SPORT
Results, analysis, interviews, and major sports events in Benin and around the world. This section covers all the latest sports news, from local fields to international arenas.
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2026 World Cup: 32 countries qualified for the tournament (complete list)
Thanks to a controlled victory over Italy (4-1) at San Siro, Norway became the 32nd and final nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The final lineup is now known, with the United States, Canada and Mexico automatically qualified… -
2026 World Cup playoffs: knocked out, Nigeria accuses the DRC of using ‘voodoo magic’
Nigeria coach Éric Chelle denounced “suspicious” practices by the Congolese staff after the Super Eagles were eliminated on penalties in the final of the 2026 World Cup playoffs. Nigeria coach Éric Chelle accused the Democratic Republic of the Congo of… -
“Nigeria must qualify for the 2026 World Cup,” Osimhen ahead of the clash with the DRC
The Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, says Nigeria has what it takes to secure qualification for the World Cup, on the eve of a decisive clash against DR Congo. Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen once again stressed the importance for the Super… -
World Cup 2026 (Qualifiers): Ronaldo sent home from the squad ahead of Portugal vs Armenia
Cristiano Ronaldo, suspended after his sending-off against Ireland and sent home from the squad, leaves a Portugal under pressure ahead of a decisive match against Armenia to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Portugal will have to do without… -
Friendly: Argentina cruises comfortably in Angola, Messi scores
With a goal and an assist from Lionel Messi, Argentina easily beat Angola (2-0) this Friday in a friendly in Luanda. Argentina faced Angola this Friday in Luanda as part of FIFA’s November international window. And the Albiceleste won 2-0.… -
Portugal: Roberto Martinez comes to Cristiano Ronaldo’s aid after his sending-off in Ireland
Portugal’s national team coach defended his captain, sent off for the first time in the national team after an elbow penalized by VAR during the defeat to Ireland. Roberto Martinez believes Cristiano Ronaldo simply tried to free himself from the… -
Messi welcomed as a hero in Luanda ahead of the Argentina vs Angola clash
Summoned with Argentina for the friendly against Angola this Friday, Lionel Messi landed in Luanda on Thursday. A first for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who was greeted like a hero as he stepped off the plane. Argentina faces Angola… -
2026 World Cup play-offs: Nigeria to face DR Congo in the final
Nigeria and DR Congo face off on Sunday in Rabat in the final of the African play-offs for the 2026 World Cup. A high-stakes duel whose winner will advance to the intercontinental play-offs, the final step before a possible World… -
Carlo Ancelotti believes in Cristiano Ronaldo’s dream of 1,000 goals
Carlo Ancelotti said he is convinced that Cristiano Ronaldo will reach the mythical milestone of 1,000 goals, praising the extraordinary passion and professionalism of his former player. Brazil’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, expressed optimism about Cristiano Ronaldo’s ability to pass the… -
Brazil: Oscar hospitalized in São Paulo after suffering a fainting spell during training
Former Brazil international Oscar, an ex-Chelsea player, suffered a medical episode during training with São Paulo and was hospitalized for cardiac tests. Former Brazilian Chelsea midfielder Oscar was rushed to hospital on Tuesday after collapsing during a training session with… -
Lionel Messi: “Leaving Barça left me with a strange feeling”
Lionel Messi emotionally revisited his departure from FC Barcelona in 2021, which he still considers painful and unfinished today. An absolute icon of FC Barcelona, Lionel Messi reflected on his painful exit from the Catalan club in the summer of… -
UFOA B U20: the Amazons fall to Nigeria and end a difficult campaign
Dominated by the Falconets, already crowned before the match, the young Beninese concluded the UFOA-B U20 Women’s Cup 2025 with a fourth defeat in as many games. Benin’s campaign at the UFOA-B U20 Women’s Cup 2025 ended this Wednesday, November… -
Lionel Messi lays down his conditions to play in the 2026 World Cup
Lionel Messi said he will only play in the 2026 World Cup with Argentina if he feels physically ready to help his team. At 38, Lionel Messi does not rule out taking part in the 2026 World Cup, which will… -
Nigeria: the threat of a boycott looms ahead of the playoff against Gabon
On the eve of their playoff against Gabon, Nigeria’s Super Eagles are threatening to boycott the match to protest the non-payment of their bonuses. Tensions are rising within the Nigerian squad on the eve of the 2026 World Cup playoff… -
Lionel Messi talks about his fondest memories at Barça
Lionel Messi revealed that his greatest memories at FC Barcelona remain the historic sextuple of 2009 under Pep Guardiola and the Champions League won in 2015 with Luis Enrique. An icon of FC Barcelona for more than fifteen years, Lionel… -
Nigeria vs Gabon: Super Eagles boycott training over unpaid bonuses
The Super Eagles have halted their preparations in Morocco, refusing to train to protest the non-payment of their bonuses for two years, as Nigeria face Gabon next Thursday in the 2026 World Cup play-offs. Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ preparation for the… -
2026 World Cup playoffs: ahead of Cameroon vs DR Congo, Ngamaleu at the center of a sexual scandal in Russia
A few days away from a crucial meeting with the Cameroon national team, Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu is going through a turbulent patch. The Dynamo Moscow winger finds himself in the spotlight for off-field reasons, after an altercation involving his partner,… -
World Cup 2026: “This will be my last World Cup,” CR7
At an event in Riyadh this Tuesday, Cristiano Ronaldo said that the 2026 World Cup will be the last one he will play in his career. Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo sees the end of his incredible journey approaching. At 40,… -
UFOA B U20 Cup 2025 (W): Nigeria thrashes Ghana and wins the title
Nigeria’s Falconets won the UFOA B U20 Women’s Cup after their crushing victory over Ghana (3-0) on Tuesday in Benin. Nigeria’s Falconets were crowned champions of the UFOA B U20 women’s tournament after their comprehensive 3-0 win over Ghana on… -
“The Super Eagles no longer inspire fear,” Jay Jay Okocha ahead of Nigeria vs Gabon
On the eve of the playoff for the 2026 World Cup, Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha sounded the alarm. The former captain of the Super Eagles laments the loss of the “fear factor” that once made Nigeria strong, now seen as… -
CAF unveils “ITRI”, the official ball of AFCON 2025 (photo)
Blending tradition and modernity, the CAF unveiled “ITRI”, the official ball of AFCON 2025, inspired by Moroccan craftsmanship and a symbol of African unity. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) presented on Monday the official ball of the 2025 Africa… -
World Cup 2026 – Africa Zone: Jay-Jay Okocha believes the Super Eagles will bounce back
Nigerian football legend Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has expressed optimism about Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. A few days before the decisive playoff against Gabon, the former captain of the Super Eagles believes that nothing is lost… -
Premier League: “no one wins the title in November,” Guardiola warns Arsenal
Ahead of the clash with Liverpool, Pep Guardiola called for calm, saying that despite Manchester City’s deficit to Arsenal, « nobody wins the title in November ». Pep Guardiola refuses to panic. On the eve of the clash between Manchester… -
2026 World Cup playoffs – Nigeria vs Gabon: Gernot Rohr backs the Super Eagles
With just days to go until the Nigeria vs Gabon showdown, part of the African playoffs for the 2026 World Cup, Benin’s coach, Gernot Rohr, voiced his support for the Super Eagles, convinced they have what it takes to clinch… -
Cristiano Ronaldo: “The Saudi Pro League is superior to Ligue 1 and the Portuguese league”
Al-Nassr’s Portuguese star, Cristiano Ronaldo, praised the level of the Saudi league, which he considers superior to Ligue 1 and the Portuguese league, while defending his performances against critics. Cristiano Ronaldo believes that the Saudi league has now overtaken French… -
Champions League: Erling Haaland etches his name a little further into the history books
By scoring against his former club, Erling Haaland became the first player in history to score in five consecutive Champions League matches with three different clubs. Manchester City striker Erling Haaland once again blew the stats through the roof on… -
Women’s AFCON 2026: CAF confirms expansion of the tournament to 16 teams
CAF has formalized the expansion of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations to 16 teams starting with the 2026 edition in Morocco, marking a new milestone in the growth of women’s football across the continent. The Executive Committee of the… -
Tragedy in Serbia: Radnicki 1923 coach dies during match
The Serbian championship was struck by tragedy this weekend: Radnicki 1923 coach Mladen Zizovic died during a match after suffering a medical emergency on the sideline. Serbian football is in mourning. Mladen Zizovic, coach of FK Radnicki 1923, collapsed on… -
Champions League: Gareth Bale takes a dig at Mbappé and Vinicius after Real’s defeat at Liverpool
Former Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale strongly criticized the performances he considered disappointing from the attacking duo, who were unable to make an impact in the defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League. Former Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale did… -
Carlo Ancelotti reins in Vinicius after his dazzling display in the Clasico
Carlo Ancelotti admitted he had reprimanded Vinicius after his outburst during the Clasico against FC Barcelona, saying the Madrid forward had « understood his mistake ». Brazil’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, commented on the incident between Vinicius and Xabi Alonso…