The “Argentina Out” campaign gained massive traction following a series of controversial matches during the tournament, which culminated in Spain defeating Argentina 1–0 in extra time in the World Cup final.
Throughout the competition, supporters of the petition accused FIFA and match officials of systematically favoring Argentina and captain Lionel Messi.
Before closing, the appeal collected 23,316,108 signatures from fans across roughly 170 countries. It fell just short of the Guinness World Record of 24,319,181 signatures, set in 1997 by the Jubilee 2000 movement, which advocated for the cancellation of debts owed by developing nations.
Accusations of bias and viral backlash
Organizers launched the “Argentina Out” campaign following heated knockout fixtures, including a contentious round-of-16 clash against Egypt, arguing that the tournament’s integrity had been compromised.
“Why should the rest of the world compete when the winner has already been decided? Exclude Argentina from the World Cup and give everyone else a fair chance,” the petition’s central statement read.
Allegations of official leniency toward Argentina spread rapidly online, driving viral discussions, fan protests, and AI-generated media across social platforms.
Heated final and disciplinary probe
The controversy reached a boiling point after the final whistle of the championship match in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Tensions erupted into post-match altercations involving several Argentine players and staff:
Nahuel Molina was involved in a confrontation with Spanish players on the pitch.
Leandro Paredes clashed directly with Spain defender Eric García.
Assistant coach Roberto Ayala and other team members were implicated in additional arguments during the post-game chaos.
In response to the scenes, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee appointed an ethics prosecutor to review whether the actions breached regulations on sporting conduct or brought the governing body into disrepute.
Campaign closure and final outcome
Despite the scale of the “Argentina Out” drive, FIFA did not act on the petition’s demands, as fan-driven petitions carry no formal regulatory authority over tournament operations.
Following Spain’s extra-time victory sealed by Ferran Torres, the petition’s organizers officially closed the drive, signing off with a message celebrating the final result:
“FIFA ignored us, but Spain delivered. Thank you Spain.”
Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi and Nahuel Molina fight with Spain’s Rodri after the World Cup final.
The Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) unveiled a list of 19 match officials for the tournament, including Samuel Uwikunda as a centre referee and Dieudonne Mutuyimana and Didier Ishimwe as assistant referees.
The officiating team comprises nine centre referees and 10 assistant referees drawn from CECAFA member associations. The tournament returns to Rwanda for the first time since 2019.
The selected centre referees are Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda), Dickens Mimisa (Kenya), Saddam Houssein Mansour (Djibouti), Nasir Salum Siyah (Zanzibar), Ahmed Arajiga (Tanzania), Dick Okello (Uganda), Abdifatah Said Mire (Somalia), Malong Ring (South Sudan) and Sabri Muhammad Fadi (Sudan).
The assistant referees are Dieudonne Mutuyimana (Rwanda), Didier Ishimwe (Rwanda), Ally Ramadhani Rajabu (Tanzania), Hamdani Said Ally (Tanzania), Samuel Karia (Kenya), Ronald Katenya (Uganda), Omer Hamid (Sudan), Eleyeh Robleh (Djibouti), Gasim Muder Dhiya (South Sudan) and Mahad Ali Mohamud (Somalia).
CECAFA Head of Refereeing Ali Ahmed, Ali Ahmed, said the officials have already begun preparations ahead of the regional competition, which will feature 12 teams.
“We selected referees from different member associations. They started their preparations on Tuesday and we are confident they will deliver quality performances throughout the tournament,” he said.
Ahmed added that the preparations are also intended to help officials build experience ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
The 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup kicks off on Friday, with Vipers SC of Uganda taking on Garde Républicaine FC of Djibouti in the opening match, before Rwanda’s APR FC faces Gor Mahia FC of Kenya.
The officiating team comprises nine centre referees and 10 assistant referees drawn from CECAFA member associations.Samuel Uwikunda is among three Rwandan referees selected to officiate at the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup.
Torres, who came off the bench, produced the decisive moment in the 106th minute, pouncing on a loose ball inside the penalty area before firing a left-footed shot beneath the crossbar to hand Spain their second World Cup crown, 16 years after their maiden triumph in South Africa in 2010.
The victory crowned a dominant campaign for Luis de la Fuente’s side, which conceded just one goal in eight matches, setting a World Cup record for the fewest goals allowed by a champion. Spain also became the first nation to simultaneously hold both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles following the women’s triumph in 2023.
