Veteran journalist and former presidential aide, Reuben Abati has called on Nigerians to support Mexico in its opening World Cup game against South Africa even as he said that there are still fears of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in the Southern African country.

Abati said the Federal Government was making efforts to evacuate Nigerians affected by xenophobic violence in South Africa when he spoke on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson had said earlier that arrangements had been concluded to bring back Nigerians that registered for evacuation, with an initial batch of 278 persons expected to return home,” he said.

Abati said the government had announced that it would assist and rehabilitate five batches of returnees, and over 1,000 Nigerians had indicated willingness to return.

He said the situation underscored the need for better living conditions in Nigeria, saying that if basic services such as electricity, water supply and healthcare were adequately provided at home, citizens would be less likely to seek opportunities abroad.

On football, Abati told Nigerians to back Mexico in its World Cup opener against South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

He joked that if he supported South Africa, people would accuse Nigerians of hogging opportunities that were meant for South Africans.

“All the arrangements have been made for those Nigerians that have signed up to be brought back to their country from South Africa because of the xenophobic attack,” the spokesman for the ministry of foreign affairs has said, Abati said. The first batch of 278 of them will be assisted, taken care of, rehabilitated by the Nigerian government.

‘We have been promised five batches. We hope that all the five batches over 1000 Nigerians saying that they will come back to their country. There must be a moral story there that if our country is properly organised nobody will need to go to seek electricity supply and water supply and good health care in other countries of the world.

“But today South Africa and Mexico will play the first game at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. I am appealing to all Nigerians to support Mexico so that we do not even get to the point where the South Africans will say “these Nigerians are here again. They are doing their job for them and there will be another wave of xenophobic attacks.

“I think we will be more safe to support Mexico in this first game of the World Cup. The match is at 1pm Mexico local time, that is 7pm this evening and I expect Nigerians to support Mexico.

They say we don’t like them. They say we’re doing their job. Let’s not do their job for them. “We will support Mexico.”

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FIFA has admitted a ticketing glitch that gave dozens of fans free tickets to the 2026 World Cup and now wants them to pay the correct amount or risk losing their seats.

The world football governing body said about 60 fans were given tickets at “0 USD” after a payment issue in the checkout process.

FIFA said in a statement posted on 𝕏 on Thursday: “FIFA can confirm that on Wednesday, 3 June, approximately 60 FIFA World Cup 2026 fans received a notification regarding tickets that had been allocated free of charge (0 USD) due to a previous payment issue during the checkout process.

FIFA apologized for the error but said the tickets would remain reserved for the affected supporters while payment was completed.

“The tickets requested by these fans are still on hold and the affected fans have been invited to complete payment of the correct amount,” the organisation said.

Fans have been given seven days to pay the outstanding balance or risk losing their tickets. Ticket Talk Network first reported the problem and said the seats affected were for group-stage games due to be played in Toronto, Canada.

The incident comes as FIFA’s ticketing system has come under increased scrutiny ahead of the expanded 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

This week, in May, fan group Football Supporters Europe criticised World Cup ticket prices, describing the structure as “extortionate” and a “monumental betrayal”. The organisation already lodged a complaint with the European Commission in March over what it described as excessive pricing for the tournament.

The controversy grew when FIFA’s resale site offered four tickets to the July 19 final in New York for more than $2 million apiece.

But Gianni Infantino defended the pricing, saying that FIFA was complying with US laws that allow tickets to be resold at prices far higher than face value.

New York and New Jersey authorities said Tuesday they’re investigating whether World Cup ticket sales violated consumer protection laws.

The probe will look into claims that prices for some 90 of the 104 matches of the tournament rose by an average of 34 per cent as sales phases progressed.

FIFA also offered more expensive “front” category tickets during the sales process, and investigators are looking into claims that fans were misled about seat locations and availability.

Officials also asked for an explanation why ticket prices for the 2026 tournament are higher than those seen at previous World Cups.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to start on June 11, with matches scheduled in Mexico City and Guadalajara, and the final to be played at MetLife Stadium in the United States.

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World football governing body FIFA has announced an expanded anti-doping programme for the 2026 World Cup, with new and renewed partnerships across the tournament’s three host countries.

