The tournament, scheduled for September 5 to 27, 2026, presents another opportunity for the Ghanaian side to test themselves against some of the strongest youth teams in women’s football as they continue their development on the global stage.

Under head coach Charles Sampson, Ghana will open their campaign against France, one of the competition’s traditional heavyweights and a consistent force in youth women’s tournaments.

That will be followed by a meeting with Korea Republic, a side renowned for their tactical discipline, technical quality and steady performances at age-group level.

Their final group fixture will come against Ecuador, a team that has made steady progress in recent years and is increasingly proving competitive on the international scene. Ghana complete the group, setting up what is expected to be a tightly contested fight for places in the knockout rounds.

The Black Princesses will be aiming to go beyond the group stage, a step that would further highlight the steady rise of women’s football in Ghana.

Their qualification for the tournament was secured in impressive fashion, edging Uganda 3-2 on aggregate to book a record eighth consecutive appearance at the global showpiece.

Ghana began their campaign with a 2-2 draw on Thursday at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, in a match that swung dramatically after a dominant first half from the West Africans.

The Black Starlets made a flying start, going into the break 2-0 up thanks to early strikes from Yao Gavi Robinho and Eric Adu Gyamfi.

However, the advantage quickly evaporated after the restart as Algeria mounted a spirited comeback, scoring twice before the 70th minute to level the contest.

The North Africans were later handed a chance to complete the turnaround from the penalty spot, but they squandered the opportunity by firing wide, allowing Ghana to escape with a point.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show after the match, Lamptey remained upbeat about the team’s prospects, insisting they have what it takes to recover strongly in the competition.

“The Black Starlets will bounce back from this disappointing result. We have a good team, and I am confident we will do well,” he said.

Elsewhere in the group, South Africa moved to the top of Group D after defeating Senegal in the other opening fixture.

The Black Starlets now turn their attention to a crucial second group match against Senegal on Sunday, May 17, with kick-off set for 16:00 GMT, as they aim to secure their first win of the tournament.

Ghana began their Group D campaign with a 2-2 draw on Thursday at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in a match of two contrasting halves.

The Black Starlets made a strong start, racing into a 2-0 lead through early goals from Yao Gavi Robinho and Eric Adu Gyamfi, raising hopes of a comfortable win.

However, the momentum shifted after the break as Algeria responded strongly, scoring twice before the 70th minute to restore parity and put Ghana under pressure.

The North Africans later had a chance to complete a comeback after being awarded a penalty, but the effort went wide.

Reflecting on the result in an interview with Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Lamptey acknowledged the value of the draw but stressed the need for improvement.

“A draw against Algeria is not a bad result, but the players must improve in the next game,” he said.

“For now, the team must win their last two games, or win one and draw one to ensure qualification,” Odartey Lamptey added.

Elsewhere in the group, South Africa went top of Group D after defeating Senegal in their opening fixture.

The Black Starlets will now turn their attention to a crucial second group match against Senegal on Sunday, May 17, at 16:00 GMT, as they seek their first win of the tournament.

Ayew, 36, has been absent from the national team since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, but has recently been back in club action with NAC Breda after joining the Dutch side in January.

Despite their campaign ending in relegation from the Eredivisie, the veteran forward’s international future has come back into focus.

Speaking on GTV on Thursday, Dr. Tetteh argued that Ayew’s experience, leadership and professionalism remain vital as the Black Stars continue their squad transition.

He stressed that the former captain still possesses the hunger and influence needed at the highest level.

“We are privileged to have many football icons. Even before Abedi Pele, we had people who played very well for Ghana, the likes of Baba Yara, Polo, and others. Today, I look at this money, and I was even talking to a Sheikh that we should get Dede Ayew. I think I’m campaigning for him to join the Black Stars team,” he said. 

“The boy plays with his might. In fact, he carries his father’s spirit. Dede Ayew is a motivator. Remember, he led the Under-20s in Egypt in 2009 when they won. He is very experienced, and by the grace of God, he’s still doing very well. We should give him the chance,” Lawrence Tetteh added. 

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz is expected to announce a provisional squad ahead of the final selection set for June 1.

Ghana will compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Group I alongside Panama, England and Croatia. The Black Stars open their campaign against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.

At the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex, Nations FC will welcome Vision FC, while league leaders Medeama SC host Heart of Lions in a key encounter.

At the Swedru Sports Stadium, relegation-threatened Eleven Wonders will face Berekum Chelsea, while Aduana FC entertain Young Apostles at the Nana Agyemang Badu II Stadium.

Dreams FC will square off with Bibiani Gold Stars at the Tuba Astro Turf, while Bechem United take on Asante Kotoko at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in one of the weekend’s standout fixtures.

FC Samartex will host Hearts of Oak at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena, with Karela United also at home against Swedru All Blacks at the Aliu Mahama Stadium.

The fixture between Hohoe United and Basake Holy Stars has been forfeited following Hohoe United’s withdrawal from the league.

All matches are scheduled to kick off at 15:00 GMT.

Fixtures below:

Ghana Gas Limited led the latest round of contributions, redeeming a pledge of GH¢5 million to support the national team’s build-up to the global showpiece.

Ecobank Ghana Limited followed with GH¢3 million, while Zijin Golden Ridge Limited donated GH¢1.13 million. Absa Bank also contributed GH¢1 million, and OmniBSIC Bank added GH¢250,000 in a symbolic presentation.

The donations were received at the Ministry of Finance in Accra by Deputy Finance Minister and Chairman of the Black Stars World Cup Fundraising Committee, Thomas Nyarko Ampem.

He expressed appreciation to the donors, describing their support as a strong vote of confidence in the national team, and urged other organisations yet to fulfil their pledges to do so promptly. He also encouraged further contributions as the fundraising drive approaches its deadline.

The latest inflows form part of a broader initiative launched in March by President John Dramani Mahama, which seeks to raise US$30 million from corporate Ghana and the public to boost preparations for the 2026 tournament.

The Ministry of Finance says it will continue to receive pledges and donations every Thursday as part of the ongoing drive.

Ghana, set for their fifth World Cup appearance, have been drawn in Group I alongside Panama, England and Croatia. The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.

Ahead of the tournament, the Black Stars will step up preparations with friendly matches against Mexico and Wales.

The Bono-based side secured their place in the elite division after a commanding 3-1 victory over Tamale City in the Zone One playoff final of the Access Bank Division One League, played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Wednesday.

Speaking after the landmark achievement, Nii Armah expressed strong confidence in his squad’s ability to compete at the highest level, insisting they are ready to challenge for the ultimate prize immediately after promotion.

“We are going to win the Ghana Premier League next season if possible. We want to repeat the history of Aduana FC. We want to become the second team to win the league immediately after our promotion to the Ghana Premier League,” he said.

He further argued that the current squad already possesses top-flight quality, stressing that only minor reinforcements would be needed ahead of their debut Premier League campaign.

“We have more than what it takes to win the GPL. These players are Premier League players and not Division One League players. We just have to add a few additions, and then we are good to go, and that is the assurance for now,” he added.

Debibi United are among three clubs—alongside Port City FC and AshantiGold 04—to have secured promotion to the Ghana Premier League for the upcoming season.

The panel has recorded three errors involving penalties, two of which should have been awarded for holding offences.

Everton, the only team not to get a VAR intervention in their favour this season, were wrongly denied a spot-kick against Manchester City.

David Moyes’ side led 3-2 at Hill Dickinson Stadium when, on a corner, Bernardo Silva held back Toffees midfielder Merlin Rohl – unseen by referee Michael Oliver.

The VAR Paul Howard decided the holding had taken place before the corner was taken, so he could not intervene to award a penalty.

“If that doesn’t get given as a penalty, then it’s an absolute free-for-all from now on,” Moyes said after the game.

All five members of the KMI panel agreed with Moyes, saying “there is a clear, sustained holding offence which continues as the corner is taken and the ball comes into play”.

City equalised deep into stoppage time through Jeremy Doku to snatch a 3-3 draw.

It is the third time this season Everton should have been given a penalty through video review, the others being in a 1-0 home loss to Arsenal and a 2-1 defeat at West Ham.

The panel also voted 5-0 that a penalty awarded to Bournemouth in the 29th minute of their 3-0 home win over Crystal Palace should have been overturned.

Marcos Senesi went to ground claiming contact from goalkeeper Dean Henderson, and referee Rob Jones pointed to the spot. The VAR Peter Bankes decided to uphold the decision.

“Henderson drops the ball, reaches for it and Senesi goes down under very minimal contact from the goalkeeper,” the panel said.

“The referee’s call of a penalty was incorrect and that VAR should have intervened to recommend a review.”

Hammers denied two penalties at Brentford

West Ham should have been given two spot-kicks in their 3-0 loss at Brentford – though one of the decisions was not considered to have reached the VAR threshold.

Keane Lewis-Potter held Tomas Soucek “in a clear non-footballing action which impacted the West Ham player’s movement” and the panel unanimously felt the VAR Tony Harrington should have stepped in.

It was also felt referee Craig Pawson should have pointed to the spot in the 77th minute when Yehor Yarmolyuk slipped and brought down Pablo inside the area.

