Didier Deschamps, le dernier acte : une page de l’histoire des Bleus …

Ce samedi, à Miami, Didier Deschamps dirigera l’équipe de France pour la dernière fois. Après quatorze années passées sur le banc des Bleus, le sélectionneur disputera son ultime rencontre à l’occasion de la petite finale de la Coupe du monde 2026 face à l’Angleterre. Une page majeure du football français est sur le point de […] biznow.biz

L’article Didier Deschamps, le dernier acte : une page de l’histoire des Bleus se tourne face à l’Angleterre est apparu en premier sur Shoot Africa.

Spain captain Rodri is bracing for a “physical” battle with reigning champions Argentina when the two sides collide in the World Cup final on Sunday.

Spain’s Rodri – ‘We must be prepared’

Rodri told a packed press conference in Manhattan that Spain will aim to ignore any possible “provocations” by their South American opponents and instead concentrate on imposing Spain’s gameplan.

Rodri, the 2024 Ballon D’Or winner who has excelled at the heart of Spain’s midfield during the World Cup, said he expects the final to be unlike any other game the European champions have faced.

“I think Sunday’s match will be quite different,” the Manchester City star told reporters.

“It will be a more physical one, and we must be prepared. But I believe that if we are known for something in this national team, it is that we know how to play different games based on the moment.

“So we can adapt to having to defend, counter-attacking, to attacking. We are a very complete team, and that is why we are here.”

When asked if he expected Argentina to resort to “provocative” tactics, Rodri replied: “Well, that’s a part of football.

“We will see how the game plays out. I like to think that (Argentina) are a national team that gives their utmost, and they don’t go that down that route.

“But if we enter such a stage of the game, obviously we must ignore that and try to play our game, so that we don’t fall into provocations.”

‘Argentina is far more than Messi’

The Spanish skipper meanwhile saluted Argentina counterpart Lionel Messi — almost certainly playing in the final World Cup match of his career — as “the greatest of all times”.

But Rodri warned that Argentina were more than a one-man band.

“It goes beyond words what Messi means as a player and what he means for Argentina,” Rodri. “Obviously, for me, he’s the greatest of all times. But Argentina is far more than Messi. They’ve proven that they’re a very complete team with top players.

“So of course, we need to be mindful of Leo, but many other players.”

Argentina reached the final after a roller coaster journey through the knockout rounds which included an extra-time defeat of Cape Verde and dramatic come-from-behind wins over Egypt and England.

Rodri believes those results underscore Argentina’s mental durability.

“That speaks volumes for their very competitive character as a national team,” he said. “They are able to come back in the face of adversity and we take that into consideration.

But he added: “We know the sort of team they are. We will try to hurt them in the way we can hurt them.”

Spain reached Sunday’s final by stunning tournament favourites France in the semi-finals, shutting down Les Bleus’ vaunted attack and outclassing the French in midfield.

Rodri said while that display was “one of the best” the current Spanish side had ever produced, they would need to scale new heights to defeat Argentina.

“I think we have to raise the level because they are the champions,” he said. “And I’m really confident that we can do.”

SportyTV is on track to surpass 1 billion views on its official YouTube channel and social media platforms by the end of the FIFA World Cup, underscoring the growing demand for accessible, digital-first sports broadcasting across Africa.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is redefining how football fans across Africa experience the world’s biggest sporting event, signalling a new era for sports broadcasting built on greater accessibility, digital innovation and community-driven engagement.

For decades, following every moment of the world’s biggest football tournaments has often depended on expensive subscriptions or limited broadcast access. This year’s tournament is telling a different story, one where premium football is reaching more fans across television, streaming and digital platforms than ever before.

Ahead of the tournament, SportyTV expanded access to the FIFA World Cup by securing the broadcasting and YouTube streaming rights across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. As a result, fans have been able to watch 34 games for free on SportyTV in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya, while in South Africa, SportyTV has been providing all 104 FIFA World Cup matches for a historically affordable fee. The upcoming final will be accessible to viewers in all markets.

The strategy was built around making premium football more accessible to more African fans, wherever they choose to watch. The result has been one of the continent’s major digital sports success stories.

Before the FIFA World Cup has even reached its final match, SportyTV is on track to surpass one billion views across its digital channels, highlighting how broader access, compelling content and fan-first distribution are reshaping the future of sports broadcasting in Africa.

