Connect with us

Sports

Transfer: Real Madrid Agree To Alonso’s Two Requests

Published

on

Real Madrid have agreed to their manager Xabi Alonso’s two requests amid the ongoing summer transfer window.

As reported by Madrid Zone, via Cadena SER, Alonso has informed Real Madrid that he wants Dani Ceballos to stay at the club beyond this summer transfer window.

Advertisement

The report added that Alonso also told Real Madrid not to sell any midfielder this summer, adding that the Los Blancos agreed to his request.

READ ALSO:Transfer: Gyokeres Set To Undergo Arsenal Medicals Ahead Of Unveiling

Recall that Ceballos has been linked with a move away from Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

Advertisement

The former Arsenal star has been linked with a move to Spanish La Liga side Real Betis this summer.

This comes after Luka Modric’s departure from the Los Blancos earlier this month.

Alonso is keen to strengthen his squad ahead of the new 2025/26 LaLiga campaign after their exit at the Club World Cup at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain some days ago.

Advertisement

 

Advertisement

Sports

Full List: Countries Most And Least Likely To Get US Visa For 2026 World Cup

Published

on

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to make history as the first edition hosted across three countries—United States, Mexico, and Canada, with countries around the world already considering how easy or difficult it will be for their fans to secure a US visa in time for the tournament.

The U.S. will stage the bulk of the action, hosting 78 of the 104 matches, including the final, in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Seattle.

Advertisement

With millions of fans worldwide preparing to travel for the tournament next June, one big question stands out: Can I get a U.S. tourist visa in time?

The U.S. Department of State recently released updated visa wait time data, showing which countries are most likely—and least likely—to secure a B1/B2 tourist visa before the opening match on June 11, 2026.

READ ALSO:[FULL LIST] 2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Egypt, Ivory Coast, Tunisia Lead Groups

Advertisement

Adding to the challenge, a new policy takes effect on August 20, 2025, requiring B1/B2 travelers from Malawi and Zambia to pay a visa bond of up to $15,000 under a pilot program.

What Visa Do Fans Need?
Spectators traveling to the U.S. for the World Cup will generally need a B1/B2 visa, the standard U.S. visitor visa for tourism and short-term travel. This visa allows stays of up to six months, covering trips to matches, tourism, and visits to family or friends.

However, citizens of 42 Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries—including most of Western Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Australia—can visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa, provided they apply through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

Advertisement

READ ALSO:W’Cup Qualifiers: Super Eagles Edge Rwanda 1-0 To Revive Qualification Hopes

Countries Most Likely to Get a Visa in Time
Based on current wait times as of August 2025, fans from the following countries are more likely to secure a visa before the tournament if they apply early:

Algeria – 4.5 months
Argentina – < 3 months
Brazil – < 3 months
Cameroon – < 3 months
China – < 3 months
Ecuador (Guayaquil) – 7.5 months
Egypt – < 3 months
El Salvador – < 3 months
Iraq – < 3 months
Jamaica – < 3 months
Jordan – < 3 months
Mali – < 3 months
Mexico (Mexicali) – < 3 months
Mexico (Nogales) – < 3 months
Mexico (Nuevo Laredo) – < 3 months
Morocco – 6 months
Oman – < 3 months
Panama – < 3 months
Paraguay – < 3 months
Saudi Arabia – < 3 months
Senegal – < 3 months
Serbia – < 3 months
Trinidad and Tobago – < 3 months
Tunisia – < 3 months
United Arab Emirates – < 3 months
Uruguay – < 3 months
Uzbekistan – < 3 months
Countries Least Likely to Get a Visa in Time
Fans in the following countries face some of the longest visa wait times, making it harder to secure approval before kickoff:

Advertisement

Ecuador (Quito) – 9 months
Ghana – 9.5 months
Mexico (Matamoros) – 8.5 months
Mexico (Mexico City) – 8.5 months
Mexico (Monterrey) – 10 months
Nigeria (Abuja) – 9.5 months
Peru – 8 months

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

[FULL LIST] 2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Egypt, Ivory Coast, Tunisia Lead Groups

Published

on

African 2026 World Cup qualifying tables after matches on Friday (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):

