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• Asian Cup 2027 final draw postponed amid regional tensions

  The Asian Football Confederation has delayed the 2027 Asian Cup final draw, originally set for April 11 in Riyadh, citing the need to ensure the safe attendance of all stakeholders. ​The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially postponed the 2027 Asian Cup final draw due to heightened regional tensions. Originally scheduled for April 11 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the event currently has no confirmed rescheduled date. “The decision was taken after careful consideration to ensure the undisrupted attendance of all stakeholders at the Final Draw ceremony,” the AFC stated while thanking local organizers. ​While the draw is on hold, the AFC confirmed that the Champions League Elite stages in Jeddah will proceed as planned. Host nation Saudi Arabia, holders Qatar, and Japan are among the teams already qualified for the tournament. The governing body added it “appreciates the understanding and continued cooperation of its Participating Member Associations” as it monitors the safety concerns impacting the sporting calendar.

• Iraq urges FIFA to delay World Cup qualifier amid regional conflict

  Iraq head coach Graham Arnold has called on FIFA to postpone their critical World Cup play-off against Suriname or Bolivia as regional conflict and airspace closures prevent his squad from traveling to Mexico.  

  ​Iraq manager Graham Arnold has issued an urgent plea to FIFA to delay his team’s winner-takes-all qualifier scheduled for March 31.

  Ongoing regional conflict has closed Iraqi airspace and shuttered foreign embassies, leaving domestic players without visas and Arnold stranded in the UAE.

  “Please help us with this game because right now we are struggling to get our players out of the country,” Arnold told reporters.

  ​The turmoil has already forced the cancellation of a training camp in Houston, jeopardizing Iraq’s biggest match in 40 years.

  Arnold proposed deferring the final play-off until June to allow for proper preparation and a clearer geopolitical outlook.

  He emphasized that fielding only overseas-based players is unfeasible, stating, “It wouldn’t be our best team and we need our best team available.”

• Legendary trio set for decisive fixtures in final AFCON appearances

  Legendary forwards Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah enter the Afcon 2025 quarter-finals facing a final opportunity for continental glory as a new generation of talent emerges.

  Veteran forwards Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah are preparing for a decisive Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final stage, aware that their international windows are closing.

  Mahrez, the 34-year-old Algerian captain, showed visible delight following a dramatic 119th-minute victory over DR Congo.

  With Morocco and Nigeria also looming in the bracket, the tournament represents a high-stakes comeback for the former Manchester City star after recent international disappointments.

  The tournament has seen a resurgence for the aging icons, with Salah scoring in three consecutive matches and Mane providing four goal contributions.

  However, the emergence of younger talents like Algeria’s Adil Boulbina and Senegal’s Nicolas Jackson signals an impending transition.

  Senegal coach Pape Thiaw called Mane “remarkable, a blessing to have in our team, excellent at every level all tournament,” even as the next generation begins to secure starting roles.

  Off-field uncertainty adds weight to the campaign, particularly for Salah, whose future at Liverpool remains “as uncertain as it ever has been.”

  Like Mahrez and Mane, Salah may soon transition to the Saudi Pro League, marking a shift in the landscape of African football.

  While their experience remains vital to their respective nations’ title hopes, the trio understands that the countdown to their final Afcon appearance has officially begun.

• Riyad Mahrez and Algeria’s AFCON Journey: Veterans and Rising Stars in Morocco

  It is not often that Riyad Mahrez comes off the bench with quite such a broad smile on his face. But, boy, was he beaming when he joined the stampede of Algerians in tracksuit tops hurtling on to the pitch at the Prince Moulay Hassan stadium on a rousing night in the Africa Cup of Nations last-16.

  When you are the captain, the elder statesman and all-round flag-bearing icon of a sporting nation, you take extra care to keep your dignity.

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• AFCON 2025: Quarter-final fixtures, date, time, venue all set

  The AFCON 2025 quarter-final fixtures have been largely finalized, featuring high-profile matchups such as Nigeria vs Algeria and Cameroon vs Morocco.

  The quarter-final lineup for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is nearly complete following Algeria’s dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over DR Congo on Tuesday.

  Substitute Anis Boulbina scored a decisive goal in the 119th minute in Rabat to secure the Desert Warriors’ progression.

  This victory sets up a highly anticipated clash against Nigeria, who advanced earlier in the week after a dominant performance against Mozambique.

  Seven of the eight quarter-finalists are now confirmed, with Senegal, Mali, hosts Morocco, Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria, and Algeria all securing their spots.

  The final place in the bracket will be determined by the ongoing match between Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.

  Early reports indicate the defending champion Elephants are leading 2-0 in the first half, thanks to goals from Amad Diallo and Yan Diomande.

  The confirmed fixtures are set to begin on Friday, January 9, featuring a double-header.

  Mali will face Senegal in Tangier at 5pm WAT, followed by a blockbuster encounter between Cameroon and tournament hosts Morocco in Rabat at 9pm WAT.

  These matchups bring together some of the continent’s most successful footballing nations in a bid for a place in the semi-finals.

  On Saturday, January 10, the action shifts to Agadir and Marrakech. Nigeria will take on Algeria at 5pm WAT at the Stade de Marrakech, while Egypt awaits the winner of the Côte d’Ivoire versus Burkina Faso tie for an 8pm WAT kickoff.

  With the “quarter-final line-up… now clearer,” fans across the continent are preparing for a weekend of elite international football across Morocco’s premier venues.