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• Final playoff teams secure 2026 FIFA World Cup spots

  The 2026 FIFA World Cup field is finalized following dramatic playoff wins by DR Congo, Iraq, and four UEFA nations, setting the stage for the 48-team tournament across North America this June.

  ​The 48-team field for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is complete after a thrilling final night of playoffs.

  In the inter-confederation brackets, Axel Tuanzebe’s 100th-minute strike lifted DR Congo over Jamaica, securing their first appearance since 1974.

  Meanwhile, Iraq defeated Bolivia 2-1 in Monterrey to end a 40-year drought, joining France, Norway, and Senegal in a highly competitive Group I.  

  ​UEFA’s final slots were claimed by Türkiye, Czechia, Sweden, and Bosnia & Herzegovina, who famously eliminated Italy on penalties.

  The result marks a third consecutive missed tournament for the Italians.

  For the hosts, the path is now clear: Mexico kicks off the tournament June 11 against South Africa, while the USMNT prepares for a Group D finale against Türkiye on June 25.  

  ​Preparation now shifts to 16 host cities as the expanded 104-match schedule looms.

  Captain Chancel Mbemba remains grounded following DR Congo’s historic qualification, stating, “We’ll stay humble, keep our feet on the ground, and continue to work.”

  With global giants like Brazil and Argentina facing hungry newcomers, the largest World Cup in history promises a “different feel and vibe” across three nations.  

• CAF eyes tenth World Cup slot as DR Congo set for historic playoff, Nigeria, Senegal, star anew

  While the DR Congo stands on the verge of a historic 2026 World Cup berth in the inter-confederation playoffs, Nigeria and Senegal begin new cycles following a turbulent period of coaching changes and administrative controversy.

  ​The Democratic Republic of Congo arrives in Zapopan, Mexico, as favorites to secure Africa’s tenth World Cup spot.

  Seeded in Path 1, Sebastien Desabre’s “Leopards” await the winner of the Jamaica versus New Caledonia semi-final for a decisive clash on March 31.

  Desabre, who has successfully recruited several diaspora stars, remains confident in ending a 52-year drought, noting, “The nation will come to a standstill for Congo DR’s final.”

  ​Nigeria’s Super Eagles travel to Antalya, Turkey, to face Iran and Jordan without talisman Victor Osimhen, who is sidelined following arm surgery.

  Head coach Eric Chelle has utilized this window to blood new talent like Philip Otele and Collins Sor while maintaining his tactical diamond formation.

  Despite missing the World Cup, Chelle is focused on the “Mission ’27” reboot, aiming to restore national pride after their recent AFCON semi-final exit.

  ​In a week dominated by off-field drama, Senegal officially begins its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after being stripped of their AFCON title.

  CAF awarded the trophy to Morocco following a chaotic final, citing Senegal’s brief walk-off as a forfeit.

  Amidst the tension, the Teranga Lions face Peru in Paris, where coach Pape Thiaw must stabilize a squad that feels “unequivocally rejected” by the continental governing body.

• Player Ratings: Raphinha gets 10/10 as Barcelona maul Newcastle

  Barcelona secured their place in the Champions League quarterfinals with a relentless display of attacking football at the Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday night.

  While the first half was a chaotic, end-to-end affair that saw the Magpies equalize twice, a late Lamine Yamal penalty shifted the momentum permanently.

  Following the interval, the Catalan giants moved through the gears, with braces from Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski turning a competitive tie into a comprehensive 7-2 rout on the night.

  ​Barcelona Player Ratings 

  ​Joan Garcia: 7.5

  The Barça shot-stopper was a vital presence in the opening period, producing several high-caliber saves to keep the visitors at bay. While he might have reacted slightly faster to one of the goals conceded, his overall contribution was positive. Unfortunately, his night ended prematurely as he was forced off with an injury in the 81st minute.

  ​Joao Cancelo: 8

  Operating on the left flank, Cancelo provided a reliable outlet and linked up seamlessly with Raphinha. While he was less adventurous in the final third than in the previous leg, his technical quality shone through during counter-attacks, providing the stability needed to transition from defense to offense.

  ​Gerard Martin: 6

  The center-back demonstrated excellent tactical discipline, coordinating effectively with Cubarsi to catch Newcastle in offside traps. Beyond his defensive duties, he was a surprise creative force, providing a clever headed assist for Bernal’s goal and playing a key role in the buildup to Fermin Lopez’s strike.

  ​Pau Cubarsi: 6

  Cubarsi’s composure on the ball remains his greatest asset, helping the team play out from the back despite Newcastle’s aggressive high press. He faced some difficult moments against the Magpies’ rapid transitions, but much of the pressure resulted from a lack of cohesive pressing further up the pitch rather than individual failure.

