FIFA president Gianni Infantino signed a letter in which the soccer governing body’s top brass finally accepted that the plan to sell stakes in the World Cup was handled poorly.

The past couple of weeks have been quite uncomfortable for Gianni Infantino. Ever since reports came out about FIFA’s plan to sell stakes in their premier competitions to private investors, the soccer world has been up in arms.

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This isn’t great for Infantino, who is up for re-election in 2027. Already, FAs around the world are withdrawing their support for his presidency, and his future prospects are looking bleak.

FIFA has been forced to backtrack on their FFE proposal, too. After all the noise around the organisation and its president this week, fans have finally received some type of accountability.

Leaked FIFA letter shows first hints of apology from Gianni Infantino

When FIFA announced that they would reconsider their proposal for financial investment, there was no admission of error. Now, there finally is one.

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Sky Sports correspondent Rob Harris shared a leaked letter, which has been seemingly signed by Infantino as well as Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom. It includes an acknowledgment that mistakes were made.

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates her win against Alycia Parks of the United States during day four of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers at Sobeys Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP 

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala extended her title celebration from ruling the Mubadala DC Open in Washington to giving Filipino fans in Toronto a thrilling three-set victory to kick off her Canadian Open campaign.

Just days removed from winning her first WTA Tour title, Eala carried the momentum and fended off American Alycia Parks, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, to the delight of a Filipino-dominated crowd at center court on Thursday morning (Philippine time).

READ: Alex Eala, Filipino fans make rare Monday final one to remember

The first thing the Filipino tennis ace did after the grueling showdown was acknowledge her fellow Filipinos, who cheered her on throughout the match despite being reminded by the chair umpire several times to keep the noise down.

“Kamusta tayo ngayon, Toronto? I-wagayway niyo nga yung mga bandila niyo at patingin (How are you today, Toronto? Show me waving your flags). There are so many Filipinos in the crowd tonight, so many flags. Thank you!” said Eala shortly after the win.

Philippines’ Alexandra Eala celebrates after defeating United States’ Alycia Parks in National Bank Open tennis action in Toronto on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

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The 21-year-old expressed her gratitude to Filipinos in the stands and those following her matches from the Philippines despite the time difference.

“I am eternally grateful. I mean I just came off Washington so I really feel like this is a celebration,” she said.

“Alam niyo kababayan, linggo-linggo ko kayo nakikita, sinusuportahan ako, linggo-linggo ko nakikita kung gaano niyo kamahal ang kapwa niyong Pinoy. Kaya proud na proud ako maging Pinoy. Maraming salamat. Mahal ko kayong lahat.”

(I see you guys every week; I also see it every week how you love your fellow Filipinos. That’s what I’m so proud to be a Filipino. Thank you. I love you all.)

“Thank you to everyone who is supporting tennis and creating atmospheres like this. It’s really the pleasure of my life to experience these things.”

Eala, now World No. 20, has been playing the best tennis of her career, reaching the Wimbledon Round of 16 before capturing her first WTA 500 title in Washington with a victory over World No. 3 Jessica Pegula.

The No. 25 seed, who received a first-round bye, next faces another American, Caty McNally, in the round of 32.

Eala will also compete in doubles, reuniting with Venus Williams as a wild-card pair. They face Liudmila Samsonova and Miyu Kato in the round of 32 on Friday.

When Aaron Donald retired from the Los Angeles Rams in 2024, his next stop seemed destined to be an induction ceremony into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But, now, that journey might include one more stop — back with the Rams.

Donald has been flirting with the idea of returning to his old team because they’re stacked this season and about to embark on a chase for a Super Bowl championship, and he apparently likes the idea of being part of the journey.

That’s no secret.

What was a secret until Wednesday was how close Donald is to making a decision on his return after he requested and received a formal workout from the team to see how he feels.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald plays against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Nov. 26, 2023. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports)

The workout was so formal the Rams reported it to the NFL, and it appeared on the league’s daily transaction wire. That wire is released across the league every day at 4 p.m.

Multiple league sources have confirmed to Fox News Digital that Donald donned his helmet and pads and went through a solid 45 minutes with club personnel.

This was all meant to give Donald an idea about his ability to not only come back, but come back and dominate as he did for a decade when he was arguably the best defensive lineman in the NFL.