That was a split 3-2 vote for a spot-kick, but 4-1 against a VAR review.

The 23 errors is an increase on last season, with 17 at the same stage of the 2024-25 campaign.

It is, however, lower than the 30 mistakes logged after 35 rounds of the 2023-24 season.

In other judgements, the panel voted 4-1 that the VAR was correct not to intervene on the potential handball by Benjamin Sesko before the Manchester United striker scored against Liverpool.

It noted that the majority of the panel deemed “there was no conclusive evidence of a handball”.

The VAR red card for Sunderland’s Dan Ballard for pulling on the hair of Tolu Arokodare was also supported 4-1.

The Italian was appointed to the post in May 2025 after his departure from Real Madrid and he has since secured Brazil’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in Canada, Mexico and the United States next month.

“From the very first minute, I understood what football means to this country,” said the 66-year-old.

“For the past year, we have been working to lead the Brazilian national team back to the very top of the world stage.

“But the CBF (Brazil Football Federation) and I want more. More victories, more time, more work. We are very happy to announce that we will continue together for another four years.

“I want to thank the CBF for their trust.

Ancelotti has had 10 games in charge of the South Americans, winning five, drawing two and losing three.

Brazil will be aiming to win a sixth World Cup, and the country’s first victory at the showpiece tournament since 2002, this summer.

Ancelotti is expected to name his squad for the competition on 18 May, with Brazil starting their World Cup campaign against Morocco on 13 June.

They will play Haiti and Scotland in their other Group C games.

CBF president Samir Xaud said Ancelotti’s new contract was a “historic day for the CBF and for Brazilian football”

He added that it was “another firm step in our commitment to offering the five-time world champion national team an increasingly strong, modern and competitive structure” as “we work daily to keep Brazil at the highest level of world football”.

Thousands of fans attended a departure rally for the squad in Tehran on Wednesday, before the tournament – co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico – starts on 11 June.

The US is at war with Iran, although the countries are in the midst of a month-long ceasefire.

Taj said the “visa issue has still not been resolved”.

“Tomorrow or the day after, we will have a decisive meeting with Fifa. They must give us guarantees,” he told state news agency IRNA.

“We have not received any account from the other side regarding who has been granted visas. No visas have been issued yet.”

Iran are scheduled to play New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June – both in Los Angeles – and Egypt in Seattle on 26 June. The team will be based in Tucson, Arizona.

The war has led to uncertainty around Iran’s participation in the World Cup, but Fifa president Gianni Infantino said at Fifa’s annual congress in Vancouver last month: “Of course, Iran will play in the United States of America.”

Iran were the only country not represented at the congress after a delegation of Iranian FA (FFIRI) officials, including Taj, were turned away at the Canadian border.

Taj said the decision to return home was their own choice after what they felt was disrespectful treatment by immigration officials.

Canada’s immigration minister told parliament that Taj’s visa was cancelled while he was flying because of his links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Iran players will be welcome at the tournament but individuals with links to the IRGC could face entry restrictions.

The FFIRI has since presented Fifa with a list of 10 conditions for their participation at the World Cup, including allowing players, coaches and officials who have completed military service with the IRGC to receive visas.

Late on Wednesday, the Trump administration confirmed that ticket-holding supporters from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia will be exempt from the requirement to post a visa deposit.

The five were among 50 countries swept up in the requirement, introduced last year, which is intended to reduce visa overstays and was part of a wider immigration crackdown by the White House.

With 78 of the 104 games at this year’s World Cup taking place on American soil, the climbdown matters.

But for Africans plotting a trip to a tournament spread across the US, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July, plenty of obstacles remain.

What has changed?

Image source: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Image caption: The administration of President Donald Trump has cracked down on immigration into the US

The sums required for a visa bond range from $5,000 (£3,700) to $15,000.

“We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets,” US assistant secretary of state for consular affairs Mora Namdar said in a statement to the BBC.

However, it comes with a caveat.

In order to have the bond requirement waived, ticket holders from affected countries must have registered with the online Fifa Pass system by 15 April.

That system, announced last November, is intended to help ticket-holders get expedited visa appointments.

Who still misses out?

Fifa said the announcement about the visa bond being waived demonstrates its ongoing collaboration with the White House “to deliver a successful, record-breaking and unforgettable global event”.

But this news may come too late for many hoping to make the trip and see their side in action.

It is not clear if anyone from the five African countries who buys a last-minute match ticket will need to pay the visa deposit.

And travellers from Ivory Coast and Senegal still face partial restrictions under the Trump administration’s ongoing travel ban.

Supporters from those two West African countries who did not secure their visa before December will not be granted a visitor visa to travel to the US.

Meanwhile, even people from countries not affected by the bond requirements are still experiencing difficulties in securing their passage.

BBC Sport Africa understands some Ghanaians, who hope to see their team play in Boston and Philadelphia, have been denied US entry visas.

Other hurdles for African fans

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Egypt fans, aiming to back their side at the World Cup for the first time since 2018, will need visas to enter Canada and the USA

The cost of flights, accommodation and internal transit is an immediate issue for those intending to travel from the continent.

With the tournament taking place in three different countries, the majority of African fans will need to cross international borders during the group stage – with only Algeria, Cape Verde and Morocco based in the USA for the entirety of the group stage.

Fans from Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Senegal all need visas to enter Canada for games in Toronto or Vancouver, with DR Congo, South Africa and Tunisia playing at least one match in Mexico.

Then come the price of tickets, which are sky-high.

Some $600 (£444) seats were available for Egypt’s game against Belgium via Fifa’s official site on Thursday, but those were the only ones on the market under $1,170 (£866) for any of the first 10 games featuring an African side.

The few tickets still available for the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa are on sale for $3,840 (£2,840).

But Fifa’s resale platform features vastly inflated prices – with two category three tickets, in the top tier of the stadium hosting that first match in Mexico City, being offered for a staggering $34,500 (£25,550) each.

Late last year, the US government also announced that tourists from dozens of countries could be required to provide a five-year social media history as a condition of entry – another immigration policy that could affect visitors during the World Cup.

Rights groups have warned travellers that such policies could lead to denied entry, arrest risks, expanded travel restrictions, social media screening, racial profiling and increased surveillance.

A record 10 African sides will take part in the finals, but those hoping to cheer their team on in person will need deep pockets.

The tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, concludes with the final in New Jersey on 19 July.

The BBC understands the show will be 11 minutes long.

There have been reports the show could last longer than 15 minutes, which the laws of the game say the interval should not exceed.

The half-time show during last summer’s Club World Cup final in the US between Chelsea and Paris St-Germain lasted more than 24 minutes.

Pre-match performances at showpiece occasions such as the Champions League final have become commonplace, but this will be the first half-time show at a World Cup final.

Colombian pop star Shakira is releasing her official World Cup song Dai Dai – an Italian phrase meaning “let’s go” or “come on” and also featuring Nigerian singer Burna Boy – on Thursday.

The 49-year-old Hips Don’t Lie singer also released Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) for the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

‘Queen of Pop’ Madonna is the best-selling female music artist of all time and is preparing to release her 15th album, Confessions II, on 3 July.

In April, the 67-year-old made a surprise guest appearance during Sabrina Carpenter’s headline set at the Coachella music festival for a duet of Vogue and Like A Prayer.

Meanwhile, the seven members of BTS are the best-selling music act in South Korean history, with more than 45 million albums sold. They and Coldplay had a UK number three hit with My Universe in 2021.

The band have been making their comeback after a three-year music hiatus to complete their mandatory military service, and will be in the middle of an 85-date world tour when they perform at the final.

In March, Fifa president Gianni Infantino said the show “will be a historic moment for the Fifa World Cup, befitting the biggest sporting event in the world”.

The half-time show has been curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin and will raise money for the Fifa Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative working to raise $100m (£73m) for children worldwide.

Ghana made a dream start when Gavi Yao capitalised on an error from the Algerian goalkeeper to open the scoring in the 3rd minute.

The early breakthrough set the tone, and Eric Gyamfi doubled the advantage in the 10th minute with a composed long-range chip that left the opposition goalkeeper stranded, sending Ghana into the break with a commanding 2-0 lead.

However, the second half belonged to Algeria. The North Africans increased their intensity and found a response in the 57th minute, when Adam Benali finished off a move created by Mahdi Maghlout to reduce the deficit.

Momentum fully shifted just three minutes later as Zaidi struck the equaliser, bringing the game level at 2-2 and setting up a tense final half-hour.

Algeria were then handed a golden opportunity to complete the turnaround in the 67th minute after Ghana conceded a penalty. But Ilyas Grini failed to convert from the spot, blasting his effort over the bar to keep the scores level.

Despite late pressure from both sides in an open and entertaining finish, neither team was able to find a winner.

The result leaves both Ghana Black Starlets and Algeria U-17 national team with a point apiece in Group D.

The Black Starlets will now turn their attention to their next fixture against Senegal on Sunday, May 17, in what is expected to be another demanding test.

The Ghana international enjoyed a breakthrough season, scoring 16 goals and providing four assists in 35 Premier League appearances.

