BREAKING: FIFA Fines Nigeria Over N64m After Fans Invaded MKO Stadium During Ghana World Cup Match

 

A fine of 150,000 Swiss Franc (about 154,128.75 USD) has been slammed on Nigeria by the World soccer ruling body, Fifa. 

FIFA imposed the fine on Nigeria over the unruly behaviour of the fans at the end of the second leg Qatar 2022 World Cup play-off between the Super Eagles and Black Stars of Ghana at the Moshood Abiola Stadium on March 29. 

There was reported break of law and order after the ill-fated 1-1 draw encounter as the Black Stars edged Nigeria out of the Qatar 2022 race on the away goals rule.

In a dispatch by FIFA, the body’s Disciplinary Committee decried the poor organisation of the match for lack of order and security at the match, adding there was ‘failure to implement existing safety rules and failure to ensure that law and order are maintained in the stadium, invasion of the field of play and throwing of objects’

Apart from the 150,000 CHF fine, Nigeria will play its next home match without fans.

Details Shortly…

 

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Super Eagles Pretend To Be Big Boys, But They’re Our Little Babies – Ghana FA

In an interview ahead of the crucial match, GFA president, Kurt Okraku, said his team will come out victorious.

The Ghana Football Association has taken a swipe at the Super Eagles of Nigeria ahead of their 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

According to Joy Sports, the Super Eagles of Nigeria pretend to be Big Boys, but in actual sense, they are “little babies”.

 

The match between Ghana and Nigeria will take place on Friday, 25th March, 2022.

 

In an interview ahead of the crucial match, GFA president, Kurt Okraku, said his team will come out victorious.

 

Okraku says the Black Stars must stand up and be counted.

 

“It’s that time of the year where every Ghanaian will have to stand up and be counted. It’s that time of the year where our country’s pride is at stake,” Okraku told Joy Sports.

“It’s that time of the year where Ghana must be at the Mundial, but before we do that, we have a common foe, the Super Eagles of Nigeria. They come across as our little babies, but they pretend to be the big boys.”

 

The second leg of the match will take place on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja.

 

The statement by the GFA president comes after Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, said the Super Eagles “will beat the sh*t” out of Ghana.

 

“We’re not going to play a draw in Ghana, honestly. We’ll beat the sh*t out of them,” Dare said in a video that has gone viral.

 

“These guys should just go out, there’s insurance to their next match. There’s insurance there and there’s insurance here.”

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Oh No! World 200 Metres Bronze Medallist, Alex Quinonez Shot Dead

 

Alex Quinonez, the World 200 metres bronze medallist, has been killed in Ecuador, his home country.

The 32-year-old finished third at the World Championships in Doha two years ago to become the first Ecuadorian athlete to win a global medal in a track event.

According to the BBC, Quinonez was shot along with another person outside a shopping centre in the city of Guayaquil on Friday night October 22.

The Ecuadorian sports ministry announced the news in a statement on its Twitter feed, saying: 'Today we lost a great athlete, a person who made us dream, who made us excited.' 

'The National Police are at the scene and the authorities are conducting the corresponding investigations. He will forever remain in the hearts of all Ecuadorians,' it added. 

Ecuador's president Guillermo Lasso tweeted: 'We are very sorry for the painful loss of Alex Quinonez, father, son, a great sprinter who marked the sport. Our sincerest condolences to your loved ones. Rest in peace. Those who take the lives of Ecuadorians will not go unpunished. We will act forcefully.' 

Ecuador's Olympic Committee said in a statement that the circumstances surrounding the death had 'not yet been clarified'.

Quinonez qualified for the Tokyo Olympic Games but did not compete after being suspended for breaching the whereabouts rules.

News of the sprinter's death came on the same day as the funeral of Kenyan distance star Agnes Tirop, who was killed earlier this month. 

