Sport Archives - TheCitizen - It's all about you https://thecitizenng.com/category/sports/ Nigeria's leading online newspaper Sun, 28 Jun 2026 13:41:47 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://thecitizenng.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/cropped-TheCitizen-330x50-1-32x32.png Sport Archives - TheCitizen - It's all about you https://thecitizenng.com/category/sports/ 32 32 FIFA confirms World Cup Round of 32 fixtures, dates, venues https://thecitizenng.com/fifa-confirms-world-cup-round-of-32-fixtures-dates-venues/ https://thecitizenng.com/fifa-confirms-world-cup-round-of-32-fixtures-dates-venues/#respond Sun, 28 Jun 2026 13:41:47 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284755 The FIFA World Cup 2026 has entered a decisive phase with the confirmation of the Round of 32 fixtures following the conclusion of an action-packed group stage. The expanded tournament, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches for the first time in the competition’s history, has already delivered memorable moments, surprise results and emerging contenders. Hosted […]

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/fifa-confirms-world-cup-round-of-32-fixtures-dates-venues/feed/ 0 World Cup: Cape Verde to face Argentina in knockouts after Saudi draw https://thecitizenng.com/world-cup-cape-verde-to-face-argentina-in-knockouts-after-saudi-draw/ https://thecitizenng.com/world-cup-cape-verde-to-face-argentina-in-knockouts-after-saudi-draw/#respond Sat, 27 Jun 2026 06:14:07 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284727 World Cup debutants Cape Verde will face reigning champions Argentina in the knockout rounds after drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia on Friday to extend their fairytale journey. The stalemate in Houston and Spain’s 1-0 win over Uruguay meant the team ranked 67 finished runners-up behind Spain in Group H. Having drawn all three group matches, […]

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/world-cup-cape-verde-to-face-argentina-in-knockouts-after-saudi-draw/feed/ 0 Jordan leave spotless locker room, gifts after World Cup defeat https://thecitizenng.com/jordan-leave-spotless-locker-room-gifts-after-world-cup-defeat/ https://thecitizenng.com/jordan-leave-spotless-locker-room-gifts-after-world-cup-defeat/#respond Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:13:40 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284645 Jordan’s national football team has earned widespread praise after leaving their dressing room spotless and presenting gifts and a handwritten note following their 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Algeria. FIFA shared footage of the gesture on its social media platforms on Tuesday, describing it as “ultimate respect” from the debutants after their Group J […]

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/jordan-leave-spotless-locker-room-gifts-after-world-cup-defeat/feed/ 0 Super Falcons’ Plumptre debunks WAFCON exclusion over bribery demand https://thecitizenng.com/super-falcons-plumptre-debunks-wafcon-exclusion-over-bribery-demand/ https://thecitizenng.com/super-falcons-plumptre-debunks-wafcon-exclusion-over-bribery-demand/#respond Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:58:04 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284635 Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre on Tuesday dismissed a viral social media post claiming she was excluded from Nigeria’s squad for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations over her refusal to meet alleged demands from football officials. The viral statement, circulated by a verified Facebook account bearing the defender’s name, alleged that she had […]

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/super-falcons-plumptre-debunks-wafcon-exclusion-over-bribery-demand/feed/ 0 Cape Verde World Cup story continues with Uruguay draw https://thecitizenng.com/cape-verde-world-cup-story-continues-with-uruguay-draw/ https://thecitizenng.com/cape-verde-world-cup-story-continues-with-uruguay-draw/#respond Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:26:59 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284588 Cape Verde’s gripping debut World Cup campaign continued as they held two-time champions Uruguay to a thrilling draw in Miami. Having delighted fans with their shock 0-0 draw with Spain in their opener, Cape Verde took a dream lead against Uruguay through Kevin Pina’s long-range free-kick which went through the middle of the wall in the 21st […]

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/cape-verde-world-cup-story-continues-with-uruguay-draw/feed/ 0 Serena Williams gets Wimbledon singles wildcard https://thecitizenng.com/serena-williams-gets-wimbledon-singles-wildcard/ https://thecitizenng.com/serena-williams-gets-wimbledon-singles-wildcard/#respond Sun, 21 Jun 2026 21:13:20 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284566 Tennis great Serena Williams, who retired in 2022, has been awarded a wildcard for the Wimbledon grass court championships starting in a week. Organisers released their initial list of wildcards on Sunday, with Williams one of eight players awarded a place in the ladies’ singles event.  

