FIFA has appointed a team of Portuguese match officials to oversee the 2026 World Cup quarter-final clash between Argentina and Switzerland, scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 11, at 9 p.m. EDT at Kansas City Stadium. The decision was disclosed in an X post by FIFA on Thursday. Joao Pinheiro of Portugal will … Read more
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has alleged that FIFA and the match officials showed favouritism towards defending champions Argentina following his team’s dramatic 3-2 defeat in the Round of 16. Egypt surrendered a two-goal lead on Tuesday as Argentina staged a remarkable comeback, inspired by Lionel Messi, who created one goal and scored the … Read more
The International Federation of Association Football has officially confirmed goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo’s change of international allegiance from England to Nigeria, making the 24-year-old Wrexham shot-stopper eligible to represent the Super Eagles. The approval was documented on FIFA’s Change of Association platform on April 6, 2026. Checks by PUNCH Online on Tuesday show Okonkwo’s new … Read more
Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been named the FIFA Best Men’s Player for 2025 after an outstanding season with Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team. Dembélé played a pivotal role for PSG, showcasing his pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability, while also helping France achieve strong results in international competitions, solidifying his reputation … Read more
Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, will depart Abuja in the early hours of Wednesday, October 8, as they begin their final preparations for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco. According to a report obtained from the NFF’s website on Tuesday, led by Head Coach Bankole Olowookere, the team will camp … Read more
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have advanced to the Round of 16 at the ongoing 24th FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Colombia in the early hours of Monday. At the Estadio Fiscal de Talca, the seven-time African champions delivered a spirited performance, with goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt making crucial saves in … Read more