Having coached Spain’s U-19s, U-21s and Olympic team, De la Fuente knew the country’s best young talents inside out. He had developed many of the players before they reached the senior squad, making the transition seamless.

It raises an interesting question for Ghanaian football: Could Sellas Tetteh have followed the same path?

There is a strong case that he could have.

Long before Ghana began searching for experienced foreign managers, Sellas Tetteh had already proven himself as one of the country’s finest developers of young talent. His greatest achievement came in 2009, when he led the Black Satellites to the FIFA U-20 World Cup title—the first and still only African nation to lift the trophy. Earlier that year, Ghana had also won the African U-20 Championship under his leadership.

Those triumphs were not built on luck. They were the result of a coach who understood youth development, player psychology and tournament football. More importantly, many of the players he nurtured went on to represent the Black Stars.

That is precisely the model Spain embraced.

Rather than viewing youth football as separate from the senior team, the Spanish federation created a pathway where players and coaches developed together. De la Fuente’s promotion ensured continuity in style, philosophy and player management. By the time he took charge of the senior side, many internationals already trusted his methods because they had worked with him for years.

Ghana, however, has rarely followed that blueprint.

Instead, coaching appointments have often reflected short-term thinking, with frequent managerial changes disrupting long-term planning. Youth coaches have delivered success at international tournaments but have seldom been entrusted with building the senior national team over an extended period.

Sellas Tetteh’s career reflects that missed opportunity. While he remained respected for his achievements with youth teams, Ghana never fully invested in a long-term pathway that could have seen him shape the Black Stars in the same way De la Fuente transformed Spain.

Of course, there is no guarantee the outcome would have been identical. Senior international football presents different pressures and expectations. But the principle remains compelling: coaches who understand a nation’s talent pipeline often provide stability that constant managerial changes cannot.

As football continues to evolve, federations are increasingly recognising the value of continuity. Spain’s success under Luis de la Fuente is one example. For Ghana, Sellas Tetteh may represent the path that was never fully explored.

Perhaps the biggest lesson is not about one coach. It is about building a football structure where success at youth level is seen as the beginning of a coaching journey—not the end of it.

Ghana will battle their West African neighbours on Thursday at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, in their second Group B fixture.

The Black Satellites suffered a disappointing start to their campaign after losing 4-2 to Nigeria in their opening match, leaving them needing a positive result to revive their qualification hopes.

Speaking ahead of the crucial encounter, Konadu admitted that the team is eager to win but warned his players against allowing desperation to affect their tactical approach.

“We are anxious to win the game, but that shouldn’t lead us to throw everything away. We have to manage the game depending on how it unfolds. Obviously, we have to be more aggressive because we want to carry the day,” he said.

The former Asante Kotoko coach also reflected on the defensive mistakes that contributed to Ghana’s defeat against Nigeria, including the penalty conceded during the match.

Konadu said the technical team has worked with the players to address those lapses ahead of the Burkina Faso clash.

“We’ve spoken to the players and done some work, which we’ll finish today before the Burkina game. Giving away a penalty is never easy for a defender because they’re also doing a job for the team.

“We’ve discussed what to do and what not to do in certain areas of the pitch. Hopefully, tomorrow they won’t repeat those mistakes,” he added.

The Black Satellites need a positive result against Burkina Faso to boost their chances of progressing to the knockout stage.

Kick-off for the encounter is scheduled for 18:00 GMT.

The Black Satellites will face Burkina Faso on Thursday at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, hoping to revive their campaign after suffering a 4-2 defeat to Nigeria in their opening game on Monday.

Speaking ahead of the match on Wednesday, Konadu said the technical team has worked to restore the players’ confidence and help them move on from the disappointing result against Nigeria.

“We have prepared the boys psychologically and physically for tomorrow’s encounter. What happened on Monday, we have kept that behind us. It’s past and gone. There is nothing we can do about it. The assignment ahead of us is important and crucial for all of us,” he said.

The former Asante Kotoko coach revealed that the team’s preparations have focused on improving their strengths, particularly in the wide areas, while strengthening their defensive organisation.

“We told the boys to keep more circulation to our advantage where we are strong, especially in the wide areas. We need to exploit those areas very well,” he added.

Konadu admitted that some players were affected by nerves during the defeat to Nigeria, explaining that several members of the squad were experiencing the tournament for the first time.

“We spoke about how to defend very well, especially under intense pressure. Most of the boys are new to this tournament, so some were a bit jittery. The players have recovered and are ready to face Burkina tomorrow,” he said.

The experienced coach acknowledged Burkina Faso’s quality but expressed confidence that Ghana can exploit their weaknesses while containing their attacking threat.

“They progress the ball well, and they have some quality in their team, but so do we. It’s about not allowing them to have their way deep in midfield. We know they are not as strong in the wide areas, and we have to be cautious of their two attacking forwards,” he said.

Konadu added that although Burkina Faso are expected to provide a physical challenge, the Black Satellites are mentally prepared for the contest.

“They have quality, there is no doubt about it, and they play with so much aggression, which we are aware of. But we have prepared the boys psychologically and tomorrow will be a completely different ball game,” he added.

The match kicks off at 18:00 GMT, with Ghana needing a victory to boost their chances of progressing to the knockout stage.

The Black Satellites endured a disappointing start to their campaign after suffering a 4-2 defeat to Nigeria on Monday at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, leaving them needing a positive result to keep their hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive.

Despite the setback, Tsivanyo insists the team remains focused and determined to secure all three points against Burkina Faso.

“We didn’t plan to lose the match against Nigeria, but unfortunately it happened. It is part of football. What matters now is how we respond to that defeat,” he said.

The winger believes the opening defeat has served as a valuable lesson for the team and exposed areas that need improvement.

“Our heads are up. We are not going to give up because you can’t win every match. The defeat has shown us that we have more room for improvement,” he added.

Looking ahead to Thursday’s crucial encounter, Tsivanyo acknowledged the quality of the Burkinabe side but stressed that Ghana has no option but to win.

“We know Burkina Faso are a very strong team, but we’re fully prepared. We have absolutely no choice but to win because we need the points,” he said.

The youngster added that the players are determined to repay the confidence shown in them by the technical team and make the nation proud.

“We want to make our coach proud and also make Mother Ghana proud. We’re going to defend the name of our country,” he stated.

Tsivanyo also revealed the tactical approach the team intends to adopt, emphasising quick ball movement and strict adherence to the coach’s game plan.

“We have to rely on our technical abilities and move the ball quickly. We’re not going to allow them to close us down. We have to play fast and stick to the game plan.

“We have to make Ghanaians proud, and we’re determined to achieve that,” he added.

Ghana will face Burkina Faso at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00 GMT.

A victory would revive the Black Satellites’ hopes of progressing to the semi-finals after their opening defeat to Nigeria.

Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00 GMT (6pm local time), with the Black Satellites knowing that victory is vital to revive their hopes of reaching the knockout stage after an opening-day setback.

Head coach Maxwell Konadu and his players will be eager to produce a positive response following Monday’s 4-2 defeat to defending champions Nigeria.

They come up against a confident Burkina Faso side that made an impressive start to the tournament, producing an impressive performance to defeat Togo 3-1.

A win for Ghana would breathe new life into their campaign ahead of their final group match against Togo, while anything less would leave their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

Although Ghana has already secured automatic qualification for the 2027 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations as tournament hosts, the WAFU B U-20 Championship remains a vital part of the team’s development.

Howe came under pressure last season as Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League after losing 17 of their 38 games.

The 48-year-old’s final match in charge was a 4-1 defeat by Bristol City in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday.

Matthias Jaissle, manager of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, is expected to be appointed as Howe’s successor.

Howe joined Newcastle in November 2021, a month after the Saudi Public Investment Fund bought the club.

Well-placed sources have indicated a measure of surprise from Howe at the club’s transfer business so far this summer, though he was aware of the necessity for the club to sell players.

Earlier this year, Howe decided to remain at St James’ Park regardless of the inevitably of sales, but his perspective changed over the summer.

In March, Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson said the club were “not having those conversations” about a change of manager “at the moment”.

Newcastle spent in the region of £240m on new players 12 months ago, but Howe was left frustrated by the departure of striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool.

In January, he described losing Isak as “ever-challenging”, and in several media conferences stressed the need for reinforcements.

Howe has lost two key players this summer – Sandro Tonali to Tottenham and Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, while Arsenal are chasing captain Bruno Guimaraes.

Howe replaced Steve Bruce as manager and ended Newcastle’s 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy by winning the 2025 Carabao Cup.

He led the Magpies to Champions League qualification in 2023 and 2025.

Last season, Newcastle reached the last-16 of the Champions League before losing 8-3 on aggregate to Barcelona.

Their EFL Cup defence ended in the semi-finals, but their league performance was severely underwhelming after finishing fifth in 2024-25.

Newcastle won 84 of their 179 Premier League games under Howe, drawing 38 and losing 57.

He oversaw more Premier League wins than any other Newcastle manager. His Premier League win percentage of 46.9% at the club is bettered only by Kevin Keegan.

‘It’s a disaster’ – Newcastle fans react to Howe departure

Charlotte Robson, True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast: The timing, for me, is the thing that is difficult to understand. We could have done this in May, at the end of the season, when a lot of high-calibre managers were looking for new clubs.

It was clear, at that point, that Eddie Howe needed a break. One of the things we have loved about him as a manager is how much he clearly cares about the team and the club and the city.

Our poor performances in the latter part of the season were taking a visible toll on him. Perhaps it would have been a better idea for this amicable separation to have happened at that point?

Ben: Eddie Howe gave Newcastle its spark back – hauling the club out of the relegation scrap, delivering that unforgettable Champions League return, rebuilding players who looked finished, and serving up some of the most fearless football St James’ Park has seen in years.

His time was full of graft, pride and proper memories, and whatever comes next, he’s earned every bit of respect in Newcastle. Local hero.

Roger: This is a total disaster. For years, Eddie Howe has been the cool headed master tactician and inspiration of the club’s success. He will be difficult to replace. Right now Newcastle look like a serious relegation prospect.

Hazel: Heartbroken season-ticket holder! Eddie Howe performed nothing short of miracles turning the team around and going on to win the cup. Despite the mess at the end of last season, management changes, PSR rules and injuries, he did a reasonable job to hold things together.

I thought the new recruits were positive given his ability to develop players. Positive anticipation of coming season has just evaporated. Same old Newcastle.

Tom: If there was ever a worst possible time to lose a manager, it’s now: middle of pre-season. This I think will set us back years. Eddie got Newcastle and the city. He had an awful season last year but I think he earned the benefit of the doubt.

He’s lost two, maybe about to be three, of his best players. And although we recruited with young talent, we have not recruited anyone with any proven Premier League experience. I hope I am wrong but this could be our downfall. Thank you Eddie for giving us some of the best memories.

Simon: I understand Newcastle fans’ frustrations with last season, but the ‘Eddie Howe out’ crew need to be careful what they’ve wished for. Only time will now tell and I hope for the sake of the club that we move forward positively. Eddie has to leave with everyone’s best wishes for what he has brought to the club.

