by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 6, 2026 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer, USA, World Cup
Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has expressed optimism that Nigeria can still find a way to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite the uncertainty surrounding the team’s campaign.
Speaking in an interview with SuperSport Football, the 29-year-old opened up about the emotional strain of the qualification journey and the tough choices players face when balancing the pursuit of Africa Cup of Nations success with the dream of playing on football’s biggest stage.
Iwobi acknowledged that while lifting the AFCON trophy is a major honour, many players are deeply motivated by the opportunity to feature at a World Cup.
Having represented Nigeria at the 2018 tournament in Russia, he noted that the squad is made up of players with different experiences and priorities — some still chasing their first World Cup appearance, others placing greater value on continental glory.
Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 campaign in Morocco ended before the final, compounding frustrations after their World Cup qualification hopes were dented by a dramatic playoff loss to DR Congo. The Super Eagles drew 1–1 in the final playoff in Rabat before losing 4–3 on penalties, a result that sent DR Congo through to the inter-confederation playoffs scheduled for March 2026.
In the aftermath, the Nigeria Football Federation submitted a petition to FIFA, alleging that some DR Congo players were ineligible. DR Congo’s football authorities have firmly denied the claims, insisting all players were properly cleared.
With FIFA still reviewing the case, hope remains alive among Nigerian fans and officials that a favourable ruling could yet reopen the Super Eagles’ route to the 2026 World Cup.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 6, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Soccer, World Cup
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has reportedly submitted his resignation to the Moroccan Football Federation following the Atlas Lions’ dramatic defeat to Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
According to Morocco World News, the highly rated tactician is said to be physically and mentally exhausted after an intense tournament, with preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to begin almost immediately. However, local media reports indicate that the Moroccan FA has not accepted the resignation and is actively working to persuade Regragui to remain in charge.
Should he eventually step aside, Regragui is believed to be attracting strong interest from the Saudi Pro League, where several clubs are keen on his services.
Born in France, Regragui enjoyed a solid playing career with clubs including Toulouse, AC Ajaccio, Grenoble and Racing Santander. His greatest success, however, has come in management, highlighted by leading Wydad AC to CAF Champions League glory.
Widely regarded as the most successful coach in Morocco’s international history, Regragui came agonisingly close to ending the nation’s long trophy drought, falling just one penalty short of delivering Morocco’s first continental title since 1976.
Since taking over the national team in 2022, his impact has been extraordinary.
He guided the Atlas Lions to a historic fourth-place finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the best-ever performance by an African nation, and followed it up with an impressive run to the AFCON 2025 final.
Despite the final disappointment, Regragui’s legacy with Morocco remains firmly intact, with his future now the subject of intense speculation.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 6, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
Ghana’s Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, has sent a bold warning to England after declaring the Black Stars’ ambition to finish top of Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Drawn alongside England, Croatia and Panama, the Black Stars are widely viewed as underdogs, with the Three Lions tipped as favourites to lead the group. England will open their campaign against Croatia in Dallas, face Ghana in Boston, and conclude their group matches in New Jersey.
However, Adams insists Ghana are ready to challenge the hierarchy and believes England should not underestimate the four-time African champions.
Speaking to SunSport, Adams said Ghana are fully prepared to go toe-to-toe with Europe’s elite.
“We know England are giants when it comes to football, but so is Ghana.
Historically, we have always done well when we play big countries at the World Cup.
Our aim is to prepare so well, leaving no stone unturned, that we don’t just qualify from the group, we finish top.
Our players are competing in the best leagues in Europe and we already have a clear plan.
We know how to win this group, and I’m really looking forward to playing England because we believe we are in the same league as them.”
As part of their preparation, Ghana have lined up four high-profile warm-up matches ahead of the tournament. The series begins next month with a friendly against Austria, followed by a clash with Germany, a team the Black Stars believe mirrors England’s playing style.
Two additional friendlies are yet to be confirmed, with one expected to take place in the United States just days before the World Cup kicks off.
The Black Stars are also confident that weather conditions could work in their favour, with several matches expected to be played in high temperatures. England manager Thomas Tuchel has already suggested he may need to take extreme measures, including keeping substitutes in the dressing room, to manage hydration levels.
Ghanaian officials and fans alike believe a major upset is possible, pointing to Senegal’s famous friendly victory over England last year as proof that the Three Lions can be rattled. Head coach Otto Addo remains confident his side can spring another surprise on the world stage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 6, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
The Ghana Football Association (GFA), following consultations with key stakeholders, has strengthened the Black Stars’ technical setup with the appointment of five experienced professionals ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
The strategic reinforcements are designed to boost competitiveness and ensure a balanced, high-performance structure as Ghana prepares for the global tournament to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
French tactician Alain Ravera joins the technical team as Assistant Coach. Ravera brings a strong international pedigree, having previously served with the Guinea national team and French giants AS Monaco.
He will work alongside Kim Lars Björkegren, Head Coach of the Black Queens, who has also been appointed Assistant Coach. The Swedish trainer guided the Black Queens to a bronze medal at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and has secured qualification for the 2026 WAFCON, which he will continue to oversee.
To enhance scouting, match preparation and performance analysis, the GFA has recruited Spanish coach José Daniel Martínez Alfonso, who currently serves as an assistant coach and video analyst with Major League Soccer side Atlanta FC.
The medical unit has been reinforced with the return of Carlos Lozano Romero as Team Physiotherapist. Lozano previously worked with the Black Stars during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, bringing continuity and familiarity to the setup.
Completing the additions is British-born Ghanaian performance specialist Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi, appointed as Performance Coach. A trusted long-serving support figure, his role will focus on physical conditioning, player optimisation and overall performance enhancement throughout the World Cup campaign.
All five appointments are strictly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and align with the GFA’s long-standing tradition of expanding the Black Stars’ technical team whenever Ghana qualifies for major tournaments.
They will work under Head Coach Otto Addo as the Black Stars intensify preparations and target a strong showing on the world stage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 6, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
Ghana have strengthened their technical department ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the appointment of Spanish coach Jose Daniel Martinez Alfonso to the Black Stars’ backroom staff.
Martinez Alfonso, who currently serves as an assistant coach and video analyst with MLS outfit Atlanta United FC, is expected to play a key role in scouting, match preparation, and performance analysis as Ghana fine-tunes plans for the global showpiece.
His inclusion forms part of a wider strategy to enhance the Black Stars’ technical depth as the team gears up for its fifth World Cup appearance. The Spaniard will work closely with head coach Otto Addo and the rest of the technical team, providing data-driven insights to shape tactics and ensure optimal player readiness.
Ghana are scheduled to reconvene in March for international friendlies against Austria and Germany, key tests in their World Cup build-up.
Drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia, the Black Stars will be aiming to progress beyond the group stage after early exits at the 2014 and 2022 tournaments.
