Ten African nations to showcase football talent in expanded 2026 World Cup

By Osoro Nyawangah, MWANZA Tanzania 

Africa will make history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a record ten nations securing direct qualification for the expanded global tournament: a major milestone for the continent’s football growth.

The unprecedented representation comes as the tournament expands its format, allowing more teams from around the world to compete on football’s biggest stage.

Among those qualified are continental heavyweights Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria, alongside strong contenders such as Senegal, Ivory Coast and Ghana.

Emerging teams have also secured their places, including Cape Verde, South Africa and Democratic Republic of the Congo — the latter completing the historic lineup after a decisive win to claim Africa’s tenth slot.

The qualification of DR Congo is particularly significant, marking a return to the World Cup stage after more than 50 years and highlighting the growing competitiveness of African football.

Cape Verde have qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time! With a population of just 593,149, the island nation in the Atlantic becomes the second-smallest country to ever reach the tournament.

The expanded tournament offers African teams a greater opportunity to showcase their talent globally, building on recent successes such as Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals in 2022.

With ten representatives heading to the 2026 edition, expectations are high that African nations could make an even deeper impact — signaling a new era for the continent in world football. 

Here is the FIFA World Cup groups, will African teams make it to semi-finals?

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 01/04/2026

 

Trump tells the UK and other countries 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON, United States 

The United States President, Donald Trump told the United Kingdom and other countries which did not take part in strikes against Iran, to “get your own oil”, as he told them they should attempt to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for the world’s energy supplies, themselves.

He also reignited his row with Sir Keir Starmer, hitting out at the government, which he said “refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran” and telling it to “start learning how to fight for yourself”.

Donald Trump said the UK should make its own attempts to unblock the Strait of Hormuz to get oil supplies going again.

He posted on his Truth Social platform: “All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.

“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us.

“Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!" President Trump said.

Less than an hour after President Trump’s post, his defence secretary Pete Hegseth also hit out at the Royal Navy.

At a press conference, he said: “There are countries around the world who ought to be prepared to step up on this critical waterway as well.

“It is not just the United States Navy. Last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy that could be prepared to do things like that as well.”

He added that the “world ought to pay attention, to be prepared to stand up.”

In response, Downing Street pointed to the Sir Keir’s comments in recent days in which he said his focus was on de-escalation in the war.

President Trump’s rant follows a warning from the International Monetary Fund that the UK is facing one of the largest shocks from the conflict in the Middle East, saying Britain’s economy is “especially exposed” to spiralling prices because of its reliance on gas‑fired power.

It comes after reports that the UK is set to receive its last-known shipment of jet fuel from the Middle East this week, and as fuel prices soar because of supply issues linked to the closure of the Strait.

President Trump has also reportedly told senior aides he is considering withdrawing from the conflict without a plan in place to open the key waterway. That would leave Tehran in control of the vital shipping lane, prolonging economic chaos around the world.

Iran has imposed a de facto blockade on the waterway, upending global oil and gas supplies, which have caused energy prices to surge. 

The Islamic Republic has allowed some ships to pass through in a “tollbooth” system, where vessels pay as much as $2m per voyage or according to particular political and financial conditions.

But prolonged closure threatens to extend disruption to the world’s energy supplies, with the prices per barrel of oil continuing to rise above $100 – the first time since 2022.

Kenya voter registration drive targets young people ahead of 2027 general election

By Our Correspondent,  NAIROBI Kenya 

Kenya on Monday kicked off a drive to register new voters ahead of next year's general election, with youths using TikTok reels and music to shake off apathy among their peers.

In June 2024, a wave of protests led by the so-called "Gen Z" swept the country after President William Ruto announced tax hikes, denting his popularity among young people.

They escalated into wider unrest over corruption and rights abuses and left more than 100 people dead and dozens others missing, according to rights groups.

While the protests have faded, many youths remain disillusioned with the Ruto administration, which came to power promising to uplift the young and the poor.

"People are suffering, people are dying. Money is just getting lost out of thin air," said 21-year-old Mark Kipchumba, citing economic hardship and rampant corruption as the catalyst for registering as a first-time voter.

The 30-day mass voter registration drive launched by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) aims to enlist at least 2.5 million new voters in its first phase.

The commission says it hopes to add 6.3 million new voters before next year's election, 70 percent of them youths.

"I am here because of the hope that this card brings for the future," Peter Mawangi,22, a film student at Multimedia University of Kenya told AFP.

Despite the current low numbers, a youth-led campaign, called #NikoKadi (I have the voter's card), is steadily turning voter registration into a fad by urging new voters to enlist.