Group A

Advertisement

Egypt 7 6 1 0 16 2 19

Burkina Faso 7 4 2 1 19 7 14

Sierra Leone 7 2 3 2 8 8 9

Advertisement

Guinea-Bissau 7 1 4 2 6 8 7

Ethiopia 7 1 3 3 7 9 6

Djibouti 7 0 1 6 4 26 1

Advertisement

Group B

DR Congo 7 5 1 1 11 3 16

Senegal 7 4 3 0 10 1 15

Advertisement

Sudan 7 3 3 1 8 4 12

Mauritania 7 1 2 4 4 9 5

Togo 7 0 4 3 4 9 4

Advertisement

South Sudan 7 0 3 4 3 14 3

READ ALSO:I Still Call My Mum To Ask How Long To Boil Rice – DJ Cuppy

Group C

Advertisement

South Africa 7 5 1 1 13 5 16

Benin 7 3 2 2 7 7 11

Rwanda 6 2 2 2 4 4 8

Advertisement

Nigeria 6 1 4 1 7 6 7

Lesotho 7 1 3 3 4 8 6

Zimbabwe 7 0 4 3 5 10 4

Advertisement

Group E

Morocco 6 6 0 0 19 2 18 – qualified

Tanzania 6 3 1 2 6 5 10

Advertisement

Zambia 5 2 0 3 9 7 6

Niger 5 2 0 3 6 9 6

Congo 6 0 1 5 3 20 1

Advertisement

— Eritrea withdrew before matchday 1

READ ALSO:[FULL LIST] World Cup: Nigeria, Others Face Elimination

Group F

Advertisement

Ivory Coast 7 6 1 0 15 0 19

Gabon 7 6 0 1 16 6 18

Burundi 7 3 1 3 13 8 10

Advertisement

Gambia 7 2 1 4 15 14 7

Kenya 7 1 3 3 12 11 6

Seychelles 7 0 0 7 2 34 0

Advertisement

Group G

Algeria 7 6 0 1 19 7 18

Uganda 7 4 0 3 10 7 12

Advertisement

Mozambique 7 4 0 3 10 15 12

Guinea 7 3 1 3 7 5 10

Botswana 7 3 0 4 10 11 9

Advertisement

Somalia 7 0 1 6 3 14 1

READ ALSO:Brazil Names Squad Without Neymar, Vinicius For World Cup Qualifiers [FULL LIST]

Group H

Advertisement

Tunisia 7 6 1 0 12 0 19

Namibia 7 3 3 1 9 4 12

Liberia 7 3 1 3 7 7 10

Advertisement

Eq. Guinea 7 3 1 3 7 10 10

Malawi 7 3 0 4 6 7 9

Sao Tome 7 0 0 7 4 17 0

Advertisement

Note: Group winners qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The four best-ranked runners-up enter a mini tournament and the winners qualify for the six-nation inter-continental play-offs with two finals places up for grabs

AFP

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Sports

[FULL LIST] World Cup: Nigeria, Others Face Elimination

Published

on

As African qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup heats up, Egypt and Morocco are edging closer to sealing their tickets to the global showpiece in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, while Nigeria’s hopes hang by a thread.

With four rounds of matches left, the race across the nine African groups is intensifying, leaving several giants at risk of missing out.

Advertisement

Below is the state of play across all groups:

Group A – Egypt in Command

Standings: Egypt lead Burkina Faso by five points.

Advertisement

Key Matches: Egypt vs Ethiopia; Burkina Faso vs Djibouti.

Outlook: Two wins could seal Egypt’s qualification.

READ ALSO:Nigeria Crash Out Of FIBA U19 World Cup

Advertisement

Group B – Three-Way Battle

Standings: DR Congo, Senegal, and Sudan are split by one point.

Key Matches: Senegal host Sudan and face DR Congo; Sudan visit Togo.

Advertisement

Outlook: Sudan chase a maiden World Cup amid conflict at home.

Group C – Nigeria in Trouble

Standings: South Africa top with 13 points; Nigeria sit fourth with seven.

Advertisement

Key Matches: Nigeria host Rwanda, then face South Africa away.

Outlook: Nigeria must win both to stay alive. A ruling on South Africa’s alleged ineligible player could impact standings.

READ ALSO:Brazil Names Squad Without Neymar, Vinicius For World Cup Qualifiers [FULL LIST]

Advertisement

Group D – Cape Verde vs Cameroon

Standings: Cape Verde lead Cameroon by one point.

Key Matches: Cape Verde host Cameroon, then travel to Mauritius; Cameroon face Eswatini.

Advertisement

Outlook: Cape Verde eye historic qualification; Libya and Angola still lurking.

Group E – Morocco Poised for History

Standings: Morocco boast a perfect record (5 wins in 5).

Advertisement

Key Matches: Morocco play Niger and Zambia; Tanzania face Congo-Brazzaville.

Outlook: Atlas Lions could become Africa’s first confirmed qualifiers.

READ ALSO:‘Chelsea Lifted Duplicate Club World Cup Trophy After Trump Kept Real One’

Advertisement

Group F – Ivory Coast vs Gabon

Standings: Ivory Coast one point ahead of Gabon.

Key Matches: Gabon host Ivory Coast; Ivory Coast face Burundi and Seychelles.

Advertisement

Outlook: A tight race between two resurgent sides.

Group G – Algeria Closing In

Standings: Algeria three points clear of Mozambique.

Advertisement

Key Matches: Algeria host Botswana, travel to Guinea; Mozambique meet Uganda and Botswana.

Outlook: Algeria well-placed but can’t slip up.

Group H – Tunisia in Control

Advertisement

READ ALSO:Club World Cup Final Scuffle ‘Should Have Been Avoided’ Says Luis Enrique

Standings: Tunisia four points ahead of Namibia.

Key Matches: Tunisia vs Liberia; Tunisia vs Equatorial Guinea; Namibia face Malawi and Sao Tome.

Advertisement

Outlook: Tunisia could qualify early, but an Equatorial Guinea appeal looms.

Group I – Ghana Push for Redemption

Standings: Ghana lead by three points over Comoros; Mali trailing.

Advertisement

Key Matches: Ghana face Chad and Comoros; Comoros travel to Mali.

Outlook: Ghana could book qualification at home, making up for their AFCON 2025 failure.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending