The Egypt midfielder spoke on Monday during training, one day before the showdown, and stressed that the squad fully understands the responsibility on their shoulders.

According to Zico, the players are determined to deliver their best performance and keep Egypt’s tournament dream alive. He acknowledged the challenge ahead, especially with Lionel Messi on the other side, but made it clear that Egypt are preparing for the whole Argentine team rather than focusing on a single star. He also said he has great respect for Messi, calling him one of the most important players in world football.

Ziko ended his remarks with confidence, saying Egypt will go into the match aiming for victory despite the difficulty of the task. His comments reflect the mood inside the camp as the Pharaohs try to turn fan support into momentum on the pitch.

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Former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah has confirmed he will feature in the fifth edition of the All Star Festival, which takes place on July 11 at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.

The ex-Ghana international said he was looking forward to returning for the annual event, praising its growth and the strong support it continues to receive from former footballers.

"Every year, the players keep showing up. That means they are happy with what is being done and enjoy being part of it," Appiah said.

"This year, I will definitely be there. It's always a great atmosphere, and it's an opportunity to connect with the fans and fellow players."

The All Star Festival has become one of Ghana's biggest off-season football events, bringing together retired footballers, active players, celebrities and supporters for a day of sport and entertainment.

BAC Group Chief Executive Dr Ernest Koranteng said the festival has grown beyond a football exhibition, describing it as a platform that connects different generations within the game.

"It's all about entertainment. We have to entertain and show ourselves to the public. It's also an opportunity to mingle with the younger players and continue building relationships within the football fraternity," he said.

This year's programme will feature a football clinic for children, a dedicated kids' playground, the Sports Business Series and the traditional All Star Game. Fans will also witness a schools' showdown between PRESEC and Accra Academy, while vendors and exhibitors are expected to add to the festival atmosphere.

The 2026 All Star Festival will be held on Saturday, July 11, at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium. Tickets are available through Egotickets, with regular admission priced at GH¢20 and premium access at GH¢100.

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The figure includes $19 million for reaching the quarter-finals, along with FIFA’s fixed payments of $10 million for qualification and $2.5 million for tournament preparation. That means Morocco have already turned their strong run into one of the most lucrative campaigns in the country’s football history.

The prize money can still grow quickly. A fourth-place finish would raise the total to $39.5 million, while third place would take it to $41.5 million. The runner-up will collect $45.5 million overall, and the world champions will finish with a massive $62.5 million.

Beyond the money, Morocco’s progress keeps alive their broader World Cup dream. They now face France in a high-profile quarter-final in Boston next Thursday, where another victory would not only extend their historic run but also push their earnings even higher. For the Atlas Lions, the tournament has become a perfect mix of pride, momentum and financial gain.

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Speaking on ON Sport’s “From Cairo” show, the Libyan pundit said Morocco’s bold attacking style gives them a real chance in Thursday’s quarterfinal.

He explained that the two sides are similar in quality and openness, but France still hold an edge because of the depth on their bench. Even so, Al-Taib pointed to Morocco’s recent tournament history, recalling how they eliminated Spain and Portugal in the 2022 World Cup, and said they can go one step further this time by beating one of the tournament favourites. He also tipped Soufiane Rahimi to start ahead of Ayoub El Kaabi, saying the forward looks more ready for the occasion.

Looking at Egypt’s round-of-16 meeting with Argentina, Al-Taib said the South Americans are the favourites on paper. But he added that if the match goes into extra time or penalties, Egypt can still progress thanks to goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir. His comments reflect the growing belief around African teams at this World Cup and the optimism surrounding both Morocco and Egypt.

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Queiroz was appointed Ghana head coach in April, replacing Otto Addo just two months before the start of the tournament, leaving the Portuguese with little time to prepare the team for football's biggest stage.

His only opportunity to assess the squad before the World Cup came in a 1-1 friendly draw against Wales.

Despite the limited preparation, Ghana began the tournament with a 1-0 victory over Panama before holding England to a goalless draw. A 2-1 defeat to Croatia in the final group match was still enough to secure qualification for the Round of 32.

The Black Stars' World Cup journey, however, came to an end after a narrow defeat to Colombia in the knockout stage.

Reflecting on Ghana's performances under Queiroz, Zito said the former coach deserved credit for working under difficult circumstances.

“I would rate Coach Carlos Queiroz 6 out of 10 because he didn't have enough time to get to know the players,” Karim Zito told Fox FM.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is expected to assess the Black Stars' performance at the World Cup in the coming weeks before determining the fate of Carlos Queiroz.

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Former Asante Kotoko head coach Abdul Karim Zito has given his assessment of Ghana’s performance against Colombia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Black Stars locked horns with the South American side on Saturday in a Round of 32 clash at the ongoing World Cup across Mexico, USA, and Canada.