The United States, Canada and Mexico will jointly host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

FIFA said the programme would be one of the most comprehensive anti-doping operations in the history of the competition, covering activities prior to and during the tournament.

FIFA said in a statement on its website Wednesday, May 13, that it would continue working with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and would enter into formal agreements with Sport Integrity Canada and Mexico’s national anti-doping body, MEX-NADO.

The football body said the partnerships were designed to ensure consistent testing standards at all host venues.

FIFA said the national anti-doping organisations would carry out out-of-competition tests under its authority ahead of the competition.

The agencies will also assist FIFA doping control officers on matchdays in all host cities during the tournament.

FIFA’s Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Emilio Silvero, said cooperation between the organisations was needed to protect the integrity of the tournament.

“Strong partnerships are essential for major international events,” Silvero said.

“Working together with USADA, Sport Integrity Canada and Mexico’s National Anti-Doping Committee helps to strengthen our global anti-doping efforts and reinforces FIFA’s commitment to fair and clean competition.”

Sport Integrity Canada Chief Executive Officer, Jeremy Luke, also welcomed the partnership, saying it would help maintain public confidence in sport.

“We are excited to partner with FIFA and to support Canadian anti-doping controls at the FIFA World Cup,” Luke said.

“Protecting the integrity of sport is a team effort and we are proud to do our bit to keep the game clean on the world’s biggest stage in our own backyard.”

MEX-NADO Executive Director Dr. Juan Manuel Herrera Navarro said the organization was proud to support the tournament in Mexico highlighting the need to ensure fairness and integrity on the world stage.

USADA Chief Executive Officer, Travis T. Tygart, said international cooperation was important in ensuring that players competed fairly.

“This kind of international partnership between like-minded organisations is absolutely critical to make sure that clean players have access to a level playing field on a global stage like FIFA World Cup 2026,” Tygart said.

The expanded anti-doping program will be consistent with the World Anti-Doping Code and international testing standards, with sample collection and enforcement coordinated across the United States, Canada and Mexico, FIFA said.

The organisation added that preparations would continue in advance of the tournament as it works with partners to deliver an integrated testing system designed to safeguard fairness and integrity throughout the competition.

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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reaffirmed that Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are still alive, refuting rumors that the nation has already been eliminated from consideration.

The federation declared that it has not heard anything official from FIFA about the DR Congo national football team’s eligibility dispute.

Speaking on Wednesday, NFF Director of Communications Ademola Olajire stated that allegations making the rounds in the media were based on an outdated FIFA publication rather than a recent ruling about Nigeria’s protest.

FIFA has not sent the NFF any official correspondence at all. Olajire told Punch that no information could be provided with journalists without first visiting the relevant federations.

Yes, we’re still waiting. FIFA has yet to provide us with a formal statement. Let the people who are sharing the old quotes keep doing so.

Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the inter-confederation play-offs were almost eliminated after multiple reports stated that DR Congo had been confirmed as Africa’s representative.

“All of the six teams have now been decided, with Bolivia, Congo DR, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname confirmed as qualifiers,” according to a FIFA statement cited in those stories.

But long before Nigeria filed its protest, on November 18, 2025, the statement was released. It did not answer the NFF’s criticism, instead referring to the conclusion of qualifying matches at the time.

The controversy began when DR Congo defeated Nigeria on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the CAF play-off final in November 2025. Africa’s place in the inter-confederation play-offs was guaranteed by the victory.

The next month, Nigeria formally protested, claiming that DR Congo had played ineligible players, such as former England youth internationals Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe.

Mohammed Sanusi, the general secretary of the NFF, described the federation’s stance at the time.

Some of their players hold passports from Europe and France, despite Congolese law prohibiting dual nationality. “We argue that FIFA was tricked into clearing them,” Sanusi stated.

The Congolese Football Federation has denied the allegations, characterizing the demonstration as Nigeria’s attempt to “win via the back door.”

FIFA has recognized the allegation and stated that the issue is being investigated, but the governing organization has not provided a deadline for its ruling.

