Nigeria General Sport news

• Ivory Coast 1 – 2 Norway

  02-07-2026 05:11 via thesun.ng
  
  Norway is the first ever country to make 10+ changes to their starting XI in consecutive World Cup matches in a single edition.
  Antonio Nusa’s opener was Norway’s first World Cup knockout stage goal since 1938 (Arne Brustad vs Italy).
  Note — The 1938 World Cup did not have a Group Stage; it began with the Round of 16.
  Martin Odegaard is only the third player on record (from 1966) to assist a goal in each of his first three World Cup appearances, after Igor Belanov for USSR in 1
  
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• Players who cover mouths will not be sent off in UEFA competitions

  02-07-2026 19:55 via vanguardngr.com
  
  UEFA has confirmed that players who cover their mouths while confronting opponents will not automatically receive red cards in its competitions, opting against adopting the recently introduced law for the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.The decision means European football’s governing body will not implement the optional rule approved earlier this year by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), despite its use at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The issue gained
  
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• Ex-Arsenal Star Cazorla Retires From Professional Football At 41

  02-07-2026 19:18 via completesports.com
  
  Former Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has retired from playing at the age of 41. The former Spain international won two FA Cups with the Gunners – scoring a free-kick against Hull City in 2014 – and won the Euros twice with his national side. His career was almost ended in 2016 after he contracted gangrene [...]
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• Brazil’s Paqueta ruled out of World Cup clash with Norway

  02-07-2026 19:17 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Brazil midfielder Lucas Paqueta will miss Sunday’s World Cup last-16 game against Norway with a hamstring injury, a source at the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) told AFP on Thursday.He is not expected to play again in the tournament, unless Brazil reach the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, the source added.Paqueta, who has started alongside Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes in midfield, suffered the injury during Brazil’s dramatic 2-1 win over Japan in Hous
  
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• Golden Eaglets Head To China For International Youth Football Tournament

  02-07-2026 18:39 via completesports.com
  
  Five-time world champions Nigeria will depart for China on Thursday night to compete in the 2026 China International Youth Football Tournament, scheduled to take place in Yinchuan from July 5 to July 11, Completesports.com reports. The four-nation invitational tournament is hosted by the Chinese Football Association, the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Administration of Sport and [...]
  The post Golden Eaglets Head To China For International Youth Football Tournament appeared first on Complete Spor
  
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• How De Zerbi Convinced Me To Join Tottenham –Tonali

  02-07-2026 18:19 via completesports.com
  
  Italy international Sandro Tonali has confirmed that Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi was a crucial factor in his decision to leave Newcastle United for Spurs. Tonali cited the desire to work with De Zerbi, alongside lifestyle changes for his family, as the main drivers behind the move. Read Also:Rooney: I Would Love Kane To Join [...]
  The post How De Zerbi Convinced Me To Join Tottenham–Tonali appeared first on Complete Sports.
  
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• Klopp poised to replace Nagelsmann as Germany coach – Reports

  02-07-2026 17:55 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Julian Nagelsmann is reportedly set to be sacked as Germany coach, tabloid Bild reported Thursday, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp the favourite to take over in the dugout.Nagelsmann, 38, has been under fire since Germany’s last 32 exit from the World Cup after a shock loss to Paraguay.Showing pictures of Nagelsmann at German FA (DFB) headquarters in Frankfurt, Bild reported Thursday the coach had been offered a severance package of seven million euros ($8 million) to leave the
  
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• Shearer: England Can’t Rely On Kane, Bellingham To Win World Cup 2026

  02-07-2026 17:53 via completesports.com
  
  Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has warned that England can’t rely solely on the brilliance of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham to win the FIFA World Cup 2026. Following narrow victories where the duo repeatedly bailed out the team, Shearer emphasized that defensive consistency and contributions from other squad members are essential to secure tournament glory. [...]
  The post Shearer: England Can’t Rely On Kane, Bellingham To Win World Cup 2026 appeared first on Complete Sports.
  
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• World Cup 2026: Portugal seek to honour Diogo Jota against Croatia on death anniversary

  02-07-2026 16:54 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Adegboyega AdeleyePortugal head into their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash against Croatia in Toronto in the early hours of Friday, determined to keep alive a dream that has become bigger than football — honouring the memory of late forward Diogo Jota exactly one year after his tragic death.Portugal’s knockout tie comes on the first anniversary of Jota and his brother André Silva’s fatal car accident in Spain on July 3, 2025, giving Roberto Martinez’s side ext
  
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• Flying Eagles Midfielder Acquitted Of Sexual Assault

  02-07-2026 16:33 via completesports.com
  Flying Eagles midfielder Daniel Daga has been acquitted of sexual assault by Norway’s Frostating Court of Appeal, Completesports.com reports. The 19-year-old has been out of action for the past 11 months due to the allegations. Molde Happy With Verdict His club, Molde FK, confirmed in a statement on Thursday that Daga is now available for [...]
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• Man City sign Anderson in record £116m British transfer