DETROIT LIONS GREAT FRANK RAGNOW DETAILS HIS ABRUPT RETIREMENT, FAILED COMEBACK ATTEMPT

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws under pressure from Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99) during the second half Nov. 15, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)

This was not meant to give the Rams a comfort level regarding Donald’s ability. They already have that and have been transparent that if Donald wants to come back, Donald can come back.

It is unclear, however, how Donald actually did. No one has spoken publicly about it so far.

A decision could be imminent if it hasn’t already been made after this workout.

The Rams are conducting their training camp at Loyola Marymount University but return to their training facility in Woodland Hills Friday.

Rams coach Sean McVay has said Donald’s decision to return would likely come after the return to Woodland Hills.

Most media are portraying it as a near certainty that Donald will make the jump back into the NFL. It’s not quite so simple.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

He apparently wants to do it.

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter of an NFC wild-card playoff game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Jan. 10, 2026. (Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The idea appeals because the Rams are so good that they reached the NFC Championship game last season. In the offseason, they added All-Pro defensive lineman Myles Garrett and both of the Kansas City Chiefs outstanding starting cornerbacks, including Pro Bowler Trent McDuffie.

Did we mention defending league MVP Matthew Stafford is the Los Angeles quarterback?

That kind of talent suggests the Rams are going to be serious Super Bowl contenders, even in a division with the defending champion Seattle Seahawks.

But there’s a catch for Donald: He wants to be close to if not as good as he’s always been.

He doesn’t wish to look diminished in what could then be portrayed as a selfish chase for a Super Bowl ring rather than a valuable addition to a Super Bowl contender. So, the player who has not played since 2023 has been working very hard to get in shape for the attempt.

Wednesday’s workout was meant to give everyone involved a view of whether Aaron Donald is ready.

FOLLOW ARMANDO SALGUERO ON X: @ARMANDOSALGUERO

The passers are still battling. The men responsible for snapping the ball aren’t.

Blake Brandel is looking like he’s got the C1 job locked up at Vikings training camp. All along, the likeliest scenario was that he was going to earn the starting spot, but there was some sliver of doubt. That doesn’t appear to be the case more than a week ahead of the debut preseason game. Like a news network confident enough to make the call on election night, VT is saying there’s a winner with some votes still being counted.

Vikings Training Camp: Blake Brandel Appears to be Clear C1

Long before he was the starting center, Mr. Brandel told Vikings Territory that he could play center.

— READ MORE: Vikings Rookie Keeps Upping the Ante at Training Camp —
— READ MORE: Young Vikings Trenchman Breaks Through with Starters —

“You take all those scout team reps,” Brandel said when chatting about his past, “if you’re not a starter, you’re on the look team, and so just kind of continuing to progress. Like I was saying, I knew in order to stick around I was going to have to play multiple positions, so I started playing guard, started playing center. And just trying to show them that I was willing to kind of learn whatever it took in order for me to stick around and they were super helpful through that process, coaching me up and getting me better.”

What was once just a possibility — a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option — now looks like it’s starting to get written in the ink used to write down the starting lineup.

Go ahead and consider what some of his teammates have been saying.

Right tackle Brian O’Neill chatted with the media. “Blake’s awesome,” O’Neill begins. “Young offensive lineman need to look at Blake” for inspiration, claims O’Neill, before indicating that he’s “really hopeful and confident that [Brandel] has a great year.”

Starting left guard Donovan Jackson expressed confidence, as well. Ironically, Jackson is the one who replaced Brandel, but that hasn’t slowed the sophomore from kicking over praised: “He’s quick and efficient with his calls, and that allows everyone else on the o-line to communicate effectively within the shot clock. So he’s done an amazing job and we’re just trying to go where he takes us.”

Finally, consider that the man himself is doing some media, chatting with KFAN for close to ten minutes. Brandel quipped that he “love[s] playing center” and that “it fits my personality a little bit in terms of yelling at people and telling them what to do.”

Vikings training camp is still pretty young. In theory, much remains to be determined since there’s several weeks between now and the great descent to the 53-man roster. There’s then a couple weeks before the Week 1 game when the Packers arrive in the Twin Cities for a tilt inside of U.S. Bank Stadium.