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Sports Ministry To Tackle ‘Age Cheat’ At National Youth Games —Dare

 

Sunday Dare

Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, has disclosed that the ministry will put in measures to ensure that athletes participating in National Youth Games in the country don't cheat with their age.

Speaking at  the closing ceremony of the 6th National Youth Games held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the Minister said they will be carrying out adequate screening and ensure National Identity Management Card registration address issues of “age cheat” in the games.

Dare condemned some of the incidents witnessed at the games which is meant for athletes under the age of 15, adding that it may affect the growth of sports in the country.

He said;

“This document would be required, would be developed and we will work in conjunction with the Organisation in charge. This measure is needed to avoid losing out on a possible potential medalist being screened out as over-aged while they are not or vice versa.

“This is a crucial step in the initiatives that the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has adopted to identify these talents early, give them the technical and financial support, provide them guidance and see them become world beaters in the not too distant future”

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EPL: Ronaldo Will Be Man Utd’s Downfall, Drop Him – Agbonlahor Advises Solskjaer

 

Cristiano Ronaldo

Gabby Agbonlahor, a former Aston Villa striker, has insisted that Manchester United forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, will be the club’s downfall this season.

Agbonlahor wants Man United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to drop Ronaldo from his squad and instead use the likes of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho in his attack line.

He stated this ahead of Man United’s home Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday evening.

According to him, Ronaldo doesn’t fit the way Man United play, adding that he was supposed to join Manchester City.

Asked whether Ronaldo improves Man United as a team, Agbonlahor told Football Insider: “I don’t think he does.

“People got carried away. Ronaldo was awful for Juventus last season. This season for Man United, he has not scored many great goals.

“The one against Newcastle was the goalkeeper’s fault, it went through his legs. The Villarreal one wasn’t anything special.

“If you look at Man United, if I am a Man United fan I want to see Greenwood down the middle, I want Rashford on the left and I want Sancho on the right, he is better on the right. That is my front three. Behind them, I want Pogba, Fernandes and Fred or McTominay.

“Ronaldo doesn’t fit into the way that Manchester United wants to play. The problem is, because of his profile and how good of a player he was, everyone feels like they have got to pass to him. They feel they have got to make a goal for Ronaldo.

“He is going to be the downfall of Man United, for me. It was a signing that was done for the fans and to stop him from going to Man City.

“Let us not be fooled, Ronaldo would have gone to Manchester City, 1000 per cent, he had probably already spoken to Manchester City.”

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Ronaldo Overtakes Messi As Highest Earner In World Football [See Top 10

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Manchester United superstar, has overtaken Paris Saint-Germain’s Lionel Messi as the highest earner in world football, according to Forbes.

Ronaldo’s transfer to Man United has made him the highest-paid footballer in the world, overtaking rival Messi.

The Portugal captain will earn almost €107 million gross, including a salary of close to €60 million and more than €40 million in earnings from sponsorships and partnerships with brands including Nike, Herbalife and the CR7 brand, which includes perfumes, clothing ranges, hotels and gyms this season.

Only three athletes, Tennis legend Roger Federer (approximately €77 million), basketball star LeBron James (€55.5 million) and golfer Tiger Woods (€51 million) have more commercial earnings than Ronaldo.

Ronaldo’s latest earnings have seen him overtake Messi, whose move to PSG from Barcelona, will see him earn around €94 million gross, with a salary of €64 million, but with lower commercial earnings.

Messi is sponsored by brands including Adidas, Pepsi and Budweiser.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar is third-highest earner behind Ronaldo and Messi.

The Brazilian earns €81 million, despite having the same salary as his team-mate Messi.

