Browsing: Sports
A FIFA seminar for elite referees shortlisted to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off on Monday and will run through February 27.The seminar brings together 21 referees from three continents, including 10 from Asia, among them Qatari referees Abdulrahman Al Jassim and Salman Falahi, as well as 10 referees from Africa and one from Oceania.Deputy Chair of FIFA’s Referees Committee, Hani Taleb Ballan, said the seminar is the second in a series of preparatory workshops for officials nominated for the 2026 World Cup. The first was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for South American referees. While, the final seminar, for 16 European referees, will take place in Dubai in March, completing the gathering of all shortlisted officials.He noted that the seminar represents a key stage in the evaluation process, featuring fitness tests, medical examinations and discussion sessions aimed at reinforcing modern football concepts. Ballan emphasized that officiating at a World Cup is a major incentive for referees and requires sustained effort and continuous development. He added that selection is based on precise criteria and comprehensive assessment, with ongoing monitoring of referees’ performances in various competitions.For his part, Director of Refereeing at FIFA, Massimo Busacca, reaffirmed the governing body’s commitment to supporting referees and preparing them to meet the demands of the 2026 tournament.The seminar program includes a series of technical, physical and medical tests to assess readiness, alongside an intensive training schedule featuring video review and analysis of real match situations. Practical sessions are recorded and evaluated by international instructors to provide detailed technical feedback, ensuring referees reach peak preparedness ahead of the upcoming World Cup. Source link
Lusail International Circuit (LIC) hosted the final round of the 2026 F4 Middle East and Formula Regional Middle East championships earlier this month. The 5.419km circuit welcomed an international field as both titles were decided at the conclusion of the winter season. The F4 Middle East Championship, launched in 2025 as the successor to the Formula 4 UAE Championship, is organised by the Emirates Motorsport Organisation (EMSO) and Top Speed.The FIA-certified series runs across the winter months and uses the Tatuus F4-T421 chassis powered by Abarth engines. The 2026 season included events in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, reinforcing its position as a regional development platform for young drivers. In Formula Regional Middle East (FRME), Mumbai Falcons Racing’s Kean Nakamura-Berta secured the title after entering the weekend at LIC 24 points behind Mercedes F1 junior Rashid al-Dhaheri. Nakamura-Berta took two pole positions and two race victories, while al-Dhaheri finished sixth and seventh in the decisive races. Nakamura-Berta claimed the championship by 12 points, with Alexander Abkhazava third overall. He also sealed the Rookie title, and Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited won the Teams’ championship. In the UAE4 Series, Oleksandr Bondarev secured the title for Mumbai Falcons Racing after a close battle with R-ace GP’s Andy Consani. A red-flag result in race two left Bondarev just short of confirming the title, but a fifth-place finish in the final race ensured he secured the championship by eight points over Consani. Kenzo Craigie finished third overall and won the Rookie classification. R-ace GP claimed the Teams’ title. The round at LIC concluded the 2026 winter season, with both championships decided in the final round at Lusail. The event further underlined Lusail International Circuit’s continued growth as a global motorsport venue, hosting a diverse range of international and regional championships across two- and four-wheel competition, and strengthening its role in the international racingcalendar. Source link
Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola scored in the first half as Paris St Germain (PSG) returned to the top of Ligue 1 with a 3-0 home victory over bottom side Metz following a slip-up by title rivals Lens at home to Monaco on Saturday. PSG have 54 points from 23 games, two more than second-placed Lens, who let a two-goal lead slip as they lost 3-2 to Monaco. PSG took the lead inside three minutes against Metz and it was far too easy. Warren Zaire-Emery played Doue in on goal as the visitors held a high defensive line and the latter finished unopposed for his ninth goal of the season. The Parisian club added a second in first half added time when Metz failed to clear a corner and Goncalo Ramos steered the ball back across goal, allowing Barcola to head into the net. PSG had to wait until the 77th minute for their third goal as they won possession on the edge of the Metz box and Goncalo Ramos rifled in a shot from a tight angle. Ansu Fati scored the winner as Monaco came from behind to defeat Lens at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. Lens were ahead thanks to a spectacular volley from Odsonne Edouard inside three minutes and extended their advantage after 56 minutes as Florian Thauvin reacted quickest to a rebound to score. But Monaco hit back six minutes later when Folarin Balogun took a pass from Mamadou Coulibaly and fired low into the net. Source link
Liverpool’S late show floors Nottingham Forest Eberechi Eze was the scourge of Tottenham again as his double restored Arsenal’s five-point lead at the top of the Premier League in a 4-1 win yesterday, while Liverpool needed Alexis Mac Allister’s 97th-minute goal to beat Nottingham Forest 1-0.Eze, who nearly joined Spurs prior to moving to Arsenal from Crystal Palace in August, scored his first goals since netting a hat-trick in the first north London derby of the season in November.The pressure was on Arsenal to respond after back-to-back draws at Brentford and Wolves had allowed Manchester City to close in at the top.Mikel Arteta’s men rose to the challenge to inflict more pain on their local rivals in Igor Tudor’s first match as interim Tottenham boss.Eze has even struggled for minutes in recent weeks as Arteta has favoured other options.But restored to the starting line-up, he repaid his manager’s faith.The England international hooked in the opening goal from close range just after the half-hour mark, but Tottenham levelled almost immediately through Randal Kolo Muani.Viktor Gyokeres restored Arsenal’s lead early in the second half with his most significant goal so far for the Gunners.Eze was on hand to roll in his second goal after Guglielmo Vicario denied Bukayo Saka.Gyokeres then rounded off the scoring in stoppage time.City have a game in hand in the title race and home advantage when the top two meet in April.But a much-needed victory gives Arsenal some breathing space in their quest for a first league title in 22 years.Tottenham remain just four points above the relegation zone.Liverpool must ‘improve’Mac Allister admitted “nothing was good” about much of Liverpool’s performance despite snatching a crucial win in their battle for Champions League qualification.Forest’s fourth manager of the season, Vitor Pereira, was taking charge for the first time in the league and his side looked set to earn a deserved point until a dramatic finale.Mac Allister had a goal ruled out when he charged down Ola Aina’s clearance in the closing stages.The ball was deemed to have struck the Argentine midfielder on the arm.However, to Pereira’s fury, Forest did not heed the warning as they sliped to within two points of the bottom three.Mac Allister swept home a rebound after Virgil van Dijk’s header was saved.Liverpool remain in sixth but climb level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United and within six points of Aston Villa.”I love scoring, I love winning, so in that sense I think it’s a really good day,” said Mac Allister.”But on the other hand, I don’t think we played very well. There’s plenty of things we need to improve.”Fulham climbed above Sunderland into the top half of the table after becoming just the second visiting side to win at the Stadium of Light this season.Raul Jimenez’s double secured a 3-1 victory for Marco Silva’s men.Crystal Palace eased the rising discontent at Selhurst Park with just a second win in 16 games.Evann Guessand’s first Palace goal in the 90th minute beat 10-man Wolves 1-0.Tolu Arokodare’s first-half penalty was saved by Dean Henderson.Ladislav Krejci was then sent off for kicking the ball away on the hour mark as bottom-of-the-table Wolves missed the chance to move above Derby’s unwanted record low of 11 points in a Premier League season. Source link