Still, this one appears to be case closed. Brandel is running away with the competition. As a result, the focus is shifting toward who is going to secure the backup job(s). All of Michael Jurgens, Gavin Gerhardt, and Delby Lemieux (among others) need to start jostling for the backup job. Could Henry Byrd be an out-of-nowhere contender?

Playing on the final year of his contract, Brandel looks like an extension candidate. Locking him up for another couple of seasons could mean arriving at some rare continuity along the offensive line.

Blake Brandel is 29.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Manchester United are yet to complete adding to their squad this summer

With under a month remaining in the summer transfer window, Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick still has plenty of big decisions to make.

Having already reinforced the midfield with the high-profile arrivals of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, attention at Old Trafford has reportedly changed to bolstering his defensive options. United have been linked to a whole host of additions at the back, and now a new name has emerged in connections with the Reds.

Meanwhile, several senior squad members have already moved on this summer – including Radek Vitek’s seemingly imminent transfer to Middlesbrough – and one further outgoing could be clinched in the coming weeks.

Defensive target

United retain an interest in Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini, according to The Telegraph. The 22-year-old has already accumulated 137 appearances for the Serie A outfit and would offer much-needed reinforcement to Carrick’s defensive line, given the fitness concerns surrounding Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt last season.

The Italy international is no stranger to the United hierarchy, having previously been watched by the club. The centre-back can also operate as a defensive midfielder on occasion and completed an impressive 88% of his passes last term.

The Telegraph reports that Carrick is no longer prioritising the acquisition of a third midfielder, with the remaining transfer budget potentially being redirected towards a defensive signing. According to Transfermarkt, the defender is valued at £32m (€38m), though his injury record could give the United manager cause for concern.

He has missed 81 matches over the past three years, including 14 games last season, owing to four separate fitness complaints.

Zirkzee potential exit

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United are yet to strengthen their attack this summer, beyond the return of Marcus Rashford, yet that hasn’t prevented Carrick from entertaining the prospect of allowing Joshua Zirkzee to depart.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Juventus are keen on securing the Dutch striker on a season-long loan. The 25-year-old has struggled to cement his place at the club since his £36.5million arrival in 2024, netting just nine goals in 75 appearances across all competitions.

The report suggests that Zirkzee has already given the green light to the Serie A heavyweights, with openings at United becoming increasingly scarce last year due to the presence of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

The Ultimate 26/27 Sky Sports Bundle

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Sky’s Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle includes at least 215 live Premier League clashes across the 2026/27 season with more than 1,400 live games across the EFL and beyond, plus F1, golf and darts.

Every subscription now comes with 135 channels alongside free subscriptions to HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu.

The 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game kicks off the preseason schedule from Canton, Ohio, as the Arizona Cardinals take on the Carolina Panthers on Thursday. New head coach Mike LaFleur makes his debut for Arizona, which looks to improve upon a 4-13 2025 campaign. Carolina went 8-9 last year but hopes to build off a surprise postseason berth after winning the NFC South. Bet Cardinals vs. Panthers at DraftKings:

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET from Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The latest Cardinals vs. Panthers odds have Carolina as a 1.5-point favorite, while the over/under for total points scored is 35.5. Before making any Panthers vs. Cardinals picks or 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game predictions, be sure to see what NFL expert R.J. White has to say.

White has worked as a writer and editor for CBS Sports full time since 2014, currently serving as the managing editor of betting and Fantasy content. His betting content can be found at SportsLine, where he’s delivered remarkable success on NFL picks since 2017, especially against the spread, ranking as SportsLine’s most profitable expert during that span. Anybody following his NFL betting picks at sportsbooks and on betting sites could have seen strong returns.  

Now, White has zeroed in on Cardinals vs. Panthers. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several NFL odds and betting lines for Cardinals vs. Panthers:

Top Cardinals vs. Panthers predictions

After examining Panthers vs. Cardinals from every angle, White is learning Over 35.5 points. Different teams and coaches treat preseason games different from one-another, but this opening game has trended Over recently. It’s possible LaFleur looks to make an offensive statement in his first game on an NFL sideline as a head coach. 

“I’m a slight lean on the Over after the last four HOF Games made it to 37+ points,” White told SportsLine. “But the highest scoring of the four only made it to 41 so we don’t have much of a margin for error, particularly if the Panthers coaching staff is on autopilot.” You can see which team to back at SportsLine.  

