Tag Archives: FIFA World Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo Makes Major Decision About Future Ahead of 2026 World Cup

2025-11-11 Maravi Post Reporter

Soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo is gearing up for one last shot at the FIFA World Cup.

The Portuguese superstar, 40, confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will “definitely” be his last and that he would retire “soon” during an interview at the Tourise Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, November 11.

“I am enjoying the moment, but when I mean soon, it’s really soon,” he said, “because I give everything for football. I’m in the game for the last 25 years, I did everything, I have many records in the different scenarios in the clubs and also in the national team — I’m really proud. So let’s enjoy the moment and live the moment.”

The 2026 World Cup, which North America will host, will be Ronaldo’s sixth. Though he’s among the most accomplished players in the tournament’s history as the all-time leading World Cup goal scorer and the only men’s player to score a goal in five different World Cups, he is still seeking an elusive championship for his country. He helped lead Portugal to a fourth-place finish in 2006, his first appearance, but Portugal has not advanced past the quarterfinals since.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez’s Relationship Timeline

Ronaldo added that while he’s almost ready to call it a career, he still feels good enough to contribute at a high level.

“So, the moment is good, I feel very good in this moment,” he said. “I score goals, I still feel quick and sharp, I’m enjoying my game in the national team and [the Saudi Pro League’s] Al Nassr, but of course, let’s be honest, when I mean ‘soon’ it’s probably one, two years I’ll still be in the game.”

But even if this is the last World Cup for Ronaldo, he hopes his family’s presence on soccer’s biggest stage is just beginning. He is the father of Cristiano Jr., 15, who is currently a member of Portugal’s under-16 club. Cristiano Sr. said he hopes his son can be an even better player than he is.

“Human beings, we don’t want nobody being better than us,” he said. “But in my point, I wish if my kids will be better than me, I’m never going to be jealous of him, trust me. As a father, I’m here to help him to be whatever he wants to be.”

Cristiano Ronaldo and His Kids Cheer on Georgina Rodriguez at Fashion Week

He struck a similar tone in the 2022 Netflix docuseries I Am Georgina, which profiled his now-fiancée Georgina Rodriguez, where he said he would “never pressure” his son to play soccer but that he could be “great” if he chose to pursue the sport.

“He will do what he wants,” Cristiano Sr. said. “Also, what I want the most for [Cristiano Jr.] and everyone else is that they’re happy and that they choose what they want. I will support in any way.”

Cristiano Sr. shares his son with a mystery woman who he has never publicly identified. He also welcomed twins Eva Maria and Mateo, 7, via surrogate in 2017. He and Georgina Rodriguez share daughters Alana, 8, and son Bella, 3. Bella’s twin brother, Angel, died in labor in 2022.

AMA

African Media Agency (AMA) Expands Operations to Ghana with Appointment of Angela Akua Asante

2025-10-30 MaraviPost

The pan-African communications agency strengthens its West African footprint with a new local operation in Accra, deepening its ability to provide market insight and communications expertise in one of Africa’s most dynamic economies.

ACCRA, Ghana, 30 October 2025 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- African Media Agency (AMA), a leading independent pan-African communications and public relations firm with offices in New York, Abidjan, Durban, and local presence in 30 African markets, is proud to announce the launch of its on-the-ground operations in Ghana, marking another milestone in its mission to offer localized, insight-driven communication across the continent.

The move comes at a time when Ghana continues to assert itself as one of West Africa’s most stable, innovative, and forward-looking economies. According to the World Bank, Ghana’s GDP is projected to grow by 4.4% in 2025, driven by strong performance in services, agriculture, digital innovation, and renewable energy. The country has also become a rising hub for fintech, creative industries, and tech-enabled entrepreneurship, attracting regional and global investors eager to tap into its young, connected population.

Establishing operations in Accra enables AMA to provide clients with a deeper understanding of Ghana’s evolving markets, from consumer behavior and media trends to policy and innovation landscapes. Supported by teams in 30 African countries, AMA combines market intelligence with strategic communication to help organizations build meaningful presence and impact.

To lead this new chapter, AMA has appointed Angela Akua Asante as Senior Communications Consultant. This follows her fruitful collaboration with the agency since 2023 as an independent consultant on various pan-African health-related projects.

