By Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line
…Megastar Lionel Messi is top scorer with 8 goals. . .
THE 23rd FIFA men’s world football cup tagged 2026WorldCup has concluded her round of 16 matches with 96 games played, 280 goals scored and 6,259,594 fans in attendances.
That’s an appreciable average of 65,204 fans per match.
Nine times Ballon D’Or winner, Lionel Messi of Argentina is leading the goal merchants list pursuing the Golden Ball for highest scorer with 8 goals; Kylian Mbappe of France tied with Erling Haaland of Norway have 7 goals each and Harry Keane of England has 6 goals.
There will be the Golden Ball for highest scorer, Silver Ball for next highest scorer and Bronze Ball awards.
Mohammed Hany of Egypt who has just been sent home has the record of the only player to have two own goals in the tournament against Australia and Belgium.
This world cup hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico all now eliminated may cause crowd attendance reductions at the stands henceforth because of hosts ousters.
The competition is riddled with controversies. We have the political one over USA immigration and visa policies; drugs cartel violence in Mexico and the surprise FIFA ticket allocations to participating nations.
Topmost on the controversies perhaps is a reported phone call by USA President Donald Trump to the FIFA President demanding the cancellation of a red card issued to Nigeria’s Folarin Balogun (surprisingly of the tribe of Sitholes Trump wants out of the Yankee country) on 1st July against Bosnia.
Folarin by usual regulations was supposed not to be fielded by USA against Belgium but the might of Trump subdued FIFA in an embarrassing pinfall that is making member FIFA nations and football followers demanding the resignation of the FIFA President.
Unknown to many and perhaps including the media, the following red card receivers were told their card suspension will be served outside the schedule of the tournament which is not in accordance with existing statutes of FIFA.
Rebin Sulaka of Iraq in the match against Senegal of 26th June; Agustin Canibbio of Uruguay in match against Spain of 26th June and that of Piero Hincaple of Ecuador against Mexico of 30th June.
Whereas the red card to Jarell Quansah of England gotten on 5th July against Mexico is not suspended as he from records is barred from being fielded by England against Norway in the quarterfinals of 11th July.
Allegations of corruption, injustice, partiality etcetera, flew freely like Messi escaping straight red cards against Senegal and Egypt.
Egyptian Manager Hossam told the Media after his loss to Argentina that he lost due to injustice and economic vision of FIFA to make money through deliberate retainership of Messi to attract fans and keep sponsors from withdrawing their deals.
He condemned in strong terms over protection to Messi whom he alleged infringed on football regulations at will.
They should have just told us to go home and hand over the trophy to Argentina.
The rest schedules are as follows with Nigerian time schedules:
1 Quarterfinals
A Fra vs Mor on 9th July at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough at 9.00pm.
Ref Facundo Tello of Argentina to be in charge with all Refs assistants including VAR head from Argentina.
B ESP vs Bel at Sofi Stadium, Inglewood on 10th July at 8.00pm with Ref Michael Oliver of England in charge.
C Nor vs Eng at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens on 11th July at 10,00pm. Ref not yet named.
D Arg vs Swiss at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City on 12th July at 2.00am. Ref not yet named.
2 Semifinals
1SF at AT & T Stadium, Arlington 14th July.
2SF at Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta 15th July
3 3rd Place match
Miami Gardens on 18th July
4 Final
At Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford on 19th July with President Donald Trump in attendance to present the trophy to the winner and lead the medal hanging ceremony.
All 16th round losers (8 of them) are to collect $15m each from FIFA while 4 of the 8 quarterfinalists will collect $19m each.
#FIFA #2026WORLDCUP #CONMEBOL #EUFA #CAF #CONMEBOL #CONCACAF
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