  ​Eric Garcia: 5

  It was a frustrating evening for Garcia, who returned to the starting lineup only to be withdrawn early due to physical discomfort. His departure forced an unplanned reshuffle of the backline, bringing Ronald Araujo into the fold and disrupting the initial defensive rhythm.

  ​Ronald Araujo: 6.5

  Entering the fray to replace the injured Garcia at right-back, the Uruguayan brought much-needed physicality and leadership to a backline under fire. Although the first goal conceded originated from his side of the pitch, his aerial dominance and defensive intensity helped stabilize the team during the second-half surge.

  ​Marc Bernal: 8

  Bernal continues to prove he has an eye for goal, delivering another “clutch” finish in a major European fixture. While he struggled at times to fully dictate the tempo against Newcastle’s physical midfield, his individual moments of quality were essential in keeping Barcelona ahead during the first-half oscillations.

  ​Pedri: 7

  The midfield maestro had an uncharacteristically quiet start, finding it difficult to escape the visitors’ suffocating press in the first 45 minutes. However, he emerged after the break with renewed focus, regaining his signature control over the ball and allowing Barcelona to dominate possession as the game wore on.

  ​Fermin Lopez: 7.5

  Preferred over Dani Olmo, Lopez justified his selection with a tireless and clinical performance. He provided the perfectly timed assist for the opening goal and later found the net himself with a composed finish in the 51st minute, acting as the primary link between the midfield and the frontline.

  ​Lamine Yamal: 7

  The 18-year-old superstar was once again the protagonist, becoming the youngest player to reach ten Champions League goals. Despite a rare error that led to a Newcastle equalizer, he showed immense character to slot home a critical penalty before half-time and later provided a brilliant assist for Lewandowski with a deceptive dummy.

  ​Raphinha: 10

  The captain delivered a flawless performance, leading by example with an immense work rate and clinical finishing. He opened the scoring early, won the penalty that Yamal converted, and provided two assists before grabbing a second goal of his own in the 72nd minute. It was a complete display that earned him a perfect score.

  ​Robert Lewandowski: 8

  After being kept quiet by Newcastle’s physical defense in the first half, the veteran striker proved his elite status after the break. He buried a powerful header in the 55th minute to effectively end the contest and followed it up with a clinical second shortly after, demonstrating that his predatory instincts remain as sharp as ever.

• Senegal’s government calls for corruption investigation after being stripped of AFCON title

  The Senegalese government has formally rejected CAF’s decision to strip its national team of the AFCON title, calling for an international corruption investigation into the governing body’s administrative processes.  

  ​The Senegalese government has called for an independent international inquiry into alleged corruption within CAF following the “unlawful” decision to strip the nation of its AFCON title.

  Authorities expressed “deep dismay” over the ruling, which overturned Senegal’s 1–0 victory on the pitch in favor of a 3–0 forfeit for Morocco.

  The government maintains that the decision contravenes sporting ethics and undermines the truth of the field.

  ​The dispute centers on a sixteen-minute protest during the final where players briefly left the pitch.

  While CAF cited a breach of regulations regarding unauthorized walk-offs, Senegal argues this is a “manifestly erroneous interpretation.”

  As the state prepares legal action, a government statement warned: “Senegal cannot tolerate an administrative decision that erases commitment, merit and sporting excellence. Senegal unequivocally rejects this attempt at unjustified dispossession.”

• Key questions answered and potential ramifications as Senegal stripped of AFCON title

  The CAF Appeal Board has stripped Senegal of the 2025 AFCON title and awarded a 3–0 forfeit victory to Morocco, citing a strict violation of tournament regulations following a mid-match protest by the Senegalese squad.  

  ​The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has delivered an unprecedented ruling, stripping Senegal of their 2025 AFCON title and awarding it to tournament hosts Morocco.

  The decision centers on a 17-minute protest during the January 18 final, where Senegal players vacated the pitch after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco.

  Although play eventually resumed and Senegal won on the field, CAF determined the initial walk-off constituted a “refusal to play.”

  ​The legal basis for this reversal rests on Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations. Article 82 dictates that leaving the field without referee authorization results in elimination, while Article 84 mandates a 3–0 forfeit loss for the offending side.

  Following a formal appeal by the Moroccan federation, the board ruled that these statutes must be applied strictly, regardless of the match being completed or the trophy previously being presented.

  ​This administrative shift has sparked outrage in Dakar, with the Senegalese Football Federation branding the decision “iniquitous” and “unacceptable.”

  While Morocco celebrates their first continental title in 49 years, the matter is far from settled.

  Senegal has confirmed they are escalating the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, seeking to overturn the forfeit and restore their status as champions.