Despite the narrow scoreline, Spain controlled the final from start to finish.
The European champions monopolised possession, registered the game’s opening 20 shots and forced Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez into a series of outstanding saves to keep his side in the contest. Argentina failed to register a shot until the second half of extra time as Lionel Scaloni’s men struggled to threaten Spain’s organised defence.
Martínez’s heroics repeatedly frustrated Spain, but there was little he could do when Torres reacted quickest to a bouncing ball inside the area to finally break the deadlock.
“It was a goal scored by 47 million people,” Torres said after the match, referring to Spain’s population.
For Messi, the defeat marked a painful conclusion to what could be his World Cup career.
The 39-year-old, who guided Argentina to the 2022 title, was left in tears after receiving his runners-up medal.
Argentina’s hopes were further dented in stoppage time of the second half when midfielder Enzo Fernández received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge, forcing the defending champions to play the remainder of the contest with 10 men.
Spain’s victory also saw head coach Luis de la Fuente, aged 65, become the oldest coach to win the FIFA World Cup.
“We are world champions,” de la Fuente said. “It was together we reached this stage.”
The final concluded the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The expanded tournament produced more than 300 goals, although Spain’s disciplined defensive displays ensured they conceded just once on their way to lifting football’s biggest prize.
Individual honours also reflected Spain’s impressive tournament. Midfielder Rodri won the Golden Ball as the competition’s best player, while goalkeeper Unai Simón claimed the Golden Glove. France’s Kylian Mbappé finished as the Golden Boot winner with 10 goals, and Spain defender Pau Cubarsí received the Best Young Player award.
Ferran Torres, on as a substitute, scored the winner for Spain.Ferran Torres celebrates after scoring the winner for Spain.The victory crowned a dominant campaign for Luis de la Fuente’s side, which conceded just one goal in eight matches.Spain denied Lionel Messi a second consecutive title in what is widely expected to be his final appearance at the tournament.Lamine Yamal consoles Leo Messi after Spain beat Argentina in the World Cup final.
While the World Cup trophy remains the ultimate prize, the battle for the tournament’s highest individual scoring honour has added another layer of intrigue to the showpiece event.
Mbappe put himself firmly in control of the race after scoring twice in France’s thrilling 6-4 defeat to England in Saturday’s third-place play-off. The brace lifted the French forward to 10 goals for the tournament, making him the clear favourite to retain the Golden Boot.
Only Messi, who has eight goals heading into the final, can still catch him.
The Argentina captain and Mbappe are level on the first tiebreaker with four assists each, but Mbappe currently holds the advantage if the goals remain close.
Under FIFA’s rules, the Golden Boot is awarded to the player with the most goals. If players finish level, the winner is determined first by assists, before minutes played serve as the final tiebreaker.
Messi has played 712 minutes compared to Mbappe’s 769, meaning he would only retain the minutes-played advantage if he does not exceed 57 minutes on the pitch in the final.
As a result, the Argentine icon will need a special performance to snatch the award from his long-time rival. He must score at least three goals, score twice before being substituted within 57 minutes, or score twice while also registering an assist to overtake Mbappe.
Should Messi fail to meet those scenarios, Mbappe will become the first player to win back-to-back World Cup Golden Boots.
The battle between the two global superstars extends beyond this tournament.
Mbappe’s brace against England lifted his World Cup career tally to 22 goals.
Mbappe’s double against England took his World Cup career tally to 22 goals, moving him one ahead of Messi in the race to become the competition’s all-time leading scorer.
His 10-goal haul is also the highest by any player at a men’s World Cup this century. The last player to reach double figures in a single edition was Germany’s Gerd Muller, who scored 10 goals at the 1970 tournament.
Only a select group of football legends have scored eight or more goals at a single World Cup, placing Mbappe alongside names such as Just Fontaine, Sandor Kocsis, Ademir, Eusebio, Guillermo Stabile and Ronaldo.
The Golden Boot standings heading into the final are led by Mbappe with 10 goals and four assists, followed by Messi with eight goals and four assists. England midfielder Jude Bellingham sits third with seven goals and one assist after scoring in the third-place play-off, edging Norway’s Erling Haaland, who also has seven goals but no assists.
France’s Ousmane Dembele and England captain Harry Kane have six goals apiece, while Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal remains an outside contender with five goals ahead of the final.
