Former UEFA president Michel Platini has filed a criminal complaint against FIFA president Gianni Infantino in France, accusing him of playing a central role in preventing him from becoming world football's governing body chief.The complaint comes just days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, placing fresh scrutiny on FIFA's leadership ahead of the tournament.Platini's legal team confirmed that the complaint, lodged

The Ghanaian government has begun efforts to assist Ghanaians in the diaspora to secure tickets for the Black Stars' 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against Panama in Toronto, following an initial distribution of 1,000 tickets for Ghanaians abroad.In a statement, the Ghana High Commission in Canada said it had been directed by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to collect details of Ghanaians in Canada who wish to attend the match on June 17 but have been unable to obtain tickets

FIFA has officially appointed Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio to officiate the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, 2026.The highly anticipated fixture will kick off the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Millions of football fans around the world are expected to tune in for the tournamentâ??s opening match.Sampaio, one of South Americaâ??s most experienced match

Somalian top referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has broken his silence after being denied entry into the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament. Artan had been selected as one of the 52 referees for the global showpiece co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and was set to become the first Somali official to referee at football's biggest tournament.However, his participation at the tournament suffered a major setback after being denied entry into the

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly has declared himself fit ahead of the commencement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament in North America. The experienced defender had been a major fitness concern for Senegal in recent weeks after sustaining an injury while on club duty, raising fears that he could miss part of the tournament. However, with the World Cup set to begin on June 11, Koulibaly has reassured supporters that he is back to full fitness and preparing alongside his teammates.Speaking

Egypt captain Mohamed Salah has reiterated the Pharaohsâ?? determination to make their supporters proud at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that the squadâ??s entire focus is on preparation and hard work ahead of the tournament.Speaking to Abu Dhabi Sports Channel, Salah stressed the importance of maintaining concentration during Egyptâ??s training camp as the team gears up for its return to footballâ??s biggest stage.â??What Iâ??m thinking is that we should

Former Ghana international Yaw Acheampong Joachim insists the Black Stars can pull a surprise at the 2026 World Cup tournament in North America.Ghana are set to make their fifth World Cup appearance after securing qualification for the expanded tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.The West African giants have been drawn in Group L alongside England, 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia, and Panama. Ghana will begin their campaign against Panama before facing

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has challenged his players to embrace the weight of expectation that comes with representing Ghana, urging them to commit fully to building a team capable of â??making historyâ? on the global stage.Addressing the squad during a motivational session, the veteran coach reflected on Ghanaâ??s past World Cup experiences and stressed the need for higher standards as preparations continue for upcoming international fixtures.â??Okay, guys,

Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has acknowledged that the absence of Mohammed Kudus will be a major setback for the Black Stars ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while insisting that injuries are an unavoidable part of the game.The 25-year-old, who was expected to return to full fitness in late April after a hamstring problem, suffered a relapse that ruled him out for the rest of the season and ultimately forced his exclusion from Carlos Queirozâ??s final 26-man

Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, says the Black Stars have settled into camp with strong focus and unity as preparations continue ahead of their World Cup campaign in the United States.Speaking from the teamâ??s training base, Asante Twum described the atmosphere within the squad as positive, stressing that both players and technical staff remain fully committed to the task ahead.â??We are happy in camp, we are a focused group,

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed that the Black Stars will not play any further friendly matches before their opening game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Ghana had been expected to wrap up their preparations with an additional fixture following a 1-1 draw against Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium. Jamaica and Honduras were initially considered as possible opponents, but plans collapsed after Honduras withdrew from negotiations.Speaking on the situation, GFA Communications

Former Black Stars coach Charles Kwabla Akonnor says Ghana have the potential to make a deep run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but insists their campaign will hinge on a positive start to the tournament.The current Gor Mahia head coach believes victory in the opening group fixture will set the tone for Ghanaâ??s performance at the global showpiece, which will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia.Speaking

Former Ghana coach Charles Kwabla Akonnor has thrown his support behind the Black Stars ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the team is well-placed to compete on footballâ??s biggest stage.The tournament, which will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will see Ghana feature in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama.Akonnor, who currently leads Gor Mahia, urged supporters to trust the technical leadership and avoid excessive criticism

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has indicated that his side is preparing for a win against Brazil in their opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The Atlas Lions will open their World Cup campaign on Saturday, June 13, against the record champions in a fixture that many are looking forward to.Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated clash, Mohamed Ouahbi described Brazil as a great football country but warned that his side will not go into the game with any fear."Brazil

Portugal-based midfielder Lawrence Ofori believes Thomas Partey will be ready for the World Cup despite going through a difficult time. The Villareal and Ghana star has been confronted with legal issues following the accusation of rape by different women during his time in England.Partey remains one of Ghana's most experienced players and if the Black Stars are to succeed in North America, the former Arsenal star will need to be in his best form.And according to Ofori, the

FIFA has confirmed that Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after being denied entry into the United States.In a statement released on Tuesday, world football's governing body said Artan would be unable to train or officiate at the tournament after US authorities refused him entry."FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into

A video showing members of Senegal's national team undergoing security checks upon their arrival in the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has sparked widespread discussion across social media.The footage, which has circulated widely online, appears to show players being subjected to detailed screening procedures at the airport, prompting criticism from a section of football fans who questioned the necessity of the measures.Several fans argued that the screening process

Ghanaian midfielder Lawrence Ofori believes Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo will be the Black Stars' main man at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Semenyo heads into the tournament as the best Ghanaian player in Europe after winning the domestic double with Man City, and finished the EPL season with 17 goals and four assists.Despite his blistering form for Bournemouth and City, Semenyo has struggled wearing the Ghana jersey, with only three goals in 34 appearances.However,

Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy has expressed confidence in the Pharaohsâ?? chances of advancing past the group stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The experienced shot-stopper is confident the record African champions will achieve something special at this yearâ??s tournament.â??Weâ??ve lacked experience. We hadnâ??t qualified for the World Cup in 28 years, and it was the teamâ??s first time competing at that level, so it was only natural that we lacked experience.

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was selected by FIFA to officiate at the 2026 World Cup, has been denied entry to the United States and sent back to Istanbul.This has dealt a devastating blow to his historic appointment as the first Somali to officiate at football's biggest tournament.Artan, named the 2025 CAF Men's Referee of the Year, was turned away at Miami International Airport over the weekend. According to reports, Artan held a valid US visa and was travelling