La présidence sud-africaine a affirmé, jeudi 26 mars 2026 à l'Agence France-Presse (AFP), que le président Cyril Ramaphosa n'était plus invité par la France à participer au sommet du G7 qui doit se tenir du 15 au 17 juin à Évian, en raison de pressions américaines. « On nous dit que les Américains ont menacé de boycotter le sommet du G7 si l'Afrique du Sud était invitée », a déclaré le porte-parole de la présidence sud-africaine, Vincent Magwenya.

The FIFA Series 2026 is a multi–nation tournament initiative introduced by FIFA to create more opportunities for national teams – particularly those outside traditional football powerhouses – to compete internationally.

Designed as an invitational tournament, the FIFA Series 2026 brings together national teams from different continental confederations for a series of friendly matches aimed at boosting international exposure, competitiveness, and development across the game.

Unlike major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, the FIFA Series is not about qualification or trophies alone. Instead, it focuses on:

• Increasing the number of international matches
• Enhancing global competitiveness
• Providing exposure to emerging football nations
• Encouraging cross–continental matchups

How the Tournament Works

The FIFA Series 2026 is structured around multiple host nations, each staging mini-tournaments involving teams from different regions of the world.

Each host country organizes a group of invited national teams, creating a unique blend of styles, cultures, and tactical approaches.

Format:

• Each group is a mini four-team tournament
• Semi-finals → Third-place playoff → Final
• Matches are international friendlies but played in a competitive tournament structure

Men’s Tournament Hosts

The men’s competition will be hosted across several countries, including:

• Australia
• Azerbaijan
• Indonesia
• Kazakhstan
• New Zealand
• Puerto Rico
• Rwanda (two groups)
• Uzbekistan

This decentralized format ensures that football development is spread across multiple regions, rather than concentrated in a single host nation.

FIFA Series 2026 – Rwanda (Kigali)

Rwanda is the only host nation staging two groups in this edition.

Teams

Group A (Amahoro Stadium)

• Rwanda (hosts)
• Kenya
• Estonia
• Grenada

Group B (Kigali Pelé Stadium)

• Aruba
• Liechtenstein
• Macau
• Tanzania

Fixtures & Schedule

Group B – Kigali Pelé Stadium (March 26)

Opening matches:

• Aruba vs Macau — 13:30
• Tanzania vs Liechtenstein — 16:30

Final day (March 30):

• Third-place match — 15:00
• Final — 18:00

Group A – Amahoro Stadium (March 27)

Semi-finals:

• Kenya vs Estonia — 18:00
• Rwanda vs Grenada — 21:00

Final day (March 30):

• Third-place match — 18:00
• Final — 21:00

Focus on Women’s Football

One of the standout features of the FIFA Series 2026 is its strong emphasis on the women’s game.

Women’s Tournament Hosts

The women’s competition will be staged in:

• Brazil
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Kenya
• Thailand

For Harambee Starlets, Kenya’s national women’s team, hosting the tournament presents a major opportunity to compete against international opposition while showcasing the country’s growing football infrastructure.

Kenya’s Role in FIFA Series 2026

Kenya’s inclusion as a host nation underscores its rising profile in international football.

Matches will be staged at Nyayo National Stadium, where the Harambee Starlets will face teams such as Australia, India, and Malawi.

For Kenya, the tournament represents more than just football – it is a platform to:

• Showcase local talent
• Strengthen football infrastructure
• Attract global attention
• Inspire the next generation of players

The FIFA Series 2026 reflects a broader shift in how international football is structured – moving toward inclusivity, development, and global balance.

By bringing together nations that rarely meet on the pitch, FIFA is not just organizing matches – it is building connections, raising standards, and expanding the game’s global footprint.

For Africa, and particularly Kenya, this is a moment to step onto the world stage and prove its readiness to compete, host, and grow.

As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on how teams adapt, compete, and seize this unique opportunity in what could become a regular fixture in the international football calendar.

The post FIFA Series 2026 explained: What you need to know about the new tournament in Kenya and Rwanda appeared first on SportsAfrica - Sports news | Live scores | Match highlights | Betting tips.

