Johannesburg, July 11, 2026 (AFP) - African results justify World Cup slots increase amid criticism

NAMPA / AFP

2026-07-11

When four-time World Cup winners Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 tournament, then head coach Gennaro Gattuso lamented that Africa had so many places at the global showcase. "Africa deserves fewer World Cup slots," he said, referring to the number of automatic qualifying places allocated to that continent rising from five to nine in an expanded 48-nation event. It became 10 when the Democratic Republic of Congo won an inter-continental play......

Restricted content

Sports News

Johannesburg, July 11, 2026 (AFP) - South African Mngqithi to coach Tanzanian champions

2026-07-11 11:00:52

Los Angeles, United States, July 11, 2026 (AFP) - England battle Norway as Argentina face Swiss in World Cup last eight

2026-07-11 11:00:52

Wellington, July 11, 2026 (AFP) - Jordan humbled to break try record as All Blacks rout Italy 47-17

2026-07-11 11:00:52

Monaco, July 11, 2026 (AFP) - Duplantis thrives on new home turf in Monaco

2026-07-11 10:00:19

Wellington, July 11, 2026 (AFP) - Jordan humbled to break try record as All Blacks rout Italy 47-17

2026-07-11 10:00:19

2026-07-11 09:31:06

Wellington, July 11, 2026 (AFP) - All Blacks beat Italy 47-17 in Nations Championship Test

2026-07-11 09:31:06

Wellington, July 11, 2026 (AFP) - Jordan breaks All Blacks try record in 47-17 rout of Italy

2026-07-11 09:31:06

Los Angeles, United States, July 11, 2026 (AFP) - AFP Special Advisory: 2026 World Cup

2026-07-11 08:30:27

Los Angeles, United States, July 11, 2026 (AFP) - England battle Norway as Argentina face Swiss in World Cup last eight

2026-07-11 08:00:07

Kansas City, July 11, 2026 (AFP) - Scaloni wants 'never-say-die' legacy for Argentina

2026-07-11 05:00:28

Latest NAMPA photos

SICHUAN, 08 July 2026 - Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani. (Photo: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA

OSHITAYI, 08 July 2026 - Ondangwa Urban Constituency Councillor Leonard Negonga address learners during the Ondangwa Urban Annual Constituency Culture Festival 2026 on Wednesday. (Photo: Ester Hakaala) NAMPA

NAMPA

BEIJING, 09 July 2026 - Director of Sinomine Group and Chief Executive Officer of Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter, Logan Lou Yonggang. (Photo: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA

GABORONE, 06 July 2026 - Southern African officials will meet in Johannesburg from 15 to 17 July to advance public spending efficiency through cost-benefit analysis. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA.

NAMPA

NEW YORK, 07 July 2026 - Diene Keita, Executive Director of UNFPA. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA.

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 07 July 2026 - Ana Beatriz Martins, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Namibia. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA

NAMPA

GENEVA, 06 July 2026 - Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, pictured with Chairperson of the PowerCom Board, Eldorette Harmse, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava; and Namibia's Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Elvis Shiweda, during the Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday. (Photo by: Josephina Simeon) NAMPA

NAMPA

GUANGZHOU, 06 July 2026 - A car assembly line at the Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) car company. GAC is China’s state-owned automaker. Which manufactures vehicles under its own marques (GAC Motor and AION) and operates highly successful joint ventures with Honda and Toyota. With global reach across 86 regions, it is rapidly expanding into EVs and international production. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA