News for 'African'

'I should've been India coach': Constantine blasts AIFF

'I should've been India coach': Constantine blasts AIFF

Rediff.com18 Jul 2026

Former India football coach Stephen Constantine has expressed deep disappointment over the national team's current decline, criticising the All India Football Federation for its decisions, including the appointment of Khalid Jamil as coach despite his lack of international experience. Constantine, who led India to a historic FIFA ranking of 96, believes he should still be managing the team and calls for wider structural reforms in Indian football.

'Messi is a machine! He will remain world's best player,' says Argentina coach Scaloni

'Messi is a machine! He will remain world's best player,' says Argentina coach Scaloni

Rediff.com11 Jul 2026

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni believes 39-year-old Lionel Messi will continue to be the world's best player for as long as he desires, dismissing age concerns as Messi dominates the World Cup with eight crucial goals.

SEE: Inside Belgium's wild dressing room celebrations

SEE: Inside Belgium's wild dressing room celebrations

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Belgium's dressing room erupted in celebration after their dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Senegal, with match-winner Youri Tielemans leading the festivities.

Ounahi's Double Propels Morocco Into World Cup Last Eight

Ounahi's Double Propels Morocco Into World Cup Last Eight

Rediff.com5 Jul 2026

Morocco defeated Canada 3-0 in the World Cup last 16, with Azzedine Ounahi scoring two goals, to advance to the quarter-finals for the second consecutive time. The victory ended Canada's tournament run.

FIFA World Cup 2026: 'The Leopards' Arrive in Style

FIFA World Cup 2026: 'The Leopards' Arrive in Style

Rediff.com15 Jun 2026

Democratic Republic of Congo's national football team, known as 'The Leopards', make a striking and stylish entrance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Morocco offer France first real test of World Cup credentials

Morocco offer France first real test of World Cup credentials

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

The meeting is a rematch of the 2022 World Cup semi-final, when France ended Morocco's historic run in Qatar.

Messi makes more history as Argentina escape Egypt scare

Messi makes more history as Argentina escape Egypt scare

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

Lionel Messi extended his record by scoring in a ninth straight FIFA World Cup match as Argentina fought back from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 and keep their title defence alive.

Belgium fight back to sink Senegal with extra-time penalty

Belgium fight back to sink Senegal with extra-time penalty

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Youri Tielemans struck a 125th-minute penalty as Belgium rallied from two goals down and defeated Senegal 3-2 after extra time in their World Cup last 32 clash in Seattle on Wednesday to keep alive their title hopes that had looked dead and buried.

Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal outlines new growth engines: Data Centres, Cloud, and Financial Services

Airtel chairman Sunil Mittal outlines new growth engines: Data Centres, Cloud, and Financial Services

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

Bharti Airtel is strategically shifting its focus towards data centres, cloud services, and financial services as key drivers for its next phase of growth, leveraging significant past investments in digital infrastructure, as outlined by Chairman Sunil Mittal in the company's Annual Report for 2025-26.

India for open Indo-Pacific, against expansionism, Modi tells Indonesian parliament

India for open Indo-Pacific, against expansionism, Modi tells Indonesian parliament

Rediff.com7 Jul 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Indonesian parliament, emphasising India's commitment to development over expansionism and advocating for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific. He highlighted the strong historical ties between India and Indonesia, calling for enhanced cooperation in various sectors, including defence, technology, and counter-terrorism, amidst growing concerns over regional security.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal eye fast start against Congo

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal eye fast start against Congo

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

Portugal's latest bid for World Cup glory begins in Houston on Wednesday when they take on the Democratic Republic of Congo in a Group K clash.

Delhi Anti-Narcotics Raid Uncovers Meth Lab After Woman's Tragic Death

Delhi Anti-Narcotics Raid Uncovers Meth Lab After Woman's Tragic Death

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

During an Anti-Narcotics Squad raid in Delhi's Swaroop Nagar, an African woman died after allegedly jumping from her third-floor flat. The operation also led to the discovery of a suspected methamphetamine manufacturing and raw material storage facility, prompting further investigation into a larger drug network.

Morocco stun Scotland with FIFA World Cup's fastest goal

Morocco stun Scotland with FIFA World Cup's fastest goal

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

Morocco outmuscled Scotland for a 1-0 win thanks to the tournament's fastest goal on Friday, taking control of Group C in the World Cup and moving into top spot with one match left to play.

Nicolas Pepe's brace earns Ivory Coast World Cup knockout berth

Nicolas Pepe's brace earns Ivory Coast World Cup knockout berth

Rediff.com26 Jun 2026

Nicolas Pepe scored two goals to lead Ivory Coast to a 2-0 victory over Curacao, securing their first-ever qualification for the World Cup knockout phase. Curacao, the smallest nation to qualify, was eliminated. Ivory Coast will now face the second-place team from Group I (France or Norway) in Arlington, Texas.

Exports to Asia, Africa bolster India's trade balance

Exports to Asia, Africa bolster India's trade balance

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

India's latest trade data reveals a significant geographical realignment, with trade surpluses growing decisively with Asian and African nations, even as surpluses with traditional partners like the US and Netherlands narrow.

Indian Goalkeeper Reflects On Ronaldo And Neymar's World Cup Heartbreak

Indian Goalkeeper Reflects On Ronaldo And Neymar's World Cup Heartbreak

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

Legendary Indian goalkeeper Brahmananda Sankhwalkar reflects on the emotional FIFA World Cup exits of Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Junior. He discusses their unfulfilled World Cup dreams, their rivalry with Lionel Messi, and the circumstances of their respective team's eliminations, highlighting their enduring legacy despite the absence of a World Cup trophy.

Bubista hails Cape Verde's spirit after scaring Argentina

Bubista hails Cape Verde's spirit after scaring Argentina

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

Cape Verde coach Bubista expressed immense pride in his team's performance at their first World Cup, despite their 3-2 extra-time loss to three-time champions Argentina in the last-32. He highlighted their draws against Spain and Uruguay, and the character shown by his players, many of whom are not from elite leagues, in taking Argentina to the wire. Bubista emphasised that their World Cup campaign was about showcasing the island-nation's spirit and identity.

Gueye double keeps five-star Senegal's World Cup hopes alive

Gueye double keeps five-star Senegal's World Cup hopes alive

Rediff.com27 Jun 2026

Senegal kept their World Cup knockout hopes alive in dominant fashion on Friday with a 5-0 victory over 10-man Iraq, who were eliminated from the tournament.

Dutch stars targeted with racist hate after penalty loss

Dutch stars targeted with racist hate after penalty loss

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

Dutch football players Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber, and Crysencio Summerville were subjected to racist, discriminatory, and hateful online abuse after missing penalties in their World Cup shootout defeat to Morocco. The Dutch football association (KNVB) has condemned the abuse, calling it appalling, and plans to file a case with 'Meld Online Discriminatie' which could lead to a criminal investigation. Morocco won the thrilling Round of 32 match 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, advancing to face Canada.

Ireland coach Heinrich Malan quits after India T20I series sweep

Ireland coach Heinrich Malan quits after India T20I series sweep

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

Following a stunning T20I series triumph against World champions India, Ireland coach Heinrich Malan has stepped down from his role.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina stage stunning fightback to storm into quarterfinals

FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina stage stunning fightback to storm into quarterfinals

Rediff.com8 Jul 2026

Argentina produced a stunning comeback after falling two goals behind, scoring twice in four minutes through Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi to beat Egypt 3-2 in their last 16 clash of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Sanju Samson dropped for Zimbabwe T20I series; Prabhsimran Singh called up

Sanju Samson dropped for Zimbabwe T20I series; Prabhsimran Singh called up

Rediff.com7 Jul 2026

Sanju Samson has been dropped from the Indian T20I squad for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe, making way for Punjab Kings' wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh.

Argentina manager Scaloni on 'extremely difficult' Cape Verde win

Argentina manager Scaloni on 'extremely difficult' Cape Verde win

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni discussed his team's hard-fought 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde in the World Cup last-32, emphasising the unexpected difficulty of the match despite being heavy favourites. He praised his players' resilience and character, acknowledging the physical toll and the need for improvement, while also highlighting the unique "suffering" inherent in being Argentine in football.

FIFA World Cup: South Africa seek to silence critics against Czech Republic

FIFA World Cup: South Africa seek to silence critics against Czech Republic

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

South Africa will look to bounce after a 2-0 loss to co-hosts Mexico in their opening FIFA World Cup match.

FIFA World Cup: The Billion-Dollar Secret Behind Morocco's Football Boom

FIFA World Cup: The Billion-Dollar Secret Behind Morocco's Football Boom

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

Morocco's impressive rise in global football is uniquely funded by its vast phosphate reserves, with the state-owned OCP Group investing heavily in national team development. This strategic investment, driven by a royal directive, supports training academies and infrastructure, contributing to the nation's recent successes like reaching the 2022 World Cup semi-finals and hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The country's abundant phosphate resources provide a stable economic base for these ambitious sporting endeavours.

FIFA sticks with original kickoff time for Mexico-England showdown

FIFA sticks with original kickoff time for Mexico-England showdown

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

FIFA is expected to keep the scheduled kickoff for Mexico's World Cup Round of 16 clash against England at the Estadio Azteca despite weather concerns, as the hosts prepare to defend their formidable home record.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Japan rout Tunisia in World Cup's 1,000th match

FIFA World Cup 2026: Japan rout Tunisia in World Cup's 1,000th match

Rediff.com21 Jun 2026

Japan delivered a commanding 4-0 win over Tunisia in the World Cup's 1,000th match on Saturday to move to the brink of the knockout stages, while the North Africans were eliminated after a second successive defeat in Group F.