As of today, SportyTV has generated over 920 million views across its official YouTube channel and social media platforms, putting it firmly on track to surpass one billion views by the end of the FIFA World Cup. On YouTube, the broadcaster has recorded more than 70 million views, 18 million watch hours and over 10 million unique viewers, with the England vs Argentina match becoming its most-watched game of the tournament, attracting nearly two million views in Nigeria alone. With the FIFA World Cup Final still to come, SportyTV expects that record to be surpassed.

Across its other digital channels, World Cup content has generated more than 320 million views, 17 million likes and 400,000 new followers on TikTok. Facebook has delivered more than 320 million views and nine million interactions, while Instagram has contributed nearly 175 million views. Combined, Facebook and Instagram have reached more than 100 million accounts during the tournament.

The momentum has also translated into sustained platform growth. The SportyTV app has now exceeded 10 million downloads, with more than 15% of those downloads coming during the FIFA World Cup, underscoring the growing appetite for accessible, digital-first football experiences across Africa.

The strongest indicator of this shift is not simply the scale of the audience, but the community that has formed around it. During the tournament, SportyTV became the YouTube channel with the largest number of channel members in Africa, reflecting a growing appetite for interactive, community-led sports experiences where fans do more than watch—they engage, discuss, and return for more.

“SportyTV has built one of the most engaged football communities on YouTube, and becoming the platform’s largest Memberships channel in Africa is a remarkable achievement. Throughout the FIFA World Cup, we’ve seen how premium live content, consistent storytelling and meaningful fan engagement can come together to create an exceptional viewing experience. We’re proud and happy to have worked closely with the Sporty team during the tournament and look forward to seeing them continue to innovate and grow their audience across the continent.” said Twala Ng’ambi, Partnerships Manager at YouTube.

The momentum has been fuelled by content designed for today’s football fan. Live match coverage has been complemented by studio analysis, behind-the-scenes moments, highlights, creator collaborations and social-first storytelling that keep audiences connected long after the final whistle. One standout example is SportyTV’s studio coverage, where a single clip has generated more than 18 million views, illustrating the growing demand for locally produced football content with continental appeal. The platform’s YouTube membership community has also attracted viewers from beyond Africa, underscoring SportyTV’s growing global reach.

“Our goal wasn’t simply to broadcast matches, but to create an experience that allowed people to watch, engage, and stay connected to the tournament wherever they were. The momentum we’ve seen throughout the competition reflects not only the passion for football across Africa but also the growing demand for a more accessible approach to sports broadcasting. We believe that’s where the future of the industry is headed, and we’re proud to be helping shape that future,” said Elias Gallego, VP of Business Development, Marketing, and Media at the Sporty Group.

The tournament’s success demonstrates that traditional television and digital media can work together. This is illustrated by SportyTV’s partnership with Nigeria’s National Television Authority (NTA), Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), and the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) for this FIFA World Cup. Fans increasingly expect to move seamlessly between live broadcasts, YouTube streams, short-form video, social platforms and creator-led conversations, creating richer and more immersive viewing experiences.

With the FIFA World Cup Final set for Sunday, 19 July, SportyTV expects audience numbers to continue growing as football fans across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa tune in for the tournament’s biggest match. Fans can watch the FIFA World Cup Final live on SportyTV’s YouTube channel and the SportyTV app and keep following every moment.

About Sporty Group

Sporty Group is a global consumer internet and media company with unparalleled digital platforms serving millions of daily active users via technology and operations hubs across four continents. The company delivers premium, live, and engaging content to sports fans around the world through its network of complementary brands spanning digital and linear broadcasting, gaming, and entertainment. For more information, please visit SportyGroup.com.

The post SportyTV nears one billion views as FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage signals a new era for sports broadcasting in Africa appeared first on SportsAfrica - Sports news | Live scores | Match highlights | Betting tips.

À deux jours de la finale de la Coupe du monde contre l’Argentine, Luis de la Fuente s’est montré particulièrement détendu devant les médias. Le sélectionneur espagnol a même préféré plaisanter sur le seul élément qui lui inspire une véritable appréhension : le trajet en hélicoptère prévu pour regagner l’hôtel après sa conférence de presse.

Avec le sourire, le technicien de la Roja a reconnu que ce déplacement aérien lui causait davantage de stress que la finale elle-même. « Nous sommes venus en hélicoptère et nous devons repartir de la même manière après cette conférence de presse. C’est ce qui me rend nerveux », a-t-il lancé avec humour, avant d’assurer que tout le reste ne lui inspirait aucune inquiétude.

