14 h. ago What Nigeria and South Africa need to qualify for the World Cup

The Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana are locked in a fierce battle to make it to next summer’s tournament after twist

Politics

14 h. ago World Cup permutations: State of play for Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa after Egypt qualify

Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia have also booked their place at next summer’s tournament

Politics

15 h. ago World Cup 2026: which countries have qualified and how did they do it?

Twenty of the 48 places at the tournament have now been filled, including co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the USAFour of the nine automatic places have been filled, with the four best runners-up competing in November’s pan-African playoffs for one place in the intercontinental playoffs.EgyptMohamed Salah scored twice as Hossam Hassan’s side beat Djibouti 3-0 on Wednesday in Casablanca and made up for missing out on Qatar 2022 by reaching the finals with a game in hand. This will be Egypt’s fourth finals, even though they have yet to win a game. Bizarrely, the Pharaohs did qualify for the first World Cup, in 1930, but missed their boat from Marseille to South America after a storm delayed them. Continue reading...

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23 h. ago World Cup permutations: State of play for Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon after Egypt qualify for showpiece

Five more automatic spots are up for grabs ahead of the final round of fixtures

Politics

25 h. ago What Scotland need to qualify for World Cup after victory over Greece as route to finals emerges

Hopes of reaching USA, Canada and Mexico alive after Hampden comeback win

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34 h. ago World Cup permutations: What Nigeria and South Africa need to qualify for next summer's tournament

Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana are locked in a fierce battle to make it to north America

Politics

58 h. ago World Cup permutations: What Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and Egypt need to qualify for next summer showpiece

Seven more automatic spots are up for grabs ahead of the final round of fixtures

Politics

7 d. ago Thomas Tuchel calls for World Cup schedule change that would cause chaos in UK pubs

England will face stifling temperatures in USA, Canada and Mexico should they qualify for next summer's World Cup and head coach Thomas Tuchel has urged organisers to shift kick-off times to help players cope with the heat

Events

1 week ago Nigeria handed fresh twist in World Cup qualification battle as South Africa issue statement after punishment

South Africa have been penalised for fielding an ineligible player in a qualifying win over Lesotho

Events

1 week ago Nigeria's World Cup qualifying hopes boosted as South Africa slapped with points deduction

Bafana Bafana have been penalised for fielding an ineligible player in a qualifying win over Lesotho

Politics

3 w. ago ‘Fight like heck’: US Eagles seek World Cup spot amid MLR turmoil

Just before Sunday’s crucial qualifier against Samoa in Denver, the American domestic league lost a third team in less than two monthsThe US Eagles men can qualify for the 2027 World Cup on Sunday, by beating Samoa in the Pacific Nations Cup fifth-place play-off in Denver. Defeat will not end hopes of making it to Australia, as further play-offs await. But in another horrible week for American men’s rugby, to have one weighty challenge dealt with would be welcome indeed.On Thursday, in a move the Guardian understands caught other team owners by surprise, the Houston SaberCats became the third team to drop out of Major League Rugby this year. That reduced the competition to just seven teams from 11 last season, given the merger of San Diego and LA, announced in August as NOLA Gold and Miami Sharks also called it quits. Houston, San Diego and NOLA were founder clubs in 2018.Martin Pengelly writes on Substack at The National Maul, on rugby in the US Continue reading...

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last month When England can qualify for the World Cup after thrashing Serbia

Three Lions are on the verge of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup

Politics

last month England pub rules explained as nightmare World Cup scenario predicted

England look set to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer after a triumphant 5-0 victory over Serbia on Tuesday evening.

Politics