Make NFL predictions at Kalshi. New users can sign up here:

How to make Cardinals vs. Panthers picks

For Panthers vs. Cardinals in the NFL Hall of Fame Game, the elite NFL expert has found a critical x-factor that has him jumping on one side of the spread. See what it is at SportsLine.

Who covers in Cardinals vs. Panthers, and what critical x-factor makes one side hit hard? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Cardinals vs. Panthers spread you need to jump on, from one of SportsLine’s premier NFL experts, and find out.

Newcastle United have officially confirmed Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach.

The 38-year-old, who succeeds Eddie Howe, has already joined the squad at their La Manga pre-season training camp after his paperwork was finalised.

The club are understood to have paid the former Al-Ahli boss over £9 million in compensation to secure his services.

The former RB Salzburg boss said: “It is an incredible honour to become head coach of Newcastle United. This is one of the biggest clubs in European football, with a unique history, identity and supporter base, and I am excited to experience that passion and connection first-hand.

“When Newcastle United comes your way, you take notice. The ambition of the club, the vision for the future and the opportunity ahead made this an incredibly compelling place to be. I have followed the club’s journey closely in recent years and the progress that has been made is clear for everyone to see.”

Jaissle arrives at St James’ Park with a promising pedigree having guided Salzburg to back-to-back Austrian titles before heading for the Saudi Pro League in 2023 and winning successive Asian Champions League crowns with Al-Ahli.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Newcastle’s majority owner, bought a controlling share in four Pro League clubs, including Al-Ahli, in 2023.

Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson said: “Matthias is one of the most exciting and highly regarded young coaches in football and I’m thrilled to welcome him to Newcastle United.

“We have conducted a thorough process, and he has emerged as the clear candidate for the role. He possesses all the qualities we were looking for.”

Jaissle has big shoes to fill on Tyneside following Howe’s decision to step down from his role on Friday after almost five years in charge.

The former Bournemouth boss was handed the reins in November 2021 just weeks after Amanda Staveley’s consortium had completed its takeover, and aided by a significant cash injection he dragged the Magpies back from the brink of relegation from the Premier League.

In the process, he restored the connection between the fans and the club and created an optimism which was rewarded by a return to Champions League football and a first major domestic trophy in 70 years when they lifted the Carabao Cup in March 2025.

However, Howe departed after a difficult 2025-26 campaign, which was derailed before a ball had been kicked by Alexander Isak’s defection to Liverpool.

This summer’s departures of Kieran Trippier, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali – and the reported likely exit of skipper Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal – have left the squad in a state of flux.

Jaissle faces the task of steadying the ship off the pitch before Newcastle open the new campaign at home to Liverpool on August 23.

He added: “I am incredibly excited about the future. I fully and unreservedly believe in this project, the ambition and the direction the club is taking.

“There is a clear vision, strong leadership and an exceptional platform to build on.”

World-class tennis will soon take center court in the Queen City.

The 2026 Cincinnati Open boasts big names in both the men’s and women’s fields. The Williams sisters, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are just a few of the stars headlining the tournament.

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Here’s what to know about this year’s event: from tickets, tournament schedule, who’s playing and more.

Where is the Cincinnati Open played?

The Cincinnati Open, which hosts both ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tournaments, is an annual hardcourt tennis event at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason.

When is the Cincinnati Open?

Matches for this year’s tournament run from Aug. 11-23. Events will kick off prior with Community Weekend, which takes place Aug. 8-9.

What is Community Weekend?

Community Weekend is a two-day celebration that features a slew of family-friendly activities. Ground passes are available for both days. These passes give fans access to autograph sessions, player meet-and-greets, players’ practices and the event grounds. Saturday evening will feature the Red Bull BassLine, a quick-fire tournament with “six of the world’s best” playing to the beat of a live, on-court DJ, according to the Cincinnati Open website. Sunday morning will feature the inaugural Cincinnati Open 5K, a race throughout the 40-acre tournament venue. For more information on each event and to purchase tickets, visit cincinnatiopen.com/tickets/community-weekend.

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Cincinnati Open 2026 Schedule

Most days in the tournament have both day and night sessions. Aug. 11, 12 and 23 have only day sessions.

• Tuesday, Aug. 11: Qualifying Round.

• Wednesday, Aug. 12: Qualifying Round.

