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The Black Stars of Ghana enter Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the lowest-ranked team, according to the final FIFA Men’s Ranking for November.Drawn alongside global powerhouses England, 2022 semi-finalists Croatia, and CONCACAF side Panama, Ghana is classified as the technical underdog in the group.The rankings, utilised for the final seeding process leading into the draw held in Washington D.C., place Ghana 72nd in the world.In sharp contrast, their opponents occupy significantly higher positions: England sits at an imposing 4th, Croatia at 10th, and Panama is ranked 30th.This disparity sets a challenging stage for the Ghanaian national team, requiring them to punch well above their current official standing if they hope to advance past the group stage.The draw has created one of the most intriguing groups of the tournament, pitting one of Africa’s footballing giants against two of Europe's elite.For coach Otto Addo and his squad, the rankings provide clear data points, but the focus will shift to mental strength and strategic execution.While the data suggests an uphill battle, Ghana will aim to leverage their historically resilient "giant-killer" spirit to defy expectations and secure a spot in the knockout rounds,...

Watch and listen to the latest news updates from the world of Calcio courtesy of Football Italia expert Alfredo Pedullà.

Quick take: Big picture: the update fits broader trends across the league with schedule pressure and tight tables. Supporters will watch for clarity from training ground reports and official briefings. We’ll keep an eye on confirmed details as the story develops from official sources.

Liverpool are thought to be eyeing one of Italian football’s brightest prospects, as it was recently revealed that the Reds have a four-man “backup” transfer shortlist.

Quick take: Big picture: the update fits broader trends across the league with schedule pressure and tight tables. Supporters will watch for clarity from training ground reports and official briefings. We’ll keep an eye on confirmed details as the story develops from official sources.

History will repeat itself when Mexico and South Africa face each other in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The highly anticipated clash, scheduled for June 11, 2026, at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, officially marks the first time an opening game from a past edition is repeated.The draw, which took place in Washington D.C. on Friday, confirmed that the two nations, part of Group A with South Korea and a European play-off winner, will kick off the first-ever 48-team tournament.The match offers a compelling narrative twist, 16 years after their original meeting in the 2010 World Cup opener held in Johannesburg, South Africa.That match, the first on African soil, ended in a 1-1 draw, famously remembered for Siphiwe Tshabalala's spectacular opening goal.This time, the atmosphere will be dramatically different as Mexico hosts "Bafana Bafana" in front of their home crowd, a significant advantage for El Tri.The match at the historic 87,523-capacity Azteca Stadium will set the stage for an expanded tournament featuring 104 games across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.For South Africa, the curtain-raiser provides another rare opportunity to make an immediate impact on the global stage.

Napoli winger Noa Lang says he is thriving in his new surroundings and already feels the weight and intensity of Sunday’s showdown with Juventus, describing it as “a match unlike any other” during an interview with Radio CRC.

Lazio midfielder Toma Basic is one of the revelations of the season.

Ederson is becoming more and more of a fundamental reference point for Atalanta.

The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America is now complete, and Italy have learned that they will be in a group with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland should they qualify for the final tournament.

Despite the careers of Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti and Napoli boss Antonio Conte being long and storied, both coaches spending lots of time leading clubs in Italy’s top flight and abroad, the two have never met in a competitive capacity.

Mamadou Sarr. (REUTERS)

Ah, Federico Chiesa.

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Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Troy Parrott in the coming months.