The 26-year-old, capped seven times by France, has penned a contract at Stamford Bridge until 2032.

The Frenchman joined Palace from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in 2024 for an initial £15.5m and became a regular under Oliver Glasner last season.

Lacroix made 55 appearances in all competitions as Palace won the Uefa Conference League, the club’s first major European trophy.

The defender made three appearances for France during the 2026 World Cup, including against England in the third-place play-off, as Les Bleus finished fourth.

“I think when I saw the players like Reece [James], like Morgan [Rogers], I’m just really happy to be also in a way in their story, you know? To write part of the Chelsea story with them,” Lacroix said.

“I’m really proud, really happy, to be part of this beautiful project and I just want to start playing.

“I’m really excited to see the guys, to see the manager, to start the season, because I feel like we have a story to write here, and I can be part of it, so it’s beautiful.”

Lacroix is Chelsea’s third signing of the summer transfer window, joining Morgan Rogers and Marco Palestra in moving to west London, as the club prepares for its first season under new boss Xabi Alonso.

Deals for winger Geovany Quenda and forward Emmanuel Emegha were agreed in 2025, with both players formally completing moves this month.

The Blues are also currently in talks to sign Brighton striker Danny Welbeck and Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson.

“The CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, will host a meeting of the CAF executive committee next week to… assess and evaluate the proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative,” CAF said in a statement late on Wednesday.

Football’s world governing body on Tuesday announced plans to create a commercial subsidiary to run its biggest events, such as the World Cup and Club World Cup.

Under the proposal, private investors would be allowed to acquire stakes in the company but would remain minority shareholders, FIFA said. The governing body hopes to raise up to $4.2 billion based on a valuation of $20 billion for FFE.

If approved, the project could provide each of FIFA’s 211 member associations with a one-off payment of $20 million in early 2027 and increase their funding allocation for the 2027-2030 cycle from $8 million to $20 million.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday described the initiative as a “golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally”.

However, the proposal has drawn criticism from UEFA, several leading European federations and European Union officials, who view it as another step in the commercialisation of sport and have raised concerns over potential conflicts of interest.

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have also expressed concern that the proposal was made public before FIFA’s 211 member associations were fully consulted.

CAF said it remained “committed to continue consulting and together with its member associations… in support of increasing financial and other resources for the development and growth of football in Africa and worldwide.”

Ghana’s medal tally currently stands at one medal after Zinabu Issah claimed a superb silver medal in the Women’s Para Shot Put T57, registering a throw of 8.65 metres to secure Team Ghana’s first podium finish of the Games.

Team Ghana Medal Tally

    •    🥇 Gold: 0
    •    🥈 Silver: 1
    •    🥉 Bronze: 0
    •    Total Medals: 1

With that performance, Ghana is currently joint 20th on the overall Commonwealth Games medal table alongside Sri Lanka.

The Games have also witnessed another landmark achievement for Ghanaian sport. Seventeen-year-old Hayford Addai produced a sensational performance in the Men’s 100m T47 Final, clocking 10.99 seconds to become the first Ghanaian T47 sprinter to officially break the 11-second barrier.

Although he finished fifth, Addai shattered his previous personal best of 11.09 seconds, marking one of Ghana’s most significant para-athletics achievements in recent years and underlining his immense potential ahead of future international championships.

Today’s programme presents another opportunity for Team Ghana to add to its medal tally, with athletes competing in both weightlifting and athletics.

Weightlifting

Abdul Salim Adjei – Men’s 110kg Final – 9:30 AM

Athletics

Evonne Britton – Women’s 100m Heat 1 – 11:30 AM

James Dadzie – Men’s 200m Semi-final 1 – 7:07 PM

Joseph Paul Amoah – Men’s 200m Semi-final 2

Mustapha Bokpin – Men’s 200m Semi-final 3

All eyes will be on Ghana’s sprint trio of James Dadzie, Joseph Paul Amoah and Mustapha Bokpin as they battle for places in the Men’s 200m final, while Abdul Salim Adjei will look to challenge for honours in the weightlifting arena.

With Zinabu Issah already delivering Ghana’s first medal and Hayford Addai rewriting the national record books, expectations remain high as Team Ghana continues its campaign in Glasgow.

The nation’s athletes have demonstrated resilience, determination and excellence, and supporters across Ghana will be hoping that today’s performances translate into more podium finishes as the Commonwealth Games gather momentum.

The 17-year-old sprinter entered the championship with a personal and season’s best of 11.09 seconds, but rose to the occasion on one of the biggest stages in para-sport by slicing 0.10 seconds off his previous mark and becoming the first Ghanaian T47 sprinter to officially break the 11-second barrier.

The race was won by India’s Dilip Mahadu Gavit, with compatriot Mohammed Basil Morssinganakath claiming silver to complete an impressive Indian one-two finish, while England’s Kevin Santos secured the bronze medal.

Although Addai narrowly missed out on a place on the podium, his performance has been widely hailed as one of Ghana’s brightest moments of the Games. Competing at his first Commonwealth Games, the young sprinter demonstrated remarkable composure and determination against an elite international field.

Addai’s progress over the past year has been exceptional. Earlier this season, he captured gold at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai with a time of 11.09 seconds before continuing his impressive form with another gold-medal performance in Rabat to qualify for Glasgow. His latest performance confirms his rapid development into one of Africa’s most promising para-athletes.

His performance is expected to provide a major confidence boost as he prepares for future international competitions, including the World Para Athletics Championships and the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

The National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Ghana praised Addai’s determination, noting that his new personal best reflects the rewards of discipline, consistent preparation and growing international experience. His achievement also reinforces Ghana’s increasing competitiveness in global para-athletics.

While the medals may have eluded him in Glasgow, Hayford Addai leaves Scotland with something equally significant—a new personal best, a historic sub-11-second performance, and the promise of an even brighter future for Ghanaian para-sport.

European football’s governing body kept up its offensive over the plans after it was discovered Fifa had sent a letter, seen by the BBC, to all 211 member associations giving them until 19 September to decide if they want to accept the deal, and with it the first $20m (£15m) of an initial $40m (£30m).

“We have learned of Fifa’s deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn,” said Uefa. “This says everything you need to know about this plan.”

It was Uefa’s second statement on the issue. The first claimed Fifa had “crossed a line”.

It is not known precisely what will be discussed at the meeting, which will be held virtually.

Many associations, including the Football Association, are furious at only learning through the media of the proposal to sell a 20% stake in Fifa competitions to private finance – led by the Thrive Eternal investment vehicle owned by Joshua Kushner, the brother-in-law of US President Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka.

FA chairwoman Debbie Hewitt was among the Fifa vice-presidents not given advance warning. Uefa’s unease has been echoed by the Asian, South American and North and Central American Confederations.

Former FA and Manchester City chairman David Bernstein said England must “withdraw” from the World Cup if Infantino’s proposals go through.

Three of the 2026 World Cup semi-finalists are among Uefa’s 55 members. It knows the nuclear option of its members pulling out of the tournament would severely damage the financial viability of the concept.

That is very much viewed as the outer edge of what is possible, particularly as one Uefa member has said it is broadly in agreement with Infantino’s proposals.

“We can see the pragmatic benefits for Czech football,” said Czech Republic FA president David Trunda.

Fifa’s explanation for controversial move

After widespread condemnation of both the proposals and the manner in which they have been created, Fifa released an eight-page document highlighting the reasons behind them on Wednesday evening.

Fifa said its view was that “too little of football’s growing commercial value has reached the parts of the game that need it most”.

It has been pointed out the sums being spoken about are more than some member associations spend annually and questions have been raised about the auditing of money Fifa already hands over in some parts of the world.

Despite this, Infantino feels the proposals would help provide funding for “better pitches, stronger national teams, more pathways for young players, and greater support for women’s football”.

In a video released by Fifa on Wednesday, Infantino defended the plans, calling them “an offer, not an obligation”.

“It’s part of a democratic process – a consultation process – and, above all, it is an opportunity but not an obligation,” he added.

“It is a golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally.”

Fifa points to the qualification of Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan for the World Cup for the first time as an example of the positive benefits of its work, although that was, in part, due to the expansion of the competition to 48 teams.

Fifa also cites Formula 1, La Liga, Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga as examples of other sporting organisations that use “dedicated commercial operations”.

It says private investors would “absolutely not” have any influence over the World Cup.

What has the reaction been?

Wednesday saw a stream of comment on the issue, most of it negative.

The European Leagues organisation said Fifa’s proposals represented “a reckless and divisive development for world football”.

“The World Cup should not be for sale. It is not the Fifa president’s private equity asset,” a statement read.

Global players’ union Fifpro called on Fifa to “reconsider its proposal without further delay”.

It said it had “noted with deep concern the proposal to transform the World Cup and other Fifa competitions into investable assets for private capital”.

Fifpro added that such a move “would fundamentally and irreversibly reshape the incentives underpinning the competitions” and it was “particularly troubling that a project of this magnitude has been developed largely behind closed doors”.

La Liga president Javier Tebas accused Infantino of trying to buy votes before the next Fifa congress in March.

“It doesn’t seem like a reform. It seems like an electoral campaign financed with the future of football,” Tebas said.

“Development cannot be used to buy votes or silences. The competitions and commercial rights of Fifa are not the personal patrimony of Infantino.

“Whoever mixes politics, discipline, money and power without transparency cannot lead anything.

“Infantino is not the solution to Fifa’s governance. He is the problem.”

Hans-Joachim Watzke, current vice-president of the German Football Association (DFB) and president of Borussia Dortmund, told Kicker magazine that Fifa’s plans are an “absolute attack on football”.

He said: “A line has been crossed here. If European football stands united against these plans, that carries a great deal of weight.”

Infantino has set a deadline of 19 September for football federations to accept his plans if they want to access an initial $20m (£15m).

Football’s world governing body has said it wants to create a commercial subsidiary to run its main events, including the World Cup, and external investors will be able to buy stakes in it.

Uefa, European football’s governing body, accused Fifa of using football “to enrich themselves and their friends”.

The incentive to nations comes less than 24 hours after the bombshell statement rocked football’s foundations, quickly leading to condemnation from Europe, Asia and North America.

It is understood Infantino even left some of Fifa’s eight vice-presidents in the dark about his plan, which it is claimed could raise $10bn (£7.5bn).

Infantino has signed a five-page letter, seen by the BBC, outlining the merits of his proposal.

The letter states that if member associations respond positively by the deadline, $20m will be “available immediately” from 1 January.

In a statement on Wednesday, Uefa said: “We have learned of Fifa’s deadline to associations to support their proposals or have the one-off payout offer withdrawn. This says everything you need to know about this plan.

“But having held discussions with many stakeholders across the game, Uefa knows there is significant and growing opposition to Fifa’s scheme.

“Fifa cannot continue to use our sport to enrich themselves and their friends. We can grow the game correctly.

“It’s time to prioritise associations, clubs, leagues, players and fans.”

In a video released by Fifa later on Wednesday, Infantino defended the plans, calling them “an offer, not an obligation”.

“It’s part of a democratic process – a consultation process – and, above all, it is an opportunity but not an obligation,” he added.