• Thursday, Aug. 13: First Round.

• Friday, Aug. 14: First Round.

• Saturday, Aug. 15, Day session: First Round, Second Round.

• Saturday, Aug. 15, Night session: Second Round.

• Sunday, Aug. 16: Second Round.

• Monday, Aug. 17: Third Round.

• Tuesday, Aug. 18: Third Round.

• Wednesday, Aug. 19: Round of 16.

• Thursday, Aug. 20: Quarterfinals.

• Friday, Aug. 21: Quarterfinals.

• Saturday, Aug. 22: Semifinals.

The timing of the 2026 finals matches and the complete match schedule will be announced at a later date.

Who’s playing in the Cincinnati Open?

The Cincinnati Open features 96 players in the men’s singles field and 96 players in the women’s singles field. Thirty-two teams will compete in each doubles field.

The current top 10 players globally for the women’s singles field will be at the Cincinnati tournament.

No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is joined by Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva, Karolina Muchova, Linda Noskova, last year’s winner Iga Swiatek, Elina Svitolina and Amanda Anisimova. Big names Naomi Osaka (ranked No. 13) and Venus Williams (who received a singles wild card) will also compete in the singles field.

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Almost all of the current top 10 players globally for the men’s singles field will also be at the Cincinnati tournament. No. 2 and 2025 champion Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the tournament due to an injury.

No. 1 Jannik Sinner is joined by Alexander Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz, Flavio Cobolli and Ben Shelton. Fan-favorite Frances Tiafoe (No. 19) also joins the pack.

As for the doubles fields, Venus and Serena Williams headline the women’s competition. The 2025 men’s doubles champions, Rajeev Ram and Nikola Mektic, will return this year, albeit with different partners. Ram, a Carmel, Indiana, native, will play with Joe Salisbury. The pair won the Cincinnati Open title in 2022. Mektic will partner with Austin Krajicek. 

To see the current full list of players, visit cincinnatiopen.com/tournament/players.

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Cincinnati Open draw

Cincinnati Open draws, or detailed brackets for the ATP and WTA play, will be available here: cincinnatiopen.com/score-center/draws/.

What is the prize money for the Cincinnati Open?

The 2026 prize money pool for the ATP tournament is $9,415,725. The 2026 prize money pool for the WTA tournament is $7,433,076.

Where to buy tickets to the Cincinnati Open

Fans can purchase tickets on the Cincinnati Open website: cincinnatiopen.com/tickets. Fans can buy tickets to a single session or a group of consecutive sessions, known as a ticket package. Single session tickets are currently available for as low as $8. Packages are available for as low as roughly $200.

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Where to park at the Cincinnati Open

Free public parking in designated lots will be available to all attendees, according to the tournament’s website. Tournament organizers advise attendees to follow posted signage and direction from parking attendants. Shuttles will be available from public parking lots to gate entrances.

The Linder Family Tennis Center is located at 5460 Courseview Drive, Mason.

What’s the history of the Cincinnati Open?

The tournament debuted in 1899 as the Cincinnati Open, back when it was played on clay courts at the Avondale Athletic Club on property that now belongs to Xavier University. Nat Emerson, a local who became a top 10 tennis player in the U.S. in 1908, won the coveted title in the first iteration of the tournament.

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The event changed names and locations several times in its history, including the Tri-State Tennis Tournament in 1901, a name it would keep until 1969.

The event made the switch to hardcourts by 1979 when the tournament found a new home in Mason, where it remains to this day. The Western & Southern Financial Group began sponsoring it in 2002, and the name changed from the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters and Women’s Open to the Western & Southern Open in 2011.

South Carolina billionaire Ben Navarro’s Beemok Capital group purchased the tournament in August 2022 from the United States Tennis Association. The following year, the group announced the tournament would remain at the Lindner Family Tennis Center for the next 25 years.

In 2024, Beemok Capital announced the tennis tournament’s original name – the Cincinnati Open – would be restored. In 2025, the Cincinnati Open expanded to two weeks of competition for both men and women.

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Food at the Cincinnati Open

The 2026 tournament vendors are:

• Kim Crawford Wine Garden.

Did we miss something? Visit the FAQs section on the tournament’s website: cincinnatiopen.com/visit/faqs/.

