According to a report published on April 27, 2026, Dr. Sosu is recognized for his relentless legal approach, which combines activism with advocacy, specifically targeting police brutality and state overreach.

Dr Francis-Xavier Sosu fuses activism with legal advocacy. He has challenged police brutality, pushed for prison reforms, and filed cases against state overreach.

His method is simple: relentless legal pressure. Sosu petitions, sues, and speaks out, even when the political cost is high.

His courage and consistency have earned him both admiration and caution within legal and political circles.

Key reasons for Dr. Sosu’s inclusion

Relentless Advocacy: He is noted for his use of legal pressure, including petitions and lawsuits, even in high-stakes political situations.

Human Rights Focus: As a prominent human rights lawyer, he has been involved in high-profile cases involving prison reforms and public interest litigation.Political Act

His role as the MP for Madina and his consistent legal challenges against authorities have gained him recognition as a formidable figure.

Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu is Legislator, Human Rights Lawyer and Activist. He is the immediate past 2nd Vice President of the United Nations Association of Ghana and is currently the Chairman of the ECOWAS Caucus of African Parliamentary Union (APU)

As a Member of Parliament, Hon Sosu introduced laws to abolish Death Penalty in Ghana and criminalizing witchcraft accusations in protection of vulnerable aged women.

Hon. Francis-Xavier Sosu has over 15 years’ experience as a lawyer and is a member of the Ghana Bar Association, Africa Bar Association, International Association of Peoples’ Lawyers, Lawyers without Borders, Canada, Criminal Justice Reforms Association, Lawyers In search of Democracy, and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) (Hons) in Sociology and Archaeology, Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (Hons), Master of Laws (LLM) in Oil and Gas Law, Master of Arts (MA) in Economic Policy Management; and MPhil (Human Rights, Peace and Conflict Studies) and PhD in Regional Integration Laws.

He also holds a Certificate in International Legislative Drafting from the Tulane Law School, New Orleans, USA; and is a Visiting Scholar at the Center College, Danville, Kentucky, and University of the South, Tennessee, all in the USA.

Honourable was a street child for many years before being adopted to the Village of Hope Orphanage owed by Churches of Christ in Ghana.

Other prominent lawyers listed in the same report include Tsatsu Tsikata, Godfred Yeboah Dame, Thaddeus Sory, and Ace Ankomah.

Dr. Sosu recently earned a PhD in Law and continues to be a high-profile figure in both legal and political circles

10 most fearsome Ghanaian lawyers

Ace Ankomah, Tsikata and 8 fearsome Ghanaian lawyers dominating the legal Space

In Ghana’s legal arena, some names do far more than just win court cases. They command attention, shape public discourse, and redefine what it means to practise law with influence and authority.

These legal powerhouses combine intellectual rigour, strategic brilliance, and fearless resolve to dominate both the courtroom and the national conversation.

Through landmark rulings, controversial prosecutions, and high-profile defences, these ten formidable lawyers have left an enduring imprint on Ghana’s legal landscape.

1. Tsatsu Tsikata

Former Chief Executive of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata

Born on 1 October 1950, Tsatsu Tsikata is widely recognised as Ghana’s most iconic trial lawyer. He is revered for blending academic excellence with courtroom finesse.

His legal prowess has been described as “astonishing,” with the ability to captivate opposing counsel and reduce “hardened judges to speaking with involuntary pauses and repetitions.”

Tsikata’s career spans several decades, during which he has served as both academic and practitioner. A former Chief Executive of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation and longstanding legal adviser to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), he is feared for his compelling delivery and deep command of constitutional law.

He served as lead counsel for the NDC in the landmark election petition cases of 2013 and 2021. Considered one of Ghana’s wealthiest legal minds, Tsikata’s voice carries weight in both legal and academic circles.

2. Godfred Yeboah Dame

Godfred Yeboah Dame served as Attorney General and Minister for Justice under the Akufo-Addo administration, a tenure marked by controversy and intense scrutiny from within the legal fraternity.

He featured prominently in several high-profile prosecutions and was often at the centre of the state’s legal defences. Known for his confident courtroom demeanour and ability to cite case law spontaneously, Dame frequently challenged senior lawyers with a boldness uncommon among his peers.

Though his political affiliations have drawn criticism, even detractors recognise his legal sharpness and unyielding approach to litigation.

3. Thaddeus Sory

Thaddeus Sory is the Founding Partner of Sory & Partners@Law, a Notary Public, and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb). He also lectures in Advocacy and Legal Ethics at the Ghana School of Law.

Known for his versatility across multiple branches of law, Sory has earned praise as “a battle horse” who “knows all his procedures” and is a “fantastic litigation lawyer.”

He has been involved in a wide range of dispute resolution matters, including arbitration. Recently, he served as counsel to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, further reinforcing his influence in the legal and political spaces.

4. Tony Lithur

Tony Lithur, founder of Lithur Brew & Company, has built a reputation as one of Ghana’s foremost litigators and transactional lawyers. With a deep well of experience, he routinely advises clients on joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, finance leasing, and regulatory compliance.

Respected for his strategic negotiation skills, Lithur has advised banks and financial institutions across various sectors. His strength lies not only in litigation, but also in navigating complex commercial transactions with a rare blend of legal depth and business acumen.

5. Ace Ankomah

Ace Anan Ankomah, Senior Partner at Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah, has over 29 years of legal experience. As head of the firm’s Disputes practice group, he oversees contentious matters from analysis to trial, representing clients in both domestic and international arbitration.

Ankomah has acted for major institutions including the International Finance Corporation, Bank of Ghana, Ecobank, Deloitte & Touche, and Vodafone. His recent legal victory in a defamation suit worth GHS2.95 million highlighted his unflinching approach to protecting his name and seeking accountability.

Known for his direct legal style and willingness to challenge conventional thinking, he remains one of Ghana’s most formidable legal figures.

6. Yaw Oppong

As Director of the Ghana School of Law, Yaw Oppong is shaping the future of legal practice in Ghana. However, his influence is not confined to the lecture hall.

A seasoned litigator, he has represented multinationals, banks, and prominent individuals in complex legal disputes.

Oppong bridges theory and practice effortlessly. His growing visibility in both courtrooms and public legal education makes him a force to watch and to fear.

7. Martin Kpebu

Martin Kpebu occupies a rare space between courtroom advocacy and legal activism. Whether securing the release of remand prisoners, defending media freedom, or taking on the presidency, Kpebu brings relentless energy and legal clarity to every battle.

His boldness is matched by his legal insight, making him a thorn in the side of those in power. While courtroom victories may vary, his influence on national conversations is indisputable. His greatest weapon remains his unapologetic legal directness and refusal to filter uncomfortable truths.

8. Kissi Agyebeng

Appointed as Special Prosecutor on 26 April 2021, Kissi Agyebeng succeeded Martin Amidu and entered office at a critical juncture in Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts.

Tasked with investigating and prosecuting high-profile corruption cases, Agyebeng holds one of the most sensitive legal positions in the country. His actions and decisions continue to shape public perception of the fight against corruption in Ghana, earning him both respect and scrutiny.

9. Amanda Clinton

Amanda Clinton is the Founding Partner of Clinton Consultancy. Called to the Bar in both England and Ghana, she brings a global perspective to her practice, which includes corporate law, maritime law, and alternative dispute resolution.

Known for her discretion, professionalism, and strong communication skills, Amanda handles high-level litigation and advisory work for international clients.

 Her portfolio includes advising on one of Africa’s largest Ponzi schemes (Menzgold) and representing the Ghana Football Association during its engagements with FIFA in Zurich. Her reputation in commercial law and reputation management is unmatched in the subregion.

10. Francis-Xavier Sosu

Legal practitioner and Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis Xavier Sosu

As Member of Parliament for Madina and a trained human rights lawyer, Francis-Xavier Sosu fuses activism with legal advocacy. He has challenged police brutality, pushed for prison reforms, and filed cases against state overreach.

His method is simple: relentless legal pressure. Sosu petitions, sues, and speaks out, even when the political cost is high. His courage and consistency have earned him both admiration and caution within legal and political circles.

The impact of legal excellence

These ten lawyers exemplify the highest standards of legal practice in Ghana. From Tsatsu Tsikata’s awe-inspiring advocacy to Martin Kpebu’s radical transparency, they each bring unique approaches to law that have shaped Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

Their contributions go beyond individual court victories.

Through landmark cases, constitutional interpretation, public advocacy, and legal reform, they continue to define the boundaries and possibilities of Ghana’s legal system.

They have earned both fear and admiration in equal measure.

Stones, whose contract runs out this summer, has made 293 appearances since joining from Everton for £47.5m in 2016.

He helped City win six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups, five League Cups, three Community Shields, the Club World Cup and the Uefa Super Cup.

“It has been my home for the past 10 years and it will be my home for the rest of my life,” said an emotional Stones in a social media post.

“It has been a rollercoaster in many ways. I came as a kid and now leaving as a man – becoming a father, a husband and, on the pitch, a very fulfilled player.

“I lived all my dreams out and lifted all the things that I came here to achieve.

“At the start of my career here I never would thought I would be in this position. Firstly, to achieve everything but to have the love, the bond with everyone. Every dream has been smashed out of the park.”

Stones was Pep Guardiola’s second signing at City, becoming the world’s second most expensive defender at the time.

“I don’t think it would have been anywhere near as successful without him,” said Stones.

“I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to spend so long with him, win everything with him. I feel lucky and grateful for what he’s done for me.”

Stones is the latest long-serving player to exit Etihad Stadium.

Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Ederson departed last summer and captain Bernardo Silva will leave when his contract expires in June.

Despite his time at the club being hampered by injuries, Stones will go down as a firm fans’ favourite, telling the club website that hearing the fans singing his name shows there is a “mutual love between us”.

He has scored 19 goals, including a crucial equaliser Arsenal in 2024, and his match-winning goalline clearance against Liverpool during the tense 2018-19 title race will long be remembered, helping City to 98 points that season to win the league by one point.

Clouded by injury issues

An elegant, ball-playing centre-back affectionately nicknamed the ‘Barnsley Beckenbauer’, the early part of Stones’ career was blighted by individual errors, but he settled in to playing a major part in City’s success under Guardiola.

Silva said this season that Stones is a “special player” and it is “not a coincidence” that the team play better “when John is fit”.

Stones played in 73% of games for City during his first season at the club, but that has dropped down to 30% this term because of by muscular issues including thigh and calf problems.

He has managed only 16 appearances in all competitions for the club this season, but captained the side into the FA Cup final with victory over Southampton on Sunday.

According to Opta, Stones has missed 737 days and 295 matches through injury or not being selected during his decade at City, with 32 separate issues keeping him out of action.

This season he has featured in only 353 minutes of Premier League action, having played only 545 top-flight minutes last term.

Guardiola said this month: “I cannot judge his performance because he has been a little bit out.

“I don’t have doubts with John. When he reaches his level, he is a top central defender.

“I only want [him] fit and, unfortunately, like last season, a lot of the time it is not possible. He is a lovely, incredible team-mate, but we will see what happens.”

Starting with Monday’s trip to Stones’ former side Everton, City face a spell of six games in 21 days as they look to end the season by claiming a domestic treble.

Reports in Spain said this week he is willing to take pay cut to join Barcelona, while former club Everton and Premier League newcomers Coventry have also been linked with a move.

Will Stones go to the World Cup?

Stones has won 87 caps for England, including three this season.

He was called up by manager Thomas Tuchel for the friendlies in March, but withdrew because of a calf issue.

He started both England’s European Championship final defeats – in 2021 and 2024 – with centre-back partner Marc Guehi saying in 2024 that playing with Stones “makes my life so much easier”.

Guehi joined City from Crystal Palace for £20m in January, but he and Stones have not played together.

BBC Sport senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel said: “Stones has a good chance of being on the plane but it is dependent on fitness.

“If he is fully fit, he will start the games. He is viewed as one of the vice-captains alongside Declan Rice, so is important to the group.

“But he keeps breaking down this season and that is the main issue. It is something Tuchel is worried about and aware of.

“If he can get a run of games between now and the summer and prove his fitness, he has a chance.”

The firing prompted the evacuation of Trump, along with the members of his cabinet, from the media gala, being held at the Washington Hilton on Saturday evening. The president later called the incident an attack by a “would-be assassin”.

Security personnel shot at the suspect after he forced his way through a checkpoint just outside the hotel ballroom, where the president, First Lady Melania Trump, top officials and hundreds of formally dressed guests were assembled.

The man, identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen in US media reports, was arrested at the scene. Official confirmation has yet to be released.

People dived under tables in chaotic scenes as Secret Service teams swarmed into the glitzy WHCA dinner, held annually at the Washington Hilton in the US capital.

“A man charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of the Secret Service,” Trump told a news conference at the White House shortly after the incident.

“They seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that too,” he said, after posting video of the suspect sprinting past security as guards drew their weapons.

So, what do we know about the suspect, and where is he now?

Who is the suspected attacker?

Law enforcement officials, who have not released the suspect’s name, say he lives in Torrance, California, a coastal city in the South Bay region near Los Angeles along Santa Monica Bay.

The chief of Washington, DC’s police department said investigators think the suspect was staying as a guest at the Washington Hilton, where the annual dinner was held, though they have not yet established a motive.

Facebook posts appearing to be linked to Allen indicate he was recognised as “Teacher of the Month” in December 2024 by the Torrance branch of C2 Education, a national private tutoring and test-preparation company for college-bound students.

A LinkedIn profile under the suspect’s name describes him as a “mechanical engineer and computer scientist by degree, independent game developer by experience, teacher by birth”.

Allen contributed $25 to a Democratic Party political action committee in support of Kamala Harris for president in 2024, according to federal campaign finance records.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Trump said it was unlikely the shooting was linked to the US-Israel war on Iran.

“It’s not going to deter me from winning the war in Iran. I don’t know if that had anything to do with it, I really don’t think so, based on what we know,” Trump told reporters.

What do we know about the security measures at the hotel?
The interim chief for the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, Jeffery Carroll, told reporters on Saturday that investigators believe the suspect was staying in the hotel, and that is how he apparently entered it at the time of the event.

The hotel was closed to the public beginning at 2pm (18:00 GMT) on Saturday in anticipation of the dinner, which began at 8pm (00:00 GMT). Outside, dozens of protesters gathered in the rain, mostly directing their criticism at the media attending the event.

Access to the hotel was restricted to hotel guests, people with tickets to the dinner, an invitation to one of the receptions held at the hotel before or after the dinner, or documents from the WHCA indicating affiliation with the dinner.

The 2,300 guests at the event in the hotel’s cavernous subterranean ballroom had to pass through several additional checks to enter the room, including showing tickets to association volunteers and hotel staff and passing through magnetometers crewed by the Secret Service and the Transportation Security Administration.

Security camera footage released by Trump on social media shortly after the incident shows the suspect running past security officers who appear to be disassembling the metal detectors.

Once the president was seated in the ballroom, additional attendees were not permitted to enter the secured area, which is why they were taking them down.

“It shows that our multilayered protection works,” Secret Service Director Sean Curran said. His comments were echoed by Carroll, who said the security plan for the evening was developed by the Secret Service and “that security plan did work this evening”.

