Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro train separately ahead of Spain vs Argentina World Cup final

The Soweto Giants, Kaizer Chiefs, and Orlando Pirates underwent various stages of preparation in Spain before the start of the new season. One team has returned home, while the other continues training in Europe, preparing for upcoming challenges.

Kaizer Chiefs Preparation

Kaizer Chiefs concluded their European preseason camp under the guidance of Fernando Da Cruz. The team played a series of friendly matches against opponents such as Rangers and Elche before returning home to participate in the Toyota Cup.

Under the leadership of new head coach Fernando da Cruz, the team showed mixed results, failing to secure victories but gaining valuable experience through a busy schedule. Amakhosi began the tour with a 1-1 draw against Scottish giants Rangers, followed by another 1-1 draw against Saudi Pro League side Al Kholood.

The toughest test for Chiefs was the match against La Liga side Elche, which ended in a 2-1 defeat in the final game. Despite the lack of wins, these games allowed Da Cruz to assess the squad, implement a tactical approach, and identify areas needing improvement before the season starts.

Orlando Pirates Progress

Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates remained in Spain, continuing preparations under the guidance of new coach Abdelsalam Wadee. The Buccaneers started their tour with a 1-1 draw against Cordoba, followed by an impressive 2-1 victory over Cadiz after falling behind.

This result gave an early boost to Wadee, who is tasked with maintaining the pace of Pirates after a successful previous campaign while implementing his own philosophy. The Spanish camp allowed the Moroccan coach to experiment with different lineups, evaluate new players, and give the athletes precious time before the intense season.

Upcoming Matches

Pirates still have scheduled challenges before returning home. The Buccaneers are set to face Saudi Pro League giants Al-Ittihad on July 21, and will also play Spanish club Las Palmas on July 22 and Saudi club NEOM SC on July 24. These remaining matches will give Wadee additional opportunities to fine-tune the team and determine the preferred starting lineup before the resumption of competitive football.

Kaizer Chiefs, for their part, will focus on final preparations at home, where a Toyota Cup match against Scotland FC is scheduled for July 26, giving Da Cruz another chance to assess the squad before the Betway Premiership campaign begins. Although the results differ, both teams believe that Spain fulfilled its purpose: for Chiefs, it was about building a foundation under a new coach, and for Pirates, it was about refining a team that achieved significant success last season while adapting to new management. However, the real test will begin when competitive football resumes.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup became the most profitable tournament in the history of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

Financial Results of the Tournament

According to a report by The Guardian, the organization generated an income of $15 billion during the championship. This figure significantly exceeded FIFA's initial forecast, which was around $11 billion.

Sources of Income

The main part of the profit received came from ticket sales and their subsequent resale. The total revenue increased significantly because a commission of 15 percent was received as both buyer and seller during the ticket resale.

Furthermore, income generated from hospitality services also played an important role in achieving FIFA's record financial performance.

Final Match

It should be noted that on the day the article was published, the final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place between the national teams of Spain and Argentina.