Sports
Birmingham Appoints Wayne Rooney As Manager
Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney has taken on the position of the new manager for Birmingham, a Championship club.
Following his departure from Major League Soccer side DC United last week, Rooney has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract to replace John Eustace at St. Andrew’s.
Despite Eustace’s 15-month tenure, during which Birmingham reached sixth place in the Championship this season, he has been relieved of his duties.
Rooney is now entrusted with guiding the team in their pursuit of promotion to the Premier League.
Rooney expressed his excitement, stating, “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Birmingham City at such an exciting time. It is very clear that they have a plan and are committed to realising their ambition for the club.
“We are fully aligned with what is expected. I have been building my managerial career and putting myself in challenging environments to get me ready for this opportunity. It’s a project that gives me a sense of purpose, and I can’t wait to get started.”
He added “We have some exciting young players in the squad, and some who are still to break through into the first team, alongside a core of experienced senior professionals.
“I have a clear way that I want the team to play, and my coaching staff and I will work hard to implement it. We will create a winning culture here with an identity that gets Blues fans on their feet.”
Rooney will be accompanied by former England teammate Ashley Cole, currently the England Under-21s assistant coach, and John O’Shea, the assistant coach of the Republic of Ireland, on the Birmingham backroom staff.
Making the move to St. Andrew’s along with Rooney are Carl Robinson and Pete Shuttleworth, both of whom previously collaborated with him at DC United.
Birmingham co-owner Tom Wagner voiced his confidence in Rooney, saying, “Wayne is a born winner. We believe, with the support of his coaching staff, the club, and our supporters, he will take Blues forward on the next stage of our journey.”
Norway pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday night, defeating five-time champions Brazil 2-1 to book a place in the quarter-finals.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland inspired the Scandinavian side with a brilliant second-half brace at MetLife Stadium, ending Brazil’s hopes of winning a record-extending sixth World Cup title.
After a tightly contested encounter, Haaland broke the deadlock in the 79th minute with a powerful header to give Norway the lead.
SEE ALSO: Trump Reacts as FIFA Clears Balogun to Face Belgium in World Cup Clash
Brazil’s hopes of a comeback were dashed in the closing moments when Haaland struck again in the 90th minute, sealing a famous victory for Norway and sending them into the last eight of the tournament.
The result marks one of the competition’s biggest surprises, with Norway eliminating one of the pre-tournament favourites to continue their impressive World Cup campaign.
Norway will now turn their attention to the quarter-finals, while Brazil bow out of the tournament with their quest for a sixth World Cup crown brought to an abrupt end.
United States President Donald Trump has welcomed FIFA’s decision to suspend the red card issued to USA striker Folarin Balogun, clearing the forward to feature in the country’s crucial Round of 16 clash against Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA announced the decision on Sunday, overturning the suspension that would have ruled Balogun out of Monday’s knockout encounter after he was sent off during the USA’s match against Bosnia last week.
SEE MORE: Fresh Report Warns Nigeria May Miss Another World Cup If Current NFF Stays
The development comes as a major boost for the United States, with Balogun expected to play a key role in the team’s bid to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
Reacting shortly after FIFA’s announcement, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to praise the governing body for what he described as the right decision.
“Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!” Trump wrote.
Balogun’s availability is expected to strengthen the American attack against Belgium in one of the standout fixtures of the World Cup Round of 16.
The striker has been a key figure for the USA throughout the tournament, and his return provides a timely boost as the team prepares for one of its toughest tests in the competition.
A new report has raised concerns over the future of Nigerian football, warning that the country could miss another FIFA World Cup unless significant changes are made to the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
The report, released as the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues in the United States, Canada and Mexico, argues that Nigeria’s continued absence from football’s biggest tournament reflects deep-rooted administrative problems rather than a shortage of football talent.
SEE MORE: GTI Commends NSC, NFF for Commitment to NPFL Transformation
According to the report, failing to qualify for the World Cup has hurt the international profile of Nigerian players and slowed the growth of the domestic game.
It says the country’s football potential will remain underutilised unless the federation undergoes far-reaching reforms.
The report also notes that several football stakeholders and respected sporting figures have repeatedly called for the NFF to be restructured and insulated from political influence.
They believe only a transparent and professionally managed federation can restore confidence in Nigerian football.
It identifies a number of long-standing issues, including alleged financial mismanagement, delayed payment of players’ bonuses, inconsistent coaching appointments and poor administrative planning, as factors that have contributed to the Super Eagles’ recent struggles on the international stage.
Beyond the national team’s disappointing results, the report argues that years of weak governance have affected player welfare and weakened youth football development, limiting Nigeria’s ability to compete consistently with the world’s top football nations.
The report concludes that meaningful leadership reforms within the NFF are essential if Nigeria hopes to reclaim its place at future FIFA World Cup tournaments and restore the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s football powerhouses.
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