However, Richard Gaisford, reporting for Al Jazeera from Washington, DC, said, “All eyes will now be on whether there was enough security in place.”

“This isn’t the first time that someone has tried to kill the president if that was the main aim of this evening’s attack,” he said.

“The man is being held, and we’re told, will be asked these questions. And certainly, we’ll get a clearer picture of the intent and more details of what happened tomorrow.”

What do we know about past attacks on Trump?

Trump has been the target of several assassination attempts and numerous death threats during both his presidency and his campaigns.

The most serious incident occurred in July 2024 at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, when a gunman reached a rooftop overlooking the stage where the then-candidate was speaking. A spectator was killed, Trump was wounded in the ear, and Secret Service agents shot dead the attacker, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Crooks.

A few months later, in September, authorities said an armed man lay in wait near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, intending to kill him.

Prosecutors said the suspect, Ryan Routh, spent weeks planning the attack and aimed a rifle through bushes as Trump played golf, but a Secret Service agent spotted him before he could shoot, and he was arrested shortly afterwards. Routh was convicted last year of attempting to kill the president and received a life sentence in February.

The same month, 21-year-old Austin Tucker Martin was shot dead after entering Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida with a shotgun; Trump was not on the property at the time.

Chelsea’s 1-0 win against a disappointing Leeds United showed much of the best of a talented group of players – but also some of the worst given their desperate efforts that led to Rosenior being shown the door after only 106 days.

If Rosenior was watching this scrappy semi-final, decided by Enzo Fernandez’s first-half header, he would be right to question where all that fight and determination on show at Wembley were when he was at the helm.

These are the basics any head coach should be able to take as a given, but were absent under Rosenior during a desperate run of five league losses without scoring, a fate that had not befallen Chelsea since 1912.

Here, with an FA Cup final against Manchester City back at Wembley on 16 May as the prize, those qualities miraculously – or perhaps predictably – returned, allowing Chelsea to grind out victory.

Chelsea’s players, and their derided owners BlueCo, now have the opportunity to save a shambolic season with silverware, a trick the club have performed often in the past.

Roman Abramovich’s “hire ’em, fire ’em” strategy inflicted instability on Chelsea, but was also the catalyst for great glory.

In the Abramovich era, which stretched from July 2003 to May 2022, Chelsea won 18 major honours and two Community Shields, contesting 30 finals under 15 managers, including caretakers and interims.

The classic case came in 2012, when caretaker manager Roberto di Matteo won the Champions League and FA Cup after succeeding the sacked Andre Villas-Boas.

Under BlueCo’s leadership, Chelsea have won two major honours – the Conference League and Club World Cup – and have now reached three finals under eight managers, including caretakers and interims.

Now, from the wreckage of a chaotic campaign, Chelsea could perform the feat again – providing the players who have gone missing so often this season show up against Manchester City and play to their capabilities.

It was clear from Rosenior’s latter days that he had lost the faith of the dressing room. A dismal 3-0 loss at Brighton was the final straw for an ownership who desperately wanted the 41-year-old – brought in from another of their clubs, Strasbourg – to succeed as a symbol of their multi-club model.

It is not exactly a glowing reference for Chelsea’s players that the sight of interim head coach Calum McFarlane on the touchline – or indeed anyone who was not Rosenior – prompted an instant uplift in performance and attitude.

McFarlane told BBC Radio 5 Live after the game that the team’s character had been “questioned a lot and rightly so at times” – but not by him.

“I wouldn’t queston their character,” he added. “It’s been questioned because of the results. We’re playing against top teams, you get in a rut. People are reactive to the results.

“That group has massive character.”

Indeed, this was a better day for Chelsea’s much-criticised hierarchy, with co-owner Behdad Eghbali in close proximity at Wembley to England head coach Thomas Tuchel, the first manager to be shown the door under his rule when he was dismissed on the new regime’s 100th day in September 2022.

‘Give a player an inch, they take a mile’

Central to it all was match-winner Fernandez, the game’s outstanding performer. The Argentine’s first half-header, planted firmly past Lucas Perri after 23 minutes, turning out to be the decisive moment.

It ended a run of 498 minutes without a Chelsea goal against Premier League clubs in all competitions. Victory was secured with their first clean sheet against top-flight opposition since 17 January.

This was the same Fernandez recently given a two-match suspension by Chelsea after Rosenior said he had “crossed a line” following their Champions League exit against Paris St-Germain by giving an interview hinting at a departure.

The assumption was that he was fluttering his eyelashes at Real Madrid.

At Wembley, what should be normal service for the World Cup winner was resumed. Fernandez was the inspiration behind Chelsea’s win, not just with his goal but all-round effort.

He took his goal tally this season to 13. The only midfielder to score more for a Premier League club in 2025-26 is Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White with 16.

Former England goalkeeper Rob Green, who had a spell at Stamford Bridge towards the end of his career, reflected on how the Wembley displays of Chelsea and Fernandez contrasted sharply with those produced in Rosenior’s final days.

“They’re a product of the system they are in and in modern-day football,” Green said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“It’s ugly but they have all the power and it was epitomised by Fernandez. He ran the game. It was down to him how they played. That is not healthy for a football club but for Chelsea it gets them to finals.

“Give a player an inch, they take a mile.

“Chelsea do what Chelsea do. They had one big moment in the game, Leeds had three or four, but didn’t take them and that was the difference.”

And what a difference a new face in the technical area makes – especially amid the dysfunction and turbulence that characterises Chelsea.

As Manchester United prepare for their pivotal clash against Brentford on Monday, their imposing presence between the sticks Senne Lemmens is casting his mind far beyond the grey skies of the English northwest.

For Lammens, the journey to the cauldron of Old Trafford has been built on a foundation of global experiences.

Long before he was pulling on the historic United jersey, his footballing education took him to the southernmost tip of Africa.

“Yes, I visited once for a youth tournament while playing in Belgium,” Lammens recalls, a distinct warmth in his voice when asked about South Africa.

“It was a wonderful experience, and we managed to win the tournament, which made it even more memorable.”

The geography might be slightly hazy for the focused shot-stopper, but the feeling of the nation certainly left its mark.

“It might have been the capital, although I am not entirely certain,” he says.

“It could have been Pretoria, but I understand that South Africa has three capitals, so I am not completely sure which one it was.”

“I have only visited one place, but it was a very good experience. Since that trip was mainly football focused, I would ideally like to explore more of the country and visit different regions.”

“That is usually how I prefer to travel, experiencing different places, because areas within the same country can be very different from one another. I hope to have the opportunity to do that one day.”

Told that a South African safari is an essential bucket-list experience, his eyes light up: “That sounds like a great experience. I look forward to doing that one day.”

It is this global tapestry that makes stepping onto the pitch at Old Trafford so profound.

The sheer magnitude of Manchester United’s reach across continents, particularly in Africa, is something that has profoundly moved the young Belgian.

“It certainly does [surprise me]. That has probably been one of the biggest surprises for me, the number of supporters from different countries around the world,” Lammens explains.

“That is likely why this club is considered one of the biggest in the world, because its support extends far beyond England.”

“In Belgium, Manchester United was already very popular, and since Belgium is close to the United Kingdom, that always felt normal.”

“However, when you see the level of support in regions such as Asia and Africa, including South Africa, which are geographically far from England, it becomes even more impressive.”

“Supporters continue to watch and show their loyalty, and you can truly feel that worldwide support. It is very special.”

Senne Lammens of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on February 23, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

The Anatomy of a Seamless Transition

Stepping into the spotlight of the Premier League has broken many seasoned veterans, but for Lammens, the move has been an exercise in quiet, calculated confidence.

“I think the transition has been quite good, smooth, and fast as well,” he reflects.

“The first couple of weeks were about getting used to everything, and once I started playing and performing well, everything began to come together. All the puzzle pieces fell into place.”

“Looking back on it, I could not have imagined it going any better. I already feel at home here. I have built strong friendships within the team and feel comfortable where I live. I truly cannot complain.”

When asked about the sharpest hurdles he’s had to clear since landing in Manchester, Lammens’ answer reveals the mindset of a true modern professional—one rooted in relentless self-improvement rather than anxiety.

“That is a good question. Not many things have changed compared to when I was in Belgium, particularly from a football perspective,” he says.

“I would like to think I have remained consistent. Of course, everything here is bigger, and the quality is higher, so adapting to that environment has been necessary. However, adaptability is one of my strengths.”

“The daily grind of improving, putting in the work, and focusing on personal growth is something I am very conscious of. In the long run, you always want to improve, especially as a young player.”

“My main focus is on becoming slightly better every year, every month, and every day. Achieving that extra percentage of improvement is both the most challenging and the most important part. At the same time, it is what I enjoy most about being a professional athlete, putting in the work, improving, and seeing the rewards of that effort.”

Senne Lammens of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on February 07, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Managing the Weight of the Crest

To wear the badge of Manchester United is to shoulder the history of legends.

Yet, watching Lammens command his area, there is an eerie, ice-cold calm about him.

How does a young goalkeeper mentally insulate himself from the crushing pressure of the Theatre of Dreams?

“I have been asked this question quite often over the past few months,” he admits.

“It is true that this is one of, if not the biggest clubs in the world. I believe I manage it well by not allowing the pressure to overwhelm me. I try not to focus too much on the magnitude of the club, especially when I am on the pitch. Instead, I focus on playing the same way I have always played throughout my career.”

He continues, peeling back the psychological layers of his game.

“That approach probably explains why it sometimes appears as though I do not feel pressure and seem comfortable on the pitch.”

“I focus on playing with my teammates rather than thinking about the weight of the club itself. There are many positives that come with it.”

“The pride I feel when performing well, especially at Old Trafford with the fans supporting you, provides a great deal of energy. It is about taking motivation from the history and support while not overthinking it during matches. I believe that balance is the most important thing.”

Viktor Gyökeres of Arsenal takes a shot whilst under pressure from Senne Lammens of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 25, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

The Carrick Effect

A significant factor in Lammens’ comfort has been the stabilising presence of Michael Carrick.

Under his stewardship, United have found a rhythm that has allowed their defensive anchors to breathe and build.

“I think especially the first couple of weeks were very good,” Lammens says of Carrick’s tenure.

“Looking back on the period we have had with him, it has been very positive. Of course, football always includes ups and downs, and it is important to manage those moments and bounce back after difficult periods, which we have done before.”

“The coach has come in and done a very good job, giving us confidence and providing a style of play where we feel comfortable and can allow our qualities to come out. Overall, it has been very positive.”

For a goalkeeper, tactical clarity is the difference between a clean sheet and chaos. Carrick has delivered exactly that.

“His approach has been about making things easier for the players, and for me in particular,” Lammens details.

“Sometimes coaches try to implement very complicated tactics where not everyone is on the same page. In this case, especially at the beginning when there was limited time before matches, the focus was on getting everyone aligned and being clear about expectations.”

“From week to week, there have been small adjustments depending on the opposition.”

“That is likely why the transition felt quick and effective, and why we were able to adapt to his style successfully. He makes it easy for the players to understand and commit to the system.”

Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United and Senne Lammens goalkeeper of Manchester United celebrate after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

Life in the Northwest: Rain, Food, and Future Glory

Away from the intense tactical briefs of Carrington, Lammens is adjusting to the nuanced realities of Manchester life.

First on the agenda: the notorious English weather.

“Coming from Belgium, I have always been used to a similar climate,” he laughs.

“Although I expected it to be the same, there are some noticeable differences. It rains here more than in Belgium, which many people from Belgium might not believe, as we already consider it a very rainy place.”

“The rainy and windy conditions can be challenging, especially as a goalkeeper. However, I do enjoy playing in the rain because it creates a tougher, more demanding environment where you feel encouraged to give a little extra effort. I do not mind the rain, although slightly less wind would be preferable. Some additional sunshine would also be welcome.”

When he isn’t battling the elements, Lammens has found sanctuary and sustenance in his new surroundings.

“I live outside the city centre, but we sometimes go into the city to eat, particularly after games when my family or girlfriend visits,” he says.

“The city is vibrant, youthful, and has many great places to eat. I enjoy going there for meals or drinks. Where I live is quieter and more suited to family life, which is relaxing, but occasionally I enjoy visiting the city because it offers a different atmosphere.”

As the conversation draws to a close, the focus inevitably turns toward the horizon.

Lammens possesses the quiet ambition of a player who knows his worth but understands the magnitude of the task ahead.

“Personally, my goal is to continue improving and becoming better with every game.”

 “At the same time, football is a team sport, so achieving success with the team is very important to me. One of the main objectives is to win another title as soon as possible and to compete in European football again, which is something I am very excited about. Those are the two main goals I am focused on.”

Don’t miss Senne Lammens in action as Manchester United aim to secure third place against Brentford on Monday, 27 April.

You can catch all the action, and all the drama of the Premier League, live on SuperSport.

Media Note: All quotes provided in this release are free for editorial use, provided they are attributed to SuperSport & Premier League Productions.

The four-time African champions are set to face England on June 23 in their second Group L fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a match widely viewed as a key moment in their campaign.

Speaking on All Out Football, Semenyo acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge, particularly against a side led by Thomas Tuchel, but remained optimistic about Ghana’s chances.

“I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be tough, especially against England, but we have a lot of experience,” the Manchester City forward said.

The Black Stars will begin their tournament against Panama on June 17 before concluding their group-stage fixtures against Croatia on June 27.

In preparation for the competition, Ghana will regroup in May for friendly matches, including fixtures against Mexico and Wales, with the latter scheduled for June 2.

Following disappointing early exits in 2014 and 2022, newly appointed head coach Carlos Queiroz faces the task of rebuilding momentum and guiding Ghana to a more competitive showing on the global stage.

In a notice shared by the Ministry, the revised curfew takes effect from Monday, April 20, 2026, and will run from 8:00 pm to 4:00 am each day.

The directive covers several communities, including Paboni, Yidaani, Kukpok, Busun No. 1 and No. 2, Nagnani, Nayagile, Donbin, Kolik, Tinyongu, and Klokpan.

Authorities say the move is part of ongoing efforts to manage tensions in the area and maintain public safety.

Residents, traditional leaders, and youth groups have been urged to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies while steps are taken to restore lasting peace.

The Ministry also called on all parties to resolve their differences through dialogue rather than violence.

Alongside the curfew, a total ban has been placed on the possession, carrying, or use of arms, ammunition, and other offensive weapons within the affected communities.

Government says these measures are necessary to prevent further escalation and ensure stability in the district.

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The 28-year-old is on a season-long loan at Spanish club Barcelona after falling out of favour at Old Trafford.

Barcelona have until 15 June to decide whether to trigger their €30m (£26.1m) option to buy Rashford, with the Old Trafford hierarchy resistant to any attempt to change the terms of the deal.

Rashford, who is likely to be part of Thomas Tuchel’s squad for this summer’s World Cup, has not closed the door on returning to his boyhood club given he still has two years left on a lucrative contract that will be subject to a 25% rise next season if United qualify for the Champions League.

“There’s decisions to be made on certain things, and obviously Marcus is in that situation,” said Carrick.

“But at this point in time, nothing’s been decided.

“It will be, because it has to be at a certain point, but at this stage, there’s nothing to say.”

Former manager Ruben Amorim, who left the club in January, felt Rashford wanted a different challenge away from Old Trafford when he was allowed to join Aston Villa on loan in 2025.

