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World Cup Twist? Paolo Zampolli Urges FIFA to Replace Iran with Italy

Paolo Zampolli, the ambassador of US President Donald Trump, has requested FIFA to substitute Italy for Iran in the 2026 World Cup.

This is a component of a strategy to mend Trump’s relationship with Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister of Italy.

After Trump attacked Pope Leo XIV over the Iran War, the two leaders became estranged.

“I certify that I have recommended Italy take Iran’s spot at the World Cup to Trump and [FIFA president Gianni] Infantino.

“Seeing the Azzurri at a tournament held in the United States would be a dream come true for me as an Italian.

Zampolli told the Financial Times, “With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion.”

After losing 4-1 against Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualification play-off in March, Italy was unable to advance to the World Cup.

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AFCON 2025: Algeria Heads To FIFA, CAF Submits Complaint After 2-0 Defeat To Super Eagles

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has formally lodged a complaint with both FIFA and CAF following their 2–0 loss to Nigeria in the quarter-final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

FAF had challenged some of the referee’s calls in the game last Saturday.

In the letter, they claimed that several officiating decisions in the match “raised serious questions” and caused widespread dissatisfaction among players, officials, and fans.

The federation described the calls as undermining the credibility of African refereeing and tarnishing the image of African football on the international stage.

The complaint included a formal request for an investigation to clarify the disputed decisions and to ensure corrective action in line with CAF and FIFA regulations.

After the game in Marrakech, Algerian and Nigerian players clashed on the field.

Fans of the Desert Foxes also vandalized some items in the stadium and had to be contained by stadium security.

On Monday, CAF already released a statement, confirming they have opened an investigation into the incidents.

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NFF Clears Air On FIFA’s Response Regarding DR Congo Players’ Eligibility Dispute Against Nigeria

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has clarified that it is yet to receive a response from FIFA concerning its protest over the eligibility of some Democratic Republic of Congo players who featured in the 2026 World Cup African playoff against the Super Eagles weeks ago.

NFF, however, categorically stated that the situation is still under consideration.

This statement comes in response to media claims that FIFA had dismissed Nigeria’s appeal following the Super Eagles’ defeat to DR Congo in the play-off final.

Speaking on the development, NFF Secretary General, Mohammed Sanusi, confirmed that no official updates have been received from FIFA concerning the petition.

“The Nigeria Football Federation wrote a petition to FIFA on the eligibility of some of the players of DR Congo, and if there is anything, FIFA will reply to the NFF,” Sanusi said during an interview on AIT.

“The NFF has not received any letter from FIFA saying they have thrown away our petition. We have checked our emails, and there was no letter from FIFA.

“I don’t know where they got their information from. If there is any such letter, let them show it, unless they have someone in FIFA giving them information ahead of official communication.”

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BREAKING: AFCON Now To Be Played Every Four Years

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be held every four years starting from 2028.

This was revealed by Patrice Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, on Saturday.

Since 1968, the tournament has been played every two years.

There was, however, a one-year gap between the 2012 and 2013 editions.

But after the 2027 edition in East Africa and the next one in 2028, it will switch to a four-year cycle.

“We have the most exciting new structure for African football,” Motsepe said.

“I do what is in the interests of Africa. The global calendar has to be significantly more synchronised and harmonised.”

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FIFA Overturns Three Matches Over Players’ Eligibility As Super Eagles Wait

FIFA has sanctioned Malaysia with three 3–0 losses in three matches after the team was found guilty of fielding ineligible players.

This was confirmed by the Football Association of Malaysia, FAM, on Wednesday.

The results involved includes victories in friendly matches against Palestine and Singapore and a draw with Cape Verde.

FIFA suspended the seven players who submitted forged documents claiming they had Malaysian ancestry.

The FAM, who were previously hit with a $440,000 fine, will pay a further $12,500 as part of their punishment.

FIFA began the investigation after receiving a complaint following Malaysia’s 4-0 win against Vietnam in June in an Asian Cup qualifier, a game where two of the seven affected players scored.

The investigation revealed that none of Hector Hevel, Jon Irazabal, Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, or Joao Brandao Figueiredo had a parent or grandparent born in Malaysia, a requirement for selection to a national team.

This comes as the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, have sent a complaint to FIFA insisting the Democratic Republic of Congo used ineligible players for their 2026 World Cup qualifying game.

The Leopards beat the Super Eagles in the African play-offs via penalties and are getting ready to play in the intercontinental play-off final.

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2026 World Cup: FIFA Confirms Prize Money

FIFA has confirmed that the total prize money for the 2026 World Cup will amount to $727 million.

The 48 participating nations will share from a $655million pot.