“It is a golden opportunity to turbocharge the development of the game globally.”

FA ‘completely unaware’ of proposals

Fifa says the money will come from “liquidating a minority portion” of its stake on Fifa Forward Enterprise, a subsidiary company set up to maximise commercial revenue that will include private investors.

Although Fifa suggested Infantino gave a broad outline of his proposal at a council meeting just before the World Cup final this month, others who were present rejected this strongly. They say Infantino merely offered an aspirational vision for the future around maximising revenue streams.

They now believe they were duped, with the events of the past 24 hours leading them to conclude negotiations have all been completed and now they are being presented with a fait accompli.

“It is my duty and responsibility as Fifa president to present such game-changing opportunities to you, our members,” said Infantino.

“It is equally my duty and responsibility to ensure such proposals are sufficiently complete and feasible, replete with substantiated figures and clear terms to assist you in the decision-making process.”

Opposition to the plan has been fierce, with many citing the lack of due process as the first point of their anger.

A Football Association spokesperson said: “We were completely unaware of this proposal and have no substantive details, including what the proposition actually is and what conditions are attached.

“Based on the limited information, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance to get to this point, and the apparent substance and principles involved.

“When the proposal is shared in the full and transparent way now promised by Fifa, we will make our views clear and comment further.”

Former FA and Manchester City chairman David Bernstein said England must “withdraw” from the World Cup if Infantino’s proposals go through.

“The whole thing is absolutely dreadful,” Bernstein told BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme.

“It’s totally unacceptable. It feels [like] cronyism, nepotism. It sort of stinks, frankly.”

He said that if critics of the plans want to try and save football from this “dreadful situation”, they must “have the guts to really follow it through” and refuse to play in the World Cup.

Uefa to hold emergency meeting

Uefa took the remarkable step of issuing a response to Fifa’s plans before they had been published on Tuesday, responding to initial newspaper reports.

It condemned the plans, saying they “crossed a line”. It intends to hold an emergency meeting of all 55 members this week to work on a plan of action.

Given the strength of feeling, it would be a surprise if the possibility of a boycott was not at least raised.

For Uefa, the situation is complex.

While the confederation only accounts for a quarter of Fifa’s 211-country membership, it does include most of the world’s most successful teams.

Six of the eight quarter-finalists – including winners Spain – at this summer’s World Cup were European. In the 2022 and 2018 editions, the figures were five and six respectively.

Uefa knows any competition Fifa puts together would be far less valuable if its members were not involved.

Fifa’s argument that it is compelled to look at proposals that would help it grow the game globally has led to fears about expansion at a time when proposals for a 64-team World Cup in 2030, which will be hosted by six countries in three confederations, are gathering pace.

That would have huge implications for the football calendar, which is already squeezed, partly because of the expansion of European club competitions.

One senior source within the English game told BBC Sport that the threat posed by Fifa’s plan is one of the biggest the game has faced and is on a par with the proposed European Super League, which created such controversy in 2021 and was scrapped within 48 hours.

It seems unlikely that Fifa will back down in the same manner over this.

This latest escalation extends a difficult relationship between Fifa and Uefa, which responded angrily to attempts to host the World Cup every two years when the idea was floated by former Arsenal manager and Fifa’s current chief of global football development Arsene Wenger in 2021.

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin boycotted the World Cup final this month in protest over a number of controversial moves, including US President Donald Trump stepping in to help turn USA forward Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban into a suspended ban, allowing him to play in the last-16 encounter with Belgium.

How has rest of football world reacted?

Uefa is not the only organisation unhappy with the situation.

Concacaf, which covers North and Central America and hosted this year’s World Cup, said in a statement: “We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process.

“We share the disappointment of many within our region and the game that this level of detail has been designed and shared publicly before any discussion with the relevant governance bodies and stakeholders has taken place.

“As leaders within football, we are the custodians of the game. Collectively, Fifa, the confederations and every member association have a responsibility to always act in the best interests of the sport.”

The French Football Federation said: “It obviously raises many questions, particularly ‌since we, the member federations, were not involved and we lack the specific information needed to weigh in on matters that are clearly fundamental to the future of football.”

La Liga president Javier Tebas accused Infantino of trying to buy votes before the next Fifa Congress in March.

“It doesn’t seem like a reform. It seems like an electoral campaign financed with the future of football,” Tebas said.

“Development cannot be used to buy votes or silences. The competitions and commercial rights of Fifa are not the personal patrimony of Infantino.

“Whoever mixes politics, discipline, money and power without transparency cannot lead anything.

“Infantino is not the solution to Fifa’s governance. He is the problem.”

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said: “While the AFC recognises the importance of exploring innovative approaches that can strengthen the future of global football, initiatives of this scale and consequence must be founded upon the principles of good governance, transparency and meaningful consultation.”

Hans-Joachim Watzke, vice-president of the German Football Association (DFB) and president of Borussia Dortmund, told Kicker magazine that Fifa’s plans are an “absolute attack on football”.

He said: “A line has been crossed here. If European football stands united against these plans, that carries a great deal of weight.”

Infantino’s predecessor Sepp Blatter said: “The close relationship between the Fifa president and the US president has reached a financial dimension that is deeply damaging football. No-one has the right to sell our game.”

European Football Clubs (EFC), an organisation representing more than 850 clubs, said it would have been “appropriate” for Fifa to consult them on “a proposal of such magnitude”.

It added: “We urge for calm and thorough consultation on all topics affecting the football ecosystem, together with more rigorous and transparent governance processes put in place to protect the game for the long term.”

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) said it has “not yet received any substantial details from Fifa concerning the reported proposals” and that it “is concerned that such matters have become public prior to being shared with Fifa’s member associations”.

However, there was support for the plan from a Uefa member in the shape of Czech Republic FA president David Trunda.

He told Sky News he could “see the pragmatic benefits for Czech football”.

“Of course we need more details but my personal point of view is that I can see the positive impact of Fifa’s intentions,” he said.

Global players’ union Fifpro called on Fifa to “reconsider its proposal without further delay”.

It said it had “noted with deep concern the proposal to transform the World Cup and other Fifa competitions into investable assets for private capital”.

It said such a move “would fundamentally and irreversibly reshape the incentives underpinning the competitions” and that it was “particularly troubling that a project of this magnitude has been developed largely behind closed doors” when it had “potentially far-reaching implications for player welfare, the international match calendar and the future governance of the game”.

The Confederation of African Football said its president Dr Patrice Motsepe will host a meeting of its executive committee next week to “assess and evaluate” the proposals.

After years of Manchester City dominance followed by Liverpool and Arsenal winning titles by at least seven points, the Premier League is due a wide open, unpredictable, multi-club title race.

Here are four reasons why 2026-27 could be that season.

New managers, new expectations

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Enzo Maresca (left), Andoni Iraola (centre) and Xabi Alonso (right) are all at new clubs this year

How do you replace the irreplaceable?

Manchester City are often title favourites having won six of the past nine Premier League trophies, but they start this new season without their greatest ever manager, Pep Guardiola.

The 55-year-old led City to 17 major trophies in 10 years, but left at the end of last season and has since been replaced by his former assistant Enzo Maresca.

Maresca has been out of work since stepping down as Chelsea boss in January.

The Blues also have a new gaffer. They replaced Maresca with Liam Rosenior in January but he was let go before the end of the season and now former Liverpool player Xabi Alonso is at the helm.

Alonso won the Bundesliga with an invincible Bayer Leverkusen team two years ago but last term had a difficult spell in charge of Real Madrid.

Many thought he would replace 2024-25 title-winner Arne Slot at Liverpool but the Reds instead have appointed Andoni Iraola, who finished sixth with Bournemouth last season.

That’s three huge clubs with three new managers.

What’s more, Manchester United’s Michael Carrick and Tottenham’s Roberto de Zerbi only took charge part way through last season.

So five of the traditional big six will start to the new campaign with a different manager to the one they had at the start of last season.

Only Mikel Arteta of Arsenal, appointed in 2019, remains.

Saliba’s absence might sink Arsenal

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: William Saliba made 50 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal last season

As defending champions and with an experienced manager, Arsenal are favourites for the Premier League title.

But a lengthy injury to a key starter could affect their title chances.

The club have said defender William Saliba is set to miss an “extended period” after suffering a back injury while at the World Cup with France.

Saliba, 25, made 50 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal last season and his formidable partnership with team-mate Gabriel was a big factor in them conceding fewer goals than anyone else in the division.

Arsenal have a tricky start to the season, facing Aston Villa and Chelsea in two of their first three matches.

Since Saliba’s debut in 2022, Arsenal have won 68.7% of their Premier League matches when he has been in the team (131 games).

When he has been sidelined, that win percentage drops to 47.6% (21 games).

Will European football obstruct Man Utd?

Image source: Getty Images

Last season, Manchester United played just 40 matches in all competitions, their fewest in a single campaign since 1914-15, and finished third.

Chelsea played 59 matches in all competitions and finished 10th.

Tottenham played 52 matches in all competitions and avoided relegation on the final day, finishing 17th.

Playing more matches does not always correlate with a lower league finish. Arsenal, for instance, won the Premier League title last season while reaching both the Champions League and Carabao Cup finals.

But fewer matches in other competitions does mean a team can rotate less, often have a full week of preparation between games and be less susceptible to injuries.

Spurs had a staggering 27 different players sidelined at some point last season.

Next season Chelsea and Tottenham are not playing European football, whereas Manchester United and eight other Premier League clubs are.

United have responded by targeting midfielders in the transfer market, having bought Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans from Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively.

But will those two additions be enough to cover the club’s increased workload?

Are Chelsea and Spurs dark horses?

Image source: Getty Images

Chelsea and Tottenham both underperformed last season, but the pair could pick up this term after going big in the transfer window.

Chelsea made England midfielder Morgan Rogers the most expensive British player in history this month by signing him from Aston Villa for a fee of £117m.

They’ve also spent £47m on full-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta and are close to deals for Danny Welbeck, Jordan Henderson and Maxence Lacroix.

Tottenham have almost matched Chelsea’s spending, parting with a club record £237m this summer.

In July, Spurs broke their transfer record twice in two days, first signing midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for £85m before bringing in Sandro Tonali from Newcastle for £100m.

They’ve also picked up Jan Paul van Hecke, for £52m from Brighton, Marcos Senesi, Andrew Robertson and Martin Dubravka.

With so many new signings and different managers, who knows what to expect?

This has been quite the summer for football here and Billy Hogan, CEO of Liverpool and Fenway Sports Group (FSG), insists the aim is to build on that after what has been a “super difficult year” for the club “for lots of different reasons.”

Hogan is speaking to BBC Sport in New York ahead of Andoni Iraola’s side taking on Wrexham at the famous Yankee Stadium on Wednesday evening at 19:30 local time, 00:30 BST.

However, for all the excitement around a new era on the pitch, it is events off the pitch that must be addressed first.

Last week, FSG, which owns Liverpool, confirmed that a consortium led by Amit Bhatia, a British-Indian millionaire businessman, was in talks over a strategic minority investment in the club. Those talks have been ongoing and there is a growing belief that a deal will be done.

