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Ghana have parted ways with coach Otto Addo, with 72 days remaining ‌until the kickoff of ​the 2026 World ‌Cup, the country’s football association (GFA) ‌announced. The decision came ‌a few hours following a 2-1 defeat by Germany in Stuttgart during their preparation for the tournament which will be held in North America next summer. Ghana also lost 5-1 in Austria on Friday. Former Borussia Dortmund player Otto Addo, appointed for a second stint in March 2024, failed to qualify Ghana for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations despite having Premier League players Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus in ‌his squad. The German-born ‌coach won eight matches and lost nine in 22 games in charge of the West African nation. Otto Addo, 50, led Ghana at the 2022 World Cup, after previously working as an assistant to Milovan Rajevac. They recorded ​a 3-2 win over South Korea in Qatar but exited at the group stage after defeats by Portugal and Uruguay. Ghana, who reached the World Cup for the fifth time, are in Group L along with Croatia, ‌England and ​Panama. Daylight offside rule to begin trial in Canadian Premier League The Canadian Premier League (CPL) will become the first professional competition to stage an official pilot of the alternative ‌offside law during the 2026 ​season, the league ‌said in a statement. ‌The revised interpretation, ‌proposed by former Arsenal ‌manager and current FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger, is aimed at boosting attacking play and improving the flow in competitive matches, the statement added. Under the new approach, an attacking player will be ruled offside only if there is ​clear gap, or “daylight”, between the attacker and the defender, meaning the attacker will be considered onside ‌if any part of the body ​that can legally score is level ​with or behind the second-to-last defender. The CPL said the ‌trial will be conducted ‌in close collaboration with FIFA, which will oversee the research and evaluation framework, while working with Canada Soccer to prepare match officials, players and clubs. Alongside the offside experiment, the CPL will also introduce FIFA-designed and IFAB-approved measures, including Football Video Support, aimed at cutting down time-wasting ‌and improving ​match efficiency. Ancelotti says Danilo certain to be part of Brazil World Cup squad Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has backed veteran defender Danilo to be part of his ‌final 26-man squad for this year’s ​World Cup ‌in North America, adding that his ‌squad is ‌largely settled. Brazil have been ‌drawn in Group C alongside Morocco, Haiti and Scotland for the June 11 to July 19 tournament, with Ancelotti set to announce his final squad by May 18. “Danilo is a very important player, not only on ​the pitch but also off it,” Ancelotti told reporters in Orlando, ahead of ‌his side’s warm-up friendly game ​against Croatia. “Danilo is certain to ​be in the final 26-man squad because I like him... his character, his personality, his style of play. He can play in all defensive positions. I have a fairly clear idea of the starting line-up for the first match, and the ‌final squad is also ‌pretty much set.” Former Real Madrid and Manchester City defender Danilo, 34, is currently at Brazil club Flamengo. He has played 67 internationals for Brazil across all competitions so far. Ancelotti said a strong defensive foundation would be essential ​for Brazil to win a sixth World Cup. San Siro sale to Inter and AC Milan probed for bid rigging: media The sale of the San Siro stadium by the city of Milan to Italian football giants Inter Milan and AC Milan is being investigated for bid rigging, Italian news reports. Nine people are under investigation after Italy’s financial police carried out searches at Milan City Hall and the company owned by Inter and AC Milan which manages the San Siro, according to media reports. Those being investigated include the former CEO of Inter, Alessandro Antonello, representatives from both clubs and the city of Milan’s general manager, Christian Malangone, who has been described as Mayor Giuseppe Sala’s right-hand man. Accusations of bid rigging centre on the manner in which the 197mn euros ($227mn) sale of 28 hectares (70 acres) of public land on which the San Siro sits was approved in late September. Inter and AC Milan are planning to knock down the San Siro after having built a new 70,000-capacity arena on the land immediately to the west of the current stadium. 