  02-07-2026 16:17 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Adegboyega AdeleyeManchester City have completed the signing of England midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest in a record-breaking £116 million deal, making the 23-year-old the most expensive British footballer in history.According to Sky Sports, City reached an agreement with Forest for Anderson, who is currently with England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The midfielder completed his medical in Kansas between England’s World Cup fixtures, with the remaining formalities
  
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• Nottingham Forest Confirm Anderson’s British Record Transfer To Man City

  02-07-2026 16:02 via completesports.com
  
  Nottingham Forest have announced the transfer of England international Elliot Anderson to Manchester City. The deal makes Anderson the most expensive British player ever, surpassing Declan’s Rice’s £105m move from West Ham to Arsenal in 2023. According to ESPN the agreement is worth £116 million with no built in add-ons or bonuses. Anderson passed a [...]
  The post Nottingham Forest Confirm Anderson’s British Record Transfer To Man City appeared first on Complete Spo
  
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• World Cup: England fans pay up to £2,600 for Mexico clash tickets

  02-07-2026 15:54 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Adegboyega AdeleyeEngland fans hoping to watch the Three Lions face Mexico in their FIFA World Cup last-16 clash on Monday are being forced to pay as much as £2,600 for a single ticket on FIFA’s official resale platform, according to the BBC.The surge in ticket prices comes after England booked a blockbuster round-of-16 meeting with co-hosts Mexico following Wednesday night’s 2-1 victory over DR Congo.The highly anticipated fixture will be played at the iconic Estadio Aztec
  
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• Super Eagles Midfielder Joins Israeli Club Maccabi Bnei Reineh

  02-07-2026 14:27 via completesports.com
  
  Super Eagles midfielder Usman Mohammed has completed a return to Israeli Premier League club Maccabi Bnei Reineh on a free transfer, Completesports.com reports. The experienced midfielder signed a two-year contract with Lior Reuven’s side after leaving fellow Israeli outfit Ironi Tiberias at the end of his contract. Mohammed is no stranger to Maccabi Bnei Reineh, [...]
  The post Super Eagles Midfielder Joins Israeli Club Maccabi Bnei Reineh appeared first on Complete Sports.
  
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• Nigerian Youngster Signs New Three-Year Contract At Brighton

  02-07-2026 13:56 via completesports.com
  
  England-born Nigerian winger Nehemiah Oriola has signed a new contract At Brighton and Hove Albion that runs until June 2029. Brighton confirmed the signing in a statement on their website on Wednesday. “The 19-year-old joined Albion from Manchester United in 2023 and made his Premier League debut for Fabian Hurzeler’s team in November last year. [...]
  The post Nigerian Youngster Signs New Three-Year Contract At Brighton appeared first on Complete Sports.
  
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• World Cup exit: Germany has no world-class player – Toni Kroos

  02-07-2026 13:40 via thesun.ng
  
  Germany ex-international, Toni Kroos has delivered a harsh verdict on his nation’s squad after their 2026 World Cup exit, saying ‘we don’t have a single world-class player’ right now.
  Germany were knocked out of the tournament on penalties by Paraguay in the Round of 32 on Monday.
  Julian Nagelsmann’s side had topped Group E but failed to break down Paraguay’s defence in a 1-1 draw before losing 4-3 on penalties.
  Speaking on his show Kroos & Kroos: The Worl
  
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• NNL: Singabele Heads Five-Man Bayelsa United Interim Board

  02-07-2026 13:35 via completesports.com
  
  Peter Singabele, a former board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has been appointed as chairman of a five-member interim management Committee of Bayelsa United, Completesports.com reports. Singabele’s appointment was confirmed on Thursday morning by the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe. The committee which replaced Tarilaye Amankwe’s dissolved board will oversee the [...]
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• Former Spain midfielder Cazorla retires at 41

  02-07-2026 13:24 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Former Arsenal and Spain playmaker Santi Cazorla retired from football at the age of 41 on Thursday after more than two decades in the game.The diminutive Asturian helped his local team Oviedo reach La Liga in 2025 and played his final season with them in the Spanish top flight.“Now that everything is ending, when the boots are being hung up, and the noise is turning into silence, everything fits together, because the ending wasn’t just anywhere — I was at home,” said Ca
  
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• West Ham’s Fernandes joins Spurs

  02-07-2026 13:06 via vanguardngr.com
  
  West Ham’s Portugal midfielder Mateus Fernandes has joined Spurs after the Hammers’ relegation from the Premier League, the clubs announced on Thursday.Fernandes, 21, arrived in London in 2025 and his move across the capital city is worth a reported club record fee of 85 million pounds ($113.4 million).The one-time international arrives as Roberto de Zerbi attempts to re-build a Spurs squad who narrowly avoided dropping to the Championship last season.“Spurs is a massive club
  
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• Edinson Cavani quits Boca Juniors

  02-07-2026 12:59 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Veteran Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani has announced his departure from Boca Juniors after three years.The 39-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli and Manchester United player joined the Argentine side in July 2023 from Valencia.“As a coach of mine once taught me, the journey is the reward. And the journey has been magnificent,” Cavani said in a video posted on his Instagram account without announcing his retirement from club football.Known as “El Matador,” Cava
  
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• Balogun fourth player to score goal, receive red card at World Cup [Full List]

