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.
It is the year 2025, and the frontrunner to win the Ballon d'Or is Ousmane Dembele, forward for Paris Saint-Germain and the France national team. The road to this point has been far from smooth, but this is the end point nonetheless. PSG are the undisputed and unquestionable kings of Europe, winning the European Cup in any format for the first time in their history - a significant feat not just for a team only founded in 1970, but one for the Qatari Sports Investment project which has been hell-bent on continental domination since their takeover in 2011. Luis Enrique's side will be remembered for years to come for their tiki taka-lite style based on fluidity and slick possession football, and at the forefront of their success has been Dembele. With the Ballon d'Or now judged on a seasonal basis - as should have always been the case, thank you, France Football - it is a campaign that should end with Dembele lifting the prestigious Golden Ball in his home country.
Historic Exchange Under Istanbul Agreement In the largest prisoner swap since the full-scale war began, Russia and Ukraine have each released 390 prisoners—comprising 270 military personnel and 120 civilians—as part of an overall 1,000-for-1,000 agreement negotiated during direct talks in Istanbul earlier in May. BBC+4www.ndtv.com+4Deutsche Welle+4Anadolu Ajansı+15Reuters+ Departures and Arrivals Ukrainian returnees arrived in the Chernihiv region, many visibly frail with shaved heads and draped in national flags, greeted by emotional reunions with relatives amid cheers and tears. Reuters+4 The Washington +4 The Daily Star +4. Some had been held in captivity for nearly two years. Russian returnees, including soldiers and civilians captured during a Ukrainian incursion into Kursk region, were first transported to Belarus for medical and psychological evaluation before being repatriated ussia. BBC+3Reuters+3 The Guardian +3. Emotional Homecomings and Lingering Uncertainty Families crowded the exchange sites, clutching photographs of missing loved ones, hoping for a clue from those stepping off the buses. One Ukrainian newly freed veteran, held for more than 830 days, encouraged others not to lose hope: “In every prison there are many guys who had no contact with their relatives. I was the same,” he said The Guardian+10The Washington Post+10The Guardian+10. But for many, the reunion came with heavy uncertainty about family members still unaccounted for. Political Messages and Future Prospects President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the swap as the only tangible outcome of the Istanbul talks and emphasized continued efforts to bring all detainees home. Hromadske The Washington PostThe Guardian. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov promised that Moscow would submit a draft peace proposal following the exchange but reiterated refusal of a ceasefire unless certain conditions were met—terms Ukraine has rejected, according to Reuters The Guardian. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who helped push for the Istanbul negotiations, congratulated both parties via his social media platform, calling the swap a possible step toward broader peace, though no ceasefire has been agreed upon, according to Reuters and the New York Post. Humanitarian Milestone Amid Ongoing Conflict This first phase swap underscores a rare moment of cooperation in a conflict that has otherwise deepened across Ukraine’s eastern and southern regions. While a few hundred lives have been restored to families, thousands remain in captivity, and both sides show no signs of halting hostilities. Negotiations may continue in coming days as both governments prepare for the next instalment of releases under the "1,000-for-1,000" agreement. For now, the tranche of 390 each represents the largest exchange of its kind since the war began.