From TikTok reels to businesses offering discounts to those registered and a planned music concert in May requiring a voter's card for entry, young people are deploying creative tactics to drive up registration.

Activist Ademba Allans, the brains behind the #NikoKadi drive, says the mobilisation is gaining momentum, but added, "apathy is one of the main things that we are trying to fight."

Kenya's 2022 election saw its lowest turnout in 15 years, with youth -- who make up a large share of the population -- accounting for just 39.8 percent of registered voters, a 5.2-point drop from 2017, according to the Kofi Annan Foundation.

Allans hopes to change this and the east African nation’s politics, long dominated by politicians widely seen as out of touch with the realities of young Kenyans.

"We want to shift the system. We want to take everybody that is in the government home," the 26-year old said.

Velma Omondi, a 22-year-old, said she threatened "to cut off" two friends if they did not register, which they did.

"I gave them an ultimatum," she said.

"We cannot call for change if we are not willing to take part in the change," she added.

No respite for Air Tanzania as annual losses soar

By Our Correspondent, DAR-ES-SALAAM Tanzania  

According to the 2024/2025 report by Controller and Auditor General (CAG) Charles Kichere, Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) continued to incur heavy losses, with a reported deficit of TSh191.19 billion, highlighting ongoing operational challenges, rising costs, and low aircraft utilization.

According to the report, the loss is a 108 percent increase compared to the previous year, which brings the total loss since the establishment of the company to 748 billion shillings.

The report highlights that despite the expansion of the fleet, the airline has not managed to match revenue generation with the rising costs of leasing and maintenance.

The CAG revealed the loss in his annual  financial audit report to President Samia Hassan at Dar es Salaam state house Monday  March 30, 2026.

He explained that despite subsidies from the government for pay salaries and operating expenses, the company has faced a major challenge of operating costs exceeding revenue growth by 134 billion shillings and reaching 675 billion shillings.

“The reasons contributing to the loss are operational challenges and flights, flight efficiency being below expectations where on 87 routes, the average passenger load factor was only 55 percent,” said Kichere.

In addition, it has been noted that the use of the Boeing 767-300F cargo aircraft is not optimal, being used contrary to its intended use, where 94 percent of its flights were short and medium-haul instead of long-haul flights that could generate higher income.

He explained that the situation has worsened after the aircraft was grounded, while it continues to cost the company approximately 3.54 billion shillings for leasing and insurance without generating any income.

Also, the weaknesses in ATCL internal control systems, the report noted the existence of payments of 20.61 billion shillings made to agents without proof of reaching passengers.

73 killed in deadly gold mine attack in South Sudan

JUBA, South Sudan 

At least 73 people have been killed in a brutal attack on a gold mining site in South Sudan, highlighting ongoing insecurity in the world’s youngest nation.

The assault targeted the Khor Kaltan mining area, around 70 kilometres southwest of the capital Juba, over the weekend. According to Vice President James Wani Igga, at least 25 others were seriously injured.

In a statement, Igga called for urgent medical evacuations for the wounded and announced plans for an investigation into the attack. He said authorities must identify those responsible and determine their motives.

The perpetrators remain unclear, with conflicting accounts emerging. A security source suggested the involvement of forces linked to Riek Machar, while his representatives have denied responsibility and instead accused the army loyal to President Salva Kiir.

Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has faced repeated cycles of violence, often driven by political rivalries and armed factions. Recent months have seen renewed tensions, particularly in regions such as Jonglei State.

The latest attack underscores the fragile security situation and the risks faced by civilians, especially in remote areas where competition over natural resources like gold continues to fuel conflict.

Egypt's President pleades with Donald Trump to end the war on Iran

CAIRO, Egypt 

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday urged his US counterpart Donald Trump to help end the Middle East war, now in its second month.

"I say to President Trump: no one will be able to stop the war in our region, in the Gulf... Please, help us to stop the war, you are capable of it," Sisi said in joint remarks to the press in Cairo alongside Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.

"I speak to you in the name of humanity and in the name of everyone who loves peace -- and you, Mr President, are among those who love peace," Sisi said.

Egypt was one of several Muslim-majority countries whose foreign ministers took part in talks in Pakistan on Sunday aimed at finding a route to peace.

Sisi's speech was delivered shortly before Trump threatened to obliterate Iran's electricity plants and Kharg Island, where most of its oil is exported from.

The Egyptian president has previously appealed to his US counterpart on matters of peace, telling Trump in October that he was "the only one" who could end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 31/03/2026

 

EAST AFRICA NEWSPAPERS 30/03/2026