Sports
Arsenal Complete Permanent Signing of Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen
By Abigail David
Premier League champions Arsenal have completed the permanent signing of defender Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen after activating the purchase option included in his loan agreement.
The Ecuador international joined Arsenal during the closing stages of last summer’s transfer window and quickly became an important figure in the squad.
Hincapie established himself as the club’s first-choice left-back despite competition from academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly and summer signing Riccardo Calafiori. He played a key role in Arsenal’s successful Premier League title-winning campaign, featuring prominently throughout the season.
The 24-year-old started several crucial matches during the run-in, including fixtures against Manchester City and Burnley, and was also selected ahead of Calafiori for Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League semi-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal confirmed that the permanent transfer will officially take effect on July 1.
In a statement, the club said it was delighted to activate the option to make Hincapie’s move permanent following his impressive performances during his loan spell from Leverkusen.
The defender had previously been linked with a move to Real Madrid, but has chosen to continue his career at the Emirates Stadium.
Reports indicate Arsenal paid approximately £35 million to secure the defender on a long-term contract believed to run until 2031.
Hincapie made 39 appearances in all competitions last season as Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for a league title and also reached the Champions League final.
The Ecuadorian becomes Arsenal’s first signing of the summer transfer window following the club’s significant investment in new players during the previous campaign.
Meanwhile, Hincapie is currently on international duty with the Ecuador national football team. He has featured in Ecuador’s opening World Cup matches and is expected to be involved again when his side faces the Germany national football team in their final group-stage fixture.
By Abigail David
Spain have been crowned champions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time in a thrilling final on Sunday.
Substitute Ferran Torres emerged as the hero, scoring the decisive goal in the second period of extra time to hand La Roja their second World Cup title, 16 years after their maiden triumph in South Africa in 2010.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez produced a series of outstanding saves to keep his side in the contest, but the South Americans’ task became more difficult in stoppage time of the second half when midfielder Enzo Fernández was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsí.
With Argentina reduced to 10 men, Spain dominated possession in extra time and finally found the breakthrough when Nico Williams brilliantly knocked the ball into Torres’ path, allowing the forward to fire home the winning goal.
Luis de la Fuente’s side capped an outstanding tournament with another disciplined defensive display, conceding just one goal in seven matches while combining defensive solidity with their trademark possession-based football.
Argentina, led by captain Lionel Messi, fought valiantly throughout the tournament, overcoming Egypt in the knockout stages and coming from behind to defeat England in the semi-finals.
However, the holders were unable to find a way past Spain, who claimed the biggest prize in world football for the first time since 2010.
By Abigail David
FIFA has announced that the winners of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will receive championship rings for the first time in the tournament’s history, alongside the World Cup trophy and gold medals.
The world football governing body unveiled the initiative on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s final between Spain and Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
According to FIFA, the introduction of championship rings brings a tradition commonly associated with American sports to the FIFA World Cup.
In a statement, FIFA said a limited edition of 2,026 individually numbered rings would be produced to commemorate the tournament.
Thirty rings will be presented to members of the World Cup-winning team, while the remaining 1,996 will be offered to fans worldwide as officially licensed memorabilia.
FIFA said each ring will feature the FIFA World Cup trophy on one side, while the other side will be customised to reflect the identity of the championship-winning team. The rings will also be individually numbered, custom-fitted and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
The governing body added that the winning team’s captain and head coach will receive temporary rings immediately after the final, with the customised versions to be presented at a later date.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will see Spain and Argentina compete for the title on Sunday.
By Abigail David
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been drawn in Group B alongside Ghana, Burkina Faso and Togo for the 2026 WAFU B U20 Championship, the qualifying tournament for the 2027 Africa U20 Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The draw, held on Wednesday, also placed hosts and defending champions Côte d’Ivoire in Group A with Niger and Benin Republic.
The Group B fixtures will see Nigeria renew its long-standing youth football rivalry with Ghana’s Black Satellites, while Burkina Faso and Togo complete the group.
The WAFU B Championship serves as the qualification tournament for the 2027 U20 AFCON, which will be hosted by Ghana. The continental competition will feature 12 teams, with the four semi-finalists earning places at the FIFA U20 World Cup.
Nigeria enters the tournament with a strong record in the regional competition. The Flying Eagles won the WAFU B title in 2022 and successfully defended it in 2024, defeating Ghana 2-1 in the final played in Lomé.
The team also reached the final of the inaugural edition in 2018 and finished runners-up at the most recent tournament after a 1-0 defeat to hosts Côte d’Ivoire.
The Flying Eagles will begin preparations for the championship as they seek another regional title and qualification for the 2027 U20 AFCON.
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