2026 FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL By: Babatunde Ajibade (World Cup correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 The 2026 FIFA World Cup has finally come to an end.   What a tournament it has been. From the opening match right through to the final, it gave us unforgettable moments, stunning goals, major upsets and plenty of drama. Yes, the final ended up being one-sided, but that shouldn't take anything away from Spain's performance. It was another reminder of Spanish football at its very best. We got to see tiki-taka in full flow once again.   The third-place match produced plenty of goals, but for me, it felt more like a glorified friendly, so I never expected it to have any influence on how the final would unfold.   The match started exactly as many expected, with Spain dominating possession. However, I didn't think they would dominate Argentina to this extent. They completely controlled the game from start to finish and restricted Argentina to just two attempts, with none on target. I honestly can't remember the last time I saw a team control a World Cup final like that.   The biggest talking point during normal time was Enzo Fernández's second yellow card, which reduced Argentina to 10 men. Fortunately for them, it came late in regulation time, allowing them to hold on and force extra time.   The breakthrough finally arrived in extra time when Nico Williams brilliantly pulled the ball back with a header for Ferran Torres, who calmly side-footed home to put Spain on course for only the second World Cup title in their history.   Argentina tried to find a response, but the closest they came was a wayward effort from Simeone that sailed over the bar. After 120 minutes, they had managed just two attempts and failed to register a single shot on target.   For me, Argentina simply got their game plan wrong. It looked like they believed they could frustrate Spain and somehow grind out a result, but Spain never allowed that to happen.   The Spanish midfield completely controlled the contest, and that was where the game was won. Their defence also deserves enormous credit. Conceding just one goal throughout the entire tournament is an incredible achievement.   And yes... I just love that Spain made Messi cry.   Thank you to everyone who followed this journey throughout the tournament.   Until the next World Cup.   Congratulations, Spain!   The Golden Boot race is officially over.   Kylian Mbappé finished as the tournament's top scorer with 10 goals and four assists, while Lionel Messi ended the competition with eight goals and four assists.   Just as expected, the third-place playoff played a huge role in deciding both the Golden Boot and the Top Assist awards.   Michael Olise finished the tournament with seven assists.   𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐄𝐋 𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐋𝐄'𝐒 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐂𝐔𝐏 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝟕 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐒.   Congratulations once again to Spain on becoming world champions for the second time in their history.   Pau Cubarsí deservedly won the Young Player of the Tournament award. Was he your choice?   Unai Simón also deservedly claimed the Golden Glove after conceding just one goal throughout the tournament.   Rodri was named Player of the Tournament following a series of outstanding performances from start to finish. I absolutely loved his display in the final.   Who scored the best goal of the tournament? For me, it's still Jude Bellingham's goal against France.   Which goalkeeper produced the save of the tournament? We witnessed some incredible stops over the course of the competition.   Overall, what did you make of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final?   Which moment stood out the most for you?   Drop your thoughts in the comments.    

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP THIRD PLACE By: Babatunde Ajibade (World Cup correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 Like I have always said, this tournament has not failed to deliver. There were plenty of people who believed the third-place match would lack intensity because the two teams involved would have little motivation to play. Well, the scoreline told a completely different story.   France took on England in the third-place playoff and, for me, France only had themselves to blame for how they approached the first half. Some people might argue that England simply outclassed them, and that's fair, but I think France made it far too easy.   This was Didier Deschamps' final game in charge, yet the French players never looked up for it. They were sluggish, careless and lacked urgency from the opening whistle. I wasn't even surprised when they conceded after just two minutes. Declan Rice capitalised on a misplaced pass, drove forward and unleashed a brilliant strike from outside the box to give England the perfect start.   Rice then turned provider for England's second goal, delivering a corner that Ezri Konsa buried with ease. Konaté looked like a shadow of himself throughout the first half. Then Theo Hernández seemed to say, "Konaté, I can do even worse." Bukayo Saka added England's third after another piece of poor defending, and the fourth goal was even more embarrassing. The entire French defence switched off as Eberechi Eze skipped past Zaïre-Emery before slipping Saka through for his second of the game.   To put it simply, France were dreadful in the first half.   The second half was a completely different story—or should I say it was the response everyone expected. Four substitutions. Yes, four. They were badly needed.   France looked far more like themselves after the break, but unfortunately for them, the damage had already been done.   Kylian Mbappé pulled one back after being played through brilliantly by Michael Olise. Not long after, Mbappé returned the favour with an excellent through ball of his own, and Bradley Barcola produced a superb finish to make it 4-2.   Mbappé wasn't finished.   He grabbed his second goal of the match to take his tally to 10 goals at this World Cup, becoming only the fourth player in history to score 10 or more goals in a single World Cup tournament and the first to achieve the feat in 56 years. He has now scored 22 goals in World Cup history. At this rate, I genuinely believe he will eventually surpass Lionel Messi's record, whatever number Messi eventually finishes on.   France had more than enough opportunities to level the game, but their finishing let them down. Instead, England were awarded a penalty. Saka stepped up confidently and completed his first-ever World Cup hat-trick.   At that point, most of us thought the game was over.   But Upamecano, who came on in the second half and clearly treated the match with the seriousness it deserved, played a brilliant pass to send Ousmane Dembélé through on goal. Dembélé sat the defender down before calmly slotting the ball beyond Dean Henderson.   France were suddenly on the front foot and looked capable of completing an incredible comeback.   Then Jude Bellingham happened.   He won possession in midfield, drove straight at the French defence, twisted Lacroix inside out and fired his shot through the legs of Upamecano to cap off an incredible 10-goal thriller.   Bellingham also became the first English midfielder in World Cup history to score seven goals. In fact, he is now the first England player ever to score seven goals in a single World Cup tournament.   It also became the highest-scoring third-place match in FIFA World Cup history.   So, for a match many expected to be nothing more than a formality, it ended up producing goals, drama and several historic records.   Hopefully, the final gives us even more.   As it stands now, we await the...   Final   🇪🇸 Spain 🆚 🇦🇷 Argentina   The Golden Boot race is still alive, although it now appears to be a battle between two familiar names.   Kylian Mbappé leads the standings with 10 goals and four assists, while Lionel Messi has eight goals and four assists of his own.   Just as expected, the third-place match ended up playing a huge role in both the Golden Boot and Top Assist races.   In the assist rankings, Michael Olise finished the tournament with seven assists.   𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐄𝐋 𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐒 𝐏𝐄𝐋𝐄'𝐒 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐂𝐔𝐏 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝟕 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐒.   Who do you think will lift the World Cup trophy?   Who deserves to win the Young Player of the Tournament award?   Who has scored the best goal of the tournament so far? For me, it's still Jude Bellingham's goal against France.   And which goalkeeper has produced the save of the tournament? We've seen some absolutely incredible stops throughout this competition.   Overall, what have you made of the third-place match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?   Which moment stood out the most for you?   Drop your thoughts in the comments.    

