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      Ian Hawkey

      Ian Hawkey

      European Football Correspondent
      Location
      London
      Ian is an award-winning journalist and author. He has lived in and reported from Cairo, Johannesburg and London and, based in Barcelona, was The Sunday Times European football correspondent for 12 years. His books include Feet of the Chameleon, The Story of African Football – winner of the National Sports Council’s Football Book of the Year – and Di Stéfano, shortlisted for the Cross Sports Book of the Year.

      Articles

      Hamza Abdelkarim celebrates scoring for Egypt against Haiti at the Under-17 World Cup. Getty Images
      Yamal welcomes Egypt's Abdelkarim to Barcelona: 'You are in the right place'

      Forward, 18, becomes first ever player from Egypt to move to the Camp Nou following transfer from Al Ahly

      FootballFebruary 02, 2026
      PSG's Dro Fernandez, left, and Marquinhos during training. Reuters
      PSG sign Barcelona academy star Fernandez ahead of crunch Champions League tie

      Teams meet for first time since controversial penalty rescued vital point for French outfit in 2023

      FootballJanuary 28, 2026
      Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Final - Senegal v Morocco - Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco - January 18, 2026 Senegal's Sadio Mane lifts the trophy with teammates as they celebrate after winning the Africa Cup of Nations REUTERS / Siphiwe Sibeko TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
      Play00:50
      Morocco’s Afcon ends in noise, controversy and deep regret

      Senegal captain Sadio Mane ensured contentious final concluded following walkout threat, while Atlas Lions' 50-year wait for a continental title goes on

      FootballJanuary 19, 2026
      Achraf Hakimi, left, will lead Morocco against Sadio Mane and Senegal in the Afcon final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Getty Images
      Morocco v Senegal: Afcon glory on the line as Mane and Co stand in way of hosts

      Walid Regragui's side under pressure to end 50-year wait for title but Lions of Teranga know how to excel in big games

      FootballJanuary 18, 2026
      Brahim Diaz of Morocco gestures to supporters during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025. EPA
      Play00:23
      Morocco's Afcon star Brahim Diaz can be 'best in the world,' says Regragui

      Atlas Lions coach getting the most out of Real Madrid winger as tournament hosts seek glory in Sunday's final

      FootballJanuary 16, 2026
      Egypt's Mohamed Salah celebrates with Emam Ashour after scoring during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 match against Benin. EPA
      Afcon 2025: Salah hails Egypt's home-grown heroes ahead of Senegal semi-final

      Almost entire Pharaohs squad play in Egyptian league while tournament's other last-four opponents rely on players from across top clubs of the world

      FootballJanuary 14, 2026
      From left, Mohamed Salah, Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane. EPA; AFP
      Afcon last dance looms for superstar trio Mahrez, Mane and Salah

      Experienced forwards head into quarter-final clashes knowing their time leading charge for Algeria, Senegal and Egypt will soon be over

      FootballJanuary 09, 2026
      Sudan coach Kwesi Appiah speaks to defender Bakhit Khamis during the Africa Cup of Nations last-16 defeat to Senegal. AFP
      Contrasting Afcon exits for Arab sides Sudan and Tunisia

      War-torn Sudanese gave mighty Senegal scare while Tunisians were humbled by Mali in last-16

      FootballJanuary 05, 2026
      Riyad Mahrez's three goals at this Afcon have made him Algeria's highest-ever goalscorer at the continental championship. AFP
      Afcon 2025: Resurgent Mahrez powering Algeria's title ambitions

      The captain was rested for Wednesday's win over Equatorial Guinea with top spot in the group already assured, but he is ready to lead the Fennecs' charge in the knockout rounds

      FootballJanuary 01, 2026
      Mohamed Salah's late winner against Zimbabwe spared Egypt's blushes in their Group B opener. AFP
      Why Egypt v South Africa remains one of African football’s great rivalries

      North meets south in mouth-watering Group B clash

      FootballDecember 26, 2025
      Brahim Diaz, centre, celebrates after scoring for Morocco in their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Tanzania. AP
      Afcon: Morocco hunt for first triumph in 50 years as Salah shifts focus to Egypt

      Atlas Lions carry favourites tag going into tournament they are hosting

      FootballDecember 19, 2025
      Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland of Manchester City. AFP; Getty Images
      Real Madrid v Man City: Mbappe injury threatens striker shoot-out with Haaland

      Prolific strikers will go head-to-head in Uefa Champions League, providing the Frenchman overcomes injury concerns

      FootballDecember 10, 2025
      Mohamed Salah's Egypt will be one of at least eight Mena teams taking part in the 2026 World Cup finals. EPA
      Mena countries hope for good news at World Cup 2026 draw

      Group-stage fixtures for next summer's finals will be revealed on Friday

      FootballDecember 05, 2025
      Democratic Republic of Congo's Chancel Mbemba celebrates after scoring the winning penalty against Nigeria in the World Cup qualifier in Rabat. Reuters
      Iraq, DR Congo and their unsung heroes earn World Cup shot at play-off tournament

      New Caledonia, Bolivia, Jamaica and Suriname also in the mix for final two places in North America next summer

      FootballNovember 20, 2025
      Graham Arnold took over as Iraq manager in May. Getty Images
      Iraq prepare for UAE World Cup battle with knockout specialist Arnold at helm

      Australian coach now in charge of Lions of Mesopotamia who travel to Abu Dhabi for Thursday's AFC play-off first leg

      FootballNovember 12, 2025
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