Sports
FA Identify ‘Number Of Candidates’ To Replace Southgate As England Boss
The Football Association have identified a “number of candidates” to replace Gareth Southgate as they search for an England manager capable of “winning a major tournament”.
Southgate resigned on Tuesday in the aftermath of England’s Euro 2024 final defeat against Spain.
The end of Southgate’s eight-year reign forced the FA into a selection search that saw them linked with a host of candidates.
Among the bookmakers’ favourites are Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, former Chelsea bosses Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel, and Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou.
However, the FA insists that the process is open to anyone who meets the criteria published on Friday in a job profile detailing the qualities required of the next England manager.
The text of the role profile stated: “Our succession planning process has already identified a number of candidates; in addition to this we are committed to open recruitment processes in the football industry.
”While Southgate earned plaudits for restoring England’s tarnished reputation, he failed to end the country’s wait for a first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
After successive European Championship final defeats and a 2018 World Cup semi-final loss, finally winning a major prize with a squad packed with world-class talent is clearly the top priority for Southgate’s successor.
The FA said they are looking for a manager able to “lead and develop the England senior men’s team to win a major tournament and be consistently ranked as one of the top teams in the world”.
The right person would also provide “inspiring leadership” to the FA’s technical team and develop and maintain strong relationships with clubs that employ English-qualified players.
The successful candidate would need to hold a UEFA Pro Licence, possess “significant experience” of English football and have “a strong track record delivering results in the Premier League and/or leading international competitions”.
In a pointed reference to the criticism Southgate endured during his time in a role once dubbed the “impossible job” by then England boss Graham Taylor, the FA highlighted the need for an “exceptional leader”, “highly resilient” and “comfortable in a very high-profile role with intense public scrutiny”.
Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, the FA welcomed applications from everyone who meets the criteria.
England Women’s coach Sarina Wiegman, who led the team to victory at the Women’s European Championship in 2022, has been linked with replacing Southgate.
The profile includes an email address for interested applicants, potentially opening the way for the FA to be deluged with offers from fans rather than genuine candidates.
The governing body has set August 2 as the closing date for applications.
England’s first match of the new season is a Nations League clash with the Republic of Ireland on September 7.
Sports
Seven Eritrean players fail to return home after AFCON qualifier
Although the whereabouts of the missing players remain unclear, reports indicate that some may have been seen in South Africa. Among those who failed to return are goalkeeper Kubrom Solomon and veteran winger Medhanie Redie.
Seven players from the Eritrea national football team have failed to return home after their side secured a historic victory over Eswatini national football team.
A source close to the squad told the BBC on Monday that while part of the team travelled back via South Africa after the match, the seven players are believed to have absconded.
The development comes shortly after Eritrea’s 2–1 win in Eswatini, which secured a 4–1 aggregate victory and a return to the qualifying group stages of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 19 years.
Sources said only 10 members of the 24-man squad were based in Eritrea, and just three of those players—including team captain Ablelom Teklezghi—have returned to the country.
Although the whereabouts of the missing players remain unclear, reports indicate that some may have been seen in South Africa. Among those who failed to return are goalkeeper Kubrom Solomon and veteran winger Medhanie Redie.
Sports
CAF confirms 16 teams for U-17 AFCON 2026
However, Nigeria is missing from the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the 16 countries that will compete at the 2026 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The 16 teams set to feature at the tournament are :
Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire; DR Congo Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Morocco (hosts); Mozambique, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The competition is scheduled to take place in Morocco from April 25 to May 15, 2026, and will also serve as Africa’s qualification route for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
With the global tournament expanding to 48 teams, the top 10 finishers at the AFCON finals will secure qualification.
However, Nigeria is missing from the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
Nigeria’s absence follows their elimination in the WAFU Zone B qualifiers, where the Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 semi-final defeat to Ghana in September 2025, ending their hopes of reaching the continental stage.
CAF’s qualification process is organised across six regional zones—UNAF, WAFU A, WAFU B, UNIFFAC, CECAFA, and COSAFA—with each region hosting its own tournament to determine representatives for the AFCON finals.
Sports
FIFA ranks Super Eagles third in Africa, 26th globally
Globally, France has reclaimed the number one spot after wins over Colombia and Brazil, overtaking Spain, which was held to a goalless draw by a ten-man Egypt. Argentina, England, Portugal, and Brazil round out the top six.
The world’s football body , FIFA, has ranked Nigeria’s Super Eagles third in Africa (behind Morocco and Senegal), and 26th globally.
In a post on FIFA’s website on Wednesday, the ranking reflects Nigeria’s strong performances in friendlies, including a 2‑1 win over Iran and a 2‑2 draw with Jordan, as well as their showing at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
In the 2025 AFCON tournament, Nigeria won five matches against Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Mozambique, and Algeria, drew with Morocco in the semi-finals, and defeated Egypt in the third-place playoff.
Other nations saw minor adjustments in the rankings.
Iran slipped from 20th to 21st following consecutive defeats, while Jordan moved up to 63rd after draws with Nigeria and Costa Rica.
Globally, France has reclaimed the number one spot after wins over Colombia and Brazil, overtaking Spain, which was held to a goalless draw by a ten-man Egypt. Argentina, England, Portugal, and Brazil round out the top six.
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