Carrick is in a different position given he is both a former team-mate, coach and – for three games following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal in 2021 – manager of one of the recent stars of United’s academy, who is currently the club’s 15th all-time highest goalscorer.

Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to lower the top-level amounts being paid at the club and, when Casemiro leaves in the summer, Rashford will be United’s highest earner.

“Whoever’s here, I want to work with, and help them improve,” Carrick said.

“At the moment, it’s this squad of players. There’s obviously players on loan, and whatever happens with that later on will happen.

“But certainly, as a coach, and leader of a squad, we want to get the best out of everyone.”

Carrick was placed in interim charge of the club in January and is a leading contender to take the job on a full-time basis this summer.

But the former midfielder’s immediate focus is his side’s Premier League trip to Chelsea, when victory would take United 10 points clear of Liam Rosenior’s side.

However, their chances have not been helped by suspensions that have ruled out central defensive duo Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez, while Leny Yoro was absent from the group that travelled from Stockport station for the journey south on Friday afternoon.

If Yoro is absent, Carrick could be forced to play either Luke Shaw or Noussair Mazraoui, or even veteran midfielder Casemiro, alongside 19-year-old Ayden Heaven at Stamford Bridge.

The Athletic reported earlier this week that NY Transit is intending to bring in special event pricing for the 30-minute journey from Penn Station in New York to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

A train ticket to the games at the stadium could cost more than $100 (£73.80) – a seven-fold increase on the usual $12.90 (£9.50) for a return fare.

No concession prices are planned, so children and seniors must also pay the full fare.

MetLife Stadium – which will be named New York/New Jersey Stadium during the World Cup as part of Fifa’s policy on corporate sponsored names – will host eight matches, including an England group game, and the final on 19 July.

It comes after train fares for matches at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, outside Boston, were vastly increased to $80 (£59), with coach tickets costing $95 (£70).

Sherrill insisted that taxpayers and commuters would not be left to cover the cost of transporting World Cup supporters to stadiums, with Fifa sitting on huge sums from high ticket prices for the matches.

“We inherited an agreement where Fifa is providing $0 for transportation to the World Cup,” the governor posted on X on Wednesday evening.

“And while NJ TRANSIT is stuck with a $48m bill to safely get fans to and from games, Fifa is making $11bn.

“I’m not going to stick New Jersey commuters with that tab for years to come.

“Fifa should pay for the rides. But if they don’t – I’m not going to let New Jersey get taken for one.”

BBC Sport understands that NY Transit will officially confirm pricing on Friday.

A Fifa spokesperson said that the governing body was “surprised” at Sherrill’s comments.

It said supporters were expected to be able to travel “at cost”, and that there was no increased pricing for other major events at the venue.

“The original Fifa World Cup 2026 Host City Agreements signed in 2018 required free transportation for fans to all matches,” the spokesperson said.

“Recognising the financial strain this placed on the host cities, back in 2023 Fifa adjusted the Host Agreement requirements across all host cities as follows: All match ticket holders and accredited individuals shall be able to access transport (public or additionally planned transport) at cost to allow travel to stadiums on match days.

“Moreover, Fifa has worked for years with host cities on their transportation and mobility plans, including advocating for millions of dollars in federal funding to support host cities for transportation.

“The Fifa World Cup will bring millions of fans to North America along with the related economic impact.

“Many of these fans will travel to NYNJ to enjoy the eight matches scheduled, including the Fifa World Cup final.

“Fifa is not aware of any other major event previously held at NYNJ Stadium, including other major sports, global concert tours, etc, where organisers were required to pay for fan transportation.”

The prices in New Jersey and Foxborough will hit England and Scotland fans.

The Three Lions take on Ghana in Foxborough on 23 June, and then head to the MetLife to face Panama on 27 June.

Steve Clarke’s Scotland have two games in Foxborough, against Haiti on 13 June and Morocco on 19 June.

The cost of parking at stadiums is also very high, with a space at the MetLife costing $225 (£166). Foxborough is priced at $175 (£129) for one car.

It was Rodrigo de Paul, then Antoine Griezmann, then Giuliano Simeone, the Atletico Madrid’s manager’s son.

And behind every call, pulling the strings, was Diego Simeone himself, firing messages into Alvarez’s phone during the Copa America and the Paris Olympics of the summer of 2024.

In the end, the World Cup-winning Argentina striker, who had just clinched the Premier League with Manchester City, had to beg for it to stop.

“Tell your dad to stop calling,” Alvarez finally told Giuliano. He was coming, so could they all back off?

The story shows the first time Alvarez encountered the intensity of Diego Simeone, and also why he chose Atletico Madrid over Paris St-Germain, who were reportedly offering up to £8.7m a season in wages.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Julian Alvarez started his career with River Plate

‘The Little Spider’

Alvarez grew up in Calchin, a town of 3,000 people in the province of Cordoba, Argentina.

His brother Rafael started calling him ‘La Aranita’ – the Little Spider. When he played on the neighbourhood pitch, 50 metres from his front door, no-one could get the ball off him. He seemed to have too many legs.

Opponents from other villages would show up asking: “Is La Aranita playing today?” The name stuck and his teachers were the only people who ever called him Julian.

Aged 11, he impressed in a trial with Real Madrid, but returned home anyway, a decision he calls one of the most formative of his life.

At 15, a River Plate scout named Juanjo Borrelli needed only one training session to decide that this kid from a tiny Cordoban town had to come to Buenos Aires. Borrelli told him he would start on the bench but he did not stay there for long.

River Plate made Alvarez. In one extraordinary Copa Libertadores performance against Alianza Lima, he scored six goals in a 8-1 win, which announced him to the world.

Playing for one of South America’s giants, where winning every game is an obligation, forged the competitive instinct that now defines him. “Once you’re at River,” he said, “you can never lose a game without it hurting you.”

From River Plate, he went to Manchester City in January 2022. There he won the Champions League in his debut season, becoming part of Pep Guardiola’s machine and thriving within it. He was 23. It was all happening very fast. Then came the calls.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Alvarez helped Manchester City win the Champions League for the first time

‘The chance to be my best’

What Atletico manager Simeone sold him was a football project that had the striker at the centre of it. Alvarez wanted to feel wanted.

“He told me I could give the club something huge,” he recalls. “That I’d have the space and the opportunity to be my best version.”

The Argentines already at the club helped too – De Paul, Griezmann’s warmth, the Spanish language, a culture that felt closer to home than Paris or Manchester ever could.

In August 2024, Atletico Madrid confirmed the deal – 95m euros (£81.5m), a club record received by City, and a six-year contract. The club announced it with a Spiderman video and Alvarez loved it.

Ask him about the price tag and he almost looks confused by the question.

“It’s more something that gets talked about in the media,” he said. “In the dressing room I’m just one of the group. I like being treated that way.”

His father worked in a cereal factory in Calchin. His mother was a schoolteacher. He grew up knowing that you have to earn respect, or reputation. He is still the same person. It shows on the pitch too – the World Cup winner who sprints back to win the ball, who presses from the front. Simeone rarely singles out individuals, but with Alvarez, he makes exceptions.

Across two seasons in red and white, he has made 102 appearances and scored 47 goals, numbers that tell only part of the story.

His time at Atletico has not been without frustration. In La Liga this season, the numbers have been modest – eight goals in 29 appearances, and just one in 2026.

His strike against Oviedo at the end of February ended a run of 14 league games without a goal, his previous one coming against Sevilla on 1 November. But the Champions League has been a different story, bringing nine goals in 12 appearances this season.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Alvarez played a key role in Atletico’s first-leg Champions League win at Barcelona

A big game for Alvarez’s future

Last week he delivered one of his most complete European performances yet. In the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona at the Camp Nou, ‘La Arana’ was everywhere.

He provided the assist that drew the foul on Pau Cubarsi and got the Barcelona defender sent off. Then he stepped up and curled in a free-kick of genuine quality. Man of the match.

It is not surprising Barcelona are looking to replace an ageing Robert Lewandowski and an inconsistent Ferran Torres with Alvarez.

He has a 500m euros (£435m) release clause, and Atletico will not sell for less than 100m euros (£87m), a fee Barcelona’s current finances cannot support.

Club president Enrique Cerezo was asked about Alvarez last week and said: “He has a contract with Atletico Madrid.”

Alvarez, characteristically, said almost nothing. “I’m happy here,” he said, but left the door slightly open to the Catalans, when he also said about his future: “I don’t know. You never know.”

The Champions League run may decide everything. If Atletico eliminate Barcelona on Tuesday to reach the semi-finals, the argument for staying writes itself – this is a club that can win things.

If on the other hand Atletico get knocked out, having come to the Metropolitano with a 2-0 advantage, then he might reconsider if he is at the right club.

At the centre of the demands is a call for the removal of the Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). UTAG argues that government has failed to respond to a petition it submitted on February 17, 2026, outlining its grievances.

Speaking at a press conference, UTAG National President Vera Ogeh Fiador explained the reasons behind the ultimatum, stressing the need for urgent action on the concerns raised by the association.

She noted that the continued delay in addressing the issues has heightened frustration among members, making it necessary for the union to take a firm stance.

UTAG says it expects government to engage promptly and provide concrete responses within the stipulated period, warning that failure to do so could lead to further action by the association.

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Video of the rescue shows him standing in waist-deep water, telling his rescuers that he never lost faith during his ordeal.

The search continues for another miner who is still missing.

Twenty-five workers were inside the gold mine when the tailings dam – a structure which holds mining waste – burst on 25 March.

Twenty-one managed to get out, but four were trapped. José Alejandro Cástulo was rescued after five days under ground, and another miner died, but it took rescuers a full 13 days to locate Francisco Zapata.

Following more than 300 hours of searching, divers finally spotted the blinking of the miner’s torch light, which Zapata had turned on and off to alert them to his location.

“How are you, how are you?” rescuers asked as they reached him.

Once they had identified themselves as specialised military divers, they tell the miner that “your torchlight helped us a lot”.

“It guided us,” one of the divers added.

“I didn’t lose faith, I didn’t lose faith,” Zapata told his rescuers.

While Zapata appears visibly relieved in the footage, his ordeal was not yet over.

Due to the flooding in the tunnel leading to his location, the divers could not immediately extract him.

Instead, they left him behind with water, cans of tuna and energy bars – and a promise to return soon.

After 20 more hours in which the rescue teams used pumps to lower the water level in the flooded tunnels, Zapata could finally be taken to the surface.

Wrapped in a thermal blanket and sitting on an electric cart he emerged from the mine on Wednesday and was taken by helicopter to hospital, where he was able to reunite with his family.

Doctors said he was frail but stable and would receive the necessary treatment.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum praised the Mexican army and Zapatero’s faith and resilience, which she said had made the “astounding rescue” possible.

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Kane, watched by England head coach Thomas Tuchel, was back in action following the minor issue that forced him to miss the international friendly against Japan and Bayern’s Bundesliga win against Freiburg.

The 32-year-old England captain was subdued in the first half, although he was involved in the build-up when former Liverpool forward Luis Diaz gave Bayern a deserved lead with a composed finish four minutes before half-time.

Kane then showed his class moments after the restart with a clinical right-foot strike into the bottom corner that gave Real keeper Andriy Lunin no chance.

Bayern’s veteran keeper Manuel Neuer made four fine saves, including three from Kylian Mbappe, but Vincent Kompany’s visiting side could also have scored more in a pulsating encounter.

In desperation, and with restlessness sweeping around the stadium, Real brought Jude Bellingham on after an hour as Real tried to mount a fightback – and the midfielder delivered an outstanding cameo.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had looked uncertain in defence, showed the other side of his game with a superb low cross that was turned in by Mbappe after 74 minutes.

Real continued to press but Bayern held out to take a narrow lead to Munich for the second leg.

Trump praised her in a post on Truth Social and said she would be “transitioning” to a role in the private sector.

Bondi’s time leading the justice department was often overshadowed by its handling of the release of files relating to Jeffrey Epstein and its investigation into the convicted sex offender.

She is the second Trump administration official in recent weeks to be cut from her post, after Kristi Noem was ousted as homeland security chief in March. Bondi will be replaced by her former deputy, Todd Blanche.

Bondi said she would be “working tirelessly” to transfer her work to Blanche, adding that the job had “been the honour” of a lifetime.

She added that in her new private sector position – which she did not identify – she would “continue fighting for President Trump and this administration”.

The announcement comes less than two months after a combative congressional hearing in which Bondi was peppered with questions from lawmakers, at times descending into shouting matches in which she called one Democrat a “washed-up loser”.

As recently as Thursday morning, Trump was defending Bondi, saying: “She is a wonderful person and she is doing a good job.”

But hours later, Trump confirmed her departure on Truth Social, saying that her new private sector role would be “announced at a date in the near future”.

Trump lauded Bondi’s performance as attorney general in his post, saying she had done “a tremendous job overseeing a massive crackdown in crime across our country”.

But Trump reportedly had grown increasingly frustrated with Bondi, in particular over her handling of the Epstein files.

When she was sworn into the post in February 2025, she vowed transparency over the Epstein case and promised to release an alleged client list associated with the disgraced financier, who died in 2019.

The department later said no such list existed.

In the end, millions of files related to Epstein were released under pressure – including from Trump supporters – and only after Congress passed a law requiring the Department of Justice to make unclassified records public.

Some lawmakers say that Bondi and the Justice Department had not redacted victims’ identities from the released documents as required by law.

Others have said the department failed to fully comply with the law and was inappropriately withholding documents, which it denies.

The agency, and subsequently Bondi, faced bipartisan backlash, with lawmakers accusing the justice department of failing to obscure some identifying information about survivors while protecting the identities of those who were not victims.

A handful of Republicans who worked with her closely over the years praised her on Thursday.

“Pam Bondi led this Department with strength and conviction and I’m grateful for her leadership and friendship,” Blanche wrote on X. “We will continue backing the blue, enforcing the law, and doing everything in our power to keep America safe.”

Others quickly celebrated her departure.

Among them was Kentucky lawmaker Thomas Massie, a regular critic of Bondi’s handling of the Epstein files.

“I hope the next AG will release all the Epstein files according to the law and follow up with investigations, prosecutions and arrests,” he wrote on X.

California Democrat Ro Khanna – who worked with Massie on the bipartisan law to compel the release of the files – posted that the Senate “must fight to make sure Bondi is not replaced with another lawless sycophant”.

Another Republican critic of Bondi’s, South Carolina representative Nancy Mace, accused her of having “stonewalled every effort to hold the guilty accountable” and “seriously undermined” Trump with her handling of the files.

Survivors also told the BBC that Bondi had yet to meet them or respond to their emails about Epstein’s wrongdoing, and that the matter had become a political liability for Trump.

Bondi has called Epstein a “monster” and told the victims she was sorry for the abuse they endured.

Most recently, a congressional committee formally summoned Bondi to answer questions over her handling of the Epstein investigation. She was expected to appear before them this month.

Under her leadership, the justice department has pursued a number of criminal investigations into political opponents of the president, including California Senator Adam Schiff, New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey.

In September, Trump pushed Bondi to more aggressively investigate his political adversaries. He said in a social media post addressed directly to Bondi: “We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility.”