The final line-up for the 2026 World Cup will be decided over the next week, with 16 teams competing for the last four places allocated to European countries.Twelve runners-up from the qualifying groups and four teams that earned spots through their UEFA Nations League results have a second chance to punch their ticket to football's global showpiece. Here is a look at the four play-off routes that will determine the remaining qualifiers for the first 48-team World Cup: Path AFour-time World Cup winners Italy face immense pressure as they attempt to qualify for a first appearance at the tournament since 2014. After lifting the trophy in 2006, Italy's record at the World Cup has been dire. They suffered two successive group-stage exits before missing out entirely on the 2018 and 2022 editions.In order to avoid another qualifying failure Italy must overcome Northern Ireland in Bergamo on Thursday, before a potential final against Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31. "It's only normal that there's pressure - only if you had no blood in your veins would you not feel it," said Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, who played in the 2006 final which the Azzurri won on penalties against France.Northern Ireland are big underdogs against Italy but hope to end a 40-year absence from the World Cup. Wales host Bosnia in Cardiff in the other semi-final.Manager Craig Bellamy said earlier this month that he "feels a responsibility" to lead Wales to a second straight finals. Their appearance in Qatar was the country's first at the World Cup in 64 years. Path BUkraine's footballers will hope to lift the morale of a war-torn country by competing at a first World Cup in 20 years. To get there, they need to beat Sweden on neutral ground in Valencia and then Poland or Albania.Sweden picked up just two points in a dismal qualifying campaign but a team now coached by former Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter will get another shot on the strength of their Nations League performances.However, Sweden will be without key man Alexander Isak as the Liverpool forward is not yet ready to return from a broken leg suffered in December.Poland can count on Robert Lewandowski who is eyeing a third World Cup, but Albania – led by former Arsenal and Barcelona defender Sylvinho – believe they have what it takes to qualify for the first time. Path CKosovo stand two wins away from a first major tournament a decade on from their admission to UEFA and FIFA. They came second in their qualifying group after two wins over Sweden and a victory in Slovenia. "It's a massive opportunity for us. The whole country is buzzing with excitement. Everyone's over the moon," Kosovo captain Vedat Muriqi said.Mallorca striker Muriqi sits second only to Kylian Mbappe in La Liga this season with 18 goals. The 31-year-old is also Kosovo's all-time record scorer. Slovakia, who last featured at the World Cup in 2010, host Kosovo in Bratislava while Turkey and Romania square off in Istanbul. Turkey have not played at the World Cup since a surprise third-place finish in 2002. Romania's most recent appearance was in 1998. Path DTroy Parrott's heroics snatched the Republic of Ireland a play-off berth, but there is much still to be done if the Irish are to return to the World Cup stage.Ireland, who haven't featured at the tournament since 2002, head to Prague to take on the Czech Republic in the semi-finals. The winner of that tie will host the final against Denmark or North Macedonia."There's a quiet confidence in the group growing together, it's great to see but we know there's a lot of hard work to come," said Ireland assistant John O'Shea.Denmark missed out on automatic qualification after a dramatic defeat in Scotland but will be expected to see off North Macedonia, whose lone tournament appearance came at Euro 2020.Kasper Schmeichel is absent for Denmark after revealing last week that he may have played his final game, with two surgeries required to repair his damaged shoulder. 

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Tuesday that her country is prepared to host Iran's first-round matches at the 2026 World Cup if needed due to the conflict in the Middle East.Iran's participation at this summer's finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been in doubt since the war began last month, with President Donald Trump warning that Iranian players' safety would be at risk if they travelled to the US.Iran's football federation has opened talks with FIFA about potentially relocating its matches from the United States, though the global governing body has so far maintained that the tournament's schedule remains unchanged.Asked directly if Mexico was open to hosting the matches, and if the decision will purely come down to FIFA logistics, Sheinbaum told a press conference: "Yes. Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with every country in the world, therefore we will wait to see what FIFA decides."Iran's place at the tournament was thrown into question after the US and Israel launched a massive offensive against the Islamic Republic, which responded with waves of missiles and drones targeting Israeli territory and American targets across the Middle East.FIFA president Gianni Infantino initially said that Trump had given assurances that the Iranian team – scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by Egypt in Seattle – would still be welcome.But the Republican president then triggered uproar last week after stating that Iran's football team should not travel to the tournament "for their own life and safety". Iran hit back at Trump's comments saying that "no one can exclude Iran's national team from the World Cup".Iran were the second Asian team after Japan to qualify for the World Cup, securing their place almost a year ago as they topped their qualifying group. On Monday, Iranian football chief Mehdi Taj wrote on social media: "When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America. We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran's matches in the World Cup in Mexico."Iranian football authorities "are currently discussing with FIFA whether it is feasible – since they were originally scheduled to go to the United States – to see if they can" move Iran's games to Mexico, confirmed Sheinbaum. "The matter is under review and we will provide an update in due course."When contacted on the matter, FIFA said it was "looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025". "FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including IR Iran, to discuss planning for the FIFA World Cup 2026," a spokesperson said.The Iran team's base camp for the tournament is currently slated to be located in Tucson, Arizona. Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran's ambassador to Mexico, on Monday denounced "the US government's lack of cooperation regarding visa issuance and the provision of logistical support" for the Iranian delegation ahead of the World Cup, in a statement published on the embassy's website.Should Iran not take part in the World Cup, it is not yet clear which country might replace them. 

Neymar was left out of the latest Brazil squad named by coach Carlo Ancelotti on Monday for ‌this month's friendlies, as the five-time world champions ​continue their preparations for ‌the 2026 World Cup.Brazil are set to ‌play France on ⁠March 26 ‌in Boston and Croatia on ‌March 31 in Orlando ahead of the tournament in the ⁠United States, Mexico and Canada.Neymar's absence comes after the 34-year-old missed a recent game for Santos FC due to muscle fatigue, a match which Ancelotti had planned to assess him in person during a scouting trip ahead of the squad announcement.Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with ​79 goals, has not played for the national team since suffering a serious knee injury in October 2023 and has struggled to ‌maintain a consistent run ⁠of matches since ​returning to Santos last year."Neymar can be at ​the World Cup if he's 100%," Ancelotti told reporters on Monday after announcing his squad. "I didn't call him up because he's not 100%. Neymar has to be training and playing."Neymar, at a Kings League event in Sao Paulo on Monday, said that he was disappointed and sad about being left out. "But I remain focused, day after day, training session after training session, match after ‌match. We will achieve ‌our goal. The dream ⁠continues.”Ancelotti has called up 19-year-old Endrick, who returns to international ⁠action for the ⁠first time in almost a year, and handed a first call-up to Brentford's Igor Thiago as Brazil look to refresh their attacking options.Brazil will play another friendly against Egypt in June before beginning their Group C World Cup campaign against Morocco ​on June 13. Brazil squad:Goalkeepers: Alisson (Liverpool), Bento (Al-Nassr), Ederson (Fenerbahce)Defenders: Wesley (AS Roma), Alex Sandro (Flamengo), Douglas Santos (Zenit St Petersburg), Marquinhos (Paris St Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Bremer (Juventus), Danilo (Flamengo), Ibanez (Al-Ahli), Leo Pereira (Flamengo)Midfielders: Andrey Santos (Chelsea), Casemiro (Manchester United), Danilo (Botafogo), Fabinho (Al-Ittihad), Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray)Forwards: Endrick (Olympique Lyonnais), Igor Thiago (Brentford), Luiz Henrique (Zenit St Petersburg), Rayan (Bournemouth), Joao Pedro (Chelsea), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Matheus Cunha (Manchester United), Raphinha (Barcelona), Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid) 

Portuguese veteran Cristiano Ronaldo has a hamstring tendon injury, his Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr announced on Tuesday, but his participation in the 2026 World Cup does not appear to be in doubt. According to some media outlets, the 41-year-old captain of the Portuguese national team is expected to be sidelined for between two and four weeks, meaning he should be up and running well before the World Cup kicks off in the United States, Mexico and Canada on June 11. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus player “has started a rehabilitation programme and his condition will be assessed day by day,” Al-Nassr said. Ronaldo, who is in line to play in a record sixth World Cup, was injured during a match at Al-Fayha last month in the Saudi Pro League. Inter rest starters but gain cup draw in Como Como and Inter Milan drew 0-0 in a cagey Italian Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday in which they managed just one shot on target between them. Inter manager Cristian Chivu made 10 changes from the team that beat Genoa on Saturday to go 10 points clear in Serie A. Cesc Fabregas’ Como largely dominated the match but squandered a series of promising positions. Winger Mergim Vojvoda missed at least three clear first-half chances while full-back Alex Valle spurned a good chance just after half-time. In the other semi-final, Lazio host Atalanta. Kounde, Balde out ahead of Barca’s Newcastle tie Barcelona will be without defenders Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde for their Champions League last 16 tie against Newcastle after they were diagnosed with hamstring injuries. Both players were taken off hurt during Barca’s 3-0 Copa del Rey semi-final win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, with the Catalans ousted 4-3 on aggregate. “The time of the recovery process (for Balde) will be four weeks,” said Barcelona in a statement, without specifying how long Kounde will miss. Spanish media reported France international Kounde, 27, is likely to be sidelined for a similar length of time. As well as the Champions League matches, the duo will also miss La Liga games against Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano. Barcelona are currently also without midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who also has a hamstring injury. The injury makes Kounde a doubt for France’s friendlies against Brazil and Colombia in the United States at the end of March, in the build up to this summer’s World Cup. Balde is a Spain international but has been behind