Four nations made debuts at the 2026 World Cup, with Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan gracing the grandest stage in international football for the first time. It was the tournament with the most newcomers since 2006 and Cape Verde achieved the feat of ending a 16-year wait for a debutant to reach the knockout stages, before succumbing to Lionel Messi's Argentina in a classic.
We are now just hours away from the start of the 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with all 48 teams having made their way to North America with dreams of glory driving them. All of the pre-qualifying favourites made it safely through, including Spain, Brazil, England, France and defending champions Argentina.
The World Cup has had no shortage of iconic moments across nearly 100 years of history. Every four years, billions of fans congregate to watch a tournament that has provided more drama, heartbreak and joy than any other event in sporting history. Football's grandest stage, the World Cup has always offered a platform for legends to be born, but it has also seen reputations destroyed and the downfall of so many famous faces.
Andre Onana has been told why a permanent transfer away from Manchester United needs to be arranged this summer, with the Cameroonian goalkeeper being informed by fellow countryman Eric Djemba-Djemba that demanding fans in England “don’t care” about second chances. A number of costly mistakes across two seasons at Old Trafford have led to Onana suffering a loss of confidence and heading out on loan.
Manchester United are in the market for midfield reinforcements, and Eric Djemba-Djemba has explained to GOAL why Brighton star Carlos Baleba would be a “good signing” for the Red Devils. A man that once operated in the engine room at Old Trafford has also explained where his fellow Cameroonian can improve, with Bruno Fernandes being used as a source of inspiration.
Manchester United duo Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo have withdrawn from international duty with injuries, the club has confirmed. The pair have been crucial to the Red Devils' recent turnaround, helping to fire Michael Carrick's side up to third in the Premier League, but will now spend the March break at home rather than represent Slovenia and Cameroon respectively.
Since the announcement of changes to the biennial tournament, the governing body has been putting out fires, repeatedly trying to reassure stakeholders and clarify what the new era will look like for the tournament. Recently, rumours emerged again that the next edition could be postponed, owing to the unpreparedness of the host countries.
Bafana Bafana's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations finals was dominated by players from the Soweto giants. Even though South Africa were eliminated in the Round of 16, lessons learnt in the continental competition have been linked to the current form shown by the Sea Robbers.
It is a matter of just over a month before the continental competition kicks off, but confusion has emerged over the potential host. Reports now claim that Morocco has withdrawn as the host of the women's football bonanza, and South Africa is ready to step in. However, the government has clarified its stance after a top official had stated that the country has secured the hosting rights already.
South Africa is expected to submit a bid to host the continental tournament. According to the top government official, a joint bid is expected alongside neighbouring countries. If South Africa wins the hosting rights, it will have another chance to try and win the AFCON trophy on home soil, having done so in 1996.
In a wide-ranging blog interview, the former AFCON winner revealed his views on the tournament's semi final stage, the battle between Mane and Salah, the upcoming final and picks his standout players.
One of the key components in any team setup is a competitive goalkeeping department. In most cases, the best, usually the most experienced one, is always the number one choice, and in the case of Bafana, Mamelodi Sundowns' captain has been the undisputed choice. With his age advancing and no young successor in the picture already, a goalkeeping problem for the national team has been predicted.
The Africa Cup of Nations finals is heading to the ultimate stage, and to every South African football fan, they had to believe their team had the ability to reach this stage. However, Bafana were eliminated quite early; Cameroon's Indomitable Lions proved too strong for them and eliminated the 1996 AFCON champions in the Round of 16. Since elimination, criticism, counter-criticism and the blame game have been the order of the day, and many fingers have pointed to one man: Broos.
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.
As debate on who should take over Bafana Bafana when Broos' era comes to an end rages, some names have been suggested. From the experienced Pitso Mosimane to the emerging Rhulani Mokwena and Broos' current assistant, Helman Mkhalele, pundits have been analysing who is the best-suited tactician to handle the national side.
After what has been regarded as Bafana's poor performance in Morocco, South Africans have been left wondering whether their team is developing or regressing. Now, as the focus shifts to the 2026 World Cup finals, Bafana's supporters have been cautioned.
The hosts put up a dominant display on Friday night at the Prince Moulay Stadium in Rabat, sending their opponents home after collecting a narrow 2-1 win over Hugo Broos' Bafana Bafana in the Round of 16 fixture. The Atlas Lions, who possess a massive quality, are chasing their first continental glory since 1976.
Two Manchester United players faced off in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on Friday, with Noussair Mazraoui's Morocco knocking out Bryan Mbeumo's Cameroon 2-0. Despite the disappointment for the former Brentford forward, Cameroon's elimination provides a timely boost for the Red Devils, who will be pleased to once again be able to call on Mbeumo's services.
Defiant Broos continues to defend himself even though South Africa failed to achieve their AFCON ambitions. After initially blaming the level of the Premier Soccer League, stating that his players lack the necessary experience, the Belgian has turned his gun on his critics. Known for his unfiltered, controversial comments at times, the AFCON winner has hit back at those who criticise him.
The coach's explanation of why South Africa failed to make it past the Round of 16 continues to attract responses. The experienced tactician claimed the level of the domestic league could have played a major role in their elimination. But the German coach has offered a different perspective, stating that Broos could be wrong and laying down what must be done to make Mzansi players become even better.
South Africa exited the 2025 AFCON without managing to at least match their third-place finish from the previous edition in Ivory Coast. The 1996 African champions were less convincing this time around and looked a far cry from the side that charmed the continent in their last outing. Their early departure has sparked differing opinions about their Belgian coach and the team’s overall direction ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Football lovers in Mzansi are still reeling from the pain of failing to make the latter stages of the biennial competition ongoing in the North African nation of Morocco after falling to the five-time champions, the Indomitable Lions, in the initial knockout phase round. However, the style of play caught the attention of an experienced tactician.
Cameroon