Antoine Semenyo impressed during the first half of the campaign at Bournemouth, where his pace, strength and attacking versatility made him one of the league’s standout performers before securing a January move to Manchester City.

Since joining Pep Guardiola’s side, the 25-year-old has continued his fine form and played an important role in City’s title challenge.

He made an immediate impact at the Etihad Stadium, scoring three goals and registering one assist in five Premier League matches in February to claim his first EA SPORTS Player of the Month award.

Semenyo’s ability to operate across several attacking positions has been a major asset throughout the season. He has featured effectively on either wing, through the middle as a striker and occasionally in midfield, earning praise for his energy, physicality and tactical flexibility.

The Ghanaian forward is among eight players nominated for the prestigious individual honour alongside Bruno Fernandes, Gabriel Magalhães, Morgan Gibbs-White, Erling Haaland, David Raya, Declan Rice and Igor Thiago.

The Premier League is expected to announce the winner next week.

Ghana have been drawn in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal national under-17 football team and South Africa national under-17 football team in what is expected to be a highly competitive group.

Speaking to CAFOnline, Ogum acknowledged Ghana’s strong reputation at junior level and the responsibility that comes with it.

“It is very important because Ghana has always been recognised as one of the strongest nations in youth football,” he said.

He also pointed to Ghana’s rich tradition in youth competitions, stressing that the current generation has an opportunity to build its own legacy on the continental stage.

“The Black Starlets have created great memories in the past, and this current generation has an opportunity to write its own chapter in history.”

While recognising the weight of expectation, Ogum insisted the focus remains on development and identity rather than pressure.

“We constantly remind the players about the legacy they are carrying, but at the same time, we encourage them to focus on creating their own identity and success story.”

The Black Starlets open their campaign against Algeria at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT.

Ghana head into the tournament hoping to re-establish themselves among Africa’s elite at U-17 level, with belief in the camp carefully balanced with a strong emphasis on discipline and focus.

Ghana have been drawn alongside Senegal national under-17 football team, Algeria and South Africa national under-17 football team in what is widely viewed as a tightly balanced group, with little separating the teams on paper.

“It is definitely a very competitive group because all four teams deserve to be here and have quality. Senegal won the tournament in 2023, Algeria are very organised, and South Africa also has a strong football culture. But at this stage of the competition, there are no easy games,” Ogum told CAFOnline.

Despite acknowledging the challenge ahead, Ogum said his side remains focused and confident in their preparation, stressing the importance of discipline and taking each game step by step.

“We respect every opponent, but we also believe in our own quality and preparation. Our focus is to take one match at a time and give our best in every game,” he added.

The Black Starlets begin their campaign against Algeria at the Mohammed VI Football Academy tonight, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT.

Ghana will be aiming to make a strong start and build momentum as they target a deep run in the tournament.

Ghana begin their Group D campaign against the North Africans in what is expected to be a challenging start to the tournament, with both teams eager to make a strong opening statement.

Ogum praised the structure and balance of the Algerian side while stressing that his team must be efficient in key moments to secure a positive result.

“We are expecting a very competitive and tactical game. Algeria are a good side with strong organisation both defensively and offensively. Opening matches are always difficult because every team wants to start well,” he told CAFOnline.

He added that concentration and composure could prove decisive in what is likely to be a closely contested encounter.

“We must remain disciplined, focused and clinical when opportunities come. I believe it will be a good contest between two strong teams.”

Ghana are targeting a strong start to their campaign as they seek to progress from a demanding Group D, which also includes Senegal national under-17 football team and South Africa national under-17 football team.

Beyond continental success, the Black Starlets will also be aiming to secure qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year.

Ghana has been drawn in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal national under-17 football team and South Africa national under-17 football team, setting up a challenging opening phase for the young side.

Speaking to CAFOnline, Ogum stressed the importance of mental strength and discipline, insisting that external expectations should not weigh down his squad.

“We constantly remind the players to stay calm and focus on the process rather than the pressure outside. Playing for Ghana always comes with expectations, but we encourage them to see it as motivation instead of fear,” he said.

The former Asante Kotoko coach also emphasised the need for unity within the team, adding that collective effort will be key to success.

“We are building confidence within the team and helping the players understand that discipline, teamwork and belief are the keys to success.”

Ghana begin their campaign tonight against Algeria at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT.

The Black Starlets enter the tournament hoping to make a strong impression on the continental stage while also targeting qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year.

Ghana will begin their Group D campaign against Algeria later today at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT.

Speaking ahead of the encounter, Ogum praised the quality and unity within his squad, insisting his players are capable of competing against any team in the tournament.

“This team has a good balance of talent, discipline, teamwork and determination. The players understand each other very well, and they are prepared to fight for one another on the pitch,” he told CAFOnline.

“Technically, we have quality, tactically we are improving steadily, and mentally the players are showing maturity. These qualities give us confidence that we can compete strongly against any team in the tournament,” he added.

The Black Starlets will also face Senegal national under-17 football team and South Africa national under-17 football team in their remaining Group D fixtures.

Ghana will be aiming not only to impress at the continental tournament but also to secure qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year.

Ghana will take on the North African side at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT.

Speaking ahead of the crucial encounter, Ogum praised the commitment and readiness of his players following weeks of preparation.

“The boys have prepared very well for this tournament. We have worked hard over the past few weeks, played competitive friendly matches, and I believe the team is mentally and tactically ready for the Algeria game,” he said.

The former Asante Kotoko coach acknowledged the strength of the Algerians but maintained that his players are focused and confident heading into the game.

“Algeria is a good side, and qualifying from the North African zone is never easy. We respect them, but we are also confident in our own abilities. The players understand what is at stake, and they are eager to make Ghana proud.”

Ogum also highlighted the significance of starting the tournament on a positive note.

“Opening games are always very important in competitions like this. A positive result can give you confidence and momentum, so we are going into the match with determination and belief.”

The Black Starlets will be aiming to make a strong impact at the continental tournament while also chasing qualification to the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year.

An Adam Marusic own goal and Lautaro Martinez’s tap-in, both in the first half, gave Inter both a comfortable victory in Rome and a 10th Cup triumph.

“We deserved the trophies after a good season,” said Inter coach Cristian Chivu to Mediaset.

“Winning the league and cup is never something you can take for granted. We’re very happy.”

For Lazio, it was another depressing note of a long, arduous season in which their hardcore supporters have boycotted home matches in protest at long-time owner Claudio Lotito’s stewardship of the club.

Their fans did show up for the final, making a fair old racket until Martinez doubled Inter’s lead in the 35th minute, and chanting “Lotito piece of s**t” towards the final whistle.

But they will again be absent from the stands at weekend for the Rome derby in which their hated local rivals Roma could take a big step towards the Champions League.

“I’m disappointed for the boys, because morale is low at the moment, and for the fans who came back tonight, who came back in numbers tonight,” said Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri.

“Tonight we just came up against a better team than us.”

Just with the 3-0 stuffing dished out to Lazio on the same ground at the weekend, Inter cruised through the 90 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico.

Lazio barely laid a glove on Inter, and from the moment Marcus Thuram’s poorly timed header — from Federico Dimarco’s corner — flicked home off Marusic in the 14th minute, there only looked like being one winner.

Their fate was as good as sealed 20 minutes later when Nuno Tavares dawdled near the edge of his own area and allowed Denzel Dumfries to pinch the ball and roll across to the awaiting Martinez.

Argentina striker Martinez, who has missed large chunks of this season with injuries, gobbled up the chance to push in his 22nd goal in all competitions this term.

An already one-sided final settled into a torpid pace in the second half as Inter easily held Lazio at bay, Luis Henrique missing a great chance to make it three with 20 minutes remaining when he flashed wide from close range, Dimarco’s volleyed low cross.

Shortly afterwards, Boulaye Dia somehow tripped over his feet and bundled a shot against Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez’s head, summing up a hugely underwhelming performance from Lazio.

That was it for the major action, and Inter rode out the rest of the game in anticipation of the final whistle and the trophy ceremony.

Port City sealed qualification from Zone Three, while FC AshantiGold 04 finished top of Zone Two to earn a place in Ghana’s top flight.

Debibi United completed the list of promoted clubs after recording a 3-1 victory over Tamale City in a playoff clash on Wednesday.

The promotion marks a historic achievement for all three clubs, who will feature in the Ghana Premier League for the first time.

The 2026/27 campaign is expected to usher in a new chapter for Port City, FC AshantiGold 04, and Debibi United as they prepare for their maiden appearances in the country’s top-tier competition.

Senegal were crowned winners on the night, following a 1-0 victory after extra time, but were stripped of the title by a Confederation of African Football (Caf) appeal board in March, with the trophy instead handed to the hosts.

The sanction was applied because the West Africans walked off the pitch in protest after Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review in second-half injury time, when the game was goalless.

With stadium security also clashing with fans and Morocco accused of unsportsmanlike conduct over so-called ‘towelgate’ – a series of incidents which saw players and ballboys moving the Senegal goalkeeper’s towel – Motsepe says African football’s governing body has taken action.

