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FIFA names 11-member panel for 2026 World Cup analysis, awards

The panel, unveiled during a virtual media briefing will be led by FIFA Senior Football Expert Pascal Zuberbühler and includes former Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta, ex-Germany striker and coach Jürgen Klinsmann, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill, former Ghana coach Otto Addo, Costa Rica legend Paulo Wanchope and Brazilian World Cup winner Gilberto Silva.

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• FIFA World Cup 2026 Trophy (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP)

FIFA on Monday unveiled an 11-member Technical Study Group for the 2026 World Cup, with former players and coaches set to analyse matches and decide the winners of major individual awards during the tournament.

The panel, unveiled during a virtual media briefing will be led by FIFA Senior Football Expert Pascal Zuberbühler and includes former Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta, ex-Germany striker and coach Jürgen Klinsmann, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill, former Ghana coach Otto Addo, Costa Rica legend Paulo Wanchope and Brazilian World Cup winner Gilberto Silva.

Others on the panel are Tobin Heath, Jon Dahl Tomasson, Jayne Ludlow and Aron Winter.

FIFA said that the group will also decide the winners of the Golden Ball, Golden Glove and Best Young Player awards during the tournament.

The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams for the first time, with 104 matches scheduled across the competition.

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Ronaldo To End Career In Football This Year Without World Cup Title

The 41-year-old Portugal captain is one of football’s most decorated players, having won major trophies with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and current club Al-Nassr.

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Cristiano Ronaldo says this could be his final year in football as the Portugal captain prepares to leave a lasting legacy.

“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo told lifestyle magazine Vogue in an interview published on Sunday.

The 41-year-old Portugal captain is one of football’s most decorated players, having won major trophies with Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and current club Al-Nassr.

Ronaldo made his senior debut for Sporting in 2002 and has enjoyed a career spanning more than two decades.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored 976 goals for club and country and is now closing in on the 1,000-goal milestone.

However, Ronaldo was unable to add a World Cup title to his list of honours after Portugal fell short at this year’s tournament.

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NFF Sacks Madugu over WAFCON crashed out

The decision was reached by its Executive Committee following the poor performance at the recently concluded 2026 women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has sacked the Super Falcons of Nigeria head coach, Justin Madugu, and his crew.

The decision was reached by its Executive Committee following the poor performance at the recently concluded 2026 women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

The nation’s football governing body announced that the sack of Madugu and his technical crew following their return from WAFCON where the Falcons crashed out at the quarter-final stage.

They also failed to achieve automatic qualification to the 2027 women’s World Cup, and lost to South Africa for a chance to reach the World Cup via the playoffs.

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Cameroon Win First WAFCON Cup Title

In a dominant first-half display, they scored three times before the break to end Malawi’s remarkable run at the tournament.

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The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon have won their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title after defeating Malawi 3-0 in Rabat on Sunday.

In a dominant first-half display, they scored three times before the break to end Malawi’s remarkable run at the tournament.

Marie Ngah Manga scored twice, while Naomi Eto added a spectacular scissors kick as Cameroon took a commanding lead before half-time.

Cameroon had reached the final after eliminating Nigeria and hosts Morocco, having previously lost three WAFCON finals.

Malawi, competing in their first WAFCON campaign, struggled to match Cameroon despite their impressive run to the final.

They had entered the tournament ranked 153rd in the world.

Goalkeeper Michaely Bihina made an early save at the feet of Temwa Chawinga as Malawi looked to threaten in the opening minutes.

Bihina also denied Chikondi Gondwe in the 14th minute before Cameroon began to take control.

Cameroon opened the scoring in the 20th minute after Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo failed to deal with Grace Mendoua’s cross.

Sikelo pushed the cross onto her own crossbar, allowing Ngah Manga to react quickly and head the ball into the net from close range.

Malawi tried to respond, but Cameroon remained in control.

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