In a game where the Black Stars failed to impress, the team suffered a narrow defeat and bowed out of the tournament.

Speaking to Fox FM, Karim Zito said he was unhappy with the performance against Colombia, especially after the Black Stars had played very well against Panama.

“We were more defensive against Panama, and he is a good reader of the game. The attitude the players showed against England was completely different, and we made the decisions we did because we wanted Thomas Partey to play. However, I wasn't impressed with our performance against Colombia,” Zito said.

Following Ghana’s elimination from the World Cup, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is expected to assess the team's campaign and decide the fate of Carlos Queiroz.

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The Arsenal midfielder, introduced in the 85th minute, latched onto a brilliant pass from Ferran Torres to fire home from close range and send Spain into the quarter-finals.

The 41-year-old Ronaldo, who had confirmed before the game that this would be his last World Cup, saw his dream of lifting the trophy come to a crushing end.

The Portugal captain finishes the tournament with three goals in four matches, including a penalty against Croatia in the Round of 32 – his first-ever World Cup knockout stage goal.

Portugal finished second in Group K behind Colombia, with five points from three matches. They advanced to the knockout stage but could not find a way past a stubborn Spanish defence.

Spain, who are yet to concede a goal in the tournament, will now face either the United States or Belgium in the quarter-finals.

Merino's late strike was a cruel blow for Portugal, who had defended resolutely throughout the match. The substitute's goal in first-half stoppage time silenced the Portuguese faithful and sparked wild celebrations among the Spanish contingent.

For Ronaldo, the tears at the final whistle told the story. His World Cup journey, spanning a record six tournaments, is over.

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Amarilla, of Paraguay's Liberal Radical Party, posted her comments on X following her country's defeat to France in the World Cup Round of 16 on Saturday.

The French striker, who scored the winning penalty in the second half of the 2-1 victory, responded with a strongly worded message.

"Madame Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position," Mbappe wrote on X.

"You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honour throughout the competition.

"Through your recklessness and your brazen racism, the entire world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort that your players accomplished during this World Cup, making way for an incompetent woman who gives the worst possible image of her country.

"I will never allow people like her the freedom to spread their hatred and racism across the world."

With seven goals, Mbappe is joint top-scorer in this year's tournament, level with Argentina's Lionel Messi and Norway's Erling Haaland.

France will face Morocco in the quarter-finals in Boston on Thursday, with Mbappe looking to add to his tally and lead his side toward a second consecutive World Cup final.

Amarilla's comments followed those of former Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert, who said in the build-up to Saturday's fixture that his national side were facing "a squad from Africa".

Those remarks drew a response from French football federation president Philippe Diallo, who called Chilavert a "disgrace".

"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the racist remarks made by Jose Luis Chilavert against the French national team, which undermine the values of respect, fraternity, and diversity in our football," Diallo said.

"If he was once a great goalkeeper, this man has now fallen into disgrace."

France advanced to the quarter-finals after a hard-fought victory over Paraguay. They now face Morocco, who caused a major upset by knocking out Brazil in the Round of 32.

Kick-off is scheduled for Thursday in Boston.

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English-born Ghanaian forward Charles Sagoe Jr continued his rich run of form in the Swedish Allsvenskan after delivering a masterful performance for Kalmar FF in the 3-0 victory over OIS. 

The 21-year-old provided a brace of assists as the newcomers strolled to victory at the Guldfagen Arena in Kalmar.

Sagoe Jr, currently on loan from Arsenal, served Carl Gustafsson with the opener just four minutes into the match, racing from the left to cutback for the Swedish midfielder.

After the break, Sagoe Jr found Abdussalam Magashy for Kalmar's second after taking on two players in the box before setting up the Nigerian.

He was then replaced with ten minutes remaining, with Emeka Nnamani coming on for the Arsenal-owned winger.

Rony Jansson sealed victory for the hosts with six minutes remaining as Kalmar collected 3 points following the return of the Allsvenskan.

Meanwhile, Sagoe Jr has now made an 8-goal contribution since joining the club in February 2026.

"Good to be back from the break, with a brilliant win yesterday afternoon. Happy to add another two assists to the tally. Thank you for your support as always!," posted Sagoe Jr after the match.

Although he is an England youth player, he remains eligible to play for Ghana's Black Stars.

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Quansah was sent off in the 54th minute of Sunday's dramatic 3-2 win at the Azteca Stadium following a VAR review for a high challenge on Mexico defender Jesus Gallardo.