“We’ve done good work in terms of building the confidence and the trust amongst the football community of our referees and of our VAR,” the South African told BBC Sport Africa.

“But there are still these challenges and we’ve recognised what the deficiencies were that led to the unfortunate incidents we had in Morocco.

“We’ve introduced new laws, new regulations which will ensure that doesn’t happen again.”

A final still in dispute

Image source: AFP via Getty Images

Image caption: Sadio Mane thought he had claimed his second continental title after Senegal won the 2025 Afcon final on the pitch 1-0 after extra time

Despite Motsepe’s assurances that African football emerged from the tournament “stronger than ever before”, the events in Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on 18 January and the subsequent move to hand Morocco the trophy have undoubtedly undermined Caf’s attempts to cultivate an improved image.

Nigel Reo-Coker was among the pundits who went viral for his comments, with the former West Ham and Aston Villa midfielder telling US broadcaster CBS Sports that the decision to strip Senegal of their crown was an “embarrassment”.

“It gives other federations around the world an opportunity to laugh at Caf, to laugh at the Africa Cup of Nations [Afcon] and laugh at Africa as a continent because of how this whole situation has been handled,” he continued.

The Senegalese Football Federation described it as a “robbery” and have challenged the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The reputational damage has been so severe that Motsepe embarked on a diplomatic tour of both Senegal and Morocco in a bid to rebuild trust.

“We are waiting for the judgement of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and African football is continuing to grow and develop,” said the 64-year-old, who was re-elected unopposed for a second term in March last year.

“Whatever decision comes, we will respect and implement.”

Fresh questions over Afcon ref Ndala

Image source: AFP via Getty Images

Image caption: Jean-Jacques Ndala, from DR Congo, refereed the 2025 Afcon final between Morocco and Senegal

Even as Caf works to limit the damage to its reputation, the organisation’s appointment of Jean-Jacques Ndala, the man who took charge of the Afcon final, as the referee for the first leg of the African Champions League final on Sunday has generated fresh debate.

Motsepe says DR Congo’s Ndala will oversee the biggest game in African club football despite both sides involved, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and Morocco’s AS FAR, voicing concern.

“After the [Afcon] final in Morocco, the chairman of the referees committee came to the executive committee, and they gave a thorough report of his (Ndala’s) performance and they assessed how he refereed the match in accordance with the global best practises of refereeing,” Motsepe explained.

“The referee’s committee is independent. We don’t get involved and should not get involved in identifying who should ref at which match.

“I’ve been told that both the football clubs have expressed their reservations, but we have to respect the decisions that are taken by this independent body.

“The very specific thing is to continue training our referees. Some of our referees are as good as the best in the world.”

Motsepe plays down Afcon 2027 delays

Motsepe spoke to the BBC on the sidelines of the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, where French President Emmanuel Macron was the high-profile guest.

While he will have his eyes fixed on France’s chances of regaining their Fifa World Cup crown, Kenya’s footballing focus is on co-hosting next year’s Afcon alongside neighbours Tanzania and Uganda.

A recent inspection report by Caf flagged delays in stadium upgrades and other infrastructure projects such as transport links in all three countries, but the Caf president insists the tournament will be “enormously successful”.

“Are there areas where there’s room for improvement? Absolutely,” Motsepe said.

“But the commitment, the support from President Ruto (of Kenya), from Madam [President] Samia [Suluhu Hassan] in Tanzania, from President Museveni (of Uganda) is enormous.

“We’ve got people from Caf who are permanently based in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, and they are everyday working on the preparations and making sure that the Afcon which is going to take place in June 2027 is going to be successful.”

Image source: Caf

Image caption: Next year’s Afcon will be the first to be held in three countries, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda all set to co-host

Preparations in Kenya, which is building a brand new 60,000-seater stadium, are unfolding against the backdrop of a governance dispute within the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

Nine of the federation’s 12 national executive committee members have demanded the resignation of FKF president Hussein Mohammed over allegations of financial impropriety.

Mohammed rejected the accusations and blamed rivals led by his deputy, former Kenya and Inter Milan midfielder McDonald Mariga, of attempting a coup.

World governing body Fifa and Caf have requested clarification regarding the power struggle and Motsepe is optimistic a solution will be found soon.

“I’m confident that we will resolve those issues in a manner that complies with the Caf and Fifa statutes and regulations,” he said.

Kenya has previously been sanctioned by Fifa for administrative irregularities, including a nine-month ban handed out in February 2022 after Kenya’s sports ministry disbanded the FKF over alleged misappropriation of funds.

Next year’s Afcon will be the first to be held in three countries and will mark the tournament’s return to East Africa for the first time since Ethiopia hosted in 1976.

Five of these countries – Algeria, Cabo Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia – have qualified for the tournament, to be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico from 11 June.

“We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets,” Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said in a statement to the BBC.

The bond requirement, introduced last year , was intended to reduce visa overstays, according to a notice published by the state department.

Players and coaches for the tournament were already exempt from the bond requirement, but ordinary fans with confirmed tickets for the World Cup had not been included until Wednesday.

The 12-month pilot programme, launched last August, was part of the administration’s wider immigration crackdown.

According to the state department, it was intended to curb visa overstays or cases “where screening and vetting information is considered deficient”. The bond would be refunded at the end of the visitor’s stay.

In a statement, FIFA said the announcement demonstrates the ongoing collaboration with the White House “to deliver a successful, record-breaking and unforgettable global event”.

“We are grateful to the Administration for the ongoing partnership.”

While the requirement has now been suspended for football fans from the 50 affected countries, travellers from Iran and Haiti remain barred. But players and coaches from those countries are exempt for World Cup-related travel.

Travellers from Ivory Coast and Senegal, both of which have qualified for the tournament, face partial restrictions under an expanded version of that travel ban.

Late last year, the US government also announced that tourists from dozens of countries could be required to provide a five-year social media history as a condition of entry – another immigration policy that could affect visitors coming to the US for the World Cup.

Rights groups have warned travellers that such policies could lead to denied entry, arrest risks, expanded travel restrictions, social media screening, racial profiling and increased surveillance.

Levy said “relegation was not something we ever considered” during his 25 years in the role, but a wretched run of form in 2026 saw them slip into the drop zone.

After taking eight points from the last 12, Spurs are now two points above third-bottom West Ham with two games remaining.

Levy was appointed a CBE in the New Year Honours list for his services to charity and the community.

Speaking following Wednesday’s investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle he said he felt “emptiness” at the team’s league position, but insisted he remained “optimistic that we will remain in the Premier League”.

Asked if he saw any signs the club would end up in a relegation scrap, he added “never, no, not in a million years”.

Levy oversaw the construction of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and although the team reached the 2019 Champions League final, the only trophies Spurs won during Levy’s spell as executive chairman were the 2008 League Cup and last season’s Europa League.

“What I would have hoped for is winning the Premier League, winning the Champions League… easier said than done,” he added.

Pep Guardiola’s side knew failure to win on Wednesday would have handed the Gunners an opportunity to clinch the title by beating Burnley on Monday, but this fascinating fight for the trophy looks like it’s going to the wire.

With Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea in mind, manager Guardiola gambled with his City team selection by making six changes and leaving out the attacking trio of Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and the in-form Jeremy Doku.

The numerous alterations seemed to affect City early on, in a flat showing before midfielder Phil Foden sparked the game into life.

The England international produced a sublime backheel to play Antoine Semenyo in on goal and the Ghanaian produced a clinical strike past Dean Henderson, before Omar Marmoush doubled the lead, spinning and finishing following Foden’s pass.

Full-back Tyrick Mitchell’s thumping effort immediately after the opening goal, which was pushed away by Gianluigi Donnarumma, was Palace’s best effort but Savinho added a third for the hosts late on to complete a fine victory.

The team, led by Charles Sampson, is said to have remained in camp after securing qualification in Kampala last Saturday, with players demanding the payment of outstanding allowances from their last two camping periods.

According to reports, the players are owed per diem payments for the final two qualifying rounds against South Africa and Uganda.

The Black Princesses faced South Africa in the penultimate qualifying round in February, playing the first leg in Accra before travelling for the reverse fixture. They then followed that with a two-legged tie against Uganda earlier this month.

Sources within the camp indicate that some players fear they may struggle to receive the outstanding payments once they leave camp and return home, prompting their decision to remain at the team hotel.

Despite the delay in the payment of per diems, the players reportedly received stipends from the Ghana Football Association upon their return to Accra.

The Black Princesses booked their place at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after recording a 2–1 victory in the first leg in Accra before holding Uganda to a 1–1 draw in Kampala in the return encounter.

The qualification marks Ghana’s eighth consecutive appearance at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, having featured in each of the last seven editions of the tournament.

Meanwhile, the team is expected to learn its group-stage opponents during the tournament draw scheduled for Friday, May 15.

The official draw ceremony will be held at the EC1 Cultural Centre in Łódź, one of the four host cities for the tournament.

Other host cities include Bielsko-Biała, Katowice and Sosnowiec.

Ghana will be among 24 qualified nations participating in the draw for the prestigious biennial competition, scheduled to run from September 5 to 27, 2026, in Poland.