For Messi, Sunday’s showdown with Spain offers one final opportunity to add another remarkable chapter to his illustrious World Cup career. For Mbappe, the wait begins as he watches to see whether his remarkable tournament will end with another Golden Boot.
Only Messi, who has eight goals, can still catch Mbappe.
Bukayo Saka starred with a hat-trick as Thomas Tuchel’s side stormed into a 4-0 first-half lead before surviving a spirited French fightback to seal victory.
England took control from the outset, with Declan Rice opening the scoring in the third minute before Ezri Konsa doubled the advantage from a corner. Saka then struck twice before the break as England capitalised on a disjointed French performance to head into halftime with a commanding four-goal cushion.
France emerged a transformed side after the restart.
Kylian Mbappé pulled one back before Bradley Barcola added another six minutes later, and Mbappé struck again to cut England’s lead to 4-3 while also becoming the men’s World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals.
England regained breathing room when Saka converted a penalty in the 87th minute to complete his hat-trick after Djed Spence was fouled by Malo Gusto. Ousmane Dembélé made it 5-4 deep into stoppage time, but Jude Bellingham produced a brilliant solo effort in the 98th minute to put the result beyond doubt.
Reflecting on the victory, Saka said England were determined to finish the tournament on a positive note despite the disappointment of missing out on the final.
“It was a crazy, crazy game. We’re both still quite disappointed to not be in the final but it was about finishing strong and for us giving the country the best finish in the World Cup in 60 years, so we’re happy with the final result.”
The Arsenal winger acknowledged the dramatic swings in momentum during the match.
“I think the first half went for us. We won the first half, they won the second half and in the end we got the two goals to win the game, so I’d say that’s how the game went.”
England manager Thomas Tuchel praised his players’ resilience after they withstood France’s second-half surge.
“It was like four matches – what happened here. Crazy first half and a turbulent second half… Massive compliment and respect for the mentality we showed with all the adversity. Absolutely brilliant.”
He added that fatigue had played a role in England’s second-half struggles but credited the squad’s character.
“I was worried physically… You could see it in the second half, all the cramps and tiredness. But I was never worried about the mentality. This team has created something special. They showed it again.”
The victory also provided some consolation after England’s semifinal exit, with Tuchel highlighting the significance of securing a medal.
“It is the first medal in 60 years, the best World Cup on foreign soil, so I hope the players can be proud of that in some time.”
For France, the defeat marked the end of Didier Deschamps’ tenure as head coach. Despite the loss, Mbappé’s brace saw him overtake Lionel Messi to become the men’s World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals. However, the record could change hands again as Messi, who has 21 World Cup goals, has the opportunity to reclaim the top spot when Argentina face Spain in Sunday’s final.
England’s Jude Bellingham slots home after a jinky run. Jude Bellingham celebrates after the goal. Ousmane Dembele shoots and scores for France.Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring England’s fifth goal and complete his hat-trick.Mbappe shoots and scores for France. Mbappe celebrates after his goal. He became the men’s World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 22 goals.England manager Thomas Tuchel and Didier Deschamps, head coach of France, hug after the final whistle. England players pose for a photograph after receiving their third-place medals.
The stadium, which was previously an international football venue and the only stadium in Rwanda approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) during the 2022/23 season, has remained closed to competitive matches for the past 14 months after the old playing surface was removed.
The project to install a new artificial turf began in June 2025 after the previous pitch had become outdated. The old field also had drainage challenges, making it difficult for rainwater to drain effectively during heavy rains.
The works were initially scheduled to begin in February 2025 and be completed by July of the same year. However, delays in the arrival of imported materials affected the timeline, forcing the stadium to continue hosting league matches until May 28, 2025.
After being awarded the contract, Real Contractors Ltd, in partnership with Greenfields from Benin, removed the old playing surface and discovered that additional drainage works were required before installing the new turf. The contractor later requested an amendment to the agreement with the Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) to include the additional works.
The need for extra drainage infrastructure, combined with delays in the delivery of artificial turf materials, slowed down the project. RHA officials told members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament on June 25, 2026, that the delivery of materials had also been affected by unrest in Tanzania during the election period.
Construction resumes with major progress
Appearing before PAC, RHA Director General Alphonse Rukaburandekwe said the contractor had committed to completing the renovation works by August 15, 2026.