Ms. Asante is a highly experienced bilingual (French/English) Communications and Design Thinking Strategist who has led PR campaigns, content strategies, mediations, and media productions for the European Union and the Embassy of France in Ghana among others. Her extensive background includes working as the Ghana-based French-speaking correspondent for the BBC World Service’s BBC Afrique and covering four FIFA World Cup tournaments across men’s and women’s football.

With her deep understanding of Ghana’s media and business landscape, Angela will head client strategy, media engagement, and partnership development, ensuring that AMA delivers culturally resonant and impactful campaigns.

“Ghana has long been one of our most active markets: vibrant, entrepreneurial, and full of creative energy,” said Eloïne Barry, Founder and CEO of African Media Agency. “Our presence here strengthens our role as a partner for brands seeking to enter or expand across Africa. We go beyond communication, we provide the cultural fluency, networks, and insights needed to navigate complex markets and build sustainable trust.”

AMA’s Ghana office will provide the agency’s full suite of services — from strategic communication and media relations to market research, digital content, and event management.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA)

About African Media Agency (AMA)

African Media Agency (AMA) is one of the leading and most trusted independent pan-African communications firms, helping global and African organizations enter, grow, and thrive across the continent. By combining narrative design, strategic communication, and a deep understanding of Africa’s on-the-ground nuances, AMA enables clients to build trust, shape perception, and unlock sustainable market opportunities.

AMA operates through three complementary pillars: AMA Wire, its flagship pan-African press release distribution platform; AMA PR, its communications and advisory arm; and AMA Academy, a training initiative that equips journalists and media professionals with modern storytelling and reporting skills.

Over the past decade, AMA has delivered hundreds of high-impact campaigns for more than 150 clients, including some of the world’s largest corporations, development institutions, and African innovators. With local teams in 30 African countries and operational hubs in Abidjan, Johannesburg, and Durban, AMA stands as a trusted partner for organizations looking to connect authentically and operate effectively across Africa’s diverse markets.

Media Contact:
Leslie-Shamilda Segui

African Media Agency

Email: Shamilda@africanmediaagency.com

Website: www.africanmediaagency.com

The post African Media Agency (AMA) Expands Operations to Ghana with Appointment of Angela Akua Asante appeared first on African Media Agency.

Lifestyle

FIFA exhibition opens in Paraguay ahead of the organisation’s 75th congress

2025-05-14 Maravi Post Reporter

The FIFA World Cup trophy took centre stage at an exhibition in Asunción as part of the 120th birthday celebrations of the world football body.

Paraguay is to host the organisation’s annual congress which gets underway in the capital on Thursday.

Representatives from FIFA and the South American confederation, Conmebol, were at the opening of the exhibition which showcases trophies and other items from both organisations.

Welcoming members of the different football federations, as well as a group of football players, Conmebol’s President, Alejandro Dominguez, described it as an historical event.

“This is the first time that the FIFA museum goes outside Zurich, to be closer to the people, for those who usually can’t travel there to admire these beauties,” he said.

“We have among us some of the privileged that were able to hold them in their hands. But everyone else just saw them on TV.”

All eyes will be on the 75th congress, notably for any news regarding the upcoming Club World Cup, which gets underway in June.

Source: Africanews

https://video.euronews.com/mp4/ED/14/86/47/06/ED_PYR_1486476_20250514085139.mp4

Regional, Sports

Four Stars That Could Light Up In The World Cup In Qatar

2022-03-11 Maravi Post Reporter

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The biggest sporting event on the planet is edging nearer, as the 2022 World Cup gets underway in November. Many sports fans are already making their World Cup predictions for the huge tournament, and it should be an unforgettable three weeks in Qatar before Christmas.

All of the biggest players in the world will be in competition at the World Cup, but so often the tournament spotlight is stolen by a young star that seizes his opportunity. But, who are some of the young players that could dazzle at the tournament in Qatar later this year?

Eduardo Camavinga

It’s likely that the reigning world champions will go deep in the competition once again this year, but it could be a new star that makes the headlines. Eduardo Camavinga looks primed to play a big part for France in the winter after impressing during his first season with Real Madrid. The 19-year-old midfielder has already scored two goals and registered one assist in 14 appearances for the La Liga giants this season.

