It marks the second consecutive World Cup the three-time African champions will miss, having also failed to qualify for Qatar 2022.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali stepped away from football earlier this year after the devastating loss of both his parents and his grandmother within a short period, with the emotional toll forcing him to prioritize his mental health before making a surprise return to South African side Chippa United.

Wednesday’s incident occurred early in the morning, moments after Spain completed their 2-0 victory over France in Texas to qualify for the World Cup final.

Rice has been struggling with illness and came off at half-time in the quarter-final victory over Norway.

As England and Argentina prepare to renew one of football’s fiercest rivalries in Wednesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final, memories of Diego Maradona’s unforgettable performance in Mexico 1986 have once again taken centre stage.

“At first, I did not even know what was happening, it felt like a dream,” Kostromina told AFP in Moscow, saying she “never expected” the video to go so viral.

The 34-year-old — one of Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ whose last hurrah was a World Cup quarter-final exit to Spain — signed a two-year contract.

Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister has urged his team to take inspiration from Diego Maradona as they seek to get the better of England in their World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.

France captain Kylian Mbappe appeared to question Didier Deschamps’ tactical approach after Les Bleus were beaten 2-0 by Spain in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday.

Spain defender Pau Cubarsi has emerged as the frontrunner for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Young Player of the Tournament award following a string of commanding displays at the tournament in North America.