MEGA-STAR CRISTIANO RONALDO'S US JOURNEY: DONALD TRUMP AWAITS FOR HISTORIC TALK
Cristiano Ronaldo will meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House. The Al-Nassr star, who publicly expressed his desire for the meeting, will discuss world peace with the President.
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House
Following Portugal's successful qualification for the 2026 World Cup, U.S. President Donald Trump is getting ready to host football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo at the White House on Tuesday. In addition, Ronaldo is anticipated to play a friendly match against the U.S. men's national team prior to the World Cup. Ronaldo will be one of the main attractions in the event that is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year.
In Ronaldo's first public appearance in the United States in almost a decade, Trump, who has received FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the Oval Office before, will now meet one of the greatest football players in history. Ronaldo recently stated that he wanted to meet President Trump, and now that dream has been fulfilled.
According to The Athletic, Trump's scheduled meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia falls on the same day as Ronaldo's planned visit. Given that Ronaldo presently plays football for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, it is unknown if the two meetings are related.
Trump said Friday, "We are more than meeting," in reference to the Saudi prince. "We are paying tribute to the crown prince of Saudi Arabia."
In an interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo abruptly revealed that he wanted to meet Trump. Trump and Morgan have been friends for a long time. In 2008, Trump presented Celebrity Apprentice after the broadcaster won the reality TV show.
For example, Ronaldo sent Trump a signed shirt that read, "President Donald J. Trump, playing for peace." Morgan asked Ronaldo about it.
"We want the world to be at peace. He is one of the people who can change or help change the world. And that is my major objective: to meet Trump and talk about world peace. If you can make it happen, he is someone I would really like to sit down with," Ronaldo clarified.
Ronaldo stated that he will fly to meet with the US President, but he would be happy to welcome Trump to Saudi Arabia if necessary.
Ronaldo went on, "I would like to see him here, in the United States - wherever it happens." "He is one of those guys I really admire, and I think he can make things happen, and I appreciate people like that." "I know he has been to Saudi Arabia. I hope to sit down with him eventually."
Ronaldo went on to imply that he and Trump have certain traits in common, but he would not name them.
Ronaldo clarified, "I hope the world finds a road to peace soon." "I will tell him what we have in common someday, but I will keep it to myself until then." "That is what I am looking for."
Ronaldo was suspended for one game for elbowing Ireland's defender Dara O'Shea, which prevented him from playing in Portugal's most recent World Cup qualifying encounter.
WORLD CUP DREAMS DASHED AS NIGERIA FALLS TO DR CONGO
DR Congo beat Nigeria 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to win their CAF World Cup playoff. Timothy Fayulu was the shootout hero with two saves, sending The Leopards to the Interconfederations Playoffs for a 2026 World Cup spot.
DR Congo Wins On Pens - COURTESY/PHOTO
After defeating Nigeria 4-3 on penalties in the CAF World Cup playoff final on Sunday night at the Moulay Hassan Stadium, DR Congo maintained their hopes of making it to the 2026 FIFA World Cup this weekend.
Nigeria got out to a strong start and took the lead in the third minute of play. Frank Onyeka headed a shot toward goal after they had advanced to the DR Congo 18-yard area, but it took a huge deflection off Axel Tuanzebe, and the defenceless goalie watched as the ball rolled into the net.
Nigeria's offensive pressure made it difficult for DR Congo to move the ball upfield, and with only about 15 minutes remaining, they were unable to create any meaningful scoring opportunities.
Nigeria maintained control of the match with 30 minutes remaining at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, relentlessly pursuing their second goal following Onyeka's first.
However, Mechak Elia of DR Congo equalised just after the half-hour mark. Cedric Bakambu took advantage of Wilfred Ndidi's poor control inside the area to drive the ball forward and then pick out Elia to score after Alex Iwobi was caught in possession around the halfway line.
DR Congo had a strong start to the second half, despite the game ending 1-1 at the half. The Leopards advanced deliberately as they pursued the top scorer.
After the hour, Nigeria saw less movement in the opposition half as the game drastically slowed down. In contrast, DR Congo frequently looked for possibilities during transformation.
As the second half wore on, Nigeria appeared more defensive as DR Congo probed within the opposition half. However, with 80 minutes on the clock, both goalkeepers seemed to have been merely bystanders. After Stanley Nwabali misplayed his lines with a bad ball inside the box in the 83rd minute, DR Congo came dangerously close to taking the lead. However, the Leopards were unable to take advantage of the goalkeeper's error after intercepting the ball within the box.
After ninety minutes, neither team was able to overcome the 1-1 score, and the match finally went into extra time in Rabat.
DR Congo appeared to have seized the lead in the 109th minute and dominated the rest of the extra time period. Nwabali had to pick up a loose ball that was headed toward goal, but it seemed to have crossed the line after good play on the left flank. To the annoyance of DR Congo, the referee dismissed the appeal.
The game entered the dreaded penalty shootout after a fierce battle in regulation time. Timothy Fayulu, a substitute in extra time, was the game's hero for DR Congo, making two saves to deny Semi Ajayi and Moses Simon as the Leopards moved to the Interconfederations Playoffs.
MAN CITY STAR ERLING HAALAND HEADS NORWAY TO WC 2026 GLORY
Erling Haaland's quickfire double powered Norway to a historic World Cup qualification, their first in 28 years, with a decisive victory over Italy. Jorgen Strand Larsen added a late fourth in a dream win.
Norway qualify for the first World Cup since 1998 - Photo Credit: Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP
Norway's victory over Italy solidified their return to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, with Erling Haaland scoring two goals in quick succession.
Italy needs to win by a nine-goal margin to take first position, and the Norwegians defeated Estonia on Thursday to almost guarantee their spot in the championship next year.
After 11 minutes, Pio Esposito gave them a chance to do the seemingly impossible by scoring after being picked out by Federico Dimarco. They dominated the rest of the game but were unable to score another goal before halftime.
Haaland and Norway had the second half.
After Manchester City teammate Oscar Bobb's cross was volleyed in by Haaland, Antonio Nusa scored a fantastic goal to tie the score.
The striker, who had been quiet until he scored, quickly added his second goal to give Norway an astonishing 16 goals in eight qualifying games.
Jorgen Strand Larsen of Wolverhampton Wanderers scored a goal in stoppage time to complete a thrilling victory.
Haaland will now follow in the footsteps of his father, Alf Inge, who represented Norway in their final World Cup appearance in 1998, thanks to Norway's qualification.
In the meantime, Italy will participate in the play-off lottery, which has recently caused them to feel embarrassed and heartbroken.
They missed out on the 2018 World Cup after losing to Sweden 1-0 overall, and four years later, they suffered one of their most humiliating losses when they were defeated 1-0 at home by North Macedonia, ending their chances of making it to the 2022 competition.