The Bayer Leverkusen defender was shown a straight red card after replays confirmed he had gone in on Gallardo with his studs up. Referee Alireza Faghani initially allowed play to continue before being recommended to review the footage on his pitch-side monitor.

England played the final 36 minutes with a man disadvantage but hung on to secure a historic victory, setting up a World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami on Saturday.

The FA's deliberations come after FIFA made the shock decision to suspend United States striker Folarin Balogun's automatic one-match ban for 12 months, clearing him to play in Monday's Round of 16 clash against Belgium.

Balogun had been sent off in the USA's Round of 32 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina. The decision marked the first time since 1962 that a red card shown during the World Cup proper has not resulted in an immediate suspension.

Multiple reports indicate US President Donald Trump personally called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to request a review of the red card. Trump later celebrated the decision on Truth Social, writing, "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right and reversing a great injustice!"

England boss Thomas Tuchel expressed his frustration at the precedent set by FIFA's decision on Balogun, questioning where the line would now be drawn.

"Where does this start and where does this end now?" Tuchel said. "Can we overturn it or not overturn it? What's going on?"

Tuchel also questioned the VAR process in Quansah's case. "To be clear it was not a red card," he told reporters. "VAR got involved. The decision is made."

When asked jokingly whether England captain Harry Kane could lobby the US president over Quansah, Tuchel replied, "Maybe; that's a good starting point."

As it stands, Quansah will be suspended for Saturday's quarter-final against Norway. However, the FA is considering its options in light of the Balogun decision.

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The Al Qadsiah forward, who was one of the most in-form players before the tournament, failed to make an appearance for Ghana at the tournament.

The Black Stars were eliminated at the round of 32 following a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in Kansas City last Friday.

Despite feeling disappointed by his lack of activity in the USA, Mexico and Canada, Bonsu Baah feels encouraged by the experience.

"Every journey has its own purpose, and this one will always be special to me. Being called up to represent Ghana at the World Cup is something I’ll never take for granted," he posted on social media.

"Firstly, thanks be to God for His grace, to my family for their support, my teammates and coaches, and to everyone who has believed in me throughout this journey, I’m grateful," he added.

"Not every blessing comes with the moments you imagine, but every experience brings growth. I leave this tournament even more motivated, more grateful, and more determined for what’s ahead. God bless Ghana."

Bonsu Baah and his teammates are expected to arrive in Ghana on Monday following their World Cup exit.

The 21-year-old will now turn his attention to pre-season with Al Qadsiah as well as the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

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Ghana forward Inaki Williams has thanked the nation for their support after the Black Stars' World Cup campaign came to an end with a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the Round of 32.

In a post on X, the Athletic Bilbao striker expressed pride in the team's efforts and gratitude to the fans who backed them throughout the tournament.

Williams, 32, made two appearances at the 2026 World Cup. He started Ghana's goalless draw against England and also started the knockout defeat to Colombia, where he was replaced in the 62nd minute.

Ghana scored just two goals in four matches – both in the opening 1-0 victory over Panama, with Caleb Yirenkyi netting the winner in the 95th minute. Williams, who switched allegiance from Spain to Ghana in 2022, was unable to find the net during the tournament.

Despite the disappointment, Williams' message reflects a determination to bounce back. Ghana will now turn their attention to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where they will look to build on the defensive foundations laid under Carlos Queiroz while addressing the attacking shortcomings that proved costly in the United States.

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The defending champions are preparing for a decisive knockout encounter against the North African football powerhouse on Tuesday in the tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The match carries significant stakes, with a place in the quarter-finals on the line.

Egypt enter the fixture full of confidence after a dramatic qualification to the last 16, having defeated Australia on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regular and extra time. The result has boosted hopes of a historic run, as the Pharaohs aim to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time.

Speaking to ESPN, Aguero highlighted the physical and attacking strength of the Egyptian team, while also pointing to potential challenges for Argentina in terms of recovery and fatigue.

“What worries me now is that we only have four days to rest and travel, in addition to many players suffering from muscle cramps, and now we face Egypt, which is also a physically strong team. I think they have better attacking quality than Cape Verde,” Aguero said.

The former Argentina striker also referenced his own past experience against Egypt, recalling a friendly match in 2008 at Cairo Stadium where he scored in Argentina’s 2-0 victory.

Argentina, meanwhile, were pushed to their limits in the Round of 32, needing extra time to secure a hard-fought 3-2 win over Cape Verde in a match that tested their resilience and depth.

Despite their status as favourites, concerns have been raised within the Argentine camp about the physical demands of the tournament schedule. Midfielder Leandro Paredes also acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming fixture, describing it as a serious test.

“It will be a very difficult match. We are at the elite level in football, and all national teams are physically strong,” Paredes said.

