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1 - 10 from 22371 . In "Sports"
Qatar clinch 2026 World Cup berth with 2-1 win over UAE in Doha
Saudi Gazette report DOHA — Qatar are heading back to the FIFA World Cup. The 2022 hosts secured their place at the 2026 Finals with a 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, as second-half headers from Boualem Khouki and Pedro Miguel sent the Maroons through from Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 playoffs.Akram Afif — the reigning AFC Player of the Year — was once again the difference-maker at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.The Al Sadd playmaker delivered two pinpoint free kicks in the 49th and 74th minutes, both converted with precision by Khouki and Pedro, giving Julien Lopetegui’s side an unassailable lead.Sultan Adil’s late strike in injury time, coming after Tarek Salman’s red card, made for a nervous finish, but Qatar held firm to claim their...
October 15, 2025

Qatar clinch 2026 World Cup berth with 2-1 win over UAE in Doha

Saudi Arabia seal World Cup 2026 spot after tense draw in Jeddah
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday night after a goalless draw with Iraq sent Herve Renard’s men into scenes of celebration at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, securing top spot in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 playoffs.With more than 60,000 fans creating a deafening atmosphere, the Green Falcons held firm to confirm their third straight World Cup appearance and seventh overall — a run that underscores the Kingdom’s growing consistency on the continental stage.Saudi Arabia’s qualification was sealed thanks to their superior goal difference after a vital 3-2 win over Indonesia last week. That result ultimately proved decisive as Iraq were left to rue missed opportunities.Iraq, coached by...
October 15, 2025

Saudi Arabia seal World Cup 2026 spot after tense draw in Jeddah

Saudi Arabia, Iraq set for decisive World Cup playoff showdown in Jeddah
Saudi Gazette reportJEDDAH — All eyes will be on King Abdullah Sports City on Tuesday night as Saudi Arabia and Iraq collide in a high-stakes, winner-takes-all clash in the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 Playoffs Group B.Victory will guarantee automatic qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026, while the losing side must advance to a playoff against the Group A runners-up for another chance to reach the global finals through the FIFA Playoff Tournament.Saudi Arabia eye seventh World Cup berthSaudi Arabia enter the match with momentum, having edged Indonesia 3-2 in their group opener.Herve Renard’s side need only a draw to confirm their place at the World Cup, thanks to their superior goal difference over Iraq, who defeated Indonesia 1-0.However, the Green Falcons will be without...
October 13, 2025

Saudi Arabia, Iraq set for decisive World Cup playoff showdown in Jeddah

Saudi Arabia head coach Hervé Renard speaking at a press conference in Jeddah on Monday.
Renard: Saudi Arabia fully focused on securing World Cup qualification against Iraq
Saudi Gazette reportJEDDAH — Saudi Arabia head coach Hervé Renard said his team is “completely focused” on achieving their goal of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing Tuesday’s decisive AFC Asian Qualifiers clash with Iraq as one of the most important moments of his career.Speaking at a press conference in Jeddah on Monday, Renard emphasized calm and confidence within the Green Falcons camp ahead of the crucial fixture at King Abdullah Sports City.“We’re about 24 hours away from this important match, and our goal has been clear from the start — to qualify for the World Cup,” said the French coach.“When I returned to lead the national team, I had great confidence in the players, and I have the full support of the federation president. Football, like life,...
October 13, 2025

Renard: Saudi Arabia fully focused on securing World Cup qualification against Iraq

Al Brikan brace fires Saudi Arabia past Indonesia in World Cup playoff thriller
Saudi Gazette reportJEDDAH — Feras Al Brikan struck twice as Saudi Arabia came from behind to defeat Indonesia 3-2 in a dramatic AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 playoff clash at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Wednesday night.Kevin Diks gave Indonesia a shock lead from the penalty spot in the 11th minute, but Herve Renard’s men hit back through Saleh Abu Al Shamat before Al Brikan’s double either side of halftime put the six-time FIFA World Cup qualifiers on the brink of another appearance at the finals.Diks added a late consolation — also from the spot — after Mohammed Kanno was sent off, but it wasn’t enough to deny Saudi Arabia a vital home win in Group B.The visitors started brightly and were rewarded early when Al Hilal defender Hassan Al Tambakhti handled Dean...
October 08, 2025