The Black Princesses booked their place at the tournament for the eighth time after edging Uganda’s U-20 women’s national team 3–2 on aggregate in the qualification playoffs.

Speaking on Tuesday, May 12, during the presentation of a GH¢5 million donation from GCB Bank to the Black Stars support campaign, the Buem MP disclosed that the necessary broadcast rights have been secured to ensure matches will be shown on selected media platforms across the country.

“Through the support of government and fundraising efforts, we have been able to secure broadcast rights to telecast the World Cup matches live on some of the media stations,” he said.

The GCB Bank contribution forms part of a broader effort to mobilise financial and corporate support for the national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Government has recently launched a fundraising drive aimed at rallying stakeholders behind the Black Stars as preparations intensify for the tournament, which will be staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Ghana, making its fifth appearance at the global showpiece, has been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama.

The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama in Toronto on June 17, before taking on England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.

As part of their build-up, Ghana are scheduled to play international friendlies against Mexico later this month, followed by a final preparatory match against Wales on June 2.

The presentation took place at the bank’s headquarters in Accra, bringing together officials from GCB Bank and the Ministry in a brief ceremony highlighting private sector support for national sports development.

Chairman of the GCB Bank Board, Joshua Alabi, said the contribution reflects the bank’s continued commitment to nurturing Ghanaian sporting talent and strengthening national unity through football.

He noted that the Black Stars remain a strong symbol of national identity and pride.

“Football unites the country, and supporting the national team goes beyond banking. It is about investing in hope, resilience and national representation on the global stage,” he said.

Prof. Alabi added that Ghana’s participation in major international tournaments such as the World Cup offers an opportunity to project the country positively while improving logistical and welfare support for the team.

Receiving the donation, Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, expressed appreciation to GCB Bank for what he described as timely and strategic support for the newly established sports fund.

He noted that corporate backing remains crucial to the growth of the sector and commended the bank for being among the early institutions to respond to the fund’s call for support.

According to him, training provided by GCB for personnel managing the fund would also enhance its efficiency and long-term impact.

The Minister further praised the bank’s nationwide presence, describing its support as a strong example of how corporate Ghana can contribute to sports development and the promotion of national pride.

Ramos, 40, is the public face of a group backed by the Five Eleven fund that entered a three-month period of exclusivity to acquire the relegation-threatened La Liga side in January.

Sources with knowledge of the negotiations, kept anonymous to preserve relationships, have revealed that an agreement in principle for €444m was reached on Tuesday after finishing the due diligence and negotiations with shareholders that lasted between eight and 10 hours on Monday.

The deadline to complete the purchase is expected to fall around late May or early June, with sources confirming the consortium needs to provide the required capital to move forward, though a financial guarantee has been presented.

The Athletic reported in January that the takeover was subject to due diligence to analyse the financial health of the club, after uncertainty about the valuation of Sevilla’s debt — which could be around €180m according to club sources — pending an external audit commissioned by the bidders.

Club sources, speaking anonymously as they were not authorised to do so, have told The Athletic that the net debt is estimated around €90million, and this amount would need to be deducted from the final price. Sevilla’s finances have worsened in recent years, with 2023-24 losses of €81.8m, and if they were to be relegated to the Seguda Division, the club’s value is estimated to drop by around 20-30 per cent.

Sevilla are 13th in La Liga, three points above the relegation zone with three games remaining of the 2025-26 campaign.

Ramos made his first team debut for Sevilla in February 2004 and returned to the club in 2023 following 16 years at Madrid and two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain. The 2010 World Cup winner made 87 appearances for Sevilla during his two spells at the club and has been a free agent since leaving Mexican club Monterrey in December.

Guillermo Rai Guillermo began his career covering Real Madrid and the sports industry for Diario AS. He later moved to London and became AS and Cadena Ser correspondent. He has since returned to Madrid and joins us at The Athletic where he will deliver Real Madrid news, interviews, stories, and more.

VAR has come under renewed scrutiny this week with a stoppage-time goal for West Ham against Arsenal ruled out following a lengthy review – a decision which had an impact at both ends of the Premier League table.

Guardiola believes his side have been on the wrong end of referee decisions and cited calls in his side’s FA Cup final defeats in 2024 and 2025.

“We lost the two finals of the FA Cup because the referees didn’t do their jobs they should do, even the VAR,” the Spaniard said.

City lost to Crystal Palace in last year’s final, with the Eagles’ goalkeeper Dean Henderson saving a penalty.

But the England man could have seen red for handling outside the area, which may have changed the outcome of the game.

That came after City were left aggrieved following the previous year’s loss to Manchester United, believing they should have been awarded two penalties in the game.

But Guardiola says it is up to the players to take VAR out of the equation.

“When this happens it is because we have to do better, not the referees or VAR,” he continued.

“I never trust anything since I arrived a long time ago. Always I learned you have to do it better, do it better, be in a position to do it better because you blame yourself with what you have to do, because (VAR) is a flip of a coin.”

Guardiola was speaking before Wednesday’s meeting with Palace, which they need to win to cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to two points.

That would still leave Arsenal needing to drop points in their remaining two games – against relegated Burnley and Palace – for City to have any chance of winning the Premier League title.

“Of course it is not in our hands in the Premier League. Always I say to the players, ‘Do it, do it, do it better’,” Guardiola added.

“The only thing we can do is do it better, that is only in your control.”

Guardiola’s side will play in their third FA Cup final in three seasons when they meet Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday.

Webb confirmed the move after explaining why disallowing West Ham’s last-ditch equaliser against Arsenal on Sunday was the correct decision.

Callum Wilson thought he had rescued a Premier League point for the Hammers on Sunday in the fifth minute of stoppage time, only for the video assistant referee (VAR) to intervene for a foul by Pablo on Gunners goalkeeper David Raya.

The decision was controversial, giving Arsenal a 1-0 win and impacting not only the fate of the two clubs, but also Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at either end of the Premier League table.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said the VAR, Darren England, had showed “a lot of courage” to rule out the goal, while West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo criticised a “lack of consistency” by referees.

Webb, speaking on Match Officials Mic’d Up, said the foul on Raya had to be penalised.

“Is it a foul on the goalkeeper? Categorically yes,” Webb said.

“We’ve said all season, including in pre-season briefings with the players, that if a goalkeeper is impeded by an opponent grabbing or holding their arms and therefore they can’t do their job, they’ll be penalised.

“We’re not just talking about contact with goalkeepers, we’re talking about a specific type of contact when the goalkeeper’s arms or hands are being interfered with, stopping them doing their job.

“Raya can’t do what he would normally do in that situation, simply catch the ball or punch the ball, and they intervene, and they come to the right decision.

“When you look at that in the round, that’s clearly the clear and obvious offence that needs penalising.”

The audio showed that a number of other possible fouls had been considered, including Leandro Trossard on Pablo, with the VAR team flagging them to the referee.

Webb backed the VAR team’s view by saying that “the most significant contact undoubtedly is that on the goalkeeper”.

Grappling, holding and pushing has become a theme in the Premier League this season.

Webb said that, at the end of the season, discussions will be held about how to police it.

“We consult all the time with the clubs, with the fan groups, with a range of other stakeholders about the type of game that they want to see and how they want us to officiate it,” Webb added.

“This season’s been a little bit more unique than previous ones about the number of contacts in the penalty area, and it does create a challenge for the officials.

“We’ll certainly continue consulting with all of the people I mentioned earlier about the type of game they want to see, because we have seen more involvement from set-piece coaches bringing players together in these areas, looking for those marginal gains.

“But we need to be vigilant. We need to identify those clear actions that are impactful.

“We’ve penalised more holding penalties than we did last year, but we’ve missed some as well.”

Transcript: VAR audio of West Ham’s disallowed goal

Referee (REF): Chris Kavanagh

Assistant Referee 1 (AR1): Dan Cook

VAR: Darren England

Assistant VAR (AVAR): Akil Howson

RO: Hawk-Eye replay operator

When the on-field team is able to hear the VAR discussion, the text is shown in bold.

VAR: Possible foul on keeper.

VAR: Watch has gone.

AVAR: Goal given.

AR1: I don’t see any foul on the goalkeeper.

REF: On-field decision is goal.

VAR: Checking the on-field decision of goal.

VAR: OK, let’s play it through, let’s play it through. Let’s just get a feel now.

VAR: So, the keeper there…

VAR: Then it’s just a shot. So, it’s literally just a possible foul on Raya, what I’m seeing in terms of that.

AVAR: Yeah, and to make sure he doesn’t have it in his hand.

VAR: OK, let’s get a tighter angle on the goalkeeper please.

VAR: On the Arsenal goalkeeper.

RO: Yeah.

VAR: This one. Slow it down, frame by frame.

VAR: For me, there is a foul. Potential foul with the arm.

VAR: His hand is holding his arm down. That’s impactful, for me.

VAR: The left arm there, is holding, is across the body.

VAR: He’s across the head and he’s holding the left arm of Raya, there.

VAR: Which impedes his ability to get to the ball properly.

VAR: Doesn’t look that impactful from that angle.

RO: I’ve got a pole-cam angle.

