Category sport-news

Morocco became the first African group to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after defeating 10-man Niger 5-0 in Rabat on Friday to win Group E.

After Abdul-Latif Goumey was sent off, Ismael Saibari scored twice in the opening half, and Azzedine Ounahi’s goals in the second half and Ayoub el Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi completed the comeback.

With two games to go, Morocco earned an unassailable lead with a sixth straight victory, scoring 18 points over Tanzania, and clinching its seventh world championship appearance with a win.

Morocco won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, beating a group that included Croatia and Belgium, and knocking Spain and Portugal out in the knockout stages.

With a 2-0 defeat to France in the semi-finals, their stunning run came to an end.

Only Ounahi of the scorers against Niger made the 2022 World Cup squad, along with Saibari from PSV Eindhoven and coach Walid Regragui who has since introduced new faces, such as Saibari from Dutch club PSV.

Egypt defeated Ethiopia 2-0 in Group A in Cairo thanks to late penalties from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush from Premier League players.

If Egypt defeats second-placed Burkinabe on Tuesday, they will join Morocco at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

As South Sudan defeated South Sudan 4-1 in Juba to maintain its lead in Group B, Newcastle United signing Yoane Wissa scored one of the goals.

After Sweden international Alexander Isak left Newcastle for Liverpool in a record-setting British move, Wissa made a £50 million ($67 million) deal to move from Brentford.

The Congolese hope to win the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when Zaire was the nation’s name.

Paraguay Declares a Holiday to Celebrate 2026 World Cup Qualification

South Africa triumphs 

Before Keer Majak scored a consolation goal, Cedric Bakambu added a second and Wissa added a fourth to give the visitors a three-goal lead at half-time.

Following a 2-0 victory over Sudan in Diamniadio with goals from Kalidou Koulibaly and Pape Matar Sarr, Senegal now leads DR Congo by one point heading into a top-of-the-table showdown in Kinshasa on Tuesday.

South Africa won their third straight game 3-0 away victory over neighbor Lesotho in Bloemfontein, keeping them five points clear of Group C.

Because Lesotho’s home game was moved because the mountain kingdom lacks a FIFA-approved stadium, it was moved to the city in central South Africa, which is 145 kilometers away by road from the border.

Mohau Nkota, who left renowned Soweto club Orlando Pirates last month for Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq, scored his first international goal for Bafana Bafana (the Boys) on 15 minutes.

Within four minutes of the second half, Oswin Appollis and Premier League returnee Lyle Foster scored.

However, South Africa’s victory came at a price, with defenders Thabo Moloisane and Nyiko Mobbie both retiring injured before Tuesday’s crucial game against Nigeria.

Benin, who defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 in Abidjan with a Steve Mounie goal, has 16 points, five more than South Africa. Rwanda will host Niger on Saturday, nine points clear of the leaders.

Gambia defeated Kenya 3-1 in a surprise 3-1 victory in Nairobi thanks to second-half clinical finishing, with Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh scoring the winning goal.

The outcome, however, did not have an impact on Group F, with the Ivory Coast’s current champions traveling to Gabon on Tuesday, likely to decide the winner.

Serhou Guirassy, a prolific scorer for Borussia Dortmund last year, scored 38 goals in all competitions for Guinea in their 3-0 victory over Somalia.

Guirassy will almost certainly miss the World Cup due to their disappointing campaign, which leaves them eight points behind Group G leaders Algeria.

After qualifying for its first Football World Cup in 16 years with a draw against Ecuador, Paraguay celebrated an impromptu national holiday on Friday.

As thousands of Albirroja fans gathered in the streets to celebrate a 0-0 draw with Ecuador, which gave Paraguay the final automatic spot in South America, President Santiago Pena decreed the holiday on late Thursday.

Even though some critics claimed a national holiday was over the top, Pena said in his announcement that Friday would be dedicated to paying “homage to the epic campaign that has inspired the entire nation.”

READ ALSO: Spain Cruises to its first World Cup Finals, Germany Loses It.

Paraguay last participated in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where they were eliminated by Spain in the quarter-finals.

Paraguay’s ninth World Cup campaign will be marked by their participation in the 2026 edition, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

“There are children who have never seen the Albirroja at a World Cup.” Paraguayans have waited for this to happen once more, Pena said.

Luis Suarez, who played for Inter Miami last weekend in the NFL’s championship game against the Seattle Sounders, received a six-game suspension, according to tournament disciplinary officials who released a statement on Friday.

