World Cup
Ex-FIFA Chief Blatter cries foul over World Cup hosting; it should be England before Saudi Arabia, he says

England should have won the hosting rights for the soccer World Cup before the next free date in 2038 and before Saudi Arabia which will hold the 2034 edition, former FIFA President Sepp Blatter said on Tuesday.
“England has done a great job for the game of football and they should be rewarded,” Blatter told Reuters. “They have tried since 1966 to get the World Cup back and it’s a shame they didn’t get it.
“They should have had it before Saudi Arabia, but it was organised in a very clever way so nobody was in opposition,” he said in an interview.
FIFA awarded the 2034 tournament to Saudi Arabia in an uncontested process in December , which also saw Spain, Portugal and Morocco chosen as the main hosts for the 2030 tournament combined with one-off matches in South America.
However, the decisions have come under fire, with the 2030 plan criticised by climate activists because of the increased emissions necessitated by the extra travel across three continents.
The 2034 bid by Saudi Arabia has been questioned by some in the game due to its desert climate and also been criticised by activists over the country’s human rights record, much in the same way as the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Saudi Arabia denies suppressing rights.
This left 2038 as the next available date for England to host its second World Cup after winning the tournament at home in 1966.
Blatter said he was concerned about the increased influence of the Middle East on sports like football and Formula 1, with both having been heavily invested in by countries in the region, but said England should still apply to host the World Cup.
“They should wake up and apply again,” the 88-year-old said.
Blatter, who left FIFA in disgrace following a corruption scandal in 2015, was also concerned about the expanding size of the World Cup, which he said was diluting the quality of the tournament.
Next year’s event in the United States, Mexico and Canada has been expanded to 48 teams, up from 32 at the 2022 edition.
“It’s become too big,” he said. “Will it become like in grand slam tennis where everybody goes to the World Cup? What next – 128 teams?
“I’ve always said there are too many teams and the quality is not the same,” Blatter added. “Who loses out – the spectators.”
He feared constant expansion could eventually damage the sport.
“As long as football has 2 billion followers, then FIFA thinks they are happy,” the Swiss said. “But one day there will be a stop – you cannot go and develop more football, and more players and have more money and more spectators and more stadiums.”
-Reuters
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World Cup
BREAKING! Lookman Suspended for Crucial Benin Clash

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have suffered a major setback ahead of their decisive 2026 World Cup qualifier against Group C leaders Benin Republic on Tuesday in Uyo, as star forward Ademola Lookman will miss the encounter due to suspension.
Lookman, one of Nigeria’s standout performers in the qualifiers so far, picked up a second yellow card of the campaign during Friday’s 2–1 win over Lesotho in Polokwane, South Africa. The booking automatically rules him out of the must-win tie against Benin.
The incident occurred in the 64th minute when Lookman, after being harshly tackled in midfield by a Lesotho defender, reacted by body-checking his opponent. Chadian referee Alhadi Allaou Mahamat deemed the action as retaliation and promptly issued a yellow card.
It was Lookman’s second caution of the qualifying series, the first coming in the 18th minute of last month’s away match against South Africa. The cumulative bookings have now triggered an automatic one-match suspension.
Lookman’s absence is a huge blow for Nigeria, who must defeat Benin to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive.
The Atalanta forward has been instrumental in recent matches, contributing pace, creativity, and attacking spark to the Super Eagles’ frontline.
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World Cup
CAF World Cup Qualifiers: Benin Hold Advantage Despite Nigeria’s Win Over Lesotho

It’s down to the wire in Group C of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers as no clear leader has emerged after a dramatic Match Day 9 on Friday.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lesotho in Polokwane, South Africa, while Benin Republic maintained their grip on top spot with a crucial 1-0 away win against Rwanda, thus still leading Nigeria by three points.
The margin with South Africa is however reduced to one following Bafana Bafana’s 0-0 duel with Zimbabwe.
The results mean Benin now need just a draw in their final group match against Nigeria on Tuesday to seal their first-ever World Cup qualification.
For Nigeria, the path is narrower: they must beat Benin in Uyo and hope that Rwanda either defeat or hold South Africa to a draw away in Johannesburg to stand a chance of progressing.
Friday’s matches, all played simultaneously, were cagey affairs with all three fixtures goalless at halftime.
The Super Eagles eventually broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when captain William Troost-Ekong confidently converted a penalty.
Eight minutes later, Akor Adams doubled Nigeria’s lead with a smart finish, seemingly putting the game beyond reach.
However, defensive frailties resurfaced late in the game, allowing Hlompho Kalake to capitalize on a mix-up in the Nigerian backline and reduce the deficit for Lesotho in the 83rd minute. Despite late pressure, Nigeria held on for all three points to keep their qualification hopes alive.
In the other Group C fixture, South Africa, who had started the day on top, stumbled with a frustrating goalless draw against Zimbabwe in Durban — a result that further opened the group.
With just one round of matches left, Group C remains delicately poised: Benin lead with 17 points, South Africa follow with 15 and Nigeria trail with 14.
It is now a three-horse race with Benin, South Africa and Nigeria still mathematically in contention.
The final round promises a thrilling climax as three nations jostle for one prized World Cup ticket.
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World Cup
CAF Rule Change May Boost Nigeria’s World Cup Qualification Hopes