“Look, John Henry (the principal owner) and FSG have always said that if there was an interest in an investment that would help the football club, then they would consider it. That was said many years ago and that remains the case here,” Hogan tells BBC Sport.

“At this point, I wouldn’t say anything different to the statement that a consortium led, managed and represented by Amit Bhatia has come forward and expressed an interest in a minority investment.”

Hogan, who has been with FSG since they purchased Liverpool for £300m in 2010, does stress though that they are still very much committed to the project and that news of this development should not be seen as a sign of the company, which also owns the Major League Baseball franchise, Boston Red Sox, stepping away.

According to the Financial Times, a deal with the consortium led by Bhatia would value Liverpool at more than £4.5bn.

“There’s a huge opportunity still,” Hogan says. “This is the biggest and most popular sport in the world and we’re one of the biggest clubs in the biggest league in the biggest sport in the world. So that’s a great place for us to be. The Premier League has a tremendous amount of momentum behind it.

“We’ve definitely not peaked. We’re in a good place to continue to grow and that’s why everyone across both sides of the club, football and business and whether they kick a ball or not, is focused on driving the club forward and winning trophies.

“On the pitch, our goal every season is to win trophies. Off the pitch, our priority is to continue driving overall revenues and expand and build the club.

“We’re really happy with the trajectory and direction of the club – we were fifth in the Deloitte Football Money League and had the highest revenue (£702m) in the Premier League.

“All of that investment, as has always been the case since 2010, goes back into the club. It’s about running the club sustainably.”

‘There’s transition but we are in a healthy place’

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: The Empire State Building was lit up in Liverpool red on Tuesday to celebrate the launch of the club’s new away kit

After a record summer spend last season of £450m, Liverpool were disappointing on the pitch.

Ultimately, that led to the sacking of Arne Slot at the end of the campaign. Senior players like Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all left on free transfers too.

It has been a summer of change at Liverpool with Michael Edwards stepping down as FSG’s CEO of football, primarily because plans of multi-club ownership were abandoned.

Meanwhile, Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director, is linked with a move to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. There is certainly a question of stability.

“Transition and change is inevitable in football. In our case, with a new coach coming in, there’s real excitement around Andoni’s mindset and philosophy that supporters will really enjoy,” says Hogan.

“That will take time but in terms of transition, I would send a message that we are in a very healthy place as a football club – the leadership from ownership is in a very steady place and we’re looking forward to the next season and the season ahead.”

Hogan insists that regardless of the personnel changes, the club model remains the same and they will continue to stick to their principles.

“It’s important to keep in mind that last season, a considerable amount was invested but also generated in terms of sales of players going out,” he says. “Over the course of FSG’s stewardship, the investment has always been focused on doing what’s best to put us in a place to win.

“Sometimes that means significant expense and other times it doesn’t like in the summer of 2024 when there was only one addition (Federico Chiesa for £12.5m). It depends on where we are at the club and the improvements needed. Ultimately Mike Gordon, who is really our managing owner, will make those decisions.”

There is an increased focus on the women’s team too, who finished 11th in the WSL last season and haven’t won the top-flight title since 2014.

“To be self-critical, that is probably an area that we maybe took our eye off the ball several years ago but we’ve changed that,” says Hogan.

“We now have one of the best training centres at AXA Melwood, we are investing in the squad and we will approach the women’s team the same way we approach the men’s team – which is to run it sustainably. There’s tremendous growth in the women’s game and a huge opportunity going forward to really drive that.”

‘We all want this club to be the best in the world’

It is still remarkable to think now that the club was on the verge of administration when FSG took over in 2010.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing. As recently as this year, Hogan wrote to fans over ticket price increases. The club cut the size of their planned rise in ticket prices for the next couple of seasons after fan protests.

However, under FSG’s stewardship, Anfield has been transformed, with two of the four stands developed in the last decade.

“Back when FSG acquired LFC, a number of similarities were drawn with Boston Red Sox and Liverpool and one of them was this idea of an iconic venue that truly sits in the community,” says Hogan. “One of the things we’re focused on now is making improvements in the footprint around Anfield the neighbourhood whether that’s infrastructure or transport and getting people in on non-match days. We’re proud of how we’ve expanded while keeping the soul but also modernising it in the way that’s befitting of the football club.

“Football doesn’t give you much time to sit back and reflect. What I would say I am most proud of is that the club is in such a positive and good financial position. If you go back to that point in 2010, the club was literally on the brink of bankruptcy. Now it has the right foundations underneath it. There’s improvements across the infrastructure, the ability to stay at Anfield for the long-term and the stuff that doesn’t always get headlines but are super important for the health of the club.

“Ultimately, it’s about winning trophies and I wish we could win more but we’ve been fortunate to win a few.

“I think our supporters have had a great time and I often think about the fan parks at the Champions League finals – we lost a couple but just that joy and the memories and frankly the fun of it is what I look back from time to time. And it’s something that everyone associated with Liverpool should be proud of because it happens together and we all want this club to be the best in the world.”

After a torrid year for Liverpool, where better to start looking ahead than in New York, the city of dreams?

The Netherlands international missed two months towards the end of last season because of an ankle injury, but returned in time for the Champions League final loss to Paris St-Germain.

However, a groin issue then caused him to miss the World Cup.

It is now understood that the right-back has returned to London from the Gunners’ training camp in Spain but sources insist the visit is part of his rehabilitation schedule and not because of a setback in his recovery.

Timber is expected to return to Spain to rejoin the squad.

Timber, the Gunners’ first-choice right-back, played 30 Premier League games as they won the title last season.

He joined Arsenal from Ajax in July 2023 for an initial fee of £34m, but missed most of his first season after tearing his anterior cruciate knee ligament.

Arsenal face Manchester City in the Community Shield on 16 August (15:00 BST), before beginning their Premier League title defence against promoted Coventry City on 21 August (20:00 BST).

Representing Ghana at the prestigious global forum was Dr Eric Tetteh Ayertey, a member of NPC Ghana’s Medical, Classification and Anti-Doping Team, whose participation was fully sponsored by NPC Ghana under the leadership of its President, Mr Samson Deen, as part of the Committee’s strategic investment in developing world-class technical expertise for the country’s Paralympic Movement.

The IPC Annual Classification Meeting is the Paralympic Movement’s premier global gathering dedicated to advancing athlete classification. It brings together classification leaders, medical experts, researchers, International Federations, National Paralympic Committees, Regional Organisations and technical classifiers to discuss emerging developments, share best practices, strengthen international collaboration and safeguard fairness and integrity across Para sport.

Throughout the four-day meeting, Dr Ayertey participated in high-level technical workshops, educational sessions, policy discussions and strategic engagements focused on the continuous evolution of athlete classification. He also engaged with leading international experts, exchanged knowledge on current classification practices and established valuable professional networks that will support the continued development of Ghana’s national classification programme.

The meeting also featured the 2026 IPC Classification Recognition Awards, where four distinguished international classification leaders were honoured for their outstanding lifetime contributions to advancing classification systems and protecting the integrity of Paralympic sport. Their achievements highlighted the critical role that education, research, innovation and technical excellence continue to play in the growth of the Paralympic Movement worldwide.

NPC Ghana believes the knowledge and expertise gained from the meeting will significantly strengthen Ghana’s classification capacity, enhance the development of local classifiers, improve athlete services and ensure the country continues to align with the latest international standards and best practices.

Speaking on NPC Ghana’s commitment to technical development, President Samson Deen said:

“Developing world-class technical expertise is just as important as preparing elite athletes. At NPC Ghana, we remain committed to investing in our Medical, Classification and Anti-Doping Team because a strong classification system is fundamental to fair competition and the sustainable growth of Para sport. Sponsoring Ghana’s participation at the IPC Annual Classification Meeting reflects our vision of building a technically strong and internationally respected Paralympic movement.”

Mr Deen noted that investing in education, research and international collaboration remains central to NPC Ghana’s long-term strategy of producing highly skilled technical personnel capable of supporting Ghanaian athletes throughout their sporting journey.

He added that NPC Ghana will continue to create opportunities for its medical and technical personnel to participate in international education programmes, conferences and certification initiatives, ensuring that Ghana remains at the forefront of Paralympic sport development in Africa.

The successful participation of Dr Eric Tetteh Ayertey at the 2026 IPC Annual Classification Meeting marks another important milestone in NPC Ghana’s ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional capacity, promote excellence in athlete classification and enhance the country’s technical readiness for future international competitions, including the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, future World Championships and the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

Under the leadership of President Samson Deen, NPC Ghana continues to prioritise investment in people, knowledge and technical excellence as essential pillars for building a stronger, more competitive and globally respected Paralympic Movement in Ghana.

The Black Queens made a dream start, breaking the deadlock just six minutes into the contest through Doris Boaduwaa.

The forward applied a composed finish from close range after being brilliantly picked out by experienced defender Portia Boakye, giving Ghana an early advantage.

The early goal allowed Kim Lars Björkegren’s side to dictate proceedings, with the Black Queens enjoying the lion’s share of possession and controlling the tempo throughout the first half.

Cape Verde struggled to create meaningful openings as Ghana’s organised defence kept their opponents at bay.

Ghana’s pressure eventually produced a second goal nine minutes after the restart. Under sustained pressure inside the penalty area, Cape Verde defender Eleia Vieira inadvertently diverted the ball into her own net, doubling the Black Queens’ lead and putting the result beyond doubt.

The Black Queens continued to dominate the contest, moving the ball confidently and restricting Cape Verde to limited opportunities in front of goal.

Goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan was rarely called into action as Ghana comfortably managed the game.

Björkegren freshened up his side in the second half, introducing Alice Kusi, Princella Adubea, Abena Opoku and Evelyn Badu from the bench to help maintain the team’s intensity and secure a clean sheet.

Cape Verde’s difficult afternoon ended on a disappointing note when Klaydiana Borges received a straight red card deep into stoppage time, forcing the tournament newcomers to finish the match with 10 players.

The victory gives Ghana the perfect start in Group D as the Black Queens aim to better their bronze medal finish from the previous edition of the competition.

The result also underlined the experience of a side making its 12th WAFCON appearance against a Cape Verde team playing at the finals for the first time.

Despite the defeat, Cape Verde can take pride in reaching the tournament after a memorable qualification campaign, marking a historic milestone for women’s football in the island nation.

The Black Queens will now turn their attention to their second Group D fixture against Cameroon on August 2, while Cape Verde will look to bounce back in their next outing.

The national 200m record holder clocked 20.36 seconds to qualify for the semi-finals, continuing his impressive form on the international stage.

Amoah qualified with Jamaica’s Christopher Taylor in his heat, who also clocked 20.36s.

The captain, who won a 200m bronze medal for Ghana at the 2022 Games in Birmingham, controlled the race from the curve to comfortably advance as he targets another podium finish in Glasgow.

Amoah returns on Thursday for the semi-finals to secure a spot in the final and lead Ghana’s sprint campaign from the front.

The 22-year-old sprint star was unable to complete Heat 4 of the women’s 200m after feeling a sharp pain in her right knee midway through the race.

Afrifa had been recovering from an injury sustained during Team Ghana’s pre-games training camp at the Derby Arena and was making her first appearance in Glasgow.

