada

TBD vs Qatar at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, US

Scotland vs Brazil at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US

Morocco vs Haiti at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US

TBD vs Mexico at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Thursday) – Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico

South Africa vs South Korea at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Thursday) – Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico

Thursday, June 25

Ecuador vs Germany at 4pm (21:00 GMT)– New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US

Curacao vs Ivory Coast at 4pm (21:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US

Japan vs TBD at 7pm (01:00 GMT on Friday) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US

Tunisia vs Netherlands at 7pm (01:00 GMT on Friday – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, US,

TBD vs USA at 10pm (06:00 GMT on Friday) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US

Paraguay vs Australia at 10pm (06:00 GMT on Friday) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US

Friday, June 26

Norway vs France at 3pm (20:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US

Senegal vs TDB 3pm at (20:00 GMT) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada

Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia at 8pm (02:00 GMT on Saturday) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US

Uruguay vs Spain at 8pm (02:00 GMT on Saturday) – Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico

Egypt vs Iran at 11pm (07:00 GMT on Saturday) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, US

New Zealand vs Belgium at 11pm (07:00 GMT on Saturday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada

Saturday, June 27

Panama vs England at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US

Croatia vs Ghana at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US

Colombia vs Portugal at 7:30pm (02:30 GMT on Sunday) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US

TBD vs Uzbekistan at 7:30pm (02:30 GMT on Sunday) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US

Algeria vs Austria at 10pm (04:00 GMT on Sunday) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, US,

Jordan vs Argentina at 10pm (04:00 GMT on Sunday) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US

Knockout stage

Sunday, June 28

Round of 32 match at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US

Monday, June 29

Round of 32 match at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US

Round of 32 match at 4:30pm (22:30 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US

Round of 32 match at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Tuesday) – Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe, Mexico

Tuesday, June 30

Round of 32 match at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US

Round of 32 match at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US

Round of 32 match at 9pm (03:00 GMT on Wednesday) – Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico

Wednesday, July 1

Round of 32 match at 12pm (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US

Round of 32 match at 4pm (00:00 GMT on Thursday) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, US

Round of 32 match at 8pm (04:00 GMT on Thursday) – San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, US

Thursday, July 2

Round of 32 match at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US

Round of 32 match at 7pm (00:00 GMT on Friday) – Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada

Round of 32 match at 11pm (07:00 GMT on Friday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada

Friday, July 3

Round of 32 match at 2pm (21:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US

Round of 32 match at 6pm (23:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US

Round of 32 match at 9:30pm (03:30 GMT on Saturday) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, US,

Saturday, July 4

Round of 16 match at 1pm (19:00 GMT) – Houston Stadium, Houston, US

Round of 16 match at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, US

Sunday, July 5

Round of 16 match at 4pm (21:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US

Round of 16 match at 8pm (02:00 GMT on Monday) – Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico

Monday, July 6

Round of 16 match at 3pm (21:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US

Round of 16 match at 8pm (04:00 GMT on Tuesday) – Seattle Stadium, Seattle, US

Tuesday, July 7

Round of 16 match at 12pm (17:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US

Round of 16 match at 4pm (00:00 GMT on Wednesday) – BC Place, Vancouver, Canada

Thursday, 9 July: First quarterfinal at 4pm (21:00 GMT) – Boston Stadium, Boston, US

Friday, 10 July: Second quarterfinal at 3pm (23:00 GMT) – Los Angeles Stadium, Los Angeles, US

Saturday, July 11: Third quarterfinal at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US

Sunday, July 12: Fourth quarterfinal at 9pm (03:00 GMT) – Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City, US

Tuesday, July 14: First semifinal at 3pm (21:00 GMT) – Dallas Stadium, Dallas, US

Wednesday, July 15: Second semifinal at 3pm (20:00 GMT) – Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, US

Saturday, July 18: Bronze medal match at 5pm (22:00 GMT) – Miami Stadium, Miami, US

Sunday, July 19: Final at 3pm (20:00 GMT) – New York New Jersey Stadium, New Jersey, US

READ: FIFA unveils groups for the World Cup 2026

Neymar undergoes surgery ahead of 2026 World Cup

Brazil star player Neymar has undergone a successful operation on his left knee to repair a damaged meniscus, his club Santos said on Monday.

The 33-year-old endured a difficult season with Santos as he played through the injury to help the club avoid relegation from Brazil’s top flight.

Brazil’s national team doctor performed the arthroscopic surgery, having previously operated on Neymar for a foot fracture as well as the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament he suffered against Uruguay in October 2023.

