Mexico to kick off 2026 World Cup against South Africa

The Republic of Ireland will face co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea if they qualify via the play-offs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. England have been drawn against Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L for next summer’s World Cup finals in North America. Scotland have been drawn against five-times world champions Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco, as well as Haiti, in Group C. Wales or Northern Ireland will head to Group B if they emerge victorious in the play-offs, alongside co-hosts Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.

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South Africa’s Eben Etzebeth handed 12-match ban for eye gouging

Eben Etzebeth, South Africa’s double World Cup-winning second row, has been banned for 12 weeks for an eye gouge against Wales. The 34-year-old was seen to make contact with the left eye of Alex Mann with his thumb in the Springboks’ 73-0 win over Wales last Saturday. Etzebeth had come on as a second-half substitute in Cardiff but was shown a straight red card in the 79th minute by French referee Luc Ramos.

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Celtic appoint Wilfried Nancy as new manager

Celtic have named Wilfried Nancy as the club’s new manager on a two-and-a-half year deal. The 48-year-old arrives from MLS side Columbus Crew – where he won the MLS Cup and the Leagues Cup – to become Brendan Rodgers’ permanent successor, after he quit Parkhead for a second time in October. Nancy’s first match will be against Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts on Sunday with the Frenchman taking over from interim boss Martin O’Neill tomorrow.

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Hadjar promoted to Red Bull as Arvid Lindblad joins Racing Bulls for 2026

Red Bull will promote Frenchman Isack Hadjar to their senior team and hand 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad a debut Formula 1 season in 2026. Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at second team Racing Bulls. The shuffling of Red Bull’s driver line-up sees Japanese Yuki Tsunoda lose his seat on the grid after five seasons.

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Sheffield Wednesday handed further six-point deduction

Sheffield Wednesday have been given a further six-point deduction by the English Football League for regulation breaches leaving them 27 points from safety in the Championship. Former owner Dejphon Chansiri has also received a three-year ban from owning or being a director at any EFL club. Their latest deduction follows the failure to pay players in March, May and June, as well as other non-payments to staff and HMRC.

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