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL By: Babatunde Ajibade (World Cup correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 The semi-finals certainly lived up to expectations. FIFA's top four teams gave us exactly what we hoped for—quality football, drama and moments to remember. If you love football, there was plenty to enjoy.   France took on Spain in the first semi-final, and in my opinion, France were completely outclassed. They were outplayed, outthought, and outworked by a Spanish side that looked like they had the answers to every question France asked.   Rodri reminded everyone why he won the Ballon d'Or. He completely controlled the midfield, while Mbappé and Michael Olise never really got going. Spain took the lead when Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted from the penalty spot after Lucas Digne's reckless challenge on Lamine Yamal.   From that moment on, Spain took control. Every passing lane to Mbappé was closed off, and Marc Cucurella deserves a lot of credit for the job he did on both Olise and Dembélé. He probably won't get the headlines, but he was one of Spain's unsung heroes.   The biggest difference between the two teams was the midfield battle. Rodri and Fabián Ruiz completely dominated that area of the pitch, cutting off spaces and controlling the tempo.   Pedro Porro eventually put the game beyond France with his second goal of the tournament after a brilliant one-two with Dani Olmo caught the French defence sleeping. Spain deserved every bit of their 2-0 victory.   The Spaniards are now through to only the second World Cup final in their history since lifting the trophy in 2010. Can they do it again? We'll find out soon.   The second semi-final gave us another reminder of why Lionel Messi is simply different.   Argentina came from behind to beat England 2-1 in the closing minutes of normal time, with Messi once again pulling the strings. He finished the night with two more assists, taking his tally to four in this tournament.   The game started with plenty of fierce tackles but, surprisingly, only two yellow cards were shown in the first half. Both teams spent the opening stages sizing each other up without wanting to make the first big mistake.   Everything changed after the break.   Anthony Gordon gave England the lead with a simple finish after excellent work from Morgan Rogers. At that point, most people expected England to keep attacking and try to finish the game.   Instead, they did the complete opposite.   From around the 56th minute, England gradually dropped deeper and deeper. Thomas Tuchel kept introducing defenders instead of attackers, and for me, that decision completely changed the game. The more England sat back, the more confidence Argentina gained.   Lionel Scaloni saw it immediately and responded by bringing on more attacking players, including Lautaro Martínez. It turned out to be the winning move.   Argentina equalised in the 85th minute after Messi played a clever short corner to Enzo Fernández, whose curling effort from outside the box left Jordan Pickford with no chance. Pickford actually had an excellent game, but sometimes you simply have to applaud a great finish.   Then came the decisive moment.   Messi delivered a wonderful cross with his weaker right foot, and substitute Lautaro Martínez powered home a brilliant header to complete the comeback.   What surprised me most was how Argentina managed to score a header against an England defence that had Guehi, Konsa, Stones, and the towering Dan Burn. You don't expect that to happen.   Thomas Tuchel is definitely going to have plenty of questions to answer when he gets back home because the English media won't let this one slide.   As it stands now...   Third-Place Fixture   🇫🇷 France 🆚 🏴 England   Final   🇪🇸 Spain 🆚 🇦🇷 Argentina   The Golden Boot race is still alive, although it looks like it's now between two familiar names.   Lionel Messi leads the way with eight goals and four assists, while Kylian Mbappé also has eight goals, along with three assists.   That means both the final and the third-place playoff could decide not only the Golden Boot winner but also the tournament's Best Player.   In the assist rankings, Michael Olise still leads the competition with five assists.   Who do you think will win the third-place match?   Who do you think will lift the World Cup trophy?   Who do you think deserves the Young Player of the Tournament award?   Who has scored the best goal of the tournament so far?   And which goalkeeper has produced the save of the tournament? We've seen some absolutely incredible stops throughout this competition.   Overall, what has been your impression of the semi-finals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?   Which moment stood out the most for you?   Drop your thoughts in the comments.    

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUARTER FINALS By: Babatunde Ajibade (World Cup correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 As the tournament draws closer to its end, the excitement just keeps growing. The biggest players continue to show up on the biggest stage with brilliant goals, crunching tackles and unbelievable saves. The quarter-finals were no different. This World Cup may have been longer than previous editions, but one thing is certain—it has delivered.   France took on Morocco in the opening quarter-final, and for me, Morocco gave France far too much respect. From the way the coach set up the team, it looked like they were more concerned about stopping France than hurting them. France, on the other hand, came out like a team on a mission.   Mbappé missed a penalty in the first half, but that didn't stop him. He responded with a brilliant finish after the break to put France ahead. It was his eighth goal of the tournament, drawing him level at the top of the Golden Boot race. He has now scored 20 goals in World Cup history. At this rate, I honestly believe he will surpass Messi's record before he retires.   Dembélé also got on the scoresheet to seal a 2-0 victory and send France into their third semi-final in the last three World Cups. You can already see they have one eye on another final, and I'm sure they'll be hoping for another meeting with Argentina to get revenge for that unforgettable defeat in the 2022 World Cup final. But before dreaming about that, they must first get past Spain.   The 2010 World Cup winners, Spain, faced Belgium in the second quarter-final, and what a game it was. It started at a frantic pace, then slowed down for a while before bursting back into life again.   Fabian Ruiz, a surprise starter with Pedri beginning on the bench, gave Spain the lead. Belgium responded just 11 minutes later through De Ketelaere. The second half belonged largely to Spain, but the biggest turning point came when Thibaut Courtois picked up an injury and had to be substituted.   Lammens came on in goal, while Spain introduced their own game changer, Mikel Merino. Once again, just like he did against Portugal in the Round of 16, Merino delivered when his country needed him most. He reacted quickest after Cubarsí's effort slipped through Lammens' hands to score the winner and send Spain into their first World Cup semi-final since lifting the trophy in 2010.   Can Spain go all the way again?   One thing is worth remembering. Spain have beaten France in their last two meetings, including that memorable victory at the European Championship. So, I definitely wouldn't rule them out. But who do you think reaches the final? Let me know in the comments.   Norway against England had all the ingredients of a classic. Haaland versus Kane. Ødegaard versus Bellingham. Everywhere you looked, those were the headlines, and thankfully, the match lived up to the hype.   England controlled possession early on but struggled to break down Norway's disciplined defence. Everything changed after the hydration break. Norway became the better side, and they got their reward when Schjelderup's cross—well, I'm still not sure whether it was a cross or a shot—completely fooled Jordan Pickford and found the back of the net. I was just as confused as Pickford.   Norway should have doubled their lead moments later, but Sørloth chose not to square the ball to Haaland. The Manchester City striker was unusually quiet for long spells and looked like he might produce another late moment of magic like he did against Brazil.   Instead, it was his friend Jude Bellingham who stole the spotlight.   Bellingham drove into the box from midfield, collected Gordon's cross and calmly slotted the ball into the far corner to level the score. Both goalkeepers then produced outstanding saves to force the game into extra time, but football can be cruel.   The same man who rescued Norway against Brazil, goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland, became the villain. He spilled a straightforward effort from substitute Morgan Rogers, and Bellingham reacted quickest to fire home his second goal of the match. That took his tally to six goals at this World Cup.   No English player has ever scored more non-penalty goals in a single World Cup than Jude Bellingham.   Can the Three Lions finally win their second World Cup?   The final quarter-final saw Argentina take on Switzerland in a match that was much tighter than many expected. The Swiss started brightly and looked the better side early on, but Argentina reminded everyone why they are the reigning world champions. Alexis Mac Allister, one of the shortest players on the pitch, rose highest to head home from a Lionel Messi corner and give La Albiceleste the lead. That assist was Messi's second of the tournament and his 10th in FIFA World Cup history.   To Switzerland's credit, they never stopped believing. They continued to control large spells of the game and got the equaliser they deserved through Dan Ndoye early in the second half. However, the turning point came just minutes later when Breel Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation after a VAR mistaken-identity review. I honestly couldn't understand that decision from Embolo. Your team had Argentina under pressure, pushing for a winner, and you chose that moment to go down looking for a foul. For a player of his experience, it was a needless mistake that completely changed the game. With neither side able to separate themselves after 90 minutes, the match went into extra time. Switzerland gave everything, but Argentina's quality finally told in the second half of extra time. Julián Álvarez produced a stunning strike before Lautaro Martínez added the killer goal with a calm finish to seal a 3-1 victory. The reigning world champions are through to the semi-finals, where England now stand in their way.   The Golden Boot race is becoming even more fascinating. At this rate, don't be surprised if the winner finishes with double figures.   Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé lead the standings with eight goals each.   Erling Haaland follows with seven, while Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are right behind on six.   In the assist rankings, Michael Olise still leads the way with five assists.   Semi-final Fixtures   🇫🇷 France 🆚 🇪🇸 Spain   🏴 England 🆚 🇦🇷 Argentina   Who do you think will qualify for the final?   Who has scored the best goal of the tournament so far?   And which goalkeeper has produced the save of the tournament? We've seen some absolutely incredible stops throughout this competition.   Overall, what has been your impression of the quarter-finals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?   Which moment stood out the most for you?   Drop your thoughts in the comments.  

