Former Super Eagles left-back, Taye Taiwo (pictured above), has expressed regret over the exit of Jose Peseiro, arguing that the Portuguese coach should have been kept to steer Nigeria through the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Peseiro stepped down after leading the Super Eagles to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where they lost 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast. Although the 65-year-old cited emotional and physical exhaustion, he had also hinted at a desire to remain with the squad and win silverware.

In an interview with Sporty TV, Taiwo asserted that retaining Peseiro would have significantly boosted Nigeria’s World Cup hopes due to the strong bond he had with the players.

“If Nigeria had left the coach (Peseiro) who led us to the Nations Cup, even though we lost to the Ivory Coast,” Taiwo said, “If they had left the coach, they would have qualified for the World Cup, because the players are always out for him; they work very hard. Throughout the whole competition, we may not have played good games, but we made it to the finals.”

Nigeria should have retained Jose Peseiro for World Cup Qualifiers – Ex-Super Eagles star Taye Taiwo

Reflecting on his own tenure with the national team, the former Olympique Marseille defender emphasized the critical importance of communication and stern discipline among players, especially in the defensive unit.

“As the defenders, we talk to ourselves and roast ourselves because we don’t want to concede goals,” Taiwo continued.

“We always talk to each other. If someone makes a mistake, we will have to shout at them. You can’t allow these types of mistakes.” He added that even after a mistake, they would offer encouragement, telling the player to do better next time.

Taiwo also drew a contrast between his era and the current Super Eagles squad, admitting a lack of knowledge regarding the present team’s internal dynamics.

“I don’t know this generation because it is different. I’m not in their group, not in their team list, and I have never been in their group to see how it is done. All I see is from the television or what’s on the internet; I don’t know either. They like each other.”

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Africa is set for its largest-ever representation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with nine African countries having directly secured their spots at the global football showpiece co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

A tenth team remains in contention through the intercontinental playoff. The nine confirmed African countries that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup are: South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, Algeria, Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Cape Verde, and Ivory Coast.

The expanded 48-team World Cup format grants Africa nine direct qualification slots and an additional playoff spot, providing the continent with an unprecedented opportunity on the global stage. Morocco, who made history by becoming the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals in 2022, will look to repeat their success.

Consistent performers like Senegal and Ivory Coast aim to assert their dominance, while Egypt and Ghana return to the tournament with renewed ambition. Cape Verde’s qualification is a significant achievement, marking a new milestone for the island nation.

North African heavyweights Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco continue to reinforce the region’s strong footballing tradition. The final African slot will be determined through a continental playoff involving the best runners-up: Gabon, DR Congo, Cameroon, and Nigeria.

The winner of this playoff will then advance to the intercontinental playoff for a potential spot in the 2026 tournament. With ten potential representatives, Africa heads into the 2026 FIFA World Cup with renewed hopes of a historic breakthrough on the world stage….

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U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to relocate World Cup matches set to be played in suburban Boston next year, after suggesting that parts of the city had been ‘taken over’ by unrest.

Foxborough, Massachusetts, home to the NFL’s New England Patriots and about 30 miles from Boston, is set to stage matches as the US cohosts the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada.

On Tuesday, Trump was asked about Boston’s mayor, Michelle Wu, a Democrat whom he called ‘intelligent’ but ‘radical left.’

‘We could take them away,’ Trump said of the World Cup games. ‘I love the people of Boston, and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is not good.’

He suggested ‘they’re taking over parts of Boston’ without offering details, but added ‘we could get them back in about two seconds.’

The Trump administration has already deployed National Guard troops to Washington and Memphis, and efforts to do so in Chicago and Portland, Oregon, have sparked legal fights.

Trump’s comments came during his meeting with Argentina President Javier Milei, and it wasn’t immediately clear what he was referring to by parts of Boston having been seized.

Earlier this month, however, there were multiple arrests in connection with a pro-Palestinian protest that turned violent on Boston Common. Four police officers were injured.

Trump has previously suggested he could declare cities ‘not safe’ for the 104-game soccer tournament and alter a detailed hosting plan that FIFA confirmed in 2022.

It includes games at NFL stadiums near New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

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