Sports
Nigeria lost $10.5 million of the FIFA World Cup 2026 prize money
The Super Eagles’ World Cup campaign ended in disappointment after they lost in the final round of the playoffs to DR Congo.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is set to miss about $10.5 million out of the $727 million huge financial outlay by FIFA for teams participating in the 2026 Wold Cup.
The Super Eagles’ World Cup campaign ended in disappointment after they lost in the final round of the playoffs to DR Congo.
The setback not only denied Nigeria a ticket to the Mundial but also shut out the country from significant financial rewards attached to participation.
The world soccer ruling body said the prize money for next year’s World Cup will be 50% higher than the previous edition after agreeing a record $727 million financial contribution to the tournament on Wednesday.
The biggest slice of FIFA’s funding package for the North American showpiece – $655 million – will be performance-based payments to 48 participating nations with the champions taking $50 million and the runners-up $33 million.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will also be groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.
The 16 nations that fail to survive beyond the initial group phase will earn $9 million while in addition, each qualified nation is entitled to $1.5 million to cover preparation costs.
This means that the NFF will miss at least $10.5 million if the team had qualified for the Mundial but that would not to be unless the federation is able to push through its protest on the alleged ineligibility of some of the Congolese players in the ill-fated play-off encounter in November.
Sports
Edo Queens Win 2025/26 NWFL Title
They won the title after drawing goalless with Bayelsa Queens in the final round of NWFL Premiership Super Six fixtures at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Sunday.
Edo Queens have been crowned champions of the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) for the 2025/26 season.
They won the title after drawing goalless with Bayelsa Queens in the final round of NWFL Premiership Super Six fixtures at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Sunday.
This was s their second NWFL title in three years for coach Moses Aduku’s team.
Before the game, Adaaa Edo Queens were on nine points, needing only one point to be crowned champions.
Sports
World Cup: Japan Holds Netherlands To 2-2 Draw
A draw gives each team one point, so neither gains an early advantage in the group. Their exact positions would depend on the result of the other group match.
Japan came from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in their opening World Cup match, with Daichi Kamada’s 88th-minute header rescuing a point in Dallas.
The Netherlands took the lead in the 51st minute when Virgil van Dijk headed home to make it 1-0. Japan responded six minutes later through Keito Nakamura, who levelled the score at 1-1 in the 57th minute.
The Dutch regained the advantage in the 64th minute when Crysencio Summerville curled a superb strike into the net for a 2-1 lead.
However, Japan struck again with two minutes remaining as Kamada headed in the equaliser to make it 2-2.
The Netherlands controlled possession throughout the game and held a slight edge in expected goals.
Both teams registered 10 shots, but the Dutch were more accurate, recording six shots on target to Japan’s three.
Despite spending less time on the ball and producing fewer efforts on target, Japan capitalised on their key opportunities and left with a valuable point, while the Netherlands were unable to turn their possession advantage into victory.
A draw gives each team one point, so neither gains an early advantage in the group. Their exact positions would depend on the result of the other group match.
Sports
World Cup: Sweden beats Tunisia 5-1
For Tunisia, the defeat leaves little margin for error heading into their next group fixture, while Sweden have immediately established themselves as serious contenders for a place in the knockout rounds.
Sweden on Monday started their FIFA World Cup campaign on a good note , cruising to a commanding 5-1 victory over Tunisia in their Group F opener at Estadio Monterrey stadium.
The Scandinavian side took control early through Yasin Ayari, who opened the scoring with a stunning strike in the seventh minute before Alexander Isak doubled the advantage after half an hour.
Tunisia briefly threatened a comeback when Omar Rekik pulled a goal back just before half-time, but Sweden returned after the interval with renewed intensity.
Viktor Gyökeres extended Sweden’s lead in the 59th minute before substitute Mattias Svanberg and Ayari added late goals to seal an emphatic victory.
Ayari was the standout performer, scoring twice in an impressive World Cup debut, while Isak finished with a goal and two assists and Gyökeres contributed a goal and an assist.
Sweden’s clinical finishing ultimately made the difference. Although Tunisia enjoyed periods of possession and created opportunities, they lacked composure in the final third and paid heavily for defensive lapses.The result gives Sweden an early advantage in Group F after Netherlands and Japan shared the points in a 2-2 draw on Sunday.
For Tunisia, the defeat leaves little margin for error heading into their next group fixture, while Sweden have immediately established themselves as serious contenders for a place in the knockout rounds.
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