The justice department under her tenure faced questions over its handling of the investigation into federal immigration agents fatally shooting two people during confrontations in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which sparked nationwide demonstrations in January.

With Trump’s announcement, Bondi becomes the third high-profile member of Trump’s cabinet to leave this term, following Noem and, last year, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz – whose duties were given to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The relatively intact inner circle of this term stands in stark contrast to his first term in office between 2017 and 2021, which saw a flurry of firings and replacements.

In the first year alone, the administration saw the departure of acting Attorney General Sally Yates, National Security Adviser Mike Flynn, FBI Director James Comey, Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, chief strategist Steve Bannon and two press secretaries, among others.

Since returning to the White House last year, commentators and political strategists had remarked that Trump’s approach in his second term had been more disciplined and less chaotic.

Bondi was part of Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial and when he made false claims that the 2020 election had been stolen from him due to voter fraud.

She also publicly supported him by showing up at court during his hush money trial in New York, which ended in May with a conviction of 34 counts of fraud. Trump is appealing against the verdict.

DR Congo and Iraq were the last two teams to book their places in the 23rd edition of the World Cup to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July.

It rounded off a marathon qualification process that began in September 2023 and spanned six confederations before culminating in the high‑stakes Uefa and intercontinental play‑offs on 31 March.

The final four European teams were confirmed on Tuesday, with the big news being that four-time winners Italy were knocked out by Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Czech Republic, Turkey and Sweden also qualified.

DR Congo and Iraq booked their place with wins over Jamaica and Bolivia respectively.

Of the 48 teams participating, the three hosts qualified automatically while 43 places were earned via direct qualification from the confederations and two spots were determined by intercontinental play-offs.

With the full cast confirmed, attention now shifts towards the biggest World Cup staged.

FIFA World Cup 2026

Final draw for group stages

Group A

Mexico
South Africa
South Korea
Czech Republic

Group B

Canada
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Qatar
Switzerland

Group C

Brazil
Morocco
Haiti
Scotland

Group D

United States
Paraguay
Australia
Turkey

Group E

Germany
Curaçao
Ivory Coast
Ecuador

Group F

Netherlands
Japan
Tunisia
Sweden

Group G

Belgium
Egypt
Iran
New Zealand

Group H

Spain
Cape Verde
Saudi Arabia
Uruguay

Group I

France
Senegal
Iraq
Norway

Group J

Argentina
Algeria
Austria
Jordan

Group K

Portugal
DR Congo
Uzbekistan
Colombia

Group L

England
Croatia
Ghana
Panama

How will the tournament work?

A record 48 nations – up from the 32 that featured in Qatar four years ago – will take part in the 2026 edition, making it the largest World Cup field, with 104 matches to be played across three countries for the first time.

It will take place in 16 cities – 11 in the US, three in Mexico and two in Canada – between 11 June and 19 July.

The tournament will also last a record 39 days – an increase from 29 days in Qatar and 32 in 2014 and 2018 – and a new format features 12 groups of four.

Mexico will face South Africa in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca to open the tournament on Thursday, 11 June – 18 days after the conclusion of the Premier League season.

The top two teams from the 12 groups and the eight best third‑placed nations will advance into an expanded knockout phase that will begin with a round of 32.

The new world champion will be crowned at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on 19 July.

When will the games be played?

With games taking place across four time zones and at locations up to 2,800 miles apart, there will be a total of 13 different kick-off times.

That means for viewers in Europe, some games will be played from midnight onwards.

For example, all five of the group-stage matches in Kansas City will take place in the middle of the night UK time, with the earliest kick-off being 00:00 BST on Friday, 26 June for Tunisia against the Netherlands while the latest is a 03:00 BST start for Algeria versus Austria on Sunday, 28 June.

The San Francisco Bay Area hosts two games that will kick off at 05:00 BST – Austria versus Jordan on Tuesday, 16 June and Turkey versus Paraguay on Friday, 19 June.

There are also 05:00 BST games in Vancouver – Australia versus Turkeyon Saturday, 13 June – and in Guadalupe, Mexico, when Tunisia take on Japan on Saturday, 20 June.

In total there will be 35 group-stage games that kick-off between 00:00 BST and 05:00 BST, which is almost half of the 72 fixtures for that stage.

However, the most common kick-off time is 20:00 BST, with 12 group-stage games taking place then.

Who are the favourites to win?

European champions Spain are the favourites, having enjoyed an almost flawless route through qualification.

Their squad is packed with talent such as Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Martin Zubimendi, 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and Lamine Yamal, who is one of the best young players in the world.

Just behind Spain, this generation of England players is tipped to land some silverware, having finished runners-up at the past two Euros.

Thomas Tuchel’s team qualified for the World Cup with a perfect record, winning all of their matches without conceding a goal. They have a squad brimming with big names including Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.

France are also strong contenders. Didier Deschamps’ squad have a fearsome front line, including Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappe and Hugo Ekitike, and the 2022 runners-up were unbeaten in European qualifying.

Defending World Cup champions Argentina won the South American qualifying group by a big margin, finishing nine points ahead of second-placed Ecuador.

With two Copa Americas and one World Cup win in just four years, the Albiceleste are looking strong.

Finally, despitean underwhelming qualification campaign – in which they finished fifth in the Conmebol table after losing six of their 18 matches – and winning the last of their record five World Cups 22 years ago, who would confidently rule out Brazil?

Who are the outside contenders?

Norway have not played in the World Cup since 1998 and have never got past the last 16, but with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland scoring 16 goals in qualifying, they could be a surprise in the summer.

They were flawless in qualifying, winning all eight of their matches, including home and away victories over four-time winners Italy.

Morocco were another side to win all of their qualifying games and they sit eighth in the world rankings. They reached the final of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations and, despite being beaten 1-0 by Senegal, they have been controversially awarded the title. They will likely be confident of advancing from a group that contains Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.

Egypt, featuring Mohamed Salah, will also expect to make it beyond a group that includes Belgium, New Zealand and Iran.

Japan are the strongest of the Asian sides and cruised through qualifying, conceding only three goals in 16 matches. And they recorded their first victory over England with a 1-0 friendly win at Wembley at the end of March. They will be up against the Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden.

Colombia will be confident of a strongshowing after a good South American qualifying campaign in which they beat both Brazil and Argentina as they finished third overall.

What about the host nations? Well, Canada, in their third finals, could be a surprise. They have lost all six of their previous World Cup finals matches, but a kind draw has them in with Qatar, Switzerland and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Who are the World Cup debutants?

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Curacao had an unbeaten qualification campaign as they reached their first finals

Four nations are set to make their World Cup debut this summer.

The tiny Caribbean island of Curacao will become the smallest nation to participate in a World Cup when they take on Germany, Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Group E.

Curacao, 37 miles off the Venezuela coast, has a population of a little more than 150,000 (similar to Cambridge or Huddersfield) and a land area of 171 square miles, smaller than the Isle of Man.

They only became a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010.

Cape Verde, meanwhile, are the third-smallest nation after Curacao and Iceland to reach the World Cup. The Blue Sharks secured top spot in their qualifying group ahead of African heavyweights Cameroon.

An archipelago of 10 islands in the Atlantic Ocean with a population of fewer than 525,000, Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and first attempted to reach the World Cup when it was held in Japan and South Korea in 2002. They face Spain, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H

There are two debutants from Asia in Uzbekistan and Jordan.

The Uzbeks, who were the Asian Cup semi-finalists in 2011, ended their long wait for qualification under 2006 World Cup-winning Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro.

The White Wolves boast players such as Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov and former Roma striker Eldor Shomurodov and will hope to make an impact in a group featuring Portugal, Colombia and DR Congo.

Jordan, meanwhile, finished behind South Korea with four wins and four draws from 10 matches in the third round of the qualifiers in Asia.

Ranked 64th in the world, their progress has been steady, reaching the final of the 2023 Asian Cup, when they were beaten by hosts Qatar. Argentina, Algeria and Austria await in Group J.

The 25-year-old Manchester City midfielder was the only player to start both games in England’s final camp before Tuchel selects his 24-man squad.

But he failed to fill the void left by striker Harry Kane’s absence when he played in a false nine role in the defeat by Japan on Tuesday.

And when asked after the game whether there are doubts about the player’s spot in the World Cup squad, the German said: “Well, it’s not a guarantee that he will come.”

Tuchel said Foden was “excellent” in training but “struggles to show it on the pitch”.

“Obviously he didn’t have a lot of minutes for City recently, then he came to camp with the brightest smile and was so good in training,” the England boss added.

“And I thought he will just surprise us and will play with the same verve and excitement but, yeah, he struggles to have the full impact.”

Tuchel must submit his final squad to Fifa by 30 May before they begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia on 17 June in Arlington, Texas.

Foden was deployed as a false nine against Japan but made little impression before Tuchel brought on striker Dominic Solanke in the 59th minute.

He has started just four of Manchester City’s past 15 games and has not scored since 14 December, when he finished a run of six goals in five games.

In a reflection on his remarkable journey, the seasoned striker opens up about surviving career-threatening injuries, mentoring the next generation at Brighton & Hove Albion, and why his love for the beautiful game burns brighter than ever.

There is a quiet dignity to Danny Welbeck. 

In a modern footballing era characterised by fleeting loyalties and instantaneous gratification, the 35-year-old forward stands as a testament to resilience, meticulous craft, and an unwavering love for the game.

Sitting down with Premier League Productions to reflect on a career that has spanned the highest peaks and the most agonising valleys, Welbeck exudes the calm aura of a man who has seen it all. 

Reminded by his interviewer of their first meeting when he was just a teenager breaking through the ranks, Welbeck smiles warmly.

“It has been a long journey,” he acknowledges. “It’s nice to sit here with you today.”

That journey began in the most hallowed of proving grounds: the Manchester United dressing room of the late 2000s. 

It was an environment glittering with footballing royalty—Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Edwin van der Sar, and Cristiano Ronaldo. For a local boy from Longsight, stepping into that world was nothing short of magical.

“It was surreal,” Welbeck recalls, his eyes lighting up at the memory.”

“I was a United fan, a local lad coming through the academy, idolising that team. They were serial winners; it was everything I dreamed of. To walk into that dressing room and be part of it was a privilege.”

“I learned from incredible players and personalities. They really nurtured me, put an arm around me, welcomed me, but also demanded high standards. They showed me what it takes to be part of that team.”

Surviving in that legendary squad required more than just raw ability.

Seated between Giggs and Ronaldo, a young Welbeck absorbed the blueprint for greatness firsthand.

“I was always in awe of Cristiano Ronaldo,” he admits.

“I sat between him and Giggs in the dressing room. Watching how hard he worked made it clear, his success isn’t a coincidence. He’s gone beyond special.”

It was a masterclass in the unglamorous reality of elite sportsmanship. “Talent is only a small part of it,” Welbeck notes. 

“The dedication, the work ethic—that’s what takes you to the next level. I had the right role models and learned from everyone, taking bits from each of them and applying it to my own game.”

The payoff for that dedication arrived in unforgettable fashion with his Premier League debut against Stoke City, marked by a stunning 30-yard strike.

“I’ll never forget it. I played a one-two with Manucho and thought, ‘I’m having a shot.’ It went in, an incredible feeling. I wasn’t even sure I’d be on the bench that day, but the manager told me I would be. I came on, made my debut, and scored. Unforgettable.”

Behind the relentless pursuit of trophies at Old Trafford was an unshakeable camaraderie, cultivated by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.

“It really was [a family],” Welbeck says of the squad’s togetherness. 

“Everyone was world-class, but they knew they needed each other. That togetherness came from the manager and ran through the whole club. I was welcomed so well, but you also needed a certain character to be accepted in that environment.”

Of Sir Alex, Welbeck’s reverence is absolute. 

“He had that presence that made you want to run through a brick wall for him. His man-management was incredible. He had everyone fighting for the same goal: winning.”

Leaving his boyhood sanctuary was a bitter pill. “Yes, very hard,” he reflects.

“It was my boyhood club. But when Louis van Gaal came in, he had different ideas.”

A move to Arsenal opened a new chapter, one that brought both joy and immense physical adversity. Working under another luminary, Arsène Wenger, provided a fresh perspective.

“I was lucky to play under both him and Sir Alex. They were very different, but both successful. It taught me there’s more than one way to succeed.”

It was Wenger who offered a poignant piece of wisdom during one of Welbeck’s darkest periods on the treatment table. “I had a great relationship with Wenger.

After my second knee injury, he told me I’d get those lost years back at the end of my career, and that stuck with me.”

Injuries are the cruellest thief of a footballer’sprime, but Welbeck refused to let them define him. 

“Yes, they are [tough]. You just want to play and help the team. During those times, I asked myself what I could still improve. It built resilience and reminded me that football isn’t everything in life. It made me a better person and player.”

A subsequent stint at Watford proved to be a gruelling test of that hard-won resilience. 

“Huge transition,” he admits.

“Going from United to Arsenal to Watford was very different. I was coming off a serious ankle injury and had a metal plate in my leg. I wasn’t as sharp as I wanted to be. After that season, I had the plate removed and felt reborn. Even in tough periods, I always try to take something positive from it.”

That rebirth led him to the south coast, where he has found a glorious late-career renaissance with Brighton & Hove Albion.

What began as a short-term gamble has blossomed into a vital partnership.

“It really has been [the perfect fit],” Welbeck beams. “I initially signed for one year, not knowing what to expect. At first, I was even playing on the wing again. But over the last few years, I’ve been playing centrally.”

“The club has been great to me, and I’ve enjoyed every minute. There’s still more to come and I really want to help people around me. If I can give advice or confidence, it goes a long way.”

Today, Welbeck is the veteran imparting wisdom, a role he cherishes. 

“That’s true. Now, with younger players, I try to share my experience, what’s required to succeed. Some take it, some don’t. I’m just happy to pass on advice as one of the senior players. Yes, and I take pride in that. Sometimes less is more, young players don’t always need to force things. A little advice can help them massively.”

His age has brought a refined intelligence to his game. Likened to a fine wine, Welbeck laughs.

“I hope so, I just take it day by day, stay grateful, and enjoy the present. I feel good.”

Maintaining top-flight conditioning at 35 requires discipline. 

“Some sessions are slightly modified, but mostly I train fully with the team,” he explains. “Recovery is key—eating well, staying hydrated, preparing properly. Doing that consistently has helped me stay in good shape.”

On the pitch, he is a vocal leader. “It’s part of my role. I don’t even realise what I’m saying sometimes, I’m just in the moment. Communication gives players confidence. Even hearing someone behind you makes a difference in your decision-making.”

His tactical acumen, particularly his lethal movement, remains sharp.

“It comes from training, patterns of play, and understanding space. Small movements can create big opportunities.”

Ironically, those precise movements have frequently come back to haunt his old club, with Welbeck netting several times against Manchester United in recent years. 

“(laughs) Yes, I remember those goals,” he chuckles.

“Being in the right position makes things easier. Sometimes simple goals are the best ones.”

As he looks to the horizon, the fire that was lit on the training grounds of Carrington all those years ago still burns brightly. 

“Yes, I’m really enjoying it,” he concludes. “It feels good and don’t see myself stopping anytime soon. It’s been an incredible journey, one I’m proud of, and I’m excited for what’s next.”