He appears to be the apparent heir to N’golo Kante and excels in the defensive midfield position. Camavinga has averaged 1.5 tackles per game this season, and has made 0.4 clearances per fixture in La Liga. There’s no doubt he looks to have a bright future, and the stage looks set for him in Qatar to shine.

Bukayo Saka

A player that will be chasing a redemption story in Qatar later this year will be England Bukayo Saka. The 20-year-old agonizingly missed the vital penalty for the Three Lions in their shootout defeat to Italy in the final of EURO 2020. However, his character has shone through during the 2021-22 season, as he has quickly put that heartbreak behind him with excellent performances for Arsenal.

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Saka has already registered eight goals and five assists in 23 games in the Premier League this term, and has been an integral part of the Gunners set-up chasing a Champions League finish. He is highly regarded by Gareth Southgate, and could start in one of the forward three positions for England in their opening World Cup game in November.

Florian Wirtz

We are likely to see a new-look Germany side at the World Cup later this year, as Hansi Flick looks to build a team that can get back to dominating major tournaments. A key component to their future plans looks to be Florian Wirtz. The instrumental attacking midfielder looks to be the ready-made replacement for Thomas Muller, who looks set to play a reduced role in the national side after underperforming at EURO 2020.

This season, Wirtz has continued to capture the imagination with Bayer Leverkusen and has scored ten goals and registered 13 assists in 28 games in all competitions. His eye for a pass in the final third makes the 18-year-old one of the most desired players in the international game, and few would be surprised to see him shine in Qatar.

Antony

No World Cup is complete without a Brazilian superstar being born. This year’s tournament could be the perfect opportunity for 22-year-old Antony to step out of Neymar’s shadow and become a global star.

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The winger has been playing in Europe for the last two seasons, as he joined Ajax in 2020 after coming through the ranks with Sao Paulo. He has continued to dazzle both domestically and in Europe for the Dutch giants this season, as he has scored eleven goals and registered eight assists in 28 games in all competitions.

Antony is exceptionally brave on the ball, and that is highlighted by the 3.7 shots that he averages in the Champions League per game. He looks set to play an important role for Brazil this winter having already won seven caps for his national side.

Antony has already scored twice for the team, with the most recent of those coming in a World Cup qualifier against Paraguay in February.

Source: Africa Feeds

Sports

The most embarrassing moment in Chilean football history

2021-11-15 Maravi Post Author

At the end of the 1980s, the Chilean National football team traveled to Brazil for a FIFA World Cup qualifier for the 1990 competition. All the World Cups are available at sports betting in Nigeria – 1xBet site. However, there was a bizarre incident that would end the career of one of Chile’s greatest goalkeepers ever.

Roberto Rojas, nicknamed Condor, was the Chilean keeper back then. During the match, which was very heated, he complained that he was hit by a flare thrown by a Brazilian fan. He left the field with injuries all over his face. Not only that, because all the Chilean team abandoned the match as well.

However, things would have an unexpected turn. It turns out that later Rojas confessed that all the incident was staged. True, a flare fell near him. However, he had a hidden knife and cut his own face himself. Later, he blamed the flare for his injuries. The result? Chile was banned from participating in the 1990 and 1994 FIFA World Cups. Everything about these competitions is at 1xBet Nigeria site – sports betting in the country.

The goalkeeper who refused Manchester United for his religion

Many people follow the Argentinian national football team. It is possible to wager for it at 1xbet.ng/en/live/Football/. The squad has produced some legendary goalkeepers, such as:

Ubaldo Fillol;
Amadeo Carrizo.

The name of the star of this story is Carlos Roa. He was the starting keeper for Argentina back in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He is probably well remembered for stopping many penalties in a shootout against England during the competition. His performances were so good that none other than Manchester United showed interest in him. However, he refused the offer. The reason was that he wanted to retire from football, so he could dedicate himself completely to his religion. 1xBet is the best place to bet on the Argentinian national football side.

Villarreal’s one-day coach

Villarreal is a team that constantly puts interesting performances in the Spanish La Liga. This tournament and a great live casino is available at 1xBet. This is a sad story, because many years ago, the team announced Manolo Preciado as their brand new coach.

