The appointment comes after Artan was denied entry into the United States, forcing him to miss his World Cup-related duties in a decision that drew widespread attention across African football.

The final round of the Kuwait Zain Premier League is expected to confirm Kuwait Club as champions of the 2025/26 season, with Artan selected to take charge of one of the country's biggest domestic fixtures.

His appointment is seen as a major vote of confidence in the experienced Somali official despite the recent setback surrounding his travel to the United States.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has publicly backed Artan following the visa issue, describing him as one of Africa's leading referees and reaffirming the Confederation of African Football's support for him.

Artan's schedule will remain busy after the Kuwait assignment, with the Somali official also set to referee the UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa later this year, another landmark appointment in his career.

The 34-year-old continues to earn recognition on the international stage, with successive high-profile appointments underlining the confidence placed in him despite the disappointment of missing out on his World Cup duties.

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Germany produced a late comeback to secure a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast in Group E at BMO Field, with Deniz Undav scoring twice to turn the match around after Franck Kessie had given the Elephants the lead.

The result leaves Germany at the top of the Group E standings, with Ivory Coast trailing in second place. The Elephants will now need to beat Curacao in their final group match to confirm qualification to the Round of 32.

On the matchday, Germany started brightly and created the first big chance in the 10th minute when Kai Havertz rose to meet a cross. His header from close range was directed towards the bottom left corner, but Ivory Coast goalkeeper Yahia Fofana reacted well to make the save.

The Germans thought they had taken the lead in the 21st minute when Aleksandar Pavlovic found the net, but the goal was ruled out after referee Juan Benitez called a foul in the build-up.

Ivory Coast grew into the game and began to threaten on the break. Amad Diallo came close in the 30th minute, latching onto a neat pass inside the box and striking powerfully towards goal, only for a defender to produce a crucial last-ditch block.

The pressure eventually told in the 31st minute. Franck Kessie reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box and fired a rebound into the bottom left corner to put Ivory Coast 1-0 ahead.

Germany pushed for an equaliser after the break and found it in the 68th minute. Substitute Deniz Undav met a perfect cross from Nadiem Amiri inside the box, controlled it with a fine first touch, and rifled the ball into the roof of the net to make it 1-1.

Deep into stoppage time, Germany completed the comeback. In the 90+4th minute, Undav found space inside the box to latch onto a pass from Felix Nmecha and calmly slotted the ball low into the middle of the net to complete his brace and secure a 2-1 win.

The late goal sealed all three points for Germany in a tightly contested Group E encounter.

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Netherlands striker Brian Brobbey scored twice as the Dutch moved to the brink of the FIFA World Cup knockout stage with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Sweden.

The Sunderland forward, who is the elder brother of Ghana defender Derrick Lukassen, was the star of the show after being handed a surprise start by head coach Ronald Koeman.

Brobbey opened the scoring after just five minutes, finishing off a swift counterattack following Cody Gakpo's low cross. He grabbed his second 12 minutes later, turning home another excellent delivery from Denzel Dumfries to put the Netherlands firmly in control.

Gakpo also scored twice, while second-half substitute Crysencio Summerville completed the scoring as the Dutch climbed to the top of Group F and all but secured a place in the Round of 32.

Brobbey and Lukassen are among eight sets of siblings featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, although they represent different countries.

While Brobbey has established himself as one of the Netherlands' leading forwards, Lukassen is part of Ghana's World Cup squad under Carlos Queiroz but is still waiting to make his tournament debut.

The Black Stars defender will hope for an opportunity when Ghana face England in a crucial Group L encounter on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Brobbey's outstanding display has strengthened his case for another start as the Netherlands look to finish top of Group F and continue their push for World Cup glory.

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The Black Stars face their biggest test of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday when they take on England in a match that could have a major impact on the race for top spot in Group L.

Both teams began the tournament with victories. England defeated Croatia 4-2 in Dallas, while Ghana left it late to beat Panama 1-0 thanks to Caleb Yirenkyi's stoppage-time winner in Toronto.

Although Ghana secured all three points, head coach Carlos Queiroz knows his side will need a much better performance against one of the tournament favourites.

The Black Stars struggled to create clear chances against Panama before Queiroz's second-half substitutions changed the game. Brandon Thomas-Asante, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Prince Kwabena Adu all made positive impacts from the bench, with Thomas-Asante setting up Yirenkyi's winner.

Their performances could give Queiroz selection headaches ahead of Tuesday's clash, while Thomas Partey is expected to be available again after missing the opening match.

