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Top 10 creative 2026 World Cup team send-offs and photoshoots
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, national teams have showcased creative preparations, including unique photoshoots and dramatic departures. Norway marked its return with a Viking-themed photoshoot featuring Erling Haaland and Martin 脴degaard. Brazil's team aircraft received a traditional water cannon blessing at Gale茫o International Airport. Turkey's team journeyed to the airport in Istanbul with a convoy of over 100 vehicles. Japan was welcomed in Mexico with cowboy hats from fans. Senegal held a farewell dinner at Stade Abdoulaye Wade. Argentina's plane, carrying Lionel Messi, featured his number 10 and three gold stars. South Africa's Bafana Bafana received the national flag from President Cyril Ramaphosa at a send-off dinner. Co-host Mexico released a traditional squad portrait. France's President Emmanuel Macron met with Kylian Mbapp茅 and the Les Bleus squad before their departure. England, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, arrived in Florida for their pre-tournament camp.
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Must ReadCAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe has lauded the performance of African national teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026, calling it a historic achievement and a sign of African football's growth. Ten African nations participated, with nine advancing from the group stage to the Round of 32, marking the highest qualification rate for African teams in World Cup history. Africa accounted for 20.8 percent of the tournament's teams but contributed 28.1 percent of the nations reaching the knockout stage. Motsepe highlighted Morocco's second consecutive quarter-final appearance and Egypt's progression to the Round of 16, also commending Cabo Verde, Senegal, C么te d鈥橧voire, DR Congo, South Africa, Ghana, and Tunisia. He expressed pride in their achievements and noted that CAF has identified areas for improvement to ensure greater success in future World Cups. To build on these successes, CAF will host a conference with national team coaches, technical staff, former players, and football experts to review the 2026 performances and develop recommendations for the 2030 edition. Motsepe reaffirmed CAF's commitment to investing in football development, including youth football, coaching education, domestic leagues, and national teams, across the continent. He also emphasized the importance of improving football infrastructure, stating that every CAF member association should have stadiums meeting CAF and FIFA standards. Motsepe expressed optimism that an African nation will eventually win the FIFA
Must ReadThe Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ICPC has identified 908 suspected ghost workers across at least 50 ministries, departments, and agencies during a payroll verification exercise. The commission recovered approximately N942 million in allegedly fraudulent salaries. ICPC Chairman, Musa Adamu Aliyu, stated that the Nigeria Police Force recorded the highest number of suspected fake workers with 570 individuals. Other institutions with significant numbers include the National Water Resources Authority with 80, the Federal Ministry of Works with 56, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with 24, and the Ministry of Defence with 19. The Federal Ministry of Electricity and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment each had 17 suspected fake workers, while the Federal Ministry of Health had 15, and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation had 12. The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Interior were also implicated. The ICPC defines ghost workers as fictitious names on government payrolls or instances where officials divert salaries by adding relatives or associates who are not employed. Investigations into this payroll fraud, which began in 2024, are ongoing.
Following the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, several established football nations that failed to qualify are now looking to secure their return for the 2030 tournament. FIFA has highlighted 10 countries with strong World Cup traditions determined to reclaim their places on football's biggest stage. Italy, four-time champions, have missed three consecutive tournaments, including 2026 after a playoff defeat. Denmark, regular participants since 1986, also missed 2026 after a playoff loss. Poland, with nine World Cup appearances, failed to qualify for 2026, facing a rebuilding phase. Hungary, absent since 1986, narrowly missed the 2026 playoffs. Romania, whose last appearance was in 1998, lost in the 2026 playoff semi-finals. Nigeria, who reached the knockout stage in three of their six appearances, missed the last two editions, including 2026. Cameroon, Africa's record holder for World Cup appearances, also failed to qualify for 2026. Chile, who enjoyed a golden era between 2010 and 2014, have missed three straight tournaments. Peru, who ended a 36-year absence in 2018, had a disappointing 2026 qualifying campaign. Costa Rica, consistent CONCACAF performers, missed 2026 after a disappointing qualifying run. These nations are now focused on rebuilding and developing new talent to ensure their presence at the 2030 FIFA World Cup.