  02-07-2026 12:46 via vanguardngr.com
  
  USA forward Folarin Balogun etched his name into FIFA World Cup history on Thursday after becoming only the fourth player to score a goal and receive a red card in the same knockout match.The 24-year-old found the back of the net as the United States secured a 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in their Round of 32 clash at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.However, Balogun’s evening took a dramatic turn later in the match when he was shown a straight red card for stepping on the ankle
  
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• Tyson Fury to fight Wach in Thailand ahead possible Joshua clash

  02-07-2026 12:22 via vanguardngr.com
  
  British boxer Tyson Fury has said he will take on Mariusz Wach in a charity match in Thailand this month, ahead of an anticipated clash with Anthony Joshua.The 37-year-old two-time world heavyweight champion announced on his Facebook page on Wednesday that he “will be fighting Mariusz Wach live and exclusive here in Pattaya, Thailand”.The 12-round bout will take place on July 24, he said.Fury last retired after his second successive loss to world champion Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk at
  
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• World Cup exit: Senegal’s Pape Gueye blasts coaching crew, announces break from national team

  02-07-2026 11:26 via thesun.ng
  
  Senegal midfielder, Pape Gueye has announced he will “take a break” from the national team for as long as the current technical staff remains in charge.
  The 27-year-old Villarreal star made this known in an Instagram post after the Teranga Lions’ Round of 32 exit to Belgium in the ongoing World Cup, following some questionable substitutions from head coach, Pape Thiaw.
  Senegal lost 3-2 to Belgium after extra time in Seattle on Wednesday night.
  “I will come back later to t
  
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• World Cup 2026: ‘Never Was This A Red Card’ –Pochettino Defends Balogun

  02-07-2026 11:13 via completesports.com
  
  US coach Mauricio Pochettino has defended Folarin Balogun after the striker received a straight red card for an accidental studs-up clash on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Tarik Muharemovic during their FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 match. Despite the dismissal, the US team held on to secure a 2-0 victory and advance to the last [...]
  The post World Cup 2026: ‘Never Was This A Red Card’–Pochettino Defends Balogun appeared first on Complete Sports.
  
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• EXCLUSIVE: Flying Eagles’ Mexico ’83 Heroes Demand Monetisation Of Unfulfilled Scholarship Promise

  02-07-2026 10:49 via completesports.com
  
  Fourty-three years after representing Nigeria at their first FIFA U-20 World Cup finals, members of Nigeria’s 1983 U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, are still pressing the Federal Government to monetise the scholarship it promised them for representing the country at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Mexico after failing to fulfil the pledge, Completesports.com [...]
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• ‘I’ll no longer represent Senegal untill…’ – Gueye says after World Cup exit

  02-07-2026 10:22 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye has announced he will no longer represent the national team as long as head coach Pape Thiaw remains in charge, following the Teranga Lions’ dramatic exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The 27-year-old made the announcement on social media shortly after Senegal surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Belgium after extra time in their Round of 16 clash.In a post written in French, Gueye said he would speak further about the team’s elimination but confir
  
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• World Cup: Everything to know about Spain vs Austria match

  02-07-2026 10:02 via thesun.ng
  
  Spain and Austria will battle for a place in the Round of 16 when they meet in one of the biggest European clashes of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on Thursday.
  The knockout encounter will take place at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) in Inglewood, California, with La Roja looking to continue their march towards a second World Cup title. At the same time, Austria seek to pull off one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.
  The winner will progress to the Round of 16, where a place in
  
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• World Cup 2026: LeBron James praises Balogun after ‘Silencer’ celebration

  02-07-2026 09:56 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Basketball superstar LeBron James congratulated Folarin Balogun on scoring for the United States in their World Cup victory on Wednesday after the striker emulated his trademark “Silencer” celebration.Balogun twice put the ball in the net in the 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, whipping out James’s signature dance move each time, though his first effort was ruled offside.“THE (Silencer) HAS (Arrived) at the World Cup!” posted James on X, using a shushing em
  
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• World Cup 2026: DR Congo Will Learn From England’s Defeat — Desabre

  02-07-2026 09:51 via completesports.com
  Democratic Republic of Congo head coach Sébastien Desabre believes his side will emerge stronger despite their defeat to England, reports Completesports.com. The Leopards were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup 2026 following a slim 2-1 defeat to England in Atlanta on Wednesday. DR Congo stunned the Three Lions with a superb strike from Brian Cipenga [...]
  The post World Cup 2026: DR Congo Will Learn From England’s Defeat — Desabre appeared first on Complete Sports.
  
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• 2026 World Cup: Kane explains why Mexico hold edge over England

  02-07-2026 09:39 via thesun.ng
  
  England captain Harry Kane has stated that Mexico has a ‘big advantage’ over the Three Lions heading into their round of 16 match.
  Mexico was the first team to earn their place in the last 16 by defeating Ecuador 2-0, while England advanced with a thrilling 2-1 win against DR Congo.
  The iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will host the match between Mexico and England on Sunday, July 5.
  Following the match against DR Congo, Kane expressed that the high altitude of Estadio Azteca pla
  
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