All the eight countries that have qualified for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup quarter-final have been confirmed.

This follows the conclusion of the final group fixtures in the early hours of Thursday morning.

DAILY POST reports that North Korea defeated England 4-0 in their final group game.

Kenya won 2-1 against Mexico, but both teams failed to advance to the knock-out stage after getting the lowest points in their group.

However , the eight countries that have booked their place in the last-8 after the conclusion of the group stage are Nigeria, Poland, United States, North Korea, England, Spain, Ecuador and Japan.

The quarter-final fixtures will commence from Saturday.

[DailyPost]

Football fans in Nigeria are on edge as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to announce its decision today on the contentious 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria and Libya.

The match, part of Group D, was marred by controversy after the Nigerian team experienced what has been described as inhumane treatment upon their arrival in Libya for the second leg against the Mediterranean Knights last Sunday.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) lodged an official complaint with CAF following an incident where the Super Eagles were reportedly left stranded at the airport without support.

A video shared by the Eagles’ media team captured the players and officials surrounded by their luggage, apparently ignored by Libyan airport staff who were conversing in Arabic.

The logistical nightmare began when the Nigerian team’s flight was unexpectedly diverted to Al Abraq International Airport—over 200 kilometers from their intended destination in Benina, where the match was scheduled at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium.

The airport, typically used for hajj operations, lacked essential amenities, contributing to the exhaustion and frustration of the players and officials.

The absence of a welcoming team and the unavailability of arranged transportation compounded the difficulties, forcing the NFF to seek alternative travel arrangements.

The situation escalated when the Nigerian delegation was confined at the airport for more than 20 hours without access to food, water, or outside communication, leading to their decision to boycott the match.

The Libyan Football Federation responded to the complaints by alleging non-cooperation from the Nigerian side during both legs of the qualifiers, suggesting that the treatment received by the Libyan team in Nigeria was comparably challenging.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe addressed the issue during a press conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, stating that a thorough investigation was underway.

The football community, both in Nigeria and across Africa, is anxiously awaiting the outcome of CAF’s deliberations, which could have significant implications for the standings in Group D and the broader dynamics of the tournament qualifications.

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over hosts Dominican Republic in the ongoing 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, thanks to a stunning 89th-minute goal by midfielder Shakirat Moshood.

The match, played early Wednesday in Santo Domingo, saw Moshood’s powerful left-footed strike from 25 yards beat the Dominican goalkeeper, marking her fourth goal of the tournament.

Earlier in the game, Moshood had an attempt ruled offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) just 15 minutes in, while team captain Taiwo Afolabi forced the Dominican goalkeeper into a save shortly after.

Despite mounting pressure in the second half, it wasn’t until the final minutes that the Flamingos broke the deadlock.

The victory was the Flamingos’ third consecutive win, placing them at the top of Group A with nine points, ahead of Ecuador, hosts Dominican Republic, and New Zealand.

Nigeria’s young stars have been in dominant form throughout the tournament, netting eight goals and conceding just one in their previous group-stage matches.

Coach Bankole Olowokoore expressed his pride in the team’s performance, thanking Nigerians for their continued support.

He said, “I will not change our messages to Nigerians but to thank and appreciate them for their support. They should keep supporting us and having kept these vigils, it will not go in vain. Anytime they are watching us, we will give them joy, and we are going to make them proud. This is a promise that we made to them before we left Nigeria, and we are fulfilling the promise to them for them to be proud of us.”

The victory over the Dominican Republic was witnessed by a record-breaking crowd of 13,535 spectators, the highest attendance for any Dominican Republic national team match, according to the official FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup X handle.

With their place in the quarterfinals secured, the Flamingos will next face the United States in a highly anticipated knockout stage clash.

The title of the highest-paid soccer player goes to stars who not only shine on the field but also know how to market themselves. Big names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé have recently led the pack in earnings. 

Their huge contracts with clubs, including moves to leagues like the Saudi Pro League, and major endorsement deals with top brands, have made them some of the wealthiest athletes in the world. These players’ success comes from both their incredible soccer skills and their ability to attract sponsorships, showing how sports and business can come together in modern football.

Here are five world highest-paid footballer in 2024 according to Forbes news you should know:

1. $285 million – Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo, the famous Portuguese soccer star, is once again the highest-paid player in the world. His huge income comes from his salary and big endorsement deals. In 2023, Ronaldo’s move to the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr gave him a major pay boost, with reports saying his contract is worth hundreds of millions per year. Besides his success on the field, Ronaldo’s global brand, including deals with Nike and his own CR7 products, adds to his massive earnings. His ability to stay at the top shows both his talent and his strong appeal to fans and companies alike.

2. $135 million – Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi, one of the best soccer players in the world, is always among the highest-paid athletes. After leaving Barcelona in 2021, Messi signed a big contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). His earnings are also boosted by endorsements with major brands like Adidas and Pepsi, along with his business ventures, like the Messi Store. In 2023, Messi made a big move to Inter Miami in the MLS, increasing his income even more with a special deal that includes sharing revenue with Apple and Adidas. This move helped cement Messi as one of the top earners in sports.

3. $110 million – Neymar Jr.

Neymar Jr., the Brazilian soccer star, is still one of the highest-paid players in the world. His 2017 transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was the most expensive in soccer history, and it came with a huge salary that kept him among the top earners. In 2023, Neymar made another big move, joining the Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal with a contract that greatly increased his income. Besides his club earnings, Neymar has major endorsements with brands like Puma and Red Bull, making him a global soccer icon and one of the richest athletes in the world.

4. $104 million – Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema, the French football star and former Real Madrid captain, became one of the highest-paid soccer players in the world following his 2023 move to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia. His contract with the Saudi Pro League club includes a significant financial package, placing him among the top earners in football. Prior to this, Benzema enjoyed a successful career at Real Madrid, where he earned multiple titles, including the Ballon d’Or in 2022. In addition to his salary, Benzema’s earnings are supplemented by endorsement deals, making him a prominent figure in the global football landscape.

5. $90 million – Kylian Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé, the French soccer star, is one of the highest-paid players in the world, thanks to his huge contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and valuable endorsement deals. In 2022, Mbappé signed a record-breaking contract extension with PSG, giving him a large salary and big bonuses. His earnings are also boosted by partnerships with well-known brands like Nike and Hublot. Known for his incredible speed and goal-scoring skills, Mbappé is one of the most marketable athletes globally. His financial success matches his quick rise to fame, making him a major figure in both soccer and business.

[TheNation]