Neymar is expected to require a recovery period of around a month. His Santos contract expires at the end of the year, but he is in talks with the club over a new deal.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward has not played for Brazil in over two years but is hoping to be fit and figure in coach Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for the 2026 World Cup.

Neymar is Brazil’s record goalscorer with 79 goals from 128 matches.

For the unversed, the 2026 World Cup will start on June 11 in Mexico, USA and Canada.

The hosts, Mexico, will play South Africa at the Azteca Stadium — venue of the 1970 and 1986 finals.

READ: Arteta hints at Gabriel Jesus return ahead of League Cup clash

‘It doesn’t make sense’: Trump wants to rename American football

Spurred on by World Cup 2026 fever, US President Donald Trump said Friday that American football should be renamed as the game played with a round ball, soccer, was the one true football.

“We have a little bit of a conflict with another thing that’s called football, but when you think about it, shouldn’t it really be called … football, there is no question,” Trump said at the World Cup draw.

“We have to come up with another name for the NFL (National Football League). It really doesn’t make sense when you think about it.”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

For Americans, the word “football” refers to American football, a sport primarily played with the hands, unlike what the rest of the world calls football.

Almost the entire country tunes in each year to the NFL championship final, the Super Bowl, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino made sure to emphasise on Friday to Americans that the World Cup 2026 would be the equivalent of 104 Super Bowls.

An all-round sports enthusiast, Trump has developed a particular affection for soccer that continues to grow as the World Cup 2026, which will take place next summer in the United States of America (USA), Mexico, and Canada, approaches.

READ: FIFA unveils groups for the World Cup 2026

Haaland strikes as Norway thump Italy to reach first World Cup since 1998

MILAN: Norway qualified for their first World Cup since 1998 after Erling Haaland struck again in a 4-1 thumping of Italy on Sunday, which sealed a spot in the 2026 edition in the United States of America (USA), Canada and Mexico.

Haaland scored the decisive brace in the space of seconds at a soaking San Siro for Norway, who completed Group I with a perfect 24 points from their eight qualifying matches.

Norway would have had to lose by nine goals or more in order to be overtaken by Italy for the group’s only automatic place for next summer’s finals in North America, but Stale Solbakken’s side gloriously ended their campaign in front of 70,000 people.

However, Solbakken was coy as to his powerful team’s chances now that a 28-year weight has come to an end.

Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge, was still an international player when Norway last competed in the World Cup 27 years ago, a tournament won by a Zinedine Zidane-inspired France.

And the Manchester City striker, called a “goal machine” by Solbakken, will be one of the players to watch in North America after smashing in 16 goals during qualifying.

The 25-year-old is averaging more than a goal a game for club and country this season and was typically ruthless when presented with his opportunities to both put Norway ahead and then double their lead in the 78th and 79th minutes.

Pio Esposito opened the scoring for Italy in the 11th minute, but once Antonio Nusa levelled with a thumping strike in the 63rd minute, there was only one team that looked like winning, and Jorgen Strand Larsen’s brilliant individual goal completed the rout in stoppage time.

Italy will head to the play-offs in March after finishing the group six points behind Norway following two bracing defeats to Solbakken’s team, and exited the San Siro field to a hail of whistles from the few home fans who had stayed until the end.

READ: Portugal hammer Armenia to qualify for World Cup 2026

Portugal’s Ronaldo expects Ireland fans’ boos ahead of World Cup Qualifier

Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo said he wants Ireland fans to boo him in Thursday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier in Dublin.

Portugal will reach the 2026 World Cup finals with a victory, and Ronaldo said if the crowd focused on him, it could take pressure off his teammates.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is aiming to play at a sixth World Cup next summer, and Portugal lead qualifying Group F by five points with two matches remaining.

“The stadium will boo me, I’m used to it, I certainly hope they do, maybe it will take the pressure off other players,” Ronaldo told a news conference on Wednesday.

Ronaldo said he expected it would be a “difficult” match, with Ireland sitting back and denying him and his teammates space.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward was also asked about the possibility of scoring his 1000th career goal in the World Cup final.

“You’ve been watching too many movies, that would be too perfect,” laughed Ronaldo, 40.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Getting back to reality, all this data makes me happy. A national team never depends on one player, but I like being able to make a difference with goals.

“It’s always good to score goals, that’s my position. I want to play in this next World Cup; otherwise, I wouldn’t be here, but let’s take it step by step.”

Cristiano Ronaldo, currently playing at Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, has scored 953 goals in his career to date.

The striker is the leading men’s international goalscorer with 143 goals and said Tuesday he believes the 2026 World Cup will be his last and he expects to retire from football within a couple of years.

However, on Wednesday, Ronaldo said he preferred to focus on the team’s goal of qualifying rather than discuss his future in the game.