Below is Forbes’ top ten highest earners in football in 2021-22;

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – £91.5m ($125m)

2. Lionel Messi – £80.5m ($110m)

3. Neymar – £69.5m ($95m)

4. Kylian Mbappe – £31.5m ($43m)

5. Mohamed Salah – £30m ($41m)

6. Robert Lewandowski – £26m ($35m)

7. Andres Iniesta – £26m ($35m)

8. Paul Pogba – £25m ($34m)

9. Gareth Bale – £23.5m ($32m)

10. Eden Hazard – £21m ($29m)

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Tragedy As Player Collapses And Dies on Pitch (Photo)

 It was gathered that the Welsh rugby player collapsed and died during a memorial game.

 

Evans

 

A young rugby player has died after collapsing on the pitch.

 

The Welsh rugby player and father of one, Alex Evans, collapsed and died during a memorial game.

 

Alex Evans was reportedly playing for Cwmllynfell at their home ground, Parcy Bryn in Neath Port Talbot on Saturday afternoon.

 

They were playing against Crynant in the memory of a club stalwart who died earlier this year.

 

Emergency services responded to reports of a man in cardiac arrest where attempts were made to revive him but he later died at the scene.

 

Cwmllynfell RFC on Twitter said, "We have lost a brother on the field and it is hurting so much."

 

Club secretary Gareth Evans said they were "numb and raw at losing a brother."

 

Paying tribute to the popular player, Gareth Evans said, "Alex always had a cheeky smile and would do anything for anyone. He wore his heart on his sleeve. He had been with us since the club restarted four years ago."

 

Messages of sympathy have poured in from numerous clubs, as well as by the Welsh Rugby Union and World Rugby on social media.

 

Geraint John, Welsh Rugby Union community director, said: "So, so sad. Deepest sympathy and thoughts are with everyone at Cwmllynfell RFC, his family and friends.

"Sincere condolences from myself and everyone at WRU Community and Welsh Rugby Union."

 

World Rugby wrote: “Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends and teammates and to everyone associated with Cwmllynfell RFC.”

 

South Wales Police said they were called to Cwmllynfell Rugby Football Club at around 3.30pm on Saturday (August 21), following reports of a 31-year-old man in cardiac arrest.

 

A spokeswoman said, "Officers responded to the incident along with the Welsh Ambulance Service.

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Referee Pulls Out Gun During Football Match In Honduras

 The unnamed referee brandished the pistol to protect himself from angry supporters who thought he should have awarded their side a penalty.

 

There was tension as a referee was seen strolling around a centre circle with a pistol in his hands.

The tense scene occurred during an amateur match in the western Honduran town of La Jigua.

Local reports said the unnamed ref brandished the pistol to protect himself from angry supporters who thought he should have awarded their side a penalty.

A relative is said to have handed him the weapon at the end of the match as he was jeered by the furious fans.

Shots could be heard during the home-made video, although it was unclear where they had come from.

One supporter was overheard insulting the ref by calling him a son of a b****, although he appeared to make a wise decision by staying in the stands.

There were no reports of any injuries as a result of the standoff.

The extraordinary moment the match official strolled around the centre circle with the weapon in his hand was filmed by fans

The match official has not been identified and it is not yet clear if he will face any disciplinary action over his radical decision.

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EPL: Frank Lampard Speaks on rejecting new jobs since he was sacked at Chelsea

Former Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, has revealed that he has rejected several management offers.

Lampard was sacked at Stamford Bridge after only 18 months in charge.

He has since been replaced by former Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain boss, Thomas Tuchel.

However, Lampard is still being eyed by a few teams, but the ex-England midfielder feels the opportunities have not been quite right.

“Nobody wants to lose their job. But when you go into this career, it can happen, no matter how good you think you are.

“It’s given me a lot more time to be at home. It’s been great to be around the family.

“I’ve had some opportunities that have come up in the last six weeks, two months, that have been flattering, but not the right thing. They were not quite right,” Lampard said.

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EPL: Chelsea Manager warns Chelsea's Werner, Havertz, Abraham ahead of transfer window

Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel, has warned his strikers that the next two months are important for them to show that he doesn’t need to enter the transfer market in the summer.

The Blues have been linked with Borussia Dortmund, Erling Haaland and other strikers in Europe.

