Sports
Ahead of FIFA World Cup: First lady Remi Tinubu to host Super Falcons
The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, alongside top government functionaries, will attend the send-forth dinner of the Super Falcons ahead of the team’s departure for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup is scheduled to take place over a period of one month, starting from July 20 to August 20.
In a statement on Thursday, Head of Communications of the NFF, Ademola Olajire, noted that the dinner, organised by the country’s football body, will be held on Saturday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
“We are expecting the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Ismaila Abubakar, as well as other top sports officials.
“A good number of the team as well as technical and administrative officials are expected alongside the rank and file of the NFF led by the President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, and the General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi.
“The event at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel will also attract corporate chieftains, members of the diplomatic corps, and a range of football stakeholders.
“On Sunday, the nine-time African champions will depart the shores of Nigeria for a 15-day camping programme in Australia, before they enter into camp for the tournament beginning from July 20 to Aug. 20,” Olajire noted.
Nigeria’s first match of the finals is against Canada, at Melbourne’s Rectangular Stadium, on July 21 before clashing with Australia and the Republic of Ireland on July 27 and July 31, respectively, at Lang Park in Brisbane.
NAN reports that Australia and New Zealand 2023 will be the biggest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in history, as it welcomes 32 teams—the same number as featured in the men’s finals in Qatar last year.
It is also the first to be hosted by two countries as well as the first-ever FIFA senior competition to be hosted by two nations in two different confederations: Australia in the Asian confederation and New Zealand in Oceania.
Nigeria’s captain, Onome Ebi, will be one of the oldest players at the tournament, at 40, alongside Brazil’s Marta and Canada’s Christine Sinclair.
The three women will be featured in their sixth FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament.
According to the NFF, 24 hours before the Send-Forth at the Transcorp Hilton, the Australian High Commission will host the Falcons to a dinner, courtesy of the Ag. High Commissioner, Her Excellency Leanne Johnston.
NAN reports that the Super Falcons are in Group ‘B’ alongside Australia, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland.
Nigeria has previously played the Canadian and Australian women’s national teams at the FIFA World Cup.
The Canadians have been unable to defeat Nigeria at the World Cup, drawing 3-3 in 1995 and losing 1-0 in 2011.
Nigeria’s meeting with Australia at the FIFA World Cup in 2015 ended in a 2-0 victory in favour of the Australians.
(NAN)
Sports
CAF Changes WAFCON 2026 to July- August
CAF said that the change in dates was necessary to ensure the smooth organisation of the continent’s flagship women’s football competition.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a new date for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
In a statement published on its website on Thursday, CAF shifted the tournament from its initial March schedule to a new window between July and August.
The competition, which Morocco secured the rights to host in October 2024, will now run from July 25 to August 16, following consultations between CAF, FIFA and other key stakeholders involved in organising the event.The tournament was originally scheduled to take place from March 17 to April 3.
CAF said that the change in dates was necessary to ensure the smooth organisation of the continent’s flagship women’s football competition.
“After discussions between CAF and its partners, FIFA and other stakeholders, CAF decided to reschedule the dates of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 to 25 July – 16 August 2026 to ensure the success of this important women’s competition, in the light of certain unforeseen circumstances,” the organisation said.
Sports
FIFA Confirms DR Congo for 2026 World Cup Inter-Confederation Play-Off, Ending Super Eagles’ Qualification Hopes
FIFA has officially confirmed the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) as Africa’s representative in the inter-confederation play-off tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, effectively closing the door on Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ chances of reaching the finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The decision, announced as part of the final list of participating teams in the play-off bracket, includes DR Congo alongside Bolivia, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname.
The six teams will compete in a mini-tournament later this month for the two remaining qualification spots.DR Congo earned their place by defeating Nigeria’s Super Eagles 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in the CAF play-off final in Rabat, Morocco, on November 16, 2025.
The Leopards advanced as the best runner-up from the African qualifiers.
Nigeria’s Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had lodged a protest with FIFA in December 2025, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players—citing dual nationality issues under Congolese law for individuals like Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe.
Despite the review, FIFA’s inclusion of DR Congo in the confirmed line-up signals that the complaint was not upheld or did not alter the qualification outcome.
This marks the second consecutive World Cup that Nigeria will miss, following their absence from the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
The Super Eagles, featuring stars such as Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, had high expectations but faltered in the qualifiers, finishing second in their group behind South Africa before the playoff heartbreak.
Fans and analysts have expressed disappointment, with calls for reforms in the Nigeria Football Federation amid ongoing questions about administration, player management, and campaign strategy.
DR Congo now turns focus to the inter-confederation play-offs, where a strong performance could secure their first-ever World Cup appearance.
The tournament is scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico.
Sports
FIFA begins 100-day countdown to 2026 W’Cup
In a post on its official X handle, FIFA wrote: “The biggest-ever @FIFAWorldCup is just 100 days away! 48 teams. 104 games. 11 June to 19 July.”
FIFA on Tuesday launched the final 100-day countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking the approach of the tournament.
In a post on its official X handle, FIFA wrote: “The biggest-ever @FIFAWorldCup is just 100 days away! 48 teams. 104 games. 11 June to 19 July.”
It added that June 11, 2026, marks “the opening scene to the greatest show in the world,” referencing the tournament’s first match between Mexico and South Africa.
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