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP ROUND OF 16 By: Babatunde Ajibade (World Cup correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 The tournament feels longer than previous editions, but it has certainly lived up to expectations. The Round of 16 delivered everything—expected victories, huge upsets, and plenty of drama both on and off the pitch.   Co-hosts Canada were swept aside by North African giants Morocco. A brace from Ounahi, followed by Rahimi's late goal in normal time, sealed an impressive 3-0 victory. Morocco will, however, be without one of their key players in the quarter-finals after Saibari picked up an injury in the 22nd minute. Despite that setback, the Africans never looked rattled and kept pushing. The game really came alive after the break as Morocco completely took control. They now face France in the quarter-finals, a repeat of their famous 2022 World Cup meeting in Qatar, although this time they meet much earlier than the semi-final clash four years ago.   Next up was Paraguay against France. France managed to grind out a hard-fought 1-0 victory thanks to a Kylian Mbappé penalty. It was a very physical contest, with the hot conditions making life difficult for both teams. France may not have scored their usual three or four goals, but this performance showed they can battle when the game demands it. How far do you think France can go? And how many goals will Mbappé finish with in this competition?   Now to the biggest shock of the round. History tells us Brazil has never beaten Norway, but who honestly expected them to lose to Norway at the 2026 World Cup? Yet that's exactly what happened. Erling Haaland once again proved why he is one of the best in the world, scoring a brace before Neymar pulled one back from the penalty spot. The match ended 2-1 in favor of Norway. Brazil had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the first half, but Bruno Guimarães failed to beat Nyland from the spot. Nyland was outstanding throughout the match, producing save after save before Haaland took matters into his own hands and increased his tally to seven goals in his very first World Cup. Brazil has nobody to blame but themselves after wasting so many clear chances. They have now been eliminated before the semi-finals in back-to-back World Cups, and for the first time in a very long while, they are heading home at the Round of 16 stage. Norway will now face England in the quarter-finals.   England knocked out the second co-host, Mexico, in a thrilling five-goal encounter that kept delivering right until the final whistle. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring before England doubled their lead just two minutes after the restart. Mexico responded through Quiñones with a free-kick that England defended poorly, but just two minutes later, Bellingham struck again to restore the two-goal cushion. The game changed when Jarell Quansah was shown a red card after a VAR review for a reckless challenge on Mexico's left-back. Surprisingly, despite going down to ten men, England won a penalty just six minutes later, and Harry Kane converted to make it 3-1 and move onto six goals in the tournament. At that point, the game looked over, but Jiménez scored again to reduce the deficit to 3-2 and set up a tense finish. England had to defend for their lives against not just the Mexican team but what felt like an entire nation cheering them on. In the end, they held firm. How far do you think England will go? Can they finally win the World Cup for the second time?   Another GOAT has been sent home. Cristiano Ronaldo could not inspire Portugal past the European champions as they failed to reach the quarter-finals for the second consecutive World Cup. Ironically, they also lost 1-0 at this stage to Morocco in 2022. Spain didn't completely dominate Portugal, but they controlled the tempo of the game and dictated the pace from start to finish. I honestly don't know whether Roberto Martínez believed he could hang on until extra time to make changes, but Merino had other ideas. The substitute combined brilliantly with fellow substitute Ferran Torres to score the goal that sent Portugal home. Lamine Yamal hasn't quite reached the heights many expected from him in this tournament, but do you think he'll finally explode in the quarter-finals? Let me know in the comments.   As expected, Belgium dismantled the USA 4-1, despite all the controversy surrounding the match. There was plenty of talk after reports that the President of the United States had contacted the FIFA President before the game. The co-hosts were eventually undone by their own defensive mistakes. FIFA's decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's suspension also sparked debate across the football world, even though Gianni Infantino defended the decision by referring to Article 27 of the FIFA rulebook. Regardless of the controversy, Belgium celebrated in style. Romelu Lukaku extended his record as Belgium's highest World Cup goalscorer, although the only concern for them was the injury to Onana. Belgium now faces Spain in what promises to be another blockbuster all-European quarter-final. Who do you think qualifies?   Argentina against Egypt produced one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament. Argentina eventually won 3-2, but not before surviving plenty of drama. They had to come back from two goals down, and once again Lionel Messi dragged his team back into the contest. VAR dominated the headlines as Egypt saw a goal ruled out, while Argentina were awarded a penalty that Messi surprisingly missed in the first half. Egypt gave absolutely everything, but as the match wore on, frustration with several controversial refereeing decisions seemed to affect their concentration. Many fans felt some of those decisions favoured Argentina. In the end, though, Messi had the final say. He scored his eighth goal in eight consecutive World Cup matches and also surpassed Diego Maradona with his ninth World Cup assist as Romero scored from his cross. He remains both the tournament's leading scorer and the highest goalscorer in World Cup history with 21 goals. Enzo Fernández then scored the dramatic late winner to complete Argentina's comeback. Can Argentina become the first nation to successfully defend the World Cup in the modern era? And how many goals do you think Messi will finish with?   Colombia against Switzerland was a cagey affair from start to finish. The first half saw both teams feeling each other out, with neither side willing to take too many risks. The second half wasn't much different, as clear-cut chances were few and far between. Even extra time couldn't separate them, and the match had to be decided on penalties.   I still don't understand why some teams allow their centre-backs to take penalties. Switzerland's Manuel Akanji and Colombia's Davinson Sánchez both stepped up and missed from the spot. In the end, it was Cucho Hernández's miss that proved decisive. While many will remember Ruben Vargas for calmly dispatching the winning penalty, I think the real hero was Gregor Kobel. His save in the shootout gave Switzerland the edge when it mattered most. They qualified for the quarter-final for the first time in 72 years.    Switzerland eventually won 4-3 on penalties and booked their place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Argentina.   The Golden Boot race is becoming even more exciting.   Lionel Messi leads the standings with eight goals.   Just behind him are Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland on seven goals each, while Harry Kane follows closely with six.   In the assist rankings, Michael Olise still leads the way with five assists.   Quarter-final Fixtures   🇫🇷 France 🆚 🇲🇦 Morocco   🇳🇴 Norway 🆚 🏴 England   🇪🇸 Spain 🆚 🇧🇪 Belgium   🇦🇷 Argentina 🆚 🇨🇭 Switzerland   Who do you think will qualify for the semi-finals?   Who has scored the best goal of the tournament so far?   And which goalkeeper has produced the save of the tournament? We've seen some absolutely incredible stops throughout this competition.   Overall, what has been your impression of the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?   Which moment stood out the most for you?   Drop your thoughts in the comments.    

