Sports
Everything to Play For as the World Cup Group Stage Nears Its End
The World Cup group stage is approaching its conclusion, with qualification places, group winners and knockout-stage positions still on the line. While teams such as Brazil, Mexico, Morocco and Switzerland have already secured their places in the Round of 32, many others enter the final round knowing their World Cup future will be decided over the next few days. With every match live on SuperSport via DStv and GOtv,the tournament is entering its most decisive phase.
Africa’s Qualification Push Continues
Africa’s campaign has produced both success stories and disappointments. Morocco, South Africa and Ivory Coast have already secured qualification, while Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde and Algeria remain firmly in contention heading into the final round.
Cape Verde continue their remarkable campaign against Saudi Arabia on Saturday, 27 June at 1:00 am, while Egypt meet Iran later that morning at 4:00 am.
Ghana’s meeting with Croatia on Saturday, 27 June at 10:00 pm could prove decisive in Group L, while Algeria face Austria on Sunday, 28 June at 3:00 am in what is effectively a winner-takes-all battle for a place in the knockout rounds.
Not every African nation will make it through. Senegal, Tunisia and DR Congo have already been eliminated, but the continent still has an opportunity to increase its representation in the Round of 32.
Messi Leads the Golden Boot Race
Two rounds into the tournament, Lionel Messi remains the story of the World Cup. The Argentine captain has scored five goals in two matches, helping Argentina secure qualification with a game to spare and establishing himself as the early favourite for the Golden Boot.
The chasing pack, however, continues to grow. Vinícius Júnior has four goals for Brazil, while Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland have also reached four goals. Cristiano Ronaldo has entered the race after scoring a brace in Portugal’s 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, while the final group games offer another opportunity for the tournament’s biggest stars to build momentum before the knockout rounds begin.
France and Norway Meet for Group Supremacy
While several teams are fighting for survival, France and Norway have already secured qualification. Their meeting on Friday, 26 June at 8:00 pm will determine top spot in Group I.
The fixture also brings together two of the tournament’s most dangerous attacking teams. Mbappé and Haaland both have four goals, while France and Norway have won their opening two matches. It is arguably the biggest remaining fixture of the group stage and could provide an early indication of which side is capable of making a deep run in the knockout rounds.
Portugal and Argentina Chase Momentum
Germany have already confirmed top spot in Group E despite a narrow 2-1 defeat to Ecuador, while Portugal and Colombia meet on Sunday, 28 June at 12:30 am to decide the Group K winners. Argentina conclude their group campaign against Jordan later that morning at 3:00 am, with Lionel Messi looking to extend his lead in the Golden Boot race.
Brazil have already finished top of Group C, while Spain can secure first place in Group H when they face Uruguay on Saturday, 27 June at 1:00 am.
Additional Fixtures to Watch
With Groups D, E and F now decided, attention shifts to the remaining qualification battles. Belgium face New Zealand on Saturday, 27 June at 4:00 am in a crucial Group G encounter, while Uruguay meet Spain and Cape Verde take on Saudi Arabia at 1:00 am.
Saturday evening concludes with Ghana vs Croatia and England vs Panama, both kicking off at 10:00 pm, before Sunday’s final group fixtures feature Colombia vs Portugal and DR Congo vs Uzbekistan at 12:30 am, followed by Algeria vs Austria and Jordan vs Argentina at 3:00 am.
SuperSport Remains the Home of the World Cup
As the knockout picture takes shape, fans can follow every remaining group-stage fixture live on SuperSport via DStv and GOtv. With simultaneous kick-offs now determining qualification outcomes, coverage will be available across SS World Cup Central (DStv Ch. 202, GOtv Ch. 61) and SS World Cup Extra (DStv Ch. 203, GOtv Ch. 65).
Viewers can still start each day with The Morning Cup featuring Basketmouth and Phat Joe, before catching every goal, result and qualification twist live across SuperSport’s FIFA World Cup coverage. For fans on the move, DStv Stream and GOtv Stream ensure every moment remains within reach.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
On Saturday, July 18, 2026, Team Drogba Global Africa claimed its first E1 victory in Monaco, moving to sixth on the table with 59 points.
It defeated Team Brady, which came second over the week, though it leads the championship with 119 points, nine points more than the second on the log, Westbrook Racing by Visit Angola.
Kiwi Micah Wilkinson and his Spanish teammate Tara Pacheco combined to put together a memorable performance and secure a long-awaited first visit to the top step.
Drogba’s best result of the season so far had been seventh in Lake Como, but something clicked in the Principality, and the victory has moved them up to sixth overall.
Home heroes Team Monaco had set the fastest time in qualifying and were leading the way, but they made a wrong turn on the course, which consigned them to join Westbrook in the Place Race. Will Smith’s team took a damage-limiting victory, leaving them in seventh at the end of the day.
