2026 FIFA World Cup
WCQ26 : Otto Addo defends Benjaimen Asare starting role
Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has justified why he took a firm decision to hand Benjamin Asare a starting role against Chad.
The BlackStars playing Chad in one of two World Cup game games needed to give themselves a cushioning against Chad which saw Otto name Asare in post ahead of his two other com[patriots.
READ MORE : “We will do everything to beat Madagascar on Monday” – Otto Addo
Speaking to the media on how that decision was formalized, he explained that Asare gave off a better performance in training ahead of the other hence the reason for him named between the sticks against Chad.
“We assessed all our goalkeepers and watched several games. It was a close call, but Benjamin stood out in training,” Addo explained.
Hearts of Oak’s Asare reposed Otto’s confidence by keeping a clean sheet against Chad.
READ MORE : 2026 FIFA WCQ: Black Stars annihilate Chad 5-0 in Accra
It remains unknown if Otto will go ahead to name him against Madagascar will rely on a different option for the starting role.
Spain defied the working template to post a 1-0 win over defending champions Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium to claim the title for the second time in the country’s history.
Sixteen years ago, they celebrated their first sniff at the World Cup in South Africa over the Netherlands.
In the aftermath of the competition, several individuals were honoured for their outstanding display, notable was Spain trio, Rodri, Cubarsi, and Unani Simon.
Spain midfielder Rodri won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player after playing a pivotal role in his side’s title-winning campaign.
France captain Kylian Mbappé claimed the Golden Boot with 10 goals in eight matches, becoming the first player to win the World Cup’s top scorer award at consecutive tournaments. He also extended his record as the men’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with 22 goals.
Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón received the Golden Glove after helping his side concede just one goal during the tournament. He also set a World Cup record by going 650 consecutive minutes without conceding.
Spain defender Pau Cubarsí was named the Best Young Player following a series of impressive performances that helped anchor La Roja’s defence throughout the tournament.
The Netherlands won the FIFA Fair Play Award.
Full list of 2026 FIFA World Cup award winners
- Champions: Spain
- Runners-up: Argentina
- Third place: England
- Fourth place: France
- Golden Ball (Best Player): Rodri (Spain)
- Golden Boot (Top Scorer): Kylian Mbappé (France)
- Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper): Unai Simón (Spain)
- Best Young Player: Pau Cubarsí (Spain)
- FIFA Fair Play Award: Netherlands
Spain continued their impressive streak to beat ten-man Argentina at the New York-New Jersey Stadium in the USA.
Barcelona winger Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute to help the Spanish side to their second World Cup triumph after sixteen years.
Following wins over Austria, Portugal, and Belgium, the only hurdle left to complete an impressive winning streak was Argentina, and they made it worth their while as they took the La Albiceleste to the cleaners in front of a teeming Blue Army of fans at the stadium.
Spain’s approach was patient, careful, and tidy. They played 20 shots to two from Argentina.
Argentina’s goalkeeper, Emi Martínez, made a series of superb saves from shots from Lamine and Nico Williams to keep his team in the contest.
Nico and Ferrran combined to give Spain the much-needed win in the extra time to help the Spanish side to their second World Cup triumph after sixteen years.
A battle for supremacy awaits us as England and Argentina clash for a sixth time in this competition, with a spot in the final up for grabs.
Bar the goalless draw game against Ghana, England have been sweet on the eye and a touch of class on the field under the supervision of Thomas Tuchel.
The German is in line to become the first foreign manager in 48 years to reach the World Cup final, while England haven’t reached that stage since winning the trophy in 1966, falling at the semi-final in both 1990 and 2018.
READ MORE : Carlos Queiroz stays on Blackstars head coach
Defending champions Argentina have won all six games at this World Cup – and their last 12 at the finals overall – but have had to dig deep to navigate the knockout rounds.
Lionel Scaloni’s men saw a second consecutive game marred by refereeing controversy as they needed extra time to see off ten-man Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-finals, making them the competition’s top scorers ahead of the semi-finals (17).
READ MORE :2026 FIFA World Cup : France vs Spain
The game is billed to be watched by millions around the world.
Two super heavyweights of European football, France and Spain, will go head-to-head in the semi-finals for a spot in the finals.
For the 2018 World Cup team, France has yet to hit a snag, strolling through the park with easy wins against Sweden (3-0), Morocco (2-0), and others.
Captain Mbappé has lived by example, scoring six goals to carry Les Blues to the semi-finals, aided by Dembélé, Olise, and Rabiot, who weighed in on the goal-scoring responsibilities.
READ MORE : Carlos Queiroz stays on Blackstars head coach
France will rely on the speed of Mbappé, the experience of Dembele, and the trickery of Olise to weave magic in the final third of the pitch, physicality in midfield, and defensive solidity.
Meanwhile, Spain had it all to do against Cape Verde, who infamously held the former World Cup giants to a goalless draw in the opening.
This propelled them to beat Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Austria, Portugal, and Belgium to get to the semi-finals.
Spain’s technical superiority will be tested in the game; it remains to be seen if they will be able to make full use of their high pressing abilities with the likes of Yamal, Baena, Olmo, and others.
This game has all to play for as it will take place at the Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
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