In their first encounter since 2002, France were hoping to get one over on Senegal after the African nation pulled off a shock the last time they both met at the World Cup. The opening fixture for Les...
Herve Renard will lead Tunisia for their last two World Cup Group F games, versus Japan and the Netherlands, after replacing Sabri Lamouchi. The post Tunisia sack Lamouchi and appoint Renard after heavy World Cup defeat appeared first on SoccerNews.
Endrick posted an emotional video in which he confirmed he's leaving Lyon before the return to Real Madrid. The week was perfect for Endrick, as Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the forward will be in the World Cup representing Brazil. However, it was also an emotional few days for him, as he posted a video with a farewell message to Lyon fans amid the rumored return to Real Madrid. Endrick said: “I have to say goodbye now and begin a journey back, one that will take much longer because I am returning with much more than I had when I arrived. For the rest of my life, I will carry this city with me in my heart and in my memories.” Without many minutes at Real Madrid and with some injuries, Endrick had to leave the club on loan in search of playing time to prove his talent. In the end, his level in France was so good that he left a mark on the fans, just as the city left one on him. The full message “In Brazil, when someone is going through a difficult moment, people usually say that person has to kill one lion every day. I spent months going through something no athlete wants to go through, but I decided I would not kill a single lion, I decided to become one. It was here at Lyon that I found what I needed to recover my strength, follow my instinct to attack like a lion, defend my own people and become stronger. Ver esta publicación en Instagram Una publicación compartida por Endrick 🐆 (@endrick) The months of anguish turned into months of joy, victories and learning experiences. I made new friends, became even closer to the ones I already had and discovered that our place is wherever we are with the people we love and the people who love us. This period with all of you could definitely become a movie. Unfortunately, even stronger, a lion cannot stay in one place forever. I have to say goodbye now and begin a journey back, one that will take much longer because I am returning with much more than I had when I arrived. For the rest of my life, I will carry this city with me in my heart and in my memories.” Endrick’s numbers in Lyon Endrick may not have been in the headlines every week, but that was mainly because Lyon were not facing huge challenges. His performances were good enough to convince the national team manager to call him up. His improvement at his new club was clear, as he scored five goals and provided seven assists in 16 Ligue 1 matches to help his team reach the Champions League.
Didier Deschamps has announced his 26-man France squad for the 2026 World Cup. For his final tournament in charge of Les Bleus, the France coach has selected 25 capped internationals and one newcomer, Robin Risser. France will travel with three goalkeepers, nine defenders, five midfielders and nine forwards.
After being left out of France’s squad, Ayyoub Bouaddi has reportedly decided to represent Morocco ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On Thursday, France announced its final 26-player squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ligue 1 star Ayyoub Bouaddi was not included, a decision that reportedly led him to choose to represent Morocco instead. “Massive news for Morocco: Ayyoub Bouaddi has decided to represent Morocco as national team over France,” reporter Fabrizio Romano wrote Thursday on his official X account. “Plan confirmed… as Bouaddi did not appear on Deschamps’ list.” Bouaddi was one of Lille’s standout players during the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season, with the club currently sitting third in the standings with 61 points, behind only champions Paris Saint-Germain and Lens. Lille will close out its league campaign this Sunday against Auxerre. Across Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the UEFA Europa League, the defensive midfielder made 41 appearances this season and recorded one assist. Those performances, combined with the fact that he is only 18 years old, have made him the subject of transfer rumors ahead of the summer window, with PSG, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich among the reported suitors. 🚨🇲🇦 Massive news for Morocco: Ayyoub Bouaddi has decided to represent Morocco as national team over France.Plan confirmed as @Santi_J_FM reported as Bouaddi did not appear on Deschamps’ list.Lille top talent wanted by several clubs will be in Morocco’s World Cup list. 🌍🆕 pic.twitter.com/wxvEgwqDKF— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 14, 2026 Morocco could add a high-quality player According to Fabrizio Romano’s report, Ayyoub Bouaddi “will be in Morocco’s World Cup list.” That means that, beyond his personal decision to represent the national team, head coach Mohamed Ouahbi plans to include him in the roster. Born in Senlis, France, on October 2, 2007, Bouaddi is of Moroccan descent, giving him the option to represent either country under FIFA rules. At the youth level, the midfielder previously played for France’s U-21 team, including appearances in March of this year against Luxembourg and Iceland. Morocco aiming to make World Cup history again The addition of Ayyoub Bouaddi would give Morocco even more depth heading into the 2026 World Cup. In recent years, the team has benefited from recruiting talented players with Moroccan roots who were born and raised abroad, particularly in Europe. Using that formula, Morocco built a competitive squad featuring stars such as Bono, Achraf Hakimi, and Sofyan Amrabat, who helped lead the national team to a historic fourth-place finish at Qatar 2022. More young talents could now join that core, including several players who won the FIFA U-20 World Cup last year. With that combination of experience and youth, Mohamed Ouahbi’s squad is shaping up as a serious contender for this summer’s tournament in North America.
Inter Milan forward Yoan Ange Bonny has decided to represent Ivory Coast instead of France, meaning he could face Germany at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ivory Coast will be part of Group E at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will face Germany, Ecuador, and Curacao. For that challenge, they will be able to count on Inter Milan forward Yoan Ange Bonny, who turned down the chance to represent France. “Inter striker Yoan Ange Bonny will represent Ivory Coast and not France with immediate effect, decision made,” Italian reporter Fabrizio Romano reported on Saturday through a post on his official X account. Born on October 25, 2003, in Aubervilliers, France, but of Ivorian descent, Bonny had the opportunity to choose either national team at the international level. In fact, he represented France at youth level through the U-21 category. However, upon reaching senior level, the 22-year-old forward had to make a definitive decision, considering FIFA allow players to switch national teams during their youth careers but are far more restrictive with senior players. In that context, Bonny chose to embrace his family roots. 🚨🇨🇮 Inter striker Yoan Ange Bonny will represent Ivory Coast and not France with immediate effect, decision made.It’s all confirmed as Ivory Coast can dream with Amad Diallo and Yan Diomandé. ✨ pic.twitter.com/29KuIRp3FV— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 9, 2026 Ivory Coast receive boost ahead of the World Cup Yoan Ange Bonny’s first opportunity to join the Ivory Coast national team came earlier this year, when head coach Emerse Fae included him in the preliminary squad for friendlies against South Korea and Scotland during the March FIFA international break. From that point on, the striker began the administrative process with FIFA to become eligible to represent the African nation ahead of the 2026 World Cup. His addition could prove significant for Fae’s squad, which will face the challenge of advancing from a group featuring Germany as the clear favourites, with Ecuador and Ivory Coast battling just below them. Now, Bonny will need to earn a place in the final 26-man roster, which is expected to include several high-level stars who have been part of the national team in recent years. Among them are Amad Diallo, Yan Diomande, Nicolas Pepe, Franck Kessie, Simon Adingra, and Seko Fofana. Bonny’s performances Bonny’s hopes of being part of Ivory Coast’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are backed by his recent performances at club level. After standing out with Parma over four seasons, the forward joined Inter Milan in the summer of 2025, where he has recorded seven goals and eight assists in 41 appearances across Serie A, Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana, and the UEFA Champions League.
