Sports
King Charles III Knights David Beckham for Sport and Charity Services
Beckham knelt before the King, who tapped his shoulders with a ceremonial sword, officially dubbing him “Sir David Beckham.” He described it as his “proudest moment,” reflecting on his journey from London’s East End.
Beckham became emotional, emphasizing the honor’s meaning for his charitable work with children, beyond his football achievements. He humorously noted his kids could now call him “Sir Dad.”
King Charles III knighted David Beckham at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, honoring his legendary soccer career with Manchester United and England, as well as his philanthropy as a UNICEF ambassador since 2005.
The 50-year-old former captain, from a working-class East End family, knelt before the monarch with his wife Victoria—now Lady Victoria—and parents Ted and Sandra in attendance.
David Beckham described the moment as profoundly proud, emphasizing his patriotism and charitable efforts that have raised millions for children’s rights and other causes.
The knighthood acknowledges Beckham’s illustrious career, including 85 goals for Manchester United, captaining England, and globalizing soccer through stints at Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, and co-owning Inter Miami. His philanthropy, particularly as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, has focused on children’s issues like malaria prevention and education, raising millions.
He joins football legends like Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Alex Ferguson in receiving this accolade.
Beckham’s path to knighthood included past frustrations, as revealed in 2013 leaked emails, but his loyalty to the monarchy shone through actions like queuing for 12 hours to pay respects to Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. His recent role as ambassador for The King’s Foundation, bonding with Charles over beekeeping, strengthened ties with the royal family.
This milestone solidifies Beckham’s status as a cultural icon, blending athletic excellence with humanitarian efforts. Photos and videos from the event capture the family’s joy in the castle courtyard.
This milestone was celebrated at a ceremony held at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) headquarters in Accra on Tuesday, January 21, 2026.
A cross section of the twenty-three Ghanaian referees honored with their FIFA badges.
The badges, awarded annually by FIFA based on performance, fitness tests, and assessments from the previous year, authorize these officials to officiate international matches throughout 2026 across various formats.
The group includes:
- 10 Centre Referees
- 10 Assistant Referees
- 1 Futsal Referee
- 1 Beach Soccer Referee (notably, Portia Oppong, highlighted as a historic first female in this category for Ghana)
- 1 Video Assistant Referee (VAR)
Veteran referee Daniel Nii Laryea lead the list, retaining his status with dual recognition as both a Centre Referee and VAR official, showcasing his consistent excellence on the African and global stages.
Veteran Ghana referee Daniel Nii Laryea
In his address the GFA Vice-President Mark Addo congratulated them and urged them to aim for world-class standards: “Aspire for greatness. You are the soul and heart of the game.” He emphasized impartiality, fairness, and the responsibility that comes with representing Ghana internationally, with continued FIFA recognition depending on ongoing performance.
This achievement reflects Ghana’s strengthening presence in global refereeing, especially after past challenges in the sport. These referees are now set to take the pitch in international competitions, bringing pride to the nation.
Well done to all involved—keep upholding the highest standards!
Morocco’s national football team, the Atlas Lions, has achieved a historic milestone by climbing to 8th place in the latest FIFA Men’s World Ranking (released January 19, 2026).
Morocco ranked 8th in the world after FIFA latest rankings
This marks their all-time highest ranking, surpassing their previous best of 10th in April 1998, and returns them to the global top 10 for the first time in nearly 28 years.
The rise comes despite a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Senegal in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), which Morocco hosted.
Their strong tournament performance came with five (5) wins, one (1) draw, and one (1) loss which earned them significant points (including a +20.23 adjustment in the rankings), propelling them up three (3) spots from 11th.
The FIFA rankings have been updated after AFCON
They now sit ahead of teams like Belgium (9th) and Germany (10th), with 1,736.57 points.
Latest FIFA world rankings
This achievement highlights Morocco’s consistent rise in international football, building on their 2022 World Cup semi-final run and ongoing development in youth academies and infrastructure.
Regarding the “identity backlash” mentioned in the headline, recent coverage of Morocco’s football successes (including this ranking update) doesn’t show widespread backlash tied directly to the new ranking itself.
Past discussions around Morocco’s national team have occasionally touched on cultural identity debates—such as the balance between Amazigh (Berber), Arab, and broader Moroccan elements in national representation, especially during high-profile events like the 2022 World Cup.
The current FIFA ranking news has been overwhelmingly positive in Moroccan and international media, focusing on pride in the Atlas Lions’ elite status and their role as Africa’s top-ranked side.
Minister Didier Budimbu honors Michel Kuka, alias Lumumba Vea
Twenty-three (23) Ghanaian referees officially presented with FIFA badges
Senegal’s Teranga Lions Parade AFCON Trophy
-
Tech2 years agoThe Introduction Of Meta AI Will Blow Your Mind
-
Sports2 years agoNovak Djokovic Slams Disrespectful Wimbledon Crowd
-
Buzz1 year agoX Users Celebrate Platform Anniversaries; #MyXAnniversary
-
Entertainment2 years agoDJ Ashes GH New Mixtape Dubbed ‘Kinaata Friday Mixtape Vol.4’
-
Entertainment2 years agoKofi Kinaata Unveils ‘Kofi oo Kofi’ EP
-
Sports2 years agoThe 2nd Edition of Workers Day Workout With Coach Jay
-
Sports11 months agoInternational Football Association Board (IFAB’s) New Rule: Corner Kicks for Goalkeeper Time-Wasting
-
News2 years agoKODA And The Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency And What You Need To Know By Dr. George Anagli