Her latest setback casts doubt over her availability for the women’s 4x100m relay, where she is expected to play a key role.

Team Ghana’s medical staff is monitoring her condition and will assess the injury before making a decision on her availability to compete in the event.

Afrifa’s injury is a blow to Ghana’s athletics team, which has enjoyed encouraging performances in their respective events and will be hoping she recovers in time for the relay.

Pappoe’s withdrawal comes ahead of his scheduled quarter-final bout, ending a promising campaign that had raised hopes of a medal finish for Ghana at the Games.

According to CGA Ghana, the boxer underwent a medical assessment by Team Ghana’s medical team following the injury, with the evaluation determining that he was not fit to continue competing.

The decision to withdraw him was reached after consultations among the medical team, coaching staff and Games officials, who agreed that protecting Pappoe’s health and ensuring his long-term recovery was the priority.

CGA Ghana described the development as a major setback for the boxer and the team, noting that Pappoe had shown impressive form and was determined to progress to the semi-finals.

The Association commended him for his dedication, hard work and commitment throughout his preparations for the Commonwealth Games.

It also assured him of its full support during his recovery, expressing confidence that he would return to the ring stronger and continue representing Ghana at future international competitions.

“Team Ghana believes Desmond Pappoe will make a full recovery and return to the ring stronger, with the opportunity to continue representing Ghana at future international competitions,” the Association said.

CGA Ghana also praised the team’s medical personnel for their swift and professional response in managing the injury, reiterating that the welfare of athletes remains its top priority.

Although Pappoe’s withdrawal is a blow to Ghana’s medal hopes in boxing, Team Ghana has vowed to remain focused on its objectives as athletes continue competing in other events at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Queiroz, 73, was appointed on a short-term contract weeks before the tournament in North America, replacing Otto Addo as head coach.

Despite limited preparation time, the experienced Portuguese coach guided Ghana to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time since the Black Stars’ historic quarterfinal appearance in 2010.

However, uncertainty has surrounded his future following Ghana’s elimination from the competition, with some supporters calling for his departure while President John Dramani Mahama has publicly backed the retention of the veteran coach.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Ghana Football Association Executive Council member Nana Oduro Sarfo said a final decision on Queiroz’s future would be made after the association reviews the technical reports submitted after the tournament.

“Carlos Queiroz’s future will be decided after the GFA reviews his reports,” he said.

The GFA Executive Council is expected to meet on Friday, July 31, to assess the reports before determining whether Queiroz will continue as Black Stars coach.

Ghana started its World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Panama before recording a goalless draw against England in the second group game.

A 2-1 defeat to Croatia in the final group match saw the Black Stars finish third in their group, but they advanced to the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams.

Their World Cup journey ended after a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the knockout stage.

With the tournament concluded, attention has now shifted to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which begin in September.

Ghana has been drawn in Group C alongside Gambia, Ivory Coast and Somalia as the Black Stars seek to return to the continental competition after missing the previous edition.

The Minister paid a morale-boosting visit to the team’s training session in Morocco on the eve of Wednesday’s Group C encounter.

He delivered messages of encouragement on behalf of the Executive, Parliament and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.

Addressing the players and technical team, Hon. Adams assured the Black Queens that the entire nation stands firmly behind them as they embark on their quest for continental success.

“I bring you warm greetings and the unwavering support of the Executive and Parliament. The whole nation is behind you, believing in your talent and your ability to make Ghana proud.

The Minister urged the players to approach every match with belief and determination, reminding them that they carry the hopes of millions of Ghanaians.

“When you step onto that pitch, play with courage, play for one another and play for the millions of Ghanaians who believe in you. Leave everything on the field and let your performances speak for the nation.”

He also challenged the team to embrace the opportunity before them and write a memorable chapter in Ghana’s football history.

“This tournament is your stage to inspire a generation. You have been here before last year, and you performed. We are back to do it again and even better than last year. Go out there, compete fearlessly and show Africa the true spirit of the Black Queens.”

Hon. Adams commended the players and technical staff for their commitment throughout preparations and expressed confidence that their hard work would translate into positive performances during the tournament.

The Black Queens will kick off their WAFCON 2026 campaign against Cape Verde on Wednesday, July 29, at the Moulay Rachid Stadium.

Ghana will begin their Group D campaign against tournament debutants Cape Verde today at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, with the Swedish tactician backing his players to make a positive start.

Speaking at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference, Björkegren praised the commitment, tactical awareness and determination within his squad, insisting that the Black Queens are ready to compete at the highest level.

“We will see a Black Queens team that will go for the attack. I will say we are the best high-pressing team in Africa. I know we have a strong defence. I really believe in this group of girls. They will do everything to win the game,” the Swedish coach said.

The Black Queens, who secured a bronze medal at the previous edition of the WAFCON, are aiming for a strong tournament as they seek not only continental success but also qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year.

After facing Cape Verde, Ghana will continue their Group D campaign against Cameroon on Sunday, August 2, 2026, before concluding the group stage with a clash against Mali on Thursday, August 6, 2026.

With renewed ambition and a squad determined to make an impact, Björkegren believes the Black Queens have the quality and mentality required to challenge Africa’s best.

Ayew has faced intense scrutiny from sections of Ghanaian football fans after the Black Stars exited the tournament at the Round of 32 stage following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia.

The experienced forward captained Ghana to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time since the 2010 edition, featuring in all four matches during the tournament.

However, his performances failed to satisfy many supporters, with some calling for him to be dropped from the national team.

Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Akwasi Adu defended the former Leicester City, Swansea City and Olympique Marseille attacker, insisting that Ayew’s years of dedicated service to Ghana should not be overlooked.

“Jordan Ayew has served Ghana with dedication and distinction. If he chooses to leave the national team, he deserves our respect and gratitude,” he said.

The Black Stars’ World Cup campaign ended at the Round of 32 stage after their defeat to Colombia, bringing to a close an encouraging tournament run that saw them reach the knockout stage for the first time in 16 years.

Attention now shifts to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which begin in September.

Ghana has been drawn in Group C alongside Gambia, Ivory Coast and Somalia as the four-time African champions seek to secure qualification for the continental tournament.

Football’s world governing body has said it wants to create a new commercial subsidiary to run its main events, including the World Cup, and external investors will be able to buy stakes in it.

That has prompted fears that too much influence in those competitions will be handed to private investors, although Fifa says it will enable more money to be distributed to football associations around the globe.

European football’s governing body took the remarkable step of issuing a response to Fifa’s plans before they had been published on Tuesday, responding to initial reports in the Financial Times and the Times as it condemned the plans, saying they had “crossed a line”.

The meeting will be held virtually and offer the opportunity to work out a plan of action.

Given the strength of feeling – the Football Association says it was not consulted before Fifa released its proposals shortly after Uefa’s statement was made public – it would be a surprise if the possibility of a boycott was not at least raised.

While Uefa knows it only accounts for a quarter of Fifa’s 211-country membership, the body includes most of the world’s most successful teams.

Six of the eight quarter-finalists – and the winners, Spain – at this summer’s World Cup were European. In the 2022 and 2018 editions the figures were five and six respectively.

Uefa knows any competition Fifa puts together would be far less valuable if its members were not involved.

Fifa’s argument that it is compelled to look at proposals that would help it grow the game globally has led to fears that, in the search for greater revenue, its major competitions – the men’s and women’s World Cup and corresponding Club World Cup – could be played more often and include more participants.

That would have huge implications for the football calendar, which is already squeezed, partly because of the expansion of European club competitions.

One senior source within the English game told BBC Sport that the threat posed by Fifa’s plan is one of the biggest the game has faced and is on a par with the European Super League, which created such controversy in 2021 and was scrapped within 48 hours.

It seems improbable that Fifa will back down in the same manner.

Fifa said its plan is to extend global development funding to $10bn (£7.5bn). It is also planning to offer each of the 211 member associations the opportunity to access up to $20m (£15m) in one-off capital.

This latest escalation extends a difficult relationship between Fifa and Uefa, which responded angrily to attempts to host the World Cup every two years when the idea was floated by former Arsenal manager and Fifa’s current chief of global football development Arsene Wenger in 2021.

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin boycotted the World Cup final this month in protest at a number of controversial moves.

They included US President Donald Trump stepping in to help turn USA forward Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban into a suspended ban, allowing him to play in the last-16 encounter with Belgium.

Cucurella helped Spain win the World Cup this month as they beat Argentina 1-0 in the final.

Cucurella, who joined Real Madrid from Chelsea for £52m in June, revealed the tattoo – a portrait of De la Fuente holding the World Cup in front of a number 26 – on social media.

“Promise kept,” Cucurella wrote alongside pictures and video of him having the tattoo done.

After the final De la Fuente said he expected Cucurella to stick to his word.

“I’ve already told them, ‘did you make a mistake?” he joked in his post-match news conference. “They did, but they’ll enjoy it.

“I’m not so terribly ugly that they will need to put it somewhere nobody can see it. But it makes me laugh and I am proud they keep their promises.”

Cucurella carried his wife’s pyjama top with him as a lucky charm during the World Cup, and recently said he has his trademark long, curly hair so his child can easily keep track of him during matches.

Welbeck, 35, is set to link up with his new club in Hong Kong next week for pre-season as he prepares to sign a two-year contract.

The move is part of new manager Xabi Alonso’s recruitment drive to add experience to Chelsea’s squad, which has been the youngest in the Premier League for the past two seasons.

Their focus on youth has been viewed as a factor in their inability to challenge consistently for major honours.

Towards the end of last season’s disappointing campaign, when they finished 10th and won nothing, Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali said their recruitment model needed a “tweak”.

Since then, Chelsea have made an offer to reunite Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka, 34, with Alonso – they won the Bundesliga title together at Bayer Leverkusen in 2024.

They have also signed 26-year-old centre-back Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace on a six-year contract, pending an official announcement, while talks continue over a deal for Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson, 36.

Morgan Rogers, signed for a club record £117m from Aston Villa earlier this month, is also relatively experienced, despite having just turned 24.

The club have also signed 21-year-old full-back Marco Palestra from Atalanta.

Welbeck, formerly of Manchester United and Arsenal, has hit 90 goals in 400 top-flight appearances – and is the leading Premier League scorer at Brighton, who he joined on a free transfer from Watford in 2021.

His arrival would leave Chelsea with six senior strikers on their books as they look to build around Joao Pedro and Welbeck, with others available for loan or sale.

Among those who could leave on either a permanent deal or loan are Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap and Marc Guiu.

The Blues have also brought in Dutch striker Emmanuel Emegha from sister club Strasbourg this summer and he could remain part of the squad.

From the established powerhouses of Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria to a growing crop of contenders from across the continent, Africa enters the Games with strong medal ambitions and a host of athletes capable of reaching the podium.

Early results have already highlighted Africa’s strong start to Glasgow 2026. Nigeria has established itself among the leading nations on the medal table, while South Africa has enjoyed success both in and out of the pool.

South African swimming legend Chad le Clos made history by claiming his 19th Commonwealth Games medal, becoming the most decorated male athlete in Games history, while the country’s netball team delivered a record-breaking 96-42 victory over Tonga.