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP ROUND OF 32 By: Babatunde Ajibade (World Cup correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   The Round of 32 certainly didn't disappoint. It had everything—goals, extra time, penalties, red cards, and, as expected, a few major shocks. New records were created, others were broken, and even though this is the first World Cup to feature a Round of 32, we've already seen more goals at this stage than in the previous edition.   The opening match saw co-hosts Canada edge South Africa thanks to a late winner from co-captain Stephen Eustáquio. That victory sends Canada into the Round of 16 for the first time in their history. They will now face Morocco in what promises to be another exciting encounter.   Next up was Brazil against Japan. What a game that was. Japan stunned Brazil early with a brilliant long-range strike from Asano, but Brazil responded like the tournament favourites they are. Casemiro brought them level before Martinelli scored a dramatic last-minute winner to seal a 2-1 victory. Brazil remains one of the favourites, although they'll have a tricky Round of 16 clash against Norway.   Now to the biggest shock of the round. Paraguay knocked Germany out on penalties. The match finished 1-1 after Enciso's first-half header gave Paraguay the lead before Havertz equalised with the slightest of touches. After 30 minutes of extra time couldn't separate them, penalties followed, and Orlando Gill stole the show. The 198cm Paraguayan goalkeeper produced save after save in a shootout that fans won't forget anytime soon. Germany has now been eliminated in the knockout stages of three consecutive major tournaments since winning the World Cup. Paraguay now faces France in the Round of 16, their first appearance at this stage since 2010.   Then came another blockbuster as the Netherlands faced Morocco, and once again, the African side pulled off a huge result. The Dutch went ahead through Cody Gakpo, who had sadly lost his baby just a day earlier. May God continue to strengthen him and his family. After scoring, he broke down in tears before his teammates lifted him in celebration. It was a truly emotional moment. But Morocco had the final say as Diop equalised with virtually the last kick of the game. The penalty shootout then became the Bono show, as Morocco booked their place in the Round of 16. How far do you think Morocco can go in this tournament? Let me know in the comments.   Norway against Ivory Coast left me frustrated. Once again, I have to say African teams still have a long way to go when it comes to game management under African coaches. How do you dominate large spells of a match, respond brilliantly after going behind to Nusa's stunning opener through Diallo's excellent equaliser, and then decide to sit back? Instead of taking control of the midfield and pushing for the winner, they invited pressure. It was disappointing to watch. Meanwhile, the Vikings continue their impressive World Cup run. Haaland found the net again, even if it was a funny little tap-in. But a goal is a goal. How far do you see Norway going? And how many more goals will Haaland score? Drop your thoughts in the comments.   As expected, France comfortably defeated Sweden. Mbappé scored twice to take his tally to six goals in the tournament, while Barcola added another. However, Michael Olise was the real star with two assists. Mbappé has now scored 18 World Cup goals, making him the second-highest scorer in World Cup history behind Messi. Looking at this French squad, who is stopping them?   Mexico defeated Ecuador thanks to two quick first-half goals from Quiñones and Jiménez. Ecuador's task became even harder when Hincapié was sent off for covering his mouth while speaking to an opponent, an offence under the tournament's new communication rule. He became the second player to receive a red card for it after Paraguay's Miguel Almirón. Mexico now faces England in what, for me, is one of the big Round of 16 fixtures.   England has to improve if they seriously want to beat co-hosts Mexico, let alone win a second World Cup. They looked far too rigid against DR Congo, who gave everything despite making the mistake I've spoken about before—African teams dropping too deep when they should keep attacking. DR Congo shocked England with an early goal from Cipenga, but Harry Kane's brace eventually rescued the Three Lions. Thomas Tuchel still has plenty of work to do because, if these performances continue, the English media will soon be saying Gareth Southgate did a better job.   The match of the round was undoubtedly Belgium against Senegal. It was brilliant entertainment for the neutrals but absolutely heartbreaking for Senegal. Imagine leading 2-0 in the 85th minute, only to draw in normal time and eventually lose in extra time. Senegal has nobody else to blame but themselves, especially the coach. He took off key players, thinking the game was already won. Belgium punished them and reminded everyone why many consider them the tournament's dark horses. To be fair, Rudi Garcia also took a huge gamble by substituting De Bruyne and Doku while trailing by two goals, but somehow it all worked out. Lukaku was back on the scoresheet as he continues to regain both fitness and confidence. But the biggest credit goes to Tielemans, whose brace completed the remarkable comeback. Belgium will now meet co-hosts the USA.   Despite going down to ten men, the USA defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to set up that clash with Belgium. The Americans will, however, be without their leading scorer, Folarin Balogun, after his red card against Bosnia. Can the USA reach the quarter-finals?   Spain showed their quality against Austria with a comfortable 3-0 victory. Oyarzabal scored twice before Porro wrapped things up with a brilliant header. The European champions finally look like they've found their rhythm. They'll now face Portugal in one of the standout ties of the Round of 16. I genuinely can't wait for that one.   Portugal versus Croatia was also a meeting between two legends—Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić, the oldest players representing their respective countries. I won't lie, the first half was difficult to watch, but everything changed after the water break. Perišić put Croatia ahead before Ronaldo converted from the penalty spot to score his first-ever World Cup knockout goal, becoming the oldest player to do so. Then came the drama. Gonçalo Ramos gave Portugal the lead in the 94th minute. Because of the celebrations and the VAR review for the penalty, the added time stretched well beyond the original ten minutes. Right at the end, Joško Gvardiol thought he had forced extra time, only for the new ball technology to detect the faintest touch from a Croatian attacker, making the goal offside. Technology truly saved this game. Hopefully, Roberto Martínez finally finds the right balance for this talented Portugal squad because if he doesn't, they may regret appointing him.   Switzerland defeated Algeria thanks to early goals in each half from Embolo and Ndoye. Algeria actually controlled much of the game but struggled to break down the Swiss defence, making the match feel a little flat overall.   Egypt became the second African nation to reach the Round of 16 after beating Australia on penalties following a 1-1 draw. Ashour gave Egypt the lead before an own goal from Hany levelled things up. Unfortunately for Hany, it was already his second own goal of the tournament. Mohamed Salah confidently converted a Panenka during the shootout, while misses from Souttar and Herrington secured Egypt's place in the next round.   Argentina against Cape Verde produced yet another fantastic match. Messi and his teammates eventually edged what has easily been Africa's most entertaining team. The tiny island nation pushed the defending champions into extra time and even produced what might be the goal of the tournament through left-back Sidney López. They may be heading home, but they leave with their heads held high. Even the Argentine supporters applauded them at full-time. Vozinha was outstanding once again between the posts. Messi now has seven goals in the tournament and has become the first player to score in eight consecutive World Cup matches. Cape Verde did not lose a match in 90 minutes in this tournament. What a team. Argentina will now face another African side, Egypt. Can Egypt go one better than Cape Verde and eliminate the world champions? Let me know what you think.   Colombia vs Ghana brought the curtain down on an unforgettable Round of 32. The game got off to a worrying start, with two players forced off through injury inside the opening 12 minutes—a first in FIFA World Cup history, making it a new tournament record. Jhon Arias broke the deadlock with his first-ever World Cup goal, but Ghana's goalkeeper was the real standout performer, producing a string of outstanding saves to keep his side in the contest. In the end, Colombia did just enough to book their place in the Round of 16, where Switzerland now awaits.   The Golden Boot race is heating up.   Lionel Messi leads with seven goals.   Behind him are Kylian Mbappé with six, while Erling Haaland and Harry Kane both have five.   In the assist rankings, Michael Olise leads the way with five assists.   Round of 16 Fixtures   🇨🇦 Canada 🆚 🇲🇦 Morocco   🇵🇾 Paraguay 🆚 🇫🇷 France   🇧🇷 Brazil 🆚 🇳🇴 Norway   🇲🇽 Mexico 🆚 🏴 England   🇵🇹 Portugal 🆚 🇪🇸 Spain   🇺🇸 USA 🆚 🇧🇪 Belgium   🇦🇷 Argentina 🆚 🇪🇬 Egypt   🇨🇭 Switzerland 🆚 🇨🇴 Colombia   Who do you think will qualify for the quarter-finals?   Who has scored the best goal of the tournament so far?   And which goalkeeper has produced the save of the tournament? We've seen some absolutely incredible stops.   Overall, what has been your impression of the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?   Which moment stood out the most for you?   Drop your thoughts in the comments.