Timo Werner has scored only one goal in his last 20 Premier League appearances, while Tammy Abraham is struggling to get into the Tuchel’s starting XI.

Kai Havertz, who is increasingly playing as a striker, has not scored since September. Although Mason Mount and Hakim Ziyech have chipped in with few a goals lately, Tuchel feels his forwards are falling short.

“For the next eight weeks, we just have to think how we can improve the scoring and the scoring situation and nothing else. And then in the summer, we will think together with the club about what solutions are the best solutions for us.

“Is it the best solution to stay with our squad? Is it the best solution to stay in the formation that we have? Can we improve? Can we improve on the training pitch individually and as a group? To create more big chances? These are the questions for June.

“For now, in April, everybody knows that when you read the statistics, it’s obvious and the guys lack this last percentage of confidence when they don’t score,” Tuchel told reporters from Cobham Training Centre.

Chelsea face Crystal Palace on Saturday, looking to still finish in the Premier League’s Champions League places.

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EPL: Former Manchester United, Dimitar Berbatov has predicted results of all Premier League actions for this weekend

 

The biggest action this weekend is the clash between Tottenham and Manchester United in London.

But also promising to be worth watching will be the likes of Manchester City against Leeds United and Liverpool vs Aston Villa.

Fulham are also set for action against Wolves and the London side really need three points, “I thought Fulham were going to get the three points last time against Aston Villa but in the end, they lost and now, while they still have a chance it’s going to be difficult,” Berbatov told Metro UK.

According to him, the game against Wolves will be a tricky one, but he still predicted a 1-0 win for his former club.

For the other games, the former Fulham striker predicts:

Man City 3-0 Leeds

Liverpool 2-1 Aston Villa

Crystal Palace 0-2 Chelsea

Burnley 1-2 Newcastle

West Ham 2-1 Leicester

Tottenham 3-3 Man United

Sheffield United 0-1 Arsenal

West Brom 2-0 Southampton

Brighton 1-2 Everton.. 

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Atletico Madrid Striker, Moussa Dembele Collapses In Training

 

Moussa Dembele

Moussa Dembele, the popular Atletico Madrid striker, collapsed in training on Tuesday and needed medical attention, according to SkySports.

Former Celtic striker Dembele, who Atleti signed on loan from Lyon with an option to buy in January, was warming up and stretching before he lost consciousness.

His team-mates quickly alerted the medical staff to the situation when they saw the France Under-21 international motionless on the floor.

Dembele was rolled onto his side, in what appeared to be the recovery position, as other members of the squad rushed to the ambulance to grab a stretcher.

It was more than a minute before the striker regained consciousness and got back to his feet, but the 24-year-old was eventually able to walk off the pitch without any assistance.

Dembele was pictured leaving training in his car, signalling that he is healthy and fully recovered.

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Eden Hazard may never play football again – Dr. Gonzalez

Dr. Jose Gonzalez, who works for Atletico Madrid, has claimed Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard “may never play football again” if he undergoes a third ankle operation.

Gonzalez has suggested Hazard’s career could be in doubt.

Hazard is reportedly looking to have another ankle operation, as he seeks to end his injury nightmare at Real.

But Dr. Gonzalez told Ondacero: “A third operation on Eden Hazard’s ankle is very risky, there could be the possibility that the player would not play football again.”

Hazard has endured a torrid time in Spain, since moving from Chelsea in 2019.

The 30-year-old has been dogged by persistent problems with his left ankle, which has restricted him to just 14 appearances this season... 

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EPL: Wolves coach, Nuno Santo gives fresh update on Rui Patricio after injury against Liverpool

 

Wolves boss, Nuno Espirito Santo, has provided the latest injury update on Rui Patricio after the goalkeeper sustained a serious-looking head injury during his side’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on Monday night.

