Football Archives - Freedom Online https://freedomonline.com.ng/category/football/ ...express yourself Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:24:58 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://freedomonline.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cropped-icon-32x32.png Football Archives - Freedom Online https://freedomonline.com.ng/category/football/ 32 32 South Africa Hold Czechia 1–1 After Mokoena Penalty in 2026 World Cup Clash https://freedomonline.com.ng/south-africa-hold-czechia-1-1-after-mokoena-penalty-in-2026-world-cup-clash/ https://freedomonline.com.ng/south-africa-hold-czechia-1-1-after-mokoena-penalty-in-2026-world-cup-clash/#respond Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:24:58 +0000 https://freedomonline.com.ng/?p=279295  South Africa’s national football team (Bafana Bafana) came from behind to secure a hard-fought 1–1 draw against Czechia in their second Group A match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The result kept both teams in contention for qualification as the group stage battle intensifies. Czechia made a fast start to the encounter, taking the […]

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]]> https://freedomonline.com.ng/south-africa-hold-czechia-1-1-after-mokoena-penalty-in-2026-world-cup-clash/feed/ 0 Messi Scores Hat-Trick to Equal World Cup Goal Record in Argentina Win Over Algeria https://freedomonline.com.ng/messi-scores-hat-trick-to-equal-world-cup-goal-record-in-argentina-win-over-algeria/ https://freedomonline.com.ng/messi-scores-hat-trick-to-equal-world-cup-goal-record-in-argentina-win-over-algeria/#respond Wed, 17 Jun 2026 13:46:58 +0000 https://freedomonline.com.ng/?p=279198 Argentine superstar Lionel Messi delivered a stunning hat-trick on Tuesday as Argentina defeated Algeria 3–0 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup clash, with the veteran forward equalling the tournament’s all-time scoring record. The match, played in Kansas City, saw the Inter Miami forward take his World Cup goal tally to 16, drawing level with former […]

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]]> https://freedomonline.com.ng/messi-scores-hat-trick-to-equal-world-cup-goal-record-in-argentina-win-over-algeria/feed/ 0 World Cup: Japan captain, Wataru Endo, announces international retirement https://freedomonline.com.ng/world-cup-japan-captain-wataru-endo-announces-international-retirement/ https://freedomonline.com.ng/world-cup-japan-captain-wataru-endo-announces-international-retirement/#respond Fri, 12 Jun 2026 17:42:28 +0000 https://freedomonline.com.ng/?p=278873 Japan’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been rocked by the late withdrawal of captain Wataru Endo — just three days before they open their Group F campaign against Netherlands in Arlington. Furthermore, the Liverpool midfielder — at the age of 33 — has also announced his immediate retirement from international football. Since […]

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]]> https://freedomonline.com.ng/world-cup-japan-captain-wataru-endo-announces-international-retirement/feed/ 0 World Cup: UN rights chief urges rethink of U.S. immigration policies https://freedomonline.com.ng/world-cup-un-rights-chief-urges-rethink-of-u-s-immigration-policies/ https://freedomonline.com.ng/world-cup-un-rights-chief-urges-rethink-of-u-s-immigration-policies/#respond Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:41:35 +0000 https://freedomonline.com.ng/?p=278757 United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called for a ‘massive rethink’ of U.S. immigration and security policies ahead of this year’s World Cup tournament, which begins on Thursday. The UN’s top human rights official warns that racial profiling, surveillance and aggressive enforcement are already affecting teams, officials and supporters. Turk […]

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]]> https://freedomonline.com.ng/world-cup-un-rights-chief-urges-rethink-of-u-s-immigration-policies/feed/ 0 Iwobi excited ahead of 100 caps for Nigeria https://freedomonline.com.ng/iwobi-excited-ahead-of-100-caps-for-nigeria/ https://freedomonline.com.ng/iwobi-excited-ahead-of-100-caps-for-nigeria/#respond Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:13:29 +0000 https://freedomonline.com.ng/?p=278596 Super Eagles and Fulham midfielder, Alex Iwobi, says he is excited as he gets set to make his 100 appearance for the Super Eagles of Nigeria against Portugal on Wednesday. The former Arsenal playmaker made his debut for Nigeria in a friendly match against DR Congo in Visé, Belgium on 8th October 18, 2015. Iwobi […]