« Pour le reste, je suis parfaitement calme. Nous avons la chance de vivre un moment exceptionnel et d’être dans cette situation », a-t-il ajouté.

Une occasion à saisir

Championne d’Europe en titre, l’Espagne tentera dimanche de décrocher une deuxième Coupe du monde, seize ans après son sacre de 2010. En face, l’Argentine de Lionel Messi cherchera à conserver son titre mondial.

Interrogé sur l’idée selon laquelle les finalistes battus tombent rapidement dans l’oubli, Luis de la Fuente a balayé cette théorie. Pour lui, atteindre une finale de Coupe du monde constitue déjà un accomplissement majeur.

« Le plus important est d’avoir l’opportunité de gagner et de disputer une finale. Si je pouvais atteindre une finale de Coupe du monde chaque année, même en la perdant, j’en serais heureux », a expliqué le sélectionneur espagnol.

Une finale placée sous le signe du beau jeu

Au-delà de l’enjeu, Luis de la Fuente s’attend à une rencontre spectaculaire entre deux équipes qui, selon lui, partagent de nombreuses qualités. Il estime que l’Espagne et l’Argentine possèdent une philosophie de jeu similaire et disposent de joueurs capables de faire la différence à tout moment.

Le sélectionneur de la Roja prévoit ainsi une finale où la qualité technique et le talent devraient prendre le dessus sur la pression liée à l’événement. À ses yeux, les deux meilleures équipes du tournoi ont rendez-vous pour offrir un grand spectacle dimanche.

The post Coupe du monde 2026 – Espagne : Luis de la Fuente affiche sa sérénité avant la finale face à l’Argentine appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

La France et l’Angleterre animeront samedi soir au Hard Rock stadium de Miami le match que les perdants n’aiment pas trop jouer, même s’il constituera une consolation pour le vainqueur, à savoir la petite finale ou match de la 3^e place.

Eliminées en demi-finales par respectivement l’Espagne (0 – 2) et l’Argentine (1 – 2), la France et l’Angleterre disputeront le 103^e et avant-dernier match de la Coupe du monde 2026.

Déjà classées parmi les favoris de cette 23^e édition du Mondial, abrité par les Etats-Unis, le Canada et le Mexique, les deux teams n’ont pas réussi à passer la dernière marche, mais voudront chacun repartir avec la médaille de bronze, d’autant qu’ils ont eu à disputer cette ‘’petite finale’’, puisque la France en a gagné deux en 1958 face à l’Allemagne (6 -3) et en 1986 contre la Belgique (4 – 2) et perdu une en 1982 face à la Pologne (2 – 3) ; alors que l’Angleterre n’en a jamais gagné face à l’Italie (1 – 2) en 1990 et la Belgique (0 – 2) en 2018.

Au-delà de l’enjeu du résultat, un autre match se jouera entre les buteurs qui sont toujours en course pour le Soulier d’Or Adidas, en l’occurrence Kylian Mbappe (8 buts) en compagnie de Lionel Messi et le tandem Harry Kane et Jude Bellingham (6 buts chacun).

Ce match aura également une connotation particulière car il s’agira du dernier pour le sélectionneur des Tricolores Didier Deschamps après 14 ans d’aventures sportive et humaine? et surtout un tire de champion du Monde en 2018.

Le parcours de la France :

1^e tour :

• France – Sénégal (3 – 1).
• France – Irak (3 – 0).
• France – Norvège (4 – 1).
• 16^e de finale : France – Suède (3 – 0).
• 8^e de finale : France – Paraguay (1 – 0).
• Quarts de finale : France – Maroc (2 – 0).
• Demi-finales : France – Espagne (0 – 2).

Le parcours de l’Angleterre :

1^e tour :

• Angleterre – Croatie (4 – 2).
• Angleterre – Ghana (0 -0).
• Angleterre – Panama (2 – 0).
• 16^e de finale : Angleterre – RD Congo (2 – 1).
• 8^e de finale : Angleterre – Mexique (3 – 2).
• Quarts de finale : Angleterre – Norvège (2 – 1 a.p).
• Demi-finales : Angleterre – Argentine (1 – 2).

L’article CM : France – Angleterre, la pette finale de CONSOLATION est apparu en premier sur Foot Afrique.