Catch Danny Welback and Brighton Live on SuperSport:

Don’t miss the next chapter of Welbeck’s incredible season as Brighton travel to Turf Moor to face Burnley on the 11th of April at 16:00.

The game will be broadcast live on SuperSport. From the tactical brilliance of the Premier League to the fierce rivalries of local derbies, SuperSport has you covered with all the breathtaking footballing action from around the globe.

In a press statement dated March 29, representatives from the Ghana Private Road Transport Union and other driver associations said the rising cost of fuel is severely affecting operations and threatening the sustainability of their businesses.

The operators described the situation as critical, stressing that continued fuel price volatility could have widespread economic consequences. They are calling for immediate government intervention, including measures to stabilise fuel prices, reduce taxes and levies, and improve transparency in fuel pricing.

The group warned that if no action is taken within the two-day timeframe, they will be forced to increase lorry fares by 20 percent, further burdening commuters already facing economic hardship.

Despite the warning, the operators expressed willingness to engage government in dialogue to find a lasting solution to the fuel crisis.

Read the statement below:

PRESS RELEASE

29/3/2026

*Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana gives Government two days ultimatum.

The Commercial Transport Operators of Ghana are issuing a stern warning to the Ministry of Energy and Government to take immediate and drastic measures to stabilize fuel prices in the April window. The continued volatility and upward trend in fuel prices are crippling our operations, and we will not sit idly by while our businesses are threatened.

As the government is well aware, the transport sector is the backbone of Ghana’s economy, and any instability in fuel supply or pricing has far-reaching consequences for the entire nation. We have been patient and flexible, but our patience is wearing thin.

If the government fails to act decisively to ensure fuel stability, we will be left with no choice but to increase lorry fares by 20%. This increase will not only affect our members but also the Ghanaian public, who are already struggling to make ends meet.

We demand that the government:

• Takes immediate action to stabilize fuel prices
• Reduces taxes and levies on fuel to make it more affordable
• Increases transparency in fuel pricing to prevent exploitation

We are willing to work with the government to find a solution, but we will not be ignored. We urge the government to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves and take concrete steps to address the fuel crisis.

*Signed,
Samuel Amoah.
GPRTU of TUC.

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Management disclosed this at a regional forum in the Central Region, warning that a nationwide compliance enforcement exercise will soon begin.

Director-General of SSNIT, Kwesi Afreh Biney, urged defaulting employers to settle their outstanding payments immediately to avoid legal action.

He revealed that the Trust has engaged the Ghana Employers Association in a series of meetings aimed at improving compliance among employers.

Mr. Biney also commended the Finance Minister for settling SSNIT contributions for 2025, adding that the Trust’s investments are performing strongly.

He issued the warning at the SSNIT and Trades Union Congress (TUC) Central Regional Forum, held under the theme “Empowered Unions, Secure Future: Deepening Pension Literacy Across Ghana.”

As part of the event, SSNIT presented items to the country’s oldest pensioner, Walah Amadu, aged 115, at Pedu in Cape Coast.

Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary-General of the TUC, Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, expressed concerns over what he described as poor management of SSNIT’s investment portfolio.

He called on management to ensure prudent investment decisions to grow the scheme, while also urging government to clear outstanding arrears with penalties, despite settling contributions for 2025.

Six of the Arsenal first-team squad have now pulled out or been determined to be unavailable to represent their country in the international window that begins this week.

The Brazil Football Federation (CBF) said that Gabriel will miss the friendlies against France and Croatia, which will take place in the United States, because of “pain in his right knee”.

The CBF says that imaging tests confirmed the 28-year-old’s injury.

Gabriel played the full 90 minutes as Arsenal lost 2-0 to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

His fellow Arsenal centre-back William Saliba has withdrawn from the France squad, with Les Bleus also travelling to the US for their friendly matches against Brazil and Colombia.

England midfielder Eberechi Eze was called up to Thomas Tuchel’s 35-man squad for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan but withdrew with a calf problem.

He suffered that blow in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in their Champions League last-16 second leg and missed the Wembley defeat on Sunday.

Arsenal team-mate Ben White has since been called up by Tuchel to fortify the England squad.

Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed the club are waiting for Eze to undergo another scan to find out the severity of his injury.

Arsenal winger Leandro Trossard is out of the Belgium squad for their matches against the USA and Mexico because of an injury issue.

Club captain Martin Odegaard was already ruled out of Norway duty because of a knee injury, while Dutch defender Jurrien Timber is also out of action at the moment.

Arsenal are competing to win their first Premier League title for 22 years and lead second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand, by nine points.

They are next in action when they take on Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals on April 4, before they play the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Sporting on April 7.

The Gunners resume their league campaign on April 11 when they play Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium.

Real, who trailed 1-0 at the break, fought back in the second half to turn the contest around but were forced to hang on in the closing stages after Federico Valverde was shown a straight red card for a foul on Alex Baena – a player he has history with.

Ademola Lookman had opened the scoring for Atletico against the run of play with a close-range finish after a wonderful backheel from Giuliano Simeone, son of manager Diego.

Vinicius levelled from the penalty spot after Brahim Diaz was upended by David Hancko and the hosts went in front when Valverde latched on to a defensive mistake and placed the ball past visiting goalkeeper Juan Musso.

At that stage Alvaro Arbeloa’s side looked like they were going from strength to strength.

However, Nahuel Molina’s stunning 25-yard strike, that arrowed into the top corner, briefly silenced the Bernabeu as Atletico restored parity.

But Vinicius curled in the winner six minutes later after collecting substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pass – his 10th goal in his past 11 matches.

Alexander-Arnold, who was omitted from the England squad named this week, impressed after replacing Real captain Dani Carvajal in the 64th minute.

Jude Bellingham, who is part of Thomas Tuchel’s plans for the friendlies against Japan and Uruguay, also made his return after the break having missed 10 matches with a hamstring injury.

While Real were also able to send Kylian Mbappe on from a star-studded substitutes’ bench, the dismissal of Valverde changed the complexion of the contest late on.

Argentina forward Julian Alvarez was unfortunate to see his effort cannon against the post as Atletico pushed for a second equaliser.

And Real were able to hold on to record their first victory against their neighbours in the Spanish top flight since September 2022.

Barcelona had moved seven points clear of Real Madrid with a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano earlier on Sunday.

Newcastle had been on target for their first home victory in this fixture since 2010 when Anthony Gordon gave the hosts a ninth-minute lead.

Sunderland played out from the back but defender Luke O’Nien’s pass was intercepted by Nick Woltemade, and he gave it to Gordon, who did the rest to score his 17th goal of the season.

The hosts almost made it 2-0 just before the break, but Sven Botman headed against the post following a cross from left-back Lewis Hall, one of five Newcastle players to be included in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad.

The match was paused early in the second half by referee Anthony Taylor because of reports of discriminatory abuse from the crowd towards Sunderland’s Lutsharel Geertruida.

After a three-minute delay in which Taylor spoke to both sets of coaching staff, Geertruida and Granit Xhaka, the visitors equalised in the 57th minute.

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, another called up by Tuchel, did not get great distance on a punch, the ball was played back into the box, Brobbey chested it goalwards and Dan Burn cleared off the line, only for Chemsdine Talbi to fire in the rebound.

Noah Sadiki had a chance to put Sunderland ahead, only for him to shoot at Ramsdale.

Yet it did not prove costly as Brobbey scored the late winner, to the delight of the away fans, when he converted a rebound from close range after Ramsdale saved his first attempt.

The result gives Sunderland their first league double over Newcastle since 2014-15.

The forward was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad earlier this week but appeared keen to impress and was rewarded for his efforts in the 68th minute, doubling his side’s lead when he prodded in the rebound after Mats Hermansen saved from Morgan Rogers.

Unai Emery’s side had earned just nine points from their previous 10 Premier League matches and their chances of a top-five finish were at risk of slipping away after three Premier League defeats.

But, buoyed by reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League in midweek, Villa were a constant threat in a marked improvement from their recent league form.

Captain John McGinn opened the scoring with a sweet left-footed strike from the edge of the area, teed up by Jadon Sancho in a set-piece routine straight off the training ground.

That was just one of many Villa chances in the first half with Watkins also twice going close and Lucas Digne firing wide.

The hosts also had a penalty decision overturned when Konstantinos Mavropanos clipped Watkins in the area – referee Paul Tierney was sent to the monitor by the video assistant referee (VAR) and quickly changed his decision.

It was a deserved victory for a side hunting a fourth successive season of European football with the Premier League’s top five all but guaranteed a Champions League place.

Villa will enter the international break fourth in the top flight, five points clear of Liverpool in fifth, while West Ham remain 18th, one point from safety.

Michael Olise opened the scoring before a Serge Gnabry double either side of Kane’s strike moved Bayern 12 points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund.

Kane’s goal, which took him to 31 for the season in the Bundesliga, means he is now 10 behind the record set by former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski in 2020-21.

“It’s still possible, I just have to keep doing what I’m doing,” Kane told reporters after the game.

“All it takes is a hat-trick or a couple of braces in a row and then it’ll look a bit more likely.”

The England forward’s bid for the record could be aided by Thomas Tuchel’s decision to rest him for the Three Lions’ friendly match against Uruguay.

Kane was named in Tuchel’s 35-man squad but the England boss confirmed the striker, along with a number of others, would join the camp later to take part in the second friendly against Japan.

“I think it makes sense when we look at the April schedule, May and then going into the World Cup, trying to use this time now to be as fresh as possible in that period,” the 32-year-old Kane said.

“For me and the boys who get a bit of time off, you have to use it wisely, you have to stay fit, stay sharp, but just kind of mentally rest and get ready for a really busy schedule when we get back.”

Kane will get his next chance to chip into the record when Bayern travel to Freiburg on Saturday, 4 April.

The 35-year-old gave Brighton an early lead and, though Arne Slot’s side levelled through Milos Kerkez, scored again in the second half to make it four wins out of five for Brighton, who moved up to eighth before the remainder of the weekend’s games.

No English player has scored more goals than Welbeck in the top flight this season yet he was overlooked by Thomas Tuchel for his 35-man England squad on Friday.

As for Liverpool, this was their 10th defeat of the Premier League season. The last time they lost that many games was in 2015-16, and defeat means Chelsea could leapfrog them into fifth when they take on Everton (17:30 GMT).

Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes at Amex Stadium because of a nearby road accident and when play did eventually start, a frenetic first half was littered with mistakes.

Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike was forced off with a worrying injury early on after clashing with James Milner and minutes later, Brighton took the lead.

Giorgi Mamardashvili, again standing in for the injured Alisson in the Liverpool goal, passed the ball out of play and from the resulting throw-in, Ferdi Kadioglu’s cross found Diego Gomez, who headed the ball across goal and Welbeck was on hand to head past the Liverpool keeper.

It was a Brighton error which led to the equaliser as Lewis Dunk tried to head back a long ball from Mamardashvili to Bart Verbruggen but Kerkez did brilliantly to anticipate it and dink the ball over the Brighton keeper and into the net.

It was Brighton who started the better after the break with Mamardashvili making a good save to deny Kadioglu before Mats Wieffer headed wide from a corner.

And they were rewarded for their endeavour when Yankuba Minteh’s delivery across goal found Jack Hinshelwood, who played the ball into the path of Welbeck to finish.

Brighton could have scored more but Mamardashvili made some crucial saves and at the other end, Liverpool came close through Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo, but Slot’s side could not find another leveller.

Despite winning emphatically against Galatasaray in the Champions League in midweek, Liverpool have only gained one point from their past three Premier League games.

Speaking on Nnawotwe Yi on Adom TV, he explained that the cancellation will not be immediate, as it must follow structured administrative procedures before being fully implemented.

He noted that government has put measures in place to gradually phase out the current Teacher Licensure Examination system.

Mr. Manuribe added that all resit examinations under the licensure system will be conducted within the period leading up to August, after which the system will be phased out completely.

He stressed that policy changes take time and urged the public to be patient as government works towards implementing the new structure.

According to him, government has not deviated from its promise to teachers regarding the abolition of the licensure exams, insisting that it is fulfilling its commitment.

He expressed confidence that by August this year, the current structure of the Teacher Licensure Examination will be fully discontinued.

NTC proposes entry exams for Colleges of Education

Blaming public sector wages for economic strain is misleading – TUC

Speaking on Newsfile on Saturday, March 21, Dr. Otoo argued that the framing of government expenditure has been deliberately skewed in a way that casts public sector employees in a negative light.

Dr Otoo rejected the suggestion that the government borrows chiefly to pay wages, insisting that salaries are a statutory obligation that must be met.

“This idea that government is borrowing to pay salaries is quite unfair to labour,” he said. “The narrative could equally be that after paying salaries and statutory transfers, government had to borrow to service its debts.”

He questioned why the issue is often presented in a manner that appears to blame public sector workers for fiscal challenges, rather than focusing on broader structural pressures such as debt servicing.

The labour leader also recounted recent wage negotiations between organised labour and government, highlighting what he described as significant restraint on the part of workers despite difficult economic conditions.

He noted that in 2025, when inflation stood at nearly 24 per cent, labour unions accepted a 10 per cent wage increase following direct appeals from President John Mahama.

“Government presented the economic situation to us, and the President himself pleaded that conditions were not favourable,” Dr Otoo explained. “We accepted 10 per cent, even though inflation was much higher, and our members were not happy.”

According to him, the decision drew criticism from workers who felt the increase did not reflect the rising cost of living.

Dr. Otoo said organised labour made additional concessions in 2026, agreeing to a 9 per cent wage increase after government cited competing fiscal priorities.

He explained that officials, including the Finance Ministry, appealed to unions to moderate their demands in order to create fiscal space for the recruitment of newly trained teachers and nurses.

“They told us they needed to bring more young people into employment, particularly those graduating from training colleges,” he said. “On that basis, we accepted 9 per cent.”

Despite these concessions, Dr. Otoo expressed concern over what he described as a growing narrative that public sector wages are consuming the bulk of government resources.

He indicated that organised labour disputes some of the statistics being used to support this claim, arguing that they do not accurately reflect the full picture of public finances.

“Now we are being told that nearly everything is going into compensation,” he said. “We strongly refute some of these figures.”

Dr Otoo maintained that public sector workers are being unfairly blamed for economic difficulties, despite their willingness to compromise during periods of hardship.

He warned that such narratives risk undermining morale and misinforming the public about the true drivers of Ghana’s fiscal challenges.

“Our woes cannot simply be reduced to public sector wages,” he said, calling for a more balanced and transparent discussion on government spending priorities.

Just a day before the first strikes, Gallup polling had shown Americans’ views of Israel hitting a 21st century low; most strikingly, Americans for the first time didn’t sympathize more with Israelis than Palestinians.

Making matters even more fraught, the right has in recent months become riven over how to deal with what many regard as a troubling rise in antisemitism in its base and influencer class. Some of the biggest names in conservative thought have increasingly — and often conspiratorially — linked Israel to all manner of American maladies.

Given Americans seemed quite skeptical of this war from the jump, it didn’t take an active imagination to surmise that some people would blame Israel and even craft conspiracy theories about that.

And that’s certainly happened. But, in a twist, that’s thanks in large part to some of the Trump administration’s rhetoric about the war.

The president and those around him have done Israel no favors with some of their claims.

On two major occasions now, the administration has gestured at Israel being mostly responsible for major inflection points in the war — even though the evidence on both counts isn’t totally clear.