There is also uncertainty over goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi after he suffered an injury against Panama. Benjamin Asare replaced him at half-time and is on standby if Ati Zigi fails to recover in time.

England, meanwhile, enter the match full of confidence after scoring four goals against Croatia. Harry Kane struck twice, while Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also found the net.

However, England's defence was far from convincing and conceded twice against Croatia, offering Ghana encouragement that opportunities could come if they are more clinical in attack.

England have their own fitness concerns. Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka trained separately as he continues to manage an Achilles problem, although head coach Thomas Tuchel expects him to be available later in the tournament.

For Ghana, captain Jordan Ayew will once again lead the side after becoming the Black Stars' all-time most-capped player with 121 appearances in the victory over Panama, moving ahead of his brother André Ayew.

Victory for Ghana would move the Black Stars closer to qualification for the Round of 32, while another positive result would also extend their unbeaten record in second matches at the FIFA World Cup.

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England manager Thomas Tuchel has suggested Bukayo Saka is unlikely to start against Ghana as the Arsenal winger continues to recover from an Achilles injury.

Saka has been carefully managed since arriving at the World Cup and trained separately from the rest of the England squad on Saturday ahead of Tuesday's Group L showdown in Boston.

Although the winger came off the bench to provide an assist in England's 4-2 victory over Croatia, Tuchel indicated he is planning to ease the 24-year-old through the group stage.

"Bukayo is ready and will get more and more ready," Tuchel said.

"I think once we go to the last game of this group he will be ready."

Saka has been dealing with Achilles tendinitis since March, but insisted before the tournament that he was prepared to "gamble" on his fitness to help England.

Tuchel, however, appears determined not to rush one of his key attacking players, with the Three Lions targeting a deep run at the tournament.

England face Ghana knowing another victory would secure qualification for the Round of 32, while the Black Stars are looking to build on their dramatic 1-0 win over Panama in their opening match.

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England winger Bukayo Saka missed group training on Saturday as the Three Lions stepped up preparations for Tuesday's FIFA World Cup Group L clash against Ghana.

The Arsenal star remained indoors on an individual training programme as he continues to manage an Achilles problem that has troubled him since March.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel took the remaining 25 players through a full training session at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, with Saka the only absentee from the group.

The 24-year-old came off the bench in England's 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening World Cup match and made an immediate impact by setting up Marcus Rashford for the team's fourth goal.

Tuchel had already indicated before the tournament that Saka's workload would need to be carefully managed because of the persistent Achilles issue.

England and Ghana both head into Tuesday's encounter on three points after winning their opening Group L matches.

While Saka remains available for selection, his absence from full training raises further questions over whether Tuchel will risk him from the start against the Black Stars.

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Ghana have suffered a major setback ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L encounter against England after first-choice goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi was officially ruled out through injury.

The 29-year-old shot-stopper sustained a groin injury during the Black Stars' dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama in their opening match of the tournament.

Ati-Zigi was hurt in the first half after a heavy collision with a Panama attacker while rushing off his line to make a vital save.

Despite receiving treatment and attempting to continue, the goalkeeper was visibly struggling and was eventually replaced at halftime by Benjamin Asare.

Initial concerns over the severity of the injury have now been confirmed following medical examinations, with Ati-Zigi expected to spend approximately three weeks on the sidelines.

His absence comes as a significant blow to head coach Carlos Queiroz and the Black Stars, especially with England next on the schedule.

Ati-Zigi played a key role before his withdrawal against Panama, producing an important early save to keep Ghana in the contest before Caleb Yirenkyi's dramatic stoppage-time winner secured all three points.

The injury means Ati-Zigi will miss not only Tuesday's showdown against England in Boston but could also be unavailable for the remainder of the group stage depending on Ghana's progress.

There is, however, confidence within the Ghana camp after Benjamin Asare's assured performance from the bench.

The goalkeeper helped preserve Ghana's clean sheet against Panama and is now expected to make his first-ever FIFA World Cup start against the Three Lions.

With England entering the contest on the back of a 4-2 win over Croatia, Ghana face a stern challenge.

The Black Stars will now hope Asare can rise to the occasion as they seek a positive result that could move them closer to qualification for the knockout stages.

Ati Zigi's injury adds to Ghana's growing concerns, with the team already missing influential midfielder Thomas Partey in their tournament opener.

Nevertheless, the Black Stars remain determined to build on their winning start and maintain momentum at football's biggest stage.

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Ghanaian forward Kwadwo Asamoah scored both goals as FK Panevezys edged FA Siauliai 3–2 in A Lyga Round 18 at home.

