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FIFA Unveils Record $727 Million World Cup Fund As Winners Set For $50 Million Payday
FIFA has confirmed a historic financial package of $727 million for the 2026 World Cup, marking the biggest investment in the tournament’s history.
The decision was taken on December 17 when the FIFA Council met in Doha ahead of the Intercontinental Cup finals. Officials also discussed broader issues around the development and governance of youth football.
Following the positive momentum generated by the World Cup finals draw in Washington, D.C. on December 5, 2025, the council approved the unprecedented financial contribution in support of the expanded 48-team tournament.
Of the total sum, $655 million will be distributed as prize money, representing a 50 per cent increase on the previous edition.
The champions of the 2026 World Cup will walk away with $50 million, while the runners-up will earn $33 million.
Teams finishing third and fourth will receive $29 million and $27 million respectively. Those placed between fifth and eighth will collect $19 million, with sides ranked ninth to sixteenth earning $15 million.
Teams finishing from seventeenth to thirty-second will be paid $11 million, while those exiting in positions thirty-third to forty-eighth will still receive $9 million.
Beyond performance-related rewards, every participating nation will be handed $1.5 million in preparation costs.
This ensures that all member associations taking part are guaranteed a minimum of $10.5 million from the competition.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the new figures reflect the organisation’s commitment to reinvesting World Cup revenues into the sport worldwide.
Moses Simon has lamented Benjamin Fredrick’s absence for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, reports Compleresports.com.
Fredrick sustained a knee injury in training with his Belgian club Dender last month.
The former Flying Eagles defender will only return to action in the new year.
The 20-year-old has established himself as a key player for the Super Eagles since making his debut against Jamaica in May.
Read Also:Friendly: Onuachu Reflects On Super Eagles’ Defeat To Egypt
Simon, who runs the Simoiben Academy, which discovered, developed and mentored Fredrick said it’s disappointing the player won’t be in Morocco.
“It is very emotional for me,” Simon told ESPN.
“It is an unbelievable big dream to play with the young one you helped to the top. The feeling is something else. It is like a father and son playing alongside each other.
“It is a thing of joy for me. I’m proud of myself, I’m proud of what I’m doing and I’m proud of the people around that encourage me and assist me also. But I am sad that he will not be here. Not because I just want us to play together, but because he will help us if he was here.”
By Adeboye Amosu
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Chelsea Confidential: How club chiefs were blindsided by Enzo Maresca’s outburst, what it means for end-of-season review into his future, Moises Caicedo suspension latest and the youth star headed for the exit door
Chelsea did not see Enzo Maresca’s post-Everton outburst coming and even five days on, confusion still surrounds what prompted the 45-year-old Italian to say what he said.
By now you probably know it word for word, but as a reminder, Maresca claimed he had endured the ‘worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn’t support me and the team’.
Those comments, along with his refusal to clarify them, have left some at the club scratching their heads as to what he was trying to achieve.
When asked after Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win over Cardiff City whether he had spoken to any of his bosses, Maresca said he had not. However, Confidential understands he has spoken with members of Chelsea’s sporting directorship team since the Everton victory.
Paul Winstanley, Laurence Stewart, Joe Shields and Sam Jewell have been at Cobham as usual and were also in Cardiff on Tuesday, both at the team’s hotel base during the day and at the stadium on the night, which included a visit to the away changing room after full time.
It is assumed that Maresca can only have been referring to the club’s owners – Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, neither of whom are currently in the country – when he said he had not yet spoken with his superiors. Eghbali is a regular at games and hands on as an owner and so, eventually, will speak with Maresca in person.
Enzo Maresca delivered an extraordinary outburst in his post-Everton press conference, saying he had endured the ‘worst 48 hours since I joined the club’
The press conference theatrics aside, Maresca has been behaving normally, working diligently and preparing for the challenge of Newcastle in the Premier League
The press conference theatrics aside, Maresca is believed to have been behaving normally, still working diligently and coaching the squad daily and preparing the players for the challenge of Newcastle away in the Premier League.
