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Tag: Fifa

  • FIFA Women’s World Cup: I will give my all – Oshoala vows after setting new record

    FIFA Women’s World Cup: I will give my all – Oshoala vows after setting new record

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons and FC Barcelona forward, Asisat Oshoala has reacted after making an impressive performance against the Matildas of Australia on Thursday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Nigeria’s Super Falcons stunned co-host Australia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup after coming from behind to win 3-2 at Brisbane Stadium.

    Oshoala set a record as the first Nigerian player to score in three World Cups. She represented Nigeria at the 2015, 2019  World Cups and scored in all before Thursday’s goal against Australia in 2023.

    Speaking after the game, Oshoala said she is very excited to have scored against the co-host and also willing to score plenty of goals at the competition.

    Asked what she feels by not starting, the prolific scorer said that she felt sick and only managed to feature for Nigeria in the game.

    “This tournament, I am going to make sure I give everything. Nigeria is the best country in the world,” Oshoala said.

    In a dramatic end to the first half, Emily Van Egmond gave Australia the lead only for Nigeria to equalise before the half-time whistle and then score twice in the second half to secure victory in Group B.

    The victory is the first Super Falcons win at the 2023 edition of the tournament after their opener against Canada ended in a barren draw.

    Australia edged ahead in the first minute of added time at the end of the first half.

    Van Egmond guided her shot beyond Chiamaka Nnadozie following Caitlin Foord’s low cross into the penalty area.

    But Nigeria equalised in the sixth minute of added time.

    This was when Rasheedat Ajibade’s shot deflected towards the far post to Uchenna Kanu, who placed her shot through Steph Catley’s legs and beyond Mackenzie Arnold.

    Oshoala’s introduction in the 63rd minute immediately unsettled the Australian defence and Nigeria forged ahead two minutes later when Osinachi Ohale, who was hurt in the process, headed in at the far post after Ajibade’s header was pushed away by Arnold.

    The FC Barcelona’s forward presence unsettled Australia again on 72 minutes as she scored Nigeria’s third goal from a tight angle following a mix-up between Alanna Kennedy and Arnold.

    Kennedy pulled a goal back deep into added time, but the defeat means Australia go into their final group game needing a win  against Canada to guarantee a place in the last 16.

    Meanwhile, Steph Catley, Australia’s captain, who rued her team’s missed goal scoring opportunities, expressed disappointment at the result, adding that the Super Falcons  took their chances and deserved to win.

    “Obviously extremely disappointed. I think this was a massive opportunity for us that we obviously let slide, but it’s tournament football, and this sort of thing happens.

    “It was definitely not our best performance. We created a lot of opportunities that we potentially could have finished – I haven’t seen the statistics, but I assume we had a fair few shots.

    “If some of those go in, maybe it’s a different story, but they [Nigeria] were great on the counter, and they finished their chances,” she said.

    TNG reports Nigeria’s Super Falcons play the Republic of Ireland next.

  • World Cup qualifiers: Gernot Rohr anxious to meet Super Eagles

    World Cup qualifiers: Gernot Rohr anxious to meet Super Eagles

    Former Super Eagles manager and current Benin’s national team coach, Gernot Rohr, has expressed his anticipation in clashes with the Super Eagles as the two countries prepare to face each other during the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    The 2026 World Cup African qualifications placed Nigeria and Benin in Group C alongside South Africa, Rwanda, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe.

    Acknowledging Nigeria’s impressive record as three-time African champions and frequent participants in the World Cup, Rohr admits that they are the clear favorites in the group.

    However, the contest gains further intrigue as South Africa, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe will engage in a Southern African derby, while Nigeria and Benin will create a West African derby.

    “Benin fell into an extremely tough group, with obviously Nigeria as the favorite, a team we know quite well. But also the others, that is to say South Africa, already qualified for the next AFCON very early with a new state of mind,” the Franco-German technician told 24HauBenin.

    “Of course, there is also Zimbabwe, which has a very strong physical team, and Rwanda, which we know quite well. And then there is also Lesotho, a country we are familiar with because Benin has played against them.

    “It will be goals against South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho, which are geographically very close. As well as Nigeria and Benin, who are also neighbors. It’s really a group of people who know each other, making it an extremely technical and physical challenge.”

    Before he was disengagedl in December 2021, Rohr was Nigeria’s longest-serving head coach.