Marc Cucurella and Alex Grimaldo in coach Luis de la Fuente’s pecking order. Galatasaray fans banned from game at Liverpool Galatasaray will not be able to sell tickets to their ‌fans for this month’s ​Champions League ‌clash at Liverpool, after ‌UEFA’s ⁠Appeals ‌Body confirmed ‌the sanctions they received over ⁠their supporters throwing objects, lighting fireworks and causing disturbances during last week’s trip to Juventus. Media reports said a man and ​his daughter were injured as a firework was thrown towards ‌Juventus fans ⁠in Turin ​where the Italian club, ​down to 10 men, wiped out a three-goal deficit from a 5-2 loss in the first leg to force extra time in their Champions League playoff tie. Turkish ‌champions Galatasaray, who ‌scored twice ⁠in extra time to ⁠qualify ⁠for the round of 16 with a 7-5 aggregate win, were also fined 40,000 euros ($46,000) by UEFA’s disciplinary ​committee for the fans’ behaviour. Galatasaray’s appeal against the punishment was rejected. Liverpool visit Galatasaray on Tuesday, with the second leg set for March 18. More Asian Champions League matches postponed indefinitely Next week’s matches in Asian tournaments scheduled in the Middle East ‌have been postponed until ​further notice due ‌to the conflict in the ‌region, the ‌Asian Football ‌Confederation (AFC) said. The US and Israel’s attack on Iran has affected countries throughout the Gulf, disrupting travel in some of the world’s busiest transit hubs and forcing ​several sporting events to be cancelled. Western region clashes in the Asian ‌Champions League Elite, Champions League ​Two and the third-tier ​Challenge League, scheduled for next week between Monday and Wednesday, have been postponed, the AFC said in a statement. The AFC earlier postponed this week’s Asian Champions League Elite round of ‌16 clashes in ‌the Middle East, as Iran cancelled all sporting events and the Qatar Football Association suspended all matches in the country. “The AFC’s priority remains the safety and security of ​all stakeholders including players, teams, officials, partners and fans and we are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring a secure environment for all,” the continental body said in a ‌statement. 

Lionel Messi, still chasing international glory nearly two decades into his career, says he hopes to play at the 2026 World Cup in North America, acknowledging his age and fitness will dictate his role in defending Argentina’s 2022 title.The Argentine great recently extended his contract with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami through 2028, signalling he is not yet considering retirement despite turning 39 next June. Speaking to NBC News, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said he will take time next year to assess his physical condition before deciding whether to play in the tournament across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.“It’s something extraordinary to be able to be in a World Cup, and I would love to,” the Argentine captain said in the interview.“I would like to be there, to be well and be an important part of helping my team, if I am there. I’m going to assess that on a day-to-day basis when I start preseason next year with Inter (and see if I can really be 100%, if I can be useful and then make a decision.“I’m really eager because it’s a World Cup. We’re coming off winning the last one, and being able to defend it on the field again is spectacular because it’s always a dream to play with the national team.”Messi has enjoyed a professional career spanning more than 20 years, debuting for Barcelona at just 17 in 2004 before playing for Paris St Germain and joining Inter Miami in 2023. He sparked fresh interest in the American league in a critical moment for the sport in North America ahead of hosting next year’s World Cup.While Messi has amassed countless club and individual accolades, international success had eluded him until claiming the 2021 Copa America before beating France 4-2 on penalties to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.“It was the dream of my life,” Messi said of the victory. “It was also true that it was the only thing missing at a professional level because I had been lucky enough to have achieved everything at an individual level, at a team level with Barcelona, and I think that’s every player’s dream. When you ask a player what their dream is, it’s to be world champion.”Messi said he is enjoying his time in MLS. “The truth is that I like everything about living here,” Messi said of Miami. “I spent a lot of time in Barcelona, which for me is an extraordinary city, where I grew up and had many spectacular moments, and which we miss a lot. But Miami is a city that allows us to live very well, that makes us enjoy life, that allows us to be calm, that allows the kids to be themselves and live day to day.”Messi has played in 195 matches and scored a record 114 goals for his country. A return for the 2026 World Cup would mark his sixth appearance in the tournament.

