Marcel Desailly expects Zinedine Zidane to reshape the French national team if he succeeds Didier Deschamps after the World Cup.Speculation surrounding Zidaneâ??s future has intensified in recent months, with the former Real Madrid manager widely regarded as the leading candidate to take charge of Les Bleus when Deschamps eventually departs.Desailly believes Zidaneâ??s arrival would signal more than a simple continuation of the current era.Instead, the former France captain

Dozens of Argentine football fans who were denied visas to travel to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have received an unexpected consolation prize: a brand-new television.Argentine conglomerate Newsan launched a promotional campaign through its electronics brand Noblex, offering free televisions to the first 100 people who presented proof that their U.S. visa applications had been rejected between January and June this year.The campaign, advertised on Instagram with

Aston Villa have stepped up plans for a future without Emi Martinez, with Japan international Zion Suzuki emerging as one of the clubâ??s leading goalkeeper targets ahead of the summer transfer window.The Premier League side are reportedly drawing up contingency plans amid growing uncertainty surrounding Martinezâ??s future at Villa Park.The Argentine goalkeeper, who helped his country win the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has been strongly linked with a move away from Birmingham,

Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Pallister has suggested that Kobbie Mainoo will not emerge as the central figure in midfield under Michael Carrick, insisting the youngster will still operate in the shadow of Bruno Fernandes.Mainoo recently committed his long-term future to Manchester United until 2031. His rise accelerated under Carrickâ??s introduction earlier this year, as he became a key part of the squad that secured Champions League qualification.He also

CAF president Dr Patrice Motsepe has praised Somali referee Omar Artan following his appointment to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, describing the selection as a proud moment for Somalia and the entire African continent.Artan was recently named as the referee for the Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, days after missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup following his entry denial into the United States.In a statement, Motsepe said Artan's

Host nation Mexico will attempt to end a long-standing World Cup opening-day hoodoo when they face South Africa in the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Azteca Stadium on Thursday.El Tri have never won a match played on the opening day of a World Cup, recording five defeats and two draws in seven previous tournament curtain-raisers.A chance to make historyMexico coach Javier Aguirre admitted he was unaware of the unwanted statistic but said it has given his players extra

Haiti have been forced to alter their official jerseys on the eve of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after football's governing body ruled that elements of the design could be interpreted as political.The Caribbean nation will wear the modified kits when they begin their World Cup campaign against Scotland on Saturday.The controversy centres on artwork featured on the lower right side of the jersey, which depicted silhouettes inspired by the Battle of Vertières and the Haitian Revolution,

Somali referee Omar Artan has been handed a prestigious UEFA appointment after being selected to officiate the 2026 Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg.The appointment comes just weeks after Artan suffered the disappointment of missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to visa-related issues despite having earned a place among the tournamentâ??s match officials.UEFAâ??s decision to place the Somali referee in charge of one of Europeâ??s biggest

Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew has admitted that they face a tough challenge but has assured that the playing body is determined to make themselves and the country proud. The four-time African champions face a torrid campaign where they play against Panama, England and Croatia in Group L.Speaking at a send-off party for the Black Stars ahead of their move to Rhode Island on Wednesday, the 34-year-old called on the country to back the players.According to him, they face a difficult

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane believes new Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz's style will backfire for the Black Stars at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Queiroz, who worked with Keane during his days at United, was appointed Ghana coach in April following the sacking of Otto Addo.The Portuguese trainer is known for building his teams around a strong defense, a role he played in helping Sir Alex Ferguson become successful at the English giants.However, his international coaching

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic will be counting on veteran midfielder Luka Modric to deliver the goods ahead of the World Cup. The 40-year-old AC Milan and Real Madrid legend is expected to lead the 2018 finalist at the tournament in North America.Modric played a huge role in arguably Croatia's most successful period in football after leading the small Eastern European nation to silver and bronze medals at the 2018 and 2022 World Cup respectively.At 40, there are questions over

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic insists Group L is one of the toughest ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The 2018 runners-up and 2022 bronze medalist have been draw alongside European heavyweights England, four-time African champions Ghana and Central Americans Panama."Our group is definitely one of the toughest in the tournament," Dalic told the media. Croatia arrived in the United States on Tuesday and immediately headed to their camp in Alexandria,

Morocco's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered a major setback after the withdrawal of two key players, defender Nayef Aguerd and winger Abde Ezzalzouli, just days before the Atlas Lions begin their campaign against Brazil.The Moroccan Football Federation confirmed that both players will miss the tournament due to injury concerns, forcing head coach Mohamed Ouahbi into late changes to his final squad ahead of Sunday's crucial Group C opener.Aguerd, one

Hearts of Oak have announced The Hope Brand Ltd. as the club's new official kit partner ahead of the 2026/27 season.The partnership marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Phobians as they prepare for the upcoming campaign with a new supplier responsible for designing and producing the club's official kits.In a statement, Hearts said the collaboration combines the club's rich history with the innovation and ambition of a proudly Ghanaian company."This partnership

Former Ghana international Godwin Attram is confident the Black Stars are developing the tactical structure needed to compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that consistency in selection and adherence to a clear game plan under Carlos Queiroz could prove decisive in a demanding group.Attramâ??s assessment follows Ghanaâ??s 1-1 draw with Wales in a recent warm-up match in North America, part of preparations for the tournament."What I saw against Wales was encouraging,"

Former Asante Kotoko defender Henry Ansu is set to undergo trials with Zimbabwean club Scottland FC as he looks to secure his next move.The 27-year-old, who is currently a free agent, has been offered the opportunity to impress the Zimbabwean side, with a lucrative contract reportedly on the table.If Ansu successfully completes the trials, he is expected to sign a deal worth a monthly salary of $3,000 and receive a $10,000 signing-on fee.Ansu joined Kotoko from Berekum Chelsea in

Hearts of Oak have made contact with Accra Lions coach Richard Afoakwa over a potential move to the club as assistant coach and head coach of the youth team.The Phobians are restructuring their technical department following a disappointing 2025/26 season, which ended with the dismissal of head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani.As part of the rebuild, Hearts have identified Afoakwa as a leading candidate to strengthen the coaching setup, with the highly-rated tactician attracting interest

Former Ghana international Godwin Attram has thrown his support behind the central defensive partnership of Jonas Adjetey and Jerome Opoku, insisting the duo can anchor the teamâ??s backline heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The pair were handed their first outing together during Ghanaâ??s recent friendly against Wales last month, a match staged as part of preparations for the tournament in North America.Their inclusion came amid injury setbacks to key defenders Mohammed

Former Ghana international Godwin Attram has called on Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz to maximise Thomas Partey's strengths by making the midfielder the focal point of Ghana's engine room ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The Black Stars begin their Group L campaign against Panama at BMO Field on June 17, with tough fixtures against England and Croatia to follow as Ghana targets a place in the knockout stages.Speaking to Graphic Sports, Attram emphasised that Partey's

Former Hearts of Oak head coach Didi Dramani has praised his players and technical team for their commitment and resilience after guiding the club to a third-place finish in the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season.The Phobians endured a challenging start to the campaign, suffering a surprise early exit from the MTN FA Cup at the hands of True Life FC. Despite the setback, Hearts gradually improved as the season progressed, although inconsistent performances at home prevented them