Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup
Didier Deschamps has renewed his contract as head coach of France. The information is contained in the daily newspaper specialized in sports L’Equipe. According to the thematic publication, the World Cup finalist maintained his position thanks to his performances and capacity to negotiate. The contract will run till the next planetary football event that will take place in Canada, Mexico and the United States of America in 2026.
eurosport.fr: inorms that Roberto Martinez might go in as head coach of Portugal, replacing Fernando Santos. At 49 , the Catalan is free from any contract after his departure from the team of Belgium that he coached for 6 years. He left following performances decried as catastrophic at the just ended World Cup. The media describes this probable switching as a rare case where a stranger will hold the La Selecao Das Quinas . If the multifunctional ex-coach of The Red Devils is accepts the contract, he will become one of the rare non lusophone that the selection has known. The media concluded that the end of this chapter might be known by the end of the week.
CHAN 2023
apm.rfi.com : Morroco, successive two time winner plans to boycott the 7th edition of the African Nations Championship, the reasons advanced are problems linked with logistics but the article reveals that other reasons could be the diplomatic hints between the 2 Maghreb countries for some years. Since 1994, the frontiers of the 2 are blocked and no direct flight can land on the territories concerned. To attempt a solution to the problem, Algeria proposed to Morocco the flight Rabat- Tunis-Constantine, the last town is the one in which group C teams will be lodged including the Atlas Lions. But to mark hr refusal, the royal football federation of Morocco replied on 28 December and “Requested the travel of the Moroccan selection via a special flight from Royal Air Maroc, official carrier, from Rabat to Constantine, in case of non-compliance with this point, the FRMF organizing Committee unanimously decided not to participate in this edition. ” For now the Moroccans have not publicly announced their non participation but the situation may appear to be a solution to the problem of the 2 nations. On her part, the CAF, has not pronounced on the topic but in the case, Morocco does not participate, the country may face sanction that could affect even the team A, 4th at the Qatari World Cup.
2026 World Cup
dw.com describes the next World Cup as heaven sent due to the big changes of the competition. The European media settles on the organization of the competition by 3 countries namely ; Canada, Mexico and the US in a total of 16 countries These countries may host the next edition with 48 nations despite the decision of FIFA not entrust the game to join hosts, nevertheless, the format is still to be approved. DW draws the contrast between Qatar who host the competition only in Doha, the capital or the suburbs.
Also, the competition will move from 32 to 48 countries and experiences like Saudi Arabia beating Argentina or Cameroon defeating Brazil may be more recurrent. Some experts like Jürgen Klinsmann, the head of FIFA’s technical group in Qatar said Africa and Asia will come up with more surprises.
With the participation moving from 32 to 48 nations , the groups may count 3 teams instead of 4 thereby with the top 2 going in for the round of 32. But FIFA is worried by the possibility of tricking matches with the numerous final group games. Many things are still be reviewed therefore for the best joint hosting by 3 countries and the participation of 48 nations especially as logically the competition will last longer and will be brought back to the usual period; June and July.
Bonus
Death of Modest M’Bami
camfoot.com informs that the former Indomitable Lion died on Saturday January 7 in Havre, France after a heart attack. After his death, commentaries in his memory from close ones and ex team mates have flooded the web. It is the object of the article of leparisien.fr who titled « il irradiat ». In the text, personalities including Bernard Mendy Fabrice Pancrate Mamadou Niang among others sent message likes : « too chocked, it’s too early ». The departure of the player at 40 years also touched Cameroon his home country with whom he won the golden medal in Sydney in 2000. On his social media, Rigobert Somg current coach of the Lions said « I will keep your good humour, your talent and your joie de vivre. Rest in peace, my little brother ».
KIMAKA Murielle,J3 AMSAC