Rubio’s claim about an ‘imminent’ Iranian threat

First, it was Secretary of State Marco Rubio making a kind of bank-shot case for why Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States. Rubio said Israel was going to strike Iran no matter what, and Iran was going to retaliate by striking at US targets; ipso facto, the argument went, Iran was an imminent threat to the United States.

The political problem with this formulation, though, was that it sounded a lot like the United States government was having its hand forced by Israel.

So the Trump administration quickly abandoned that argument and moved on to another in its long line of justifications for the war.

Joe Kent’s resignation

But this week has showed how Israel’s PR problem is going nowhere.

On Tuesday, we learned that the first high-profile Trump administration official had resigned while citing the Iran war. But outgoing National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent didn’t just criticize the war; he heavily blamed “pressure from Israel and its powerful lobby” for coercing the United States into it.

Kent in his resignation letter went on to repeatedly cite Israel and blame it for other wars, too. And in an interview with Tucker Carlson on Wednesday, he played into conspiracy theories about Israel and the assassination of late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

The reaction on much of the establishment right has largely been to dismiss Kent as an antisemitic crank. But this is someone Trump put in a powerful position — and did so despite his known past associations with extremists, including White nationalists and a Nazi sympathizer. And Kent is now using the credibility the administration vested in him to target Israel.

Trump’s latest claim

And finally came Trump’s bizarre missive late Wednesday night.

In a social media post at about 10 p.m. ET, he disclaimed any US role in the major Israeli attacks on facilities linked to the South Pars gas field in Iran.

“The United States knew nothing about this particular attack,” Trump maintained.

The attack was a big deal because Iran responded by striking Qatar’s portion of the gas field, raising tensions between neighbors in the region. (Trump also threatened to “massively blow up” Iran’s portion of the gas field if it keeps attacking Qatar.) And the gas field is the world’s largest, meaning its destruction could have an outsized impact on the already struggling global energy markets and supplies.

The first thing to note is that Trump’s account has been contradicted. A US source has told CNN that the US was “aware” of the strike, and an Israeli source has said the two sides coordinated on the strike. (Other experts, including former US ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, have noted it would be shocking if Israel didn’t loop the United States in on an attack of this scale and significance.)

But setting that aside, Trump’s comments — much like Rubio’s — imply that Israel is singularly responsible for this escalation, and they cast the United States in a role of responding to that Israeli-imposed escalation.

Disclaiming involvement might serve Trump’s domestic political purposes, but it doesn’t help Israel’s reputation in the United States. If anything, Trump’s position that the US knew nothing feeds those harboring theories like Kent’s.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said Israel had “acted alone” in a strike on a processing facility linked to the South Pars gas field, without directly addressing whether the United States was aware of the operation beforehand.

Netanyahu also rejected the idea that Israel coerced the United States into the war, casting doubt that anyone could do that to Trump.

“This canard that we dragged the United States into it – it’s not just a canard; it’s ridiculous. It’s just ridiculous,” Netanyahu said at his news conference.

Uncomfortable questions

Trump seemed to double down on his claim on Thursday, telling reporters that the US and Israel were “independent” but “get along great.”

He said of Netanyahu: “It’s coordinated. But on occasion he’ll do something, and if I don’t like it, and so we’re not doing that anymore.”

But the situation is again posing uncomfortable questions for the administration.

At Thursday’s Pentagon briefing, a reporter for the right-wing website Gateway Pundit asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about Trump’s Wednesday Truth Social post.

“Why are we helping Israel prosecute this war, if they’re going to pursue their own objectives?” the reporter asked.

Hegseth didn’t address the substance of Trump’s post, instead offering vague assurances that US objectives were being met.

“We hold the cards. We have objectives. Those objectives are clear,” he responded. “We have allies pursuing objectives as well, and the truth speaks for itself.”

Later that morning, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was asked at a House intelligence committee hearing why Israel would strike Iranian energy infrastructure (purportedly) against Trump’s wishes.

“I don’t have an answer for that,” she responded.

Gabbard was then asked if Israel’s objectives aligned with the United States’, and she again appeared stumped. After a long pause, she said she was “thinking carefully” about what she could say publicly.

(She eventually acknowledged that Israel was more focused on taking out Iran’s leadership, while the United States was more focused on disarming Iran — both on the nuclear front and with its conventional weapons.)

Also at the hearing, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that what Rubio said had a real basis in US intelligence.

Ratcliffe said there was a “body of evidence” available that said, “in the likely event of a conflict between Iran and Israel, that the US would be immediately attacked — regardless of whether the United States stayed out of that conflict.”

This war was always going to be a tough sell with the American people and a real test of the US-Israeli relationship.

But through its inability to craft a consistent message and Trump’s tendency to say whatever might be expedient at the moment, the administration has made the latter portion of that equation even more complicated than it had to be.

American society — and Israel’s reputation — could be feeling the effects of that for a long time.

In a letter posted on Tuesday to his X account, National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent said that Iran posed “no imminent threat” to the US and claimed that the Trump administration “started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby”.

Kent, 45, is a US special forces and CIA veteran whose wife, navy cryptologic technician Shannon Kent, was killed in a suicide bombing in Syria in 2019.

The White House has dismissed the letter as having “many false claims” about Iran.

Speaking in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump said that he thought Kent was a “nice guy” but “weak on security”.

Trump said that Kent’s resignation letter made him realise “it was a good thing that he’s out” and that he disagreed with Kent’s assessment of the Iranian threat.

With his departure, Kent becomes the most high-profile figure from within the Trump administration to publicly criticise the US-Israeli operation in Iran.

In the letter, Kent said that had previously supported Trump’s foreign policy platform and until last year believed that he had “had understood that the wars in the Middle East that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation.”

Additionally, Kent alleged that “high-ranking Israeli officials” and influential US journalists had sowed “misinformation” that caused Trump to undermine his “America First” platform.

“This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States,” the letter continued. “This was a lie.”

Kent, a long-time supporter of Trump’s who unsuccessfully ran for Congress twice, was nominated by the president early in his administration and narrowly confirmed to his post, with many Democrats criticising his links to extremist groups including members of the Proud Boys.

In the confirmation hearing, Kent also refused to back away from claims that federal agents had fomented the January 6 riots at the US Capitol or that Trump had won the 2020 election.

At the National Counterterrorism Center, he reported to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and oversaw the analysis and detection of potential terrorist threats from around the globe.

Previously, Kent had deployed 11 times overseas with the US military, including with the US Army’s special forces in Iraq.

He later became a paramilitary officer at the CIA, before leaving government service after his wife’s death.

Kent cited his military service and her death in his letter, saying that he “cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives”.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Kent’s suggestion that “Trump made the decision based on the influence of others, even foreign countries, is both insulting and laughable”.

“As President Trump has clearly and explicitly stated, he had strong and compelling evidence that Iran was going to attack the United States first,” she added.

In a brief interview with the New York Times, conservative media commentator Tucker Carlson praised Kent, with whom he has close personal ties.

“Joe is the bravest man I know, and he can’t be dismissed as a nut,” Carlson said. “He’s leaving a job that gave him access to the highest-level relevant intelligence. The neocons will try to destroy him for that.”

“He understands that and did it anyway,” he added.

There have been a number of resignations among senior officials in the Trump administration, including Security and Exchange Commission enforcement director Margaret Ryan and Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell.

The president’s second term, however, has seen far less turnover than his previous tenure at the White House between 2017 and 2021.

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Instead, employees or members of the scheme could only nominate their blood relations to benefit from the trust.

Mr Frank Molbila, the General Manager in-charge of Benefits, gave the information while speaking at a regional forum organised by SSNIT, in collaboration with the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Sunyani on Monday.

The day’s forum, on the theme: “Empowering Unions, Secure Futures: Deepening Pension Literacy Across Ghana”, formed part of a nationwide engagement designed to deepen pension literacy among workers and strengthen collaboration between SSNIT and organised labour.

Describing the value of the SSNIT pension as superior to any other investment or business, Mr Molbila said: “With the SSNIT pension, the longer you live the longer you benefit,”.

He urged every worker to register and join the trust.

He said the SSNIT has several benefits and advised workers to plan their retirement, saying that the scheme remained generous and essential in securing one’s long-term financial security.

Mr Molbila said the scheme paid a total of GHC6.77 billion pension benefits in 2025, saying that it anticipated to pay about GHC8.21 billion by the end of 2026.

He explained that presently the oldest pensioner was 107 years old, explaining that the trust was mandated to continue to pay the pensions until the beneficiary dies, saying that presently the highest pensioner earned GHC213,000 every month with the lowest taking about GHC400.

Touching on the SSNIT’s invalidity pensions, Mr Molbila indicated that presently the highest invalidity pension earned GHC19,923 every month and was 86 years old being on the payroll for about 36 years.

He explained that the invalidity pension was a monthly payment for members with a permanent physical or mental disability that rendered them incapable of working, disclosing that the invalidity pension now was 32 years old.

Mr Molbila added that in 2025 the trust paid GHC40.8 million in invalidity pensions and advised members of the SSNIT to update their records, especially on beneficiaries.

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Iran’s participation at this summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been thrown into doubt since the war began late last month.

“When (US President Donald) Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” Iranian football chief Mehdi Taj said in remarks posted on the embassy’s X account.

“We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”

Iran are scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by Egypt in Seattle.

The team’s base camp for the tournament is currently slated to be located in Tucson, Arizona.

Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, on Monday denounced “the US government’s lack of cooperation regarding visa issuance and the provision of logistical support” for the Iranian delegation ahead of the World Cup, in a statement published on the embassy’s website.

He added that he had also “suggested to FIFA that Iran’s matches be moved from the United States to Mexico.”

FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP.

Trump triggered uproar last week after stating that while Iran’s football team would be “welcome” in the United States, they should not travel to the tournament “for their own life and safety.”

Trump’s comments came after FIFA president Gianni Infantino had given assurances that Trump had promised him that the Iranian team would be welcome.

Iran hit back at Trump’s comments saying “no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup.”

Iran’s place at the tournament was thrown into question after the United States and Israel launched a massive offensive against the Islamic Republic, which responded with waves of missiles and drones targeting Israeli territory and American targets across the Middle East.

James, who signed a new six-year contract to stay at the club last week, missed open training with the rest of the Chelsea squad on Monday – ahead of the Champions League last 16 decider against Paris Saint-Germain.

Sources, speaking anonymously to The Athletic to protect relationships, said James was expected to be sidelined for a number of weeks, with Liam Rosenior, the Chelsea head coach, expected to provide an update when he addresses the media on Monday afternoon.

This is the 10th different hamstring injury James has had to either leg since December 2020 and comes at the worst possible time for Chelsea.

Rosenior’s side have dropped to sixth in the Premier League table after winning just one of their last five league games.

They take on PSG at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, trailing the Ligue 1 club 5-2 from the first match last week. Chelsea are still in the FA Cup and have a winnable quarter final at home to Port Vale on April 4.

James looked a certainty to be named in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup but will now miss the friendlies later this month against Uruguay and Japan.

Tuchel must name his World Cup squad by FIFA’s deadline of May 30. England’s first match is on June 17 and the final is on July 19.

Chelsea’s last game of the season is at Sunderland on May 24, which is 10 weeks from today.

James, who has played regularly for the past 15 months after being managed carefully by the club, was asked on Friday how he felt fitness-wise. He replied: “I’m in a really good place at the moment, my body’s feeling good. I’m playing on a regular basis, two or three games a week and I just try and help the team as much as I can and do what’s right.”

Mr Senyo Hosi, one of the guests on the show, read a heartfelt birthday message live on air, catching Mr Ayenini off guard and delighting viewers with the unexpected gesture.

“For years, Samson, you have held Newsfile with grace, a steady mind in Ghana’s public space — a senior lawyer whose wisdom lights the way, a voice that helps the nation to think each Saturday. Beyond the cameras, your service runs deep.

“Pro bono battles fought for those who could not speak — a true voice for the voiceless. You stood with journalists, you stood with the weak, you stood with the poor, you stood with Ghana when storms grew loud. You are a quiet shield, an unwavering and honourable soul. We stand with you today; we are all proud,” Mr Hosi continued.

“So today we pause the arguments, the sound bites and the chats to celebrate the man with one of Ghana’s biggest hearts. Samson, may this new year crown you with joy. Happy birthday and thank you for the service and justice you have delivered,” he concluded.

The lively moment brought laughter and cheer to the studio, offering a light-hearted close to an otherwise serious programme and highlighting the camaraderie between the host and guests on the popular current affairs show.

An elated Mr Ayenini, in his usual soft-spoken and calm demeanour, appeared visibly surprised and could only briefly express his appreciation to the team for the honour done him.

More About Mr Ayenini

Mr Ayenini rose to national prominence through his work with Multimedia Group Limited, where he serves as a senior journalist and broadcaster. He is widely recognised as the long-time host of Newsfile on JoyNews, one of Ghana’s most influential weekend current affairs programmes.

On Newsfile, he moderates high-level discussions involving politicians, policy experts, civil society actors and government officials. The programme focuses on governance, law, economics and public accountability, making it a key platform for national debate.

He has hosted the show for nearly 18 years out of the 30 years that Joy FM has existed.

Legal Career

Samson is a founding partner of A-PARTNERS @ LAW. He was previously with Osu-based Gaisie Zwennes Hughes & Co. He has an LL.M in and with a practice focus on International Commercial and Investment Arbitration. He is also a media practitioner, trainer and consultant.

He has consulted for and delivered special papers for professional institutions and special organisations, including the UNESCO, the Judicial Service of Ghana, the Graphic Communications Group Ltd, and the local chapter of the global watchdog Ghana Integrity Initiative and Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, CDD/CODEO.

He has collaborated with the NCCE, the CDD and others to promote good governance and was a major crusader for the passage of the Right To Information Law.

He has served/serves on committees/boards of the University of Education – Winneba, Law School and School of Languages of the University of Ghana – Legon, Chairman of the GFA NC Disciplinary Committee, which worked to restore the beautiful game after Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ #12 expose. He has served on a committee of the RTI Commission.

Samson was one of two Africans appointed to the Board of International Lawyers Assisting Workers (ILAW) Network under the auspices of the Solidarity Centre, working with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).

He is a Fellow of The Aspen Institute’s Africa Leadership Initiative – West Africa (ALIWA). He has been invited as a guest lecturer at home and abroad, including at LEGON, GIMPA, UPSA and Smith College (Northampton, MA).

Gordon slid in the 18th‑minute winner in front of England manager Thomas Tuchel, as the Blues were booed off at Stamford Bridge, losing at home to the Magpies for the first time since 2012.

Chelsea had started on top, missing a free header through Wesley Fofana before creating further chances for Alejandro Garnacho, Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez.

But Gordon opened the scoring by slotting in from close range after Joe Willock broke Chelsea’s offside trap when running on to Tino Livramento’s pass.

After the goal, the video assistant referee (VAR) waved away a penalty appeal after checking whether Reece James had pulled down Malick Thiaw, but Chelsea threatened again through Palmer, whose shot was saved.

Having made a goalkeeping change for the fourth time in five matches, the newly recalled Rob Sanchez produced an excellent save to deny Jacob Ramsey just before half-time.