Crystal Palace Vs Manchester United Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade Twitter: ollyzjinx01 Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 Manchester United head to Selhurst Park under heavy pressure and even heavier scrutiny after a disastrous showing at Old Trafford against Everton. The boos that echoed around the stadium said it all. Losing 1–0 to a 10-man Everton side — and conceding after they went a man down — was embarrassing on every level. From the touchline to the pitch, it was shambolic. Many fans are asking the same question: How much more can the board tolerate before admitting the Amorim experiment has failed? United have not scored against Crystal Palace in their last four meetings — and after the lifeless performance against Everton, confidence isn’t exactly flowing. Starting a match with five defenders against a team reduced to ten men was baffling. Shifting Amad into unfamiliar positions didn’t help either. The tactical confusion is becoming a weekly theme, and now they travel to a stadium where their recent record is terrible. The international break may have come at the worst possible time. United had built momentum with 11 points from five Premier League games, but that form now looks like it was papering over deeper cracks — cracks that were fully exposed on Monday night. The Red Devils are barely hanging on to a top-half spot. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet in five straight matches and continue to struggle away from home. Their London record is even worse: 16 losses in their last 26 Premier League games in the capital — the worst of any top-flight side during that period. A painful stat surfaced recently: Amorim: 9 wins in 35 Premier League games, Ten Hag (same period last year): 23 wins. The numbers speak for themselves. Poor in-game management. Poor structure. Poor identity. United ended the Everton defeat with 25 attempts — but scored none — while conceding from the only shot they faced. Their xG tells the same story: xG For: 20.1 → actual goals: 19 (two were own goals) Conversion rate: 10.4% — 7th worst in the league They create chances, but they can’t finish them. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are flying. Only Arsenal have conceded fewer Premier League goals this season. Oliver Glasner’s side sit fifth and have kept three straight clean sheets against Wolves, Brentford, and Brighton. Their defensive confidence is sky-high, and recent history backs it up: Three wins in their last four league games vs Man United (D1) Two wins in their last four at Selhurst Park vs Man United Opta supercomputer predictions says Palace to win is 54.1% United aren’t just underdogs, they’re clear underdogs. So here we are again, asking what has become a weekly question for Manchester United supporters: Will this team finally show 90 minutes of concentration and courage or will they crumble, invite pressure, and rely on another desperate comeback attempt? Comment below with your score predictions! Manchester United record against Crystal Palace: Games won: 41 Games drawn: 14 Games lost: 13 Team News: (As of today 29/11/2025,) Crystal Palace: Caleb Kporha, Borna Sosa, Cheick Doucoure , Chadi Riad and Rio Cardines are out for this game. Manchester United: Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Harry Maguire are out for this game. Prediction: United sometimes deliver when everyone has written them off, and they should have more energy than Palace. But this team has a habit of sleeping through the first half, and Selhurst Park is a brutal place for a team low on confidence. Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester United.
Arsenal and Manchester City played out a dramatic 1-1 draw on Sunday, with the two Premier League rivals unable to be separated through 98 or so minutes. Erling Haaland had given the visitors an early lead, before Pep Guardiola remarkably decided to park the bus to try and sneak the win. Those efforts went up in smoke in added time as Gabriel Martinelli scored to clinch a point for the Gunners. Having both slipped up domestically already this season, this wasn't quite a 'must win' affair for either side, but definitely more of a 'must not lose'. In the end, perhaps a draw in which neither team showed much attacking endeavour will please both parties. City seemed content to sit in and create chances on the break, while Arsenal didn't exactly throw the kitchen sink at their visitors in order to force the leveller. It was a pretty just outcome and neither can really have any complaints about how it ended.
North Korea has begun an investigation into an accident that occurred during the launch of a new warship this week, state media said Friday, assessing the damage as "not serious". North Korea said Thursday that "a serious accident occurred" at the Wednesday launch ceremony for the newly built 5,000-ton naval destroyer, in which sections of the bottom of the vessel were crushed -- with leader Kim Jong Un calling the mishap a "criminal act". North Korea has begun an investigation into an accident that occurred during the launch of a new warship this week, state media said Friday, assessing the damage as "not serious". North Korea said Thursday that "a serious accident occurred" at the Wednesday launch ceremony for the newly built 5,000-ton naval destroyer, in which sections of the bottom of the vessel were crushed -- with leader Kim Jong Un calling the mishap a "criminal act". Technology stocks led the gains in the U.S., with Apple (AAPL) up 1.8% and Nvidia (NVDA) jumping 2.4%, as demand for AI and semiconductors remains strong. Tesla (TSLA) also rebounded, rising 3.1% after announcing better-than-expected Q2 vehicle deliveries. Global stock markets showed a mixed performance as investors weighed persistent inflation concerns against a wave of corporate earnings reports. While strong results from major tech companies helped lift some indexes, uncertainty surrounding central bank policies and the future path of interest rates kept others in check. In the U.S.,
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.
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?