    Under his guidance, the Super Eagles secured a spot in the 2018 World Cup in Russia and achieved a commendable third-place finish in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Rohr expressed his eagerness to lead the Benin team against Nigeria and reunite with his former Super Eagles players. He hopes that Benin can give their best performance against the three-time continental champions.

    Rohr stated, “We hope that Benin can play a good role in this Group C, which is a very difficult and challenging group, but also very interesting.

    “Personally, I will have reunions with players in the Super Eagles squad. We will be keen to give our maximum effort against this great footballing country.”

    It is worth noting that Benin have never qualified for the World Cup and has yet to secure a victory against the Super Eagles in a competitive match.

    However, with Gernot Rohr at the helm, the Squirrels will aim to overcome these challenges and make their mark in Group C.

  • Manchester City get highest bonus from FIFA for players on 2022 World Cup duty

    Manchester City get highest bonus from FIFA for players on 2022 World Cup duty

    English Premier League champions, Manchester City will receive the highest pay in bonus from FIFA for releasing players for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

    This was made known in a report published on the FIFA website on Thursday, stating that the Citizens will receive $4,596,445 thanks to FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme.

    Barcelona will receive the second-highest amount of $4,538,955, followed by Bayern Munich with $4,331,809.

    The highest-earning club outside of Europe was Qatar’s Al Sadd SC, which received $2,817,911.

    “In this respect, the FIFA Club Benefits Programme recognises the contribution that clubs make to the success of the FIFA World Cup,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in the report’s foreword.

    FIFA will pay a total of $209 million to clubs that had players participating in the 2022 World Cup.

    The world’s football governing body is planning to increase the amount redistributed to clubs to $355 million for the 2026 and 2030 tournaments.

  • FIFA lifts suspension of Zimbabwe’s football federation

    FIFA lifts suspension of Zimbabwe’s football federation

    Football’s ruling body FIFA said on Tuesday, it has lifted the suspension of Zimbabwe’s national federation ZIFA and installed a normalisation committee to ensure that FIFA statutes are followed there.

    The news came ahead of Thursday’s African qualifying draw for the 2026 World Cup.

    FIFA had suspended ZIFA last year after the government disbanded the ZIFA leadership in connection with allegations of embezzlement of state funds, and not having investigated several cases of sexual harassment committed by football officials.

    Under FIFA rules, government interference in football matters is prohibited and sanctioned.

    The normalisation committee is to run the daily affairs of ZIFA and restructure its administration and review statutes.

    It will also organise elections of a new ZIFA board and establish an agreement with the nation’s sports ministry to define each side’s role.

    Zimbabwe sports minister Kirsty Coventry named the suspension period tough and costly but that it will help football in the country.

  • Gusau charges FIFA instructors to help develop, upscale Nigerian referees

    Gusau charges FIFA instructors to help develop, upscale Nigerian referees

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Monday called on FIFA refereeing instructors who are in Nigeria for three refereeing programmes, to help improve the lot of Nigerian referees to a level that they would be regularly considered for major FIFA and CAF assignments.

    Speaking in his office during a visit by the instructors, Gusau appealed to the instructors from Zambia, Morocco, Mozambique and Djibouti to always find time, even outside regular instructional periods and sessions, to communicate with Nigerian referees with a view to supporting, encouraging and building them up to be among the very best on the African continent.

    “We have our teams regularly taking part in major competitions in Africa and the world, and it is always a painful thing seeing referees from other countries while we hardly get to see our own compatriots of the whistle. We want you to take up this assignment beyond the regular instruction courses; you should endeavour to communicate with them all the time, encourage them, support them and give them tips that will keep improving them to get to the top,” Gusau told the FIFA team.

    Earlier, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi informed the instructors that Nigeria is one of very few countries who participate in almost all FIFA and CAF competitions, and is almost always qualifying for the major finals. “The new NFF administration is determined to ensure that Nigerian referees also build capacity and grow to become part of the elites of the beautiful game.”

    The FIFA instructors, led by Gladys Lengwe from Zambia, also includes Houssein Ali Mohamed from Djibouti, Said Nouri from Morocco and Bento Navesse from Mozambique. They are in Nigeria to superintend a Women Referees Course, a Futsal Referees Course and an Elite Men Referees Course, all happening between 1st – 15th July 2023.

    A total of 35 participants are taking part in the Women Referees Course, while 40 participants are in the Futsal Referees Course, and another 40 are involved in the Elite Men Referees Course.

