With the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ just ten days away, the full squads of all 32 teams can finally be confirmed as anticipation for kick off cranks up another notch. All the initial provisional squads have been trimmed down, injuries weighed up and fitness assessed as the teams go through their final preparations ahead of the big kick-off in …
Read More »Germany to lift FIFA World Cup again – Reuters poll
Germany will retain their World Cup title in Moscow to equal Brazil’s record of five wins in the tournament, according to a Reuters poll of financial specialists more used to predicting market moves. In a May 16-31 survey of regular Reuters poll participants from across the globe, Germany’s national football team got the highest number of nods – 43 out …
Read More »France restricts public screenings of World Cup 2018 over terror fears
The threat of terrorist attacks in France has put paid to fans’ hopes of watching the World Cup on big screens in public spaces, France’s ministry for the interior has announced. The ministry said the terrorism threat means transmissions will only be allowed if they have taken the necessary precautions. That includes showing the matches in a secured public area …
Read More »Didier Deschamps presents a young World Cup squad for France
France’s 2018 World Cup squad is very different from those of the most recent competitions, with manager Didier Deschamps including lots of young talent and making some surprise choices. Of the 23-man list, just nine players were at Euro 2016; a mere six were on the 2014 World Cup list. “I can’t please everyone – but I make choices and …
Read More »Germany unveils provisional World Cup squad
Germany head coach Joachim Löw has named his preliminary squad for the World Cup, which kicks off in Russia next month. The DFB has extended the head coach’s contract through to the World Cup in 2022. German national coach Joachim Löw has named a squad of 27 players, who will accompany him to the national team’s training camp in Austria …
Read More »Nigeria names provisional 30-man World Cup squad
John Obi Mikel was named as Nigeria captain when the country’s provisional 30-man squad for the 2018 World Cup was released on Monday. The Super Eagles are the only one of Africa’s five representatives from the last World Cup to return for the 2018 edition, which is being hosted by Russia from June 14 to July 15. The team representing …
Read More »Russia ‘absolutely ready’ for World Cup, says FIFA boss
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino said Thursday Russia was “absolutely ready” to host the World Cup and thanked President Vladimir Putin for his commitment to the football showpiece. Infantino met Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi as Russia races against the clock to put the finishing touches on preparations for the 14 June – 15 July final. The first …
Read More »FIFA advances $2 million to African World Cup teams
World Cup-bound African teams have received a major boost after FIFA agreed to advance each of the five countries US$2 million ahead of the global football fiesta which kicks off in Russia next month. The 2014 World Cup in Brazil saw the Ghana and Cameroon national teams arguing with their football associations over bonus payments: Cameroon arrived late, Ghana’s government …
Read More »World Cup 2018: Nigerian Super Eagles’ Jersey Unveiled in London
The Super Eagles’ 2018 World Cup kits have been unveiled by Nike and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Nike is the official kits sponsor of Nigeria’s national teams. The sportswear manufacturer presented the kits to the NFF at a ceremony in London on Wednesday. The Super Eagles’ World Cup jersey was modelled by Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi while Sophia Omidiji …
Read More »Russia 2018: Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia drawn in ‘tough’ groups
Five African teams were part of 32 others entered into a draw for the group stages of the 2018 World Cup in Russia on Friday. The five African teams are Senegal, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and Tunisia. It turns out that from the final draw, Morocco and Nigeria will not have it easy in their respective groups as they face top …
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