“There’s no point in being repetitive and losing focus,” he added. “Maybe later on I’ll give more interviews and speak more clearly about what I think for the future, but Portugal has another opportunity to be in another final.”

READ: England pacer faces injury scare ahead of first Ashes Test

Son tells South Korea to ignore reputations at FIFA World Cup 2026

Son Heung-min said South Korea need to show the big teams less respect at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after recovering from being “punched” by Brazil to beat Paraguay.

The captain Son and his teammates were hammered 5-0 by Brazil in a friendly in Seoul last week, but got back on track with a 2-0 home win over Paraguay on Tuesday.

Son, who set a new record for South Korea’s men’s team with his 137th appearance against Brazil, urged his side to ignore their opponents’ reputations at the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

“When we go up against strong teams, we have to think about how we can be more aggressive,” said Son, now playing for Los Angeles FC.

“For instance, I think we respected Brazil too much and that had a big influence on the result.

“We now know it hurts to get punched like that, and we have to learn how to fight back.”

South Korea have upset more fancied teams at the World Cup before, famously beating Portugal, Italy and Spain on the way to the semi-finals on home soil in 2002.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

They scored a goal in each half against Paraguay in Seoul, through Eom Ji-sung and Oh Hyeon-gyu.

Son Heung-min played only the first half after appearing for just over an hour against Brazil.

The 33-year-old forward said he was proud of his team’s performance just days after the Brazil humiliation.

“After a big loss like the one we had, players can feel discouraged, and it can show on the pitch,” said Son.

“To see my teammates put that behind them and pounce on their chances, I felt really grateful as their captain.”

Tuesday’s friendly was played out in front of a disappointing crowd of 20,000.

“If we play better football and more entertaining football, then I am sure fans will return to the stadium,” said Son.

READ: Portugal’s Ronaldo becomes all-time top World Cup qualifying scorer

South Africa thump Rwanda to qualify for 2026 World Cup

South Africa thrashed Rwanda 3-0 in Mbombela on Tuesday to win Group C and qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Thalente Mbatha and Oswin Appollis scored in the first half for South Africa, and Evidence Makgopa sealed victory with a goal midway through the second period.

South Africa topped the table with 18 points, one more than Nigeria, who hammered third-placed Benin 4-0 in Uyo with Victor Osimhen claiming a hat-trick.

It will be the fourth appearance by South Africa at the global showpiece. They qualified for the 1998 and 2002 tournaments and were automatic participants in 2010 as the host nation.

Qualification was a huge relief for South Africa, who saw a five-point lead with four rounds remaining turn into a two-point deficit behind Benin entering the final round.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

South Africa dropped points in home draws with Nigeria and Zimbabwe and forfeited three points for fielding the ineligible Teboho Mokoena in a victory over Lesotho.

South Africa needed to beat Rwanda and hope Nigeria defeated Benin, and that is what transpired with the home teams making dream starts.

Nigeria were ahead within three minutes through Osimhen while Mbatha scored the first South African goal with just five minutes gone.

A snap shot from Appollis midway through the opening half put South Africa in control and Rwanda spent most of the match on the back foot.

Makgopa, a late call-up in place of the injured Iqraam Rayners, headed into the net off a corner on 72 minutes to complete the scoring.

Osimhen netted a second time before half-time and completed his hat-trick six minutes into the second half. An added-time goal from Frank Onyeka completed the rout.

South Africa became the seventh African country to qualify for the expanded 48-team World Cup next year in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

They join Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, and Tunisia, and the final two automatic qualifiers will be decided later Tuesday.

Group leaders, Ivory Coast and Senegal, need victories at home against Kenya and Mauritania, respectively, to qualify.

READ: Asian Cup Qualifier: Pakistan-Afghanistan clash ends in 1-1 draw

Cape Verde creates history with first-ever FIFA World Cup qualification

Cape Verde beat Eswatini 3-0 on Monday to secure a spot at the FIFA World Cup 2026, booking their place in football’s global showpiece for the very first time.

The team from an archipelago off the coast of Senegal has about 550,000 inhabitants, making Cape Verde the country with the smallest population to represent Africa in the global showpiece.

Cape Verde won Group D with 23 points, four more than Cameroon, who hold the African record for World Cup appearances with eight. Cameroon drew 0-0 with Angola in Yaounde.

After dominating the first half of the 2026 qualifier, but seldom threatening to score, the Blue Sharks struck twice through Dailon Livramento and Willy Semedo in the first nine minutes after half-time before a 15,000 flag-waving crowd in Praia.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Livramento claimed his fourth goal of the 10-round qualifying campaign in 48 minutes, and Semedo struck six minutes later. Both goals came from close-range tap-ins.

