Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Namibian
… The meeting emphasised unity and anti-racism efforts in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, which will see 48 teams competing. …
NFA looks at agreement with PakistanThe Namibian
Viktor Gyokeres sent Sweden to the 2026 World Cup as he netted a dramatic late winner to hand his country a 3-2 win over Poland in their European play-off final on Tuesday. …
Gyokeres sends Sweden to World Cup with dramatic winner against PolandThe Namibian
… The global football governing body, which has been heavily criticised over its decision to award a newly created “Peace Prize” to President Trump in December 2025, stands to earn $11 billion from the tournament cycle. “While FIFA generates record revenues from the 2026 World Cup, …
World Cup risks being ‘stage for repression': AmnestyThe Namibian
… They parted ways with coach Walid Regragui in the wake of the final, a few months before the 2026 World Cup begins in the United States, Mexico and Canada. …
Controversial African champions Morocco salvage Ecuador draw on Ouahbi debutThe Namibian
All 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup will be “sold out,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday, even though tickets are still available ahead of the tournament’s June 11 kickoff. …
All World Cup matches sold out, says FIFA's InfantinoThe Namibian
… The 31-year-old has played so well, he has rocketed into conversations as a potential bolter for a Germany spot at the 2026 World Cup, but said he was “not thinking that far ahead”. …
Dortmund dare to dream as Bayern's title march faltersThe Namibian
… Infantino was widely criticised for giving Trump the honour on behalf of his governing body at the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington DC in December. …
Fifa president Infantino defends giving peace prize to TrumpIran's World Cup team left Turkey for Mexico on Saturday ahead of the June 11 tournament start, days after the US refused to issue visas for some of the team's support staff. Iran's embassy said a "large" number of managerial and executive staff were denied visas and called for FIFA to hold the US accountable for what it termed discriminatory treatment.
6 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Iran's World Cup team left Turkey for Mexico on Saturday ahead of the June 11 tournament start, days after the US refused to issue visas for some of the team's support staff. Iran's embassy said a "large" number of managerial and executive staff were denied visas and called for FIFA to hold the US accountable for what it termed discriminatory treatment.
6 June 2026 · The Namibian →
An Iranian vice president has urged that striker Sardar Azmoun be reinstated to the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, after he was omitted from the initial squad. Azmoun, 31, recently posted on Instagram affirming his loyalty to Iran and rejecting allegations of treason.
25 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Mohamed Salah played his final match for Liverpool on Sunday in a 1-1 draw with Brentford, leaving as the club's third-highest goalscorer of all-time with 257 goals after nine years at Anfield. The 33-year-old Egyptian winger provided an assist for Curtis Jones before being substituted.
25 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Coach Pape Thiaw unveiled a 28-man Senegal squad for the 2026 World Cup, featuring established stars including Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edouard Mendy alongside emerging talent. Senegal will begin their Group I campaign on June 16 against France in New Jersey, also facing Norway and Iraq.
21 May 2026 · The Namibian →
El Hadji Diouf and CAF president Patrick Motsepe believe an African team can win the 2026 World Cup, citing Morocco's run to the semi-finals in Qatar 2022 as evidence of growing capability. Nigeria's Jay-Jay Okocha remains unconvinced about African chances.
21 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The 2026 World Cup has attracted leading coaches to international positions, including Thomas Tuchel to England and Carlo Ancelotti to Brazil, reversing international football's typical struggles to compete with club football for top talent.
19 May 2026 · The Namibian →
FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom described a meeting held Saturday in Istanbul with the Iranian football federation as "excellent" and "constructive," aimed at ensuring Iran's participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Iranian federation president said discussions covered concerns and joint commitment to Iran's smooth participation, though visas had not yet been issued.
18 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Orlando Pirates drew 0-0 at home against Durban City and must win their final match to end a 14-year wait for the South African Premiership title, currently two points behind defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
16 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Coach Didier Deschamps announced France's squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with Kylian Mbappe set to spearhead the attack and likely captain the team despite a recent thigh injury. The squad includes attacking talent such as Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Michael Olise, alongside defensive players including William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano.
15 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Iran held a send-off ceremony for its national football team ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The team, coached by Amir Ghalenoei, will face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group G, opening their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.
14 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Football Association will soon enter an agreement with the Pakistan Football Federation to build long-term institutional ties and strengthen development pathways in both countries. Preliminary discussions took place at the 76th Fifa Congress in Vancouver, Canada, with formal signing planned during an upcoming Fifa seminar in Miami.
7 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Viktor Gyokeres scored a dramatic late winner to send Sweden to the 2026 World Cup with a 3-2 victory over Poland in their European playoff final. Sweden, which returns to the World Cup after eight years away, joins the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia in Group F.
1 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Amnesty International released a report calling on FIFA and the US, Canada and Mexico to protect fans and communities during the 2026 World Cup, warning that conditions in the host nations—particularly the US under the Trump administration—contrast sharply with FIFA's promise of safety and freedom, with concerns about ICE operations, travel bans for fans from certain nations, and risks to LGBTQ+ supporters.
30 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Morocco's new coach Mohamed Ouahbi began his tenure with a 1-1 friendly draw against Ecuador in Madrid on Friday. The result came as Morocco continues preparation for the 2026 World Cup following the controversial Confederation of African Football decision last week that awarded them the Africa Cup of Nations title over Senegal.
28 March 2026 · The Namibian →
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup will be "sold out," with 508 million ticket requests received for seven million available tickets. Infantino defended ticket prices as market-driven and estimated the tournament would generate over $11 billion in revenue for FIFA and around $30 billion in economic impact for the US.
19 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Borussia Dortmund have cut Bayern Munich's Bundesliga lead to six points in two matchdays following Bayern's shock home loss to Augsburg and draw in Hamburg. Dortmund, coached by Niko Kovac, face Wolfsburg this weekend while Bayern play Hoffenheim, with a Dortmund victory potentially narrowing the gap to three points before the teams meet in late February.
7 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Gianni Infantino defended his controversial decision to give US President Donald Trump FIFA's inaugural peace prize at the 2026 World Cup draw in December, dismissing calls for a boycott. Infantino told Sky News that Trump "objectively" deserved the award and rejected suggestions that the World Cup hosting in North America would be boycotted over Trump administration policies.
3 February 2026 · The Namibian →