Elsewhere, African athletes and teams from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Botswana have featured prominently across swimming, netball, basketball and para-sport competition, underlining the continent’s growing influence at the Games.

Athletics remains the heartbeat of African success, and Kenya is once again expected to be among the continent’s standout performers. Long recognised as a global powerhouse in middle- and long-distance running, Kenya continues to produce athletes capable of challenging for medals at the highest level.

The country’s blend of established international stars and emerging talent positions it strongly as athletics competition gets underway in Glasgow.

Nigeria has also arrived in Glasgow with significant expectations, particularly in the sprint and field events. Athletes such as Favour Ashe, who is competing in the men’s 100m, represent a new generation determined to re-establish Nigeria’s sprinting pedigree on the Commonwealth stage.

Combined with Nigeria’s traditional strength in athletics, weightlifting and para-sport, the nation is well placed to continue adding to its early medal haul.

South Africa enters the Games with one of the most balanced teams on the continent. World champion swimmer Pieter Coetzé headlines a swimming squad capable of challenging for multiple medals, while the country continues to field strong contenders across athletics, netball, boxing and para-sport. South Africa’s early performances have already demonstrated the breadth and depth of its sporting programme, with further medal opportunities expected as the Games progress.

Beyond the traditional heavyweights, Africa’s competitive depth continues to grow. Botswana’s sprint programme has established itself as a global force, while nations including Zambia, Uganda and several emerging Commonwealth teams are steadily increasing their presence and impact on the international stage.

This growing competitiveness reflects broader improvements in athlete development, investment and high-performance systems across the continent.

The streamlined Glasgow programme may also work in Africa’s favour. With athletics and swimming remaining central to the competition schedule, many of the continent’s strongest disciplines occupy the spotlight.

The compact format places added emphasis on quality over quantity, creating opportunities for specialist athletes to maximise their medal prospects.

Ultimately, Africa’s story at Glasgow 2026 is no longer one of emergence it is one of sustained excellence and growing influence. From the explosive speed of African sprinters to the relentless endurance of East Africa’s distance runners and the world-class performances emerging across the continent’s sporting landscape, African athletes are expected to be among the defining performers of these Games.

As Glasgow’s medal battles continue, attention will increasingly turn to how many podium finishes the continent can secure and which African stars will seize the moment on one of the Commonwealth’s biggest sporting stages.

5 Commonwealth Games Records to Watch During Glasgow 2026:

1. Men’s 100m (Athletics) | Tuesday, 28 July – Evening Session from 5:30 PM

The Commonwealth Games record in the men’s 100m could face a serious challenge. With athletes such as Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo and a host of Commonwealth sprinters regularly producing world-class times, the sprint showcase remains one of the most anticipated events of the Games.

2. Women’s Mile (Athletics)

Middle-distance running standards continue to rise globally, and the return of the historic Commonwealth Mile is one of the most intriguing events on the athletics programme. Commonwealth athletes have continued to push performance boundaries in recent years, raising the possibility of another standout performance in Glasgow.

3. Men’s 400m (Athletics) | Saturday, 1 August – Morning Session from 9AM

The 400m remains one of the strongest events within the Commonwealth. Botswana, South Africa and Zambia have all produced elite athletes in recent years, creating the conditions for a fast and highly competitive final. The men’s 400m final forms part of the closing athletics programme.

4. Women’s 200m Butterfly (Swimming) | Wednesday, 29 July – Heats at 9:30 AM and Final at 8PM

Swimming standards continue to improve at a rapid rate, and the women’s 200m butterfly is among the events that could produce a record-breaking performance. The quality of the field should make this one of the most closely watched races in the pool.

5. Most Medals Won by a Single Athlete at One Games | Until 2 August

The record of eight medals at a single Commonwealth Games remains an extraordinary achievement. However, modern multi-event swimmers and gymnasts continue to compete across packed schedules, ensuring this benchmark remains firmly on watchlists throughout the competition.

This record is not tied to a specific event and will be tracked throughout the Games as leading swimmers and gymnasts accumulate medals across individual and relay competitions.

5 Commonwealth Games Facts

• The first Commonwealth Games were held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930 and were originally known as the British Empire Games.
• The Games are held every four years and bring together athletes from across the Commonwealth.
• Participation has grown from 11 nations and approximately 400 athletes to more than 70 nations and thousands of competitors.
• Australia remains the most successful nation in Commonwealth Games history.
• The event is widely known as the “Friendly Games” because of its emphasis on unity, inclusion and sportsmanship.

The race is expected to produce one of the fastest T47 finals in Commonwealth Games history, with the world’s leading athletes separated by mere hundredths of a second.

Based on the official entry list, India’s Mohammed Basil Morssinganakath (10.63) and Dilip Mahadu Gavit (10.64) enter the final as the top two seeds and are widely regarded as the favourites for the gold medal. England’s Kevin Santos (10.76) and Australia’s Jaydon Page (10.87) are also expected to mount strong podium challenges.

For Ghana, however, all eyes will be on Hayford Addai, whose remarkable rise over the past year has transformed him into one of the country’s brightest para-athletics prospects.

Addai arrives in Glasgow fresh from capturing gold at the 2026 Dubai World Para Athletics Grand Prix, where he clocked a personal best of 11.09 seconds. That performance places him sixth on the entry list but only 0.05 seconds behind Nigeria’s Ifeanyi Christian (11.04) and within striking distance of the leading medal contenders.

Championship sprint races are rarely decided by rankings alone. Reaction time, race execution, wind conditions and the ability to deliver under pressure often determine the outcome.

Those factors leave the medal race wide open for athletes capable of producing a personal best when it matters most.

Analysts expect the medals to be decided in approximately:

• 🥇 Gold: 10.70–10.90 seconds
• 🥈 Silver: 10.90–11.00 seconds
• 🥉 Bronze: 11.00–11.20 seconds

For Hayford Addai, reproducing or improving upon his season’s best could prove decisive.

A performance close to 11.00 seconds would keep the Ghanaian firmly in the fight for a podium finish; while breaking into the 10.9-second range could elevate him into genuine gold-medal contention should the favourites fail to produce their best races.

The official entry rankings for the final are:

With just 0.46 seconds separating Hayford Addai from the fastest entrant on paper and only 0.05 seconds between him and fifth seed Ifeanyi Christian, the margins are remarkably narrow by championship standards.

For Team Ghana, the expectation is clear: if Addai delivers another career-best performance, the national flag could once again be raised on the Commonwealth Games podium.

As the starter calls the athletes to their blocks in Glasgow, millions of Ghanaians will be watching in anticipation, believing that Hayford Addai has both the speed and determination to challenge the Commonwealth’s very best.

The stage is set. The opportunity is real. Now comes the race.

In a statement signed by Director General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, the NSA praised Issah for securing Ghana’s first medal of the Games in the Women’s F57 Shot Put, noting that her achievement reflects the determination, resilience and exceptional talent of Ghana’s para-athletes. The Authority said the silver medal has once again placed Ghana on the international sporting stage and serves as an inspiration to athletes across the country.

The statement further highlighted the historical significance of Issah’s performance, recalling that Ghana’s first para-athletics medal at the Commonwealth Games was also won by a Ghanaian para-athlete in New Delhi 2010. According to the NSA, Issah’s latest success continues that proud legacy and demonstrates the growing strength of para sports in Ghana.

As the Commonwealth Games continue in Glasgow, the National Sports Authority also extended words of encouragement to Hayford Addai, who is preparing to compete in the Men’s T47 100 metres. The Authority expressed confidence that Addai has the ability to raise Ghana’s flag even higher and urged him to compete with courage, resilience and national pride.

The NSA further commended Samson Deen, President of the National Paralympic Committee of Ghana, recognising his leadership and long-term commitment to the development of para sports. The statement acknowledged that Ghana’s recent international successes are the result of years of strategic planning, investment and dedication to creating opportunities for athletes with disabilities to excel on the world stage.

The Authority concluded by wishing every member of Team Ghana success in their remaining events at the ongoing Commonwealth Games, expressing confidence that the athletes will continue to make the nation proud through outstanding performances.

With Zinabu Issah already delivering Ghana’s first podium finish in Glasgow and several para-athletes still in action, hopes to remain high that Team Ghana can add more medals before the curtain falls on the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The Brazil international is a key target for Spurs head coach Roberto de Zerbi and City are aware of the interest in the 22-year-old.

It is understood Savinho is keen to leave during this transfer window, with the machinations towards his potential move to London now under way.

The attacker joined City from sister club Troyes for £30.8m in July 2024, having spent the previous season on loan at Spanish side Girona.

Tottenham held talks to sign Savinho last summer, but the Etihad club were not looking to sell at that stage.

He subsequently signed a two-year contract extension last October, keeping him at City until 2031.

Savinho was a regular under Pep Guardiola in his first season, scoring three times in 48 appearances all competitions.

However, his game time was more limited last term, appearing in 36 matches across all competitions in Guardiola’s final campaign as boss.

Savinho had competition for a starting spot with Rayan Cherki, who joined from Lyon last summer, and Antoine Semenyo, a January signing from Bournemouth, also used on the right-hand side.

Fifa – the sport’s global governing body – said it intends to expand “football development funding” to more than $10bn (£7.5bn) and invite third-party investment in a new venture.

The story was first reported in the Financial Times and the Times, with the latter claiming the plans could potentially earn Fifa president Gianni Infantino tens of millions of pounds.

In a lengthy statement outlining the proposals, Fifa says it will “invite third parties to make minority, non-controlling investments” in a new subsidiary – Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) – to “consolidate” its commercial and event operations.

The plan still needs to be passed by a vote of Fifa’s 211 member nations. But if approval is granted, Fifa says Thrive Eternal is expected to lead the proposed investor group for FFE.

Thrive is an American venture capital firm founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared.

Fifa sources have told BBC Sport there has been no discussion over Infantino, or anyone else, becoming chief executive of FFE.

In its statement, Fifa did say Infantino and the rest of the organisation “has a duty” to control the development of the project. Fifa has not said precisely what that means, or what the specific nature of Infantino’s involvement will be.

As part of its pitch Fifa says all member associations will be able to access up to $20m (£15m) in “one-off capital” to fund development.

Infantino said every nation should benefit from the riches football creates.

“Parts of the game have turned that popularity into remarkable commercial value – and we celebrate that success and want it to continue, because it lifts the whole game,” he said.

“Our job is to make sure the rest of football grows with it: Fifa exists to support sustainable, inclusive development in every corner of the world.”

However, Uefa has issued a statement criticising the proposals, which it claimed “crosses a line”.

Burnham said going ahead with the idea would mean Fifa had “sold out”.

He wrote on X: “Let me say this very directly. Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine.

“The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone’s to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out.

“Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will.”

The Football Association says it was unaware of Fifa’s plans when they were released.

‘None of us are the owners of football’

Fifa argues its plan, with a dedicated commercial subsidiary, is similar to that used by governing bodies in other sports.

In 2018, Premiership Rugby announced a partnership with private equity and investment advisory firm CVC Capital Partners.