Enquirer reporter Grace Tucker contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Open 2026 ultimate guide. Tickets, parking, food and more

One of the biggest talking points at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) has been Zambia’s shock elimination from Group C despite finishing with the best overall goal difference.

Many fans expected the Copper Queens to progress after their convincing 6-0 victory over Egypt, but CAF’s tiebreak rules told a different story.

So, why did Zambia go home while Nigeria and Malawi advanced?

Here’s a simple breakdown.

Final Group C Results

Nigeria

• Lost 3-2 to Malawi
• Beat Zambia 1-0
• Beat Egypt 6-2

Malawi

• Beat Nigeria 3-2
• Lost 2-1 to Zambia
• Beat Egypt 3-1

Zambia

• Beat Egypt 6-0
• Lost 1-0 to Nigeria
• Beat Malawi 2-1

All three teams finished with:

• Nigeria – 6 points
• Malawi – 6 points
• Zambia – 6 points
• Egypt – 0 points

Looking only at the final table, Zambia appeared to have the advantage.

Naturally, many supporters assumed Zambia would qualify.

But CAF does not use overall goal difference as the first tiebreaker when three or more teams finish level on points.

What CAF’s Regulations Actually Say

Article 74.2 of the CAF competition regulations explains how teams are separated when three or more sides finish level on points.

The regulations rank teams in this order:

1. Points obtained in matches between the tied teams.
2. Goal difference in matches between the tied teams.
3. Goals scored in matches between the tied teams.
4. If only two teams remain tied, the above criteria are applied again to those two teams.
5. Only then is overall goal difference considered.
6. Finally, overall goals scored are used if necessary.

In other words, matches against Egypt are ignored during the first stage of the tiebreak because Egypt were not part of the three-way tie.

Source: CAF Competition Regulations, Article 74.2.

The Mini-League That Decided Everything

CAF effectively creates a mini-league using only the matches played between Nigeria, Malawi and Zambia.

Those matches were:

• Malawi 3-2 Nigeria
• Nigeria 1-0 Zambia
• Zambia 2-1 Malawi

The mini-table looks like this:

All three teams remained level on:

CAF therefore moved to the next criterion: goals scored in matches between the tied teams.

That produced the following ranking:

1. Malawi – 4 goals
2. Nigeria – 3 goals
3. Zambia – 2 goals

That is why Malawi and Nigeria progressed while Zambia were eliminated.

The Result Against Egypt Didn’t Matter

This is the part that has confused many fans.

Nigeria’s 6-2 victory over Egypt looked decisive, while Zambia’s 6-0 win over Egypt gave them the best overall goal difference in the group.

However, those results were not used to separate the three tied teams.

Since the head-to-head criteria already produced a ranking, CAF never needed to move on to overall goal difference.

What If Nigeria Had Only Beaten Egypt 2-1?

Here’s the surprising part.

The outcome would have been exactly the same.

Even if Nigeria had beaten Egypt 2-1 instead of 6-2, the standings would still have ended with Nigeria, Malawi and Zambia tied on six points.

CAF would still have ignored the Egypt results during the first stage of the tiebreak and used only the matches involving the three tied teams.

The mini-league would therefore remain:

• Malawi – 4 goals
• Nigeria – 3 goals
• Zambia – 2 goals

Nigeria would still finish above Zambia and qualify for the quarter-finals.

In fact, Nigeria could have beaten Egypt 1-0, 2-1 or even 10-0, and the qualification outcome would not have changed, because the head-to-head criteria had already separated the three teams before overall goal difference was ever considered.

Why This Rule Exists

CAF’s approach is designed to reward teams based on their performances against their direct rivals rather than encouraging teams to run up the score against the weakest side in the group.

That is why Zambia’s emphatic 6-0 victory over Egypt ultimately counted for less than the goals scored by Nigeria and Malawi in matches against each other.

It is an uncommon scenario, but one that is clearly covered by CAF’s regulations.

So…

At first glance, Zambia’s elimination appears unfair because they finished with the best overall goal difference.

However, CAF did not eliminate Zambia because of goal difference.

The Copper Queens were eliminated because, under the competition’s official tiebreak procedure, they scored the fewest goals in the mini-league involving the three tied teams.

It is a rule that has sparked plenty of debate, but one that was applied exactly as written in the CAF regulations.