Author: Timi-Zacchaeus Oluwaferanmi

With just eight months to go until the FIFA 2026 World Cup, excitement is building for the largest football tournament in history, but so too is concern over its environmental impact. Set to take place across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the expanded 48-team World Cup will feature 104 matches, 40 more than previous editions. While FIFA has touted the event as a “global celebration of football,” critics warn it may instead become the most carbon-intensive sporting event ever held. Dr Madeleine Orr, a leading sport ecology expert at the University of Toronto, believes the tournament…

Villarreal have accused La Liga of showing “a complete and utter lack of respect” following the last-minute cancellation of their planned league fixture against Barcelona in Miami. The Spanish club expressed frustration over poor communication and timing, saying they were informed of the decision just minutes before their Champions League clash with Manchester City. In August, Spain’s Football Federation (RFEF) approved La Liga’s proposal to stage the Villarreal–Barcelona match at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on 20 December. The fixture would have marked the first time a top-flight European league match was held in the United States. However, after fierce opposition…

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has signed a contract extension during his 10-month betting ban, potentially keeping him at St James’ Park until 2030. The move underscores both the club’s faith in the Italian and Tonali’s commitment to repaying that trust through his performances on the pitch. Tonali joined Newcastle in July 2023 from AC Milan on a five-year deal worth £55m. Shortly after his arrival, he was handed a 10-month ban by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for breaching betting regulations. Despite the suspension, Newcastle supported Tonali throughout, providing him with stability and backing that ultimately led to discussions…

Viktor Gyokeres finally ended a nine-game goal drought for club and country by scoring twice in Arsenal’s 4-0 Champions League triumph against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Yet manager Mikel Arteta was quick to stress that the Swedish striker offers far more than just goals. Since joining the Gunners this summer, Gyokeres has provided Arsenal with a central attacking focal point they often lacked last season. Arteta explained that his signing has made the team “much more unpredictable,” highlighting the striker’s athleticism, work-rate, and physical presence as standout attributes. “He’s so physical, and the way he presses the ball and holds…

The UK government has pledged to do “everything in our power” to overturn a decision preventing Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending their Europa League match against Aston Villa in Birmingham next month. The move comes after the city’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) ruled that supporters of the Israeli club would not be permitted to attend the fixture at Villa Park on 6 November due to security concerns. The decision has sparked a wave of political and public backlash, with critics calling it discriminatory and “deeply wrong.” A government spokesperson confirmed that the Home Office is “working with police and…

Lando Norris set the early pace at the United States Grand Prix on Friday, leading McLaren team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri in a competitive opening practice session at the Circuit of the Americas. Norris, who trails Piastri by 22 points in the championship standings with six races remaining, produced a best lap that put him 0.279 seconds clear of his Australian teammate. The Briton’s performance marked a strong start to the sprint weekend in Austin, with the McLarens once again setting the benchmark in both one-lap speed and race pace. In an intriguing twist to the order, Sauber’s Nico…

Super Falcons stars Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo have been shortlisted for the 2025 CAF Women’s Player of the Year award, capping off a stellar year for Nigerian women’s football. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) released its list of nominees on Thursday, featuring Africa’s top performers over the past year. Both Ajibade and Okoronkwo earned recognition after leading Nigeria to success at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. Ajibade, captain of the Super Falcons, has been in scintillating form for both club and country. The 24-year-old was named Player of the Tournament at the 2024…

Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tolu Arokodare is set to chase his first Premier League goal this weekend as Wolves travel to Sunderland for a crucial top-flight clash on Saturday. The Nigerian international, fresh from international duty with the Super Eagles, will hope to feature in the starting lineup and make a decisive impact for his club. Arokodare has struggled to find the net in the ongoing season, having made four appearances without scoring. The 24-year-old forward is eager to open his account in England’s top division and demonstrate his value under Wolves’ Portuguese manager, Pereira. With confidence high following a recent…

Apple has officially acquired the rights to broadcast Formula 1 in the United States from 2026, in a landmark five-year deal valued at approximately $750 million (£558 million). The agreement marks Apple’s boldest move yet into live sports broadcasting and is set to reshape how American fans experience Formula 1. Under the new deal, Apple will pay around $150 million (£111.6 million) per year for exclusive rights, surpassing the previous $80 million annual contract held by ESPN. The agreement ensures that all Formula 1 races, qualifying sessions, and practice events will be available to Apple TV subscribers in the US…

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been handed a one-match touchline ban and fined £8,000 by the Football Association following his dramatic dismissal during the Premier League win over Liverpool earlier this month. The Italian was sent off by referee Anthony Taylor in stoppage time after leaving his technical area to celebrate Estevao Willian’s 95th-minute winner. The goal sealed a crucial 2-1 victory for Chelsea over the reigning champions at Stamford Bridge, sparking wild scenes of celebration among players, staff, and supporters alike. According to the FA, Maresca was charged with “acting in an improper manner and/or using abusive and/or insulting…