Cape Verde added a third goal in added time when Stopira, a substitute for Joao Paulo, pounced on a loose ball to score.

Cape Verde rely heavily on players born outside the nation to Cape Verdean parents or grandparents. Livramento was born in Rotterdam and Semedo near Paris.

Eswatini had come to the 10-island archipelago with little attacking ambition, adopting a 5-4-1 formation in front of goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala.

But after conceding twice, there was no way back for the team from southern Africa, who lost seven qualifiers and drew the other three.

Cape Verde spread the national team net wide with three starters based in Portugal and one each in the United States, Republic of Ireland, UAE, Romania, Russia, Netherlands, Turkey, and Cyprus.

The remarkable qualification of Cape Verde came after they made a disappointing start to the 10-match campaign, drawing 0-0 at home with Angola and slumping to a 4-1 loss in Cameroon.

Those results left the Blue Sharks with four points from a possible nine, having won away to Eswatini in between.

READ: De Klerk stars again as South Africa edge Bangladesh in Women’s World Cup thriller

Kudus scores as Ghana qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026

Mohammed Kudus scored as Ghana beat Comoros 1-0 in Accra on Sunday to win Group I and become the fifth African qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 after Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia.

Cheered on by a capacity 40,000 crowd, Ghana dominated first-half possession and territory, but slow, predictable attacks meant Comoros goalkeeper Adel Anzimati-Aboudou was seldom troubled.

However, the home side wasted little time after the interval in taking the lead as Tottenham midfielder Kudus struck on 47 minutes.

Comoros only partially cleared a goalmouth scramble, and when the ball was crossed low into the six-yard box, Kudus tapped it into the net from point-blank range.

Success against Comoros was particularly sweet as the Indian Ocean islanders shocked Ghana at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and beat them again in the second round of World Cup qualifying two years ago.

Ghana top the group with 25 points from 10 matches. Madagascar finished second with 19 points despite a 4-1 loss to third-placed Mali in Bamako.

It will be the fifth appearance by the Black Stars in the global showpiece. Their best performance was in 2010 in South Africa, where they lost to Uruguay after a quarter-final penalty shootout.

Qualification for the expanded 48-nation 2026 tournament, which the United States, Canada, and Mexico will co-host, justified the faith of Ghanaian officials in coach Otto Addo, who was under fire last year.

There were persistent demands from the public and media in the West African country for Addo to be sacked after a disastrous 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign.

Ghana, winners of the competition four times between 1963 and 1982, did not win any of the six AFCON qualifiers and finished a humiliating last behind Angola, Sudan, and Niger with just three points.

The other four automatic African qualifiers for the World Cup will be decided on Monday and Tuesday, with Benin, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, and Senegal the group leaders.

Egypt rested Liverpool star Mohamed Salah for their final match at home to Guinea-Bissau, and an early goal from Mohamed Hamdy delivered a 1-0 Group A victory in Cairo.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Niger upset Zambia 1-0 in Ndola to finish second in Group E behind Morocco, and currently lie third in the mini-leagues runners-up table behind Gabon and Burkina Faso.

The four best-ranked second-placed teams after the final qualifiers on Tuesday advance to the play-offs in Morocco during November.

Whoever wins the mini-tournament, featuring single-match semi-finals and a final, qualifies for six-nation inter-continental play-offs next March with two World Cup places up for grabs.

Niger striker Daniel Sosah scored in his third straight qualifier, firing a rebound into the net on 56 minutes after goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga failed to hold a Victorien Adebayor shot.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian squad, coaches, technical staff, and officials arrived safely in the southeastern city of Uyo on Sunday.

Returning home after a Group C win over Lesotho in South Africa last Friday, the jet carrying the Super Eagles had to make an emergency landing in Angola due to a cracked windscreen.

The team media officer, Promise Efoghe, said a replacement aircraft was sent to Luanda and the journey to Nigeria was safely completed.

Nigeria, the pre-qualifying favourites to win Group C, are third entering the final round on Tuesday, three points behind Benin and one point below South Africa.

However, the Super Eagles could finish first if they defeat shock leaders Benin in Uyo and South Africa do not win at home to Rwanda.

South Sudan coach Nicolas Dupuis has reportedly been suspended for 15 days and told to stay away from the national squad after a 5-0 home loss to Group B leaders Senegal on Friday.

France-born Dupuis, 57, guided Madagascar to a shock win over Nigeria in the 2019 Cup of Nations in Egypt, and the islanders exceeded expectations by reaching the quarter-finals in their first appearance.

READ: Pat Cummins provides fitness update for first Ashes Test