Montevideo, Uruguay | AFP | Philippe Coutinho shrugged off his transfer disappointment with a goal as Brazil beat Ecuador to guarantee top spot in South America’s 2018 World Cup qualifying race on Thursday while Chile and Argentina stumbled once more. Liverpool star Coutinho, who had seen his hopes of a dream …
Read More »Cameroon need four points to avoid doom – Broos
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Cameroon coach Hugo Broos admits their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign is doomed if they do not take at least four points off Nigeria in back-to-back clashes. The Group B rivals meet in southeastern Nigerian city Uyo this Friday and in Cameroonian capital Yaounde three …
Read More »Morocco to bid for 2026 World Cup – Federation
Rabat, Morocco | AFP | Morocco’s football federation (FRMF) announced on Friday it had told the sport’s world governing body FIFA it will bid to host the 2026 World Cup. It would be Morocco’s fifth candidacy having come up short already in 1994, 1998, 2006 and 2010. “Morocco considers itself capable …
Read More »World Cup, Olympic stadiums in Brazil corruption scandal
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | AFP | Brazil was proud of its football World Cup and Olympics stadiums, but the shame of the country’s corruption saga has engulfed even these monuments to fair play. A bribery scandal linked to construction firm Odebrecht that has swept up scores of politicians has …
Read More »All regions get more slots in 2026 World Cup – FIFA plan
Zurich, Switzerland | AFP | All football regions will see their World Cup slots increased when the tournament expands to 48 teams in 2026, with Africa the biggest winner, according to FIFA recommendations released Thursday. The plan to expand the competition beyond its current 32-team format, which is subject to …
Read More »Africa wants 10 World Cup places
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Africa wants 10 places in the 48-nation World Cup from 2026, FIFA president Gianni Infantino was told in Johannesburg Wednesday. The Swiss-Italian was attending a two-day meeting of African national football association presidents behind closed doors. “All associations back an expanded World Cup and …
Read More »