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP ROUND THREE By: Babatunde Ajibade (World Cup correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   The final round of group-stage matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup gave us everything we could have asked for — drama, upsets, records, and plenty of talking points. Most importantly, it has set up a mouthwatering Round of 32.   Group A ended with one of the surprises of the tournament. South Korea crashed out after losing 1-0 to South Africa, a result very few people saw coming. Co-hosts Mexico completed a perfect group stage with nine points after a convincing 3-0 victory over Czechia.   For Czechia, the draw against South Africa will probably be the result they look back on with regret. Football can be cruel, and small moments often decide tournaments.   Group B was another entertaining one. Co-hosts Canada lost to Switzerland, but thanks to their superior goal difference, they still progressed alongside the Swiss. Bosnia and Herzegovina also won their final game against Qatar, but it wasn't enough to finish above Canada.   It is still a historic achievement, though, as both Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina reached the knockout stage for the first time. Switzerland topped the group with seven points.   Group C almost produced another upset.   Haiti pushed Morocco all the way, but the Atlas Lions showed their quality when it mattered most. Haiti may be heading home, but they have certainly earned plenty of respect during this tournament.   Brazil, meanwhile, continued to look dangerous. Vinicius Junior grabbed another brace as the five-time champions comfortably defeated Scotland 3-0.   Brazil and Morocco move on as group winners and runners-up.   Group D had its own twist.   Turkiye finally picked up its first points of the tournament with a victory over the United States. The Americans made nine changes to their starting lineup and paid the price.   Paraguay and Australia played out a draw, meaning the USA still finished top of the group, while Australia and Paraguay progressed as second and one of the best third-placed teams.   At least Turkiye leaves the tournament with something to smile about.   Group E continued to produce surprises.   Ecuador stunned Germany to finish as one of the best third-placed teams, while Ivory Coast defeated Curacao thanks to two goals from Pepe to secure second place.   Germany still finished top of the group, but losing your final group game in back-to-back World Cups is certainly something they will want to address before the knockout rounds.   Group F once again lived up to expectations.   The Netherlands beat Tunisia 3-1 to finish top, while Japan and Sweden settled for a 1-1 draw, a result that sent both teams through.   This has probably been the group that has produced some of the best goals of the tournament so far.   Group G delivered late drama.   Belgium finally came alive with a convincing 5-1 victory over New Zealand. They eventually finished top of the group after Egypt were held to a controversial 1-1 draw by Iran.   There were plenty of talking points from that match, but credit must go to Iran. They gave a very good account of themselves and frustrated one of Africa's strongest sides.   Group H produced perhaps one of the best stories of the group stage.   Spain edged Uruguay 1-0 in a tense encounter that also saw Uruguay finish with ten men.   But the real headline belongs to Cape Verde.   The tiny island nation qualified for the Round of 32 in its first-ever World Cup appearance after drawing all three group games. Their reward? A blockbuster clash against Argentina.   What an achievement for African football.   Group I had a different hero.   For once, it wasn't Kylian Mbappe stealing the headlines.   Ousmane Dembele produced a stunning hat-trick as France demolished a heavily rotated Norway side 4-1. Norway also made nine changes, but they simply couldn't live with France's attacking quality.   However, the biggest story in the group belonged to Senegal.   After losing their opening two matches, they somehow qualified by thrashing 10-man Iraq 5-0, becoming the first African nation to win a World Cup match by five goals.   France, Norway, and Senegal all progress.   Group J belonged to Lionel Messi once again.   Coming off the bench, the Argentine captain curled home a beautiful free-kick to take his tournament tally to six goals.   Argentina defeated Jordan 3-1 to finish with a perfect nine points.   Meanwhile, Algeria and Austria played out an incredible 3-3 draw, a result that sent both nations through.   There were rumours and plenty of debate surrounding the late goals, but in the end, another African nation booked its place in the knockout rounds.   Group K saw Portugal produce another disappointing performance.   They escaped with a draw against Colombia but were second best for most of the game. Colombia deservedly topped the group, while Portugal settled for second.   The real story, however, was DR Congo.   Formerly known as Zaire, they defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 to qualify for the knockout stage for the first time in their history.   History made.   And finally, Group L.   England defeated Panama 2-0 thanks to two second-half goals, with Jude Bellingham once again leading by example.   Croatia edged Ghana 2-1 to finish second, but Ghana also progressed as one of the best third-placed teams.   Another positive story for African football.   Speaking of Africa, what a tournament it has been.   Nine of the ten African nations qualified for the Round of 32, an incredible achievement that shows just how much football on the continent continues to grow.   How far do you think the African teams can go?   The Golden Boot race is becoming even more exciting.   Lionel Messi leads with six goals.   Behind him are Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Vinicius Junior, all sitting on four goals.   In the assists race, Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, and Michael Olise lead the way with three assists each.   Round of 32 Fixtures   🇿🇦 South Africa vs 🇨🇦 Canada 🇧🇷 Brazil vs 🇯🇵 Japan 🇩🇪 Germany vs 🇵🇾 Paraguay 🇳🇱 Netherlands vs 🇲🇦 Morocco 🇨🇮 Ivory Coast vs 🇳🇴 Norway 🇫🇷 France vs 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇲🇽 Mexico vs 🇪🇨 Ecuador 🏴 England vs 🇨🇩 DR Congo 🇧🇪 Belgium vs 🇸🇳 Senegal 🇺🇸 USA vs 🇧🇦 Bosnia & Herzegovina 🇪🇸 Spain vs 🇦🇹 Austria 🇵🇹 Portugal vs 🇭🇷 Croatia 🇨🇭 Switzerland vs 🇩🇿 Algeria 🇦🇺 Australia vs 🇪🇬 Egypt 🇦🇷 Argentina vs 🇨🇻 Cape Verde 🇨🇴 Colombia vs 🇬🇭 Ghana   Who do you think will qualify for the next round?   Who has scored the best goal of the tournament so far?   And which goalkeeper has produced the save of the tournament? They have been absolutely outstanding.   So, what has been your overall impression of Round Three of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?   Which moment stood out the most for you?   Comment below and share your thoughts.

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP ROUND TWO By: Babatunde Ajibade (World Cup correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   The second round of matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has given us everything football fans could ask for — drama, goals, red cards, upsets and some truly unforgettable moments.   Group A got things underway in style. South Africa snatched a late draw thanks to a beautifully taken penalty by Mokoena, earning Bafana Bafana their first point of the tournament. Mexico, meanwhile, secured qualification to the next round after a second-half winner against South Korea. That result sets up a fascinating final round of matches in the group.   Group B delivered almost everything. Goals, penalties, red cards, a hat-trick and some huge scorelines. The only downside was the serious injury suffered by Canada's Kone, who reportedly broke his fibula. We wish him a speedy recovery.   Canada and Switzerland now have one foot in the next round and will probably see a draw in their final group game as a good result. For Bosnia and Qatar, however, the equation is simple, one of them must win if they want to keep their hopes alive, even as one of the best third-placed teams.   What was your favourite goal in this group? For me, it was Saliba's brilliant free-kick for Canada.   Group C also produced plenty of talking points. Morocco got the job done early, with Saibari scoring his second goal of the tournament, while Brazil handled Haiti comfortably thanks to a brace from Matheus Cunha.   The final round here will be one to watch. Brazil needs a result against Scotland to stay top, while Scotland still have qualification hopes of their own. Morocco should beat Haiti on paper, but this World Cup has already reminded us that nothing is guaranteed.   Group D belongs to the United States for now. Their 2-0 victory over Australia secured qualification to the next round. Paraguay also picked up a huge win over Turkiye despite playing with ten men.   The battle for second and third place is now wide open. Paraguay versus Australia could end up deciding everything. As for Turkiye, they desperately need something against the USA after setting an unwanted record of 62 shots without finding the net in this tournament.   Group E produced one of the biggest stories of the tournament so far.   Curacao earned their first-ever World Cup point with a draw against Ecuador, a result that will be remembered for years back home. Germany survived a major scare before a late comeback inspired by Deniz Undav's brace.   Germany have already qualified, leaving Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curacao battling for the remaining spots. Ecuador must get something against Germany, while Ivory Coast cannot afford to underestimate Curacao.   Group F continues to be one of the most entertaining groups.   