Al Brikan brace fires Saudi Arabia past Indonesia in World Cup playoff thriller

Al Ittihad appoint Sérgio Conceição as head coach to replace Laurent Blanc
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad have appointed Portuguese manager Sérgio Conceição as their new head coach, replacing Frenchman Laurent Blanc, who was dismissed late last month following a poor run of results.In a cinematic announcement video featuring a chessboard, the former AC Milan coach declared: “Victory is not a choice; it’s an identity that defines us. Rivals may change, allies may fall, but the king remains. I am Sérgio Conceição, and I’ve come to make history with Al Ittihad.”Blanc’s departure came after back-to-back defeats, a 2-1 loss to UAE’s Al Wahda in the opening round of the AFC Champions League Elite and a 2-0 home defeat to Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.Despite leading Ittihad to a domestic double last season —...
October 08, 2025

Al Ittihad appoint Sérgio Conceição as head coach to replace Laurent Blanc

Cristiano Ronaldo becomes football’s first billionaire, Bloomberg reports
RIYADH — Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first footballer in history to reach billionaire status, according to financial information and media firm Bloomberg.The Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which tracks the world’s richest individuals based on their net worth, has listed the 40-year-old Portugal and Al-Nassr striker with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion (£1.04 billion).The valuation includes Ronaldo’s career earnings, investments, and global endorsement deals, noting that he earned more than $550 million (£410 million) in salary between 2002 and 2023.Among his most lucrative partnerships is a decade-long deal with Nike, worth nearly $18 million (£13.4 million) annually.When Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League in late 2022, he reportedly became the...
October 08, 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo becomes football’s first billionaire, Bloomberg reports

Renard confident Saudi Arabia will qualify for 2026 World Cup ahead of Indonesia playoff clash
Saudi Gazette reportJEDDAH — Saudi Arabia head coach Hervé Renard expressed full confidence in his team’s ability to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup, telling his players: “We will qualify together.”Speaking on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s AFC playoff opener against Indonesia at Alinma Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City, Renard called for a packed house and total focus as the Green Falcons begin their decisive qualification run.“The press room is full today, we want the stadium full tomorrow too,” Renard said.“We are on the right path technically, and I told my players that we will reach the World Cup together. Tomorrow will be a different kind of game, and I’m sure we’ll give more than 100 percent to achieve qualification.”Saudi Arabia, who have qualified for six...
October 07, 2025

Renard confident Saudi Arabia will qualify for 2026 World Cup ahead of Indonesia playoff clash

Marcos Leonardo nets late winner as Al Hilal edge Nasaf in five-goal ACL Elite thriller
Saudi Gazette report QARSHI — Marcos Leonardo struck 11 minutes from time to hand Al Hilal a dramatic 3-2 victory over PFC Nasaf in Qarshi on Monday, keeping the Saudi giants perfect in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 group stage.The Brazilian forward capitalized on Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s surging run to lift the ball over goalkeeper Abduvakhid Nematov, sealing Al Hilal’s second consecutive win of the campaign after an opening triumph against Al Duhail.For Nasaf, it was another painful loss to Saudi opposition after falling to defending champions Al Ahli earlier this month.Al Hilal opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Nematov spilled Abdullah Al Hamddan’s cross straight to Milinkovic-Savic, who rolled into an empty net.But Nasaf hit back six minutes later as...
September 30, 2025

Marcos Leonardo nets late winner as Al Hilal edge Nasaf in five-goal ACL Elite thriller

Al Ahli held by Al Duhail in 2-2 draw to extend unbeaten ACL Elite run to 20
Saudi Gazette report DOHA — Al Ahli FC saw their eight-match AFC Champions League Elite winning streak snapped on Monday but stretched their unbeaten run to a record-equalling 20 games after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Al Duhail SC in Qatar.The defending champions fell behind in the 25th minute when Krzysztof Piatek flicked on a goal kick to Adil Boubina, whose shot struck the post before Edmilson Junior pounced on the rebound.Al Duhail’s evening took a hit seven minutes later when debutant goalkeeper Arthus Desmas suffered a head injury and had to be replaced by Bautista Burke.The substitute was immediately tested, and on 42 minutes Matheus Goncalves cut inside Youssef Ayman before drilling a low shot past him to equalize.Burke then handed Al Ahli the lead in first-half stoppage time,...
September 30, 2025

Al Ahli held by Al Duhail in 2-2 draw to extend unbeaten ACL Elite run to 20

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