As the inter-confederation play-offs approach, the delay has increased anxiety. DR Congo will play either the Jamaican national football team or the New Caledonian national football team in the event, which is set for March 26–31 in Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico.

After failing to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Nigeria is desperate to avoid missing a second consecutive World Cup. Prominent players like Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, and Victor Osimhen are part of the Super Eagles team.

Mamadou Gaye, an African football analyst, asked fans to be patient as FIFA finishes its investigation.

“We ought to hold out till FIFA makes the choice. Recall that points were taken away from Bafana Bafana at the final minute. He stated on Soccer Africa that Nigeria needs maintain composure and readiness.

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FIFA is presently investigating Vinicius Jr., a Brazilian winger for Real Madrid, and could ban him for two years because of an alleged conflict of interest.
Vinicius has had a difficult season thus far, both at home and on the continent, with his Real Madrid club. They are second in the Spanish La Liga and have been eliminated from the UEFA Champions League.
With 311 games across all competitions, the Brazilian football player has accumulated 105 goals and 79 assists, demonstrating his remarkable success with Real Madrid.
But his actions on the field have periodically come under fire, prompting FIFA to investigate his circumstances further.

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Vinicius’ ownership interests in a number of professional football teams have drawn criticism, according to MARCA, and may be in violation of FIFA’s global rules.

Tiberis Holding Do Brasil, a Brazilian corporation, complained to the FIFA Ethics Committee on April 7th, which sparked this investigation.

The complaint raises possible ethical transgressions, particularly those that forbid athletes from directly or indirectly owning professional teams.

Apparently, Vinicius owns shares in the Portuguese club Alverca and the Brazilian squad Athletic Club of São João del Rei.

Vinicius might have to drop out of these clubs or be suspended for up to two years if he is proven guilty, among other serious repercussions.

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With a convincing 5-1 aggregate victory over South Africa, Nigeria’s Flamingos have advanced to the last round of the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup qualification campaign.
In the 37th minute of the second leg in Ogun State, Nigeria, Harmony Chidi, who scored two goals in the first leg of the match in South Africa, skillfully headed the ball into the net from a tight angle. After Flamingos’ initial 3-1 triumph in the first leg on South African soil, this goal further increased their lead.
After contributing with a goal in the first leg, Shakirat Moshood once again demonstrated her inventiveness. She placed a well-positioned free kick on the right flank and delivered a perfect ball eleven minutes into the second half. Aishat Animashaun found the set piece and demoralized the visiting squad by deftly lobbling the ball over South African goalie Samekelise Mthembu, doubling Nigeria’s lead.

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South Africa’s Bantwana made a great attempt, but they were unable to break through the strong Nigerian defense, despite outstanding performances from Zoe October, Thoriso Mphelo, Khmezi Khoza, and team leader Katleho Malebana.

Hannah Ibrahim, Jumai Adebayo, Philomena Isaiah, and Favour Iheagwam, composed defenders, showed remarkable organization and tenacity, blocking all of the South African team’s scoring efforts.

This resounding triumph demonstrated Flamingoes’ supremacy in the qualifying stages and prepared the ground for a thrilling final matchup, in which they will take on the champion of the forthcoming match between Algeria and Botswana the following month.

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The Nigerian Super Eagles will begin training for their pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter against the Rwandan Amavubi.
Before the much awaited game at Amahoro Stadium on Friday, March 21, the Super Eagles will camp in Kigali on Sunday, March 16.
Head coach Eric Chelle has announced a preliminary team of 39 players, including both domestic and international stars, in advance of this crucial match. These players are anticipated to travel from their bases to Kigali prepared to compete for a berth on the final matchday roster.

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Additionally, Chelle’s team will be anticipating their upcoming matchup with the Warriors of Zimbabwe, scheduled for Tuesday, March 25 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. The coaching staff will have to reduce the provisional roster to 23 players by the end of the week before that game.
At the moment, the Super Eagles are trying to win their first World Cup qualifying match. They are now sitting in fifth place in Group C with just three points after going four games without a victory, with three draws and one loss.

Because of this, their future games are very important as they try to raise their ranking and earn a spot at the next World Cup.

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