Iran and Egypt have jointly raised objections to plans by local organisers in the United States to brand their 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage clash as an LGBTQ-themed “Pride Match.”

The match, scheduled to take place in Seattle, Washington, on June 26, was earlier announced by the local organising committee as part of the city’s annual Pride Weekend celebrations.

However, following last week’s World Cup draw that placed both nations in the same group, officials in Tehran and Cairo have formally rejected any attempt to associate the fixture with LGBTQ support activities.

President of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, told Iran’s ISNA news agency that both countries had lodged objections, describing the planned branding as an “irrational move that supports a certain group.” Iranian state television also reported that Tehran intends to submit an appeal to FIFA.

Homosexuality is criminalised in Iran under Islamic law. In Egypt, while not explicitly outlawed, same-sex relations are frequently prosecuted under laws relating to “debauchery.”

In a separate statement, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) said it had written to FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom, rejecting “in absolute terms” any activities linked to LGBTQ advocacy during the match. The EFA argued that such initiatives conflict with the “cultural, religious and social values” of both nations and insisted the event should remain strictly focused on football.

The Egyptian federation also referenced FIFA’s statutes on political and social neutrality, saying matches should not be used to promote causes deemed sensitive or divisive.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico will mark Iran’s seventh appearance at the tournament. The country has no diplomatic relations with the United States, a rift that dates back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the subsequent hostage crisis.

Iran had initially threatened to boycott the tournament draw due to visa restrictions affecting members of its delegation, before later reversing the decision.

Meanwhile, Taj disclosed that some Iranian players could face visa complications linked to their military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), which the U.S. designated a terrorist organisation in 2019. He said contingency plans were being made to ensure the team can field replacements if needed.

AFP

Key stakeholders in Nigerian volleyball have renewed calls for stronger involvement of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) in the Nigeria University Games Association (NUGA), as the 27th edition concluded in Jos.

Although the volleyball event was not on the NVBF’s official calendar, senior officials of the federation, including Technical Director Timothy Samuel, were on ground to assess proceedings. Samuel commended the organisation but noted that earlier engagement with the federation could have strengthened the technical quality of the competition.

NVBF North Central Zonal Representative, Bolcit Barshep-Amakiri, acknowledged logistical constraints but said the standard of play remained encouraging. She regretted the absence of national coaches, noting that several emerging talents went unscouted because the federation was not formally integrated into the process.

National Beach Volleyball Coach, John Iwerima, stressed that the federation has historically supported NUGA, citing past editions where equipment and technical backing were provided. He praised the atmosphere at the Naraguta Campus venue and urged stakeholders to build on the momentum ahead of Calabar 2026.

Chairman of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Sports Council, Prof. Dereck Orji, described volleyball as one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising sports and called for university competitions to be upgraded to national standards. He emphasised the need for early talent recruitment and sustained private-sector involvement.

Nasarawa State University won gold in the men’s event, while Bayero University Kano clinched the women’s title.

The Enugu Sports Club has appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to intervene urgently in the ongoing encroachment on its land, particularly around the Golf Course.

The club’s new Executive Chairman, Chief Ifeanyi Nweke, made the appeal shortly after the inauguration of a 23-member executive committee at the club’s auditorium in Enugu.

Nweke lamented that the unauthorised activities on the club’s land were causing disputes and threatening the integrity of its property. He urged the state government to help safeguard the club’s assets and support its infrastructural projects.

He further sought the governor’s assistance in completing the club’s abandoned hotel project, providing an ambulance for emergency response, and installing solar energy systems to cut power costs. The chairman also appealed for a ₦10 million donation to furnish the club’s staff quarters.

Commending Governor Mbah’s efforts to host the forthcoming National Sports Festival, Nweke requested government support to upgrade the club’s facilities to international standards for the events assigned to it.

He praised Mbah’s transformational agenda, describing his leadership as “inspirational” and focused on making Enugu a model for rapid development.

Chairman of the occasion and former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, lauded Nweke’s proactive leadership and urged members to rally behind him. He also called for the revival of the club’s children’s section with more educational and cultural activities.