However, Uefa sees Tuesday’s announcement as a step too far – and raises the potential for further expansion of Fifa competitions in order to raise revenue, both in terms of size and frequency, which could threaten its own lucrative competitions.

“This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross,” Uefa said.

“Uefa takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder who cares about the future of the game.

“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not Fifa’s to sell.”

Fifa says it would retain control of FFE “and exclusive authority over football governance, competitions, the international match calendar and all regulatory and sporting decisions”.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire told BBC Sport the proposals are “an opportunity for Fifa to generate even more money” and there are an “awful lot of interested parties in the game who want a slice of the action”.

He added there was likely going to be pressure for a 64-team World Cup and for it to take place every two years if the FFE organisation is set up because it has “got to make money in order to satisfy the shareholders”.

The matter is likely to be a topic of conversation at the next Fifa Council meeting in the autumn and then around the Fifa Intercontinental Cup, featuring Champions League winners Paris St-Germain, in December.

The proposal could be voted on by all 211 members at the Fifa Congress in Morocco in March.

New manager Enzo Maresca said on Friday that Rodri would have an operation on Monday, and that he “needs a holiday, he needs to rest and recover and then he will be back with us”.

No timeline has been set for his return.

City face Arsenal in the Community Shield on 16 August before their Premier League opener against Bournemouth on 23 August.

City said Rodri had been “feeling discomfort for some time but has now undergone a procedure to address the issue”.

Rodri, who has a year left on his contract, has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid after guiding Spain to World Cup glory this month. He was named player of the tournament.

His past two seasons have been heavily disrupted by injury, and he missed most of City’s 2024-25 campaign with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Meanwhile, as reported by BBC Sport in June, defender Josko Gvardiol has signed a new five-year deal which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2031.

The 24-year-old Croatia international has made 122 appearances for City since joining from RB Leipzig in August 2023, winning six trophies, including the Premier League in his debut campaign.

Chief refereeing officers from all 55 European national football associations met last week with Uefa refereeing officials and a representative from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to address recent changes to the game’s laws.

Attendees said “lengthy, microscopic reviews” indicate VAR has gone beyond its original scope.

When VAR was added to the laws of the game in 2018 by football’s rulemakers IFAB, its “philosophy” was “minimum interference – maximum benefit”, with the intention of reducing “unfairness caused by clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents” relating to goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identity.

Uefa said that at its recent meeting, refereeing bosses agreed a return to those original aims is needed.

“It was reiterated that, in accordance with protocol, VAR must only intervene in situations of ‘clear and obvious’ error, ie. when a referee decision is blatantly incorrect or when the referee has missed a clear incident,” Uefa said in a statement.

“VAR is not meant to re-referee the game; it is an essential support to the referees, who must remain at the centre of all decision-making.

“Lengthy, microscoping reviews are often a symptom revealing that the decision on the field was not clearly and obviously incorrect, and should therefore be limited.”

Officials acknowledged recent clarification from IFAB around the correct interpretation of the “mistaken identity” rule introduced before this summer’s World Cup, which says that if a player is booked or sent off but the foul was committed by the opposition team, the decision can be changed.

Switzerland’s Breel Embolo was the first player to be sent off as a result of the new law following a controversial second yellow card for simulation against Argentina. Leandro Paredes originally received a yellow card for his challenge before VAR intervened.

IFAB clarified that VAR can only review cautions to “identify the player who committed the offence that was penalised, not to review or alter the offence”.

There was also “unanimous support” for recent rule changes designed to reduce unnecessary delays, including time limits on goal-kicks, throw-ins and substitutions, and new regulations around on-field injuries and goalkeeper tactical timeouts.

Azamati clocked a time of 10.11 seconds in the final, having booked his place by advancing as one of the fastest losers from the semifinals.

Cameroon’s reigning African champion Emmanuel Eseme powered to victory in dominant style, setting a new Commonwealth Games record of 9.83 seconds to claim the gold medal.

Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy finished second to take silver, while Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi secured the bronze medal.

Despite missing the podium, Azamati’s appearance in the final marked another strong showing for Team Ghana at the Games.

Ghana’s focus now turns to the men’s 200m competition on Wednesday, where Joseph Paul Amoah, James Dadzie and Mustapha Bokpin will be looking to challenge for honours and boost the country’s medal prospects on the track.

The 26-year-old clocked an impressive 24.03 seconds in the heats, breaking Ghana’s national record in the event. However, the time was not enough to secure qualification for the final.

It marks Jackson’s second national record of the Games, underlining his outstanding form in Glasgow.

Earlier in the competition, the two-time Olympian rewrote Ghana’s record in the men’s 50m backstroke after posting a time of 26.48 seconds, eclipsing the previous national mark of 26.84 seconds. He finished seventh in his heat, narrowly missing qualification for the semi-finals.

Jackson’s performances further reinforce his reputation as Ghana’s premier swimmer. He has represented the country at both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and boasts an impressive medal haul from the African Championships and African Games.

The experienced swimmer also enjoyed success at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, where he reached the semi-finals of both the men’s 50m and 100m butterfly events.

Although he fell short of reaching the 50m butterfly final in Glasgow, Jackson leaves the Games with two new national records, a testament to his consistency and continued excellence on the international stage while providing another significant boost for Ghanaian swimming.

The African Games champion secured victory over England’s Ellis Trowbridge, earning a 4-1 points decision to advance to the next round.

Amadu is guaranteed bronze after reaching the semi-finals, securing Ghana’s second medal at the Games.

He returns on Friday, July 31, where he takes on Australia’s Jye Dixon in the semi-finals of the men’s 55kg division. 

The African Games champion could finish with a silver or gold medal if he advances to the final.

Meanwhile, Ghana’s Jibril Muntari suffered a unanimous defeat, ending his Commonwealth Games campaign

Muntari missed out on semi-final qualification after losing in the men’s 90kg quarterfinals to Northern Ireland’s Garyn McAllister.

The 24-year-old reportedly lost two iPhones, a watch valued at around €8,000, and his wallet during the incident.

Belgian authorities have since launched an investigation into the robbery, with reports indicating that two suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack.

Despite the ordeal, Fuseini has returned to training with Belgian top-flight side Union Saint-Gilloise after undergoing medical checks to assess his condition.

The former Right To Dream Academy graduate featured prominently for Union SG last season, making 27 appearances in the Belgian league and scoring three goals across all competitions.

Fuseini has also earned two caps for Ghana’s senior national team, with both appearances coming during the Black Stars’ participation in the 2025 Unity Cup. He scored in Ghana’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in the competition.

Before joining Union Saint-Gilloise, Fuseini played for Austrian side Sturm Graz, where he helped the club secure the Austrian Bundesliga title and the Austrian Cup.

Jackson continued his impressive form by clocking 24.11s, improving on his entry time of 24.22s to secure an automatic qualification spot.

The Ghanaian finished fourth in his heat and placed 14th overall out of 70 swimmers, keeping Team Ghana’s hope alive in the swimming competition.

Canada’s Joshua Liendo topped the heats with a time of 23.66s, followed by Australia’s Cam McEvoy and England’s Jacob Peters, who both recorded 23.74s.

Meanwhile, Ghana’s Unilez Takyi missed out on qualification after finishing seventh in her heat.

Takyi recorded a time of 27.13s, bringing her Commonwealth Games campaign in the event to an end.

Ghana’s 4x100m medley relay team also failed to qualify for the semi-finals after finishing their heat with a time of 4.16.85s, placing them 15th out of the 19 competing nations.

Ghana’s senior women’s national team will begin their continental campaign on Wednesday against tournament debutants Cape Verde at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.

Ahead of their Group A opener, the Swedish tactician outlined the team’s objectives for the competition, stressing that qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and winning the WAFCON title remain their ultimate targets.

“We have three targets: qualify from the group stage, win the quarter-finals to qualify for the World Cup and go all the way to win the 2026 WAFCON,” Björkegren told the media on Tuesday.

The Black Queens head into the tournament with renewed confidence following weeks of intensive preparations in Morocco.

The team ended their pre-tournament activities with an impressive 4-0 victory over Malawi in a friendly match, a result that has boosted morale ahead of their opening fixture.

Ghana finished third at the last edition of the WAFCON and are hoping to build on that performance by mounting a serious challenge for their first-ever continental title.

Björkegren believes the team has made significant progress since he took charge and is confident they can compete among the best teams in Africa.

“We were happy with the bronze medal in the previous WAFCON. I think we did really well. When I came in, I took over a team that normally hadn’t performed really well in a long time,” he said.

After their opening match against Cape Verde, the Black Queens will face Cameroon on Saturday, August 2, before wrapping up their group-stage campaign against Mali on August 6.

The four teams that reach the semi-finals of the 2026 WAFCON will earn qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Ghana’s senior female national team are currently in Morocco preparing for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) opener on Wednesday evening. 

The Queens will face debutant side Cape Verde at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca. 

Speaking ahead of the match, Bjorkegren reflected on their journey since winning bronze at the previous editions, expressing delight in the growth of his players.

“We were happy with the bronze medal in the previous WAFCON, and we have improved over the year, having played elite opponents. We beat Russia, and we played well against England in December even though we lost,” the Swedish trainer said.

Bjorkegren further revealed that their objective at the tournament is to secure qualification for the Women’s World Cup to be held in Brazil next year.

“We have three targets; one is to qualify out of the group, the second, which is important, is to reach the semis to qualify for the World Cup, and if we make that, then we have to go all the way to win WAFCON.

“So I have seen everything in three steps, but we will do everything with confidence and respect for our opponents,”  he added.

Ghana will later take on Cameroon on Saturday, August 2, before concluding their group fixture against Mali on August 6.

The semifinalists of the WAFCON will make it to the World Cup next year.

Ghana will open their tournament campaign against debutants Cape Verde on Wednesday, July 29, at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Björkegren said the team’s fitness levels have improved significantly during their preparation period, leaving the players ready for the challenge ahead.

“We have been in camp for some weeks, and we have improved our fitness level, and we are feeling we are ready for the upcoming game,” he said.

Although the Swedish coach expects a difficult contest against Cape Verde, he expressed confidence in Ghana’s ability to secure a positive result.

“We expect a tough game, but we believe in ourselves, and if we do our things, we can start the tournament with a win. At least that’s our goal and target,” he added.

Kick-off for the match is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

Having last featured at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2007, the Black Queens will be hoping for a strong WAFCON campaign as they aim to secure qualification for next year’s global showpiece.

Following the dismissal of Otto Addo, the experienced Portuguese coach was appointed on a short-term contract with less than three months to prepare the Black Stars for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Despite the limited preparation time and criticism over his defensive approach, Queiroz guided Ghana to the Round of 32, marking the Black Stars’ first appearance in the World Cup knockout stage since 2010.

Speaking on Sports Page on Adom TV with host Nana Kweku Mensah Kaninja on Monday, July 27, George Afriyie argued that defensive football alone is unlikely to deliver major honours.

“No coach who adopts defensive tactics wins trophies. If we keep Carlos Queiroz for one or two years, we’ll eventually sack him. What motivation does he have to win a trophy for Ghana?” he said.

