Lionel Messi Shatters MLS Milestone Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
Lionel Messi made MLS history in his third season with Inter Miami, becoming the league’s fastest player to reach 100 regular‑season goal contributions.
Algeria Sport News
Cash-strapped Zamalek eye record CAF Cup winners prize
JOHANNESBURG: Financially-embattled Egyptian club Zamalek will pocket a record four-million-dollar CAF Confederation Cup prize if they beat Algerian outfit USM Alger in the two-leg final. USM host the first match on Saturday in front of a 50,000 crowd and the return game is set for Cairo on May 16 in a showdown between former winners of the competition. Zamalek lifted the trophy, the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League, in 2019 and 2024. USM won in 2023. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) recently announced 100 percent increases in the prizes for the winners and runners-up to four and two million dollars respectively. The decision was a timely boost for Zamalek, the second most successful club in CAF competitions with 13 titles, but battling with reported debts of $6.5 million. Egyptian media say the team, popularly known as the White Knights, owe clubs in Africa and Europe for players they brought to Cairo. Ukrainian club Oleksandriya say they sold Brazilian striker Juan Bezerra to Zamalek, but some transfer fee instalments are overdue. Former coaches, including Swiss Christian Gross and Portuguese Jose Gomes, are also owed money.
Algeria turn to ‘retired’ goalkeeper after injuries deplete World Cup choices
ALGIERS: Algeria face a goalkeeping crisis for the World Cup that they are hoping to alleviate with the return of a player from retirement. Oussama Benbot, retired from the national team after being an unused substitute at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco at the end of the year, could prove the solution to a dilemma that has befallen the side after injuries left Melvin Mastil and Luca Zidane doubtful and Anthony Mandrea ruled out. The 31-year-old Benbot’s form played a large part in his club USM Alger reaching the African Confederation Cup final, where they host Egypt’s Zamalek in the first leg on Saturday. Algerian media reports said he had provoked the ire of Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic with outbursts over his lack of playing time with the Algerian side. However, the need for a goalkeeper for the World Cup has seen him return to contention for a place in the squad that will be named later this month. Luca Zidane, son of French World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane, was Algeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the Cup of Nations but turned in several undistinguished performances and then last month suffered fractures to his jaw and chin in a Spanish second-tier match with his club Granada. Mastil, who plays in Switzerland and won a first cap in March, has since undergone hernia surgery, while Mandrea dislocated his shoulder in training with his French club Caen and will miss the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the US Mandrea had been Algeria’s first choice over the past five years but when Caen were relegated to the French third tier last year, Petkovic said he would not consider selecting a player from as low a league level. The 27-year-old Zidane, who, like his three brothers, won caps for France at
Dutch schedule final World Cup warm-up game against Uzbekistan
(Refiles replacing "fix" in headline with "schedule".)
FIFA extends Prestianni ban worldwide, threatening World Cup debut
May 6 : Argentina winger Gianluca Prestianni faces the prospect of missing his country's opening World Cup matches after FIFA extended his six-game suspension for homophobic conduct on Wednesday to have worldwide effect.
Zinedine Zidane's Son Luca Suffers Fractured Jaw, Could Miss World Cup
Algeria have been hit with a significant injury scare ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with goalkeeper Luca Zidane emerging as a major doubt for the tournament.
FOX Sports Announces 2026 FIFA World Cup Match Commentators and Reporters
Iconic voices. Insightful commentators. And plenty of notable United States men's national team alums.
Algeria’s Luca Zidane doubt for World Cup after jaw fracture
MADRID: Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane is a doubt for the World Cup after suffering a jaw and chin fracture while playing for his club Granada in Spain’s second tier. The son of former France great Zinedine Zidane was taken off with a concussion after colliding with an opponent during his team’s 4-2 home defeat by Almeria on Sunday. The 27-year-old is expected to miss the rest of the season and could be out for even longer if he needs surgery. “The player, in consultation with the club’s medical staff, will decide in the coming hours on the course of treatment to be followed,” said the club in a statement late Monday. Luca Zidane is Algeria’s first-choice goalkeeper and their back-up options Anthony Mandrea and Melvin Mastil are also currently out injured. Algeria’s World Cup campaign begins on June 16 against reigning champions Argentina.