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Egypt and Iran reveal alternative World Cup participation plan With the final whistle on their group stage fortunes blowing, both Egypt and Iran have unveiled a contingency bluepri

Doubts surround the Iranian national team ahead of the World Cup. As the final whistle approaches for football’s showpiece event, observers in Tehran and beyond sense a palpable unease about the team’s readiness. Concerns range from the squad’s defensive fragility to the lingering effects of domestic political pressures that have shadowed its preparations. Analysts point out that the side has struggled to find consistency in high-profile friendlies, and the coaching staff’s public silence only amplifies the uncertainty. Fans, who have seen their team qualify for a record sixth consecutive tournament, now wonder whether the squad can silence the sceptics when the first match kicks off.

Iran vs NigeriaIran
World Cup missing stars GFX

Biggest stars who failed to qualify for World Cup 2026

We are now just over two months out from the 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with all 48 teams now locked in following the culmination of the various play-offs during the March international break. All of the pre-tournament favourites made it safely through qualifying, including Spain, Brazil, England, France and defending champions Argentina.

AnalysisWorld Cup
Africa Cup of Nations Winners and losers GFX

Mane, Salah & AFCON's biggest winners and losers

There are only three certainties in life: death, taxes and a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations. However, even by the tournament's extraordinary standards, the final of the 2025 edition was like nothing we've ever seen before - albeit not in a good way. In the 93rd minute of a tense but largely uneventful encounter in Rabat, Senegal had a goal from Ismaila Sarr very harshly disallowed for a perceived foul by Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi beforehand. Just moments later, Morocco were awarded a penalty after an invention by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), who had spotted a minor tug on Brahim Diaz's shirt by El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Winners & LosersAfrica Cup of Nations
Burna Boy GFX

How Burna Boy is spotlighting African culture ahead of AFCON final

Nigerian singer-songwriter Burna Boy is shouldering the responsibility of championing African culture and heritage by launching a landmark new campaign ahead of Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco. The initiative comprises music, fashion, sport, film and storytelling, aiming to assert ownership of African narratives. To mark the occasion, Burna Boy has dropped a new music video featuring a host of influential figures from the football world.

CULTUREAfrica Cup of Nations
FBL-AFR-2025-MATCH 51-EGY-NIG

Disaster for Salah! Liverpool star misses penalty in AFCON shootout

There was heartache for Mohamed Salah who missed his shootout penalty as Egypt finished fourth at the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday. The Egyptian icon’s spot kick was saved after his side drew 0-0 draw in the third-place play-off against Nigeria, which the Super Eagles won 4-2 on penalties. Salah was one of two Egyptian players to miss his penalty alongside Omar Marmoush.

M. SalahEgypt
More disappointment for Osimhen.jpg

Will self-destructive Osimhen ever achieve full potential?

Back in the summer of 2023, Victor Osimhen was the most in-demand striker in world football. He'd just spearheaded Napoli's run to their first Scudetto in 33 years, netting 26 goals in 32 games to become the first African player ever to finish as Serie A top scorer, and had pretty much every elite club in Europe knocking on his door. For a 24-year-old with talent and drive, it seemed like the start of something truly special.

OpinionAfrica Cup of Nations
John Obi Mikel Google Pixel

Mikel exclusive: BlueCo must 'take responsibility' at Chelsea

You will struggle to come across anyone in football more obsessed with Chelsea than their former midfielder and cult hero, John Obi Mikel. The Nigerian played 372 times for the club over an 11-year stint, helping them win 10 trophies, including their first ever Champions League in 2012. Though he retired in 2022, Mikel is still a prominent voice in the Chelsea sphere, regularly discussing their exploits on 'The Obi One Podcast'. Mikel sat down with GOAL to chat about the modern-day Blues, how they compare to his generation, new head coach Liam Rosenior, the club's BlueCo owners, his failed move to Manchester United and his recent transfer to Google Pixel.

ExclusiveJ. Mikel

Betting spotlight

Manchester United vs Leeds Predictions: Red Devils hold onto third spot
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FBL-AFR-2025-MATCH 47-ALG-NIG

Investigation launched into 'unacceptable behaviour' in AFCON quarter-finals

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has formally opened disciplinary proceedings following a series of ugly incidents that marred the quarter-final stages of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Officials have confirmed that investigations are underway regarding "unacceptable behaviour" from players and staff during the high-profile clashes involving the hosts, Cameroon, Algeria and Nigeria.

Africa Cup of NationsCameroon
FBL-AFR-2025-MATCH 47-ALG-NIG

📽️ | Zidane's son at centre of wild AFCON brawl

Zinedine Zidane's son Luca was involved in a brawl at full-time after his Algeria side were defeated in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on Saturday. The 27-year-old Granada goalkeeper clashed with Nigeria ace Fisayo Dele-Bashiru following a 2-0 victory for the Super Eagles, who will meet hosts Morocco in the last four. But the incident after the full-time whistle saw a sour end to proceedings as Zidane's side were eliminated.

L. ZidaneZ. Zidane
Ola Aina Beast Mode On Podcast GFX

🎥 | 'Sh*t, it's Ronaldo!' - Beast Mode On Podcast with Ola Aina

Nottingham Forest full-back Ola Aina is the latest big-name guest to join Adebayo Akinfenwa on the Beast Mode On Podcast. The talented Nigeria international, who left Chelsea in a permanent move to join Serie A side Torino in 2019, discusses life under Jose Mourinho with the Blues, his decision to return to the Premier League, the challenge of taking on Cristiano Ronaldo and much, much more

ExclusiveO. Aina

Frequently asked questions

The story behind the birth of Liverpool as we know it today is quite interesting. Originally, it was Liverpool's Merseyside rivals Everton who would play their games at Anfield. However, after Everton decided to play their games elsewhere following a dispute in March 1892, John Houlding, the owner of Anfield at the time, decided to form his own club called Liverpool F.C.

Fenway Sports Group (FSG), an American multinational sports holding conglomerate, is the owner of Liverpool. FSG purchased the club in 2010 through subsidiaries N.E.S.V.I, LLC and the UK-based UKSV Holdings Company Limited.

Liverpool are playing their home games at the illustrious Anfield Stadium, which was built in 1884 and has since undergone several renovations, the latest being completed in 2024.

Anfield has a capacity of 61,276, with the renovation of the Anfield Road Stand in the latter half of the 2023-24 campaign taking the stadium's capacity past the 60,000-mark.

Liverpool have won a stellar 67 trophies throughout their history, which includes six Champions Leagues, 19 top-flight titles, and six FA Cups.

Liverpool are the second-most successful English side in terms of top flight titles with 19, just one shy of Manchester United. Their previous league glory came in the 2019-20 season, which remains their only league title till date in the Premier League era.

Former English midfielder Ian Callaghan made 857 appearances for the Reds. He is the only player in Liverpool history to have made over 800 appearances for the club.

Liverpool icon Ian Rush is the club's all-time top goalscorer, finding the back of the net 346 times in 660 games.

Luis Suarez, Ian Rush, Mohamed Salah, Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, James Milner, Fernando Torres, and Michael Owen are among the most popular players to have donned the Liverpool jersey.

Brendan Rodgers, Bill Shankly, Jurgen Klopp, Kenny Dalglish, Rafael Benitez, and Gerard Houllier are some of the most prominent managers to have been at the helm for Liverpool.

Liverpool are famously known as The Reds. The media as well as the club's supporters coined the term during the 1965-66 season, when the team first wore an all-red attire for the games.

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