Brazil and Germany will look to book their places in the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday as the knockout stage continues with four high-profile ties, while Morocco and the Netherlands meet in one of the most anticipated fixtures of the round.   According to AFP, five-time champions Brazil take on Japan in Houston as they continue their pursuit of a record-extending sixth World Cup title. Carlo Ancelotti’s side topped their group ahead of Morocco, with Vinicius Junior scoring four goals during the group stage. Despite being favourites, Brazil expect a stern challenge from Japan, who defeated them 3-2 in an international friendly last October. “We need to play with our heads and hearts, and be clear about what we want to do,” Ancelotti said, adding that his team are prepared for every possibility, including extra time and penalties. Brazil captain Marquinhos described the previous defeat to Japan as a valuable learning experience, while Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said his players have grown stronger as a unit heading into the knockout rounds. The winners will face either Ivory Coast or Norway in the last 16. Germany, four-time world champions, meet Paraguay at Gillette Stadium near Boston in their first World Cup knockout match since lifting the trophy in 2014. Julian Nagelsmann’s side finished top of their group after victories over Curacao and Ivory Coast before losing to Ecuador. Although not considered among the tournament favourites, Nagelsmann insisted Germany’s ambition remains to win every match. Forward Kai Havertz said he, Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala are close to producing their best form after improving steadily throughout the group stage. Paraguay, appearing in the knockout phase for the first time since 2010, qualified as one of the best third-placed teams but face a difficult challenge after travelling across the United States following the group stage. The winner will meet either France or Sweden in the last 16. The standout fixture of the day sees three-time runners-up the Netherlands face 2022 semi-finalists Morocco in Monterrey, Mexico. Both nations are ranked among the world’s top eight and boast squads packed with talent from Europe’s leading leagues. Morocco’s squad includes Dutch-born defender Noussair Mazraoui and forward Ismael Saibari, who is set to join Bayern Munich after helping PSV Eindhoven win the Dutch league title. Canada have already secured their place in the last 16 after defeating South Africa 1-0 in Los Angeles. Captain Stephen Eustaquio scored the winner deep into stoppage time to send the co-hosts into the knockout phase for the first time. Canada coach Jesse Marsch said the achievement would inspire football fans across the country. Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia Football Federation president Yasser al-Misehal resigned after the Green Falcons were eliminated in the group stage. Al-Misehal had played a leading role in Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), marking the first major overhaul of the scheme since its establishment 53 years ago.   According to Channels Television, the reforms aim to transform the NYSC into a skill-oriented, productivity-driven institution that empowers young Nigerians and supports the Federal Government’s goal of building a $1 trillion economy. As part of the approved changes, the Federal Executive Council directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth to amend the NYSC Act and its regulations to reflect the new framework, allowing for its immediate implementation. A key aspect of the reform is that the NYSC will now be headed by a civilian in its operational leadership. The military will, however, continue to provide security for corps members across the country. The government said the leadership change is intended to reposition the scheme beyond its traditional structure and strengthen its focus on skills development, productivity, and youth empowerment. The NYSC was established by Decree No. 24 of May 22, 1973, following the Nigerian Civil War. It was created to promote national unity, reconciliation, and stronger ties among Nigerian youths through a mandatory one-year national service programme. The scheme is currently headed by Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu. The latest reforms represent the first holistic review of the NYSC since its inception in 1973.

Nigeria has received 18 priceless Benin Kingdom artefacts from three Swiss museums, marking another milestone in the country’s long-running campaign to recover cultural treasures looted during the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom.   The artefacts were formally handed over on Monday at the National Museum in Lagos during a ceremony attended by senior Nigerian and Swiss officials, according to Channels Television. The returned objects, widely known as the Benin Bronzes, include religious and ceremonial items made from metal and ivory. Fourteen artefacts came from the Ethnographic Museum at the University of Zurich, while two each were returned by Museum Rietberg Zurich and the Musée d’Ethnographie de Genève. Switzerland also returned five additional cultural items seized during criminal proceedings in the country. These include a bronze bracelet and four archaeological monoliths from Nigeria’s Niger Delta region. During the ceremony, Swiss Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider and Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, signed an agreement on the transfer of cultural property. The agreement strengthens cooperation between both countries to prevent the illicit trafficking of cultural objects and facilitate their repatriation. The restitution followed years of collaborative provenance research under the Benin Initiative Switzerland, which established that the artefacts had been looted during the British military expedition against the Benin Kingdom in 1897. The new bilateral agreement creates a legal framework for cooperation on the import, export and return of cultural property, while supporting the protection of cultural heritage. Nigerian officials said the return of the artefacts restores an important part of the country’s historical memory, spiritual traditions and artistic heritage. They added that the objects will enable researchers, students, artists and the public to study and preserve the collections within Nigeria. Some of the artefacts will be displayed at the National Museum in Lagos, while most will eventually be returned to their original home in Edo State. The ceremony was attended by the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway, representatives of the Swiss Federal Office of Culture, and the directors of the three Swiss museums involved in the restitution.

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested six suspects over alleged child trafficking, child labour, street hawking and other forms of child exploitation following a security operation in Nnewi.   According to Punch, the suspects were apprehended after operatives from the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare raided a suspected child trafficking network before handing the case over to the police for investigation. Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga said on Monday that the command received 35 people from the ministry, including 29 rescued children and young persons aged between six and 44 years, alongside six suspects. The suspects were identified as Anyingo Glory, Nwafor Godwin, Chukwudi Ofoke, Chinenye Anyingo, Okwudili Ifeoma and Moses Anyingo. Ikenga said the operation formed part of ongoing efforts to combat child labour, street hawking, human trafficking and other forms of child exploitation across the state. He explained that investigators would profile those involved, establish their identities, determine the circumstances surrounding the case and work towards reuniting rescued victims with their families and states of origin where necessary in collaboration with relevant government agencies and child protection stakeholders. The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons from abuse and exploitation. Orutugu warned that child labour and street hawking expose children to trafficking, abuse, neglect and other criminal activities, adding that anyone found culpable would be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law. The police also urged parents, guardians and members of the public to avoid engaging children in hazardous labour or exposing them to the dangers of street hawking. Residents were encouraged to report cases of child abuse, trafficking, exploitation or neglect to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency channels.