Sports

England beat France 6-4 to claim World Cup third place

” We are fiercely competitive, so we almost don’t allow ourselves to be proud of third place because 18 months ago we set the highest goal. We set the highest dream to chase, and we were very, very ambitious with our dream to make it to the final and win the World Cup. So it’s very, very painful if you miss out.”

Published

3 months ago

July 19, 2026

OCHEFA

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•Copyright AP Photo

England beat France 6-4 in a surprisingly tense and World Cup third-place playoff, with Bukayo Saka scoring a hat trick as the Three Lions secured their best finish at the tournament since winning the title in 1966.

Saka struck in the 37th minute, again in first-half stoppage time and completed his second England hat trick from the penalty spot in the 87th minute.

Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa also found the net as England raced into a 4-0 halftime lead before surviving a relentless French fightback.

“I hope that the players can be proud of that in some time,” England coach Thomas Tuchel said.

Both teams had admitted beforehand they would rather have been playing in Sunday’s final, but the consolation match still produced a host of records.It was the highest-scoring World Cup match since Hungary’s 10-1 victory over El Salvador in 1982, while the 10 goals were the most ever scored in a World Cup third-place playoff.

Jude Bellingham rounded off the scoring deep into stoppage time with his seventh goal of the tournament, the most by an England player at a single World Cup.

Related Topics:England v France World Cup third place FIFA World Cup 2026

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Sports

CAF reverses four-year plan, restores AFCON two-year cycle

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will jointly host the 2027 tournament, followed by editions in 2028, 2031 and 2033. No tournament is scheduled for 2030 because of the FIFA World Cup.

Published

12 hours ago

October 30, 2026

OCHEFA

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its plan to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years and restored the competition’s traditional two-year cycle.

The CAF Executive Committee unanimously approved the decision on Thursday, October 29, after reviewing the proposal announced in December 2025.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the proposed Africa Nations League would take several years to generate enough revenue to support African football.

In a statement, Motsepe said, “The decision by the CAF EXCO that the CAF AFCON should take place every Two Years was based on advancing, protecting and promoting the interest of African Football and CAF’s 54 Member Associations, as well as the interest of African players employed by Football Clubs outside Africa.”

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will jointly host the 2027 tournament, followed by editions in 2028, 2031 and 2033. No tournament is scheduled for 2030 because of the FIFA World Cup.

Sports

Arsenal star Saka won the 2026 Sócrates Award

The award is named after the late Brazilian football legend Sócrates, renowned for his social activism and defence of democracy.

Published

2 days ago

October 28, 2026

OCHEFA

46 Views

•Bukayo Saka

Arsenal and England winger Bukayo Saka won the 2026 Sócrates Award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony at London’s Palladium Theatre on Monday.

He was presented with the award by Nigerian superstar Burna Boy.

France Football established the Sócrates Award in 2022 in collaboration with Peace and Sport.

The award is named after the late Brazilian football legend Sócrates, renowned for his social activism and defence of democracy.

The award is presented at the Ballon d’Or ceremony to recognise male and female footballers who use their influence and resources to support humanitarian causes and promote social inclusion beyond the pitch.

Sports

Nigeria Thrash New Caledonia 7-0 In FIFA U15 World Cup Festival

The convincing win provides an encouraging boost for the Nigerian youngsters as they continue their participation in the FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival.

Published

2 days ago

October 28, 2026

OCHEFA

61 Views

• FIFA U15 World Cup Festival

Nigeria’s U15 team made a stunning statement at the ongoing FIFA U15 World Cup Festival in Azerbaijan, with a commanding 7-0 victory over New Caledonia on Wednesday.

The Nigerian youngsters dominated the encounter from the outset, with Oche opening the scoring in the first minute to give his side an early lead.

Ijachi doubled Nigeria’s advantage in the 12th minute before adding two more goals in the 16th and 35th minutes to complete his hat-trick and put the contest beyond New Caledonia’s reach.

Muhammad also impressed in front of goal, scoring twice in the 21st and 39th minutes as Nigeria continued to overwhelm their opponents with a ruthless attacking display.

Salu completed the rout in the 40th minute, taking Nigeria’s tally to seven goals in an emphatic performance by the young side.

Ijachi’s hat-trick was the standout individual achievement, while Oche, Muhammad and Salu also contributed to a comprehensive victory that highlighted Nigeria’s attacking quality.

The convincing win provides an encouraging boost for the Nigerian youngsters as they continue their participation in the FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival.