* Where the colour, noise and energy of football truly come to life, and where the game’s most glorious kings have been crowned * Pele and his third World Cup win; Maradona and his goal of the century — the ultimate moments in the careers of two men lauded in every corner of the globe, both bound by the same setting — the Azteca * Now, for the first time since being eliminated from the 1986 World Cup by…
* Dive-time world champions Brazil have never beaten Norway in four attempts — drawing two and losing two * This makes Norway the only side the Selecao have faced, but never won against By Phil McNulty, BBC Sport One of the English Premier League’s most gripping personal feuds goes global this Sunday night (22h00) when Brazil face Norway in the World Cup last 16. Norway’s irresistible force of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland comes up against Brazil’s immovable object…
* To face France on Thursday, who earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over Paraguay through Mbappé 70th minute penalty kick * A deja vu meeting between the two after their first in the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup™ Qatar 2022 in which France won 2-0 Maravi Express Morocco became the first African nation to reach the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finals more than once after beating co-hosts Canada 3-0 in Houston last night. They have set themselves a date…
* As the Atlas Lions’ mix of youth and experience face 2026 edition co-hosts Canada in Round of 16 tonight at 19h00 * The only holdovers from that memorable tournament are Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Azzedine Ounahi, Bilal El-Khanouss and the goalkeepers * Despite the ups and downs between the two FIFA World Cups, Morocco have once again risen as the top Arab and African team Maravi Express Morocco’s historic run at the FIFA World Cup™ Qatar 2022 is…
* Ghana exit with lessons after narrow 0-1 defeat against Colombia Maravi Express Egypt reached the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup™ 2026 FIFA after beating Australia 4-2 on penalties following a tense 1-1 draw — while Ghana exited with lessons after narrow 0-1 defeat against Colombia. The Pharaohs took an early lead through Emam Ashour, but Australia forced extra time after Mohamed Hany headed into his own net in the second half. Neither side could find…
* Argentina dominated possession for long periods, but the African debutants stayed organised and made the champions work for every opening Maravi Express Cape Verde were minutes away from forcing a penalty shootout before an own goal from Diney Borges finally ended their brave resistance. It has ended their historic FIFA World Cup™ 2026 run in heartbreak after the Blue Sharks pushed the defending champions Argentina to extra time before losing 2-3 in a dramatic Round-of-32 tie in Miami….
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha will have to keep out Lionel Messi, perhaps the greatest player of all time * Messi, arguably the greatest player the world has seen, faces a 40-year-old goalkeeper who was a complete unknown three weeks ago * It encapsulates one of the best stories of this World Cup — Cape Verde, on their World Cup debut, defying the odds to reach the knockout rounds By Dale Johnson, BBC Sport Lionel Messi versus Vozinha. It is…
* The remaining three African nations’ Round of 32 matches are this Friday night involving Egypt v Australia (20h00); Cape Verde v Argentina (00h00); and Ghana v Colombia (03h30) * As Cristiano Ronaldo’s dreams survive after a late VAR drama disallowed Josko Gvardiol equaliser for Croatia in the 113th minute to date Spain, who beat Austria 3-0 Maravi Express From 10 representatives that Africa had at the FIFA World Cup™ 2026, only three are still in contention following the…
* Africa’s new gap: From technical quality to 90-minute game management * We can match Europe and South America, now we must finish like them By Duncan Mlanjira The last set of the FIFA World Cup™ results has exposed a painful truth about African football; the gap is no longer technical — it’s psychological and managerial, contends an African football fan, Dennis Esikuri on his LinkedIn social media account. This follows heartbreaking results of four FIFA World Cup™ 2026…
* We are playing to win — when expectations are low regarding a team, and if that team has the urge to win, it is possible * A small nation like Cape Verde should make an effort to always do that — to permanently surprise people By Paul Njie, BBC Sport Africa President of Cape Verde, José Maria Neves, predicts his country will defeat defending champions Argentina in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup™ 2026 as…