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Morocco Among African Hopefuls Ready to Seal 2026 World Cup Berth 

Morocco's national football team head coach Walid Regragui gives a press conference in Rabat, Morocco, on 22 August, 2025, to announce the squad called up for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Niger on 05 September and Zambia on 08 September 2025. (EPA)
Morocco's national football team head coach Walid Regragui gives a press conference in Rabat, Morocco, on 22 August, 2025, to announce the squad called up for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Niger on 05 September and Zambia on 08 September 2025. (EPA)
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Morocco Among African Hopefuls Ready to Seal 2026 World Cup Berth 

Morocco's national football team head coach Walid Regragui gives a press conference in Rabat, Morocco, on 22 August, 2025, to announce the squad called up for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Niger on 05 September and Zambia on 08 September 2025. (EPA)
Morocco's national football team head coach Walid Regragui gives a press conference in Rabat, Morocco, on 22 August, 2025, to announce the squad called up for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Niger on 05 September and Zambia on 08 September 2025. (EPA)

Africa could deliver the first of its nine guaranteed representatives at the 2026 World Cup when qualifying resumes this week, with Morocco among several familiar protagonists standing on the cusp of winning their groups.

The Moroccans set a benchmark for Africa at the last World Cup by reaching the semi-finals in Qatar and look likely to be the continent's first side to qualify for the next finals in North America.

Victory at home over Niger, combined with closest Group E challengers Tanzania failing to win at Brazzaville against Congo, on Friday would see Morocco book their berth for 2026.

Morocco, FIFA's highest ranked African side at number 12, are the only side with a 100% record in the preliminaries.

Egypt, who were the first Africans to compete at a World Cup in 1934, must win at home against Ethiopia on Friday and then overcame second-placed Burkina Faso away in Ouagadougou next Tuesday to ensure top spot in Group A.

That is easier said than done though, as Burkina will be back in front of their home fans after a ban on the August 4 Stadium, which forced them to host previous "home" qualifiers in Morocco, was lifted after renovations.

Algeria are only three points ahead of Mozambique at the top of Group G but if results go their way over the next week of the international window, they could also be sure of qualifying.

They have a home clash against Botswana on Thursday and then meet Guinea in neutral Casablanca on Monday.

Guinea are one of 13 countries forced to move home games to neutral venues because their stadia failed to meet international standards.

Tunisia also have a chance of qualifying ahead of the final two rounds of group fixtures in October. They need to beat Liberia and Equatorial Guinea and hope other results in Group H go their way.

The winners of all nine groups gain automatic berths at the expanded 48-team finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The four best placed runners-up go into a playoff in November to determine one African team to advance to a final inter-continental playoff next March.

In other key matches over the next week, Group F front-runners Ivory Coast will go to chasers Gabon with likely a single point separating them.

In Kinshasa, the match-up between hosts Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal could determine who goes top of Group B while South Africa's fixture against Nigeria could have a big impact on how Group C shakes out.

Another key encounter sees Cameroon travel to the Cape Verde Islands in Group D.

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Sports

Sabalenka Shuts Down Political Talk After Ukrainian’s Ban Call

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Bai Zhuoxuan of China in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Bai Zhuoxuan of China in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP)
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Sabalenka Shuts Down Political Talk After Ukrainian’s Ban Call

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Bai Zhuoxuan of China in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Bai Zhuoxuan of China in their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP)

Aryna Sabalenka Wednesday said she "didn't want to talk politics" after Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova called for Belarusian and Russian players to be banned from tennis.

The 25-year-old Oliynykova, whose father is fighting on the front lines in Ukraine, had said on Tuesday that the presence of players from those two countries was "very wrong" while the conflict continued.

Oliynykova, after losing to defending champion Madison Keys on her Slam debut, wore a T-shirt at her press conference emblazoned with: "I need your help to protect Ukrainian women and children but I can't talk about it here."

Under Grand Slam tournament guidelines, players are prohibited from making political statements at competition venues.

But in an interview with Melbourne's The Age newspaper she took aim at Russian and Belarusian players, who are competing under a neutral white flag.

"I think it's very wrong that they are not disqualified in tennis like in other sports," she said.

"Because I know that here is the picture that we are, like all tennis girls playing, but the people don't see the things behind it."

Sabalenka, who is Belarusian, has previously said she believes that sport "is nothing to do with politics" and on Wednesday reiterated her position.

"I have spoken a lot about that before, obviously," said the world number one after powering into the third round.

"I want peace, and if I could change anything, I would definitely do that.

"Other than that, I have nothing else to say."

Pressed on Oliynykova's call for her to be banned, she replied: "I'm here for tennis. It's a tennis event. I have said enough in the past and just don't want to talk politics here."

Belarus is a close ally of Vladimir Putin's Russia.

Oliynykova said she did not speak with Russian and Belarusian players in the locker rooms or on the practice courts.

"I don't communicate with them. But, you know, people are not informed about this and if I need to say it, I will, because I feel (it is) unfair."

- Apartment shook -

Unlike other professional Ukrainian tennis players, Oliynykova still lives and trains in her homeland despite the constant threat of Russian attacks.

Just before she came to Australia, the Kyiv native came close to being hit in one such incursion.

"There was an explosion just near my home and a drone hit the home just across the road," she said. "My apartment was literally shaking because of the explosion."

Fellow Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk has also been outspoken about the war and refuses to shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players, most recently Sabalenka after losing in the Brisbane International final.

Another Ukrainian, Elina Svitolina, said it was important to keep the conflict in the public eye.