Despite trailing at the break, Blues boss Liam Rosenior was proactive, bringing on striker Liam Delap for defender Malo Gusto.

The substitute immediately tested Aaron Ramsdale with a shot from the edge of the box, with Garnacho later having a shot blocked by Newcastle defender Sven Botman.

Referee Paul Tierney, who had been caught in Chelsea’s pre-match centre-circle huddle, waved away a penalty shout when Nick Woltemade made contact with Palmer’s foot inside the box.

Gordon had another curling effort saved in the 69th minute, with Delap later shooting over on his weaker left foot, flicking a header wide and Trevoh Chalobah heading wide from a corner.

Captain Reece James, who signed a new six-year contract on Friday, struck a free-kick against the post in stoppage time, before Joao Pedro looped a header on to the roof of the net with almost the final kick of the match.

The Blues were booed off having now lost back-to-back matches at home and in Europe.

Newcastle move up to ninth in the Premier League, while Chelsea remain fifth, having played a game more than Liverpool, who host Tottenham on Sunday.

The talismanic captain, whose last agreement ran to June 2028, will spend what should be the peak period of his career at Stamford Bridge.

James, 26, joined the club aged six and is now tied down until the summer of 2032 — in a deal that sees him align with the incentivised wage structure adopted since Chelsea’s May 2022 takeover.

Although his most recent extension happened under the current ownership, James was the final player still on terms from the previous era and this development ensures that will be rectified.

But the academy graduate is sure to be suitably rewarded for the key role he occupies, plus his faith in the west London side and their project.

The bond between James and Chelsea always made it likely that the relationship would continue, with talks concluded quickly over recent weeks.

It also means those widely viewed as Chelsea’s core men are all secured through at least 2030.

In the past, James has indicated he would be “happy” to spend the entirety of his on-field days with Chelsea and — apart from a 2018-19 loan at Wigan Athletic — that looks possible.

There are 225 appearances to his name so far, featuring 16 goals and 31 assists, while James inherited the armband following Cesar Azpilicueta’s departure in July 2023.

Five trophies have been lifted along the way; the 2021 Champions League, 2022 Super Cup and the Conference League three years later.

Fitness permitting, James appears to be emerging as first-choice right-back for England boss Thomas Tuchel ahead of the World Cup.

His minutes have required careful management, especially given the disruption of injuries, but he has made 35 appearances in all competitions.

Fifth in the Premier League at present, Chelsea host Newcastle United on Saturday. They then welcome Paris Saint-Germain for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, having lost the first leg 5-2 on Wednesday.

Valverde tormented City with a display of the highest class, Pep Guardiola’s side offering threat up front but too often vulnerable at the back.

Real were without injured pair Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, as well as long-term absentee Rodrygo, but still had enough firepower to punish City’s defensive frailties.

The English side actually started brightly, giving Real some anxious moments, before it all started to unravel in dramatic fashion on 20 minutes.

Real’s opener was simplicity itself, keeper Thibaut Courtois’ long pass dropping behind Nico O’Reilly for Valverde to round the on-rushing Gianluigi Donnarumma to score from a tight angle.

The Uruguayan doubled Real’s advantage seven minutes later with a low finish across Donnarumma before he completed his hat-trick in superb style.

Collecting a delightful, lofted through-ball, the Real captain showed great invention to lift the ball over Marc Guehi in a tight space before beating Donnarumma on the volley.

City looked to be plunging further into trouble on the hour when Real were awarded a penalty after Donnarumma brought down Vinicius.

He took the spot-kick himself, but far too casually against a goalkeeper of such expertise in this situation, Donnarumma diving to his left to save.

City thought they had pulled one back when O’Reilly pounced on Thiago in the area, but Courtois stuck out a leg to save.

Speaking in an interview with JoyNews, Mr Pelpuo said he has engaged both the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the leadership of CLOGSAG to better understand the union’s demands.

He added that discussions with Cassiel Ato Forson had yielded a firm commitment to address the matter.

“I don’t want a situation where it’s like somebody carrying a log behind you and intending to hit you — and therefore you have to make a decision here and there,” he said, describing the kind of pressure-driven negotiations he hopes to avoid.

The minister acknowledged that communication between the National Labour Commission, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and CLOGSAG broke down ahead of the strike, noting that both institutions were unable to engage the union before the industrial action began.

“I didn’t know about the strike at that very moment,” he admitted.

CLOGSAG’s Executive Secretary, Isaac Bampoe Addo, confirmed that a one-hour meeting with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission on March 9 ended without an agreement.

According to him, the union’s National Executive Council has not called off the strike.

The association says it remains unmoved because there is still no clear roadmap for resolving the issues at the centre of the dispute.

Mr Pelpuo, however, urged the union to trust the government’s assurances and suspend the strike while negotiations continue.

“Strikes should be the last resort,” he said, adding that the government is willing to listen and work with labour unions to address their concerns.

He also warned that prolonged industrial action could have wider consequences for the country and the workers themselves.

“All of us are going to suffer,” the minister said.

The ongoing strike by CLOGSAG has disrupted work across several government offices nationwide, adding to growing concerns about labour disputes in the public sector and their impact on service delivery.

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During a brief ceremony held in Nkaseim, resources including industrial sewing machines, hand sewing machines, and threads were presented to 10 master craftsmen and 50 apprentices.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Alhaji Collins Dauda, commended President John Dramani Mahama for ensuring that those engaged in apprenticeship training receive a fair share of national resources to improve their livelihoods.

He highlighted that apprenticeship trainees have often been overlooked in terms of support but noted that under President Mahama’s leadership, significant attention has been given to their training through the NAP, which finances all training expenses in a manner similar to the free senior high school initiative.

The MP urged all apprentices to take pride in their work, emphasizing that it is a vital way to tackle the ongoing unemployment challenge, which remains a security concern.

Nana Yentumi Boateng, the Dabihene of Nkaseim, who chaired the event on behalf of the chief, along with Sulemana Baba Amadu, the NAP Coordinator for the Ahafo Region, expressed gratitude to the government for the initiative.

They encouraged beneficiaries to utilize the programme wisely to ensure value for the nation, asserting that the introduction of NAP could be a pivotal strategy in Ghana’s history to address unemployment. They further urged everyone to support the government in effectively implementing the programme.

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The hospital is expected to offer a wide range of medical services, including outpatient and inpatient care, diagnostic imaging, and laboratory services, among others.

Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and modern amenities, the facility was designed to provide a comfortable and welcoming environment for patients. As a beacon of hope for quality healthcare in the region, the hospital aims to deliver accessible and affordable medical services to the community.

Dr. Sonlaar Joseph, Medical Doctor of Kpandai ECG Hospital and in-charge of the Dambai facility, revealed that human resource arrangements have been completed and the hospital is awaiting registration with the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) to become fully operational.

“We are done with the human resource and only left to register with CHAG. We urge residents to patronize the health facility for quality healthcare services,” Dr. Sonlaar added, emphasizing the hospital’s commitment to comprehensive medical care through a team of experienced health professionals, mostly drawn from Kpandai Hospital.

Bishop John Pang-Moot, Local Council of Churches Chairman in Krachi East, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the hospital was constructed to address pressing healthcare challenges in the area.

He explained that lack of quality healthcare had been a major concern, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, the aged, and children. “Before, accessing healthcare was a challenge, requiring travel over long distances outside the municipality and sometimes out of the Oti Region,” he said.

Bishop Pang-Moot noted that the construction of the hospital was a direct response to these challenges, and its operationalization is expected to significantly improve healthcare delivery in Krachi East.

Mr. Joseph Chikpa, a beneficiary of the free health screening, commended the ECG management for their efforts. “It is a great initiative, and we are grateful for the quality healthcare services,” he said.

Others echoed Mr. Chikpa’s sentiments, criticizing the two dominant political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), for failing to prioritize healthcare infrastructure in the area.

“These parties have been in power but have neglected our healthcare needs. It is the church that has come to our rescue,” they added.

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Project Manager Ben Sackey told the media on March 10 that the diversion was initially introduced to allow engineers to carry out bridge expansion works at the interchange.

He explained that the project involves expanding the bridge to ten lanes by adding three additional lanes on each side to improve traffic flow along the motorway.

However, he noted that although traffic simulations were conducted before implementing the diversion, the real situation on the ground caused far more disruption than anticipated.

Ing. Sackey said continuing with the current traffic management plan could have resulted in severe congestion for several months.

He added that the contractors decided to halt the diversion to review the traffic management strategy and reduce inconvenience to road users.

A meeting is expected to be held to consider alternative options that will allow construction to continue while minimising traffic disruptions.

The expansion project is aimed at improving traffic flow between Accra and Tema.

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Speaking on Accra-based UTV, he expressed concerns about the structure of the CLOGSAG union, noting that it includes directors, managers and ordinary workers within the same association.

According to him, labour unions are typically associations formed to represent workers, and having directors and managers, who are responsible for supervising workers, within the same union raises important questions and concerns.

He suggested that there should be a clear differentiation between management and workers within such associations.

Mr. Adjei Mensah further cautioned the leadership of CLOGSAG to be careful and focus on constructive engagement with the government to find a lasting solution to issues concerning their conditions of service.

He also argued that it may be too early for such a strike action against the government, adding that the administration has demonstrated willingness to address workers’ concerns, including implementing salary increases.

According to him, dialogue would have been a more effective approach than industrial action.

He therefore urged the association to reconsider its position, end the strike and engage the government in discussions to resolve the matter amicably.

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As part of the selection process, the Grants Management Committee has invited these beneficiaries to pitch their business ideas to a panel of experts. The pitching session is designed to assess the viability, scalability, and potential impact of the proposed businesses, ensuring that funds are allocated to initiatives that can meaningfully contribute to local economic growth.

The Adwumawura Programme is a government initiative focused on tackling youth unemployment through entrepreneurship and innovation.

In an interview with Adom News, the Deputy Chief Executive of MASLOC, Khalifa Seidu, explained that the pitching exercise allows select youth-owned businesses to present well-refined proposals after completing a five-week capacity-building program.

She encouraged beneficiaries to remain calm and focused during the evaluation process, emphasizing that the goal is to support enterprises capable of growing, creating jobs, and delivering measurable results.

Seidu noted that this approach reflects best practices and aligns with the government’s RESET agenda, which emphasizes strategic investment, accountability, and results-driven interventions.

According to her, applicants who successfully complete the pitching process are expected to begin receiving their grants this week. She also advised beneficiaries to use the funds responsibly, stressing that proper utilization will determine the long-term success of their businesses and the broader impact of the program.

Meanwhile, some beneficiaries have expressed optimism about the opportunity, indicating their readiness to use the funding to expand operations, improve productivity, and strengthen their businesses for sustainable growth.

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Speaking at a recent engagement with okada riders, assembly members, civil society organizations, and youth associations, the Nkosobaapayin, Nana Abena Fosuaa, conveyed the Queen Mother’s concerns to Adom News.

She expressed alarm over the high rate of accidents involving commercial motorbikes, many of which have resulted in fatalities. According to her, riders often disregard traffic regulations and ride carelessly, causing fear among residents.

Nana Abena Fosuaa warned that if okada riders fail to adhere to road rules within the coming days, the Queen Mother would be compelled to use her authority to ban their activities to protect the community.

Meanwhile, Frank Kofi Adusei, Head of the Omanbotantim Association, thanked the Queen Mother for engaging stakeholders to address the rising number of accidents. He emphasized the urgent need for intensive education for all motorbike riders on traffic rules to reduce accidents in the community.

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TUC holds back support as CLOGSAG strike cripples public services

In an interview with JoyNews’ Rafiq Salam, the General Secretary of TUC, Joshua Ansah, explained, “I cannot confirm support or opposition at this stage because I have not yet received details on the reasons for the strike.

“We will engage with their leadership, and if necessary, extend our support. After all, if you affect one worker, you affect all workers.”

The government has convened a high-level meeting with leaders of the association as the strike increasingly disrupts public administration, leaving many Ghanaians struggling to access essential services.

The industrial action is a protest against working conditions and the implementation of agreed terms of service, following several unsuccessful attempts to engage the government.

This comes despite an order from the National Labour Commission directing the association to suspend the strike and return to the negotiation table.

CLOGSAG, however, has instructed its members nationwide to disregard the directive and continue with the action.

Across the country, the strike is already having a major impact, with citizens unable to access key government services, further intensifying pressure on public institutions to resolve the standoff.

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He said the figure represents an increase from the GH₵20.4 billion recorded at the end of 2024, reflecting improved performance of many SSNIT investments and ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability and strategies to improve underperforming assets.

Mr Biney disclosed this during a stakeholder forum organised by SSNIT in partnership with the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Wa on Monday to educate and sensitise workers on the importance of pension contributions.

The forum also formed part of a nationwide campaign aimed at informing members of organised labour about SSNIT’s operations and obtaining feedback from them as key stakeholders of the scheme to guide future reforms.

Mr Biney noted: “A lot more of our investments are doing well, and that accounts for the growth from GH₵20.4 billion in 2024 to over GH₵25 billion at the end of 2025.”

He indicated, for instance, that Labadi Beach Hotel generated a profit of about GH₵77 million in 2025, while La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, which previously recorded losses, posted an audited profit of GH₵1.7 million in 2025.

Mr Biney said SSNIT was focusing on improving service delivery, accessibility, and convenience for contributors and pensioners through the revitalisation of its digital channels and the establishment of virtual branches.

Other initiatives, he mentioned, include the implementation of a “co-location” strategy, which allows SSNIT to operate within selected banking halls to extend its services to areas where it does not have physical offices.

“As part of the strategy to make our services more accessible and convenient, you can engage with us in a much easier way than in the past.

“Our digital channels and virtual branch provide you the opportunity to interact with us irrespective of time and location because we serve you 24/7,” Mr Biney explained.

He encouraged members of organised labour in both the public and private sectors to contribute actively to the scheme, describing SSNIT as a collective national asset designed to secure the future of Ghanaian workers.

Mr Joshua Ansah, Secretary-General of the TUC, said the forum served as an important platform for advocacy and education on the benefits of the SSNIT pension scheme and the need for every worker in Ghana to contribute.

He urged both formal and informal sector workers to enrol on the SSNIT scheme and contribute regularly to secure their future, emphasising that pension contributions were essential for ensuring financial security and dignity after retirement.

“Once you are working or earning an income, you must think about your future, and belonging to SSNIT is one of the ways to guarantee that future,” Mr Ansah said.

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Ghana is set to face the European giants in their second Group L fixture at the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.

In an interview with Graphic Sports, Afriyie reaffirmed his belief that the Black Stars will secure a positive start against Panama national football team in their opening match.

He added that with the right physical, psychological and motivational preparation, Ghana has the potential to upset England, who are managed by Thomas Tuchel.

“I don’t see it as an easy game for us, but if we get our rhythm right, everything is well in camp, the team is well prepared physically, psychologically and motivationally, and the boys are in the right frame of mind when they step onto the pitch, they can cause an upset against England,” he said.

Ghana will open their campaign against Panama on June 17, face England on June 23, and wrap up the group stage against Croatia national football team on June 27.

Preparations include a March training camp with friendly matches against Austria national football team and Germany national football team, followed by a May match against Mexico national football team and a final warm-up game against Wales national football team on June 2.