With both teams arriving in strong form and carrying momentum into the knockout stage, the clash between Egypt and Argentina is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched fixtures of the round, as the Pharaohs look to continue their impressive World Cup journey against one of the tournament favourites.

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The 20-year-old attacker joins the Merseyside outfit for an undisclosed fee from Chelsea, signing a contract that will keep him at the Toffees until the end of 2030.

After his unveiling, the dynamic attacker promised to deliver good performance by scoring goals and creating chances in an attempt to make fans happy.

“I’m so happy to sign for Everton. I loved my time here on loan last season, so as soon as I knew it was a possibility to return, that's always what I wanted.

"This is a massive club. I've seen for myself how passionate the fans are about Everton, how much it means to them – and I want to put on good performances, score goals, and create goals to make them happy.

"The fans and the boys in the changing room made me feel welcome as soon as I arrived in February. It's a strong group that's only going to get better.

"I'm excited for what is ahead for us as a group and club.” he told evertonfc.com after completing the move.

During his loan spell last season, George made 11 appearances for Everton and showed flashes of his ability despite his young age. His performances convinced the club’s hierarchy and technical staff that he could become an important part of the team moving forward.

The 20-year-old's journey began at Chelsea, joining the west London club aged eight, and rising through the ranks all the way to the senior team, where, coincidentally, he was named on the bench for the senior side for the first time against Everton in April 2024.

George made his first-team debut for the Londoners in a UEFA Conference League play-off round four months later, at the beginning of what became a breakthrough 2024/25 season.

The forward played in 12 of 13 Conference League games – starting eight alongside now-Everton teammate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – as Chelsea went all the way to clinch the European trophy, as well as making two appearances in the triumphant FIFA Club World Cup campaign later that summer.

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Black Stars right-back Marvin Senaya will undergo surgery and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a tournament-ending hamstring injury during Ghana’s 1-0 Round of 32 loss to Colombia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The AJ Auxerre defender was forced off in just the 13th minute of the knockout clash on July 3, a premature exit that proved catastrophic for the West Africans.

Head coach Carlos Queiroz later lamented the substitution, stating that the forced tactical reshuffle completely disrupted Ghana's defensive organisation, allowing Colombia to score the match-winner moments later and eliminate the Black Stars.

Before the heartbreaking injury, the 25-year-old full-back had established himself as one of Ghana's most reliable performers in North America.

Senaya started all four of Ghana's World Cup matches, anchoring a resilient defense that recorded impressive clean sheets against Panama and England.

Taking to social media to address fans, Senaya expressed his devastation but remained fiercely optimistic about his rehabilitation.

"This injury means I need surgery, and it will keep me away from the game for a while," Senaya stated.

"But believe me when I say this: I will come back stronger than you have ever seen me before."

The defender is now scheduled to fly to France to undergo medical procedures.

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the independence of FIFA's judicial bodies after the governing body's Disciplinary Committee rescinded the suspension handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun.

Balogun was sent off during the USA's 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32, a dismissal that initially ruled him out of the Americans' Round of 16 showdown against Belgium.

However, FIFA's independent Disciplinary Committee overturned the suspension following a review, clearing the forward to feature in the crucial knockout tie.

The decision generated widespread debate, prompting Infantino to issue a statement reaffirming that FIFA's judicial bodies operate independently and without interference.

"FIFA's judicial bodies are independent. They operate autonomously, apply the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and decide cases based on the applicable regulations and the specific facts before them," Infantino said.

"Their independence is essential to the credibility and integrity of football, and this must always be respected."

Infantino also addressed speculation surrounding a conversation he held with President Donald Trump, confirming that the US President contacted him while the disciplinary process was ongoing.

According to the FIFA President, he made it clear that the case would be determined solely by FIFA's independent judicial bodies.

"I did receive a call from President Donald Trump, just as I receive calls from heads of state, government officials, football stakeholders and business executives from around the world on many different issues."

"During our conversation, I explained that there was an ongoing legal process involving FIFA's independent judicial bodies and that the case would be decided in due course by the competent bodies. That is how FIFA's system works, and it is a principle that I will always uphold."

Infantino admitted that he does not always agree with decisions reached by FIFA's disciplinary authorities but stressed that respecting their autonomy is fundamental to maintaining the integrity of the game.

"I read the decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee when they are issued. Sometimes I am surprised by them. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I disagree."

"What I always do, however, is respect those decisions and the autonomy of the bodies that make them. Whether we personally like a decision or not is irrelevant. Respect for independent institutions and the rule of law is what protects the integrity of our competitions and the credibility of FIFA at all times."

Balogun is now eligible to return for the United States when they face Belgium in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, following FIFA's decision to rescind his suspension.

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