“If he were working for the government, he would already be retired. We need a challenging and ambitious coach—someone who wants to achieve something in his career, prove something, and not someone who is nearing the end of his career,” Afriyie added.

The former GFA vice president disclosed that before Queiroz’s appointment, he had advised that Ghana needed an experienced coach to steer the team through the difficult period following Otto Addo’s departure.

According to him, his recommendation was based on the limited time available before the World Cup, although many people misunderstood his position.

Afriyie, however, believes the Ghana Football Association should have gone a step further by appointing a coach capable of leading the team beyond the World Cup and building a long-term project.

Attention has now shifted to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where Ghana have been drawn in Group C alongside Gambia, Côte d’Ivoire and Somalia.

The qualifying campaign begins in September, with Queiroz’s future expected to be decided in the coming days.

The star was Joao Pedro, who scored a nine-minute hat-trick to help Alonso’s side to a 6-4 win against Western Sydney Wanderers in a match that highlighted the gulf between Premier League and A-League teams.

Perhaps it was the disappointment of being left out of Brazil’s World Cup squad that inspired the forward to showcase his finishing prowess as well as his power and pace in an entertaining spectacle at Accor Stadium.

Alonso described Joao Pedro as “very, very hungry” and “determined to have a great season”.

For the most part, however, it was a sloppy and imperfect performance by Chelsea, with the Blues still adjusting to the effects of jet lag.

There were few other standouts other than Joao Pedro, but Dastan Satpaev was one.

The 17-year-old scored the first goal of Alonso’s reign – and in spectacular fashion – after just six minutes.

Strangely, the Kazakhstan forward did so as a triallist – because he cannot formally complete his move from FC Kairat to Stamford Bridge until 12 August.

By contrast, his fellow starting forward Liam Delap again struggled, as he has in almost every appearance for Chelsea since his £30m move from Ipswich last summer.

Delap appears short of confidence and could now be sold, with Chelsea advancing talks to sign Danny Welbeck, 35, as an experienced replacement.

Welbeck has agreed personal terms and there is optimism at Chelsea that a deal can be reached, although his club Brighton are refusing to comment.

Chelsea are also in talks to sign midfielder Jordan Henderson, 36, from Brentford as they look to add experience and leadership to their squad after a disappointing 2025-26 season.

When asked about signing the two older players, Alonso replied: “We need balance, to have a complete squad and make a good team. For that, we have an idea and plan.”

Beyond the narratives surrounding strikers, with injured Emmanuel Emegha and Nicolas Jackson also on the books, it was only a very early glimpse of what to expect from Alonso’s Chelsea.

​​​​​​​Who is Dastan Satpaev?

Satpaev is attempting to become the first Kazakh player to appear in a Premier League match.

In his homeland, he is a superstar. He has already played for his national team and attracted fans from his home country to both the open training session on Sunday and the match on Tuesday in Sydney.

Quick, sharp in the box and relatively small in stature, Satpaev is stylistically often compared to former Argentina and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.

Asked whether he will get a chance at Chelsea this season amid talk of a potential loan move, Alonso said: “We still have to take decisions.

“I knew Dastan from Almaty,” added Alonso, who faced the player with his former club Real Madrid last season.

“He is a ball threat, he attacks the inner channel well and is good as a striker coming from the outside.

“He is really strong, really quick and I have been really impressed with him.”

What did we learn about Alonso’s plan?

The former Liverpool midfielder, who was a vocal presence on the touchline, used the 4-2-3-1 system favoured by Enzo Maresca, who was Chelsea head coach this time last year.

With players still on holiday after the World Cup – including club record £117m signing Morgan Rogers – several youngsters were given an opportunity.

Midfield trio Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, Reggie Walsh and Reggie Watson all impressed, with the latter the only player to play the full game.

Nicoll-Jazuli and Watson, both 16, anchored the midfield together for long periods, while 17-year-old Walsh impressed in a more advanced role.

In his pre-match media conference, Alonso expressed surprise at how well the seven academy players drafted in to fill gaps in the squad had performed in training.

Landon Emenalo, 18, has also been given a significant opportunity, with no other left-backs available.

The only senior player other then Joao Pedro to particularly impress was winger Jamie Gittens, who made it three goals in three appearances in pre-season, following his two in behind-closed-doors friendlies against EFL opposition.

His comments follow Ghana’s campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, where the Black Stars exited the tournament in the Round of 32 after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia.

Assessing the team’s performance, Oduro Sarfo expressed optimism about the future, highlighting the quality and potential of the squad’s younger players.

“If given the time, I believe we will get there because we have young players who can do better going forward,” he told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

Ghana began their World Cup journey on a positive note with a 1-0 victory over Panama before holding England to a goalless draw in their second group match.

The Black Stars then concluded the group stage against Croatia, progressing to the knockout rounds before their elimination by Colombia.

With the World Cup now behind them, attention has shifted to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.

The Black Stars have been drawn in Group C alongside Gambia, Ivory Coast, and Somalia, with the qualifiers set to commence in September as Ghana looks to secure a place at the continental showpiece.

The experienced Portuguese coach was handed the reins of the senior national team on a short-term contract after the dismissal of Otto Addo, with less than three months remaining before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Despite the limited preparation time and criticism surrounding his tactical approach, Queiroz guided Ghana to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time since the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

Oduro Sarfo believes the appointment of the former Egypt and Iran coach was justified, highlighting the impact he had on the players and the team’s performances at the global showpiece.

“The decision to sack Otto Addo and bring in Carlos Queiroz has paid off. If you look at Queiroz’s relationship with the players, the respect the players give him is different,” he told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

“At the World Cup, we played four games, and we could all see the difference. We saw the game plan against Panama, and I believe England will be disappointed for not being able to score against Ghana.

“Carlos Queiroz had no option but to come up with a game plan because there was no time when he took over,” he added.

Queiroz took charge of the Black Stars shortly before the World Cup and focused on building a disciplined side capable of competing against some of the world’s top teams.

Ghana’s next major task will be preparing for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with the future of Queiroz expected to be decided in the coming days.

The Black Stars have been placed in Group C alongside Gambia, Ivory Coast and Somalia, with the qualification campaign set to begin in September.

Addo was handed the Black Stars job for a second time in March 2024, signing a three-year contract with an option for an additional two years.

However, his second spell started on a difficult note after Ghana failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

The disappointing AFCON qualification campaign increased pressure on the former Ghana international, with many supporters calling for his dismissal.

Despite the criticism, Addo managed to guide the Black Stars to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

However, with less than three months to the start of the tournament, the Ghana FA parted ways with the 50-year-old following consecutive friendly defeats against Austria and Germany.

Speaking in an interview with Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Oduro Sarfo admitted that most members of the GFA Executive Council had lost faith in Addo’s leadership, although he personally believed the coach deserved more time.

“Most people on the Executive Council did not like Otto Addo. Maybe it was only me who liked him or wanted him to stay because he was on the ascendancy and needed time,” Sarfo said.

“But there was no time because we were heading to the World Cup and we needed to see improvement.”

Following Addo’s dismissal, the GFA appointed experienced Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz on a short-term contract to lead Ghana at the 2026 World Cup.

Under Queiroz, the Black Stars achieved their best World Cup performance since 2010 by reaching the knockout stage of the competition for the first time in 16 years.

Ghana fell to the defending champions at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, with defensive lapses proving costly as the Flying Eagles capitalised on the Black Satellites’ mistakes.

Speaking after the match, Konadu admitted his team struggled defensively but accepted that Nigeria deserved their victory.

“It was quite a difficult game. We planned to start with a high press to see how our opponents would react. In the process, we gave away some cheap goals that could have been avoided,” he said.

The former Black Stars coach praised Nigeria for their performance, acknowledging that the champions took full advantage of Ghana’s mistakes.

“Having said that, we can’t take anything away from our colleagues. They did well and played better than us, and we have accepted that. The only thing now is to bounce back and try to win the games ahead of us.”

Konadu said his technical team expected a physical contest against Nigeria but was disappointed with the manner in which his side conceded.

“We knew they were going to come hard at us because physically they are built and organised. We were also organised, but by giving away two cheap goals, we made life difficult for ourselves,” he added.

With Ghana’s qualification hopes still alive, the coach identified defensive improvement as the team’s immediate priority ahead of their next fixture.

“We need to quickly fix that problem. Going into the next game, we’ll be working on our defence and making sure we avoid the mistakes we made today.”

Despite the defeat, Konadu believes there were positives to build on from the performance and urged his players to learn from the experience.

“At any given time, you still have to maintain your defensive structure. When you go into transition and cannot recover quickly, it becomes a problem. You have to remain resolute in the heat of the contest and cope with the intensity of the game,” he said.

He also blamed lapses in concentration for some of the goals conceded while calling for patience with the young squad.

“The players lost concentration at certain moments. They have been told to always be aware of their surroundings before going into tackles. But these are also young players, so we have to understand. We’ll work on it and bounce back.”

The Black Satellites will now focus on their crucial Group B clash against Burkina Faso on Thursday before concluding the group stage against Togo.

The Tarkwa-based club secured their place in the tournament after winning the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League title and are determined to make a strong impression rather than merely participate.

Medeama Communications Director Benjamin Graham said the club’s ambition is to compete with Africa’s top teams and establish themselves as a force on the continent.

Speaking on Akoma FM, Graham said the Yellow and Mauve outfit has a clear objective of reaching the group stage and challenging some of Africa’s biggest clubs.

“Our ambition is to reach the group stage of the CAF Champions League and compete at the highest level against some of Africa’s biggest clubs,” Graham said.

As part of preparations for the continental campaign, Medeama have allocated a budget of $1.5 million to strengthen the squad and enhance the club’s operations.

Graham said the financial commitment reflects the club’s determination to compete effectively against Africa’s elite.

“Our budget for the CAF Champions League campaign alone is $1.5 million, which reflects our level of commitment and our ambition to make a deep run in the competition,” he stated.

The 2026/27 CAF inter-club competitions are scheduled to begin in the first week of September, with Medeama carrying Ghana’s hopes in the CAF Champions League following their domestic league triumph.

The experienced Portuguese tactician was appointed on a short-term contract ahead of Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, following the dismissal of Otto Addo in March after a disappointing run of results.

Queiroz guided the Black Stars to their first World Cup knockout stage appearance since 2010, with Ghana reaching the Round of 32 before being eliminated by Colombia.

Following the tournament, the former Iran and Egypt coach appeared to suggest he was leaving his position after posting a message on social media that was widely interpreted as a farewell statement.

However, Queiroz later dismissed reports that he had stepped down, insisting he remained in charge.

President John Dramani Mahama has called on authorities to persuade the 73-year-old coach to continue leading the national team, but Akwasi Adu believes his future should be assessed based on Ghana’s performance in the upcoming AFCON qualifiers.

“Decision on sacking Carlos Queiroz should be considered after AFCON qualifiers,” Adu told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

The Black Stars will now turn their attention to the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, which begin in September, as they aim to return to Africa’s biggest football tournament after missing the 2025 edition.

Ghana has been drawn in Group C alongside Gambia, Ivory Coast and Somalia, with the team hoping to secure qualification under Queiroz’s guidance.