Saibari Nets Double as Morocco Hit Four in World Cup Warm-up

 Morocco's players celebrate after Morocco's #11 Ismael Saibari (R) scored his teams' first goal during the friendly football match between Morocco and Madagascar at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on June 2, 2026. (AFP)
Morocco's players celebrate after Morocco's #11 Ismael Saibari (R) scored his teams' first goal during the friendly football match between Morocco and Madagascar at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on June 2, 2026. (AFP)
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Saibari Nets Double as Morocco Hit Four in World Cup Warm-up

 Morocco's players celebrate after Morocco's #11 Ismael Saibari (R) scored his teams' first goal during the friendly football match between Morocco and Madagascar at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on June 2, 2026. (AFP)
Morocco's players celebrate after Morocco's #11 Ismael Saibari (R) scored his teams' first goal during the friendly football match between Morocco and Madagascar at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on June 2, 2026. (AFP)

Ismael Saibari scored twice as Morocco eased to a 4-0 victory over Madagascar in a friendly on Tuesday, delivering a confident performance ahead of the World Cup.

The PSV Eindhoven midfielder gave the hosts a dream start, heading in a fourth-minute corner from Bilal El Khannouss at the far ‌post, before doubling ‌the lead in the ‌24th ⁠minute after capitalizing ⁠on a defensive error.

Morocco dominated the opening half, with Noussair Mazraoui going close to adding a second earlier, only to see his powerful strike rebound off the crossbar.

Morocco continued to ⁠dictate the tempo after the ‌break and ‌extended their advantage in the 78th minute when ‌Azzedine Ounahi was fouled inside the ‌penalty area. Soufiane Rahimi stepped up and converted from the spot to make it 3-0.

Brahim Diaz played a key role ‌in the fourth goal late on, driving into the box ⁠from ⁠the right before his effort struck the post, allowing Ayoub El Kaabi to tap in from close range in the 87th minute.

Morocco will now travel to the United States to face Norway in their final warm-up match on Sunday before launching their World Cup campaign, where they have been drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.



Casemiro Says Not Being Favorites at World Cup Will Keep Brazil on their Toes

Jun 2, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Brazil midfielder Casemiro speaks to media after arriving for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Newark Liberty International Airport. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-Imagn Images
Jun 2, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Brazil midfielder Casemiro speaks to media after arriving for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Newark Liberty International Airport. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-Imagn Images
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Casemiro Says Not Being Favorites at World Cup Will Keep Brazil on their Toes

Jun 2, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Brazil midfielder Casemiro speaks to media after arriving for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Newark Liberty International Airport. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-Imagn Images
Jun 2, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Brazil midfielder Casemiro speaks to media after arriving for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Newark Liberty International Airport. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-Imagn Images

Brazil midfielder Casemiro believes being a "step behind" other World Cup favorites could actually work in the team's favor when the tournament kicks off next week.

Brazil, who are looking to win a record-extending sixth World Cup title, find themselves trailing European champions Spain, 2018 World Cup winners France and England in the bookmakers' odds for the June 11 to July 19 tournament in North America.

"We aren’t the big favorites," Casemiro told FIFA's media channel ⁠after Brazil arrived ⁠in the US on Tuesday. "Of course, we’re in good shape; we’ve got a strong squad, with a mix of experience and young talent."

"Perhaps this time we’re a step behind, but we’re on our toes and that’s always ⁠a good thing. We want to go there in good shape and have a great World Cup.”

According to Reuters, the 34-year-old said Brazil had had a "difficult cycle" in the build-up to the World Cup, with the Brazilian Football Confederation appointing Carlo Ancelotti as coach and naming a new president last year.

“It has been a difficult cycle with a change of manager, a change of president and ⁠a ⁠lot of turmoil," he added.

"We have only had one year working with the manager, who has excellent experience in football, but in reality we have only worked together for 40 days. I think we will go into the tournament in strong form.

"We have quality players, experienced players, energetic players and young players. I think we have a good mix for this competition."

Brazil will face Morocco, Haiti and Scotland in Group C.