A month before the expected completion date, IGIHE visited Huye Stadium and found that significant progress had been made, with workers confirming that the project had reached 80% completion after activities resumed.
Inside the 7,900-seat stadium, the former pitch has been transformed into a major construction site. The area is currently covered with layers of crushed gravel in different sizes, while workers continue installing a modern drainage system around the field.
The ongoing works include improvements that were not part of the original Rwf1.5 billion contract signed in 2025. The additional activities were introduced to ensure the stadium meets the required standards and provides a durable playing surface.
As part of the drainage upgrade, workers have installed a waterproof layer across the entire pitch to prevent underground water from affecting the soil. This has been followed by three layers of gravel designed to filter and channel rainwater away from the field.
Special perforated pipes are also being installed beneath the pitch. These pipes are covered with protective materials that allow water to pass through while preventing sand and other debris from entering the drainage system.
The underground pipes will direct water into a 40-centimetre drainage channel surrounding the pitch, which connects to larger pipes leading to an 80-centimetre main drainage system inside the stadium. The system will carry excess water away from the field and prevent flooding.
Contractors said they expect to complete the second layer of gravel by the third week of July before installing the final layer, after which the artificial turf will be laid.
The new drainage system is expected to solve the long-standing flooding problems that affected Huye Stadium. In the past, the existing drainage channels and pipes frequently became blocked, causing rainwater to accumulate on the pitch and turning the field into what spectators described as a “swimming pool” during rainy periods.
Huye Stadium previously hosted matches involving Rwanda’s national football team, Amavubi, while Amahoro Stadium was undergoing renovation. It is also the home venue for Mukura Victory Sports and Amagaju FC, clubs competing in Rwanda’s top division, the BK Pro League.
During the 2025/26 season, both clubs were forced to use Kamena Stadium and Muhanga Stadium as their home grounds due to the ongoing renovation works at Huye Stadium.
Huye Stadium has not hosted matches for 14 months after the old playing surface was removed.Over the past three years, the stadium has been Rwanda’s main venue for hosting international football competitions.The area where the pitch used to be is currently being covered with layers of crushed gravel before the installation of the artificial turf.On the unfinished sections of the pitch, a waterproof membrane has been installed to prevent water from seeping into the ground.The artificial turf and in-field rubber materials to be installed on the pitch have already been delivered to Huye Stadium.The artificial turf to be installed at Huye Stadium is brand new.A 40-centimetre drainage channel has been constructed around the pitch to help carry away excess water.Drainage pipes have also been installed beneath the pitch to collect water and direct it into the drainage channel surrounding the field.The installation of the new pitch at Huye Stadium is expected to be completed by August 15, 2026.
Back in 2007, a 20-year-old Messi took part in a UNICEF charity photoshoot organised by Catalan newspaper Diario Sport at Barcelona’s Camp Nou. One of the babies selected for the campaign was six-month-old Lamine Yamal. The young Argentine, then an emerging Barcelona star, was photographed gently bathing the infant in a small plastic tub and later cradling him in his arms, creating an image that would become one of football’s most extraordinary stories.
The photoshoot came about through a charity raffle aimed at supporting vulnerable children. Families from low-income communities around Barcelona were invited to participate, and Yamal’s parents, who were raising their son in the working-class town of Mataró after emigrating from Equatorial Guinea and Morocco, were among those selected. By chance, their baby was paired with Messi, who had only recently broken into Barcelona’s first team.
Photographer Joan Monfort, who captured the images, recalled that Messi initially appeared unsure of how to handle the baby because of his naturally reserved personality.
At the time, neither family could have imagined the significance of the photographs. While Messi was still beginning his rise to football greatness, Yamal was only months old. Nineteen years later, the pair will meet again, this time on opposite sides as Argentina and Spain battle for the biggest prize in international football.
The iconic images resurfaced in 2024 after Yamal’s father shared one on social media with the caption, “The beginning of two legends.” The post quickly went viral as fans marvelled at the unlikely connection between the sport’s greatest player of his generation and one widely regarded as its brightest emerging talent.
Photographer Joan Monfort, who captured the images, recalled that Messi initially appeared unsure of how to handle the baby because of his naturally reserved personality.
“He came into the dressing room and suddenly had to take these photos with a little baby,” Monfort recalled. “His face changed like he had no idea what to do.”