Julen Lopetegui paid tribute to his players and the fans after Qatar booked their ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday.A 2-1 win over the United Arab Emirates confirmed the two-time Asian Cup winners' first ever FIFA World Cup appearance through the qualifiers with Lopetegui expressing his pride in his players' never-say-die attitude."I congratulate everyone on qualifying in a match we managed well with the players and the team. Yes, this is the first time the team has qualified through the qualifiers. This is a great thing for us, and we are happy to qualify and participate in the 2026 World Cup," said the Spanish tactician.Having drawn with Oman in their opener, Qatar had to defeat UAE to advance, resulting in a tight match at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. UAE, who beat Oman 2-1, also had the psychological advantage of having defeated Qatar twice in the previous round but fell to strikes from Boualem Khouki and Pedro Miguel, with Sultan Adil netting a consolation after the hosts were reduced to 10 men."The match was extremely difficult. We faced a strong and well-prepared team in the UAE. The first half was evenly matched. We wanted to score, and we achieved what we wanted at the beginning of the second half. I thank the players and the fans. Everyone did what was necessary. We overcame a difficult stage and qualified, delighting our fans," said Lopetegui.As a player, Lopetegui was part of Spain's squad at the 1994 World Cup squad but was third-choice goalkeeper and did not play. He was denied the chance to coach his national team at the 2018 World Cup. After taking Qatar to, the Real Madrid coach said "life owed me a World Cup""It seems like life owed me a World Cup, and fortunately, today I got it," the 59-year-old said. "It's a reward that I'm grateful for."For Lopetegui, the qualification carried personal significance. As a player, he was part of Spain’s 1994 World Cup squad but did not feature, and as coach, he was infamously dismissed just days before the 2018 tournament despite leading Spain through an unbeaten qualifying campaign.“It seems like life owed me a World Cup, and fortunately, today I got it,” the 59-year-old said with a smile. “It’s a reward I’m very grateful for. I’m excited to be back on the World Cup stage after what happened years ago — now it’s time to experience it with Qatar. There was a desire to be able to reach another World Cup, and that was an important factor in my decision to come here."Qatar’s performance in the 2022 World Cup, where they lost all three group games as hosts, is a reminder of the work ahead. Lopetegui acknowledged the task of rejuvenating the squad before 2026. “We have an older group,” he said. “We played with a 41-year-old in Sebastian Soria. We need to refine the team we’ll take to the World Cup.”Soria, making a surprise return to the national team after an eight-year absence, was emotional after the final whistle. “I’m happy and proud to have qualified,” the veteran striker said. “This generation deserves this achievement. Honestly, I feel lucky to be back with the team at this time. The fans were incredible.”Forward Almoez Ali echoed that sentiment. “Qualifying for the World Cup finals has a special flavor and came after a difficult match,” he said. “All the players were heroes today. This is a credit to the Qatari football system, and we want to make our next World Cup participation memorable.”Goalkeeper Abunada, whose early saves kept Qatar in the game, described the win as “a joy for the people.” He added: “The match was tough, but everyone fought to achieve this historic victory. The large crowd that came to support us made all the difference.”While Qatar can look forward to rubbing shoulders with the world's best next summer, UAE will now have to navigate a two-leg playoff against Iraq in November, with the winners to advance to the FIFA Playoff Tournament in March, where an additional two spots will be available.Head coach Cosmin Olariu did not hide his disappointment, with the Romanian feeling that his side did not maximise their chances."This is a disappointing result. We controlled the match and put pressure on our opponents. In the second half, we conceded an early goal. Football is sometimes unfair, and we must now enter a new phase and strive to return to the top of our game to secure our chances. It's unfortunate that this is where we've come to. We have to fight for our chance, and we have to learn from our mistakes going forward," said Olariu.

