Arsenal defender Ben White is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury, which is also expected to end his hopes of featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ben White, 28, was taken off during the first half of Arsenal’s 1-0 victory at West Ham United on Sunday and later left London Stadium with a knee brace.

The defender has suffered a “significant medial ligament injury” which will rule him out of the club’s final two league matches and the UEFA Champions League final on May 30, Arsenal confirmed in an official statement.

The statement read: “Our medical team are now managing the recovery and rehabilitation programme for Ben, with everyone fully focused on supporting the aim of Ben being ready for the start of our pre-season preparations.

White has played in 30 games in all competitions this season and has started Arsenal’s last five matches, but has only been named in the starting line-up for nine league games.

Mikel Arteta’s side are on the cusp of history. Arsenal can win their first Premier League title in 22 years with victories against Burnley and Crystal Palace. They are also preparing for their first Champions League final in 20 years, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain.

White, who is aiming for a pre-season return, is unlikely to be fit in time for the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. England manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to name his squad on 22nd May.

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Following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has called for the resignation of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership.

Nigeria’s football administration has come under fire again for not participating in the international competition, which will take place in the US, Canada, and Mexico next summer. According to Mikel Obi, the loss was detrimental for a country with such a large football fan base.

The former Chelsea midfielder was candid in his evaluation of the situation when he spoke on talkSPORT.

“It is a hammer blow, and I have said it so many times that the FA, the people who run the FA, should all resign when you have a country as big as we do, over 300 million people, the biggest country in Africa, and we are not going to the World Cup (for) the second time in a row,” he stated.

“Even though we have one of Africa’s top teams, we won’t be at the World Cup. It is a catastrophe. It’s a catastrophe.

Nigeria’s previous World Cup appearance was in 2018, and many fans are upset over the possibility of missing consecutive competitions.

The Super Eagles still have a slim chance of qualifying for the competition, according to reports. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is accused by the NFF of fielding ineligible players in the 2025 African playoff final in a petition submitted to FIFA.

A decision from the world governing body of football is anticipated prior to the intercontinental playoff in Mexico later this month. If the petition is granted, Nigeria may still be able to into the race.

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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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Globo claims that Matheus Cunha’s transfer from Wolves to Manchester United is reportedly nearing its “final stages.”

Despite being strongly linked to leaving the Molineux in January, Cunha ultimately agreed to a new deal with the team.

Since he had a breakthrough season in the Premier League, scoring 14 goals and dishing out four assists, the Brazilian has been in high demand.

Cunha’s performance has helped Wolves virtually maintain their top-flight position despite their dismal play this season.

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Cunha is now expected to be United’s first summer acquisition, costing £62.5 million.

After “significant” progress, the parties’ negotiations are now in their final phases.

He is familiar with Ruben Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, which is one of the main factors attracting United’s attention.

Amorim has expressed his appreciation for Cunha openly, complimenting his versatility and goal-scoring ability.

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Due to financial restrictions set by the league’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), Manchester United, an English Premier League team, is reportedly not interested in signing Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen this summer.
The PSR, which was introduced for the 2015–2016 season, attempts to limit clubs’ excessive spending by allowing them to lose no more than £105 million during a three-year financial cycle.
Everton’s 10-point deduction for exceeding spending limitations last season—which was ultimately lowered to six points after an appeal—made the effects of these rules more clear.

Osimhen appears to be the best option for United to fix their current goal-scoring issues, although Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha is still the team’s top aim.
In an attempt to increase their offensive alternatives, Manchester United seems prepared to exercise Cunha’s £62.5 million release clause.

Osimhen might be a good complement to Cunha, according to United News reports, but United would need to spend almost £51 million for the striker, who is now on loan at Galatasaray, and his high salary demands might make a summer transfer impractical.

The club would need to efficiently manage and perhaps lower their current pay expenditure in order to accommodate a player of Osimhen’s caliber.

The 26-year-old Osimhen is rumored to have already signed a contract to join Manchester United this summer. It has been reported that the Red Devils made a generous offer of €20 million annually for the striker.

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Manchester United and Serie A powerhouse Juventus have each made a sizable offer worth £17.1 million net annually, or roughly £330,000 per week after taxes, according to sources, including Turkish writer Ali Naci Küçük. With a gross wage of about £660,000 per week before taxes, if this deal is confirmed, Osimhen would be the highest-paid player at United.

However, given United’s apparent lack of interest in pursuing Osimhen further, this financial structure and valuation may shortly be reexamined.

Transfer analyst David Ornstein spoke on NBC Sports about the team’s hiring approach, stressing that Matheus Cunha is their top target for the midfield position, even if they will need to negotiate personal terms, which are not assured.

Ornstein added that Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap is Manchester United’s top priority in terms of striker recruitment. Delap has a £30 million release clause that is dependant upon the team being relegated.
It should be noted that Chelsea and other Premier League teams are also interested in Delap, which would make his possible transfer much more competitive. Delap is anticipated to decide on his future prior to the start of the European Under-21 Championship.

With just 35 appearances across all competitions, Osimhen, who is on loan from Napoli at Galatasaray, has had an incredible season. He has scored 30 goals and contributed seven assists.

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