The young Argentine, then an emerging Barcelona star, was photographed gently bathing the infant in a small plastic tub and later cradling him in his arms.
Looking back, Monfort described the reunion awaiting the pair in the World Cup final as something beyond imagination.
“It is a true miracle of destiny,” he said. “If you wrote this in a film it would not seem possible.”
Their reunion comes after dramatic semifinal victories. Spain booked their place in the final with a 2-0 win over France, while Messi inspired Argentina to a 2-1 comeback victory against England, helping send the defending champions into another World Cup final.
At 39, Messi is chasing another crowning achievement in a career already regarded as one of the greatest in football history. His two assists against England also moved him ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot.
Standing in his way is Yamal, whose meteoric rise has captivated the football world. Still a teenager, the Barcelona winger has already become one of Spain’s most influential players and is widely viewed as a leading contender to carry the sport into its next era.
The famous photograph has been turned into a banner by Spain fans at Euro 2024 and the World Cup.
Beyond their unique connection, both players also share a commitment to UNICEF. Messi has supported the organisation for more than two decades and became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2010. Earlier this year, Yamal followed in his footsteps by becoming UNICEF’s newest Goodwill Ambassador, pledging to use his platform to champion children’s rights.
On Sunday, a chance meeting that began with a charity photoshoot at Camp Nou will come full circle on football’s biggest stage. What started with a young Messi bathing a baby from a humble family will culminate in a World Cup final, where one generation’s icon faces the player many believe could one day inherit his crown.
Lamine Yamal, right winger for the Spain national team and La Liga club Barcelona, was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador on June 11, 2026.
The defending champions looked destined for defeat after Anthony Gordon gave England the lead early in the second half, but Argentina produced another dramatic comeback, with Enzo Fernández equalising in the 85th minute before Lautaro Martínez headed home the winner in stoppage time.
The victory sends Lionel Scaloni’s side into Sunday’s final against Spain, who secured their place by defeating France 2-0 in the other semifinal.
Argentina had already survived a series of tense knockout encounters, edging Cape Verde after extra time, overturning a two-goal deficit against Egypt, and overcoming Switzerland despite being pushed into extra time. Against England, they once again demonstrated their resilience.
England broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when Gordon finished from close range after Morgan Rogers’ cross found him unmarked at the back post.
The Three Lions appeared in control for much of the contest, but their inability to retain possession after taking the lead allowed Argentina to build sustained pressure.
That pressure finally paid off five minutes from time. Messi picked out Fernández on the edge of the penalty area, and the midfielder fired a powerful low strike past Jordan Pickford to restore parity.
The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time. After Alexis Mac Allister’s effort rebounded off the post, Messi recovered the loose ball on the right before delivering a pinpoint cross that Martínez headed into the net, sparking wild celebrations among the thousands of Argentina supporters inside Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“I think this team plays its best football when we are facing adversity,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said after the match.
“We had a challenging game and a difficult situation. There was blood in the water, and we went for it.”
Messi, playing what is widely expected to be his final World Cup, was again at the heart of Argentina’s success, providing both assists to move the reigning champions within one victory of retaining their title.
Martínez described the winner as the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.
“The first time my dad bought me a pair of boots, I dreamed of scoring a goal like this,” he said. “It was really tough today, but this team continues to show what it’s made of.”
For England, the defeat extended decades of heartbreak at major tournaments. Captain Harry Kane admitted his side became too passive after taking the lead.
“We’re gutted,” Kane said. “We played a good game for the large majority of it. Once we went 1-0 up, we seemed to just try and hold on, and at this level that’s just not enough.”
England manager Thomas Tuchel echoed that assessment, saying his team struggled to maintain their intensity after Gordon’s goal.
“We got too passive after we scored,” Tuchel said. “We conceded too many chances and couldn’t keep the ball. We were very close, but we couldn’t bring it over the line.”
The semifinal added another memorable chapter to one of football’s fiercest rivalries, with both teams producing a physical, high-intensity contest before Argentina’s late surge settled the outcome.
Argentina will now face Spain in the World Cup final as they seek to become back-to-back world champions, while England will meet France in the third-place playoff.
Enzo Fernandez celebrates his equaliser for Argentina against England.Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates the team’s second goal by Lautaro Martínez during their World Cup semifinal against England on Wednesday in Atlanta. Argentina defeated the English 2-1 to advance to Sunday’s final against Spain.Lionel Messi celebrates Argentina’s victory over England.Captain Harry Kane admitted his side became too passive after taking the lead.Lionel Messi is congratulated by Harry Kane at full time.England players react after the loss. Argentina’s Giovani Lo Celso holds a banner in the postmatch celebrations.