Les affiches des finales des barrages de la zone Europe pour la Coupe du Monde 2026 sont désormais officielles. Quatre rencontres décisives attendent les amateurs de football, avec à la clé une qualification directe pour le Mondial. Bosnie-Herzégovine sera l’adversaire de l’Italie. La Bosnie-Herzégovine affrontera l’Italie dans une confrontation qui s’annonce explosive. Les Italiens, habitués des grandes compétitions, devront se méfier d’une équipe bosnienne déterminée à créer l’exploit. Dans les autres rencontres, la Suède sera opposée à la Pologne dans un duel équilibré entre deux nations solides. Le Kosovo, de son côté, défiera la Turquie, tandis que la République tchèque croisera le Danemark pour une affiche très disputée. Ces finales de barrages s’annoncent palpitantes, avec un enjeu unique qui est une place pour la Coupe du Monde 2026. Les affiches de la finale des barrages de la Coupe du Monde 2026 en Europe : Suède vs Pologne Bosnie-Herzégovine vs Italie Kosovo vs Turquie République Tchèque vs Danemark

L’article Barrages Coupe du Monde 2026 : Les affiches des finales connues est apparu en premier sur AfricaFootUnited.

This past weekend, Siya Kolisi was set to earn his 50th cap for the Sharks, but ultimately the Springbok captain had to be withdrawn from the team that went on to secure a big win over Munster.

It has since been confirmed that the flanker has suffered a calf injury that is causing him some issues, and which will see him this Friday’s clash against Cardiff.

What makes it tricky is the fact that the exact extent of the injury is still not clear, with Sharks coach JP Pietersen admitting that there are good days and then bad days.

“He’s got a calf problem. He won’t be ready for next week, but we’ll see how it goes week by week. He feels good, but then some days he doesn’t feel so good. I don’t know what kind of calf injury it is, but we’ll look at it week by week and see how it goes.”

Sharks will hope to have Siya Kolisi back for key part of the season

The Sharks head into an important clash against Cardiff this weekend as the team look to continue their march towards a Top 8 finish in the URC, while they will hope to also go far as possible in the Challenge Cup.

With this in mind, the medical staff will be working tirelessly behind the scenes to get Kolisi back up and running, while the Sharks will also soon be boosted by the return of Eben Etzebeth as he will come to the end of his lengthy ban after this Friday.

In the URC, the Sharks are 11th on the log with five rounds of the group stage remaining, and they will be looking to build on the momentum from last weekend’s impressive win over Munster.

“We know it’s going to be a pressure game (against Cardiff),” Pietersen commented. “There’s going to be a kicking battle and there’s going to be pressure, so we’ll need to keep our discipline.

“And because of the kicking game, it’s going to come down to the set piece because we know there are going to be knock ons, which means scrums. So we’ve got to be good at the set-piece too.”

Latest team selection

Sharks – 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Yaw Penxe, 13 Ethan Hooker, 12 André Esterhuizen (c), 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Jordan Hendrikse, 9 Bradley Davids, 8 Nick Hatton, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Phepsi Buthelezi, 5 Emile van Heerden, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Hanro Jacobs, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Phatu Ganyane.
Substitutes: 16 Eduan Swart, 17 Ox Nché, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Corné Rahl, 20 Jannes Potgieter, 21 Jaden Hendrikse/Ross Braude, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Le Roux Malan.

MADRID, Spain, March 26, 2026 – Manchester City midfielder Rodri does not believe being a former Atletico Madrid player rules him out of joining Real Madrid and has said “you can’t turn down the best clubs in the world”.

The 29-year-old Spain midfielder, who has made 293 appearances for City since joining from La Liga club Atletico in 2019, will be out of contract next summer.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner says he “needs to sit down and talk” with City but added he would one day “like to come back” to Spain.

Despite making 47 appearances for Atletico, Rodri said he would consider joining city rivals Real.

“There have been many players who’ve gone down that path,” Rodri told Spanish media.

“Not immediately, but over time. For me, you can’t turn down the best clubs in the world.”

Players who have featured for both Real and Atletico include Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Spain forward Alvaro Morata – both of whom played for Chelsea between their spells at the Madrid clubs.

Rodri has won 12 major trophies with Pep Guardiola’s side, including four Premier League titles and one Champions League.

He has featured in 18 Premier League games this season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in 2024.

When asked what he thought of Real president Florentino Perez’s reported admiration for him as a footballer, Rodri replied: “I don’t know – they don’t talk to me directly. They’d talk to my agent.”

Rodri has been named in Luis de la Fuente’s Spain squad for upcoming friendlies against Serbia and Egypt as he targets a spot for this summer’s World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada.

Rodri has made 59 appearances for his country and won the European Championships in 2024 and the Nations League the year before.

The post Rodri open to Real Madrid move despite Atletico past appeared first on Capital Sports.