Right now, Chelsea simply want to get back to normality after an abnormal week and for the focus to return to the football. As we approach the turn of the year, there remains plenty to play for.
They are fourth in the Premier League, still within touching distance of the Champions League’s top eight, and now into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup with the FA Cup to follow.
There is no desire to suddenly deviate from the original plan to see through this campaign with Maresca and then hold a collective review to assess their two seasons together. Only an extraordinary fallout would force the club into considering otherwise.
Even then, that summer review is not necessarily a case of deciding whether they should stick or twist with Maresca. It is considered more of an opportunity to look at where they can improve overall, what has worked over the last two years and what they could be doing better.
It is worth remembering this is Maresca’s first-ever second season as a head coach and the feeling is that he has done a fine job up to now, the odd blip hardly being seen as unacceptable when they are a young side getting to grips with playing three games per week.
NOT THE FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE FAUX PAS…
Chelsea higher-ups taking note of what is said in press conferences should hardly constitute surprising news. It would be more remarkable if they weren’t interested in what messages their head coach was sending out of the club.
Maresca has raised eyebrows with other remarks since arriving at Chelsea, which is perhaps inevitable given how much the modern-day manager speaks. For example, his suggestion that Liverpool might be ‘impossible to catch’ also took some by surprise when he made that prediction in September.
CAICEDO SUSPENDED, EFL CONFIRM
There was a little confusion as to whether Moises Caicedo would indeed be suspended for the first leg of the Carabao Cup’s semi-finals after his yellow card against Cardiff on Tuesday night.
Having checked with the EFL, Caicedo will infact miss that match. The cautions are not expunged until after the completion of the quarter-final stage, and Chelsea’s midfielder is now on two in this season’s competition, having also received a booking against Wolves.
Both cards were unnecessary. At Wolves, he complained too aggressively towards the referee. And at Cardiff, he sarcastically applauded the ref.
Moises Caicedo will be suspended for the first leg of the Carabao Cup’s semi-finals after his yellow card against Cardiff on Tuesday night
21-YEAR-OLD TO LEAVE IN JANUARY
Jimi Tauriainen is set to leave Chelsea in January with early interest already arriving from Europe, including clubs in Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands and Scandinavia.
The 21-year-old, born in Helsinki, Finland, is contracted until the summer of 2026. The Blues also have the option of an additional year as a safety net. Tauriainen made his Premier League debut for Chelsea against Tottenham in May 2024, but an ACL injury suffered two months later robbed the promising youngster of a year of his career.
He wrote on Instagram in July: ‘360 days. One knee injury. Countless hours of rehab, pain, doubt – but also belief, determination, and hope. Grateful to be finally back.’ Tauriainen has since been appearing for Chelsea’s development side.
FASHION POLICE TIME…
Right, it’s been a rather serious five days surrounding Chelsea, hasn’t it? So let’s have some fun to finish.
Maresca rocks a questionable skinny jean look as his Chelsea team take on Brentford in September
Seeing as there was the odd social media debate over how Maresca had suddenly stopped wearing his club tracksuit for a few games (Bournemouth, Atalanta and Everton) we can reveal it’s not the first time he’s gone for his own clobber!
Against Brentford and Manchester United, both in September, he ditched the club tracky.
For United he went for the black suit, black raincoat, black shoes look and against Brentford it was a cardigan coat, Nike trainers and a pair of questionable skinny jeans.
Confidential will keep an eye out for any more fashion faux pas!
Former Nigerian international Edward Weng has expressed confidence that the Super Eagles will do well at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations despite losing 2-1 to Egypt in a friendly encounter at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday.
The Pharaohs went ahead in the 27th minute when Mahmoud Saber finished from a low cross by Zizo. However, Nigeria responded before the interval, equalizing through Chidozie Awaziem after a goalkeeping error from Mohamed El Shenawy.
