Z-PRO MEDIA

Argentina’s dark blue jersey has grown into something bigger than an alternate strip. For many fans, it is part of the nation’s football folklore — a shirt linked with some of Argentina’s most unforgettable World Cup moments, and perhaps, just a little bit of good luck. That famous away kit will be back in the spotlight when the defending champions face England in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final in Atlanta. Lionel Messi and his teammates will trade their traditional sky blue and white stripes for the dark blue shirt that has carried so much meaning over the years. The memories are powerful. Argentina wore dark blue against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals in Mexico, when Diego Maradona produced both the infamous “Hand of God” goal and his dazzling solo run later remembered as the “Goal of the Century” in a 2-1 victory. Then, 12 years later, the same color returned in France, where Argentina again eliminated England on penalties in the round of 16 after a thrilling 2-2 draw...

The International Olympic Committee has received a formal complaint alleging that FIFA president Gianni Infantino repeatedly breached rules on political neutrality through his public support for U.S. President Donald Trump. The complaint, filed by FairSquare, claims Infantino may have crossed ethical lines in several incidents, including the controversial suspension of striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban. Balogun had been sent off in a July 1 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, triggering an automatic suspension that would normally keep him out of the next game. But FIFA later announced that the suspension had been paused under a rule-book provision, allowing the forward to feature for the United States against Belgium on July 6. Infantino admitted receiving a call from Trump, who publicly pushed for Balogun to play, though the FIFA chief insisted he did not interfere in the decision-making process. FairSquare argues that the Balogun episode was only one of five alleged breaches ...

Kylian Mbappe did not hide his frustration after France’s World Cup semifinal loss to Spain, delivering a blunt post-match verdict on his team’s 2-0 exit in Arlington, Texas. The France captain said Les Bleus were simply not sharp enough in key moments, pointing to a poor tactical structure and weak communication that allowed Spain to control the match and dominate possession. Spain repeatedly found an extra man in midfield, with Rodri and Fabian Ruiz given the time and space to dictate the rhythm of the game. “We were three against two in midfield and against Spain, that’s hard,” Mbappe admitted. “Fabian and Rodri had plenty of time to play. There was a lack of communication on the press. I think we should have done man-to-man press and force them to run with us.” France had entered the semifinal in excellent form, winning all of their first six matches and scoring 16 goals, but they struggled to create real danger against a well-organized Spain side. Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penal...

Fenerbahce have made a major statement in the transfer market, completing the signing of English forward Mason Greenwood from Olympique de Marseille in a deal worth €39 million ($44.5 million). The Turkish giants confirmed on Tuesday that an agreement had been reached with both the player and the French club. According to the club, the transfer fee will be paid in three equal instalments over the next three years, while Fenerbahce will also take care of any solidarity payments required under FIFA regulations. The move brings an end to Greenwood’s short stay in France, after he joined Marseille from Manchester United in July 2024 on a five-year contract. Now, the Istanbul side will be hoping the 24-year-old can bring goals, creativity, and much-needed firepower as they continue their push for a first Turkish Super Lig title since 2014. Greenwood scored 37 league goals in 66 appearances over two seasons for Marseille, and expectations will be high for him to make an instant impact. Will ...

By Maxwell Kumoye and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye     Nigeria's men's volleyball team made a winning start to their campaign at the 2026 African Nations Cup Zone 3 Qualifiers, hitting Niger Republic 3-1 on Tuesday. Nigeria claimed the opening set 25-22 before Niger Republic fought back to level the contest with a 25-19 victory in the second set.  Coach Taiwo Oladipupo's side, however, showed resilience to regain control, edging the third set 25-23 before producing a dominant display in the fourth set to seal the match 25-9. Reacting to the victory, head coach Taiwo Oladipupo expressed delight with his team's performance while praising the players for their response after dropping the second set. "First of all, I thank Almighty God for giving us our first win of the tournament. I'm very happy with the result. The boys lost the second set, but they responded brilliantly by winning the third and fourth sets," Oladipupo said. The coach acknowledged that ...

By Maxwell Kumoye    For decades, the development of sports in Nigeria has revolved almost entirely around government funding.  From national trials and championships to international competitions and athletes' welfare, many Sports Federations and Associations have continued to depend almost exclusively on allocations from the government.  While government has an undeniable responsibility in sports development, this culture of overdependence has become one of the greatest obstacles to the growth of Nigerian sports. The reality is simple, no modern sporting nation develops solely on government funding.  Across the world, successful sports federations aggressively pursue corporate sponsorships, commercial partnerships, media rights, merchandising opportunities and private investments.  These revenue streams allow them to organize regular competitions, develop grassroots talents and execute long-term development plans. In Nigeria, however, many federations bec...

By Maxwell Kumoye    European champions Spain produced a composed and clinical performance to defeat France 2-0 on Tuesday, securing their place in the FIFA World Cup final. Spain took the lead in the 22nd minute when Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted a penalty after Lucas Digne brought down the lively Lamine Yamal inside the penalty area. Following an evenly contested opening, Spain gradually took complete control of the match with their trademark possession-based football, dictating the tempo and limiting France's attacking opportunities. The advantage was doubled in the 58th minute as Pedro Porro finished brilliantly after exchanging passes with Dani Olmo, beating French goalkeeper Mike Maignan to effectively put the contest beyond France. The victory sends Spain into their second World Cup final since lifting their maiden title in 2010.  They will now chase a second world crown when they face either England or Argentina in Sunday's final at the New York/New Jersey Stad...