The country that emerges as champions will be awarded $50million – the biggest payout ever.

The losing finalists will receive $33million, while the third and fourth-placed teams will be paid $29million and $27million, respectively.

Teams that finish between fifth and eighth place will earn $19million each.

The countries eliminated in the last 16 will receive $15million, while those that crash out in the group stages will get $9million.

Every team that qualified will be reimbursed $1.5million to cover costs of preparation.

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CAF Releases 5 Key Rules for Super Eagles’ Crucial World Cup Playoff Against Gabon

Five key match regulations have been released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ahead of Nigeria’s high-stakes 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff clash against Gabon.
The procedural guidelines confirm how the crucial encounter will be decided.
The regulations confirm that if the match ends in a draw after 90 minutes, it will proceed to extra time, and if extra time fails to produce a winner, the tie will be determined via a penalty shootout. Regarding player substitutions, teams will be allowed to make up to five substitutions during regular time, with an additional sixth substitution permitted if the match is extended into extra time, offering coaches strategic flexibility to manage fatigue.
Finally, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will be in operation for the playoff, assisting match officials in major decision-making involving goals, penalties, red cards, and cases of mistaken identity, ensuring fairness and accuracy for this decisive fixture.
The Nigeria vs. Gabon clash is a single-match semi-final within a centralized mini-tournament being held in Morocco.
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Time: 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT)
Venue: Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco
The winner of this match will proceed to the African play-off final on Sunday, November 16, to face either Cameroon or DR Congo, with the ultimate tournament champion advancing to the FIFA Inter-Continental Play-Off for a chance at a 2026 World Cup berth
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W/Cup Playoffs: Controversy As FIFA Appoints South African Officials For Super Eagles vs Gabon

FIFA has sparked controversy by appointing South African officials for the 2026 World Cup playoff between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Gabon’s Panthers.

Tom Abongile will serve as centre referee, Zakhele Siwela will take up the role of assistant referee while another South African, Akhona Makalima, will be in charge of Video Assistant Referee, VAR.

Bafana Bafana of South Africa beat Nigeria to the automatic qualification ticket in Group C.

Hugo Broos’ side however nearly missed out on the ticket after they were made to forfeit three points and three goals for fielding an ineligible player (Teboho Mokoena) against Lesotho.

South African officials accused their Nigerian counterparts for pushing for them to be sanctioned by FIFA.

Gayton McKenzie, South Africa’s Sports Minister, reportedly stated his wish for Nigeria not to qualify for the World Cup.

The decision to appoint South African officials for the game with Gabon has sparked a wave of controversy, particularly among Nigerian football stakeholders, who have questioned FIFA’s neutrality in making the appointment.

Super Eagles will face Gabon in the semi-final of the playoffs at the El Barid Stadium, Rabat, next week Thursday.

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NFF Pocketed $1m FIFA Gave Nigeria for World Cup Qualification – Oliseh

Former Super Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh has called out the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
He accused NFF of pocketing $1 million from FIFA.
Oliseh, speaking on the Home Turf podcast, claimed the money was reward for Nigeria qualifying for the 2002 World Cup.
According to him, there was an agreement to split the money equally and share one half among the players.
But the NFF opted to disband the team and kept the money.
Oliseh said: “We were going to the (2002) World Cup and we had an agreement. $1 million was going to come from FIFA’s money and we agreed to split it 50-50. You take $500k and we take $500k.
 
“$500k was going to be shared among the 30 players who took part in the qualifiers. That amount to around $18,000 each.
 
“But the only way the players would have been paid, is if Oliseh was there to ensure his colleagues got their share.
 
“To get that money, NFF eliminated Oliseh and his assistant captain, Finidi George.
 
“We qualified to the finals and they disbanded the team. They made sure we did not get our share.
 
“The team that went to that World Cup, 80% of that team didn’t play in the qualifiers. That means they didn’t get the share of that money.”
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They Will Say I Took Nigeria To Court – Oliseh Speaks On Dragging NFF To FIFA

Sunday Oliseh, a former Super Eagles head coach, has revealed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) still owes him $26,000.

Oliseh stated this while speaking on the Home Turf podcast.

The 51-year-old claimed that he would win the case if he dragged the NFF before the world football governing body, FIFA.

However, he said he has no intentions to fight against his country.

Oliseh said: “Till today, I am the only Nigerian coach ever to resign.

“And till today, they are still owing me two months salary, which is $26,000.

“A lot of people have asked me to take the NFF to court.

“I will not take my fatherland to a western court. It starts with FIFA and I will win.

“But when they write it in the media, they will say ‘Oliseh takes Nigeria to court’. They won’t say ‘Oliseh takes NFF to court’.”

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