Nigeria Soccer news

• Messi Drops Retirement Hints Just Hours Before World Cup Final

  19-07-2026 16:53 via completesports.com
  
  Lionel Messi has seemingly hinted at a possible retirement just hours before playing for Argentina in the World Cup final, talkSPORT reports. The 39-year-old will lead his country out against Spain at the MetLife Stadium. Argentina are looking to become the first nation to win back-to-back World Cups since their South American rivals Brazil in [...]
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• Real Madrid Have Signed A Phenomenon –Ex-Portugal Boss Hails Bernardo

  21-07-2026 23:03 via completesports.com
  
  Former Portugal manager Fernando Santos has praised Bernardo Silva, calling him a phenomenon and asserting that Real Madrid fans will love his talent and tactical intelligence under José Mourinho. Santos, who managed Bernardo Silva at the international level, spoke highly of the player’s abilities as both an athlete and a person following his move to [...]
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• Chelsea Interested In Ex-Man City Defender Stones

  21-07-2026 22:17 via completesports.com
  
  Chelsea are interested in signing England defender John Stones on a free transfer following his departure from Manchester City, BBC Sport reports. The west London side have joined Inter Milan in considering a move for the 32-year-old, who became a free agent when his City contract expired at the end of June. Chelsea are also [...]
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• Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger Republic Launch Joint Bid To Host AFCON 2032

  21-07-2026 22:09 via completesports.com
  
  Niger Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso have announced their intention to jointly host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco World News reports. The Nigerien Football Federation said the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had accepted a joint expression of interest submitted by the three countries. The declaration represents the first stage of the [...]
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• Otamendi content Argentina gave everything at his final World Cup

  21-07-2026 21:32 via soccernews.com
  Nicolas Otamendi is content that Argentina gave everything in his final World Cup campaign, having fallen agonisingly short of defending the trophy.
  Otamendi had already confirmed in March that he would retire from international football after the World Cup, which was his fourth representing the Albiceleste.
  Even though the 38-year-old only started one of Argentina's eight games, he made seven appearances, including replacing the injured Lisandro Martinez in the first half of Sunday's final vers
  
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• Cifuentes thrilled to take over at Timbers

  21-07-2026 21:32 via soccernews.com
  Marti Cifuentes is excited to get going at the Portland Timbers after he was named as Phil Neville's successor.
  Cifuentes was dismissed by Leicester City in January. He previously managed Queens Park Rangers.
  The Spaniard has now signed on at Portland, who were on the hunt for a new coach after they sacked Neville in May.
  Portland resumed their MLS campaign in style last week, with interim coach Jack Cassidy overseeing a thumping 5-1 win over the Seattle Sounders.
  Cifuentes was officially a
  
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• Knowles says World Cup break provided welcome ‘reset’ for Minnesota United

  21-07-2026 20:32 via soccernews.com
  Minnesota United coach Cameron Knowles believes the World Cup break provided his team with a valuable "reset" opportunity as they chase an MLS Cup Playoff spot.
  The Loons have not played since a 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake on May 22, with Wednesday's trip to Sporting Kansas City getting their season back up and running.
  The hiatus may have come at a good time for Knowles' team, too, as they were on a four-match winless run and had dropped out of the Western Conference's automatic playoff s
  
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• Premier League Referee Announces Retirement After World Cup 2026

  21-07-2026 20:01 via completesports.com
  
  English referee Anthony Taylor has announced his retirement from elite officiating, effective immediately after a 20-year career spanning 831 matches. The 47-year-old cited the intense pressure and constant scrutiny of the role, concluding his career after officiating Spain’s 1-0 win over Portugal at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Read Also:World Cup 2026: Fate Would Have [...]
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• ‘Nottingham Forest will always have a special place in my heart’ – Anderson bids farewell

  21-07-2026 19:32 via soccernews.com
  Elliot Anderson has bid Nottingham Forest farewell, saying the club "will always have a special place in my heart" following his British-record transfer to Manchester City.
  Anderson has joined the eight-time Premier League champions in a deal reportedly worth £116m, following a two-year spell at Forest.
  During his time at the City Ground, he helped Forest finish seventh in the Premier League in 2024-25 and reach the semi-finals of the 2025-26 Europa League, losing to eventual win
  
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• Mac Allister’s Father Denies Holding Talks With Real Madrid

  21-07-2026 19:28 via completesports.com
  
  Alexis Mac Allister’s father, Carlos Mac Allister, has officially denied transfer rumors linking the midfielder to Real Madrid, confirming that no contact or negotiations have taken place with the Spanish club. Following his FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with Argentina, the midfielder is taking a break to rest before returning to Premier League action. Read [...]
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• WAFCON 2026: Ijamilusi Joins Super Falcons Camp; Monday, Abiodun Delayed By Flight Hitch