VAR: Give us pole-cam.

AVAR: It’s like, Raya…

AVAR: Because that contact we’ve got there, we’ve got…

VAR: Just keep delaying. Just checking possible foul on the goalkeeper.

AVAR: You’ve got that straight behind him as well, look.

VAR: Yeah.

RO: I’ll go back to the original angle.

VAR: Yeah.

VAR: But this happens before.

RO: Do you want to see it at full speed?

VAR: Yes please.

VAR: Is it impactful on the goalkeeper that, for me.

VAR: Go back to the second angle you showed me, the second angle.

RO: No problem, just going to look now.

AVAR: Can you do a split screen on both of them as well?

VAR: This one here, this one. Yeah, give us a split screen. That one and then the first angle.

RO: OK, goalline?

VAR: No, sorry, this one and this one, thank you.

AVAR: I don’t like Trossard not facing the ball and you’ve got…

AVAR: I agree, it’s impactful, it’s just everything else that’s going on as well.

AVAR: Let’s say we’re saying that’s a foul, then what are we saying about Trossard’s actions on the same player?

AVAR: What are we saying about Declan Rice behind?

VAR: Yeah.

VAR: He still gets a hand to the ball, doesn’t he? When he’s getting to the ball.

AVAR: What’s your initial opinion as you watched it?

VAR: I think, for me, we send him for an on-field review to look at the possible foul on the goalkeeper.

VAR: And then we get him to look at the other incidents as well. I think that’s the best decision in terms of this.

VAR: OK.

VAR: Chris (Chris Kavanagh – REF), I’m going to recommend an on-field review for a possible foul on the goalkeeper but there are some other incidents to look at while you’re at the monitor as well.

REF: OK.

VAR: So, I’m going to show you a possible foul on the goalkeeper.

RO: This angle?

REF: OK.

VAR: The left arm of Pablo comes across Raya and holds on to the left arm of Raya as he goes to win the ball.

REF: Yeah.

VAR: I’m showing you that now.

REF: I can see the clear holding on him across.

VAR: Yeah, but then I’m just going to show you some, obviously, other angles on that incident, of players.

REF: OK.

AVAR: You’ve got Declan Rice and you’ve got Trossard.

REF: I don’t know what you’re trying to show me, give me a clue.

VAR: Trossard on Pablo. Just if you look at Trossard on Pablo. Give me a better angle on that.

VAR: I’ll get you a better angle.

REF: I don’t think there’s much in that at all, I’m happy with that.

VAR: Yeah, OK.

REF: That’s nothing.

VAR: And then if you just want to consider the actions of Declan Rice on Mavropanos at the back.

VAR: But the foul happens on the goalkeeper before.

REF: Before it, so… After review, West Ham number…

VAR: 19.

REF: 19. Foul.

REF: Just confirm his number again for me.

VAR: 19.

VAR: Yeah, confirmed.

REF: Mic open.

REF: After review, West Ham number 19 commits a foul on the goalkeeper. Final decision is direct free-kick.

Casemiro, 34, won five Champions League titles during nine stellar years at Real and has spent the last four years at Old Trafford.

The 84-cap Brazil international says Wales legend Bale is the finest all-round player he has played alongside.

“Cristiano scores a minimum 15 goals [every season] but Bale is attack, defend, heads, scores,” Casemiro told the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

“Cristiano is the best, he’s in another world. Take Cristiano out of the conversation. But for me Bale is the best, more complete player.

“Everything he does [is] very good. Very quick. Too strong. For me Bale is unbelievable.”

Casemiro played with a host of star names during a Real career in which he also won three Club World Cups, three La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey, three Spanish Super Cups and three Uefa Super Cups.

He has lifted an FA Cup and EFL Cup at Manchester United, and has been to two World Cups with Brazil.

Like Bale, Casemiro played for Real between 2013 and 2022.

The 28-year-old picked up the injury in the first half of Arsenal’s 1-0 win at West Ham on Sunday and was seen leaving London Stadium in a knee brace.

In a statement, the club said White has sustained a “significant medial ligament injury” which will rule him out of the last two Premier League games and the Champions League final on 30 May.

The statement added: “Our medical team are now managing Ben’s recovery and rehabilitation programme, with everyone fully focused on supporting the aim of Ben being ready for the start of our pre-season preparations.”

White has made 30 appearances in all competitions this season and has started the past five Arsenal games, though he has only started nine league games.

Wins against Burnley and Crystal Palace in the Gunners’ final two Premier League games will secure a first league title in 22 years, while they also face Paris St-Germain in their first Champions League final in 20 years.

Arsenal’s target of White being fit for pre-season means he is unlikely to be fit for the World Cup. Thomas Tuchel will name his squad for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico on 22 May.

Perez insisted he will stand again and spoke of an “organised campaign” against his leadership, telling his opponents not to “move in the shadows” and to instead contest the election.

His announcement comes after Barcelona defeated Real Madrid in the Clasico at Camp Nou on Sunday to claim back-to-back La Liga titles with three games to spare.

“I’m here to say I’m not going anywhere and I’m here to stand for election,” the 79-year-old told the gathered press.

“If someone does want to stand for election, this is your opportunity. But don’t move in the shadows with publications, news outlets.

“And I’m not in bed, unwell. I have to come out and sit here because as Real Madrid president, I can’t allow journalists to do what they do.”

Perez has been office since June 2009, having previously been president between 2000 and 2006, and the perception that he is now too tired to fulfil his role has been the subject of anonymous briefing in Spanish press.

He reacted furiously to the suggestion at the press conference in the Spanish capital, demanding those questioning him to out themselves.

“I work hard. I’m up early and I’m the last to go to bed. I understand there’s frustration out there.

“But if people have forgotten, we have won 37 titles since I’ve been in charge. I would like to know the people who are saying these things. In these board of directors, I want whoever who is leaking this to come out.”

Perez did not target solely journalists and potential rivals for his presidency, with La Liga also a subject of harsh criticism.

“And of course, the enemy, La Liga,” he added. “We have to battle against La Liga. Corruption in the game, systematic.”

However, he also expressed confidence in his re-election by the club’s membership.

“I lead the biggest club in the world and you wouldn’t imagine the praise I get. But 100,000 members are behind me and are very happy.”

If Perez is re-elected he will likely be working alongside Jose Mourinho as head coach, with the current Benfica manager set to return to the club he led between 2010 and 2013.

Perez was asked about the manager’s position at the club but declined to answer.

He sacked Xabi Alonso in January after appointing him as head coach, while his replacement Alvaro Arbeloa is unlikely to be retained.

Madrid will finish the season without a major trophy for the second year in a row, having only won the Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Intercontinental Trophy in 2024-25.

They exited this season’s Champions League against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, while their campaign has been marred by fan unrest, with a campaign run against star forward Kylian Mbappe’s perceived lack of effort.

Meanwhile, midfielder Federico Valverde went to hospital last month after a dressing room row with team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni.

Rivals Barcelona responded to Perez’s news conference by issuing a statement of their own, which said their “legal department is carefully studying his statements and accusations” and “the next steps to follow are being evaluated”.

The 63-year-old is the clear favourite – and currently the only candidate Real are in talks with over the role.

He would replace current head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who only took charge in January following Xabi Alonso’s departure.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez first considered the possibility of Mourinho’s return two days after Xabi Alonso left the club, during initial conversations with the Portuguese coach’s representatives.

Mourinho has been manager of Benfica, in his native Portugal, since joining on a two-year contract last September, and only yesterday told media he did not want to talk about his future just yet.

“There’s a match against Estoril, and from Monday onwards I’ll be able to answer questions about my future as a coach and Benfica’s future,” he said.

Saturday’s game against Estoril Praia is Benfica’s last of the season.

From Sunday, Real Madrid will have a window to complete a deal for Mourinho at a relatively low cost.

A clause in his contract allows him to leave for 3m euros (£2.6m) up to 10 days after Benfica play their final match of the season.

He was in charge at Real between 2010 and 2013, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

After leaving the club he returned to England for a second stint at Chelsea, winning the third of his three Premier League titles, plus the EFL Cup, in the 2014-15 season.

Following his departure from the Blues by mutual consent in 2015, Mourinho then joined Manchester United on a three-year deal in 2016.

He won the Europa League, EFL Cup and Community Shield during his first season at Old Trafford but was sacked in December 2018 after a poor run of results.

Mourinho also had spells at Tottenham, Serie A side Roma, where he won the Europa Conference League in 2022, and Turkish club Fenerbahce, before taking over at Benfica last year.

Meanwhile, Real have ended their 2025-26 campaign trophyless, with rivals Barcelona sealing the La Liga title with a 2-0 El Clasico victory and by a 14-point margin.

Los Blancos’ Champions League run ended with a 6-4 aggregate defeat by German champions Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.

Off the pitch, the club fined midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde a combined 1m euros this month following a dressing room row.

Valverde, 27, went to hospital with a head injury after the spat with 26-year-old France international Tchouameni but denied the pair “came to blows”.

Perez called a news conference on Tuesday, fuelling speculation he could be set to announce Mourinho – but he refused to answer questions on the matter as he launched into an attack on his critics and called a new presidential election.

