Category: Entertainment

Nigeria’s Enyimba and Remo Stars are among the clubs set to receive financial rewards from FIFA for their players’ participation in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The global football governing body has allocated $355 million as compensation for clubs that released players for the qualification matches.

This marks the first time such a benefit program is being extended to cover the entire qualifying series. Each club is entitled to a minimum of $2,360 per player involved.

Remo Stars contributed four players to the qualifying campaign, which ran from November 2023 to October 2025. Among them were Benin Republic goalkeeper Adebiyi Obassa, who featured in eight matches; Kayode Bankole and Sodiq Ismaila, both involved in two games; and Togolese striker Franck Mawuena, who played three times.

Enyimba, meanwhile, provided goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo for two matches. The financial windfall from FIFA means Remo Stars could receive approximately $35,400, while Enyimba may take home around $4,720.

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has voiced strong criticism of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad selection for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, specifically targeting Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke. The Dutch legend believes both Arsenal players are undeserving of their spots and has proposed a clear alternative.

Speaking to Aceodds.com, Van der Vaart did not hold back his opinions. ‘Looking at the squad, I see Eze and Madueke as overvalued. Madueke isn’t even a regular starter for Arsenal, and Eze only gets occasional minutes. They benefit from Arsenal’s overall strength, but individually, they don’t justify their inclusion,’ he stated.

The statistics this season show Eze started 36 of 52 matches for the Gunners, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists. Madueke, meanwhile, netted eight goals and assisted four times in 43 appearances, with 27 starts. Despite these numbers, Van der Vaart remains unimpressed.

He reserved his highest praise for Cole Palmer, who was surprisingly omitted from England’s roster. ‘Palmer is a phenomenal talent. Even in the Netherlands, we constantly talk about his potential. He always delivers for Chelsea, so when I see the squad, I ask: Why isn’t he there? It’s simply baffling to me,’ Van der Vaart remarked.

Palmer recorded 11 goals and three assists in 34 outings for Chelsea last season, though he has only two goals and one assist in 14 England appearances. The 2026 World Cup will proceed without him, a decision Van der Vaart finds incomprehensible.

Van der Vaart acknowledged Madueke’s talent from his PSV days but noted that this season hasn’t been kind to either player. ‘They’ve contributed some, but not enough to be automatic picks for a World Cup squad,’ he concluded.

Bendel Insurance have secured the long-term future of their promising forward Alex Oweilayefa with a fresh three-year deal. The contract will keep the teenager at the club through the 2029 season, ending any uncertainty about his next move.

The Benin Arsenal announced the extension on Wednesday, locking down one of their most productive attackers. At just 19, Oweilayefa has already established himself as a key figure in the squad.

Last term in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), the young striker delivered an impressive return of 10 goals across 21 appearances. His performances caught the eye of several clubs, but Insurance moved swiftly to retain his services.

By signing this new pact, the club has effectively silenced transfer rumors that had been swirling around the player. Management views him as a cornerstone for future campaigns.

Now, attention turns to the upcoming season. Bendel Insurance will reconvene for pre-season training on July 5 after a three-week break. Oweilayefa is expected to play a central role as the team prepares for the challenges ahead.

Arsene Wenger, the legendary former Arsenal manager, has boldly predicted that France will secure the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy. The French national team, who have previously lifted the World Cup in 1998 and 2018, are considered the strongest contenders for the upcoming tournament. Wenger believes their attacking firepower and experienced coach Didier Deschamps give them a clear edge over other nations.

France has a remarkable record in recent World Cups, having reached the final in four of the last seven editions, including runner-up finishes in 2006 and 2022. Despite their defeat to Argentina in the last final, Wenger is confident that Les Bleus have what it takes to go all the way this time. He stated: “I believe they are superior to everyone else. The squad is packed with talent, and Deschamps knows how to handle high-pressure situations. We have many attackers, which might create some imbalance, but modern forwards understand their defensive duties. If you’re level with France with 20 minutes left, you’re likely to lose because their power is decisive.”

Wenger also singled out Kylian Mbappe, arguing that the star has been unfairly criticized during his first season at Real Madrid. He commented: “All eyes are on Kylian Mbappe. I’m certain he’ll have an exceptional World Cup. He has faced unjust criticism this season. He joined a Real Madrid side that, frankly, is mediocre compared to previous years. They now have only three or four world-class players, whereas before they had ten. In football, there’s always a scapegoat, and he has become that at Madrid.”

France are drawn in Group I for the World Cup, where they will face Senegal, Norway, and Iraq. They kick off their campaign against Senegal on June 16. Given their depth and pedigree, they are expected to top the group and make a deep run in the tournament.

