Sports
FIFA Operates With Two Sets of Rules for Different Nations
By Tokunbo Peters
FIFA may have made a serious mistake by allowing the United States to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Imagine U.S. immigration authorities in Miami denying entry to Africa’s best referee, Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was appointed by FIFA to officiate at the tournament, despite holding a valid U.S. visa.
Denying Omar Abdulkadir entry into the United States and preventing him from officiating in scheduled matches undermines football’s apolitical ideals, its commitment to meritocracy, and the spirit of fair play that FIFA constantly promotes. It has also deprived Africa of fair representation among the tournament’s referees. FIFA ought to have intervened to facilitate his entry into the United States or, alternatively, assigned him to matches scheduled to be played in Mexico or Canada, the other co-hosts of the tournament.
Similarly, the United States has barred the Iranian national football team from staying overnight on American soil, even though the players and technical staff were granted visas to participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Instead, they have been instructed to remain in Tijuana, Mexico, and cross the border only on match days, returning immediately after their games.
This would be akin to a team travelling from Cotonou, Benin Republic, to play matches in Lagos and then returning to Cotonou on the same day. Such an arrangement would be physically demanding and exhausting, leaving the players at a significant disadvantage to compete favourably against their opponents.
FIFA frequently insists that there is no place for politics in football, but in practice, this principle often appears to be applied selectively. In 2023, FIFA stripped Indonesia of its right to host the FIFA U-20 World Cup just two months before the tournament after the Governor of Bali called for Israel’s youth team to be barred from playing matches on the island.
It is also noteworthy that Russia was suspended by both FIFA and UEFA from international football competitions following its invasion of Ukraine, while Israel has remained untouched despite its genocide in Gaza, the indictment of its Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu for war crimes and crimes against humanity by the ICC and calls from various international human rights organisations for sanctions against Israel. Even European Union countries like France, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden, and the Netherlands have called for sanctions against Israel. But FIFA that was quick to ban Russia has been unperturbed.
From all indications, FIFA appears to operate with two sets of rules, applying them differently depending on the country involved.
By Son Tertsea
Nigeria advanced into the final of the Under-17 Women’s World Cup for the first time ever as the Flamingos defeated Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final on Wednesday night.
Queen Joseph opened scoring before Awawu Bashiru’s brace sealed the impressive win.
Joseph slotted home from four yards to put Akeem Busari’s side ahead, and the lead was doubled at the 71th minute as Bashiru lofted a cross that sailed over the goalkeeper into the net.
She sealed the win with a well-placed finish at the near post to send Nigerian fans and officials into jubilation.
Brazil’s consolation goal came 89 minutes from Greise Kelly.
All goals were scored in the first half.
Nigerians jubilated a first-ever win against the South Americans as they reached the final in Morocco. It is the first time an African nation will reach the final of the tournament, and Nigeria is set to break its bronze medal feat of 2022.
The fixtures show Nigeria will play Japan who defeated favourites Korea DPR in the other semi-final.
The final match will take place on Saturday, November 7.
By Isa Abdul, Abuja
A Nigerian, Samson Adamu, has been appointed the new General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The appointment was disclosed by CAF on Sunday, on its website following a comprehensive recruitment process conducted by the continental football governing body.
Reportedly, Adamu had been serving as acting General Secretary since March, following the resignation of Veron Mosengo-Omba.
Mosengo-Omba subsequently became president of the football federation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The appointment took a competitive recruitment process, according to sources quoting CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, in the statement on its website as saying that the position was widely advertised and several candidates interviewed.
Adamu has worked with CAF for eight years, serving first as Director of Competitions and later as Director of Tournaments and Events.
“Adamu brings extensive experience in African football administration, having joined CAF in 2018 as Director of Competitions before subsequently serving as Director of Tournaments and Events.
“He has played a leading role in the delivery of several major continental competitions, including CAF’s flagship tournament, the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations,” Motsepe was quoted as saying.
Adamu brings considerable institutional knowledge and experience to his new role as a graduate of the FIFA Master programme in International Management, Law and Humanities of Sport.
Adamu is expected to oversee CAF’s day-to-day administration and support the implementation of its strategic priorities.
He is the son of Amos Adamu, a former Director of Sports in the then Ministry of Sports and a former FIFA Executive Committee member.
The appointment places Adamu among a distinguished line of CAF General Secretaries, including members of Egypt’s Fahmy family.
Mourad Fahmy served from 1961 to 1982, followed by his son, Mustapha Fahmy, from 1982 to 2010, and grandson, Amr Fahmy, who held the position from 2017 to 2019.
Sports
Harry Kane Ends England’s 25-Year Wait As Alexia Putellas Clinches Third Ballon d’Or In Historic London Ceremony
By Felix Umande
England captain Harry Kane and Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas have been crowned winners of the Men’s and Women’s Ballon d’Or at the 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony held at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26, 2026.
It was a historic night as the gala was staged outside France for the first time since its inception in 1956, moving to London to honour Stanley Matthews, the inaugural winner, on the award’s 70th anniversary. The event was co-organised by France Football and UEFA and hosted by Thierry Henry and Kate Scott.
Kane won the Men’s Ballon d’Or after a phenomenal 2025-26 season, scoring 73 goals in 65 competitive matches for Bayern Munich and England. He led Bayern to a league and cup double and England to a third-place finish at the 2026 World Cup.
The 33-year-old becomes the first Englishman to win football’s most prestigious individual prize since Michael Owen in 2001, joining an elite list that includes Sir Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan.
“It being here in London as well has made it extra special. Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I can imagine it was really tough this year,” an emotional Kane said as the Palladium erupted with chants of “Harry, Harry”.
Kane also claimed the Gerd Müller Trophy for Men’s Best Striker. He beat Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, who finished second, and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who finished third.
Putellas won the Women’s Ballon d’Or for a third time, after her previous wins in 2021 and 2022, joining compatriot Aitana Bonmati on three titles.
The 32-year-old captained Barcelona Femení to a quadruple — Liga F, Copa de la Reina, Spanish Super Cup and Women’s Champions League — scoring 26 goals and registering 15 assists in 53 matches, before completing a summer move to Women’s Super League side London City Lionesses.
“I don’t know what to say. This prize is for Barcelona. That so many Barça players were nominated says a lot about the season we had. It was my honour to be your captain,” she said.
She finished ahead of Poland striker Ewa Pajor and Jamaica’s Khadija Shaw.
Spain dominated the night, claiming eight of 13 awards.
Full list of winners at Ballon d’Or 2026:
- Men’s Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich / England)
- Women’s Ballon d’Or: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona / Spain)
- Kopa Trophy – Men’s Young Talent: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain) — for a record third consecutive year
- Women’s Young Talent: Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
- Men’s Coach of the Year – Johan Cruyff Trophy: Luis de la Fuente (Spain) — after leading Spain to World Cup glory
- Women’s Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu (Barcelona)
- Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year – Yashin Trophy: Unai Simón (Athletic Club / Spain)
- Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Cata Coll (Barcelona / Spain)
- Men’s Best Striker – Gerd Müller Trophy: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich / England)
- Women’s Best Striker – Gerd Müller Trophy: Charlyn Corral (Pachuca / Mexico)
- Men’s Club of the Year: Paris Saint-Germain
- Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona Femení
- Socrates Award – Humanitarian: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal / England)
The assessment period for the 2026 awards ran from August 3, 2025 to July 19, 2026, including international competitions, with winners decided by specialist journalists voting for their top 10 players.
Kane succeeds Ousmane Dembélé, who won the 2025 edition in Paris.
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