After getting involved in a brawl following Miami’s 3-0 loss, the 38-year-old former Uruguay, Liverpool, and Barcelona star was fined for spitting at a Sounders official.

Suarez’s suspension would only be effective for the following year’s edition of the tournament, according to a statement from the Leagues Cup Disciplinary Committee, but Major League Soccer “reserves the right” to impose additional sanctions.

Sergio Busquets, Suarez’s inter-teammate at Inter Miami, also received a two-game suspension. Tomas Aviles, a third Inter player, is prohibited from playing in three games.

Steven Lenhart, a member of the Seattle coaching staff, has received a five-game suspension.

READ MORE:  Germany Loses Opening World Cup Qualifier As Spain Cruises

The teams from MLS and Liga-MX faced off in the joint competition after chaotic scenes came to an end to Miami’s defeat in Sunday’s final at Seattle.

Obed Vargas, a 20-year-old midfielder for the Sounders, was immediately put in a headlock by Suarez shortly after the final whistle, causing a brawl that involved both players and staff.

As Seattle security staff members spit at each other as they walked away from Vargas, officials scrambled to restore order, but cameras later discovered Suarez and his partner were doing the same.

Suarez apologized for his actions in a statement on Thursday, which was released after being previously given suspensions for biting and racially abusing opponents in separate incidents earlier in his career.

Suarez wrote on Instagram that the situation created great tension and annoyance, with the result that things didn’t go as planned but that doesn’t justify my actions.

Suarez continued, “I was wrong and I sincerely regret it. I feel bad about what happened, and I didn’t want to miss the chance to acknowledge it and express my sincere regret,”

This was Suarez’s most recent disciplinary encounter.

After receiving a four-month ban for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini, he was notoriously kicked out of the 2014 World Cup.

He has also been fined for biting people during club games, and in 2011 England’s authorities issued an eight-game ban for allegedly racially abusing France’s Patrice Evra.

One of the villains of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa was also a man who had denied Ghana what would have been a late winner in the quarter-finals due to his cynical handball.

Promoter CSI Sports reported on Thursday that Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather have reached a deal for a potential 2026 exhibition fight.

Although there was no release date or location for the fight, CSI reported that Mayweather and heavyweight champion Mayweather would meet in “Spring 2026.”

Tyson, 59, established himself as the most feared heavyweight of his generation by creating a 50-7 record with 44 knockouts.

In Arlington, Texas, he last appeared in the ring in November when YouTuber-turned-prizefighter Jake Paul thumped him.

Tyson hardly ever managed to punch in that eight-round fight, which was still watched by a live audience of about 70 000 spectators and an estimated one million more tuning in from all over the world.

Mayweather, 48, a former world champion who won world titles in five weight classes when he retired from boxing in 2017, unbeaten in 50 of his fights.

However, he has continued to show up in shows, most recently in August of 2024 when he defeated John Gotti III in Mexico.

In a statement made by CSI, Tyson said, “No way this happens,” when asked about entering the ring with Floyd Mayweather.

Floyd, however, said “yes.” None of us ever imagined or could witness this conflict. This fight is as unpredictable as it gets, despite the fact that boxing has entered a new era of the unpredictable.

Germany’s opening World Cup qualifier on Thursday saw them suffer a shock 2-0 defeat, while Spain opened the year’s title defense with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bulgaria.

Just before half-time against Germany in Bratislava, Atletico Madrid’s David Hancko untracked into the penalty box to give Slovakia the lead.

Ten minutes into the second half, David Strelec, who has just signed for Middlesbrough in the English Championship, brilliantly fired into the top corner.

Slovakia’s first World Cup appearance since 2010 is assured by the outcome, which gives them a first-class start in Group A.

Germany, in contrast, are immediately under pressure, despite the fact that this group match appears to be their hardest-fought match so far.

After losing both of their matches in the UEFA Nations League Final Four against Portugal and France in June, Julian Nagelsmann’s team kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign.

When they take on Northern Ireland on Tuesday, they must now act quickly while Luxembourg is their other four-team teammate.

Only the group winners advance to the North American finals with 48 teams.

Jamie Reid, Shea Charles, and Justin Devenny scored the goals for Northern Ireland in Luxembourg, 3-1.

Aiman Dardari’s equalizer put the hosts in front before the break, but Seid Korac’s second-half red card put an end to their chances of winning the game.

Spain, the reigning champion of Europe, had few issues with their Group E match against Bulgaria in Sofia. They lost in June to Portugal in the Nations League final.

Within five minutes, Mikel Oyarzabal scored a skillful finish from a Martin Zubimendi pass, and Marc Cucurella put together a superb second goal.

