SOCCER

RONALDO CLEARED TO PLAY IN WORLD CUO OPENER DESPITE RED CARD

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Cristiano Ronaldo will be eligible to play for Portugal in their opening match at next summer's World Cup despite receiving a red card in their recent qualifying game against the Republic of Ireland.

BRIGHTON MIDFIELDER CARLOS BALEBA OPEN TO MANCHESTER UNITED SWITCH

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Carlos Baleba has shifted his stance and is more open to joining Manchester United than he was in the summer – but the timing is not ideal for the Brighton midfielder.

TOP SEEDS TO BE KEPT APART IN FIFA WORLD CUP DRAW

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For the first time in World Cup history, the top four seeded countries will not be able to meet each other until the semi-finals of the tournament. FIFA has announced that Spain, the first seed, and Argentina, the second, will be paired and placed into groups in opposite halves of the draw. France, seeded third, and England, fourth, will also be paired. This arrangement ensures that England will not face Spain or Argentina until the semi-finals and will not meet France until the final, provided all four countries win their respective groups.

FRANCE SECURES WORLD CUP PLACE WITH DOMINANT WIN

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France demonstrated its characteristic strength in international qualifiers with a decisive four nil victory over Ukraine, securing its place in an eighth consecutive World Cup. The match, held on the somber anniversary of the Paris attacks that claimed one hundred thirty lives, carried emotional weight for both players and spectators. Under the guidance of coach Didier Deschamps, who will conclude his tenure after next year's finals, the team extended its remarkable run of remaining unbeaten in qualification matches since 2019.

CURACAO MAKES HISTORY AS THE SMALLEST NATION EVER TO QUALIFY FOR A WORLD CUP

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Curacao has pulled off one of the most remarkable achievements in international football. The small Caribbean island has become the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup after a tense goalless draw with Jamaica in Kingston. It is a milestone built on belief, steady progress, and a team that refused to step back even when the odds leaned heavily against them.

RONALDO SAYS 2026 WORLD CUP WILL ‘DEFINITELY’ BE HIS LAST

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In an interview with CNN's Becky Anderson on Tuesday, Portugal's legendary forward Cristiano Ronaldo shared that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will "definitely" be his swansong. "I will be 41 years old and I think this will be the moment in the big competition," Ronaldo said. The all-time leading international goalscorer also reflected on his full retirement, stating, "I’m enjoying the moment, but when I mean soon, it’s really soon because I gave everything for football.”

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN’S ACHRAF HAKIMI WINS PLAYER OF THE YEAR AT CAF AWARDS 2025

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Paris Saint-Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi claimed the CAF Men’s Player of the Year award, ending a 52-year wait for a defender to take the title, at the ceremony in the Moroccan capital Rabat on Wednesday.

CASEMIRO FUTURE UP IN THE AIR AS MANCHESTER UNITED WEIGH UP NEW CONTRACT OFFER

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Manchester United are taking their time over Casemiro’s next contract proposal. The Brazilian midfielder has been in good form this season, but his deal at Old Trafford is set to expire at the end of the season.