Al Sadd’s Roberto Firmino (right) celebrates with Akram Afif after scoring against Al Wakrah at the Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Stadium. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil Al Sadd moved four points clear at the top of the Qatar Stars League after a comfortable 3-1 win over Al Wakrah, while title rivals Al Gharafa slipped to a 0-1 defeat against Al Shamal yesterday. With six matches remaining in the season, defending champions Sadd are on 35 points, with Shamal leapfrogging Gharafa into second place on goal difference as both teams sit on 31 points. At the Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Stadium, Sadd went ahead in the ninth minute through Pedro Miguel, before former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino doubled the lead at the stroke of half-time. Rafa Mujica secured Sadd’s third in the 57th minute, while Amin Zahzouh added a consolation goal for Wakrah, who remain seventh in the table with 22 points. Wakrah were resolute early on but failed to capitalise on several promising chances.Sadd opened the scoring as Miguel nodded in from close range following a Tarek Salman header during a goalmouth scramble. Just before the break, the lead was doubled when an overlapping Firmino latched onto a fine Giovani Henrique pass to score from the right. Mujica added the third goal, flicking in Henrique’s assist as the ball struck the crossbar before crossing the line. Moroccan forward Zahzouh pulled one back for Wakrah, beating Al Sadd goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham with a header at the left post. At the Thani Bin Jassim Stadium, Mohamed Rafik Omar’s 68th-minute strike proved decisive for Shamal against Gharafa, whose title hopes appear to be fading after a third consecutive league defeat.Shamal held on for victory despite finishing with ten players after striker and captain Baghdad Bounedjah was sent off in the 73rd minute following a second yellow card. Meanwhile at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan edged past Al Ahli thanks to Rodrigo’s 91th-minute winner. Rayyan had fought back from a goal down, with Aleksandar Mitrovic cancelling out Erik Exposito’s 29th-minute strike for Ahli in the 82nd minute. The result lifted Al Rayyan to 28 points in fourth place, while Al Ahli remained on 15 points in tenth position. Source link
Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the La Liga match against Levante UD at Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona Sunday. (AFP) Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 victory over Levante to reclaim pole position in La Liga Sunday.After Real Madrid fell to a 2-1 defeat at Osasuna on Saturday, Hansi Flick’s side moved a point clear of their bitter rivals with a comfortable victory at Camp Nou against the team in 19th.Marc Bernal and Frenkie de Jong gave Barca a commanding first-half lead and Fermin Lopez wrapped up the win with a sensational drive late on.Barcelona were glad to get back to winning ways after a 4-0 thrashing by Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg last week and then a 2-1 defeat by Girona on Monday in La Liga.”It was a really bad moment for us but in the end today we gave a good response,” Flick told reporters.”It’s important now to be on top of the table but in the end there’s a long way to go.”Despite Flick’s calls for improvement in defence, Barca were as open as ever, although Levante’s poor finishing meant they could not capitalise.Bernal sent Barca ahead after good work by Joao Cancelo, who impressed on a rare start after his arrival on loan in January, and Eric Garcia.It was Bernal’s second goal since returning from a long-term knee injury, which kept the 18-year-old out of action for over a year.”I thought of my father (in my celebration) and my physio – he told me I would score and he has helped me a lot in this process,” Bernal told Movistar.Veteran Polish forward Robert Lewandowski could have doubled Barca’s advantage but fired into the ground and over the bar when well placed.Cancelo hit the post with a cross aimed at Lewandowski, before the Portuguese defender carved out the second for De Jong with a similar ball in from the left.De Jong delivered the finishing touch to give Barca a two-goal lead at the break.”Joao today he showed his strength, his positive things, he gave us a lot of moments, great chances, for me it was a really good game from him and this is what I want to see,” said Flick.Lopez rocketGarcia should have expanded Barcelona’s