The sponsorship is the culmination of years of discussions and longstanding ties between Rwanda and senior figures at the Premier League club.
Under the partnership, the Visit Rwanda brand will appear on the playing shirts of Aston Villa’s men’s, women’s and youth teams in all competitions, including the Premier League and European tournaments.
According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the agreement was the result of extensive discussions involving multiple stakeholders.
“You don’t simply wake up one morning and sign a partnership like this,” the source told IGIHE. “These deals are built over time. For example, Visit Rwanda’s visibility in the United States was largely made possible through the existing relationship between Rwanda and Arsenal’s owners.”
Existing ties with Rwanda
Janet Karemera, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB), which oversees the Visit Rwanda brand, said Aston Villa’s leadership already has a strong understanding of Rwanda and its long-term vision.
Speaking to The Athletic, Karemera revealed that one of the club’s investors has business interests in Rwanda, giving the club’s leadership firsthand knowledge of the country.
“They’re (Villa) going to come to Rwanda,” she said. “They’re going to visit. We have in our partnership the men’s team, women’s team are coming to visit. Also the executive leadership (team). On their board, they have a board member who’s already invested in Rwanda. So I think they’re very much aware of the country and its ambitions.”
The investor she referred to is American billionaire Wesley “Wes” Edens, whose fortune is estimated at approximately $2.5 billion.
Edens is a co-owner of Aston Villa through V Sports, the investment company he owns alongside Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris. Besides Aston Villa, V Sports also holds a 46 percent stake in Portuguese top-flight club Vitória S.C.
His sports portfolio extends beyond football. Edens is also a co-owner of NBA franchise Milwaukee Bucks.
Longstanding connection through basketball
Edens has maintained links with Rwanda through basketball. His energy company, New Fortress Energy, became an official partner of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), supporting efforts to promote affordable and renewable energy solutions while raising environmental awareness across the continent.
As part of the initiative, the company pledged to plant three trees for every three-point shot made during BAL games, with a target of planting 100,000 trees.
During the 2021 BAL season in Kigali, Edens attended matches at BK Arena alongside President Paul Kagame.
Speaking during that visit, he said his investments in sports combine personal passion with commercial opportunity.
“I am a sports nerd, I am still active in various activities. I think sports investment is the perfect marriage with business opportunities. I do not collect art, I do not do other activities. This is what I love, and these are serious business investments,” Eden stated.
Edens attended matches at BK Arena alongside President Paul Kagame during the 2021 BAL season in Kigali.
Confidence in Rwanda’s investment climate
Edens also praised Rwanda as one of Africa’s most attractive investment destinations, pointing to its governance and long-term vision.
“I think that Rwanda is extraordinary. This is not only one of the cleanest cities on the continent but in the world. If you look back in the 1960s, the GDP of Singapore and Jamaica were roughly the same; in 60 years, things have changed dramatically. That is largely an effect of leadership.”
He credited President Kagame’s leadership for the country’s progress, arguing that Rwanda’s greatest resource is its people.
“For an economy that is not rich in mineral resources, people have been the resource, and there is an ambition for growth.”
Aston Villa is the latest European football club to partner with Rwanda through the Visit Rwanda tourism campaign, following an agreement that was officially announced on Tuesday.
Global exposure for Visit Rwanda
The partnership is expected to significantly boost Visit Rwanda’s international visibility.
Aston Villa’s home ground, Villa Park, has a capacity of 42,640 spectators. Across the club’s 19 Premier League home fixtures alone, more than 810,000 fans could attend matches in a single season if every game sells out, excluding domestic cup competitions and European fixtures.
The club is also expanding Villa Park, with plans to increase its capacity to more than 50,000 seats.
As part of the agreement, Rwandan coffee will be the exclusive coffee served at the stadium.
The club’s television reach also offers considerable exposure. Aston Villa’s FA Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur during the 2025/26 season attracted 6.5 million viewers in the United Kingdom, while its UEFA Europa League final against Freiburg drew 3.5 million viewers on TNT Sports.
