FIFA president Gianni Infantino has solidified his position on the global stage by securing the total backing of all 54 African member associations. During a high-profile summit in Cabo Verde, the Swiss-Italian administrator promised a significant increase in resources to further elevate the game across the continent.
The Confederation of African Football has begun exploring contingency plans for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations amid mounting fears that co-hosts Kenya and Uganda will fail to meet crucial infrastructure deadlines. Although scheduled alongside Tanzania for June 2027, slow stadium works have forced the governing body to sound out potential backups.
Arsenal icon Patrick Vieira has broken his silence after being named the new head coach of Senegal, describing himself as "honoured and proud" to lead his birth nation. The former Gunners captain is set to be formally unveiled on Friday, marking a historic return to his roots for his first-ever stint in international management.
With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued by injuries and inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he is among a crowded field of contenders again in 2026.
