The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that the draw for the national stage of the 2026 President Federation Cup will take place on Friday at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja.

The draw will involve teams that qualified after the national playoff matches, where four teams were knocked out in the women’s category and six teams exited the men’s competition.

A total of 32 teams will compete in the women’s event, while 64 teams will battle for glory in the men’s tournament.

Defending champions Kwara United will return to defend their title in the men’s competition alongside top clubs such as Shooting Stars, Rangers International, Bendel Insurance, Nasarawa United, Ikorodu City, Rivers United and Barau FC.

In the women’s category, holders Rivers Angels will face competition from leading sides including Nasarawa Amazons, FC Robo Queens, Ibom Angels, Bayelsa Queens and Naija Ratels.

Akwa Ibom State will be represented by Akwa United and Godswill Akpabio FC in the men’s competition, while Ibom Angels and Solo Wonders will compete in the women’s event.

Other notable clubs in the men’s tournament include Enyimba FC, Lobi Stars, Warri Wolves, Plateau United and Niger Tornadoes.

The President Federation Cup remains one of Nigeria’s biggest domestic football competitions, bringing together clubs from across the country in both the men’s and women’s categories.

First Published: May 14 2026 | 11:57 PM IST

Mercedes Mone has not been seen in AEW for quite some time, but a recent real-life development involving a top AEW star could lead to the CEO’s return to the Jacksonville-based promotion.

Mercedes Mone’s name is listed among the greatest female wrestlers of all time. This recognition reflects her immense body of work, including her time as Sasha Banks in WWE and now in AEW as the CEO. Currently, the former TBS champion is on hiatus from the Jacksonville-based promotion, a break that began at Dynamite: New Year’s Smash, where she lost the title. During her absence, the wrestling world saw multiple reports suggesting she would return soon, and Mone herself hinted at a comeback on social media, but she has yet to return. As we navigate the fifth month of her absence, an unfortunate real-life issue involving a top AEW star, Persephone, may finally result in the CEO’s return to Tony Khan’s promotion.

It was recently confirmed that Persephone has suffered a legitimate and severe foot injury sustained in late April. As a result, the Mexican star was written off TV during a recent episode of Collision. Interestingly, Persephone was announced for this year’s Women’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament on this week’s Dynamite despite the injury. It is highly likely that Persephone will be unable to recover in time for her Round 1 match at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view, which opens the possibility of Tony Khan replacing her with Mercedes Mone.

Thekla has her say on Mercedes Mone’s AEW status

In a recent exclusive interview with Westwood One Sports Night, reigning AEW Women’s Champion Thekla was asked to comment on Mercedes Mone, but she chose to defer the comment to a later date. The Toxic Spider said she has interesting details about her in relation to the CEO, but they will have to wait before seeing the light of day.

“That’s a tough one. You know, I’m not gonna answer that because I think there will be a day where I’m going to reveal stuff that is interesting about me in relation to Mercedes. So I’m not gonna say anything,” said Thekla

Mercedes Mone returning to take Persephone’s place in the Owen Hart Cup is definitely a play Tony Khan can run, but for now it is a speculative angle, and it remains to be seen how Mone’s return to All Elite Wrestling will unfold.