Egypt down Australia on penalties for first World Cup knock-out win

Egypt down Australia on penalties for first World Cup knock-out win

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

Egypt secured their first-ever World Cup knockout victory, defeating Australia 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in a last-32 match at Dallas Stadium, advancing to the last-16.

Modric vs Ronaldo at FIFA World Cup: Legends set for epic battle

Modric vs Ronaldo at FIFA World Cup: Legends set for epic battle

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

Portugal and Croatia face off in a high-stakes Round of 32 clash in Toronto on Thursday, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric both eyeing a deep World Cup run in what could be the final chapter of their legendary international careers.

Underdog Cape Verde Confident Of Defying Odds Against Messi's Argentina

Underdog Cape Verde Confident Of Defying Odds Against Messi's Argentina

Rediff.com2 Jul 2026

Cape Verde, despite being a significant underdog, is confident of challenging Argentina and Lionel Messi in their World Cup knockout match.

Denied US Entry, Somali Referee Gets UEFA Super Cup Role

Denied US Entry, Somali Referee Gets UEFA Super Cup Role

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup despite a valid visa, has been appointed to officiate the upcoming UEFA Super Cup match between Paris St Germain and Aston Villa. This appointment follows a cooperation agreement between UEFA and CAF.

Morocco rally to down Haiti and reach last 32 as Group C runners-up

Morocco rally to down Haiti and reach last 32 as Group C runners-up

Rediff.com25 Jun 2026

Morocco confirmed their progress to the World Cup last 32 but twice had to come from behind to get the better of plucky Haiti with a 4-2 win in an action-packed game on Wednesday and fell short of topping Brazil in the Group C standings.

FIFA World Cup: Haaland knocks Ivory Coast out with last-minute winner

FIFA World Cup: Haaland knocks Ivory Coast out with last-minute winner

Rediff.com1 Jul 2026

Erling Haaland struck a dramatic last-gasp winner to send Norway through to the next round of the 2026 World Cup, knocking Ivory Coast out in heartbreaking fashion.

From 'Wonderwall' to K-Pop: The music behind the FIFA World Cup roar

From 'Wonderwall' to K-Pop: The music behind the FIFA World Cup roar

Rediff.com5 Jul 2026

Watching the World Cup and hearing the music in the stadium may have left you wondering - how is that chosen? Is it just coincidence that "Wonderwall" plays after England matches? Are "Freed from Desire" or "Livin' on a Prayer" always played? And why?

Women's T20 World Cup: Marizanne Kapp's masterclass helps South Africa overpower India in Manchester

Women's T20 World Cup: Marizanne Kapp's masterclass helps South Africa overpower India in Manchester

Rediff.com21 Jun 2026

Marizanne Kapp struck a scintillating 45-ball 81 as South Africa overwhelmed India by six wickets in their ICC Women's T20 World Cup clash, in Manchester, on Sunday.

Ivory Coast Gear Up For Haaland Challenge In World Cup Clash

Ivory Coast Gear Up For Haaland Challenge In World Cup Clash

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

Ivory Coast is set to face Norway in a World Cup Round of 32 match, with much attention on Norway's star striker Erling Haaland. While Ivory Coast's defence, featuring Ousmane Diomande, will focus on containing Haaland, their coach Emerse Fae also plans to unleash their own array of attacking talent, including Yan Diomande and Nicolas Pepe, to challenge Norway.

Irfan Pathan Explains India's World Cup Squad Strategy

Irfan Pathan Explains India's World Cup Squad Strategy

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan discusses India's ODI series against Afghanistan as a crucial opportunity to assess squad depth for the upcoming ICC World Cup, highlighting key players and their roles, especially for South African conditions.

Late extra-time own goal takes Argentina past Cape Verde

Late extra-time own goal takes Argentina past Cape Verde

Rediff.com4 Jul 2026

Argentina secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Cape Verde in their World Cup last-32 encounter, which extended into extra time. An own goal in the 111th minute ultimately decided the match, sending the reigning champions into the last 16 where they will face Egypt.

Croatia coach hails 'fantastic' Modric; hits back at doubters

Croatia coach hails 'fantastic' Modric; hits back at doubters

Rediff.com28 Jun 2026

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic hit out at the team's doubters and said they were back to the Croatia of old after they snatched a 2-1 win over Ghana to reach the last 32 of the World Cup on Saturday.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Dutch coach Koeman labels Morocco tie an early World Cup final

FIFA World Cup 2026: Dutch coach Koeman labels Morocco tie an early World Cup final

Rediff.com29 Jun 2026

The meeting between Morocco and Netherlands in the last 32 might have come too early at the World Cup, Dutch coach Ronald Koeman suggested on the eve of Monday's clash between the two contenders in Monterrey.