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has urged Lamine Yamal to forget the birthday candles and embrace the stage, insisting the teenager’s biggest World Cup moment may still be ahead of him. Yamal turned 19 on the eve of Spain’s semi-final clash with France in Dallas, and De la Fuente made it clear that the forward should feel the joy of the occasion rather than the pressure. The Spain boss, who has consistently backed a philosophy of calm and confidence, said the young star should simply enjoy himself and trust that his best moment at the tournament is still to come. “I’ve told him there is no need to worry – let him enjoy himself. I’m sure Lamine’s great World Cup day is still to come. I hope it’s tomorrow and, if not, then in the final, if we can get there,” De la Fuente said. Yamal has been easing into form after arriving at the tournament while managing a hamstring issue picked up after converting a penalty for Barcelona in late April. So far, he has scored once at the competition but is...

Lamine Yamal marked his 19th birthday on Monday with diamonds around his neck, a playful family storyline in the background and the biggest match of his young career waiting ahead. But as Spain prepared for their World Cup semi-final showdown with France, the teenage forward made it clear that his message was not about glamour, gifts or fame. Asked about former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s controversial comment that France were a great team but “did not have any French players,” Yamal gave a calm, thoughtful response. With a Moroccan father and an Equatorial Guinean mother, he said football should unite rather than divide. “Tomorrow we’ll play a brilliant match but if football serves any purpose it’s to bring people together,” Yamal told reporters in Dallas. “France and Spain are examples of integration. That’s what football is all about: integration. Not talking about what someone else has said.” For a player still young enough to be questioned about birthday presents, it wa...

The Los Angeles Lakers have added another piece to their offseason puzzle, signing small forward Ziaire Williams to a one-year, $3 million deal, according to multiple reports on Monday. Williams now joins a Lakers team that is clearly loading up for the new campaign, and there is a familiar connection in the mix too: he reunites with Bronny James, after the two once played together at Sierra Canyon High School. Selected No. 10 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, Williams has shown steady progress since entering the league. He has built a reputation as a versatile wing and averaged a career-best 10.2 points per game last season with the Brooklyn Nets, his second year in Brooklyn after three seasons in Memphis. The signing brings the Lakers to the 15-player roster limit, but the front office may not be done yet. ESPN reports that Los Angeles is still in the hunt for Jonathan Kuminga, who could potentially arrive through a sign-and-trade move. Williams becomes the late...

  Former Kansas basketball player Lagerald Vick was charged with attempted first-degree murder in Tennessee. Vick, 29, was a guard for the Jayhawks from 2015-19 and started for ‌coach Bill Self's 2018 Final Four squad. He was arrested in Memphis on Saturday in connection with a July 4 shooting in the city and was also charged with using a firearm during the commission of a ⁠dangerous felony. According to arrest documents obtained by ESPN, a man who was hospitalized for a gunshot wound to the back told police he tried to run away after a fight when he saw the other man was armed. The shooting victim identified Vick as the alleged shooter in a photo lineup. Bail was set at $1.5 million for Vick, who was ‌scheduled ⁠to be arraigned on Monday. He is already facing two felony charges in a separate incident, accused of theft and breaking into a former girlfriend's home earlier this year. Vick averaged 9.4 points, 3.5 ⁠rebounds and 1.4 assists in 117 games (61 starts) for the Jayhawks...

  Dutch referee Rob Dieperink has died at the age of 38, two months after he was dropped from the panel of match officials for the 2026 World ‌Cup following a police case in Britain that was later dropped. No cause of death has been revealed. "We are shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of Rob Dieperink. With Rob, we lose a highly valued referee, but above all a ⁠kind and dedicated colleague," the Dutch football association said in a statement. Dieperink had been selected as part of the video assistant referee (VAR) panel at the World Cup, but was removed in May after he had been arrested the previous month by Metropolitan Police. He had been in London to officiate in the Conference League fixture between Crystal Palace and Fiorentina. The case was dropped due ‌to ⁠a lack of evidence. "It saddens me greatly that I have been wrongly accused," Dieperink said in an interview with De Telegraaf. "From the beginning, I have fully cooperated in the police invest...

  England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has faced World Cup penalty shootouts, semi-finals and some of the biggest names in football during his record-breaking career, but there is one challenge that has eluded him until now. When England take on ‌Lionel Messi and reigning champions Argentina in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final in Atlanta, Pickford will come up against the eight-times Ballon d'Or winner for the first time. For a player who broke Peter Shilton's record for most England World Cup appearances when he started his 18th match in the quarter-final against Norway, the occasion carries a sense of history. The 32-year-old Everton player was eight when England last met Argentina, during the group stage of the 2002 World Cup. "I remember being sat in school on the floor watching when the teacher wheeled in the TV, so I'll never forget that moment," Pickford told reporters on Monday. "He's scored so many goals and he's contributed to so many ⁠goa...

  More than 100,000 fans flooded the streets of the Norwegian capital Oslo on Monday to give their soccer team a heroes' welcome, turning the heartbreak of their ‌World Cup exit into a massive national celebration. A 2-1 extra-time defeat by England on Saturday brought Norway's historic run to an end in the quarter-finals, shattering the Nordics' dreams of a semi-final berth. However, it did not stop the country celebrating their heroes. Massive ⁠crowds under the Norwegian summer sun filled the grounds of the Royal Palace early on Monday afternoon, with an unofficial turnout estimated at more than 100,000 people. The Norway squad touched down to a traditional water cannon salute before commencing their homecoming parade in the capital. The line of supporters quickly packed the palace square before stretching far down the main street, Karl Johans gate, as the squad first ‌attended ⁠an audience with King Harald. The team then stepped out to greet the fans with the Royal Guard...