During the tournament, the Black Stars will be based at Bryant University as they aim to improve on their group-stage exits at the 2014 and 2022 editions of the World Cup.

The war powers measure was rejected in a 53-47 vote largely along party lines. It would have halted US military action in Iran without congressional approval.

Democrats argue that Trump has sidelined Congress and offered shifting reasons for the war. Most Republicans blocked the resolution, but some said they could change course if the war expands in the coming weeks.

The US and Israel began striking Iran on Saturday. The Islamic republic has responded by launching attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf.

With no clear off-ramp in sight, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the war could last eight weeks – almost double the duration mentioned by Trump at the weekend.

Two senators crossed the aisle in Wednesday’s vote. Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania opposed the measure, while Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky voted for it.

Otherwise, everyone else voted along party lines.

Senator Susan Collins, a moderate Republican from Maine, voted against the measure, saying afterwards that passing the legislation would have sent the wrong message to Iran and US troops.

“At this juncture, providing unequivocal support to our service members is critically important, as is ongoing consultation by the administration with Congress,” she said.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said before voting in favour of the measure: “Do you stand with the American people who are exhausted with forever wars in the Middle East or stand with Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth as they bumble us headfirst into another war?”

The legislation will go to a vote on Thursday in the House of Representatives, where it faces an uphill slog.

While the president has broad authority to launch military action without a formal declaration of war, Congress must be notified within 48 hours of hostilities beginning.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has maintained the Trump administration complied with that requirement.

Top congressional leaders were notified before the initial strikes began, and Trump informed Congress in a letter on Monday, even as he maintained that was not necessary.

Trump has previously ordered military operations without congressional approval, such as the US strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities last year, and the seizing of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro in January.

“To begin with, no presidential administration has ever accepted the War Powers Act as constitutional – not Republican presidents, not Democratic presidents,” Rubio, a former senator, said.

Congress passed the War Powers Resolution in 1973 to constrain the ability of then-President Richard Nixon to wage war in Vietnam.

It requires lawmakers to be notified by the president within 48 hours of military action and for Congress to pass an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) within 60 days of hostilities breaking out.

Since 2001, US administrations have relied on the AUMF passed after the 11 September 2001 attacks as justification for the use of military force in the Middle East.

Multiple attempts to repeal that authorisation have been unsuccessful.

The war powers measure was rejected in a 53-47 vote largely along party lines. It would have halted US military action in Iran without congressional approval.

Democrats argue that Trump has sidelined Congress and offered shifting reasons for the war. Most Republicans blocked the resolution, but some said they could change course if the war expands in the coming weeks.

The US and Israel began striking Iran on Saturday. The Islamic Republic has responded by launching attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf.

With no clear off-ramp in sight, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the war could last eight weeks – almost double the duration mentioned by Trump at the weekend.

Two senators crossed the aisle in Wednesday’s vote. Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania opposed the measure, while Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky voted for it.

Otherwise, everyone else voted along party lines.

Senator Susan Collins, a moderate Republican from Maine, voted against the measure, saying afterwards that passing the legislation would have sent the wrong message to Iran and US troops.

“At this juncture, providing unequivocal support to our service members is critically important, as is ongoing consultation by the administration with Congress,” she said.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said before voting in favour of the measure: “Do you stand with the American people who are exhausted with forever wars in the Middle East or stand with Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth as they bumble us headfirst into another war?”

The legislation will go to a vote in the House of Representatives on Thursday, where it faces an uphill battle.

While the president has broad authority to launch military action without a formal declaration of war, Congress must be notified within 48 hours of hostilities beginning.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has maintained the Trump administration complied with that requirement.

Top congressional leaders were notified before the initial strikes began, and Trump informed Congress in a letter on Monday, even as he maintained that was not necessary.

Trump has previously ordered military operations without congressional approval, such as the US strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities last year, and the seizing of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro in January.

“To begin with, no presidential administration has ever accepted the War Powers Act as constitutional – not Republican presidents, not Democratic presidents,” Rubio, a former senator, said.

Congress passed the War Powers Resolution in 1973 to constrain the ability of then-President Richard Nixon to wage war in Vietnam.

It requires lawmakers to be notified by the president within 48 hours of military action and for Congress to pass an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) within 60 days of hostilities breaking out.

Since 2001, US administrations have relied on the AUMF passed after the 11 September 2001 attacks as justification for the use of military force in the Middle East.

Multiple attempts to repeal that authorisation have been unsuccessful.

More than 4,000 flights a day have been cancelled across the region, according to flight tracking service Flightradar24, with hundreds of thousands of passengers affected.

The disruption “will only increase the longer the crisis continues” and it “will have enormous repercussions for the industry,” director of communications Ian Petchenik said.

The ongoing airline disruption comes as more than 100,000 Britons have registered their presence in the Middle East with the UK government.

On Monday morning, 79% of global flights to Qatar and 71% of flights to the United Arab Emirates had been cancelled, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium, while 81% of flights to Israel and 92% of flights to Bahrain have also been grounded.

United Arab Emirates national carrier Etihad Airways had suspended services until 14:00 local time (10:00 GMT)on Wednesday. But there were some ad-hoc departures on Monday, including an Etihad flight to London Heathrow (EY67), which landed at 19:17 GMT, according to Flightradar24.

Fay McCaul was on that flight after being stuck with her seven-year-old son in Abu Dhabi over the weekend.

Speaking at Heathrow on Monday evening, the 41-year-old described the situation at Abu Dhabi Airport as “pretty chaotic”.

“It was just taking ages to board, with no announcements, so we didn’t know what was going on,” she said.

“And then after the boarding time, sirens started going off in the airport and everyone started receiving texts on their phones with alarm signals to stay away from windows because of potential missile strikes.

“So then it was pretty chaotic, and the airline obviously didn’t know what was going on either.”

She added her son had had “a lovely time because he had no idea of what was going on”, but she said it had been pretty stressful” for her.

Other Etihad flights have left for destinations including Moscow, Paris, Cairo, Delhi and Karachi, according to Flightradar24.

The airline said: “Some repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights may operate in coordination with UAE authorities and subject to strict operational and safety approvals”. All regular scheduled services remain cancelled.

Dubai Airports has announced on social media that a “limited resumption of operations” will begin on Monday evening, with a small number of flights allowed to operate from the region’s two main hubs – Dubai International and Dubai World Central.

The Dubai-based airline Emirates says it will prioritise customers with earlier bookings on these flights and will contact passengers directly.

No flights are so far taking off or landing from Doha, as Qatari airspace remains closed.

Earlier in the day, Qatar’s national airline, Qatar Airways, said its flight operations remain temporarily suspended on Monday due to the closure of Qatari airspace.

“Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace,” the airline wrote on X.

From the UK, flights have also been cancelled for many Middle East destinations, including all flights to Israel and Bahrain, three-quarters of the day’s scheduled flights to the United Arab Emirates, and more than two-thirds (69%) of flights to Qatar.

My flight has been cancelled – what should I do?

Although some flights have left the UAE today, a large number of passengers remain stranded.

Passengers due to fly with Emirates from Dubai have been told the airline will begin operating a limited number of flights on Monday evening, with priority being given to those who had earlier bookings cancelled.

The airline said it would contact people it has rebooked onto these flights directly, and warned its customers not to head to the airport unless they have been notified. It said further updates would be published on its website and social media channels.

Etihad, which operates out of Abu Dhabi, said its regular scheduled flights would remain cancelled until Wednesday.

It warned customers not to travel to the airport unless they have been directly contacted by the airline. They are also advised to ensure their contact details are up to date within their bookings, and to check the status of their flight online.

Qatar Airways said all operations remain suspended. It plans to provide an update early on Tuesday, and has told passengers to keep up to date with the latest information via its website and app.

Meanwhile, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said travellers planning to head to the Middle East should check its website for travel advice relating to their destination.

It currently advises against travel to a range of places in the region and says that those who travel against FCDO advice could invalidate their travel insurance.

British nationals in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates can register to receive direct updates from the FCDO.

Ian Scott, from Wedmore in Somerset, told BBC Your Voice he had been travelling back from Melbourne to Venice when his Saturday morning flight out of Doha was forced to turn back mid-air due to the conflict.

“We were in airport for 15 hours before evacuation to a hotel. That was full and we had to shelter underground due to close explosions,” he said.

Since then, Scott said he could hear blasts in the area, and is still waiting for an opportunity to leave.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC the situation was “deeply stressful” for those affected. She said many of those stuck were people travelling for holiday or business.

Asked if the government was considering launching an evacuation, she said it was in close contact with airlines, airports, Middle Eastern governments and the travel industry.

Cooper added that in previous situations similar to this, the government had worked with airlines to bring people home on normal flights.

Paul Charles, from travel consultancy firm the PC Agency, said the disruption in air travel in the Middle East was having a knock-on effect around the world.

“Indeed at Sao Paolo airport yesterday I saw two Qatar airways planes still on the ground there because they can’t fly to the Middle East at the moment,” he said.

“Flights are entirely full via other countries because the passengers who were due to go to the Middle East have to reroute via somewhere else in order to find safe haven.”

On Saturday, the US attacked Iran as part of a joint operation with Israel, sparking retaliatory strikes across the Middle East.

So what could the conflict mean for Iran, for the US, and for what was already set to be a highly politicised World Cup?

BBC Sport takes a closer look.

Will Iran still play at the World Cup?

Iran’s group matches in what would be their fourth consecutive World Cup are against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, then Egypt in Seattle.

The team were not withdrawn from the competition last summer when the US bombed three nuclear facilities in the country, but the head of its football federation has now reportedly cast doubt on their participation.

“With what happened… and with that attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the World Cup, but the sports chiefs are the ones who must decide on that,” Mehdi Taj is reported to have told Iranian television.

But in the aftermath of the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and amid huge uncertainty over the future political landscape in the country, predicting such a decision – or even who would make it – is impossible.

“For Tehran, this is not a short 12-day war or a contained round of escalation that can be paused and reset,” said Dr Sanam Vakil – director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at international affairs think-tank Chatham House.

“This new stage of conflict is existential and clearly about regime survival. It is also unlikely to end quickly.”

Fifa – football’s world governing body – has said it is monitoring developments but, at this stage, officials are privately saying they expect Iran to be at the World Cup. On Saturday, Fifa’s general secretary Mattias Grafstrom said “our focus is to have a safe World Cup with everybody participating.”

If Iran were to boycott the tournament, Fifa rules dictate they could be replaced with an alternative team from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Iraq, who could qualify anyway via a continental play-off at the end of the month, or the UAE, who missed out on qualification, would be favourites to step in.

Iran’s women’s team, meanwhile, are preparing for their first match of the Asia Cup in Australia. The squad trained as planned on the Gold Coast on Sunday.

The AFC said in a statement it continued to “closely monitor the recent developments in the Middle East during this challenging period”.

It added: “The AFC’s foremost priority remains the welfare, safety and security of all players, coaches, officials, and fans. In this regard, we are in close and regular contact with the Iran women’s national team and officials on the Gold Coast and are offering our full support and assistance.”

At a pre-match news conference on Sunday, Iran coach Marziyeh Jafari stuck to football, saying the tournament was a chance to show “the potential of Iranian women”.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Iran’s men’s football team celebrated qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after a draw with Uzbekistan in March

‘We are in uncharted territory’

US President Donald Trump last year signed an executive order banning nationals from 12 countries – including Iran – from entering the US, citing an effort to manage security threats. World Cup players and coaching staff are exempt.

But if Iran do play, there is now likely to be even more scrutiny on safety around the team’s matches, and the squad’s planned training base in Arizona.

Security had to be increased at the 2022 World Cup when the country’s matches in Qatar – including against the US – took place against a backdrop of mass anti-government protests in Iran.

During their second match against Wales, there were even confrontations between fans with opposing views about Iran’s government, and given Trump’s hopes for regime change there, it is possible a similar scenario could play out this summer.

“We are in uncharted territory in that we are just over three months away from the start of the World Cup and the hosts have just launched a war of aggression against a participating country,” says Nick McGeehan of human rights advocacy group FairSquare.

“If Iran withdraws its team – an outcome that seems entirely plausible – Fifa is likely to breathe a sigh of relief given the scope for protest and unrest.”

But even if Iran are absent, security will be even more of a focus, especially given the event will also be used to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence, and Trump is expected to be a highly visible presence, as he was at the Club World Cup and Ryder Cup last year.

The conflict began just days after US government officials were warned there could be “catastrophic” security consequences if the 11 US cities hosting matches do not receive funding that has been frozen amid a partial government shutdown, with preparations said to be behind schedule.

There has also been mounting concern over the use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency at the tournament, and an outbreak of cartel violence in neighbours and co-hosts Mexico.

Over the weekend, Andrew Giuliani – head of the White House’s World Cup taskforce – praised Trump’s strikes on Iran, posting on social media it would “make the world a safe place”.

“We’ll deal with soccer games tomorrow,” he added. “Tonight we celebrate [the Iranian people’s] opportunity for freedom.”

However, the conflict in the Middle East is also likely to lead to added scrutiny of Fifa president Gianni Infantino over the close relationship he has forged with Trump.

In December, Fifa awarded Trump its inaugural ‘Peace Prize’ at the 2026 World Cup draw ceremony, saying he had “played a pivotal role” in establishing a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians, and that he had sought to end other conflicts.

In the few weeks since, the US has taken military action in Venezuela, Nigeria and Iran, and has hinted at possible further operations in Greenland, fellow World Cup co-host Mexico, and Colombia – another participant in the tournament. In January, Trump also told Cuba to “make a deal” or face consequences.

Trump has fiercely defended his foreign policy, insisting he is acting in the United States’ interests.

Last month, Infantino defended the awarding of the ‘Peace Prize’, even appearing at the first meeting of the US President’s Board of Peace while wearing a Trump-themed ‘USA’ cap branded with ’45-47′ in reference to his terms of office.

Trump’s decision to attack Iran has received both support and condemnation, but what is certain is it will lead to more scrutiny of Fifa’s decision to align itself with him, with critics arguing it undermined the governing body’s political neutrality.

In January, 27 politicians from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, Green Party and Plaid Cymru signed a motion in parliament calling on international sporting bodies to consider expelling the US from major international competitions, including the World Cup. The motion said such events “should not be used to legitimise or normalise violations of international law by powerful states”.

The same month, an official from the German Football Association said it was time to consider a boycott of the 2026 World Cup in the wake of Trump’s actions.

Such demands could now be repeated, and there could also be calls by Gulf states for Iran to be punished for its retaliatory attacks on their territory.

Fifa insists as an organiser of football events it has a statutory duty to remain neutral, and this is not the first time it has come under pressure over the political actions of a World Cup host.

In 2018, the tournament went ahead in Russia despite the country annexing Crimea four years earlier. Russia also stood accused of cyber attacks, meddling in western elections and carrying out the Novichok nerve-agent attack in Salisbury.

Russia was eventually banned by Fifa in 2022 over its invasion of Ukraine, after a number of European countries refused to compete against it.

But Infantino has recently said the punishment has not worked, and that he wants it lifted. There is no sign he has any appetite to sanction the US, regardless of how controversial its foreign policy is.

What is clear is that in the past 48 hours, what was an already complicated political landscape for the World Cup has become even more challenging.