South Africa defeated Rwanda 3-0 in Mbombela Tuesday to win Group C and qualify for the 2026 World Cup.Thalente Mbatha and Oswin Appollis scored in the first half with Evidence Makgopa sealing 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.However, Nigeria could still make it to the World Cup as they will be among the four best-ranked African runners-up who compete in a mini-tournament in Morocco during November.The winners of the play-offs, which involve single-match semi-finals and a final, advance to an inter-continental tournament in March with two World Cup places up for grabs.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.Belgium-born coach Hugo Broos was thrilled as he represented his country as a player at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and wanted to coach a team at the tournament before retiring."We all knew that we could do it, we believed in ourselves. We are going to the World Cup and it is fantastic," said the 73-year-old."In the last three years we changed players and every time it was the right choice. What happened tonight is the work of three years and the future looks very bright for South African football."We have the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco during December and then the World Cup. There are no words to express how I feel."Winger Appollis was voted player of the match after scoring and creating the other goals as South Africa regained their scoring touch after failing to find the net in a draw with Zimbabwe last Friday."What an amazing feeling for the group going to the World Cup. I am so happy for the boys," he told reporters."I know we had a draw in our last game, but I knew that we would come here to Mbombela tonight and win."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.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 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 become 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 to Kenya and Mauritania respectively to qualify.

Cape Verde beat Eswatini 3-0 on Monday to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup, 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.Livramento claimed his fourth goal of the 10-round qualifying campaign on 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. But after the matchday three loss in Yaounde, Cape Verde won five consecutive qualifiers, including crucial one-goal victories away to Angola and at home to Cameroon.That left the islanders needing three points from their final two qualifiers this month and a drama-filled 3-3 in Libya secured one before hosting Eswatini.Last year, in the midst of the World Cup campaign, Cape Verde fared poorly in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, winning only one match of six and failing to secure a place at the tournament.Despite flopping in a group from which Egypt and Botswana advanced, Cape Verdean officials retained faith in long-serving coach Pedro Leitao Brito.After two stints as assistant coach of the national team and spells with five local clubs, the coach popularly known as Bubista took charge of Cape Verde in 2020.The 55-year-old former centre-back, who represented his country 21 times, guided Cape Verde to successive AFCON tournaments, in Cameroon three years ago and Ivory Coast last year.They reached the knockout phase each time, making a last-16 exit, then losing a quarter-final against South Africa on penalties after having four spot-kicks saved. In Group H, already-qualified Tunisia achieved a ninth victory by overcoming second-placed Namibia 3-0 near Tunis with Hannibal Mejbri from Premier League outfit Burnley among the scorers.The Carthage Eagles, who will make a seventh appearance at the World Cup next year, scored 22 goals in 10 qualifiers and did not concede. Despite the loss, Namibia edged Liberia on goal difference for the runners-up spot, but will finish last in the table for second-placed nations and be eliminated.Having suspended French coach Nicolas Dupuis after a five-goal hiding from Senegal last Friday, South Sudan kept a clean sheet in a 0-0 Group B draw with fellow eliminated side Togo.Top spot in the section rests between Senegal, the leaders with 21 points, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, who are two points behind. Both play their final qualifiers Tuesday.Scotland stay in contention, Dutch move closerScotland ground out a 2-1 home win over Belarus on Sunday, to stay in contention for automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup, while the Netherlands closed in on securing their berth at the tournament with a win over Finland. Steve Clarke’s Scotland sit joint top of Group C with Denmark, after the Danes beat Greece 3-1 with Rasmus Hojlund opening the scoring for the home team.Denmark are first in the pool on goal difference but their win in Copenhagen ensured Scotland of at least a play-off spot as they bid to make a first World Cup appearance since 1998.The pool-toppers meet in the final qualification matchday on November 18 in Glasgow.Che Adams scored the opener for the hosts on the quarter-hour at Hampden Park in an otherwise uninspiring performance by Scotland. They thought they were due a penalty just shy of the hour for a succession of incidents in the Belarus box, including two calls for a foul and hand-ball shouts going both ways, but after a lengthy VAR review the referee declined the home side’s appeals and awarded a free-kick out.