Tunisia's new coach could not stop another heavy defeat as they were beaten 4-0 by Japan. The Netherlands then defeated Sweden 5-1 — the exact same scoreline Sweden had recorded against Tunisia.   Now we have a blockbuster final round. Sweden needs at least a draw against Japan, while the Dutch face Tunisia, who are simply desperate to leave the tournament with a point.   Who qualifies from this group? Let us know.   Group G has been full of drama both on and off the pitch.   Belgium was dealt a blow when Jeremy Doku left camp temporarily for the birth of his first child. They then failed to score against Iran and also finished the game with ten men after a red card.   As a result, Belgium have just two points from two matches and now must beat New Zealand in their final game.   Egypt, meanwhile, came from behind to defeat New Zealand 3-1 thanks to another outstanding performance from the Egyptian King - Mohamed Salah, who registered a goal and an assist.   A draw against Iran may be enough for Egypt, but a win would guarantee top spot.   Can Belgium still qualify? Comment below.   Group H finally saw Spain arrive at the tournament.   La Roja swept aside Saudi Arabia 4-0, with Lamine Yamal scoring his first-ever FIFA World Cup goal. Oyarzabal also answered his critics with a superb brace.   Uruguay continued to disappoint, drawing 2-2 with Cape Verde. But for Cape Verde, it was a historic night. They scored their first-ever World Cup goals and did it against a South American giant.   Now the pressure is on Uruguay. They may need to beat Spain to avoid a shock early exit.   Cape Verde, meanwhile, are dreaming of history. Can they qualify for the knockout rounds in their first appearance?   Group I belong to Kylian Mbappe.   The French captain scored another brace in a 3-0 victory over Iraq, taking his tally to four goals. France is already through, but all eyes will now be on their showdown with Norway.   Why?   Because Norway have Erling Haaland, who also scored twice in a thrilling 3-2 win over Senegal.   Mbappe versus Haaland. France versus Norway. Two of the world's biggest stars fighting for top spot in the group.   For Senegal, the mission is simple: beat Iraq and cut out the defensive mistakes.   Group J saw Lionel Messi once again dominate the headlines.   The Argentine captain scored twice against Austria to become the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history with 18 goals. He also moved to five goals in this tournament despite missing an earlier penalty.   Algeria fought back brilliantly to beat Jordan 2-1, setting up a huge final-day battle with Austria.   The question now is simple: how far can Argentina go in this tournament?   Group K witnessed Cristiano Ronaldo reminding everyone why he remains one of football's all-time greats.   Portugal demolished Uzbekistan 5-0, with Ronaldo scoring twice. In doing so, he became the first player to score in six different World Cups and also overtook Eusebio as Portugal's all-time leading World Cup goalscorer. Columbia defeated the stubborn DR Congo by a late goal by Daniel Munoz.    Now comes a crucial showdown against Colombia. Portugal needs only a draw to advance, while DR Congo must beat Uzbekistan and hope for help elsewhere if they want to progress.   And finally, Group L.   England were frustrated by Ghana in a goalless draw, while Croatia edged Panama 1-0 thanks to a second-half goal from Budimir. Luka Modrić reached his 200th cap for Croatia and joined an elite group of only four men to ever reach that milestone for their nation.   This group is beautifully poised.   England need a win over Panama to secure top spot. Croatia and Ghana may be tempted by a draw, but in football things are never that simple.   Who tops Group L?   And what scorelines are you predicting?   So far, which match has stood out for you?   The Golden Boot race is becoming one of the stories of the tournament.   Lionel Messi leads the way with five goals, while Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are right behind him on four. Denis Undav has three goals, while Canada's Jonathan David exploded into contention after his hat-trick in the last round.   In the assists race, Alexander Isak and Michael Olise lead the way with three assists each.   Who has scored the best goal of the tournament so far?   And who has made the best save? The goalkeepers have been absolutely outstanding.   So, what has been your overall impression of Round Two of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?   What moment stood out the most for you?   Comment below and share your thoughts.  

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP ROUND ONE By: Babatunde Ajibade (World Cup correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   2026 FIFA WORLD CUP ROUND ONE   By: Babatunde Ajibade (World Cup correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   The 2026 FIFA World Cup is finally here, and unlike the 2022 edition in Qatar, this tournament is being hosted across three neighbouring countries — Mexico, Canada and the United States.   The competition kicked off on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Mexico with a colourful opening ceremony that truly captured the excitement of the occasion. The ceremony reportedly attracted over 1.2 billion viewers worldwide, and the hosts followed it up with a strong performance on the pitch.   Canada also staged its own opening celebration, watched by around 3.9 million viewers, while the United States completed the trio of ceremonies with an audience of approximately 25 million viewers.   So, let me ask you: which opening ceremony impressed you the most?   The hosts, Mexico, got the tournament underway with a 2-0 victory over South Africa in a match that also produced a World Cup opening-game record of three red cards.   Canada had to settle for a draw in their opener, while the United States made a huge statement by dismantling Paraguay 4-1.   And what a first round it has been.   We have already witnessed some incredible scorelines and memorable moments. Brazil and Morocco played out an entertaining draw, Spain faced a stubborn Cape Verde side, while Germany showed no mercy to World Cup debutants Curacao with a crushing 7-1 victory.   Interestingly, despite the heavy defeat, Curacao supporters remained in high spirits. Their response summed up the beauty of football: "We scored against Germany." To them, that alone showed how far their nation has come.   Saudi Arabia continued their impressive record against South American opposition by avoiding defeat against Uruguay. Qatar, New Zealand and Bosnia also picked up their first points of the tournament.   The surprises didn't stop there.   Belgium were held by Egypt. Australia dismantled Turkiye. Ivory Coast comfortably beat Ecuador. Sweden's 5-1 demolition of Tunisia was so severe that it reportedly cost the Tunisian manager his job less than 24 hours later.   Then came the individual performances.   Kylian Mbappe inspired France to a 3-1 victory over Senegal and, in the process, became France's all-time leading goalscorer with 58 goals.   Erling Haaland marked his World Cup debut in style, scoring twice as Norway defeated Iraq 4-1.   Lionel Messi turned back the years with a stunning hat-trick against Algeria, helping Argentina to victory and becoming the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history with 16 goals.   Austria gave tournament debutants Jordan a harsh lesson despite Jordan celebrating their first-ever World Cup goal.   The Democratic Republic of Congo also made history, scoring their first World Cup goal through Yoane Wissa and earning an impressive draw against Portugal.   England joined the party too, with Harry Kane leading the way in a 4-2 victory over Croatia, while Ghana left it late to defeat Panama. Ending with Colombia defeating Uzbekistan by 3-1 to top Group K.   So far, which match has stood out for you?   The race for the Golden Boot is already heating up.   Lionel Messi leads the scoring charts with three goals, while several players sit on two goals each, including Folarin Balogun (USA), Kai Havertz (Germany), Yasin Ayari (Sweden), Kylian Mbappe (France), Erling Haaland (Norway), Harry Kane (England) and Elijah Just (New Zealand).   In the assists category, Alexander Isak (Sweden), Joshua Kimmich (Germany), Ryan Gravenberch (Netherlands) and Deniz Undav (Germany) currently lead the way with two assists each.   Who has scored the best goal of the tournament so far?   Records have already been broken, too, particularly by the goalkeepers. Saudi Arabia's goalkeeper produced nine saves in a single match, while Cape Verde's shot-stopper made seven — both among the standout individual displays of the opening round.   However, while the football has been entertaining, some of the off-field stories have been far less enjoyable.   The number of commercials during hydration breaks has been frustrating to watch. Everything seems designed to squeeze out every possible dollar. We are even seeing adverts immediately after national anthems.   Then there have been the security concerns.   There was a reported shooting incident near England's camp. Equipment thefts have also made headlines. More recently, reports emerged of the German camp dealing with a venomous snake incident.   There have also been complaints regarding the treatment of some Iranian supporters, which is disappointing to hear at a tournament that should be bringing people together.   And then there are the ticket prices.   With all the sponsorships, advertising revenue and commercial partnerships involved in this World Cup, it is surprising that ticket prices remain so expensive for ordinary fans.   The football has been brilliant.   The organisation? Not always.   So, what has been your overall impression of the first round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?   What moment stood out the most for you?   Comment below and share your thoughts.  