Governor Mbah, represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dame Ugochi Madueke, commended the club’s unity and progress, assuring continued government support.

Highlights of the ceremony included the swearing-in of new executives and presentation of Awards of Excellence to distinguished personalities.

Forty-eight years after the Federal Government shortchanged Enugu Rangers, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has finally stepped in to right the wrong.

At an emotional ceremony in Enugu on Wednesday, the apex Igbo body paid each surviving member of the 1977 African Winners Cup–winning squad ₦1 million, fulfilling a pledge the Federal Government never redeemed.

In 1977, when Rangers conquered Africa, the government rewarded them with ₦25,000, half of what Shooting Stars of Ibadan received for the same feat a year earlier.

The disparity sparked outrage across the Southeast, seen as another slight against Ndigbo in the post-war years.

Decades later, Ohanaeze says it could no longer wait for justice.

“This was a debt owed by the Federal Government, but it is the Igbo nation that has redeemed it,” declared Ohanaeze President General, Senator John Azuta Mbata.

“If the government forgot, the Igbo did not. Rangers gave us hope when we had nothing after the war.”

The event drew emotional scenes as football legends Emmanuel Okala, Dominic Nwobodo, and other surviving heroes received their cheques. Families of late players, including Coach Christian Chukwu, also got payments.

“Many of our teammates didn’t live to see this day,” Okala said tearfully.
“Since 1977, we’ve waited. This gesture means the world to us.”

For Ohanaeze, the gesture goes beyond money, it’s about memory, dignity, and the enduring Igbo spirit.

“Rangers were more than a team,” Mbata added.

“They were a symbol of resilience — proof that from the ashes, we could rise again.”

Justine Madugu and Bankole Olowookere have been nominated for the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year award for 2025.

Madugu masterminded the Super Falcons’ triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. The Super Falcons won a record-extending 10th title at the competition after rallying to beat the host nation 3-2 in the final. Madugu was also nominated for the Women’s Coach of the Year in the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

Flamingos head coach, Bankole Olowookere, is also in the running for the award. Olowookere will be hoping to guide the Flamingos to their first-ever title at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco this month. Nigeria will face Canada in their opening fixture of the competition on Sunday.

Flamingos captain Shakirat Moshood is in the running for the Women’s Young Player of the Year award.

The Super Falcons and the Flamingos are among the nominees for the Women’s National Team of the Year.

Five African countries have so far confirmed their places at the 2026 World Cup.

Ghana became the latest team to qualify for next year’s tournament.

Otto Addo’s men beat Comoros 1-0 at home to finish top of Group I.

Tottenham Hotspur winger, Mohammed Kudus, scored the decisive goal in the second half of the match.

The Black Stars finished ahead of Madagascar and Mali in second and third positions, respectively.

They will now be making their fifth appearance at the World Cup, after featuring in the 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022 editions.

Other African nations that have qualified for the 2026 edition include Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria

Arsenal winger, Bukayo Saka, has opened up on taking a penalty in their 2-0 win over West Ham and not giving it to Viktor Gyokeres.

Gyokeres has already taken a spot-kick this season in the win against Leeds United.

However, when Jurrien Timber was fouled inside the area against the Hammers, Saka grabbed the ball and eventually doubled the Gunners’ lead.

Declan Rice had opened the scoring for Arsenal as they went top of the Premier League table.

Saka was Arsenal’s first-choice penalty taker last season, but also passed the responsibility around with the likes of Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz.

When asked when there was any doubt who was taking in the penalty against West Ham game, Saka said: “No, when I grabbed the ball I wanted to take it, so that’s what my thoughts were at that moment. Erm, we’ll keep our conversations in the house for now, I won’t say much more!

“I think Viktor’s playing really, really well. There’s no doubt he’s going to score goals. What he’s bringing to this team, us as his teammates, we’re so grateful for what he does, how he holds the ball, how he makes the runs, the threat he gives us.

“He’s a big part of the reason why we’re winning these games. His goals will come. We know that, we believe that and we believe in him. I don’t think there’s any doubts. He’s still up, he’s still happy and he’s still giving his best every game.”