The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture is no stranger to controversy online, or in real life and his seemingly innocent message of support for Master Chef appears to have rubbed people the wrong way.
The Clarets boss has issued a rallying cry to his squad, including the South Africa international, as they prepare for the global showpiece. Despite a difficult domestic campaign for the EPL side, the coach is determined to ensure his international stars arrive at the tournament in peak condition.
A Buccaneers legend has launched a scathing attack on the Belgian tactician following the announcement of the preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The retired attacker believes the veteran coach has made several grave errors in his player assessments ahead of the global showpiece.
The 32-man extended South African FIFA World Cup squad was released by SAFA and it is fair to say there were mixed reactions to the list. Both inclusions and omissions caused a stir amongst fans who took to social media to express their hopes, dreams and criticisms of the assembled players who will carry the nations expectations into the global tournament.
The expanded squad will be whittled down to just 26 players when the South Africa coach announces his final list on May 27. Until then, the following players will attend a preparatory camp in Johannesburg, minus the Mamelodi Sundowns picks as they are playing in the CAF Champions League final second leg on Sunday.
Brian Gutierrez’s growing role, Raul Rangel’s No. 1 case, and Edson Alvarez’s fitness are among the key storylines as Mexico face Ghana in Puebla on Friday. GOAL looks at five keys to watch in El Tri’s first pre-World Cup friendly.
The Bafana Bafana international did not hold back in clarifying what the future would look like if it were entirely up to him, but the final decision rests with the Chloorkop hierarchy regarding his next step, as his loan spell edges towards its conclusion after a stellar campaign away from his parent club.
The 28-year-old defender has moved to clear the air regarding reports of his omission from South Africa's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, blaming a breakdown in communication at his Romanian club FCSB for the confusion and handing Hugo Broos a significant boost by returning to action in Romania, proving his fitness just in time for the final selection process.
The Brazilians boss has thrown his full support behind his defender, insisting the 28-year-old is ready for the international stage. With coach Hugo Broos set to name his squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup next week, the timing of Cardoso’s endorsement could not be more significant.
South Africa's road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations has been mapped out following the official qualifying draw. Bafana will have to navigate an interesting group if they are to secure their spot at the tournament hosted across East Africa.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) has begun the search for the 74-year-old Belgian's replacement but there is one candidate who has immediately refused to be considered. Despite his vast experience in South African football, the German coach believes an established tactician at international level should take the reigns.
Reports have emerged from the eastern European country where the 28-year-old is based that claim the centre-back has been cut from the Mzansi national team coach’s plans, missing out on the World Cup squad. Despite being a consistent performer in recent seasons, the defender finds himself on the outside looking in as South Africa prepares for the global showpiece.
Sekhukhune United forward Bradley Grobler is reportedly weighing up his future in professional football as persistent injury troubles take their toll. And, according to his father, he should not be in contention for a spot in Hugo Broos' Bafana Bafana squad even if he was 100% fit.
Amakhosi co-coach Cedric Kaze has thrown his weight behind his number one as the race for spots in the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies. The shot-stopper has transformed his fortunes this season, emerging as one of the most consistent performers in the Betway Premiership after another Man of the Match display against AmaZulu.
Nico Williams has received incredibly positive news regarding the hamstring injury sustained during Athletic Club's recent clash with Valencia. While initial fears suggested the winger could miss the upcoming World Cup, medical tests have confirmed he should be fit in time for the tournament in North America.
The 61-year-old is once again being heavily linked with a return to international management after he emerged as a top candidate for The Eagles. But having just acquired the status of Gauteng Development League team East Rand Athletic FC as part of his football academy project it appears 'Jingles' is more focused on producing future Bafana Bafana stars than coaching current internationals.
The Buccaneers forward has revealed that standing for the Soweto giants on the global stage is his ultimate ambition, as he aspires to secure a place with the All Whites for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 29-year-old, who joined the club in January, is hoping to carry his club domestic form into the international arena as his national team prepares for a challenging group stage in North America.