Kylian Mbappe and Ibrahima Konate have been ruled out of Monday's 2026 World Cup qualifier in Iceland where France could book their ticket to next year's tournament. Already suffering from a "small niggle" in his right ankle from playing for Real Madrid, Mbappe took two knocks during Friday's 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over Azerbaijan in Paris, where he opened the scoring but was substituted before the end of the match.Liverpool defender Konate remained on the bench with a right thigh problem with his place against Iceland now taken by Marseille's Benjamin Pavard. Mbappe's absence adds to the long list of forwards unavailable for October's World Cup qualifiers, which includes Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Marcus Thuram and Bradley Barcola.After returning to the Clairefontaine training ground on Friday night, "the French team captain spoke with (coach) Didier Deschamps who acknowledged his absence", the French federation (FFF) said in a statement.Mbappe "has been released to his club (Real Madrid) and will not be replaced", the FFF added, confirming hours later that Konate "has returned to his club's availability".Konate had joined the team with a slight injury and "underwent treatment and a specific protocol but will not be able to play Monday in Reykjavik", the FFF said.Mbappe scored on the stroke of half-time against Azerbaijan and was then struck by a tackle from Rustam Ahmedzade. He took another knock to the same ankle late in the game, and was replaced by Florian Thauvin. "He has a sore ankle and he took a knock there. He preferred to come off; the pain was quite significant," Deschamps said after the French victory.Adrien Rabiot and the substitute Thauvin were also on the scoresheet as Deschamps's team remain unbeaten after three games and top of Group D. Les Bleus will book their passage to the United States, Canada and Mexico next year if they win in Iceland on Monday and Ukraine fail to beat Azerbaijan.Germany cruiseMeanwhile, captain Joshua Kimmich's double inspired four-time winners Germany to a 4-0 win over 10-man Luxembourg and to the top of Group A on goal difference with Slovakia and Northern Ireland, who await them in Belfast tomorrow. Germany showed the poise and swagger that had abandoned them so far in their World Cup qualifying campaign, losing away in Slovakia for the first time and edging past Northern Ireland at home.Kimmich converted a first-half penalty and tapped in from close range just after the break. David Raum's first-half free kick and a Serge Gnabry goal early in the second half secured the Germans an important victory. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann praised his team's "aggression and greed". "We could have scored one or two more, but it was a deserved win, one we absolutely wanted and needed," he added.Germany were eliminated at the group stage of the World Cup in 2018 and 2022. Lowly Luxembourg's task was made even harder when after only 20 minutes Dirk Carlson saw red and gave away a penalty for handball in the box.Northern Ireland kept alive their dream of appearing at their fourth World Cup and first since 1986 with a 2-0 home win over Slovakia courtesy of Patrik Hrosovsky's own goal and Trai Hume's stunning volley nine minutes from time to ignite the fans at Windsor Park. "It was a great night, good performance and the most important thing is the three points. I think we deserved it" said the Sunderland defender.Ukraine sit second in the group, five points adrift, after a captivating 5-3 win in Iceland. Switzerland maintained their perfect record to keep control of Group B with a 2-0 defeat of a Sweden side featuring Liverpool's new British transfer record signing Alexander Isak.Kosovo and Slovenia slogged it out for a goalless draw in the group's other game. Belgium, seeking a 13th appearance at the World Cup, were held to a goalless draw at home to North Macedonia, who famously downed Germany in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup and now sit top of Group J, tantalisingly close to a first ever seat at football's high table next year.

Gabon star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored four goals and was sent off in African 2026 World Cup qualifying, while minnows Benin built a two-point lead in the ‘group of death’.Aubameyang kept Gabon in contention for a first appearance at the global showpiece as his goals gave Gabon a 4-3 victory over the Gambia, and they trail Group F leaders Ivory Coast by one point. Group C leaders Benin won 1-0 in Rwanda to go two points clear of South Africa, who could only draw 0-0 with Zimbabwe.Nigeria moved within three points of Benin, who they host on Tuesday, by defeating Lesotho 2-1. Losses eliminated Rwanda and Lesotho, turning the group into a three-team contest for first place. Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia have already won groups to claim four of the nine places reserved for Africa. There could be a 10th representative after inter-continental play-offs next March.The final matchday, from Sunday to Tuesday, will decide the other five places, with Senegal, Benin, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast and Ghana the current table toppers. Benin won thanks to an 80th-minute goal from Aiyegun Tosin to retain first place in a group that Nigeria and South Africa were expected to dominate.Mohau Nkota and Lyle Foster hit the woodwork in a disappointing performance by South Africa, who sorely missed injured striker Iqraam Rayners. Both teams finished with 10 men after Zimbabwe striker Knowledge Musona and South Africa defender Mbekezile Mbokazi were sent off in the second half having been shown two yellow cards.Captain William Troost-Ekong, from a penalty, and substitute Akor Adams scored in the second half for Nigeria before Hlompho Kalake halved the deficit. Both Zimbabwe and Lesotho were handicapped, playing in South Africa as they do not have FIFA-approved stadiums.Africa Cup of Nations holders Ivory Coast triumphed 7-0 away to the Seychelles, having won the first match between them 9-0 in Abidjan two years ago. Seven different players scored, starting with Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare on seven minutes and finishing with substitute Franck Kessie in the final minute of regular time.Seychelles, who are 159 places below Ivory Coast in the world rankings, have conceded 46 goals while losing all nine qualifiers. Gabon remained one point behind the Ivory Coast in Group F with a dramatic victory over the Gambia in Nairobi.The Gabonese led twice, then trailed before Marseille striker Aubameyang scored two more goals. He was yellow-carded twice in the closing stages, leading to his dismissal on 86 minutes. Ivory Coast have 23 points and Gabon 22 ahead of the final round next week, when both teams will enjoy home advantage. The Ivorians play Kenya and the Gabonese face Burundi.Senegal maintained a two-point lead over the Democratic Republic of Congo in Group B after the contenders had contrasting away victories.Seeking a third straight appearance at the World Cup, Senegal hammered South Sudan 5-0 in Juba, where Crystal Palace striker Ismaila Sarr netted twice.Veteran two-time African Footballer of the Year Sadio Mane was also among the goals as Senegal turned a 1-0 half-time lead into a decisive victory. A solitary goal, scored by veteran striker Cedric Bakambu after seven minutes, earned DR Congo a tense 1-0 win in Togo.Senegal have 21 points and DR Congo 19 ahead of their final fixtures. The Senegalese host Mauritania while the Congolese will be at home to Sudan. Sudan drew 0-0 with Mauritania in Dar es Salaam, a result that eliminated them from the race for a World Cup place.

Scotland roared back to beat Greece 3-1 on Thursday to boost their hopes of direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, while Cody Gakpo inspired the Netherlands to a 4-0 win in Malta.The Greeks took the lead in Glasgow early in the second period through Kostas Tsimikas, before Scotland hit back through Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson and Lyndon Dykes to secure a second win from three Group C qualifying matches for Steve Clarke’s side. Scotland are looking to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.“Massive win. We’re not naive enough to know we weren’t at our best tonight. The reaction to going 1-0 down was brilliant,” said Christie. “Two massive games – that’s one ticked off and now onto Sunday (when Scotland take on Belarus).”Tsimikas, on loan at Roma from Premier League champions Liverpool, gave Greece a deserved lead on 62 minutes as he stroked home a breaking ball from the edge of the six-yard box. But Hampden Park roared two minutes later as Christie bundled in from close range to level for the hosts – the goal finally validated after a lengthy VAR check for offside.A deflected Che Adams effort in the 75th minute bobbled narrowly wide as the home side woke up. The decisive goal came five minutes later as Ferguson opened his account for Scotland, blasting in after the Greeks failed to clear an Andy Robertson free-kick. Angus Gunn made a fine save to keep Scotland ahead in injury time, before Dykes pounced on a goalkeeping error at the other end to seal the win. Denmark top Group C, though are level on seven points with Scotland and four ahead of Greece, courtesy of a handsome 6-0 win in Belarus.Napoli striker Rasmus Hojlund continued his fine vein of form as he netted twice for the Danes. Liverpool’s Gakpo converted two spot-kicks either side of the break and set up Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders for the Netherlands’s third goal, with Memphis Depay also netting late on.A fourth win in five matches for Ronald Koeman’s side leaves them top of Group G on 13 points, three clear of second-placed Poland. Finland sit third - also on 10 points, albeit having played one match more than the Dutch and Polish - after a 2-1 win at home to Lithuania.Croatia and the Czech Republic remain locked level at the summit of Group L after playing out a goalless stalemate in Prague, however the 2018 World Cup runners-up have a game in hand. Faroe Islands secured a third win in six outings in the group, beating Montenegro 4-0 in Torshavn, to sit four points behind the pair.In Group H, Austria thumped San Marino 10-0 at home as Marko Arnautovic grabbed four goals, while Bosnia and Hercegovina drew 2-2 with Cyprus in Larnaca. Cyprus’s 97th-minute equaliser from the spot condemned Bosnia to second place in the pool, two points behind the Austrians who also have a game in hand on the Bosnians.