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]]> https://freedomonline.com.ng/iwobi-excited-ahead-of-100-caps-for-nigeria/feed/ 0 Florentino Perez reelected Real Madrid President https://freedomonline.com.ng/florentino-perez-reelected-real-madrid-president/ https://freedomonline.com.ng/florentino-perez-reelected-real-madrid-president/#respond Sun, 07 Jun 2026 19:58:20 +0000 https://freedomonline.com.ng/?p=278548 Real Madrid President, Florentino Pérez, has been reelected. He won Sunday’s election with around 65% of the votes, according to exit polls published on both MARCA and AS. Mail-in votes are not considered in those exit polls and Pérez is likely to increase his lead there, per sources. The official result of the election will […]

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]]> https://freedomonline.com.ng/florentino-perez-reelected-real-madrid-president/feed/ 0 Brighton sign Nigerian sensation, Yohanna https://freedomonline.com.ng/brighton-sign-nigerian-sensation-yohanna/ https://freedomonline.com.ng/brighton-sign-nigerian-sensation-yohanna/#respond Sun, 07 Jun 2026 19:40:14 +0000 https://freedomonline.com.ng/?p=278546 English Premier League club, Brighton and Hove Albion, have announced the signing of young Nigerian forward, Zadok Yohanna, from AIK Stockholm. Brighton announced the signing of the highly-rated Nigerian young star in a post on the Club’s Facebook page on Saturday. The statement reads, “Brighton & Hove Albion have agreed the signing of Zadok Yohanna […]

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]]> https://freedomonline.com.ng/brighton-sign-nigerian-sensation-yohanna/feed/ 0 Amazing records: First FIFA World Cup without qualification rounds; Scorer of first goal; The Trophy Nobody Keeps + other facts https://freedomonline.com.ng/amazing-records-first-fifa-world-cup-without-qualification-rounds-scorer-of-first-goal-the-trophy-nobody-keeps-other-facts/ https://freedomonline.com.ng/amazing-records-first-fifa-world-cup-without-qualification-rounds-scorer-of-first-goal-the-trophy-nobody-keeps-other-facts/#respond Sat, 06 Jun 2026 19:54:02 +0000 https://freedomonline.com.ng/?p=278507 No Qualification Required: The inaugural 1930 World Cup was the only tournament in history without qualification rounds. Every FIFA-affiliated nation was simply invited to participate, with a deadline of February 28, 1930, to accept ornament but found by a dog named Pickles. Unique Milestones First Televised: The 1954 tournament in Switzerland was the first to […]

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]]> https://freedomonline.com.ng/amazing-records-first-fifa-world-cup-without-qualification-rounds-scorer-of-first-goal-the-trophy-nobody-keeps-other-facts/feed/ 0 Davido to Headline FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert in Los Angeles https://freedomonline.com.ng/davido-to-headline-fifa-world-cup-2026-countdown-concert-in-los-angeles/ https://freedomonline.com.ng/davido-to-headline-fifa-world-cup-2026-countdown-concert-in-los-angeles/#respond Fri, 05 Jun 2026 18:19:38 +0000 https://freedomonline.com.ng/?p=278443  Nigerian music superstar Davido is set to headline the FIFA World Cup 2026 countdown concert in Los Angeles, performing alongside Diplo’s Major Lazer on June 10. The concert is part of FIFA’s synchronized music events across Los Angeles, Toronto, and Mexico City, designed to build excitement ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Davido is also […]

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]]> https://freedomonline.com.ng/davido-to-headline-fifa-world-cup-2026-countdown-concert-in-los-angeles/feed/ 0 Super Falcons Defeat Senegal 2-1 in WAFCON 2026 Friendly https://freedomonline.com.ng/super-falcons-defeat-senegal-2-1-in-wafcon-2026-friendly/ https://freedomonline.com.ng/super-falcons-defeat-senegal-2-1-in-wafcon-2026-friendly/#respond Fri, 05 Jun 2026 18:11:58 +0000 https://freedomonline.com.ng/?p=278437  Nigeria’s Super Falcons began their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a 2-1 victory over Senegal in a friendly match at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State on Friday. Veteran striker Asisat Oshoala opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute, marking her return to the […]