Egypt regained control early in the second half, with Mostafa Mohamed scoring decisively in the 53rd minute following a swift counter-attack.
Speaking with Footy-Africa, the former Nigeria U-23 star stated that he’s impressed with the performance of the players against Egypt and that the Super Eagles remain an African powerhouse.
Read Also:Friendly: Onuachu Reflects On Super Eagles’ Defeat To Egypt
“I’m not disturbed at all by the result. It’s a test match, and the players had barely settled into camp before the game. Despite the loss, it wasn’t a bad outing.
“The coach had to make do with available players and test new ones, which is good. I saw some encouraging passages of play.
“You can see players like Ademola Lookman are gradually regaining rhythm, and that young midfielder Nnadi really impressed me, he really impressed me. You wouldn’t think it was his first game. Chidera Ejuke also did well. Now, the boys must return to training, learn from this game, and prepare for what lies ahead.
“Nigeria has always been an African powerhouse. I believe this time won’t be any different.”
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Browns’ Devin Bush Jr. learns his fate after allegedly assaulting girlfriend during fight over mashed potatoes
Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush Jr. has been found not guilty of assault and harassment charges, according to online records.
The 27-year-old was arrested in May after an alleged dispute with his girlfriend over mashed potatoes at the couple’s Pittsburgh-area home. As reported by TribLive.com, the argument started over how Bush was moving mashed potatoes into a container in the couple’s kitchen.
Accuser Shkurte Leka, the mother of Bush’s 3-year-old daughter, claimed he assaulted her and took her car keys when she began videoing an argument between the two of them on her iPhone. She further claimed he chased her through their home and pinned her down on a table as he tried to take away her cell phone, which he smashed.
Leka claimed she suffered cuts on her right wrist and toe as a result of the incident. Bush denied any physical contact but did admit to smashing Leka’s phone.
He was found not guilty of simple assault or harassment by Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Bruce Beemer after prosecutors failed to prove his intent to harm or injure Leka.
‘The testimony elicited at trial indicated that the putative victim of the domestic violence was electronically and surreptitiously intercepting the oral communications of Devin Bush,’ defense attorney Robert Del Greco Jr. told the Daily Mail in an email on Wednesday.
Bush (left) was accused of assaulting the mother of his 3-year-old daughter (right)
Leka (pictured) claimed she suffered cuts on her right wrist and toe as a result of the incident
‘When Mr. Bush learned of this interception, he voiced his objection, but the interception continued,’ Del Greco continued. ‘Mr. Bush removed and broke his phone that was the mechanism of the electronic interception.
‘Judge Beemer ruled that because all parties agreed that the intent of Mr. Bush was to remove the phone and not to cause harm, the requisite element intent was not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt.’
Del Greco expressed relief when speaking to TribLive.com after the trial.
‘We are relieved and pleased with the verdict,’ he said. ‘I think Devin Bush testified cogently and convincingly regarding his abject lack of intent of harm or injure anyone,’ Del Greco told TribLive.com after the trial in Pittsburgh.
A first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019, the Michigan product also played in Seattle before arriving in Cleveland in 2024.
He has been a rare bright spot for the Browns this season, recording 93 total tackles and two interceptions for 3-11 Cleveland.
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Browns’ Devin Bush Jr. learns his fate after allegedly assaulting girlfriend during fight over mashed potatoes
Paul Onuachu has played down concerns following Nigeria’s 2-1 friendly defeat to Egypt, insisting confidence remains strong within the Super Eagles camp as preparations continue for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The Super Eagles went behind when Mahmoud Saber struck for Egypt, before Chidozie Awaziem drew Nigeria level shortly before the interval.
Egypt regained the advantage early in the second half through Mostafa Mohamed, a result that ended their nine-year wait for a win against Nigeria.
Despite the loss, Onuachu, who now plies his trade with Trabzonspor, was upbeat about both his personal display and the team’s overall performance.
“I felt good playing against them, especially knowing that I had scored against Egypt in the past,” Onuachu said. “I had a good feeling during the game, and you could see that in my performance.
“I played with a lot of confidence and focused on playing my game. Unfortunately, we lost and the goal didn’t come this time, but I still felt good on the pitch.
“I think both the team and I had a good game.”
The former Southampton forward was part of a Super Eagles side that used the friendly as their only warm-up fixture ahead of AFCON 2025.
Head coach Eric Chelle took the opportunity to assess new faces and experiment with tactical ideas.
Within the camp, there is little sense of panic. Nigeria created chances, showed flashes of cohesion and successfully blended fresh players into a new tactical approach, all of which have been viewed as positives despite the result.
The Super Eagles currently have 27 players in camp, strengthened by the arrival of Moses Simon, while Victor Osimhen is expected to link up with the squad as final preparations continue.
The Nationwide League One, NLO, has announced players registration guidelines ahead of the upcoming season.
The league body has urged clubs to remit a registration fee of ₦600,000 (six hundred thousand Naira) to its account in other to gain access to the NLO’s database.
The modalities is for clubs in the NLO Division One and the U-19 Youth League.
For the youth league clubs, submission of players’ primary school certificates is required.
The deadline for Division One club registration is set for Friday, 27 February, 2026.
The NLO board in collaboration with its Secretariat stated this on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the proactive move highlights the league body’s commitment to ensuring that preparations for the 2026 league are moving forward seamlessly.
The new season is set to kick-start on Friday, 10 April.
Paul Onuachu has said the Super Eagles deserved more from Tuesday night’s defeat to the Pharaohs of Egypt, reports Completesports.com.
Eric Chelle’s side lost 2-1 to their hosts in a pre-2025 Africa Cup of Nations friendly at the Cairo International Stadium.
Mahmoud Saber, and Mostafa Mohammed scored for Egypt in the game.
Read Also:Awaziem: Egypt Friendly Good Test For Super Eagles
Chidozie Awaziem scored Nigeria’s goal from a header late in the first half.
Onuachu, who made his Super Eagles debut against Egypt in 2019 reflected on the team’s performance.
“It feels good to play against Egypt, especially knowing that I scored my first goal for the Super Eagles against them years ago,” Onuachu told the Super Eagles media.
“I felt confident and comfortable during the game and thought I played well, but unfortunately, we lost. Still, as a team, we had a good performance.”
By Adeboye Amosu
Chelsea booked their place in the EFL Cup semi-finals after a hard-fought 3–1 victory over League One leaders Cardiff City at a raucous Cardiff City Stadium, with second-half substitutes making the decisive impact in an absorbing quarter-final clash.
Roared on by a fervent capacity crowd, Cardiff matched their Premier League opponents stride for stride for long spells and produced an impressive, fearless display, particularly in a goalless first half that showcased their discipline both in and out of possession.
Maresca Rings the Changes After ‘Worst 48 Hours’
Chelsea head coach, Enzo Maresca made 11 changes from Saturday’s Premier League win over Everton, a match overshadowed by his post-game admission that the previous 48 hours had been the “worst” of his time at the club.
Despite the wholesale rotation, Maresca was still able to field a strong side, recalling £100m midfielder Moisés Caicedo, while the substitutes’ bench alone was estimated to be worth close to £400m.
However, Chelsea struggled to impose themselves in a subdued first half, doing little to ease the Italian’s frustration after an underwhelming opening 45 minutes.
Substitutes Turn the Tide
Unimpressed by his side’s display, Maresca made two half-time substitutions, introducing Alejandro Garnacho and João Pedro, who immediately changed the tone of the contest.
Garnacho quickly injected pace and purpose, forcing Cardiff goalkeeper Nathan Trott into a fine save before eventually breaking the deadlock.
Chelsea took the lead when Cardiff centre-back Dylan Lawlor gave possession away, allowing Facundo Buonanotte to slide a pass through for Garnacho, who finished clinically to put the visitors ahead.