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has weighed in on the uncertain futures of Chelsea forwards Alejandro Garnacho and Liam Delap. Murphy believes that Garnacho is the most likely to depart Stamford Bridge this summer, citing the Argentine’s struggles to adapt and a lack of connection with the club’s supporters.

Garnacho joined Chelsea from Manchester United, while Delap arrived from Ipswich Town. However, according to Murphy, only Joao Pedro has truly impressed in Chelsea’s front line. ‘I think Alejandro Garnacho has struggled, and the fans have not taken to him. If you look at their front line, it’s only really Joao Pedro who has done well,’ Murphy told Metro.

Murphy emphasized that new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is likely to give Delap another opportunity. ‘Delap brings some characteristics that Chelsea don’t have. He is different from Joao Pedro, so I think Xabi Alonso will give him a crack,’ Murphy added. The former Liverpool star suggested that while both players could potentially leave, Garnacho’s departure seems more probable given his lack of impact.

Just one day before the 2026 World Cup is set to begin, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has addressed growing concerns over visa issues affecting participants. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Infantino made it clear that while FIFA strives to resolve such challenges, the organization is not all-powerful when it comes to government policies.

Infantino stated, ‘We constantly seek solutions, but we must understand that we are not rulers of the world who can dictate to governments and law enforcement. We are merely a sports body.’ The remarks come after incidents where Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry at the US border and several members of the Iranian team’s support staff faced visa rejections. These events sparked questions about whether FIFA had ‘lost control of the tournament.’

The tournament officially kicks off on Thursday, with co-host Mexico facing South Africa in the opening match. Infantino’s comments aim to clarify the limits of FIFA’s authority over immigration and security matters in the host nation.

Emmanuel Petit, the former Chelsea midfielder, has pointed to Enzo Fernandez as the player most likely to depart Stamford Bridge this summer, following the appointment of Xabi Alonso as head coach.

According to Petit, the Argentine World Cup winner has grown disillusioned with life at Chelsea and should be allowed to leave. “Enzo Fernandez needs to go. You cannot keep a player content if he wants out,” Petit told BetVictor.

He added: “The midfielder has openly stated his desire to leave and was fined by the club as a result. It’s obvious he’s had enough. We’re not blind. I believe he is sick and tired of the turmoil at Chelsea. This season has been a disaster. Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid are monitoring him. They urgently need to reinforce their midfield. I wouldn’t be shocked if he ends up at Real Madrid or another club.”

In a closely contested friendly encounter on Wednesday evening, the Super Eagles of Nigeria fell to a 2-1 loss against Portugal. The Nigerian squad aimed to pull off a surprising victory against the Portuguese team, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, especially after their 2-2 draw with Poland the previous week.

However, the former European champions struck first, with Pedro Neto finding space inside the penalty area to slot the ball home. Nigeria managed to level the score before halftime through a strong solo run and finish by Akor Adams.

As the match appeared destined for a draw, Francisco Conceicao made the difference by cutting inside and curling a superb shot into the net to secure the win for Portugal.

Portugal’s next fixture is their opening match of the 2026 World Cup against DR Congo, scheduled for next Wednesday.

During the latest episode of the BBNaija reunion, former housemate Victory stood his ground on his romantic choices last season. He argued that it is perfectly normal to have feelings for multiple people simultaneously, specifically mentioning his attraction to Sultana, Joanna, and Gigi Jasmine.

Reflecting on his time in the house, Victory stated that he saw nothing wrong with wanting to date all three women. According to him, this is not a big issue. He also insisted that he had informed Gigi about his interest in the other two ladies, but Gigi quickly denied this claim, saying he never mentioned it.

Joanna, one of the women involved, confirmed that Victory indeed expressed romantic interest in her, but she made it clear that she was not interested in taking their relationship beyond friendship.

The reunion episode, which aired on Tuesday, has sparked conversations among fans about relationships and boundaries. Victory’s comments have divided opinions, with some supporting his honesty and others criticizing his approach.

During the latest BBNaija reunion episode, plus-sized model Sultana Ibrahim Auduson shared details about a marriage proposal from fellow housemate Victory while they were still in the house. She stated that Victory expressed intentions to wed her after the show concluded.

However, Sultana turned down the offer, explaining that she wasn’t romantically inclined toward him. Victory quickly dismissed the seriousness of his own words, labeling them as a joke and questioning how he could actually marry her.

Despite his dismissal, Victory admitted to having feelings not only for Sultana but also for two other female housemates, Joanna and Gigi Jasmine. He revealed that he wished to date all three simultaneously, which sparked further conversation during the reunion.