IS CARRICK THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB? By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   What a season it has been. Honestly, who would have thought Manchester United would finish third with the way this season started? And yes, that includes the opening game against Arsenal and the PGMOL madness that followed.   But beyond finishing third, there are actual signs of improvement.   United scored 69 league goals this season compared to just 44 last season. That alone tells you there has been serious progress in attack and that the reshuffling of the frontline actually worked. The football became more entertaining to watch, more direct, and at times far more dangerous.   The biggest issue is still the defence.   We conceded 50 goals compared to 54 last season. Yes, it is four fewer goals, and replacing Onana with Lammens definitely helped to stabilize things a bit, but let’s tell ourselves the truth — it is still not good enough for Manchester United.   We still need defensive improvement badly.   And before people misunderstand me, yes, Lammens is definitely an upgrade on Onana, but I still believe United need another experienced goalkeeper. There are too many moments where he stays rooted or reacts late. At the top level, especially in the Champions League, those moments punish you.   For the midfield, Ederson is reportedly close, which is a good start. Two more midfielders are still needed in my opinion. The rumours are that United want seven signings this summer, and honestly, that sounds about right.   Three midfielders. A left-back. A centre-back. A left winger. And another striker.   That should be the focus.   The important thing now is recruitment. Proper recruitment. Smart recruitment. Not panic buying or overpaying for players that do not fit the team. Hopefully Jason Wilcox and the recruitment team continue the good work from last summer and do not lower the standards again.   Now to the man of the moment — Michael Carrick.   First of all, he deserves credit.   When he came in as interim manager, I honestly did not expect this level of turnaround. I was thinking maybe fourth or fifth at best, especially considering the mess the team was in under Ruben Amorim towards the end.   But Carrick steadied the ship.   Not only did he stabilize the dressing room, he got results immediately. Finishing third from that position is not a small achievement no matter how anybody wants to look at it. Whether things work out long-term or not, this spell has massively improved his CV.   He also won his first official game after being announced as permanent head coach against Brighton, with United winning 3-0 through goals from Dorgu, Mbeumo, and my player of the season, Bruno Fernandes.   And honestly, it was one of the more comfortable United performances we have seen in a while, despite Carrick having to improvise in midfield with Mount operating deeper.   Michael Carrick’s numbers during his interim spell are genuinely impressive.   Michael Carrick’s Record (2025/26)   Matches: 16 Wins: 12 Draws: 3 Losses: 1 Win Percentage: 75%   That is elite-level form.   His run included massive results, including doing the league double over Liverpool. He also became the first English manager to win eight of his first nine Premier League home games.   Even more impressive was his points-per-game average of 2.25, which helped drag United back into the Champions League places.   Tactically, Carrick completely abandoned Amorim’s back-three system and returned to a possession-based 4-2-3-1.   And to be fair, it suited the players much better.   United looked quicker in transition, sharper on the counterattack, and far more comfortable in possession. The short passing combinations improved massively, and players like Bruno Fernandes were given freedom to attack spaces and dictate transitions.   Kobbie Mainoo also benefited from Carrick’s system because he was allowed to control tempo deeper during buildup phases instead of constantly being forced into advanced areas.   Carrick also showed flexibility. Against stronger opponents, he occasionally adjusted shapes and became more pragmatic instead of sticking stubbornly to one idea.   All of this sounds positive.   And based purely on results, it is hard to argue against the appointment.   But this is where my concerns begin.   I am not saying Carrick is a bad coach. Far from it. Anybody that can walk into that chaos midway through the season and finish third clearly has something about him.   But the real question is this:   Will this style survive across an entire season?   That is the big concern.   Bruno Fernandes himself recently admitted that Carrick gives the players a lot of freedom on the pitch. While that can help confidence and creativity, it also creates another problem — there is no clearly defined attacking structure.   At times, it feels like United simply rely on moments, transitions, and individual brilliance.   Yes, counterattacking football suits the current squad. Yes, it has worked against Premier League teams.   But what happens in the Champions League?   What happens against teams like PSG, Bayern Munich, or Real Madrid that can dominate possession and punish tactical chaos?   You cannot survive at the highest level with hopeful football forever.   There needs to be a stronger structure in possession, especially when games slow down and transitions disappear.   And this is why I keep asking:   Did the board appoint Carrick because of emotions? Because of results? Or because there is an actual long-term football plan in place?   Because we have seen this cycle before.   The players liking the manager is not enough to compete for 38 league games, Champions League football, and domestic cups. We have seen these same players turn on managers before.   To be fair to Carrick though, he adapted quickly in just 16 matches. His in-game management improved as time went on, even though there are still concerns about substitutions and some starting lineups.   So there is definitely room for growth.   My other major concern is the board itself.   And honestly, they worry me just as much as anything happening on the pitch.   They forced Amorim into the job mid-season despite him openly saying the squad could not play his preferred system. Then they failed to properly back him with the profiles he needed.   Instead, they bought for the club rather than for the manager.   Will they truly support Carrick now?   Will they give him players that genuinely improve the team and help United compete for trophies next season?   Or will this become another typical Manchester United transfer window where quantity is prioritized over actual quality just because the club qualified for Europe again?   That is the fear.   Carrick has been given a two-year contract, and honestly, I think that is the right decision.   It gives him enough time to build something without trapping the club into another long-term situation if things go wrong. Maybe the board have finally learned from the mistakes made with Amorim.   Personally, if Carrick is properly supported in the market, I believe another top-four finish is realistic next season, alongside a serious cup challenge.   But football changes quickly.   One good season means nothing if the club stops progressing again.   That is why I am managing my expectations. Supporting Manchester United over the last few years has taught fans not to get carried away too early because we have seen promising moments collapse before.   Still, there is something about Carrick that gives hope.   Maybe it is the calmness. Maybe it is the connection with the players. Maybe it is simply because, for the first time in a while, United actually looked like a football team again.   Now the real challenge begins.   Give us your thoughts. Is Michael Carrick truly the right man for Manchester United? What should he improve next season? And what are your expectations going into the new campaign?

Brighton and Hove Albion Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   What a season it has been. From the slow start, to the sudden rise in form before the draws started creeping in again. There were moments we struggled to win back-to-back games, yet somehow still managed four straight victories at one point. We saw a manager lose his job, an interim coach step in, and now a new era beginning. It has truly been an eventful campaign, there is no denying that.   Still, let’s be honest — this is not Manchester United at its best. I personally don’t see qualifying for the Champions League as a trophy. We invested heavily, and with or without a managerial change, Champions League football should always be the minimum requirement for this club. Finishing without a major trophy still makes this an incomplete season in my eyes.   But if we compare where we were last season to where we are today, then yes, there has been massive improvement. The standards at Manchester United will always remain high because this is a massive football club. Improvement is expected, not celebrated forever.   United head into the final game of the season at the Amex Stadium against one of our recent bogey teams, Brighton, who still have plenty to play for. The Seagulls need a win and favourable results elsewhere if they are to secure a European place on Sunday.   Manchester United have now confirmed Michael Carrick as the club’s new permanent head coach. He was not my preferred choice, but at this point, all I want is for the club to fully back him and support every decision he makes. There are already rumours that United are planning to sign seven players this summer, including three midfielders, which clearly suggests the club are preparing for life after Casemiro while also adding depth in that area.   That is a positive step, but what matters most now is speed and accuracy in the transfer market. United need the right profiles, not expensive signings brought in for huge fees and even bigger expectations only to disappoint later. Ederson of Atalanta Bergamo is reportedly close to becoming the first signing. Hopefully that deal is completed quickly, and hopefully more quality follows.   Like I said earlier, there will be a special editorial on Michael Carrick where we will properly discuss his appointment and ask the big question — is he truly the right man for Manchester United, or are we about to repeat another mistake? Share your thoughts in the comments section.   Carrick will officially take charge of his first match as permanent Manchester United head coach on Sunday as the Red Devils wrap up their Premier League campaign against Brighton & Hove Albion.   United are currently third in the Premier League table and have already secured that position ahead of the final round of fixtures, while Brighton sit seventh and are still chasing European football for next season.   Carrick has won 11 of his 16 Premier League matches since replacing Ruben Amorim in January, and that run was enough to convince the board to hand him the job permanently. This is a pressure-free game for Manchester United in terms of league position, but it still feels important because it marks the official beginning of Carrick’s reign.   