Patricio collided with Conor Coady after Mohamed Salah put the ball past him into the back of the net, leading to a near-15-minute stoppage as the 33-year-old shot-stopper was treated on the field at Molineux.

The Portuguese star was treated for over 10 minutes before he was then stretchered off the field, after Salah’s goal was ruled out for offside.

Providing an update on Patricio, Santo said after the game that the player was conscious and aware.

“We just had an update now, he’s okay,” Santo told Sky Sports.

“He’s conscious, he remembers what’s happened, he’s aware of what happened, he’s aware, so he’s okay.

“It was the knee of Coady on the head, but he’s okay, we spoke already, so he’s okay.

“All these situations when it’s a concussion in the head, it gets us all worried, but he’s okay, he’s going to recover, he’s okay.”

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Man City vs Monchengladbach: Guardiola’s squad for Champions League confirmed [Full list]

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has named a 23-man squad to face Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League round of 16 second-leg fixture at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on Tuesday night.

Guardiola announced the squad in a post via Man City’s official website on Monday.

Guardiola’s men had defeated Monchengladbach 2-0 in the first-leg last month.

Man City head to the game after beating Fulham 3-0 in the Premier League over last weekend.

Man City’s squad against Monchengladbach:
Kyle Walker, Rúben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Aké, Raheem Sterling, Ilkay Gündogan, Gabriel Jesus, Sergio Agüero, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Zack Steffen, Aymeric Laporte, Rodrigo, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Ferran Torres, Benjamin Mendy, Fernandinho, Riyad Mahrez, João Cancel, Ederson, Scott Carson, Phil Foden and Eric Garcia

The kick-off time for Man City vs Monchengladbach is 9 pm.

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Anthony Joshua And Fury to Fight Soon, Sign £200million Deal

Anthony Joshua and Fury to fight in unification battle

 

Boxing champion, Anthony Joshua has signed a two-fight deal for a unification fight with Tyson Fury.

 

The two will face off in two all-British world heavyweight title unification fights, according Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn who made this known on Monday.

 

“All parties have now put pen to paper and we will be working hard over the next few weeks to confirm the site and date for the biggest fight in boxing,” Hearn told Sky Sports.

 

According to The Mirror, the first fight is expected to take place in June or July with Saudi Arabia in pole position to play host with both fighters set to earn £100million.

 

Details later.. 

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Leicester City star, Kelechi Iheanacho was the cynosure of all eyes after scoring a hat-trick over the weekend (Video)

Kelechi Iheanacho

 

Nigerian forward, Kelechi Iheanacho was the star of his team over the weekend after bagging a hat-trick.

 

He was celebrated by his teammates in the dressing room. Hattrick is the scoring of three goals in one football game by a single player.

 

The Super Eagles forward led the Foxes’ rout at the King Power Stadium with his goalscoring heroics.

 

The Nigeria international opened the scoring for the hosts in the 39th minute and he later scored two goals in the second half to compound the Blades woes as they remain rooted to the bottom of the league table.

 

It was the first time Iheanacho scored three goals in a Premier League match since he made his debut in the competition back in August 2015, a feat which sent him into cloud nine.

 

In a recently sighted video, the striker can be seen celebrating with his teammates in the dressing room.

 

“I don’t know how to express this, I’ve been waiting for this day to come. I’m grateful to God, my teammates and my manager for helping me grow,” Iheanacho told Sky Sports.

“I wish everyone a happy Mother’s Day. I dedicate this match ball to all the mothers in the world."

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EPL: Thierry Henry opens up on coaching Arsenal, returning to Emirates

Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry, has revealed his plans to return to Emirates to coach the North London club.

Henry is Arsenal’s all-time record goalscorer with 228 goals.

The 43-year-old resigned as manager of Major League Soccer (MLS) side, CF Montreal, last month (February).

The Frenchman cited “family reasons” for his decision.