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/serena-williams-gets-wimbledon-singles-wildcard/feed/ 0 Premier League releases 2026/27 Season schedule https://thecitizenng.com/premier-league-releases-2026-27-season-schedule/ https://thecitizenng.com/premier-league-releases-2026-27-season-schedule/#respond Fri, 19 Jun 2026 13:49:39 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284538 The 2026/27 Premier League season schedule has been released, with all 380 fixtures set to run from Friday, August 21, 2026, through the campaign. Kick-off times remain standard, with weekend and Bank Holiday matches scheduled for 15:00 UK time, while midweek games will typically begin at 20:00 unless otherwise stated. “All fixtures remain subject to […]

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/premier-league-releases-2026-27-season-schedule/feed/ 0 Moroccan football star Hakimi to stand trial for rape https://thecitizenng.com/moroccan-football-star-hakimi-to-stand-trial-for-rape/ https://thecitizenng.com/moroccan-football-star-hakimi-to-stand-trial-for-rape/#respond Fri, 19 Jun 2026 13:22:06 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284535 A French appeals court on Friday confirmed that Moroccan football star Achraf Hakimi will face trial for the alleged rape of a woman in 2023, which the Paris Saint-Germain defender denies. In February 2023, a woman then aged 24 told police in the Val-de-Marne region southeast of Paris that Hakimi had raped her. The PSG […]

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/moroccan-football-star-hakimi-to-stand-trial-for-rape/feed/ 0 DR Congo earn historic World Cup point, hold Ronaldo’s Portugal to 1-1 draw https://thecitizenng.com/dr-congo-earn-historic-world-cup-point-hold-ronaldos-portugal-to-1-1-draw/ https://thecitizenng.com/dr-congo-earn-historic-world-cup-point-hold-ronaldos-portugal-to-1-1-draw/#respond Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:19:09 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284499 Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-equalling sixth World Cup got off to a disappointing start as the Democratic Republic of Congo secured their first ever point at the finals, drawing 1-1 with Portugal in their Group K match on Wednesday. Yoane Wissa’s header cancelled out Joao Neves’s early goal and the African side — appearing in their first […]

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/dr-congo-earn-historic-world-cup-point-hold-ronaldos-portugal-to-1-1-draw/feed/ 0 Partey to miss Ghana World Cup opener as Canada rejects visa appeal https://thecitizenng.com/partey-to-miss-ghana-world-cup-opener-as-canada-rejects-visa-appeal/ https://thecitizenng.com/partey-to-miss-ghana-world-cup-opener-as-canada-rejects-visa-appeal/#respond Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:39:27 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284459 Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s World Cup opener against Panama after wrongly telling officials in Canada he had never been arrested or charged with a crime. Partey, 33, was denied entry to Canada before Wednesday’s match in Toronto because of ongoing criminal proceedings in the UK. The Ghanaian government sought permission for him to enter […]

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/partey-to-miss-ghana-world-cup-opener-as-canada-rejects-visa-appeal/feed/ 0 Messi equals World Cup goals record with hat-trick in Argentina win https://thecitizenng.com/messi-equals-world-cup-goals-record-with-hat-trick-in-argentina-win/ https://thecitizenng.com/messi-equals-world-cup-goals-record-with-hat-trick-in-argentina-win/#respond Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:32:22 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284455 Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s joint-top all-time scorer with a hat-trick as reigning champions Argentina began their defence with a statement victory over Algeria. Making his 200th appearance for his country, Messi scored his first treble at a World Cup. And it created a piece of history, as the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner took […]

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/messi-equals-world-cup-goals-record-with-hat-trick-in-argentina-win/feed/ 0 AC Milan appoint Ruben Amorim as head coach after Man Utd exit https://thecitizenng.com/ac-milan-appoint-ruben-amorim-as-head-coach-after-man-utd-exit/ https://thecitizenng.com/ac-milan-appoint-ruben-amorim-as-head-coach-after-man-utd-exit/#respond Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:38:27 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284419 Italian giants AC Milan have confirmed the appointment of Ruben Amorim as their new head coach, ending weeks of speculation following reports that the former Manchester United manager was set to take over at the San Siro. Amorim replaces Massimiliano Allegri, who was dismissed after Milan failed to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League. […]

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/ac-milan-appoint-ruben-amorim-as-head-coach-after-man-utd-exit/feed/ 0 Cape Verde goalkeeper’s Instagram explodes after Spain draw https://thecitizenng.com/cape-verde-goalkeepers-instagram-explodes-after-spain-draw/ https://thecitizenng.com/cape-verde-goalkeepers-instagram-explodes-after-spain-draw/#respond Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:28:59 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284413 Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has emerged as one of the biggest stories of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after his inspirational display against Spain earned him global recognition and a massive increase in social media followers. The veteran goalkeeper’s Instagram following surged from just over 50,000 before Cape Verde’s opening World Cup match against Spain […]