Cardiff Hit Back as Stadium Erupts
Rather than folding, Brian Barry-Murphy’s side responded with belief and intensity.
Their pressure was rewarded when Perry Ng delivered a delightful left-footed cross from the right, which David Turnbull met with a superb diving header to equalise.
The goal sparked deafening celebrations inside the stadium and briefly raised hopes of another famous cup upset for Cardiff, who had already eliminated Burnley and Wrexham earlier in the competition.
Neto Restores Chelsea’s Lead
The hosts’ joy was short-lived. Another Chelsea substitute, Pedro Neto, restored the visitors’ lead with a firm low drive that took a slight deflection off Joel Bagan’s heel before nestling in the bottom corner.
Chelsea then sealed the result deep into added time when Garnacho struck again, adding his second goal of the night to make sure of victory and dampen the electric home atmosphere.
Maresca: ‘These Are the Games I Fall in Love With the Players’
After the final whistle, Maresca celebrated with the travelling Chelsea supporters and was serenaded as fans sang his name — a stark contrast to the scrutiny he had faced days earlier.
“I’m just happy, we’re going to play another semifinal and I think it’s what the fans deserve,” Maresca said.
“It was a great moment, I appreciate, always thankful.”
“In some moments when you don’t win games, they have been not happy, but it’s normal. But overall, the fans have always been there.”
“These are the kind of games that I fall in love even more with the players because you cannot imagine how easy it is to slip, to slide, because they are tricky games.
“Every season there are teams that they lost against, you know, League Two or League One. You need to pay attention, you need to do the right things.”
Read More: Chelsea Collapse While Liverpool Rise on a Champions League Blockbuster Night
Read More: Toni Payne Provides Winning Assist as Everton Ends Chelsea’s Unbeaten Run
Read More: Champions League GW 5: Chelsea Crush Barcelona as Leverkusen Humble Man City
‘I Haven’t Spoken to Anyone’ – Maresca Dismisses Speculation
Maresca also addressed the fallout from his comments after the Everton game, confirming he had not spoken to Chelsea’s hierarchy since then.
“No, as I said yesterday [Monday], the day after Everton, I started to prepare Cardiff. Focus on Cardiff,” he said.
“Now I just said on the bus I will watch [Saturday’s opponents] Newcastle and I didn’t speak with anyone. I didn’t speak, no it’s OK.”
“I always said that I’ve been happy since day one. So it’s not that tonight I’m not happy. I’m happy.”
“Now we have three hours to arrive to Cobham and I will watch two Newcastle games.”
“There is no time. Time is for the players. For us as a staff, we’re going to be focused on the next one, that is Newcastle, so we’re going to prepare.”
Maresca also revealed that Brazilian winger Estêvão will miss the upcoming Newcastle clash with a “small muscle problem”.
Cardiff Earn Praise Despite Exit
Although eliminated, Cardiff’s performance drew widespread admiration. Under Barry-Murphy, the League One leaders have moved away from the robust, direct style of previous eras and now play a possession-based, attacking brand of football driven by young players and academy graduates.
They impressed defensively with coordinated pressing and positional discipline, while also posing genuine attacking threats.
Callum Robinson and Turnbull tested Chelsea early, while Isaak Davies caused problems down the left flank.
Chelsea March On
Chelsea will now await their EFL Cup semi-final opponents, with the draw set to take place on Wednesday.
While the performance was far from convincing, the result offers welcome relief for Maresca after a turbulent few days and keeps alive Chelsea’s hope of lifting the trophy for the first time in 10 years.
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Ethan McLeod dead aged 21: Macclesfield footballer tragically passes away following car crash on the M1
Macclesfield footballer Ethan McLeod has died at the age of 21 after being involved in a road traffic accident on the M1.
The forward, who came through the Wolves academy, was travelling back from Bedford Town following the Silkmen’s 2-1 win on Tuesday night when the crash occurred at roughly 22:40 near junction 15 for Northampton.
