World Cup
Australia seal World Cup spot with win over Saudi as Oman deny Palestine
Australia sealed qualification for the World Cup on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah while Oman kept their hopes of a place at the finals alive with a last-gasp 1-1 draw against Palestine in Jordan.
The Socceroos only had to avoid a five-goal defeat to confirm their appearance at a sixth consecutive finals and goals from Connor Metcalfe and Mitch Duke earned the Australians a come-from-behind win to brush aside the Saudis.
Abdulrahman Al-Obud had given the home side a glimmer of hope when he netted from close range in the 19th minute but Metcalfe equalised with three minutes left in the half to extinguish Saudi dreams.
Duke then put the visitors in front in the 48th minute when he glanced Martin Boyle’s free kick past Nawaf Al-Aqidi before Mat Ryan, making his 100th appearance for his country, saved a late penalty save to deny Salem Al-Dawsari an equaliser.
The win confirms the Australians as second-place finisher in Group C behind Japan, who secured their spot at the finals in March.
“It is special. It probably hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Tony Popovic, who took over as coach last September after Australia made a stuttering start to the third round of qualifying.
“It’s been a very intense period since I’ve joined. We’ve built a good foundation now (but) we want to really get better, kick on and try and do something special at the World Cup.”
Saudi Arabia took third place in Group C and will feature in a fourth phase of qualifiers in October alongside Indonesia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Oman.
The Omanis kept their hopes alive at the expense of Palestine as Issam Al-Sabhi’s penalty deep into stoppage time earned the Gulf side a draw that kept them in fourth place in Group B.
A header by Oday Kharoub gave Palestine a 49th-minute lead and a second yellow card for Oman’s Harib Al-Saadi had put Ihab Abu Jazar’s side in control until the dying minutes, when Muhsen Al-Ghassani was brought down in the area.
Al-Sabhi stepped up to send goalkeeper Rami Hamada the wrong way to seal fourth place in the group for Oman and eliminate the heartbroken Palestinians.
Earlier in the evening, Japan crushed Indonesia 6-0 with Daichi Kamada scoring twice in the first half in Osaka as the Samurai Blue won Group C while Wang Yudong’s late penalty had China finish their campaign with a 1-0 win over Bahrain.
Iran confirmed themselves as Group A winners with a 3-0 win over North Korea that came after Kye Tam was sent off for the visitors with 24 minutes remaining in Tehran.
Mehdi Mohebi, Mehdi Taremi and Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh were all on target in the last 16 minutes to guarantee first place for the Iranians, who had secured their berth in March.
Already-qualified Uzbekistan took second spot with a 3-0 win against Qatar in Tashkent while the United Arab Emirates claimed third ahead of the Qataris despite conceding a late goal to draw 1-1 with Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek.
South Korea completed their commitments in Group B with a 4-0 thrashing of Kuwait to ensure Hong Myung-bo’s World Cup-bound outfit topped the standings with an unbeaten record.
Jordan, who qualified for their first World Cup on Thursday, finished second in Group B despite losing 1-0 to Graham Arnold’s Iraq in Amman.
-Reuters
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Algeria sealed qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ after a commanding victory over Somalia, while Uganda boosted their playoff hopes with a crucial win against Botswana.
The Desert Warriors became the latest African side to book their place in North America, maintaining an unassailable lead at the top of Group G.
Uganda, meanwhile, strengthened their grip on second place, moving three points clear of Mozambique, whose defeat to Guinea effectively ended their qualification bid.
In Group H, Liberia revived their hopes of reaching the continental play-offs after beating Namibia, while Kenya claimed a morale-boosting win over Burundi in Group F.
Group G: Algeria cruise past Somalia to seal World Cup return
Somalia 0–3 Algeria
Scorers: Amoura (6′, 58′), Mahrez (19′)
Algeria confirmed their return to the world stage with a 3–0 win over Somalia in Oran.
Mohamed Amoura opened the scoring early on, volleying home from Riyad Mahrez’s cross. The captain then turned scorer, rifling in a bouncing ball to double the lead.
Mahrez later turned provider again, delivering another precise cross for Amoura to head home his second.
The victory marks Algeria’s fifth World Cup qualification and their first since 2014, when they reached the Round of 16 before losing narrowly to eventual champions Germany.
Group G: Uganda tighten grip on second place
Botswana 0–1 Uganda
Scorer: Ssemugabi (54′)
Jude Ssemugabi’s header early in the second half proved decisive as Uganda earned a vital win over Botswana to consolidate second place in the group.
The Cranes dominated possession and created the better chances, with Rogers Mato forcing a fine save in the first half.
Ssemugabi’s close-range finish was enough to seal victory, despite late pressure from the hosts.