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/cape-verde-goalkeepers-instagram-explodes-after-spain-draw/feed/ 0 World Cup debutant Cape Verde stun Spain in 0-0 draw https://thecitizenng.com/world-cup-debutant-cape-verde-stun-spain-in-0-0-draw/ https://thecitizenng.com/world-cup-debutant-cape-verde-stun-spain-in-0-0-draw/#respond Mon, 15 Jun 2026 18:52:13 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284351 European champions Spain were held to a shock 0-0 draw by tiny World Cup debutants Cape Verde on Monday as Iran prepared to make their long-awaited entrance at the tournament after a build-up engulfed by uncertainty. Forty-year-old Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vozinha made seven saves against the 2010 world cup winner. Spain, regarded as one of […]

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/world-cup-debutant-cape-verde-stun-spain-in-0-0-draw/feed/ 0 Three red cards in World Cup opening game as Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 https://thecitizenng.com/three-red-cards-in-world-cup-opening-game-as-mexico-beat-south-africa-2-0/ https://thecitizenng.com/three-red-cards-in-world-cup-opening-game-as-mexico-beat-south-africa-2-0/#respond Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:52:10 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284292 Mexico ignited their World Cup party with a dominant 2-0 victory over nine-man South Africa on Thursday as the biggest ever edition of the global footballing showpiece kicked off at the iconic Estadio Azteca. Julian Quinones scored the opening goal of the tournament and veteran striker Raul Jimenez added a second as the co-hosts’ bid […]

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/three-red-cards-in-world-cup-opening-game-as-mexico-beat-south-africa-2-0/feed/ 0 Burna Boy, Shakira perform at opening ceremony of 2026 World Cup https://thecitizenng.com/burna-boy-shakira-perform-at-opening-ceremony-of-2026-world-cup/ https://thecitizenng.com/burna-boy-shakira-perform-at-opening-ceremony-of-2026-world-cup/#respond Thu, 11 Jun 2026 18:53:47 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284295 Global music stars Shakira and Burna Boy delivered a high-energy performance of “Dai Dai” during the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, thrilling fans with a vibrant display of music and dance. Shakira took to the stage following a performance by J Balvin and immediately energized the crowd with the opening verse of […]

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/burna-boy-shakira-perform-at-opening-ceremony-of-2026-world-cup/feed/ 0 Omar Artan to referee UEFA Super Cup after losing World Cup spot https://thecitizenng.com/omar-artan-to-referee-uefa-super-cup-after-losing-world-cup-spot/ https://thecitizenng.com/omar-artan-to-referee-uefa-super-cup-after-losing-world-cup-spot/#respond Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:48:14 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284265 Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States to officiate at the World Cup, has been appointed to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup match between Paris St-Germain and Aston Villa later this summer. The contest between PSG, who won the Champions League last term and Aston Villa, who triumphed […]

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/omar-artan-to-referee-uefa-super-cup-after-losing-world-cup-spot/feed/ 0 FIFA ranking: Argentina retain top spot as Nigeria hold 26th position https://thecitizenng.com/fifa-ranking-argentina-retain-top-spot-as-nigeria-hold-26th-position/ https://thecitizenng.com/fifa-ranking-argentina-retain-top-spot-as-nigeria-hold-26th-position/#respond Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:07:57 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284251 World champions Argentina have maintained their position as the number one team in the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday, strengthening their status ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Albiceleste remain at the summit of world football after recording impressive victories in recent international fixtures, while Spain and France occupy second and third […]

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/fifa-ranking-argentina-retain-top-spot-as-nigeria-hold-26th-position/feed/ 0 Biggest ever World Cup kicks off today https://thecitizenng.com/biggest-ever-world-cup-kicks-off-today/ https://thecitizenng.com/biggest-ever-world-cup-kicks-off-today/#respond Wed, 10 Jun 2026 23:58:43 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284197 The World Cup kicks off on Thursday (today) with FIFA betting that the enduring appeal of the greatest footballing show on earth can rise above mounting anger at ticket prices and a US immigration crackdown that has seen fans, a top referee and team officials barred from the tournament. A record 48 teams and millions […]

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]]> https://thecitizenng.com/biggest-ever-world-cup-kicks-off-today/feed/ 0 Portugal edge Nigeria in international friendly https://thecitizenng.com/portugal-edge-nigeria-in-international-friendly/ https://thecitizenng.com/portugal-edge-nigeria-in-international-friendly/#respond Wed, 10 Jun 2026 23:28:25 +0000 https://thecitizenng.com/?p=284180 Nigeria’s Super Eagles suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Portugal in an entertaining international friendly on Wednesday night, with Francisco Conceicao’s late strike proving the difference in a fiercely contested encounter. The match, played as part of preparations for upcoming international competitions, saw both sides produce moments of quality, but it was the hosts who […]

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