The United States launched their home World Cup in emphatic fashion Friday, thrashing Paraguay 4-1 with a perfectly scripted opening performance to delight a star-studded home crowd in Los Angeles. Folarin Balogun scored twice while relentless US pressure led to…

Nigerian attacking midfielder Francis Onyeka is on the verge of completing a move to newly-promoted Bundesliga side SV Elversberg, as the German club look to bolster their attacking options ahead of life in the top flight, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.…

Michael Olise (France) Born in Hammersmith, London, to a British-Nigerian father and a Franco-Algerian mother, Michael Olise was eligible to represent France, England, Algeria and Nigeria before committing to Les Bleus. The winger — full name Michael Akpovie Olise —…

Fifty cyclists departed Lagos on Friday, embarking on a 1,110-kilometre cross-border expedition across four West African countries in a bold demonstration of sustainable transport and climate advocacy. Organised by FT Cycle Care in conjunction with the Cycling Federation of Nigeria…

The Super Eagles, once undisputedly Africa’s most valuable national team, have slipped to seventh place in the latest Transfermarkt market value rankings, as Morocco, Ivory Coast and Senegal surge clear of the pack ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup,…

South Africa captain Ronwen Williams has expressed disappointment at what he described as a lack of support from fellow African nations following Bafana Bafana’s 2-0 defeat to co-hosts Mexico in their opening 2026 FIFA World Cup match on Thursday night,…

New Nigerian record holder in the men’s 100m, Kayinsola Ajayi, will be gunning for his first NCAA title on Friday when he competes in the final of the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.…

The Confederation of African Football has described Alex Iwobi as iconic after the Fulham midfielder became only the fourth player to reach 100 appearances for the Super Eagles during Nigeria’s 2-1 friendly defeat to Portugal on Wednesday. Iwobi brought up…

June 12, 2026 10:21 pm Canada’s forward #09 Cyle Larin (L) celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2026 World Cup Group B football match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Toronto Stadium in Toronto on June 12,…

Nigeria international Igoh Ogbu has undergone successful surgery after suffering a torn Achilles tendon while on duty with the Super Eagles during the June international break. The 26-year-old defender sustained the injury while representing Nigeria, with medical examinations later confirming…

Pele’s 1958 World Cup winners’ medal is expected to fetch £500,000 ($670,000) when it is auctioned in England later this month. The medal, won by the Brazilian legend when he was a teenager, is part of a catalogue of 450…

FIFA has confirmed that Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will be unavailable for the Black Stars’ opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after Canadian authorities refused his visa application. The decision means the 32-year-old midfielder will miss Ghana’s Group…

France forward Ousmane Dembélé has defended national team captain Kylian Mbappé, saying the scrutiny directed at the Real Madrid striker has become “very, very unfair” and has gone too far. Mbappé has faced sustained criticism in Spain following a trophyless…

Fans put off by prices, some denied visas, and locals more fired up about basketball: the 2026 World Cup is kicking off without much enthusiasm in the United States. The co-hosts play Friday against Paraguay in Los Angeles, but it…

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss his country’s opening World Cup match against Panama in Toronto after being denied entry into Canada. The 32-year-old, who is part of Ghana’s squad and currently plays for Spanish club Villarreal, was expected to…