Asamoah opened the deadlock in the 42nd minute with a fierce finish, then struck again just a minute after the break to make it 3–1 and put his team firmly in control.

FA Siauliai fought back hard. Oleksandr Kurtsev equalised for the visitors in the 43rd minute, while Artem Baftalovskiy netted just before half-time to restore their lead at 2–1. Asamoah silenced them instantly with his second in the 51st minute, but Nedas Garbaliauskas scored a late consolation in the 66th minute to set the final score at 3–2.

The match was an intense affair, with both sides showing strong attacking intent and making several substitutions. Asamoah’s two-goal burst proved decisive in a tight contest where they found themselves on the brink of defeat before pulling clear.

FK Panevezys now face their next outing in the UEFA Conference League Qualification Round 2 against Tobol Kostanay on July 23.  FK Panevezys is currently sitting 7th in the A Lyga table with 24 points from 19 games.

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Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan believes the Black Stars have every chance of upsetting England when the two sides meet in a crucial Group L clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

England head into Tuesday's encounter in Boston as favourites after defeating Croatia 4-2 in their opening match, while Ghana needed a stoppage-time goal from Caleb Yirenkyi to secure a 1-0 victory over Panama.

Despite acknowledging England's quality, Gyan insists tournament football often produces surprises and believes Ghana should not be written off.

"On paper, England are ahead of Ghana, but in a tournament, anything can happen," Gyan said.

"It all depends on how each team approaches the game."

The former Black Stars captain, who remains Ghana's all-time leading scorer and the country's top scorer at the FIFA World Cup, believes the national team thrives when expectations are low.

"We know our national team, and that's why we love them. The people back home are passionate."

Ghana and England go into the match level on three points after winning their opening Group L fixtures, with top spot in the group at stake.

A victory for Carlos Queiroz's side would move the Black Stars closer to a place in the Round of 32 before their final group match against Croatia.

England, meanwhile, will be looking to build on an impressive opening performance and secure early qualification for the knockout stage.

Gyan, who represented Ghana at three FIFA World Cups, believes his former side has the ability to compete with one of the tournament favourites if they produce their best performance.

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Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi could face fresh uncertainty later in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a French appeals court confirmed he will stand trial in a rape case, raising questions over his ability to enter Mexico should the Atlas Lions progress there.

Hakimi featured in Morocco's 1-0 victory over Scotland on Friday, despite learning hours before kick-off that his appeal against a February decision ordering a trial had been rejected.

The 27-year-old Paris Saint-Germain defender has consistently denied the allegation, which dates back to 2023, and says he has been waiting for the opportunity to clear his name in court.

While Hakimi remains free to play and is expected to feature in Morocco's final Group C match against Haiti in Atlanta, the legal proceedings could become an issue if Walid Regragui's side are required to play in Mexico during the knockout stages.

Under the current tournament schedule, Morocco would travel to Monterrey for a Round of 32 tie if they finish second in Group C. Should they qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, they could instead be sent to Mexico City.

According to guidance published by Mexican immigration authorities, foreign nationals may be denied entry if they are subject to criminal proceedings or have been convicted of a serious offence. Whether that provision would apply in Hakimi's case remains uncertain and would ultimately depend on the decision of Mexican immigration officials.

The situation echoes that of Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, who was denied entry into Canada before the Black Stars' opening match against Panama because of ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom. Partey's appeal against the decision was dismissed, forcing him to miss Ghana's World Cup opener.

Unlike Ghana, however, Morocco are not scheduled to play any matches in Canada during the knockout phase, meaning Mexico represents the only potential immigration hurdle for Hakimi if the Atlas Lions advance.

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The Black Stars midfielder took part in Thursday evening's training session at Bryant University in Rhode Island, joining his teammates for the recovery programme following Ghana's dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama.

Partey was all smiles throughout the session, laughing and interacting with teammates and members of the technical staff as Carlos Queiroz's squad began shifting their focus to the Three Lions.

The 33-year-old missed Ghana's opening match after being denied entry into Canada, forcing Queiroz to reshuffle his midfield. Teenage midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi stepped into the starting line-up and capped an impressive World Cup debut by scoring the stoppage-time winner that secured all three points.

Although Partey's availability for the remainder of the tournament remains uncertain, his presence on the training pitch was another positive sign as he continues to work with the squad.

The Black Stars will remain at their Rhode Island base over the coming days before travelling to Boston for what could prove to be a decisive Group L encounter.

England head into the match after a 4-2 victory over Croatia, while Ghana know another positive result would put them in a strong position to qualify for the Round of 32.

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