Tuesday, July 28, 2026
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Egypt’s decision to feature seven stars on the women’s national team jersey at WAFCON 2026 has renewed debate over the use of men’s achievements on the women’s kit.
Egypt’s decision to feature seven stars on the women’s national team jersey at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has reignited debate over the symbolism behind the design.
HF World reports that the stars represent the men’s record seven Africa Cup of Nations titles, despite the women’s team having made only two previous WAFCON appearances, recording one win from six matches before this edition.
The discussion has also revived memories of Egypt’s attempt to wear the same seven stars on the men’s jersey for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a move that FIFA blocked because stars on national team shirts are reserved for World Cup titles.
The issue has again drawn attention to the distinction between celebrating a federation’s history and recognising the achievements of individual national teams.
Zidane Takes France Reins!
Deschamps Era Ends, Zizou In!
Zinedine Zidane has been confirmed as France’s new head coach! The former Real Madrid manager steps in after Didier Deschamps ended his 14-year reign following France’s 2026 World Cup semi-final exit. Zidane, a 1998 World Cup winner for France, takes over a team aiming for glory, signing a contract through the 2030 World Cup qualifiers. He expressed immense pride and high ambitions for the national side, ready for his first match against Turkey on September 25.
Women’s League Cup Rebranded!
New Players Cup Era Begins!
The Women’s League Cup undergoes a significant transformation, now named the Players Cup, implementing a regionalized league system for the 2026-27 season. This revamp, voted for by WSL and WSL 2 clubs, aims to solve scheduling issues and enhance player welfare. Champions League qualifiers like Chelsea, Manchester City, and Arsenal are excluded, guaranteeing a historic first-time winner.
VAR Clarity Call!
Referee Chiefs: Keep VAR Simple
European refereeing officials now demand VAR intervene only for “blatantly incorrect” decisions and clear missed incidents. Chief officers from 55 national associations, UEFA, and Ifab, met recently, concluding that current “lengthy, microscopic reviews” stray from VAR’s original “minimum interference – maximum benefit” philosophy. They stressed a return to essential support for referees, not re-refereeing the game.
Hampton Stays at Chelsea!
England’s Lioness goalkeeper, Hannah Hampton, has inked a fresh two-year contract with Chelsea. Her previous deal was set to expire this summer, making her retention a priority for the club. This move is crucial as Chelsea aims to rebound from a challenging 2025-26 season, securing a vital talent for their future ambitions.
Manchester City’s midfield maestro Rodri faces a “short period of rehabilitation” after undergoing back surgery. Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed the procedure, stating Rodri “needs a holiday, he needs to rest and recover and then he will be back with us.” A return timeline remains undisclosed as City prepares for key fixtures.
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Cape Verde: WAFCON Debutants Eye Quarter-Finals
Martins: Don’t Underestimate Cape Verde at WAFCON
Cape Verde’s national women’s team, making their WAFCON debut, refuses to be underestimated, warns forward Sandra Martins. The islanders, who only played their first match in 2018, aim for the quarter-finals in the 2026 tournament after beating Guinea and upsetting Mali in qualifiers. They face Ghana, Mali, and Cameroon in Group D.
The dramatic turnaround happened after Italian sports authorities blocked an impending deal with Andrea Pirlo due to his ongoing ties with Russian brands.
Mancini now steps right back into the hot seat to launch an ambitious new project for the national team. Welcome back!
Napoli has targeted Chelsea center-back Benoit Badiashile for a potential loan move this summer. However, the Serie A club’s temporary approach faces a strict hurdle.
The London club insists on including an easily achievable mandatory purchase option. Valued at £30M, the French defender could soon swap Stamford Bridge for Italy if terms are met.
Rio Ferdinand has urged Danny Welbeck to ignore Chelsea’s interest and make a surprise return to Manchester United.
Rio Ferdinand has called on Danny Welbeck to reject Chelsea’s reported transfer approach and complete a surprise return to Manchester United.
The former England defender made the appeal on social media after reports emerged that Chelsea had opened talks over signing the 35-year-old Brighton striker, who scored 13 Premier League goals last season but narrowly missed out on England’s 2026 World Cup squad.
According to The Sun, Ferdinand urged his former teammate to “come back home” and pointed to Manchester United’s return to Champions League football.
However, the report adds that United are focused on strengthening midfield after signing Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Darlow, while already boasting Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Joshua Zirkzee among their attacking options, making a move for Welbeck unlikely.