“I am an Arsenal fan. So if you are asking me if one day I would like to coach Arsenal, then yes. If you ask if one day I would like to be Arsenal’s kit man, then yes. If you ask if one day I would like to cut the grass at the Emirates Stadium, then yes,” Henry told FourFourTwo.

“But it’s a utopia, and I am far from that. If you ask me, am I dreaming, yes I am dreaming. But when you are not dreaming, you are awake, and there is a reality. Would I love to coach Arsenal? Yes. Would I love to go to Barcelona? Yes.

“I am on my learning curve, I want to do well for the team I am coaching, then time will tell. If you are not successful, you are not going to have those types of opportunities. I am just concentrating on what I can control, and the rest is a massive utopia.”

Henry’s coaching experience also includes a stint at French Ligue 1 side, AS Monaco and an assistant manager role with the Belgium national team.

The former striker won two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and reached the Champions League and UEFA Cup finals with Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.

He also enjoyed success at Barcelona following his move from the Gunners in 2007..

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EPL: Wenger identifies what Liverpool lacks after 2-0 defeat to Everton

 

Former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has said that Liverpool ‘lack belief in everything they do’.

Wenger said this while reacting to Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat against Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Everton inflicted defeat on Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield for the first time in 22 years as the Reds slipped to their fourth consecutive defeat in the English top-flight league.

An early goal from Richarlison and a controversial late penalty from Gylfi Sigurdsson gave Carlo Ancelotti’s men all three points against Liverpool.

“They are on a bad run, and this result tonight will deepen a little bit, the doubt they have,” Wenger told beIN SPORTS.

“They lack belief in everything they do. It affects you and goes quickly through the ranks, but again tonight, they put the effort in, they were focused, motivated, but they lacked charisma around the team.

“We have seen again tonight, at the top level, you pay for your weak points.

“Overall, they question themselves now, Liverpool, but tonight I’d say they produced the desire, and the quality of the performance was quite alright, but they cannot score at the moment

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Super Eagles Drop to 36 In Latest FIFA Rankings

 The latest ranking released by the Federation of International Football Association has seen Nigeria drop to 36th.

 

Super Eagles

 

The Federation of International Football Association has released its January ranking with Nigeria dropping to 36th position in the world.

 

In the ranking table released by the world football governing body on Thursday, the Nigerian team retained the 1474 points they had in the month of December.

 

The ranking which is the first in 2021 saw Nigeria retaining its fifth spot on the continent behind Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco respectively.

 

On the global scene, a total of 43 full internationals (including one played in December 2020) were taken into account.

 

The standout tournament in recent weeks has been the African Nations Championship, where a total of 32 games took place and with Nigeria not participating.

 

These fixtures, as well as the other 11 games played, have been classified as friendlies, because only players competing in their countries’ national championships are eligible to participate in CHAN.

 

In the standings, CHAN winners Morocco (33rd, +2), and runners-up Mali (54th, +3) have made the most progress.

 

Third-placed Guinea (72nd, +1) and quarter-finalists Congo (90th, +1) have also advanced.

 

Other teams moving in the right direction include Costa Rica (50th,+1), currently back in the Top 50 after an absence of several months, Cape Verde (80th, +1) and Oman (81st, +1).

 

There are also Benin (82nd, +1), Azerbaijan (108th, +1), Estonia (108th, +1), Thailand (110th, +1), Guinea-Bissau (119th, +1), Tajikistan (120th, +1) and Guatemala (130th, +1).

 

Those teams aside, no other country has enhanced its position since December, and the Top 32 places in the standings remain unchanged since the end of 2020.

 

Belgium, France, Brazil, England and Portugal continue to occupy the top spots, with the leading trio of Belgium, France and Brazil only separated by 37 points.

 

The fight for top spot promises to be an exciting one this year, with a string of major tournaments scheduled (Copa America, UEFA EURO and CONCACAF Gold Cup).

 

There is also the resumption of qualifying competitions for the 2022 FIFA World Cup scheduled for Qatar.

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