"The war has been ongoing for four years. I mean, we talked about it many, many times," the world number 12 said Wednesday after joining Sabalenka in the third round.

"For me, now it's gone, the topic. I mean, the stand has been taken already. A decision has been made by WTA, ATP," she said, referring to Russian and Belarusian players being allowed to compete.

"Right now what we can do is go out there, try to perform well, try to represent our country in the right way, and not forget that we can use our voices to bring the help, to bring the attention to our homeland."

Sports

Liverpool, Barcelona Risk Missing Automatic Qualification to Champions League Round of 16

Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah talks to Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike during a team training session at their training ground in Kirkby, Liverpool, northwest England on January 20, 2026, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League, league phase football match against Olympique Marseille in Marseille. (AFP)
Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah talks to Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike during a team training session at their training ground in Kirkby, Liverpool, northwest England on January 20, 2026, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League, league phase football match against Olympique Marseille in Marseille. (AFP)
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Liverpool, Barcelona Risk Missing Automatic Qualification to Champions League Round of 16

Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah talks to Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike during a team training session at their training ground in Kirkby, Liverpool, northwest England on January 20, 2026, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League, league phase football match against Olympique Marseille in Marseille. (AFP)
Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah talks to Liverpool's French striker #22 Hugo Ekitike during a team training session at their training ground in Kirkby, Liverpool, northwest England on January 20, 2026, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League, league phase football match against Olympique Marseille in Marseille. (AFP)

Liverpool and Barcelona are leaving it late to secure automatic qualification to the Champions League round of 16.

With just two rounds remaining, the defending champions of England and Spain currently sit outside of the top eight spots that will advance automatically.

Teams placed from nine to 24 enter a two-legged playoff to go through to the round of 16.

Liverpool topped the league phase last year, but then faced the daunting task of playing eventual winner Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16. Arne Slot's team is going a different way about it this time around and may have to navigate a playoff to advance.

Liverpool is away to Marseille on Wednesday and could be boosted by the return of Mohamed Salah from the Africa Cup of Nations. He headed off to represent his country last month after a public row with Slot raised doubts about his future.

Salah was unhappy with his lack of game time and aired his views in an explosive interview. He returns to Liverpool at a time when the Merseyside club needs more firepower following injury to record signing Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, who has only recently returned to action.

Barcelona was runner-up to Liverpool during the league phase last year and progressed to the semifinals before losing to Inter Milan.

Now it is playing catch up as it heads to Slavia Prague.

Chelsea's new coach Liam Rosenior takes charge of his first Champions League game with the club at home to Pafos.

Rosenior replaced Club World Cup-winning coach Enzo Maresca this month after leading Chelsea's sister club Strasbourg to the top of the third-tier Conference League standings.
Bayern Munich — one of this season's favorites — hosts Union Saint-Gilloise.

Sports

Türkiye’s Sonmez Soaks up the Support in Dream Melbourne Run

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 21, 2026 Türkiye’s Zeynep Sonmez celebrates after winning her second round match against Hungary's Anna Bondar. (Reuters)
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 21, 2026 Türkiye’s Zeynep Sonmez celebrates after winning her second round match against Hungary's Anna Bondar. (Reuters)
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Türkiye’s Sonmez Soaks up the Support in Dream Melbourne Run

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 21, 2026 Türkiye’s Zeynep Sonmez celebrates after winning her second round match against Hungary's Anna Bondar. (Reuters)
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 21, 2026 Türkiye’s Zeynep Sonmez celebrates after winning her second round match against Hungary's Anna Bondar. (Reuters)

Anyone strolling past Melbourne Park's outer courts might have felt like they were wandering through Istanbul on Wednesday as the roars behind Turkish trailblazer Zeynep Sonmez reached deafening levels ​at the Australian Open.

A popular draw among Turkish fans and now a crowd favorite in Melbourne after assisting an ill ball girl during her opener, Sonmez fed off the energy on court seven to beat Hungarian Anna Bondar 6-2 6-4 and progress.

"I felt like I was at home," Sonmez told reporters after matching her best Grand Slam run of reaching the third round at Wimbledon last ‌year.

"I was ‌feeling the energy. It was unreal. I ‌appreciate ⁠it. ​I felt ‌very good on the court. I felt the support, and I felt like we were all playing together, actually.

"In Wimbledon when I was playing third round, it was similar to this, but today ... I felt like I never experienced something like this."

Sonmez is part of a growing group of players from nations without traditional tennis pathways who are lighting ⁠up the sport's biggest stages.

Filipina Alexandra Eala was watched by heaving crowds outside practice ‌courts in the build-up to the Grand ‍Slam while Janice Tjen has won ‍new fans by becoming the first Indonesian to win a ‍match at the Australian Open in 28 years.

"I think it's good ... there are some countries that are very good at tennis. You know, they're like tennis countries. We aren't one of them," Sonmez said.

"It's a good thing, because ​there are more players and more surprises. I saw Alex playing few days ago. The crowd was crazy. I ⁠really enjoy watching those matches."

Like the biggest players from the strongest nations, Sonmez also dreams of someday winning a Grand Slam.

"But I'm not focusing specifically on that dream," she said.

"I'm just focusing on getting better every day. I want to enjoy being on the court, because I know that I feel and I play better when I enjoy being on the court."

Having come through three qualifying rounds before stunning 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova and taking out Bondar, the 112th ranked Sonmez will look to keep her run going when she meets Kazakh Yulia ‌Putintseva in the third round.

"Right now I'm tired, because I just finished," she said. "But I'm not tired overall."