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The unexpected success of Morocco in reaching the 2022 World Cup semi-finals has sparked a wave of optimism across the continent, with many believing that an African nation lifting the trophy is no longer a distant dream. Benjamin Balkin, co-founder of Eyeball, a digital platform launched in 2020, shares this sentiment and believes that his platform could be a pivotal factor in making this a reality. Describing himself light-heartedly as a “failed footballer,” Balkin’s own experiences as a youth player at Monaco, where he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Yaya Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor, fueled his passion for creating a platform that showcases talent that might otherwise be overlooked. This passion led to Eyeball’s investment in the United Future League, an Under-19 championship for Senegalese academies, as well as providing video cameras to 5,000 youth coaches worldwide. The coaches film training sessions and tag individual players, with the footage then uploaded to the platform....

Colombia, who topped Group D with seven points, will face Panama in the quarter-finals after a hard-fought draw against Brazil. It was a match that lived up to its billing, with both sides giving it their all from the get-go. Daniel Munoz’s first-half strike for Colombia canceled out an early, impressive free kick from Brazil’s Raphinha. The result extended Colombia’s unbeaten streak to an impressive 26 games, although it did end their 10-match winning run. Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo said of the match, “It was a game we all wanted to play to measure ourselves, and I think we took another step forward today. With Brazil, you can’t afford to take your eye off the ball for a second. We’re satisfied with our performance against a tough opponent, and now we focus on Panama.” Brazil defender Marquinhos acknowledged that the team has room to improve: “We have to be honest with ourselves; we still have a lot of growing to do and a lot to improve, especially in these big games.” The matc...

Italy returns to the international stage after a three-year absence since their triumph at the last Euros. The nation’s footballing future is in the hands of manager Luciano Spalletti, tasked with guiding them out of their soul-searching period. Spalletti’s appointment takes Italy back to the scene of their greatest footballing triumph—the 2006 World Cup victory. A golden generation of players, including Gianluigi Buffon, Francesco Totti, and Andrea Pirlo, achieved glory. Since then, the national team has struggled to find its identity, unsure of its place in the global game. Even the thrilling 2021 Euros victory, which turned the team into national heroes, was a surprise to supporters accustomed to mediocrity. The heroes of Wembley, who beat England on their home turf, have largely been replaced by Spalletti after failing to qualify for the World Cup. A younger generation now aims to rebuild Italy’s reputation. Spalletti emphasizes the need for “new incentives, new blood, and peopl...