    Nigerian referee instructors Engineer Emmanuel Imiere, Felicia Okwugba, Saheed Ayeni, Ibrahim Fagge, Sarah Adebisi, Cecilia Ogbuji, Peter Edibe, Maryam Indo, Bola Sekiteri, Victor Ijereme, Dr. Aminu Shantali and Colonel Nicholas Achikasim are also involved in the instructional programme, as well as Rabiu Gusau, Abraham Zakowi, Bello Abubakar and Calistus Chukwudi Chukwujekwu who are members of the NFF Referees Committee.

    The women referees’ course and futsal referees’ course, which began on Saturday, will end on Thursday, 6th July, while the elite men referees’ course will take centrestage between 9th – 15th July.

  • FIFA to allow anti-discrimination captain’s armbands at Women’s World Cup

    FIFA to allow anti-discrimination captain’s armbands at Women’s World Cup

    Super Falcons captain, Onome Ebi and other team captains will be allowed to wear an amended version of the anti-discrimination “One Love” armband at the FIFA Women’s World Cup next month according to FIFA.

    FIFA, the sport’s governing body, unveiled eight armbands Friday that captains of the 32 teams can choose to wear in Australia and New Zealand during the tournament, which runs from July 20-Aug. 20.

    FIFA regulations mandate teams at the World Cup must wear only approved armbands and other equipment. The causes on display in Australia and New Zealand will include uniting for indigenous peoples, gender equality, ending violence against women, peace and zero hunger.

    “Team captains will be given three options,” FIFA said. “They can wear the ‘Football Unites the World’ armband for the entire tournament, an armband corresponding to the theme of their choice for the entire tournament, or the armband corresponding to the theme of the specific match day.”

  • Remi Tinubu to host Super Falcons ahead of FIFA WWC

    Remi Tinubu to host Super Falcons ahead of FIFA WWC

    First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, alongside top government functionaries, will attend the send forth dinner of the Super Falcons ahead of the team’s departure for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

    The FIFA Women World Cup is scheduled to take place over a period of one month, starting from July 20 to Aug. 20.

    In a statement by Ademola Olajire, Head of Communications of the NFF on Thursday, noted that the dinner, organised by the country’s football body will hold on Saturday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

    “We are expecting the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Ismaila Abubakar as well as other top sports officials.

    “A good number of the team as well as technical and administrative officials are expected alongside the rank and file of the NFF led by the President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi.

    “The event at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel will also attract corporate chieftains, members of the diplomatic corps and a range of football stakeholders.

    “On Sunday, the nine-time African champions will depart the shores of Nigeria for a 15-day camping programme in Australia, before they enter into camp for the tournament beginning from July 20 to Aug. 20,” Olajire noted. 

    Nigeria’s first match of the finals is against Canada, at Melbourne’s Rectangular Stadium, on  July 21 before clashes Australia and Republic of Ireland on July 27 and July 31 respectively, at the Lang Park in Brisbane.

    NAN reports that Australia and New Zealand 2023 will be the biggest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in history, as it welcomes 32 teams – same number as featured in the men’s finals in Qatar last year.

    It is also the first to be hosted by two countries, and the first-ever FIFA senior competition to be hosted by two countries in two different confederations: Australia in the Asian confederation while New Zealand in Oceania.

    Nigeria’s captain Onome Ebi will be one of the oldest players at the tournament, at 40, alongside Brazil’s Marta and Canada’s Christine Sinclair. 

    The three women will be featuring in their sixth FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament.

    According to the NFF, 24 hours before the Send-Forth at the Transcorp Hilton, the Australian High Commission, will host the Falcons to a dinner, courtesy of the Ag. High Commissioner, Her Excellency Leanne Johnston.

    NAN reports that the Super Falcons are in the Group ‘B’ alongside Australia, Canada and Republic of Ireland.

    Nigeria has previously played the Canadian and Australian women’s national teams at the FIFA World Cup.

    The Canadians have been unable to defeat Nigeria at the World Cup, drawing 3-3 in 1995 and losing 1-0 in 2011.

    Nigeria’s meeting with Australia at the FIFA World Cup in 2015 ended in a 2-0 victory in favour of the Australians.

     

  • See Super Falcons position in latest FIFA women world ranking

    See Super Falcons position in latest FIFA women world ranking

    Nigeria’s Women’s National Football team, the Super Falcons are now ranked 40th in the world, a remarkable improvement from their last ranking in May.