However, to the shock of everybody in the team, and of everybody who knew Preciado and enjoyed Spanish football as a whole, Preciado passed away the next day due to a heart attack. He wasn’t able to coach the team for a single training session, let alone a competitive match. May Mr Preciado rest in peace. In any case, the casino live 1xBet is an excellent choice to enjoy besides the thrill that the Spanish La Liga can bring.

Lifestyle, Sports

Liverpool’s Sadio Mane to send over 100 shirts to orphans in Malawi

2018-10-12 MaraviPost

LIVERPOOL, England — Orphans in Malawi are set to receive over 100 Sadio Mane Liverpool shirts donated after the forward changed squad number in the summer.

Mane took up Liverpool’s No. 10 jersey in July after it had previously been worn by Philippe Coutinho. Liverpool then offered supporters who had purchased Mane No. 19 shirts before the switch was announced the opportunity of a like-for-like exchange for a Mane No. 10 strip.

Those No. 19 shirts have now been gathered and handed to KitAid, who are working with Friends of Mulanje Orphans (FOMO) to distribute the kit to the underprivileged children in Malawi.

“It’s like a dream for the children in the villages, getting a t-shirt that they never thought they would get,” Mary Woodworth, founder of FOMO told ESPN FC. “It’s just magical basically.

“Sadio Mane is from Africa, his name is just everywhere. To see the t-shirt of Sadio Mane will just be overwhelming.

“It will make a big difference, especially in the villages. Because they don’t have the means of getting any money or to be able to buy one t-shirt. It’s a dream come true [for them].”

KitAid is a charity that recycles unwanted football kits and then distributes them to some of the world’s poorest countries.

On Saturday, ESPN FC attended one of their kit-sorting sessions at a church near Everton’s Goodison Park, where over 2,200 pieces of kit were packed ahead of being sent to Africa.

“We have a saying, which is: ‘It’s more than just a shirt,'” founder Derrick Williams told ESPN FC. “And it really is because when you go out you see the kids that are desperate for football kit to be part of a team.

“We hear stories where if they haven’t got kit then their team isn’t allowed into a league, which is really heartbreaking. So it’s great that we can provide that by working through organisations like FOMO in Malawi.

“We work through the whole football pyramid. So it’s great that we get Everton, Liverpool, Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Watford helping us, but it’s actually important that we’re there as an outlet all the way down the pyramid.

“When I started KitAid 20 years ago, I would say 80 percent of kit came from grassroots. It’s just shifted over the years since we’ve become a bit more well known, so it’s probably 60 percent from the bigger clubs, 40 percent from the grassroots.

“But we saw it ourselves when we were out in Malawi, it doesn’t matter if it’s Liverpool, they’re equally happy to receive the kit of a boys’ team because it means they can participate in a proper league.”

The late Graham Taylor, former England manager, was a patron for KitAid and helped remove barriers between the charity and professional clubs by writing to every kit manager in the top four tiers of English football.

Williams has examples that receiving football kits can have life-changing consequences.

“We sent some Man United kit to Kibera, Kenya, which is a massive slum,” he said. “They used the kit and they selected 60 guys and trained them as coaches.

“They then went out into the Kibera slum and worked with gangs. They’ve got evidence that the gun-related deaths in that area where they worked have gone down.

“That’s why we say: ‘It’s more than just a shirt.’ A football shirt can play a part in stopping people from dying.”

Source: Yahoo.news

Sadio Mané (born 10 April 1992) is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a winger for Premier League club Liverpool and the Senegal national team.

Having begun his career with Metz in France, he transferred to Red Bull Salzburg in 2012. After winning the Austrian Bundesliga and Austrian Cup in 2014, he was signed by Southampton. In 2015, Mané set a new Premier League record for the fastest hat-trick when he scored three times in 176 seconds during a 6–1 win over Aston Villa.[4] He transferred to Liverpool in 2016 for a fee of £34 million, making him the most expensive African player in history at that time. Since joining Liverpool, Mané among other achievements scored in the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final.

Mané has earned over 50 caps for Senegal since his debut in 2012, and represented the national team at the 2012 Olympics, 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The Maravi Post