But the Finals were both dominated by Drogba. In Final 1, with Tara Pacheco at the wheel, they finished just ahead of Emma Kimiläinen’s Brady E1 RaceBird. The battle resumed in Final 2 and, on this occasion, Micah held off Sam Coleman. Timmy Hansen came through to finish third for Miami to secure their first podium in 13 races.
Micah Wilkinson was also rewarded with PIF Pilot of the Day for his performance in Final 2.
Hosted at the world-renowned Yacht Club de Monaco, the Championship’s third visit to the Principality once again transformed Port Hercule into one of the world’s most spectacular sporting venues.
E1 now heads to its first foray in Southern Africa for the E1 Luanda GP 2026, Angola, on September 12 to 13.
“Huge congratulations to everyone at Team Drogba on securing a remarkably assured maiden victory here in Monaco. We leave with a new Championship leader in Team Brady, with Will Smith’s team in close contention.
“The Principality once again delivered an extraordinary weekend of thrilling on-water action to reinforce our belief that E1 is creating a new chapter in global motorsport. We now head to Angola, Africa, for the next round as the Championship battle intensifies,” the chief executive of E1, Mr Jamie Copas, said.
By Dipo Olowookere
Spain put one past Argentina to clinch their second FIFA World Cup trophy in New Jersey, USA, on Sunday night.
Ferran Torres put the only goal of the match in the back of the South American’s net in the 106th minute after both teams could not settle scores in normal time.
The Argentines, led by Lionel Scaloni, were reduced to 10 men in added time of the second half after Enzo Fernández got his second yellow card for a tackle on Spain’s Pau Cubarsí.
Lionel Messi could not inspire his team to victory in the final watched by the President of the United States, Mr Donald Trump, as the Europeans dominated the match, with Argentina not having a shot on or off target before the extra time.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup champions only managed to show signs of pressing after the winners of the 2010 edition in South Africa scored a minute after the resumption of the second half of the extra 30 minutes.
The win by Luis de la Fuente’s men left Lionel Messi teary after the match. This could be his last World Cup as he turned 39 this year.
The next FIFA World Cup in 2030 goes to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. This year’s edition was hosted by the trio of the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The Mundial kicked off on June 20, 2026, and ended on July 19, 2026, with 48 teams participating, more than the usual 32 teams of the previous editions.
On July 23, Nigeria’s main grassroots tournament kicks off: players from the top 100 teams across five divisions of Lagos will compete for the championship title, a generous prize pool, the prestige of their home communities, and their dream of signing their first contract with a professional club.
1xCup has helped many talented players make a name for themselves. Thanks to their standout performances at the tournament, more than 30 footballers have earned spots on professional teams in Nigeria, Bulgaria, Norway, Albania, North Macedonia, and many other countries.
1xCup top success stories
From their debuts in the NPFL and second-tier European leagues to call-ups to the Nigeria national team, the stories of 1xCup graduate players could easily serve as the script for a new Hollywood sports drama. Defensive midfielder Adeoye Aderemi Jacob was named one of the top breakout stars of the 1xCup 2025. His dedication and energy helped the Naths Boys reach the tournament’s final four and caught the attention of Ikorodu City scouts. Adeoye Aderemi Jacob quickly adapted to the professional level and even earned a call-up to the Nigeria national team for friendly matches against Zimbabwe and Jamaica as part of their preparations for the.
Several 1xCup graduates have built successful careers in Europe. Martins Idowu plays in Serbia, Peter Ahisu in Bulgaria, and Okere Ebube in North Macedonia. Lawani Clinton, Bada Moses, and Raheem Ibrahim Ogede have continued their football careers with professional clubs in Nigeria. Meanwhile, Nwana Okechukwu and Kayode Akinyemi are representing their homeland in the Egyptian and Beninese leagues.
The 1xCup 2026 will continue this mission. Starting with the knockout stage, scouts from professional clubs will be in attendance at the tournament’s matches. This means that every participant will have a chance to prove themselves, get noticed by experts, and perhaps write a new chapter in their football history.
1xCup 2026 is open to everyone
Nigeria’s most prestigious grassroots tournament has helped football talent shine and demonstrated that our country is capable of organizing large-scale sports events. The list of participants in the qualification was made publicly available, and every fan can follow the match results and the standings on the official 1xCup Instagram page.
The tournament’s matches are drawing huge interest from viewers, so the organizers have expanded their media coverage. The 1xCup Podcast is set to launch very soon, featuring well-known figures from Nigeria’s football community who will discuss the main storylines and standout players of the fourth season, as well as share exclusive insights with fans.
Watch from the front row as the next generation of football stars is born, and follow the action from the grassroots tournament on the official 1xcup.ng website or on the project’s Instagram page.
