Ahead of the 2026-27 season, Al Hilal are already looking to strengthen the squad to compete for every title. However, Karim Benzema could lose a teammate, as Darwin Núñez is reportedly close to leaving on loan to Portugal. After failing to win the Saudi Pro League title last season, Al Hilal have already decided to strengthen their roster, signing Crysencio Summerville for the wing. However, they remain open to bringing in more players, looking to reinforce Karim Benzema in attack. To do so, the Saudi side is preparing key departures, opening up foreign-player slots. With this in mind, Darwin Núñez is reportedly close to leaving on loan to Portugal. According to Arriyadiyah, a well-known Saudi media outlet, Darwin Núñez is very close to leaving Al Hilal on loan, heading to the Portuguese league. Both FC Porto and Benfica are closely monitoring his arrival, with negotiations already underway. Despite having played in LaLiga and the Premier League, the Uruguayan striker produced his best version in the Primeira Liga, so a return there would be key. With Benzema’s arrival, Darwin was left out of Al Hilal’s Saudi Pro League squad, leaving him available only for the AFC Champions League Elite. With the veteran Frenchman and Marcos Leonardo, the Uruguayan striker appears to have no place in the team, making his departure almost mandatory. With this, Núñez seems set to end his spell in the Saudi Pro League without playing a single minute alongside Karim. Darwin Núñez has gone from being one of the best strikers in the Premier League to becoming a marginal player in the Saudi Pro League. In the 24 matches he has played, he has scored only nine goals and provided five assists, disappointing many. Because of this, a return to the Primeira Liga would be key to rediscovering his best form, as he is only 27 years old and is looking to relaunch his professional career. Darwin Nunez of Al Hilal controls the ball during the Saudi Pro League match. Jader Duran’s arrival to Benfica could shut door to Darwin Núñez Recognizing Darwin Núñez as a great talent, SL Benfica are looking to bring the Uruguayan striker back for the 2026-27 season. Head coach Marco Silva faced him on numerous occasions in the Premier League and could look to relaunch his career. However, the 27-year-old striker will not have an easy path to earning a place, as they have just signed Jhon Jader Durán on loan, which would leave him out of the rotation. Head coach Marco Silva not only has Durán, but also Vangelis Pavlidis, Franjo Ivanović, and Anísio Cabral. Therefore, Darwin Núñez would be the fifth option or adapt to the left wing. In his spell at Benfica, the Uruguayan striker scored 48 goals and provided 16 assists in 85 games, but he is not coming in his best version and needs continuity. With this in mind, FC Porto seem to be his best option to have continuity.
Celtic's lack of transfer activity is "an unchanging and wearying" story, according to The Times' Scottish football correspondent Michael Grant. The Parkhead club have signed only one player this summer - striker Camilo Duran - although manager Martin O'Neill insisted they are close to further deals after Saturday's sparsely attended friendly against Middlesbrough. At a recent fan Q&A in Cork, chief executive Michael Nicholson said the club were finding it "difficult" to compete with English Premier League and Championship clubs, as well as dealing with agents.
Full preview of Ghana for the 2026 World Cup, including squad breakdown, key players, and tactical analysis of their chances. After a rebuilding phase and missing the 2025 AFCON, Ghana arrives in North America eager to reestablish itself as an African powerhouse. The Black Stars secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup with a dominant qualifying campaign, leaning on a sturdy defense and opportunistic finishing. Now, they face a challenging path in the group stage. Fans can expect a roster that blends experienced veterans with emerging stars, though the absence of key playmaker Mohammed Kudus looms large. This comprehensive preview breaks down Ghana’s tactical approach under newly appointed coach Carlos Queiroz, highlights standout forward Antoine Semenyo, and evaluates the team’s realistic chances of advancing to the knockout rounds this summer. Team profile CoachCarlos QueirozCaptainJordan AyewNicknameBlack StarsFIFA ranking74thConfederationCAFGroupGroup LBest World Cup resultQuarterfinals (2010)World Cup appearances4Last World Cup appearance2022 How Ghana play With only a brief window to implement his system, expect Carlos Queiroz to prioritize defensive solidity over expansive soccer. Ghana will likely set up in a disciplined 4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1 formation, focusing heavily on maintaining a compact defensive block. The Black Stars allowed just 0.6 goals per game during qualifying, a testament to their organized structure out of possession. Offensively, the team will rely on quick transitions and counter-attacks rather than dominating the ball. Wingers like Semenyo will be tasked with stretching the field and exploiting spaces left by opposing fullbacks. However, the lack of creative midfield depth following Kudus’s injury is a glaring vulnerability. Opponents may attempt to force Ghana to dictate the tempo, testing their ability to break down set defenses. Ultimately, this pragmatic tactical approach could keep games close, giving the Black Stars a fighting chance to grind out results in a difficult group. Carlos Queiroz: The coach behind Ghana Appointed in April 2026 to replace Otto Addo, Carlos Queiroz brings decades of elite international experience to the Ghanaian sideline. The 73-year-old Portuguese manager is a seasoned veteran of the global stage, marking his fifth consecutive appearance at the international tournament. Queiroz built his reputation as Sir Alex Ferguson’s trusted assistant at Manchester United before managing top programs like Real Madrid, Portugal, and Iran. During his unprecedented tenure with Iran, he guided the nation to three straight global tournaments using a famously disciplined, defense-first philosophy. Taking over just 70 days before the opening match, Queiroz faces an incredibly tight timeline to evaluate his roster and instill his trademark defensive organization. His unmatched tournament pedigree and pragmatic leadership could be exactly what the Black Stars need to navigate a demanding group-stage schedule. Key player: Antoine Semenyo Antoine Semenyo has rapidly evolved from a lower-league loanee to a Premier League standout and the primary attacking threat for the Black Stars. After a breakout stint with Bournemouth, the dynamic forward earned a high-profile transfer to Manchester City in early 2026, where he quickly secured an EFL Cup title. Typically deployed on the right wing for the national team, Semenyo uses his pace and power to drive at defenders and cut inside for scoring opportunities. His ability to finish counter-attacks will be essential, especially since the squad is missing its primary creative midfielder. Entering the summer in spectacular form, Semenyo carries the burden of producing goals against elite defenses. If he can replicate his club success on the international stage, Ghana possesses a legitimate weapon capable of punishing any opponent in the competition. Ghana’s road to the 2026 World Cup The Black Stars secured their ticket to North America by dominating CAF Gr
Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal is taken by surprise with Yoane Wissa scoring a late first-half equalizer for DR Congo. Heavy favorites Portugal and a resilient DR Congo squad clashed Wednesday afternoon at NRG Stadium for a highly anticipated Matchday 1 Group K showdown at the 2026 World Cup. After the Selecao grabbed a rapid, early breakthrough, Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates were stunned deep into first-half stoppage time when Yoane Wissa soared above the defense to bury a dramatic, late equalizer. As expected, Portugal controlled possession early and created multiple chances against a deep Congo defense. The opening goal came in the sixth minute when Pedro Neto delivered a cross to the penalty spot, allowing Joao Neves to arrive from deep and head it in, holding a 1-0 lead until the equalizer came. The historic moment unfolded during a clever short-corner routine, with Arthur Masuaku drifting inside from the right flank to orchestrate the attack. Whipping a pinpoint, dangerous cross into the heart of the 18-yard box, Masuaku picked out Wissa, who completely shook off his marker, Tomas Araujo, and rose unopposed to shoulder the hopes of his nation and smash home a thumping header. DR CONGO HAS ITS FIRST-EVER FIFA WORLD CUP GOAL! 🇨🇩 pic.twitter.com/FSopuazQ08— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 17, 2026 The goal sparked massive celebrations at the Houston Stadium, marking the first World Cup goal in the history of the DR Congo national team. Although the nation competed in the 1974 tournament under its previous name, Zaire, this strike stands as a historical first for the country in the modern era. The DR Congo fans in Houston are GOING CRAZY 🇨🇩They are tied with Portugal at halftime pic.twitter.com/cERqvvsfaJ— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 17, 2026 During that 1974 appearance, Zaire suffered three consecutive group-stage losses without scoring a single goal. The team fell 2-0 to Scotland, 9-0 to Yugoslavia, and 3-0 to Brazil while conceding 14 goals. Wissa representing the Premier League Following several strong seasons at Brentford, Newcastle United signed Wissa for €57.70 million, though he only scored three goals during his debut season with the club. Despite that club form, his equalizer for the Leopards secures his place in international football history. According to OptaJoe, Wissa is the first player from a Premier League club to score a nation’s first-ever World Cup goal since 2006. The last player to do so was Everton’s Tim Cahill, who scored Australia’s first tournament goal 20 years ago.
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