United go into this game after a 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest and have won four of their last five league matches. However, their most recent away game ended in a frustrating goalless draw against Sunderland on May 9.   The 20-time English champions will return to the Champions League next season, and with that comes an entirely different level of pressure and expectation for Carrick moving forward.   United also have the fourth-best away record in the Premier League this season, collecting 26 points from 18 matches and losing only four times on the road.   However, one major issue remains — the defence. Too often this season, United have looked vulnerable at the back. In fact, 73% of their Premier League matches have seen both teams score.   The Red Devils have only lost twice in their last 10 matches, but they have also managed just two clean sheets during that run. In their last two victories, they needed to score three goals just to get over the line. Brighton will definitely look at that weakness as an opportunity, especially after already winning at Old Trafford earlier this season.   Brighton still have plenty riding on this final game. The Seagulls are pushing for European football next season and still have a slim chance of qualifying for the Champions League depending on other results.   As things stand, Fabian Hurzeler’s side are seventh, which currently secures a Europa League group-stage place. They are only one point ahead of Chelsea in eighth and three points behind Bournemouth in sixth.   That means Brighton could either finish in a Champions League spot, settle for the Europa League, drop into the Conference League playoff round, or miss out on Europe completely. Everything is still open.   The home side come into this match after a 1-0 defeat to Leeds United and have lost two of their last three Premier League games.   Brighton have also enjoyed this fixture in recent years, winning seven of their last 10 matches against Manchester United in all competitions, including the 2-1 FA Cup victory back in January.   Danny Welbeck will once again be a player many United fans will be watching closely. The former Manchester United striker made over 140 appearances for the club, scored 29 goals, and won several trophies during his time at Old Trafford. Now at 35, he continues to haunt his former side.   Welbeck has scored eight times against United over the years, including earlier this season at Old Trafford. He is Brighton’s top scorer this season and will be eager to add to that tally again this weekend.   With Brighton chasing European qualification against his former club, Welbeck feels almost destined to have a big moment. He has been scoring consistently in recent weeks and will want to end the season strongly in front of the home crowd.   The bookmakers also see him as Brighton’s biggest threat, ahead of Sesko and Matheus Cunha, while Georginio Rutter remains another dangerous option.   Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes was announced today as the Premier League Player of the Season, adding yet another major honour to his Football Writers’ Association award. That surely makes him the clear favourite for the PFA Player of the Year as well.   Bruno has already equalled the 20-assist record and now has the chance to break it in the final game of the season. Although with Casemiro unavailable despite being fit, United may lose one of their biggest set-piece threats.   Thank you all for following throughout the season. Hopefully next season brings Champions League nights, proper progress, and most importantly, trophies back to Old Trafford where they belong. What do you think? Comment below with your score predictions!   Manchester United record against Brighton: Games won: 22 Games drawn: 5 Games lost: 10       Team News: (As of today 23/05/2026,) Brighton: Stefanos Tzimas , Kaoru Mitoma and Adam Webster are injured. Mats Wieffer (ankle) is a major doubt for the contest. Manchester United: De ligt and Sesko are out injured. Casemeiro is fit but will not play. Prediction: This will officially be Carrick’s first game as permanent Manchester United head coach, so naturally he will want to begin on a positive note.   Brighton definitely have more at stake because of the European race, but United still have enough quality to hurt them if they start well and avoid the sloppy moments we saw against Sunderland.   If United play with intensity from the beginning and Bruno Fernandes continues his form, I believe they can edge this one.   And if Bruno breaks the assist record along the way, that would be the perfect ending. Brighton 1-2 Manchester United                      

Manchester United Vs Nottingham Forrest Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade    Twitter: ollyzjinx01          Instagram: sir_ajirowo01   After a frustrating and honestly embarrassing draw against Sunderland, Manchester United return to Old Trafford this weekend for their final home game of the season against Nottingham Forest on Sunday. It is not just another league game either. It will also be Casemiro’s farewell appearance at Old Trafford after confirming he will leave at the end of the season.   On paper, this should feel like a special occasion. The atmosphere, the emotions, the goodbye to a serial winner. But if we are being realistic, with both teams having little left to fight for, it is hard to know exactly what kind of game to expect.   United have decided to stick with Michael Carrick, and reports suggest the club will officially announce within the next 48 hours that he has signed a two-year deal with the option of an extension. Credit has to be given to the club for making an early decision instead of dragging the situation throughout the summer. But at the same time, fans are right to ask questions.   Did the club really do their homework? How many managers were actually considered? Did they go for the safest option instead of the best option?   Those questions are everywhere right now.   To be fair to Carrick, he came in to steady the ship, and he achieved that. Finishing third, especially after the Villa and Liverpool results, is not something many expected when he first took over. Results were the priority, and he delivered results. Nobody can take that away from him.   But there have also been obvious weaknesses in some of his decisions and performances during these few games in charge. This season, he mainly had one match a week to focus on. Next season is a completely different challenge. United will have Champions League football, domestic cups, and the pressure of competing in the league all at once. That is where the real test begins.   We already saw signs of struggle whenever the fixtures came quickly this season. Managing Manchester United over a full campaign is different from managing short-term momentum.   Still, he is the manager now, and he deserves support. I will support him. But at the same time, if the warning signs become consistent, people will naturally question whether he is the right man long term. That is football.   The board also has to do its part. They cannot continue hiding behind managers while making poor football decisions in the background. Recruitment has to improve. The football structure has to work together properly. Everyone has to move in the same direction.   There will be more on that in my special season-ending article.   For now, congratulations to Carrick. The real work starts now.   What do you think about the appointment? Do you think United made the right decision?   The Red Devils saw their impressive scoring run come to an end against Sunderland last time out, with Bruno Fernandes unable to add to his 19 Premier League assists this season. The Portuguese midfielder is now just one assist away from matching the all-time Premier League record, and that could become one of the biggest storylines on Sunday.   United are currently on a four-match unbeaten run in the league (W3 D1) and have already secured Champions League football for next season with third place confirmed.   Because of that, there is always the danger that complacency could creep into the performance this weekend. However, Old Trafford has been a strong place for United in final home games over the years, with the club losing just once in their last 18 final home league matches.   Carrick himself has also lost only twice in his 15 games in charge so far, which explains why the board feels confident enough to back him permanently.   Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, continue to impress quietly. Their 1-1 draw against Newcastle last weekend stretched their unbeaten Premier League run to eight matches (W4 D4), their best run in the top flight since the 1995-96 season.   Elliot Anderson once again showed his quality with a brilliant contribution against Newcastle, continuing to strengthen his growing reputation ahead of the World Cup conversation with England.   Since losing away to Brighton on March 1, Forest have remained unbeaten domestically and are now mathematically safe from relegation, sitting seven points above West Ham with only two games remaining.   Away from home, they have been excellent recently too. Excluding their Europa League semi-final defeat at Aston Villa, Forest have won their last three Premier League away matches with an incredible aggregate score of 11-1.   And United should not ignore the recent history between both clubs either. Forest won 3-2 at Old Trafford last season and are now looking for back-to-back away wins at the Theatre of Dreams. In fact, United have failed to win any of the last three meetings between the sides.   For me, the key remains the same as always. Start the game properly, and the points will come. These are end-of-season fixtures where most targets have already been achieved, so the intensity may not be at its highest level. But with Bruno chasing the assist record and Casemiro saying goodbye, there should still be enough motivation inside that dressing room.   You can already imagine Bruno trying everything possible to set someone up just to break that record before the season ends.   And emotionally, the players should want to send Casemiro off properly. Whatever people think about his recent form, he gave everything to this club and brought leadership during an important period. What do you think? Comment below with your score predictions!   Manchester United record against Nottingham Forrest: Games won: 54 Games drawn: 25 Games lost: 36       Team News: (As of today 16/05/2026,) Manchester United: De ligt and Sesko are out injured. Nottingham Forrest: Murillo and Ola Aina are both unlikely to feature on Sunday. Prediction: After the disappointment of their Europa League heartbreak and with injuries affecting the squad, Nottingham Forest could be vulnerable at Old Trafford this weekend. With Bruno Fernandes chasing history and the emotions surrounding Casemiro’s farewell, Manchester United should have enough motivation to finish strongly in front of the home fans. If United start fast and take control early, this could be one of those games that is practically finished before the final 20 minutes. And finally, goodbye to Casemiro. A true warrior, a leader, and a player who gave everything for the badge. Manchester United 2-1 Nottingham Forrest