More broadly, Aston Villa competes in the Premier League, the world’s most-watched domestic football competition, which is broadcast in 189 countries and reaches an estimated global audience of 1.87 billion people.
The Aston Villa agreement further expands Visit Rwanda’s sports sponsorship portfolio, which already includes partnerships with French champions Paris Saint-Germain, Spanish club Atlético de Madrid, the Basketball Africa League, NBA franchise the Los Angeles Clippers and NFL team the Los Angeles Rams.
Rwanda Convention Bureau Chief Executive Officer Janet Karemera is pictured with Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Johnston Busingye, and Aston Villa President of Business Operations Francesco Calvo.
The reigning European champions booked their place in Sunday’s final in Arlington, Texas, where they will face either England or Argentina, while France must now turn their attention to the third-place playoff.
Didier Deschamps’ side entered the semifinal full of confidence after impressive knockout victories over Morocco, Sweden and Paraguay. Led by captain Kylian Mbappé, France were among the favourites to lift the trophy after another impressive World Cup campaign. However, they found Spain’s disciplined defence difficult to break down as the European champions controlled the contest from start to finish.
Spain took the lead midway through the first half after Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton awarded a penalty for a foul by France left-back Lucas Digne on teenage winger Lamine Yamal. Mikel Oyarzabal calmly converted the spot kick, beating goalkeeper Mike Maignan to score his fifth goal of the tournament.
France’s problems deepened shortly afterward when defender William Saliba was forced off with a recurrence of a lower back injury, disrupting an already difficult evening for Deschamps’ men.
Les Bleus struggled to create meaningful opportunities throughout the opening half, failing to register a shot on target as Spain dominated possession and dictated the tempo.
Seeking a response after the break, Deschamps introduced Desire Doue in an attempt to inject more attacking energy. But just moments later, Spain doubled their advantage with an excellent team move.
Dani Olmo combined neatly with Pedro Porro, who collected the return pass before calmly slotting the ball past Maignan to make it 2-0 and put Spain firmly in control.
Trailing by two goals, Deschamps introduced Theo Hernandez and Rayan Cherki in search of a comeback. Mbappé, who had inspired France throughout the tournament, was kept largely quiet by Spain’s well-organized defense and was unable to produce the moment of brilliance his side desperately needed.
Spain continued to defend resolutely, frustrating France’s star-studded attack. The European champions have now conceded just one goal throughout the tournament while combining defensive discipline with the creativity of players such as Yamal and Olmo.
The victory sends Spain into their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in South Africa in 2010. They are now one win away from becoming the first champions of the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup.
For France, the defeat ends their bid for a third World Cup title and denies Mbappé the opportunity to lead Les Bleus into a third consecutive World Cup final. The Real Madrid forward had once again been central to France’s impressive run, but he and fellow attacking stars Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise were effectively neutralised by Spain’s disciplined defensive display.
The defeat also marks the end of Didier Deschamps’ World Cup journey as France coach after 14 years in charge. Despite being eliminated from title contention, Les Bleus will remain in the tournament to contest Saturday’s third-place playoff against the loser of the second semifinal between England and Argentina. The winner of that match will claim the bronze medal.
Speaking after the match, Spain defender Pedro Porro described reaching the final as “a dream come true.”
“We knew that to get close to the final we needed to have the ball. We knew that countering their strengths was key, and we did that. So we’re really happy.”
Speaking after the match, Mbappe didn’t hide his frustration at France’s performance in the game.
“I don’t think we played the match we wanted to play – whether tactically, technically, or in terms of our overall performance level,” Mbappe told French broadcaster M6.
“And when you don’t do what you’re supposed to do in a World Cup semifinal, you don’t win.
“Our goal was to press them high up the pitch to prevent them from settling into that slow, controlled rhythm – because when it comes to controlling the game, they are better than us. We failed to do that,” the Real Madrid star added.
While France’s hopes of lifting the trophy are over, Mbappé and his teammates will still have one final opportunity to end their campaign on a positive note in the third-place playoff. The match will also mark France’s final World Cup appearance under Deschamps before a new era is expected to begin, with Zinedine Zidane widely tipped to succeed him as head coach.
Spain, meanwhile, will now focus on Sunday’s final, where they will attempt to win their second World Cup title and their first since 2010.
Pedro Porro scores Spain’s second goal.Oyarzabal scores from the penalty spot. Mbappé looks dejected after France’s 2-0 defeat to Spain.