    According to the latest FIFA Women’s World ranking released on Thursday, Nigeria moved up two spots on the ranking from 42nd to 40th in the world.

    The Super Falcons also remain number one in Africa with 1554.94 ranking points, ahead of South Africa, (54th), Ghana (58th), Cote d’Ivoire (66th), Morocco (72nd), Tunisia (76) and Zambia (77th).

    Nigeria would be making its ninth appearance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be hosted by Australia and New Zealand, alongside South Africa, Zambia and Morocco from July 20 to Aug. 20.

    Defending champions U.S. with 2099.03 points remain on top of the ranking, while Germany (2061.56), Sweden (2049.71), England (2040.76) and France (2026.65) complete the top five women football teams in the world.

    This  is the final ranking before the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in July.

  • FIFA delays announcement of 2030 World Cup host

    FIFA delays announcement of 2030 World Cup host

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has postponed the announcement of men’s 2030 World Cup hosts after failing to agree on rules for bid campaigns and a date for the final vote.

    The 200-member nation of FIFA will likely converge again to vote in the last quarter of 2024 instead of a previously expected meeting in September next year.

    Morocco had placed a joint top bid with Spain and Portugal for the 48-team, 104-game tournament tournament format.

    Bid rules will aim to be settled on at a FIFA council meeting before the end of October, soccer’s governing body said, “with the bidding process to be officially launched thereafter.”

    FIFA did detail basic needs for the 48-team, 104-game tournament: 14 stadiums, of which only seven can be new construction projects; “explicit public commitments” to human rights and climate action; worker protections; and “non-interference with journalists and human rights defenders” involved in work related to the World Cup.

    One speculated project for 2030 appeared to drop out this week when media in Greece reported a Saudi Arabia-led co-host bid that included Egypt will not go ahead.

    Saudi Arabian soccer officials had not publicly confirmed what would have been an unprecedented three-continent hosting plan in line with the kingdom’s aggressive big-spending ambitions in global soccer. A bid for the 2034 World Cup has been seen as a more likely target.

    Still, Saudi involvement could yet be revived even if it would mean bringing the World Cup back to Asia just eight years after Qatar hosted in 2022, and likely again in November-December in the middle of the European club season.

    Europe has long committed to bidding for the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal, and that project has added near-neighbor Morocco from Africa. Ukraine also is involved in that bid.

    South America also wants to host the centenary World Cup, with original 1930 host Uruguay in a four-nation bid with Argentina, Chile and Paraguay.

    Even if the South American bid loses, Uruguay could still be honored as the inaugural host by being given some of the 104 games to stage at the same Estadio Centenario in Montevideo.

    FIFA said on Friday it wanted “additional consultation with all key stakeholders (for the 2030 World Cup) which will mark the centenary of men’s football’s showpiece tournament.”

  • Women’s W/Cup: Players to get $30,000 each as prize money

    Women’s W/Cup: Players to get $30,000 each as prize money

    Players at the Women’s World Cup will be guaranteed at least 30,000 dollars each after FIFA decided to disburse some of the prize money to individuals rather than national federations.

    All 23 members of the winning team will take home 270,000 dollars each, part of a 110 million dollars total prize pool that is roughly 300 per cent higher than what FIFA offered for the 2019 tournament.

    The 30,000 dollars minimum directed prize money is more than twice the average salary of 14,000 dollars for paid players surveyed in FIFA’s 2022 benchmarking report.

    In March, FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, pledged at the FIFA Congress that organisers would direct prize money towards the players, a first for the women’s tournament, which kicks off on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.

    For the upcoming Women’s World Cup, member-associations will also receive increased funding based on performance, with winners taking 4.29 million dollars home and delegations earning 1.56 million dollars for participating in the group stage.

    The total performance-based prize funds still significantly trail what was on offer at the men’s tournament last year, where 440 million dollars total prize fund was awarded.

    FIFA has made it clear to national federations that it expects that the amount retained by member-associations would be reinvested in their footballing activities, including coaching staff, grassroots projects, youth national teams and women’s football capacity-building programmes.

    FIFPRO said the news “represents not only the outcome of tremendous global collective action by 150 national team players, but a constructive negotiation with FIFA over the past months.”

    “They have listened to the voice of the players and we have taken steps toward greater gender equity in our game at the highest levels,” the global soccer players union said in a statement.