After Lamine Yamal’s third goal, Mikel Merino scored it after 38 minutes.

Belgium wins, Netherlands wins,

Turkey, who fought back from a Georgian comeback to defeat Spain 3-2 in Tbilisi, will play their next game away.

Turkey appeared to be cruising after Mert Muldur’s opening goal was met by Kerem Akturkoglu’s two goals either side of half-time.

However, Zuriko Davitashvili pulled one back, sending Baris Alper Yilmaz to the visitors’ penalty.

In stoppage time, Turkey held on for the victory, going up to 3:32 with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Despite having a lead through Denzel Dumfries in the first half, the Netherlands were held to a 1-1 draw by Poland in Group G Rotterdam.

The Dutch still lead the group with seven points, having already won both Poland and Finland on goal difference, and have a game in hand thanks to Matty Cash’s ferocious late strike.

In the same group, Lithuania and Malta both scored penalties to draw 1-1.

Maxim De Cuyper opened the scoring for Belgium against Liechtenstein with a 6-0 win over the minnows.

Arthur Theate, Kevin De Bruyne, and Malick Fofana also scored, with Youri Tielemans scoring twice, including a penalty.

After a contentious reign that lasted nearly 25 years, Daniel Levy abruptly resigned as the head of Tottenham.

Levy was the driving force behind Tottenham’s $1.2 billion ($1.6 billion) stadium and cutting-edge training facility.

However, the 63-year-old caused a stir among Tottenham fans when he faced numerous protests during a trying time for the Premier League team.

Levy, who had led the Premier League for the longest period of time, has faced more criticism than ever.

Supporters were enraged by a string of unsatisfying managerial decisions and Levy’s transfer policy, who was accused of giving a damn more attention to the club’s financial results than its pitch-perfect performance.

Tottenham finished 17th last season, their worst top-flight performance since 1976-77, before resurrecting the campaign by winning the Europa League to advance to the Champions League.

Ange Postecoglou was fired after two turbulent seasons in charge, but that success, which ended Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought, did not spare him.

In his final significant choice, Levy made the hiring of Thomas Frank from Brentford to replace Postecoglou.

“I’m incredibly proud of the work I and the rest of our staff have done together,” said the executive team. In a statement, Levy said, “We have made this club into a global heavyweight competition at the highest level.”

We have also created a community, “more than that.” From the team at Lilywhite House and Hotspur Way to all the players and managers over the years, I had the honor of working with some of the sport’s greatest players.

I want to thank every fan who has backed me over the years. Although the journey hasn’t always been simple, significant progress has been made. I’ll be a strong supporter of this organization forever.

In April, Vinai Venkatesham was appointed as Tottenham’s chief executive officer, and Peter Charrington, who was appointed in March, will take on the newly created position of Non-Executive Chairman, has been appointed.

Read more about this story: Liverpool Man Accused Of Football Parade Crash Faces 24 New Charges

A new era of leadership is discussed in &nbsp.

“I’m very honored to be the non-executive chairman of this extraordinary club, and I want to thank Daniel and his family for their service and commitment over the years,” said Charrington.

On and off the pitch, the club is entering a new era of leadership. I appreciate the significant changes that have occurred as we have laid new foundations for the future.

“We are now fully focused on stability and empowering our talented members of the Club, under Vinai and his executive team.

Tottenham had only won two titles since Levy took over in 2001, with the 2008 League Cup being followed by a lengthy wait that culminated with last season’s Europa League triumph over Manchester United.

As a result of the dismissals of Mauricio Pochettino, Antonio Conte, Maurizio Pochettino, and Nuno Espirito Santo, Levy gained a reputation for his brutal sacking of managers.

During Pochettino’s tenure, Tottenham enjoyed its best form under Levy.

The Argentine reached the 2019 Champions League final as Tottenham’s third successive top three finishers.

Even Pochettino was unable to escape Levy’s axe, but the chairman was ultimately the subject of discussion.

Tottenham’s fans were furious because of how badly their team performed last year and the club’s difficult summer transfer window, which saw them miss out on Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, which only made things worse.

The gleaming 62, 000-capacity stadium that opened in 2019 was Levy’s pride and joy’s banner last season, which perfectly summed up the divisional nature of his rule.

It read, “24 years, 16 managers, and one trophy: time for change.”

The disenchanted supporters have finally gotten their wish, despite Tottenham eventually adding a trophy to that meager haul in the Levy era.

Following Levy’s departure, the club’s ownership or shareholder structure will remain unchanged.