Former United midfielder Carrick, 44, has been viewed as favourite for the job since securing qualification for next season’s Champions League during a successful period as caretaker head coach.

United intended to delay making a decision on appointing a successor to Ruben Amorim, who was sacked in January, until the end of the season.

However, as first reported by The Athletic, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox are thought to have concluded Carrick is the right man for the job and will tell Ratcliffe of their choice this week.

Providing minority shareholder Ratcliffe agrees, United will begin formal talks with Carrick before his future is confirmed.

Carrick has won 10 of his 15 matches in charge, losing just twice, to guide United from seventh to third in the Premier League table and secure a return to the Champions League.

No Premier League club has won more points than the 33 Manchester United have collected since Carrick’s appointment on 13 January.

Carrick oversaw victories over title contenders Manchester City and Arsenal as he won each of his first four matches in charge in a superb start to his role as caretaker.

A seven-game unbeaten run was eventually ended in March, but subsequent key victories over Champions League rivals Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool helped to ensure a return to Europe’s elite club competition.

United were in disarray when Amorim was dismissed, with poor results and disagreements over the Portuguese’s tactics and formation leading to an increasingly strained relationship with club officials towards the end of his 14-month tenure.

But Carrick, who also had a three-game stint as United’s temporary boss after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal in 2021, has steadied the club and impressed with his work on and off the pitch.

Carrick has made a positive impression behind the scenes and been praised internally for his commitment to United’s youth development programme.

He has repeatedly stressed his belief in taking a long-term view with his decisions – he has been involved in discussions about recruitment – and a succession of United players have called for Carrick to be given the job full-time.

United have been assessing other options, but some, such as England boss Thomas Tuchel, have decided to stay where they are, while Luis Enrique remains committed to PSG.

Carrick’s side conclude their 2025-26 campaign with fixtures against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Sunday, 17 May and a final-day trip to Brighton on 24 May.

Promoted by FUNDACIÓN LALIGA and LALIGA together with the NGO Petrichor, IREVA Sports, and Sports Creates Memories, the initiative will involve more than 150 girls and women from Accra and surrounding areas in a program that combines football, education, opportunities, and fun.

The activities officially began last week with several training workshops for the project’s coaches. A qualified FUNDACIÓN LALIGA instructor delivered a course for 30 coaches using the socio-sports methodology “Values to Win,” a key pillar of the Foundation’s projects both in Spain and around the world. This methodology combines sport with personal development, teamwork, and technical training to support educational processes that positively impact the project’s coaches, who will later pass on their knowledge to directly benefit the girls participating in the initiative.

In addition, over the weekend, the six-week league-format competition officially kicked off, featuring around 100 players from the U-13 and U-16 categories representing five clubs from Ghana’s capital and nearby areas. All participants received their team kits and will also benefit from support for their weekly training sessions.

As part of this special launch, a session of the “Mini Stars” program was also held, introducing up to 50 girls under the age of 12 to football through inclusive sessions focused on togetherness and fun. Aintzane Encinas, former Real Sociedad professional player and current trustee of FUNDACIÓN LALIGA, inaugurated this section with a socio-sports clinic that concluded with friendly matches between the participating communities.

“La Ligue d’Égalité Ghana” is much more than football. This competition is designed to empower young girls through sport by providing them with a safe and structured environment where they can play organized football, learn essential life skills, and engage with their communities. The tournament also aims to address socioeconomic challenges by creating future pathways and opportunities for participants.

Paul Dreisbach, President of Petrichor, “I am delighted to see Ghana join the La Ligue d’Égalité family. This project provides safe, fun, and educational spaces where girls can play and pursue their dreams. Football is a platform for long-term community change and leadership development for the next generation of women and girls. Thanks to FUNDACIÓN LALIGA, LALIGA, and Sports Creates Memories for their commitment to quality, impact, and social change through football, we look forward to building a more inclusive and equal future together.”

Olga de la Fuente, Director of FUNDACIÓN LALIGA, “We are very excited to see how ‘La Ligue d’Égalité Ghana’ can transform lives through football. This project not only provides a platform for girls to play football, but also gives them tools for their personal and educational development. We strongly believe in the power of sport to drive social change, and we are committed to supporting initiatives that promote equality and inclusion.

Trésor Penku, Managing Director LALIGA Africa, “The arrival of ‘La Ligue d’Égalité’ in Ghana reflects LALIGA’s commitment to football development and social impact across Africa. We remain committed to projects that create real opportunities for girls and young people, using sport as a tool for inclusion, education, and positive transformation within communities.”

Following the inaugural event held last Saturday at the KariKari Astro Turf Park facilities, attended by numerous local institutions that did not want to miss the launch, “La Ligue d’Égalité Ghana” officially began its sporting activities with the hope of creating a ripple effect throughout the country — encouraging more girls to participate in football and building a stronger foundation for youth development.

The activities of this program further strengthen Ghana’s role within the La Ligue d’Égalité network, which already includes Cameroon, Kenya, Morocco, and South Africa. Originally launched in Cameroon in 2022 alongside the NGO Petrichor, the project has already completed five successful seasons across the African continent, promoting equality and inclusion through football.

About FUNDACIÓN LALIGA

Founded in 1993 and a pioneer within the professional football industry, FUNDACIÓN LALIGA is a private cultural entity with its own legal identity and non-profit status, established through the initiative and unanimous agreement of the LALIGA General Assembly. Its main objective is to channel LALIGA’s social action and promote the social responsibility strategies of its clubs and foundations, fostering cooperation among them and amplifying football’s power as a tool for social transformation in order to build a fairer, more inclusive, and more equal society. Currently, 40 foundations from the 42 football clubs that make up LALIGA are officially registered within the Foundation. In addition, the Foundation organizes the world’s first football league for players with intellectual disabilities: LALIGA GENUINE Moeve.

Ghana have been drawn in Group L for the tournament, which will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, where they will face Panama, England and Croatia.

Despite generally modest expectations heading into the competition, the Effutu MP insists the Black Stars possess enough talent to make a strong impression on the global stage.

He stressed, however, that performance will largely depend on preparation levels, motivation, and the incentives offered to both players and technical staff.

According to him, Ghanaian teams have historically delivered better results when the right structures and support systems are in place.

“They need to be properly motivated. The incentives that are supposed to be in place must be in place. When a Ghanaian team is properly composed and well motivated, they go beyond expectations,” he told TV3.

Afenyo-Markin also reflected on Ghana’s memorable 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa, where the Black Stars reached the quarter-finals and came within touching distance of a historic semi-final appearance.

He recalled the dramatic penalty miss by Asamoah Gyan in the quarter-final defeat to Uruguay, which denied Ghana a place in the last four — a milestone that would have made them the first African side to achieve the feat at the time.

“Ghana has great potential when it comes to football. We know what we did in South Africa, where we crossed the round of 16 stage and were almost there. But for the penalty miss by Asamoah Gyan, we would have reached the semi-finals,” he added.

The Black Stars will begin their campaign against Panama on June 17, before taking on England on June 23, and concluding the group stage against Croatia on June 27.

Ahead of the tournament, Carlos Queiroz’s side will step up preparations with international friendlies against Mexico later this month and Wales on June 2.

Ghana head into the tournament seeking to improve on disappointing back-to-back group-stage exits in 2014 and 2022.

Partey joined the Spanish side last summer after his contract with Arsenal F.C. expired, signing a one-year deal with an option for an additional season.

The 31-year-old has endured a difficult campaign, struggling to cement a regular place in the squad due partly to minor injury setbacks.

Despite featuring in 30 matches across all competitions, the Ghana international has not established himself as a key figure in the team.

With the season nearing its conclusion, Villarreal are understood to have opted against triggering the optional one-year extension in Partey’s contract, paving the way for his departure.

Should the move materialise, the former Atlético Madrid midfielder will become a free agent ahead of the next transfer window.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his club future, Partey is still expected to be included in Ghana’s final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Ghana national football team, four-time African champions, have been drawn in a challenging group alongside Panama, Croatia national football team and England national football team.

Speaking on Channel One TV, Gyan stressed that Ghana must make a strong start to the tournament, insisting the Panama encounter is more significant than the high-profile clashes that follow.

“This is the most important game we have in the group,” he said.
“Although we have the likes of England and others in the group, our first game against Panama is the most critical game.”

The former striker warned against underestimating the Central American side despite Ghana being viewed by many as favourites.

“Statistically, we are ahead of them, and we don’t know what they are going to bring to the table,” Gyan noted.
“But the last time I saw them play, I told myself that we have to watch out for them.”

Gyan also described Group L as one of the most unpredictable at the tournament, adding that victory in the opener could provide the momentum Ghana need for the rest of the campaign.

“Our group is a very tricky group, but when we are able to overcome Panama, anything can happen in the other games,” he said.

The former Sunderland A.F.C. forward urged the Black Stars to approach the competition with focus and intensity, insisting there should be no complacency.

“Everybody will be expecting us to beat Panama, but any team that qualifies for the World Cup means that the team did something right,” he stated.
“But against Panama, we have to make sure that we get the three points. We shouldn’t settle for anything less. We should go for that win.”

