International Football
FIFA NAMES NIGERIA’S DELE-BASHIRU, PRESIDENT WEAH’S SON AMONG BOYS TO WATCH
As Nigeria’s Flying Eagles take on Qatar this Friday on Match Day 2 of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, midfielder, Tom Dele-Bashiru has been named by FIFA among the 10 stars the world should watch out for.
The U-20 tournament has always been a breeding ground of stars having unveiled players like Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero among others.
If fielded, Dele-Bashiru will be having possibly his first competitive outing with the Flying Eagles having being plying his trade abroad.
He was born in Manchester and represented England’s U-16s but will be pulling the strings for the Flying Eagles at Poland 2019.
He earned his first appearance for Manchester City during a league cup match against Leicester City in 2017.
Another player in the expected emerging stars is President George Weah’s son, Timothy who is featuring for the US as an attacker.
Loaned to Celtic by Paris Saint-Germain at the beginning of the year, the 19-year-old became a super-sub for the Scottish Premiership winners, scoring three times and adding an assist in 11 league appearances. His father won the 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year.
Other players named by FIFA as potential world stars include Poland’s goalkeeper, Radoslaw Majecki. He was however at the receiving end in one of Thursday’s opening matches, conceding two goals in the 0-2 loss to Colombia.
He reportedly won the starting job with Polish giants Legia Warsaw in October 2018 and didn’t look back. The 19-year-old kept seven clean sheets and allowed only 12 goals in 14 league appearances. He is anchoring the hosts at Poland 2019.
Next is Argentina’s defender, Nehuen Perez. He was paramount in central defence as Argentina’s captain during their second-place finish at the South American U-20 Championship. He caught the eye of Atletico Madrid, who signed the 18-year-old in February 2019.
Also profiled is French defender, Dan-Axel Zagadou. He will turn 20 years old during Poland 2019, and the fearless centre-back already cuts an imposing figure at 6ft 5ins (1.96m).
Acquired by Borussia Dortmund from Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, Zagadou made 17 appearances and scored twice in the 2018/19 Bundesliga. He has represented France at every youth level from the U-16s.
Eyes will also be on Diego Lainez, a midfielder with Mexico. He’s only 18 years old, but the gifted attacking midfielder has already won four caps for Mexico’s senior team.
Lainez joined Spain’s Real Betis in January 2019 and made 16 appearances for the club this past season. He played every minute of Mexico’s four matches at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in India in 2017. He is figured to be the key man in Mexico’s attack at Poland 2019.
Lee Kangin, a midfielder with Korea Republic is also in the frame. Valencia swooped in for Lee early, as the Incheon-born attacking midfielder joined the Spanish side’s youth set-up in 2011.
His maturation at the club culminated with his senior debut in January 2019. For country, Lee received his first senior call-up in March 2019.
Moises Ramirez, the Ecuadorian goalkeeper is also in focus. He was in goal when Ecuador won their first ever South American U-20 Championship in 2019.
He kept five clean sheets in the tournament, which included a 298-minute streak without conceding to close it out. According to head coach Jorge Celico, “He may become of one the greatest in Ecuador’s history.”
Saudi Arabia’s midfielder, Turki Al-Ammar is another player to watch out for. He was recognised as player of the tournament at the AFC U-19 Asia Cup and earned similar acclaim competing for Al Shabab in the Saudi top flight this past season. Expect him to be the catalyst for Saudi Arabia’s attack in Poland.
Last but not the least is Erling Haland of Norway. The 6ft 3ins (1.91m) 18-year-old powered his country through the UEFA U-19 European Championship qualifiers, netting a hat-trick against Scotland to help Norway top their group and eventually become the final qualifiers from Europe for Poland 2019. He recently completed a moved to Red Bull Salzburg.
Soccer chiefs from Europe and South America will hold a final meeting before a Thursday deadline to decide whether and where this month’s “Finalissima” between Spain and Argentina will be played, with London emerging as the leading candidate after doubts over Doha, multiple sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
The match between European champions Spain and Copa America holders Argentina had been scheduled for March 27 at Lusail Stadium in Doha.
However, it has become increasingly unlikely that Qatar will host the fixture after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The Spanish FA (RFEF) has been pushing for a swift resolution, mindful that the March international break is viewed as vital preparation ahead of the June-July World Cup in North America.
“I know that negotiations are underway,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente told Spanish Public Radio (RNE) on Monday. “The first thing, as a society, is to stop the conflict, but once you are immersed in it and you don’t know how long it will last, the solution would be, as long as you can’t play there, to find another venue as soon as possible.
Wembley Stadium staged the previous edition in 2022, when Argentina beat Italy, but it is set to host England v Uruguay on March 27. London, however, has other stadiums capable of staging the showpiece, leaving the English capital as the most likely alternative should Doha be ruled out, sources confirmed.
ALTERNATIVE OPPONENTS CONSIDERED
While keen to face Argentina and high-profile players such as Lionel Messi, sources told Reuters that Spain had made clear their priority was not to waste the last window of international fixtures before the World Cup and they were already contemplating alternative opponents.
With Spain also due to face Egypt three days later, any change would require agreement between the RFEF and European soccer body UEFA, South American confederation CONMEBOL, global governing body FIFA and the Argentine FA (AFA).