Uganda now need just a draw in their final match against already-qualified Algeria to secure a top-two finish — and a potential spot among the four best runners-up heading into the playoffs.
Group G: Mozambique slip up as Guinea exit
Mozambique 1–2 Guinea
Scorers: Reinildo (19′) – Traore (2′, 59′)
Mozambique’s qualification hopes suffered a major blow after a surprise home defeat to Guinea.
Abdoul Traore’s early header put the visitors ahead before Reinildo levelled for Mozambique with a powerful finish from Geny Catamo’s cross.
However, Traore restored Guinea’s lead in the second half with a fierce strike that slipped through goalkeeper Ernan Siluane’s hands.
Despite the win, Guinea’s campaign came to an end as they were mathematically eliminated, along with Botswana.
Group H: Liberia stun Namibia to stay alive
Liberia 3–1 Namibia
Scorers: Kosiah (pen 3′), Bah (9′), Ledlum (81′) – Ndeunyema (86′)
Liberia kept their playoff hopes alive with an emphatic victory over Namibia, closing the gap on the second-placed Brave Warriors to just one point.
The hosts made a dream start when Ayouba Kosiah converted an early penalty before Sulahmana Bah added a second after rounding the goalkeeper.
Substitute Edward Ledlum sealed the win late on with a curling effort from the edge of the area. David Ndeunyema scored a consolation goal for Namibia in the final minutes.
Group F: Kenya edge Burundi in fiery contest
Burundi 0–1 Kenya
Scorer: Ogam (73′)
Ten-man Burundi fell to a narrow defeat against Kenya in a hard-fought encounter.
Burundi’s Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana was sent off after just two minutes for a reckless challenge on Kenyan goalkeeper Brian Bwire, who had to be stretchered off.
Substitute keeper Byrne Odhiambo impressed, making several key saves to preserve Kenya’s clean sheet.
The decisive moment came when Ryan Ogam, introduced midway through the second half, curled home a stunning long-range effort to secure the win.
Cafonline
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Africa’s top footballers of the past two years, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, will spearhead Nigeria’s quest for a vital victory when the Super Eagles face the Crocodiles of Lesotho in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday evening.
The encounter is the penultimate matchday in the qualification series, and Nigeria are in must-win mode as they look to stay within reach of group leaders Benin Republic and second-placed South Africa.
Currently three points adrift of the top two, the Super Eagles must secure all three points in Polokwane — a neutral ground fixture — and hope for favourable results elsewhere before rounding off their campaign at home to Benin Republic next week at Uyo’s Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Head Coach Eric Chelle faces a selection dilemma following a string of injuries to key players. Wing-back Olaoluwa Aina remains sidelined after sustaining a knock on the poor pitch of the Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, during the clash with Bafana Bafana last month. Also unavailable are Bright Osayi-Samuel, Raphael Onyedika, and forward Cyriel Dessers, all ruled out through injury.
However, Chelle will be buoyed by the return of Victor Osimhen, who missed the South Africa tie due to a muscular strain picked up against Rwanda in Uyo. The Napoli striker rejoins the dynamic attacking trio completed by Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon, whose exploits at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year remain fresh in the minds of fans.
In goal, Stanley Nwabali is expected to retain his starting role after a series of solid displays, while team captain William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi, and Benjamin Frederick are all in contention for defensive duties.
The midfield options offer Chelle both creativity and steel, with Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and Christantus Uche vying for starting spots.
Up front, beyond the Osimhen-Lookman-Simon trio, the coach has several in-form alternatives including Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, Terem Moffi, and Jerome Akor Adams, all of whom have been impressive for their clubs in recent weeks.
With Lesotho already out of contention, Nigeria are expected to dominate possession and press for an early breakthrough. The Super Eagles will also be keen to avoid the kind of dropped points that have haunted their campaign so far.
A win in Polokwane would lift Chelle’s side within striking distance of qualification and set up a high-stakes finale in Uyo.
21 SUPER EAGLES TO BATTLE LESOTHO IN POLOKWANE
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)
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Sudan Football Association vice president Yasser Nasreddin Hamza Al-Samani has been banned from their next 15 competitive matches for assaulting a match official at a World Cup qualifier last month, world football’s governing body FIFA said.
The incident came after Sudan had lost 1-0 in Lome to Togo, effectively ending their 2026 World Cup hopes.
Sudan’s assistant coach Ignatius Osei-Fosu, who is from Ghana, was also handed a three-match ban for what FIFA said was “unsporting behaviour towards a match officials”. The referees for the game on September 9 came from Madagascar.
Both men were also fined CHF5,000 ($6,214).
-Reuters
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