Category: Football Africa

Japan's historic win sends Tunisia crashing out
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Japan’s historic win sends Tunisia crashing out

In the 1,000th match of the FIFA World Cup, Japan defeated Tunisia to edge closer to the knockout stage. This landmark game in Monterrey saw Japan make history at Monterrey Stadium on Saturday.

Keito Nakamura created the first goal by driving into the box and passing the ball to Daichi Kamada, who scored from close range. This was Kamada’s second goal of the tournament and the fastest goal Japan has scored in a World Cup.

Ayase Ueda increased the lead on the half-hour mark, making a powerful shot from the top of the box.

New Tunisia coach Herve Renard could not get his team to respond. Japan scored again when Ueda assisted Junya Ito, who netted the third goal midway through the second half. Ueda later scored his second goal to secure the victory.

Japan’s win is the largest by any nation in World Cup history. They now sit level with the Netherlands at the top of Group F, while Tunisia has been eliminated.

Key stat: Daichi Kamada’s goal in the fourth minute is the fastest scored by a Japanese player in World Cup history. The previous record was held by Shinji Kagawa, who scored in the sixth minute in 2018 against Colombia.

Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match: Ayase Ueda (Japan)

What they said:

“We prepared well and played aggressively. Our coaching staff clearly laid out our goals, which helped the players perform at their best. Many Japanese fans came to Monterrey, sang the national anthem with us, and cheered us on. Their support was a huge boost for us.” Hajime Moriyasu, Japan coach

Tunisia 0-4 Japan

Japan goals: Kamada (4), Ueda (31, 83), Junya Ito (69)

Morocco's Ismael Saibari pleased with win over Scotland
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco’s Ismael Saibari delighted with victory over Scotland

Morocco’s midfielder Ismael Saibari expressed his pleasure that the team is tied for first place in Group C with four points, more than his two goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 24-year-old underlined following Morocco’s 1-0 victory over Scotland that the team’s good group standing is more fulfilling than his personal performance.

Saibari remarked, “I am happy with the two goals I have scored, but what makes me happier is having four points and being top of the group.” One more game has still to be played; hopefully, we will win that one as well.

In his first World Cup, Saibari has started well. In Morocco’s first 1-1 draw, he scored against Brazil and grabbed the winning goal against Scotland only 70 seconds into the game. This is one of the fastest goals of the 2026 competition and the fastest World Cup goal by an Arab player ever.

Though Saibari has his own successes, he underlined that Morocco’s strength results from its cooperation. “All of us have the same goal. We play as one group. He said, “We are like family.”

Côte d’Ivoire Receives Boost as Striker Elye Wahi Is Cleared to Enter Canada
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Côte d’Ivoire Receives Boost as Striker Elye Wahi Is Cleared to Enter Canada

The Ivory Coast’s football federation announced that striker Elye Wahi has been permitted to enter Canada, therefore providing a major boost before their FIFA World Cup match against Germany.

On Thursday, the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football (FIF) said that the forward’s travel administrative problems had been solved so he could keep playing in the competition.

The federation said in an official statement that Wahi’s arrival into Canadian territory had been duly authorised, therefore clearing the path for him to accompany the Elephants’ mission.

Elye Wahi’s administrative status has improved. The statement read, “The required clearances for his admission into Canadian territory have now been sought.”

Thus, the Ivorian international is permitted to accompany the Elephants team to Canada and will keep competing alongside his colleagues as usual.

The statement ends days of doubt regarding the 23-year-old striker, who had apparently struggled getting into Canada, given an investigation in France over claimed match-fixing infractions now underway.

French authorities are presently looking into Wahi over claims that he purposefully sought a yellow card during a May Ligue 1 game against Metz, playing for Nice. Still qualified for selection, the striker has not been accused of any offence.

Having played in Cote d’Ivoire’s World Cup opener against Ecuador, the ex-France youth international helped the Elephants win a prized 1-0 match.

Before Saturday’s pivotal Group E match against Germany in Toronto, his availability is projected to give coach Emerse Faé a significant boost.

Additionally , thanking everyone engaged in resolving the problem, the FIF welcomed the good result.

Wahi is scheduled to rejoin the team in Canada as Cote d’Ivoire pursues a berth in the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stages with the travel problem fixed.

Ghana's Caleb Yirenkyi nets a last-gasp winner as Semenyo shines
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana’s Caleb Yirenkyi nets a last-gasp winner as Semenyo shines

In the Group L game, Caleb Yirenkyi scored in the 95th minute to help Ghana defeat Panama 1-0. With Yirenkyi converting from close range following Brandon Thomas-Asante’s cross, the game provided few apparent opportunities.

Ghana’s Lawrence Ati Zigi saved Amir Murillo’s cross early to give Panama the lead. In the first half, neither team got any shots on target. 

Ghana ultimately tested Panama’s goalkeeper, Orlando Mosquera, with a header from Jonas Adjetey in the 48th minute, but Panama came near to scoring with Cristian Martinez striking the side-netting.

Panama appeared to score as the game went on, but Yirenkyi’s goal resulted from a counter-attack. His late goal for Ghana at the World Cup beat Asamoah Gyan’s 2010 record and kept Panama from getting their first tournament point.

With just one shot in the first half, Ghana was at the bottom of the tournament’s scale. Though they boast star players like Semenyo and Ayew, their expected goals (xG) were 1.25 from seven tries versus Panama’s 0.75 from eleven shots, they have to work on their finishing.

Key stat

Queiroz has coached teams at five successive World Cups. He led Portugal at South Africa 2010, IR Iran at Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, and now Ghana at the 2026 edition. He is just the second coach to achieve that, following Bora Milutinovic.

Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match

Antoine Semenyo (Ghana)

Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match Antoine Semenyo (Ghana)
Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match Antoine Semenyo (Ghana)
Ibrahim Mbaye Joins Elite List of Youngest World Cup Scorers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ibrahim Mbaye Joins Elite List of Youngest World Cup Scorers

Rising star Ibrahim Mbaye of Senegal has created history as the fourth youngest player to ever score in a World Cup. In Group I, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, he scored in the 95th minute during Senegal’s 3-1 defeat to France. (Photo Credit CAF)
 
Despite the loss, Ibrahim Mbaye displayed incredible skill and composure by scoring on such a large stage. His ambition not just helped his team but also set him among a small elite of World Cup teenage scorers. Many think he will be a key player in world football for years to come.
 
Kylian Mbappe scored two goals, which puts him at 58 goals, the most for France, and Bradley Barcola also scored.
 
Mbappe’s goals helped France win their first 2026 FIFA World Cup game against Senegal, therefore preventing a repeat of their 2002 defeat to the West African team.
 
Senegal first challenged France’s aim. Though Nicolas Jackson’s shot struck the post and the goalkeeper, it did not go in. Another good opportunity eluded Ismaila Sarr, but France proved too strong in the end. 
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Ibrahim Mbaye’s historical background!
 
Born in France, Mbaye developed his abilities playing for the French U16 to U20 national teams. He is 18 years old and now plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France.
 
Though Mbaye would have wanted a victory, scoring against his native nation during his World Cup debut must have been very satisfying. Let’s investigate his path to joining Senegal’s national team.
 
History from Africa to the World - Ibrahim Mbaye, 18 years, 143 days, fourth youngest to score at a World Cup behind this famous list -






Pele 17 years, 239 days 1958






Manuel Rosas, 18 years, 93 days, 1930






Gavi 18 years, 110 days 2022