The RFEF, AFA and UEFA did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
A spokesperson for South American confederation CONMEBOL told Reuters that several meetings between the parties had taken place in recent days but did not confirm Thursday’s deadline or London as the preferred venue.
Madrid was initially proposed by the RFEF but rejected by the AFA, who preferred a neutral venue rather than giving Spain home advantage.
Morocco offered to stage the game, but the RFEF was unwilling to back their Mediterranean neighbours amid tensions behind the scenes over the 2030 World Cup, which Spain, Morocco and Portugal will co-host. Both Spain and Morocco are campaigning to stage the final.
Miami was also considered, with Messi based there at Inter Miami, but Hard Rock Stadium is hosting the Miami Open tennis tournament at the same time.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
International Football
Spain-Argentina ‘Finalissima’ in Qatar at risk amid US, Israel attacks on Iran
The match between Spain and Argentina, tagged “Finalissima” in Doha, is in doubt after the Qatar Football Association suspended soccer tournaments indefinitely following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory missiles fired at the Arabian Peninsula.
The contest between European Championship winners Spain and Copa America champions Argentina was scheduled for March 27 at Doha’s Lusail Stadium, with potential big-name draws including Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi.
“Qatar Football Association announces the postponement of all tournaments, competitions and matches, effective from today and until further notice,” the association said in a statement on Sunday.
“The new dates for the resumption of competitions will be announced in due course through the Association’s official channels.”
The final call on whether to postpone the game rests with event organisers UEFA and CONMEBOL.
The Bahrain Football Association postponed all its matches until further notice, while the Asian Football Confederation on Sunday announced it was delaying Champions League Elite fixtures in the region.
The Asian Champions League Two, currently at the quarter-final stage, has also been impacted, along with games in the Challenge League.
Countries across the Middle East have been on high alert since Saturday, when the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes against Iran, aimed at diminishing Iran’s military capability.
Iran retaliated by attacking U.S. targets around the region, including in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
On Sunday, Qatar’s interior ministry reported a fire in an industrial zone after debris fell from an intercepted missile.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
International Football
Iran Conflict Casts Uncertainty Over Super Eagles’ Four-Nation Tournament Opener
Nigeria’s Super Eagles may face fresh uncertainty ahead of their scheduled participation in a Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in Amman, Jordan, following reports that Iran — their intended first opponents — is now at war after attacks by the United States and Israel.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had earlier confirmed that the Super Eagles would compete in the mini-tournament during the FIFA Men’s International Window in March 2026. The competition is slated to run from March 27 to 31 in the Jordanian capital.
Under the original fixture schedule, Nigeria were due to open the tournament on Friday, March 27 against Iran’s senior national team at the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium. Hosts Jordan were set to face Costa Rica the same day at the 62,000-capacity King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
However, the escalating military confrontation involving Iran has cast serious doubt over the participation of the Iranian national team and the viability of the opening fixture.
While tournament organisers in Jordan have yet to issue an official statement regarding possible changes, the developing security situation is expected to force urgent consultations between the participating federations, tournament organisers and FIFA.
The competition was designed to provide competitive match exposure during a window initially reserved for the intercontinental play-off for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Nigeria’s inclusion in the tournament had already generated debate at home, with observers questioning whether the NFF’s commitment signalled a shift in focus away from potential qualification disputes.
The new geopolitical crisis further complicates matters. International conflicts often trigger travel restrictions, airspace closures and security advisories that can directly affect national teams’ ability to assemble and travel.
Should Iran withdraw or be unable to participate, organisers may be compelled to seek a replacement team or adjust the fixture format entirely.
Nigeria are scheduled to face hosts Jordan on March 31 in their second match of the tournament, while Costa Rica and Iran were originally billed to meet the same day at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Kick-off times for the four fixtures had yet to be officially announced before the outbreak of hostilities.
For the Super Eagles, the tournament was seen as an opportunity to build cohesion and test tactical adjustments ahead of future competitive engagements. Now, attention will turn to whether the event can proceed as planned — and whether Nigeria’s opening match will require a late reshuffle.
The NFF is expected to monitor developments closely and may issue further clarification in the coming days as the regional and international situation evolves.
Meanwhile, Reuters has quoted a senior Israeli official as saying that Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead. But the Iranians have dismissed the claim, saying that the leader is ‘firmly commanding the field’. Both Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran.
President Donald Trump says action will give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers. Hits were reported in Israel and Gulf states as Iran retaliated. The attack has triggered fear and panics as as Iranians flee cities.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- WAFCON4 days ago
BREAKING: CAF Postpones WAFCON 2026
- OBITUARY5 days ago
Nigerian Sports Journalism Mourns Oyeniyi Oyeleke and Tonex Chukwu
- MLS1 week ago
Trump to Host Lionel Messi and Inter Miami at the White House
- World Cup5 days ago
‘I really don’t care’ if Iran plays in World Cup, Trump tells Politico
- World Cup4 days ago
Iraq’s World Cup Playoff in Doubt as War Disrupts Travel and Visa Processing
- FA Cup2 days ago
Eze thunderbolt guides Arsenal past Mansfield into FA Cup quarter-finals
- MLS3 days ago
Trump celebrates Messi
- World Cup3 days ago
World Cup 2026: U-20 World Cup Winner Ouahbi Takes Charge of Morocco’s Atlas Lions