His white Mercedes hit a nearside metal barrier and despite receiving help from members of the public and officers, he died at the scene.
The crash caused the M1 to be closed overnight. The road reopened at approximately 7.30am.
Police are appealing for anyone with dashcam footage or further information to contact them.
Macclesfield paid a heartfelt tribute to their player in an an official statement released on Wednesday afternoon.
Macclesfield footballer Ethan McLeod has died following a crash on the M1 on Tuesday night
McLeod sadly lost his life after his white Mercedes crashed after Macclesfield’s game
‘Ethan was an incredibly talented and well-respected member of our First Team Squad, who had his whole life ahead of him,’ the club said.
‘But more than that, Ethan’s infectious personality endeared him to everyone that he came into contact with.
‘In giving his all in everything he did, Ethan effortlessly pushed us all to be the best we can be – both on and off the pitch.
‘Ethan’s professionalism and unwavering work ethic inspired everyone, and his lust for life put smiles on all our faces – even on the darkest of days.’
The non-league side added that McLeod’s tragic passing has left the club in total shock.
‘News of Ethan’s passing has devastated our entire Club and no words can convey the immense sense of sadness and loss that we feel now.
‘The deep mental scars elicited from Ethan’s passing will undeniably never heal – but one thing is for sure, and that is Ethan’s vibrant legacy will never fade, no matter how much time passes in the future.
‘Ethan will live in our hearts and minds forevermore and no matter what the future holds, his unique smile that mesmerised us all will never be forgotten.
The non-league side paid a heartfelt tribute to their striker following his death on Tuesday night
McLeod spent 10 years in the Wolverhampton Wanderers academy before leaving the club
‘Our deepest sympathy goes out to Ethan’s family and friends at this deeply traumatic time, together with an assurance that we will provide as much support as we can to those who need it.
‘May you rest in peace Ethan – you will forever be a Silkman.’
McLeod spent 10 years as an academy player at Wolverhampton Wanderers and enjoyed stints at Alvechurch FC, Rushall Olympic and Stourbridge.
He signed for National League North side Macclesfield in July.
More to follow.
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Ethan McLeod dead aged 21: Macclesfield footballer tragically passes away following car crash on the M1
Chidozie Awaziem has urged the Super Eagles to draw confidence from their international friendly against Egypt and channel the lessons into preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Naija News reports that the Super Eagles of Nigeria were edged 2-1 by the Pharaohs on Tuesday night at the Cairo International Stadium.
Mahmoud Saber and Mostafa Mohammed provided the goals which sealed the win for the hosts. Awaziem pulled one back for Nigeria with a well-taken header shortly before the interval.
The defender, who plays his club football with FC Nantes, described the match as a valuable exercise for the Super Eagles as they fine-tune plans for the continental showpiece.
“It was a good test for us, Egypt is not an easy country to play against. They have a couple of good players. The purpose of the friendly was for us to test ourselves before the AFCON, for the coach to try new players, new tactics, and prepare well for the AFCON,” Awaziem told the Super Eagles media.
The Super Eagles, under the guidance of coach Eric Chelle, showed encouraging spells despite the result, particularly in the first half where they created several chances and spent long periods on the front foot.
Looking back on the performance against the Egyptian national football team, Awaziem admitted the outcome was disappointing but insisted the overall display offered plenty to build on.
“It was a good test, though the result wasn’t good, it was not what we wanted,” he said. “The focus was for us to see our structure, different players, see the newly invited players, and what they can contribute to the team.
“I think the coach has seen that. For now, we should take the positives from the game and move to the AFCON. We dominated the game, pinned them back. We had so many chances to score. Just like I said, we just have to take the positives and move ahead.”
The Super Eagles are expected to fly to Morocco from Cairo on Thursday to continue with their AFCON 2025 preparation. Their opening game in the competition will take place on December 23 against Tanzania.