Following David Beckham’s team’s victory, FIFA’s president officially announced Inter Miami as the penultimate team to qualify for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

According to FIFA’s recent statement, this honor comes after Inter Miami clinched the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield, marking them as Major League Soccer’s top-performing team during the regular season.

Acknowledging Inter Miami’s consistent performance throughout a 34-match campaign, FIFA confirmed the club’s qualification as the host nation’s representative team for the upcoming tournament. Inter Miami will open the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in their hometown on June 15, hosting the inaugural match.

With Inter Miami’s inclusion, only one slot remains to complete the 32 teams competing in the 2025 Club World Cup roster.

The winner of the Copa Libertadores, scheduled for November 30 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, will determine the final position.

Gianni Infantino, FIFA‘s president, made the official announcement following Inter Miami’s match against New England Revolution at Chase Stadium.

Reflecting on Miami’s passion for football and Inter Miami’s broad support across Florida, Infantino praised the club’s exciting style of play and congratulated them on their remarkable achievement in securing the Supporters’ Shield.

FIFA has allocated 12 spots for UEFA, six for CONMEBOL, four each for CONCACAF and CAF, and one for OFC in the 2025 Club World Cup.

Teams like Inter Miami and Real Madrid have already secured their places in what promises to be an exciting international football showcase.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have maintained their 39th position in the latest FIFA world rankings, despite securing four points in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The updated rankings, released by FIFA on Thursday morning, also see Nigeria holding 6th place in Africa.

While the Super Eagles achieved a commanding 3-0 victory over Benin’s Cheetahs and played out a 0-0 draw against Rwanda’s Amavubi, these results were insufficient to improve their global standing.

Nigeria slipped from 38th to 39th in the rankings a few months ago due to a string of underwhelming performances and has remained in the same spot.

On the African continent, Nigeria still trails behind football powerhouses like Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tunisia. However, with a new coaching team in place, the Super Eagles will have another opportunity to climb the rankings during the next AFCON qualifiers in October.

Top 10 African Teams in the Latest FIFA Rankings:

1. Morocco
2. Senegal
3. Egypt
4. Côte d’Ivoire
5. Tunisia
6. Nigeria
7. Algeria
8. Cameroon
9. Mali
10. DR Congo

Despite their current rank, Nigeria still holds an advantage over other notable African football nations like Ghana, South Africa, and Cameroon.

However, the Super Eagles’ recent challenges in international competitions have kept them stagnant in the rankings, despite the team’s rich footballing legacy and immense potential.

Meanwhile, teams like Algeria (41st), Congo (58th), and Burkina Faso (63rd) have made gains in the rankings. In contrast, Cameroon dropped to 53rd, while South Africa (59th) and Ghana (70th) have also experienced declines.

With an important AFCON qualifier on the horizon, the Super Eagles will be eager to break their current ranking plateau and see their efforts reflected in future updates.

World football governing body, FIFA, has placed a ban on Katsina United of the Nigeria Premier Football League along with twenty-two other African clubs, preventing them from registering new players.

According to FIFA’s website, Katsina United’s ban began on June 12, 2024, and will last for three registration periods.

The sanction results from recent contractual violations involving the club and several players.

The other banned clubs include:

• DC Motema Pembe
• TP Mazembe
• Future FC
• Al Masry
• Zamalek SC
• Horoya AC
• Raja Club Athletic
• Wydad Athletic Club
• African Stars FC
• Kiyovu Sports Association
• Royal AM
• TS Galaxy FC
• Singida Big Stars FC
• Tabora United
• Club Africain
• CS Sfaxien
• Etoile du Sahel
• US Monastir
• Mbarara City FC
• Buildcon FC
• Indeni FC
• Lusaka Dynamos FC

The ban has caused significant turmoil within Katsina United, leading to an exodus of key players seeking opportunities with other clubs. Some players, whose contracts were terminated verbally, are now unwilling to return.

One affected player spoke to a Daily Trust reporter under the condition of anonymity, describing his bewilderment over the situation.

“The team manager called to inform me that my services were no longer needed, so I shouldn’t return to the club,” he said. “I still have one year of my contract left, so I was confused. But he said they will pay me three months for me to go and find another club.”

He continued, “He also said if that is not acceptable to me, I should resume, but I won’t be part of the team, although they will pay my monthly salary. That got me even more confused.”

The player was later informed by his lawyer that the club had reversed its decision and requested his return.

“Well, my position is that my contract is already terminated by Katsina United, so they will pay me off so that I can go elsewhere to continue with my career,” he concluded.

The ban on Katsina United and the other clubs highlights the serious contractual and administrative issues within some African football clubs.

As these clubs navigate the repercussions of FIFA’s sanctions, their ability to maintain competitive squads and ensure the well-being of their players remains uncertain.

This situation underscores the need for better governance and adherence to contractual obligations in African football.