  21-07-2026 19:09 via completesports.com
  
  The Super Falcons’ camp in Casablanca received another boost on Tuesday with the arrival of forward Folashade Ijamilusi, taking the number of players at the team’s Hotel Marriott base to 23. Ijamilusi, who plays for Chinese club Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, landed in Casablanca on Tuesday afternoon to join Justine Madugu’s squad ahead of the [...]
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• WAFU B U-20 Tourney: Flying Eagles Settle In Yamoussoukro Ahead Ghana Clash

  21-07-2026 18:44 via completesports.com
  
  Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have settled into their base in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, ahead of this year’s WAFU B U-20 Championship, which kicks off this weekend. The defending champions arrived in Abidjan, the Ivorian capital, on Monday before continuing their journey to Yamoussoukro by road. The Nigerian contingent is lodged at the Trio Corridor Hotel and [...]
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• Leeds’ Piroe out to replicate last season’s success

  21-07-2026 18:32 via soccernews.com
  Joel Piroe says Leeds United's aim must be to at least replicate last season's finish in the Premier League as they prepare for the new campaign.
  Leeds had been in a relegation battle at one stage of the season, but a strong finish to the campaign saw them shoot away from danger and eventually finish 14th, eight points clear of the drop zone.
  They were beaten 3-0 by West Ham on the final day, but before that had been on an eight-game unbeaten streak, which had ensured they avoided an immedi
  
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• D.C. United ‘hard to beat’ but need more wins, says Weiler

  21-07-2026 18:32 via soccernews.com
  Rene Weiler is determined to get D.C. United back to winning ways against the Houston Dynamo but has hailed the team's solidity in the opening months of the season.
  D.C. are ninth in the Eastern Conference and return to MLS action after the World Cup break having gone winless in their last four outings before the break (D3 L1).
  However, they have lost just one of their last nine matches in the league – a 3-1 defeat to the Chicago Fire – and currently occupy the last playoff spot.
  Whi
  
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• Olise Is The Father Of My Child —34-Year-Old Woman Claims

  21-07-2026 18:29 via completesports.com
  
  A 34-year-old German woman Fatima Zaunbrecher has claimed that Bayern Munich France international Michael Olise is the father of her 20-month-old daughter. According to Daily Sports, Zaunbrecher told German publication, Bild, than Olise officially acknowledged paternity after a DNA test. So far, the player has not commented publicly on the matter. Zaunbrecher claims she met [...]
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• Nigerian-Born Striker Transfer Crashes After Failed Medical

  21-07-2026 18:27 via completesports.com
  
  Emmanuel Ekong’s proposed move to Croatian giants Hajduk Split has collapsed after the Nigerian-born forward failed his medical examination. According to Croatian news outlet 24sata, Hajduk have decided to pull out of the deal after the 23-year-old did not pass a routine medical assessment. Ekong had been expected to join Hajduk Split from Swedish champions [...]
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• Wagner fit and ‘ready to play’ upon Philadelphia return

  21-07-2026 17:32 via soccernews.com
  Philadelphia Union interim head coach Ryan Richter says the returning Kai Wagner is fit and ready to go in their first MLS match following the break against the New York Red Bulls.
  Wagner is back at Philadelphia after just six months with Birmingham City, returning to the club where he spent seven seasons and won two Supporters' Shields.
  It is a much-needed boost for Philadelphia, whose eight-match winless streak before the World Cup break resulted in Bradley Carnell's sacking, as they sit
  
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• Martinez could ‘step aside’ from Argentina duty after World Cup heartache

  21-07-2026 17:32 via soccernews.com
  Emiliano Martinez is considering stepping aside from Argentina duty following their defeat in the World Cup final.
  Argentina failed to deliver a fourth World Cup – and a second in succession with Lionel Messi as captain – as they went down 1-0 to Spain in last week's final in New Jersey.
  Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second bookable offence in second-half stoppage time, with Argentina becoming the first team in World Cup final history to not register a single shot throughout the
  
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• Ronaldo Allegedly Likes Instagram Post Accusing FIFA Of Helping Argentina Reach World Cup 2026 Final

  21-07-2026 17:00 via completesports.com
  
  Cristiano Ronaldo has reignited his long-running rivalry with Lionel Messi after reportedly liking an Instagram video accusing FIFA of corruption and claiming the organization helped Argentina reach the 2026 World Cup final, Yahoo Sports reports. The interaction immediately caught fans’ attention because Ronaldo did not publicly comment on the explosive allegations. However, his apparent approval [...]
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• Schmetzer demands response after ‘worst-ever’ Seattle Sounders loss

  21-07-2026 16:32 via soccernews.com
  Brian Schmetzer knows the Seattle Sounders have plenty of work to do following what he described as their worst-ever loss against the Portland Timbers.
  Seattle's return to MLS action after the World Cup break saw them thumped 5-1 on home soil by their fiercest rivals last Thursday, with four of Portland's goals coming after half-time.
  It was only the third instance of the Sounders ever conceding five goals in an MLS game, and the first time they have ever done so at Lumen Field.
  The Sounders rem
  
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• Ipswich strengthen goalkeeping group with Van Oevelen move

