Morocco made history when they became the first African team to reach the semifinal of the World Cup at Qatar 2022 and now Panama said they hope to match such a superb run at the forthcoming World Cup.

The Atlas Lions of Morocco beat top teams like Spain and Portugal to reach the last four of the Mundial four years ago.

Panama coach Thomas Christiansen said he is putting no limits to what his team could achieve at the World Cup.

“Why not be the Morocco of this World Cup?” he said.

Panama are in Group L with Ghana, Croatia and England and they open their campaign against Ghana on June 18.

The post Panama want to be ‘Morocco of 2026 World Cup’ first appeared on Score Nigeria.

Did you know that Super Eagles legend Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha holds the record for the most successful dribbles in a single World Cup game?

According to FIFA, Okocha made 15 successful dribbles against Italy at the 15th edition of the World Cup at USA 1994.

‘Jay Jay’ did this against a defensive team like Italy in the Round of 16 as he ghosted past the likes of Paolo Maldini, Demetrio Albertini and Alessandro Costacurta.

Okocha is followed by Brazil’s Jairzinho (13 v Uruguay in 1970), England’s Paul Gascoigne (13 v Cameroon in 1990), Portugal’s Eusebio (12 v Hungary in 1966), West Germany’s Reinhard Libuda (12 v Bulgaria in 1970), the Netherlands’ Johan Cruyff (12 v Sweden in 1974), Italy’s Sandro Mazzola (12 v Poland in 1974), Argentina’s Diego Maradona (12 v England in 1986), and Germany’s Jamal Musiala (12 v Costa Rica in 2022).

Lionel Messi has completed the most take-ons in World Cup history (125), with fellow Argentinian Maradona pulling off the most in one edition (53 at Mexico 1986).

The post FIFA: Okocha holds World Cup dribbles record first appeared on Score Nigeria.

Barcelona have ended their interest in Victor Osimhen as their top transfer target now is Argentina star Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid, according to Top Transfer Expert Fabrizio Romano.

This followed their shock acquisition of Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon for 80 million euros.

Romano has reported that 24-year-old striker Alvarez is Barcelona dream signing after the Catalan giants were previously linked to Osimhen.

The Transfer Expert said that Barcelona now plan to make an offer for Alvarez in the short term.

A swap deal is not preferred, he knows; Barça do not intend to involve players in the multi-million transfer.

Behind the scenes, intense negotiations are reportedly taking place with the help of intermediaries.

Alvarez has reportedly already informed Atlético Madrid of his wish to leave.

The Argentina star also does not want to extend his contract. Atlético had hoped to secure Alvarez until mid-2031. His current contract runs until the summer of 2030. That agreement reportedly includes a buyout clause of 500 million euros.

Romano himself has not named a specific transfer fee, but various media outlets previously reported that Alvárez will likely cost around 150 million euros.

He moved from Manchester City to Atlético in the summer of 2024. Around ninety million euros was paid for him at the time.

The post Barcelona drop Osimhen for Argentina World Cup star first appeared on Score Nigeria.