David Beckham to Get Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

(FILES) Former England footballer David Beckham (L) poses next to his wife singer and fashion designer Victoria Beckham (R) with his medal after being appointed as a Knight Bachelor (Knighthood) for services to sport and charity at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on November 4, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Matthews / POOL / AFP)
(FILES) Former England footballer David Beckham (L) poses next to his wife singer and fashion designer Victoria Beckham (R) with his medal after being appointed as a Knight Bachelor (Knighthood) for services to sport and charity at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on November 4, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Matthews / POOL / AFP)
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David Beckham to Get Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

(FILES) Former England footballer David Beckham (L) poses next to his wife singer and fashion designer Victoria Beckham (R) with his medal after being appointed as a Knight Bachelor (Knighthood) for services to sport and charity at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on November 4, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Matthews / POOL / AFP)
(FILES) Former England footballer David Beckham (L) poses next to his wife singer and fashion designer Victoria Beckham (R) with his medal after being appointed as a Knight Bachelor (Knighthood) for services to sport and charity at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on November 4, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Matthews / POOL / AFP)

Football superstar David Beckham is to be honored with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, organizers announced Tuesday, as the United States readies to host the World Cup.

Movie legend Tom Cruise and the player's pop star-turned-fashion designer wife Victoria Beckham will be at the ceremony on June 12 to unveil the plaque immortalizing the British midfielder on Hollywood's most famous thoroughfare.

The ceremony for the 51-year-old former England captain will take place hours before the first game on US soil in this year's World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States.

"David Beckham's recognition with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in the Sports Entertainment category comes at a fitting moment as the United States prepares to host the FIFA World Cup," said Ana Martinez of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

"Beckham's role in elevating soccer's profile in America and his lasting influence on sports, entertainment, and global culture make this honor especially meaningful," AFP quoted her as saying.

During his club playing career, Beckham spent time at Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, the American side LA Galaxy, and Paris Saint-Germain, where he hung up his boots in 2013.

More recently, he became a co-owner of the American team Inter Miami CF, which signed Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, and won the Major League Soccer Cup Championship last year.

Beckham, who was knighted by Britain's King Charles III last year, also ventured into the entertainment industry, co-founding the content production company Studio 99 in 2019.


Algeria Hope to Turn Talent into Results on World Cup Return

Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP)
Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP)
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Algeria Hope to Turn Talent into Results on World Cup Return

Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP)
Algeria's Riyad Mahrez celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group E match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP)

Algeria return to ‌the World Cup for the first time since 2014 carrying the familiar mix of promise, pressure and unpredictability that has long defined one of Africa's most gifted footballing nations.

Drawn in Group J alongside holders Argentina, Austria and tournament debutants Jordan, the Desert Foxes face a stern test of whether their gifted squad can finally deliver on the biggest stage.

The years since Algeria's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations triumph have brought more frustration than fulfilment.

Failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after ‌a dramatic playoff ‌defeat by Cameroon still lingers, while the ‌2025 ⁠Nations Cup ended ⁠in disappointment despite a perfect group-stage campaign. Algeria looked among the favorites before a quarter-final loss to Nigeria revived doubts over their ability to deliver in decisive moments.

Captain Riyad Mahrez remains the team's creative focal point.

The former Manchester City winger, now playing in Saudi Arabia, still dictates Algeria's rhythm with his composure ⁠and technical quality, but the side are increasingly ‌looking to a younger generation ‌to ease the burden.

Wolfsburg striker Mohamed Amoura has emerged as one of ‌Algeria's main attacking threats, offering pace and directness alongside ‌Mahrez's craft.

Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri brings energy and attacking thrust from left back, while young winger Adil Boulbina has added to the growing sense of long-term promise around the squad.

Yet uncertainty continues to ‌shadow Algeria.

Coach Vladimir Petkovic has struggled at times to mould the side's attacking talent into a ⁠cohesive unit, ⁠while defensive inconsistency has repeatedly undermined their progress in major tournaments.

A goalkeeping crisis has added to the concerns.

Anthony Mandrea has been ruled out, while Luca Zidane and Melvin Mastil have both been called up despite injury problems, prompting Algeria to turn to Oussama Benbot despite his recent international retirement.

Benbot stepped away from the national team after being an unused substitute at the Nations Cup in Morocco earlier this year, but the USM Alger goalkeeper has been recalled to the squad.

His reputation has risen after helping his club to win the African Confederation Cup with a shootout victory over Egypt's Zamalek in May.