  21-07-2026 16:32 via soccernews.com
  Ipswich Town have completed a €4m (£3.4m) deal to sign 22-year-old goalkeeper Kayne van Oevelen from Volendam. 
  Van Oevelen helped Volendam win promotion to the Eredivisie in 2024-25, but their stay in the Dutch top flight was a short one after losing to Willem II in the promotion-relegation play-offs last term.
  He made 32 appearances in the Eredivisie last season, conceding 51 goals. He did face the second-most shots of any goalkeeper in the competition (589), though, as well as
  
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• Spain winger Nico Williams takes World Cup winner’s medal to his mother (Video)

  21-07-2026 16:16 via soccernews.com
  It’s very heartwarming to see a professional athlete who has just climbed to the top of the world show appreciation for the life-long support he receives from his mother. Well done, Nico Williams.Nico Williams brings his mom his World Cup medalpic.twitter.com/ZN4KBVpjeQ
  — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 19, 2026The post Spain winger Nico Williams takes World Cup winner’s medal to his mother (Video) appeared first on SoccerNews.
  
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• Super Eagles Defender Returns To Tanzanian Club Singida Black Stars

  21-07-2026 16:11 via completesports.com
  
  Super Eagles defender Benjamin Tanimu has completed a return to Tanzanian Premier League club Singida Black Stars, signing a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee, Completesports.com reports. Tanimu previously featured for Singida Black Stars after joining the club from Nigeria Premier Football League side Bendel Insurance in February 2024. Read Also:Tanimu Targets Championship Promotion With [...]
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• Bournemouth to sign Antonio Silva

  21-07-2026 16:04 via soccernews.com
  According to multiple sources, Bournemouth are on the verge of signing Antonio Silva from Benfica. There is already a full agreement between the Cherries and the player’s representatives, and an agreement between the clubs is said to be “close”. It is widely believed that Benfica are holding off from confirming the sale until their Europa League qualifications tie against St. Gallen is over. The second leg takes place on July 30th.
  Still only 22, Silva rose through the youth ra
  
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• Why Infantino Must Resign As FIFA President –La Liga President

  21-07-2026 16:03 via completesports.com
  
  La Liga president Javier Tebas has publicly accused FIFA of destroying the football industry and called for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to step down. Tebas launched this blistering attack following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, expressing strong frustration over FIFA’s direction, particularly regarding reports that the 2030 World Cup could be expanded to [...]
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• Jesus reveals he almost took Brazil job before Ancelotti appointment

  21-07-2026 15:32 via soccernews.com
  Jorge Jesus has revealed he was approached by Brazil prior to Carlo Ancelotti's appointment as the Selecao's head coach last year.
  Jesus accepted the Portugal job earlier this month, with Roberto Martinez departing following their defeat to eventual World Cup winners Spain in the round of 16.
  Brazil fell at the same hurdle against an Erling Haaland-inspired Norway team, despite appointing five-time Champions League-winning boss Ancelotti last May.
  Ancelotti struggled to lift Brazil's level at th
  
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• Bastoni ‘in love with Inter’ and not planning to leave, says agent

  21-07-2026 15:32 via soccernews.com
  Alessandro Bastoni's agent Tullio Tinti says the defender is "in love with Inter" and has no intention of leaving during this transfer window.
  Bastoni has two years left on his current Inter contract but has been linked with moves to Real Madrid or Al-Hilal; the latter would see him link up with former head coach Simone Inzaghi.
  He joined Inter from Atalanta in 2019 and has since helped the club win three Serie A titles, three Coppa Italias and three Supercoppa Italianas.
  Bastoni was also part o
  
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• Club Brugge Place €10m Price Tag On Onyedika

  21-07-2026 14:50 via completesports.com
  Club Brugge are demanding €10 million for Super Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyedika, Completesports.com reports. Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt submitted an offer for the Nigerian international last week, but the bid fell short of Club Brugge’s valuation. Despite the initial setback, negotiations between both clubs are ongoing, with hopes of reaching an agreement in the coming [...]
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• Commonwealth Games 2026: Ashe’s BFTAA Open Win Ignites Team Nigeria’s Gold Medal Ambition In Men’s 4x100m Relay

  21-07-2026 14:37 via completesports.com
  
  Barely two days before the start of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Team Nigeria’s sprint contingent received another major boost as Favour Ashe delivered an impressive victory at the BFTAA Open in Lee Valley, England. The Nigerian speedster cruised to victory in the men’s 100m final, clocking 10.06 seconds with a +2.6m/s tailwind to finish [...]
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• Top 5 Highest-Ranked Nations That Missed the 2026 FIFA World Cup

  21-07-2026 14:33 via completesports.com
  
  The 2026 FIFA World Cup features a record 48 teams, but some of football’s biggest nations still failed to qualify. Italy headlines the list after missing a third consecutive World Cup, while Denmark, Nigeria, Ukraine, and Poland also suffered heartbreaking qualification failures. Despite their strong FIFA rankings and talented squads, these football giants will be [...]
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