Trump all smiles as he wins FIFA’s new peace prize
US President Donald Trump became the first ever recipient of FIFA’s new peace prize at the 2026 World Cup draw on Friday, a compensation gift for a leader who still dreams of winning the Nobel.
US President Donald Trump became the first ever recipient of FIFA’s new peace prize at the 2026 World Cup draw on Friday, a compensation gift for a leader who still dreams of winning the Nobel.
South Africa will begin their return to the world stage against co-hosts Mexico national football team, opening a 2026 World Cup campaign that brings a sense of déjà vu — mirroring their 2010 opener.
The stage for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been set.
With an expanded 24-team field and several major nations seeking to recover from underwhelming 2023 campaigns, the competition arrives with both historical weight and renewed competitive tension.
While Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire arrive with established pedigree and well-defined performance standards, Gabon and Mozambique enter the tournament intent on reaffirming their progress and elevating competitive consistency.
Algeria enter seeking redemption, Burkina Faso continue their pursuit of a breakthrough title, Equatorial Guinea maintain their reputation for upsetting stronger opposition, and Sudan look to build on a revived qualification campaign.
Benin return with ambitions of surpassing their 2019 breakthrough, Botswana enter only their second finals seeking credibility, DR Congo draw on deep tournament pedigree, and Senegal arrive as recent champions determined to reassert their continental influence.
Nigeria enter with historic weight and a squad built for a deep run, while Tanzania arrive on the back of unprecedented progress.
Egypt enter AFCON 2025 as perennial contenders with unmatched continental pedigree, while Bafana Bafana arrive buoyed by renewed stability and recent qualification success.
Morocco enter the Africa Cup of Nations as hosts and group favourites, returning to the continental stage with strong form and a deep, experienced squad.