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have received a significant lift following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to revise the criteria for determining the four best runners-up in the African qualifiers.
But in the end, it may boil down to the use of calculators to determine number of goals and points to be deducted from the runners-up in eight of the nine World Cup qualifying groups.
Only Niger’s position in Group E will remain constant as Eritrea’s withdrawal prompts recalibration of “best runners-up” ranking system.
The change, prompted by Eritrea’s withdrawal from Group E of the qualifiers, has forced CAF and FIFA to adjust the ranking formula to ensure fairness across all nine qualifying groups. Eritrea’s exit left Group E with only five teams instead of six, creating an imbalance in the points system.
In a circular dated March 14, 2025, signed by CAF Director of Tournaments and Events, Samson Adamu, CAF explained that results against the lowest-ranked or withdrawn teams in each group will no longer count when comparing second-placed teams.
The rule, drawn from Article 11.5 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary competition regulations, aims to standardize the evaluation process across all groups.
“Whenever a group has fewer than five teams due to withdrawal or disqualification, results against the lowest-ranked or withdrawn teams will not be considered when determining the best runners-up,” the circular stated.
The new regulation could reshape the qualification standings. According to early projections, several teams currently in contention — such as Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Madagascar, and Gabon — could each lose up to six points once results against bottom-placed teams are excluded. Meanwhile, Cameroon may lose four points, but Nigeria could benefit substantially, potentially climbing higher in the overall runners-up table. But they have to win their remaining two matches to be in contention for the group leadership or the secondary qualifying series of play-off.
Why the Rule Favours Nigeria
Nigeria currently sit outside the top spot in their qualifying group but remain in contention for one of the playoff positions reserved for the best four runners-up.
The Super Eagles have drawn both their matches against Zimbabwe, who presently occupy the bottom of Group C. In essence, the last minute goal conceded in Uyo last March could be blessing in disguise.
Under the new rule, those two draws — worth two points — would be removed from Nigeria’s total if Zimbabwe remain bottom. However, while Nigeria would lose only two points, many rival second-placed teams could lose between four and six points, giving the Super Eagles a relative advantage.
In practical terms, this adjustment means that if Nigeria finish second behind South Africa or Benin, their overall points tally could still place them among the top four second-placed teams — especially if they secure maximum points from their remaining fixtures against Lesotho and Benin Republic.
Analysis: CAF’s Balancing Act and Nigeria’s Renewed Hope
CAF’s decision reflects an attempt to maintain competitive integrity after Eritrea’s withdrawal disrupted the symmetry of the qualification groups.
By nullifying results against the lowest-ranked teams, the governing body ensures all second-placed nations are compared on a level playing field — based on equal numbers of matches and similar competitive balance.

For Nigeria, this adjustment offers a mathematical lifeline. The Super Eagles’ path to automatic qualification — by topping their group — remains the primary goal. But should they fall short, this rule revision provides a crucial backup route to the playoffs.
The timing of the rule change is also significant. With only a few matches left in the campaign, Nigeria’s qualification fate could hinge not only on their performance but also on how other second-placed teams are recalculated under the new system.
It also serves as a reminder of the fine margins in World Cup qualifying — where even administrative revisions can alter a nation’s destiny.
What Lies Ahead
Nigeria face Lesotho in Polokwane and Benin in Uyo in their upcoming fixtures, knowing that six points could transform their campaign. Head coach Eric Chelle will be urging his players to treat every match as a final, given the complex permutations now in play.
With the CAF revision effectively narrowing the gap between groups, Nigeria’s fate is once again in their hands — a rare turn of fortune after a turbulent qualifying run.
In a qualification series marked by unpredictability, this rule change might just be the break the Super Eagles need to return to the global stage after missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
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