Manchester United Vs Liverpool Preview By: Babatunde Ajibade (Manchester United correspondent) Facebook: Babatunde Olatunji Ajibade Twitter: ollyzjinx01 Instagram: sir_ajirowo01 Like I said in my last article, if you start a football match with the right energy and mentality, you give yourself a real chance to win. I’ve always stressed taking chances and starting fast, and we saw that pay off against Brentford at Old Trafford. Football is not that complicated. Do the basics right, and results will come. That win now puts us just two points away from securing Champions League football, which makes this next game even bigger. This is not just a Reds derby — this is about using our biggest Premier League rival to seal our place back in Europe. We are back. The Red Army is heading to the Champions League. Manchester United face Liverpool on Sunday, 3rd of May, 2026, at Old Trafford. Everyone knows what’s on the line. This goes beyond bragging rights, beyond doing the double — this is about European football and finishing the season properly. From 15th last season to 3rd now? That says everything. Kobbie Mainoo signing a new five-year deal this week is a big positive. His wages jumping from around £30k to somewhere between £120k–£150k is deserved in my opinion. We need some stability in midfield before we start adding more bodies, especially with Casemiro leaving. Recruitment is key now — but not just signing players for the sake of it. We’ve made that mistake before. We need the right profiles, just like we did in attack, and we are already seeing the difference with over 60 league goals this season. But before all that, the biggest decision still remains — the manager. Reports say the board are leaning towards Iraola and are trying not to repeat the Ole situation by rushing into giving Carrick the job. Some ex-players are against that, others are backing him. For me, I understand both sides. So what do you think? Who should be the next manager, and who do we bring into that midfield? Even though neither United nor Liverpool are in the title race, this is still the biggest fixture in English football. Form doesn’t matter, position doesn’t matter — this game always has something extra. United responded well after that poor run, picking up back-to-back wins — 1-0 against Chelsea and 2-1 against Brentford, with goals from Casemiro and Sesko. That’s the kind of response you want to see at this stage of the season. We are now 11 points clear of sixth-placed Brighton with four games left. Win this, and Champions League football is confirmed. Simple. Even a draw could be enough depending on other results. Since Carrick took over, United have picked up 29 points — more than any other team in that period. That alone tells you there’s been a shift. At Old Trafford, it’s been even better — 36 points this season already, which is 12 more than the whole of last season. That’s a serious improvement. Bruno Fernandes has been at the heart of everything again. PFA Player of the Year form, creating chances, scoring, leading. United have now scored in 23 straight matches in all competitions, and at home, they’ve been consistently finding goals. The Opta supercomputer slightly favours United, giving us a 42.8% chance of winning. But this is one of those games where stats don’t really matter. For Liverpool, the situation is a bit more complicated. They are three points behind us, and realistically, they have to win this game to keep their Champions League hopes alive. A draw doesn’t really help them. They do come into this on a three-game winning run, including a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace, but that game was overshadowed by protests from their fans. Still, they’ve climbed to fourth and will believe they can come to Old Trafford and get a result. That said, Liverpool have struggled against top teams this season — only one win in their last 12 games against sides starting the day in the top three. We also beat them 2-1 at Anfield earlier in the season, so the confidence will be there. But after last season’s 3-0 loss at Old Trafford, they’ll definitely be looking to respond. One big factor could be Mohamed Salah. He’s expected to miss this one with a minor injury, and that’s huge. His record against United speaks for itself — 13 goals overall, 7 away. That’s not easy to replace. For me, it comes down to the same thing again — start well, take your chances, and stay disciplined. Some of our forwards are not fully in form, but if we get that early goal and don’t open up too much, we can get the job done. What do you think? Comment below with your score predictions! Manchester United record against Liverpool: Games won: 92 Games drawn: 71 Games lost: 82 Team News: (As of today 02/05/2026,) Manchester United: De ligt, Martinez, and Shaw out. Liverpool: Jayden Danns, Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Wataru Endo and Giorgi Mamardashvili are out. Prediction: We were a bit too open against Brentford, and I understand why Carrick made some changes during that game. But we have to be tighter here. Liverpool is dangerous, and you can’t give them space. That said, we always show up in big games. With what’s on the line and Bruno chasing records, I believe we can do it. Manchester United 3-1 Liverpool