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]]> https://freedomonline.com.ng/super-falcons-defeat-senegal-2-1-in-wafcon-2026-friendly/feed/ 0 Players beware! Eight new laws at 2026 FIFA World Cup https://freedomonline.com.ng/players-beware-eight-new-laws-at-2026-fifa-world-cup/ https://freedomonline.com.ng/players-beware-eight-new-laws-at-2026-fifa-world-cup/#respond Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:09:31 +0000 https://freedomonline.com.ng/?p=278339 *Any player who covers their mouth with their hand, arm, or jersey during confrontational situations will receive a straight red card Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, FIFA have announced eight amendments to their official rule book According to FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina, these landmark amendments are strategically designed to tackle discrimination, eliminate […]

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]]> https://freedomonline.com.ng/players-beware-eight-new-laws-at-2026-fifa-world-cup/feed/ 0 2026 FIFA World Cup: All fixtures from June 11 to July 19 https://freedomonline.com.ng/2026-fifa-world-cup-all-fixtures-from-june-11-to-july-19/ https://freedomonline.com.ng/2026-fifa-world-cup-all-fixtures-from-june-11-to-july-19/#respond Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:49:22 +0000 https://freedomonline.com.ng/?p=278330 Host: Canada, Mexico and the United States and played across 16 host cities in those countries. FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage fixtures Thursday, 11 June 2026 Mexico v South Africa – Group A – Mexico City Stadium Korea Republic v Czechia – Group A – Estadio Guadalajara Friday, 12 June 2026 Canada v Bosnia […]

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]]> https://freedomonline.com.ng/2026-fifa-world-cup-all-fixtures-from-june-11-to-july-19/feed/ 0 Amazing facts of 2026 FIFA World Cup: Youngest, tallest, shortest players https://freedomonline.com.ng/amazing-facts-of-2026-fifa-world-cup-youngest-tallest-shortest-players/ https://freedomonline.com.ng/amazing-facts-of-2026-fifa-world-cup-youngest-tallest-shortest-players/#respond Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:43:36 +0000 https://freedomonline.com.ng/?p=278329 *The 10 youngest players at this tournament are Gilberto Mora – Mexico (14 Oct, 2008) Hugo Sochurek – Czechia (7 Jun, 2008) Lennart Karl – Germany (22 Feb, 2008) Ibrahim Mbaye – Senegal (24 Jan, 2008) Hamza Abdelkarim – Egypt (1 Jan, 2008) Bara Sapoko Ndiaye – Senegal (24 Jan, 2008) Mladen Jurkas – Bosnia […]

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]]> https://freedomonline.com.ng/amazing-facts-of-2026-fifa-world-cup-youngest-tallest-shortest-players/feed/ 0 World Cup 2026: Chelle begs again over Nigeria’s absence https://freedomonline.com.ng/world-cup-2026-chelle-begs-again-over-nigerias-absence/ https://freedomonline.com.ng/world-cup-2026-chelle-begs-again-over-nigerias-absence/#respond Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:35:16 +0000 https://freedomonline.com.ng/?p=278327 Super Eagles Manager, Eric Chelle, has again apologised to Nigerians over the failure of the Super Eagles to pick a ticket to the 2026 World Cup. The World Cup kicks off on June 11 and the reality is getting clearer as teams get ready for the Mundial. Chelle said: “I am really sorry that Nigeria […]

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]]> https://freedomonline.com.ng/world-cup-2026-chelle-begs-again-over-nigerias-absence/feed/ 0 Super Eagles humble Jamaican national team to win fourth Unity Cup https://freedomonline.com.ng/super-eagles-humble-jamaican-national-team-to-win-fourth-unity-cup/ https://freedomonline.com.ng/super-eagles-humble-jamaican-national-team-to-win-fourth-unity-cup/#respond Sun, 31 May 2026 07:27:42 +0000 https://freedomonline.com.ng/?p=278182 The Super Eagles on Saturday defeated Jamaica National Football Team 3-0 in London to win their fourth Unity Cup title. Midfielder Alhassan Yusuf scored a brace in the third and 91st minutes to help Nigeria successfully defend the title. Yusuf opened the scoring early in the encounter before Terem Moffi doubled Nigeria’s advantage. Moffi’s goal […]

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