The celebrated South African tactician was tipped to get the coaching job in the West African country ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, things didn't work out as anticipated for the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach who is currently unattached.
The Ghana international star Edwin Gyimah has successfully reclaimed his home after a harrowing period of homelessness. Despite the breakthrough, the veteran defender remains in a precarious position as he searches for a way to rebuild his career and support his family.
The West African nation are among the 10 teams that will represent the continent of Africa in the prestigious global competition to be played from June 11. Co-hosts Mexico will play South Africa's Bafana Bafana in the opening fixture in what will be a repeat of the 2010 edition that Mzansi hosted.
Former international Dietmar Hamann (52) has criticised Julian Nagelsmann (38). With the World Cup this summer in mind, he accuses the national team manager of two things in particular: his handling of so-called squad players and a lack of presence.
When one is at his lowest in life, the family becomes his natural fallback option, but in some other circumstances, one might find himself isolated and with no one to run to. Now, a former Premier Soccer League star has shared an emotional challenge where he alleges betrayal from close relatives. The 35-year-old has said that he battled spiritual issues even when he was playing for the national team.
Attempts are underway to quell the crisis engulfing El Kan, with club officials working swiftly to contain the fallout and restore stability to the dressing room. The precise nature of the dispute remains unclear, but sources close to the team suggest that competing ambitions, scheduling pressures and the intense media spotlight have created a perfect storm. Supporters, eager for silverware, are watching developments closely, hoping that calm can be restored before Saturday’s crucial fixture. In the short term, coaches are focusing on maintaining morale through daily team-building sessions, while the board pursues talks with key stakeholders to address underlying grievances. Should the current efforts succeed, El Kan could yet salvage its season; failure, however, might trigger a mass exodus of talent and tarnish the club’s hard-earned reputation. For now, the situation remains fluid, underscoring the delicate balance between on-pitch performance and off-pitch politics in modern footba
Al-Hadari heaped praise on the performance of the Black Atlas star, singling out his command on the ball, his incisive runs and his ability to unlock defences with a single pass. The veteran goalkeeper underlined the forward’s maturity, noting that he has grown into a complete player capable of influencing games in multiple ways. Al-Hadari stressed that the 23-year-old’s work-rate and off-the-ball movement create headaches for opposition back lines, and he highlighted the player’s willingness to track back and press as a key factor in the team’s recent defensive solidity. He also pointed out that the star’s confidence is contagious, lifting the entire squad and inspiring younger teammates to aim higher. According to Al-Hadari, the forward’s blend of technical ability and physicality makes him a rare talent, and he expressed confidence that bigger stages await the player in the near future.
Oufkir was in inspired form for the Windmills, delivering a performance that underlined his growing influence in the side. The midfielder, known for his composure and range of passing, controlled the tempo from the base of the midfield and provided the spark that ignited several dangerous attacks. His reading of the game disrupted opposition builds, while his quick distribution launched counter-attacks that kept the back line on high alert. Although the final scoreline did not reflect the dominance he helped create, his ability to dictate play and maintain possession earned him praise from coaches and supporters alike. As the Windmills look to build on this display, Oufkir’s continued development could prove crucial to their season-long ambitions.
The unfortunate incident surrounding the Egypt friendly match has repeated itself, prompting fresh concerns within the national team’s camp and among fans. Details remain scarce, but sources close to the federation confirm that the same logistical and organisational issues that marred the previous get-together resurfaced during the most recent gathering, forcing coaches to adjust the training schedule at the last minute.
While the exact nature of the problem has not been disclosed, insiders whisper that communication breakdowns between the back-room staff and club representatives played a significant role. As a result, players arrived on different schedules, equipment was misplaced, and the planned warm-up session had to be abbreviated. These glitches, though minor on the surface, underline deeper coordination failures that could affect team harmony heading into crucial qualifiers.
Egypt’s football hierarchy is now under pressure to address these recurring problems. Fans have taken to