Ghana will begin their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.

As part of preparations, the Black Stars are scheduled to play friendly matches against Mexico national football team on May 22 and Wales national football team on June 2 before travelling for the tournament.

Addo joins an elite panel featuring notable names such as Tobin Heath, Jürgen Klinsmann, Jayne Ludlow, Michael O’Neill, Gilberto Silva, Jon Dahl Tomasson, Paulo Wanchope, Aron Winter and Pablo Zabaleta.

The group will operate under the leadership of FIFA Senior Football Expert Pascal Zuberbühler and Football Performance Insights Lead Tom Gardner, supported by analysts, data scientists and performance specialists working from Miami, Dallas and Manchester throughout the tournament staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Speaking to FIFA, Wenger said the TSG will play a key role in shaping understanding of modern football.

“The Technical Study Group helps identify trends in the game, prepare future generations for football’s development and contribute to making the sport more exciting by highlighting the qualities players will need in the future,” Wenger told FIFA.

He added that advanced analytics will be central to their work during the tournament.

“With an unprecedented level of high-quality data, the TSG will be able to describe, analyse and interpret what is happening on the pitch in a way that inspires both technical experts and football fans. We are not only collecting more data than before but also trying to strike the right balance between technical expertise and data. At the same time, we want to share our technical observations in real time during the tournament.”

The TSG will analyse all 104 matches at the World Cup from stadium vantage points or a dedicated performance hub in Miami. Members will have access to multiple camera angles and thousands of live data points per match, and will also help select players for official tournament awards.

Otto Addo’s appointment comes after a mixed spell in charge of the Ghana national football team, where he previously guided the Black Stars to the World Cup but was later dismissed following back-to-back defeats against Austria and Germany in March.

Meanwhile, Ghana are preparing for the 2026 tournament in North America, where they have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama.

The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama in Toronto on June 17, before facing England in Boston on June 23 and concluding the group stage against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.

Ghana secured their place at the tournament after a 3-2 aggregate victory over Uganda women’s national under-20 football team. The Black Princesses recorded a 2-1 win in the first leg in Accra before battling to a 1-1 draw in the return fixture in Kampala over the weekend.

Speaking to the team upon their return to Accra on Monday, Mr Addo commended their resilience and urged them to build on the achievement as they prepare for the global stage.

“What this team has achieved is no small feat. When the odds were against you — a goal down and a player sent off — your resilience and hard work delivered the result that secured World Cup qualification,” he said.

He also highlighted the team’s consistency, noting that the qualification marks Ghana’s eighth consecutive appearance at the tournament.

“This team has done remarkably well by qualifying for eight consecutive World Cups. Now is the time to go and perform and go beyond the group stage,” he added.

Mr Addo further encouraged the players to celebrate the achievement briefly before turning their attention to preparations for the competition.

“Take time to enjoy this moment for a few days, but the real work begins now ahead of September, when the World Cup starts,” he said.

He concluded by conveying messages of support from the GFA leadership and the nation.

“On behalf of President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, the Executive Council and the entire nation, we are proud of you. Congratulations on this historic achievement.”

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will be held in Poland from September 5 to 27, 2026.

The 20-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season marked by consistency, versatility and growing maturity, featuring in multiple positions including right-back, central midfield and centre-back. His adaptability proved crucial for the Danish side throughout the campaign.

Yirenkyi recorded two goals and six assists in 29 league appearances, highlighting his impact at both ends of the pitch.

He rounded off the season with another impressive performance in FC Nordsjælland’s 2-1 victory over Viborg FF in their latest fixture.

His latest achievement continues the growing influence of Ghanaian players at the club, following Ernest Nuamah, who won the same award before securing a move to Olympique Lyonnais in 2023.

Since breaking into the Ghana national football team setup, Yirenkyi has become an important figure for the Black Stars and is widely expected to be included in Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to Brazilian outlet GZH, the club was informed that the winger was expected to report to the Black Stars camp on Thursday, May 14.

However, Grêmio declined to release him, citing the timing of the call-up and their congested fixture schedule, which includes a Copa Sudamericana clash against Club Deportivo Palestino and a league fixture against Santos FC on May 23.

Amuzu has been in impressive form for the Brazilian club, scoring seven goals this season to rank as the team’s second-highest scorer behind Carlos Vinícius, who has 14 goals.

The setback comes at a crucial moment for the 26-year-old, who had earned his first senior Ghana call-up under new head coach Carlos Queiroz.

Born in Ghana but raised in Belgium, Amuzu previously represented Belgium national under-21 football team at youth level and turned down a Ghana call-up in 2022, citing his hopes of representing the European nation at senior level.

However, he recently switched allegiance to Ghana and was expected to begin his international journey with the Ghana national football team before Grêmio’s decision put those plans on hold.

The friendly against Mexico forms part of Ghana’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The right-back joined the Tuscan side last summer with just one year remaining on his contract at Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., signing a three-year deal in a move that was expected to revive his career in Italy.

However, his time in Florence has not gone as planned. Persistent fitness setbacks restricted him to only a few appearances, with reports suggesting he played just around 25 minutes across all competitions.

Lamptey made his debut as a substitute in a home defeat to SSC Napoli before suffering another major setback. He later sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury just 21 minutes into his first start against Como 1907 in late September.

The injury effectively ended his season and halted any momentum he had hoped to build in Serie A. With both parties reportedly reaching a mutual agreement, the 25-year-old is expected to leave at the end of the 2025/26 season and become a free agent.

The Spaniard is open to the possibility, but at this stage nothing is decided as the process to hire a permanent successor to Liam Rosenior continues, with outgoing Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola also a strong contender.

Alonso, 44, has been out of management since being sacked by Real Madrid on January 12 and replaced by the club’s reserve team coach, Alvaro Arbeloa.

Alonso was just seven months into the three-year deal he signed when he succeeded Carlo Ancelotti in the summer, and joined the Spanish club having guided Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title in 2023-24.

Chelsea parted company with Rosenior on April 23 after less than four months in charge, having been appointed following Enzo Maresca’s departure in January. Calum McFarlane was placed in interim charge until the end of the season.

The Athletic reported this month that names on the club’s new head coach shortlist included Alonso, Iraola, and Fulham’s Marco Silva.

Madrid won 10 of Alonso’s first 11 La Liga matches at the helm, including the October 24 Clasico against Barcelona. However, they were in second place, four points behind Barca at the time of his sacking, as well as having just lost the Supercopa de España final to Hansi Flick’s side.

Alonso joined Madrid after 18 months in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, during which he guided the Bundesliga club to their first title in 2023-24 with an unbeaten domestic season. They also reached the Europa League final, losing to Atalanta.

The former midfielder spent five years at Madrid as a player between 2009 and 2014, winning five trophies, including one Champions League title, having joined the club from Liverpool. Alonso had a five-year spell in the Premier League with Liverpool and was part of the side that won the Champions League in 2007.

Iraola, meanwhile, confirmed in April that he will leave Bournemouth when his contract expires at the end of this season. He joined the club from Rayo Vallecano to replace Gary O’Neil in June 2023 and has won admirers for the Vitality Stadium club’s attacking and entertaining style of play.

Jota, 28, and 25-year-old Andre Silva, who played for Portuguese second division club Penafiel, died in a car crash on 3 July in the Spanish province of Zamora.

The sculpture features a flowing heart design – a nod to the Portugal international’s goal celebration – the two brothers’ shirt numbers, 20 and 30, plus the lyrics to Jota’s song, which is sung by Liverpool fans in the 20th minute at every game.

Titled ‘Forever 20’, the club says it celebrates Jota and Andre Silva’s “lives, their bond, and the love and respect felt by family, team-mates and supporters across the world”.

The memorial, which will be located at Anfield on 97 Avenue, has recycled the physical tributes left outside Anfield since Jota’s death by fans paying their respects and incorporated them into the stone plinth.

Liverpool have not yet announced when it will be unveiled but will reveal the date in the future.

Jota joined the Reds from Wolves in 2020 and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and two League Cups during his time on Merseyside.

The four-time African champions will be among the 48 nations competing at the global showpiece, which will be hosted across the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer.

Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia.

In line with FIFA regulations, all participating countries are required to submit provisional squads before confirming their final lists for the tournament.

Queiroz, who recently replaced Otto Addo on a short-term basis ahead of the Mundial, is expected to announce his preliminary squad this week before naming the final team on June 1.

Meanwhile, the Black Stars will test their readiness ahead of the tournament with friendly games against Mexico later this month before wrapping up their pre-tournament games against Wales on June 2.

The Black Stars will open their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto before travelling to Boston to face England on June 23.

Ghana will then wrap up their group-stage matches against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.

The upcoming tournament will mark Ghana’s fifth appearance at the World Cup, following previous participations in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022.

The Black Stars’ best performance came at the 2010 edition in South Africa, where they reached the quarter-finals and narrowly missed out on becoming the first African nation to reach the last four.

After suffering group-stage exits at the 2014 tournament in Brazil and the 2022 edition in Qatar, Ghana will be hoping for a stronger showing this summer.