advantage early in the second half but nodded wide from Jules Kounde’s tempting cross.Eventually substitute Lopez got a spectacular third, rattling home a long-range effort in off the post.The midfielder might have added a fourth late on but Levante goalkeeper Mathew Ryan denied him with an excellent reflex save, after first thwarting Raphinha.Flick was able to bring back midfielder Pedri as a substitute after a month out with a hamstring injury, with the Spaniard likely to be key in the testing weeks ahead.Defeat leaves Levante seven points from safety.”In the first half we had some chances that, if we put them away, could have got them to doubt themselves,” said Levante midfielder Carlos Alvarez.”If we’d have gone in front, who knows what could have happened.”Earlier Sevilla earned a 1-0 win at Getafe, while third-placed Villarreal host Valencia later on. …
Saida, owned by Time Form Syndicate and trained by Hamad al-Jehani, produced a thrilling late charge to capture the Al Waab Cup in the Local Thoroughbred Handicap (50–70) over 1400m for horses aged three years and older at Al Rayyan Racecourse on Saturday night.The five-year-old mare, racing on turf, was seventh at the halfway stage before accelerating powerfully under jockey Saleh Faraj al-Otaibi to snatch victory by a head, registering her third win from five starts this season.With her success in the feature race at the 54th Al Uqda meeting, Saida also completed a double on the card.Al Deebil, racing for Al Wasmiyah Farm and trained by Mohammed al-Ghazali, finished second under Arnaud de Lepine, while Toyota, representing Al Ezz Stud and trained by Saeed al-Shafi, came third under Lukas Delozier. QREC Registration and Studbook Department’s Deputy Director Saad Ali al-Kubaisi presented the Al Waab Cup to the winners.Earlier, RB Hot Mess sealed the victory in the sixth and penultimate race, a Purebred Arabian Handicap 65-85 over 2200m.The seven-year-old grey, owned by Yosuf Ahmad Telfat and trained by Bader al-Balushi, unleashed a strong late surge to win by two and a half lengths under Pierre-Charles Boudot.Meanwhile, Manjam, owned by Khalifa bin Sheail Al Kuwari and trained by Zuhair Mohsen, was ridden to success in the Purebred Arabian Handicap 65-85 over 1400m by Abdulla Rashid al-Hajri.Injaaz Stud’s Rayyan Bu Thaila captured the Local Thoroughbred Graduation Plate title under Boudot, while Mister Linsou was the fastest in the Purebred Arabian Maiden Plate over 1400m for four-year-olds, giving trainer Hamad al-Jehani another success.Just A City Boy claimed the Thoroughbred Handicap 0-60 over 2200m for owner Alghazali Motors Racing and trainer Mohammed al-Ghazali, while Hardan set the tone in the opening Local Purebred Arabian Handicap 0-65 over 2200m, delivering for owner Maryam Abdulrahman al-Jaber and trainer Hadi al-Ramzani. RESULTS54th Al Uqda Race Meeting – Al Waab CupAl Waab Cup – Local Thoroughbred Handicap 50-70 (Class 3)Saida, Hamad al-Jehani, Saleh Faraj al-OtaibiPurebred Arabian Handicap 65-85 (Class 4)RB Hot Mess, Bader al-Balushi, Pierre Charles BoudotPurebred Arabian Handicap 65-85 (Class 4)Manjam, Zuhair Mohsen, Abdulla Rashid al-HajriLocal Thoroughbred Graduation Plate (Class 4)Rayyan Bu Thaila, Jihad El Ahmad, Pierre Charles BoudotPurebred Arabian Maiden Plate (4yo Only) (Class 6)Mister Linsou, Hamad al-Jehani, Pierre Charles BoudotThoroughbred Handicap 0-60 (Class 6)Just A City Boy, Mohammed al-Ghazali, Jefferson SmithLocal Purebred Arabian Handicap 0-65 (Class 6)Hardan, Hadi al-Ramzani, Pierre Charles Boudot Related Story Source link
The International Cricket Council has confirmed that Doha, Qatar, will host the next round of ICC Board and Committee meetings from 25-27 March 2026. The meetings will bring together ICC Board Directors, Chief Executives, Committee Members and senior leadership as part of the organisation’s ongoing governance calendar, providing an important opportunity to deliberate over key matters pertaining to the present and future of the global game. The decision to stage the meetings in Doha reflects the ICC’s growing engagement with cricket in Qatar and the country’s wider sporting ecosystem. The ICC’s support of and collaboration with the Qatar Cricket Association and Olympic Committee, Cricket in Qatar has fuelled remarkable progress for the sport in recent years. Since 2020, overall participation in cricket in Qatar has grown by an impressive 447%, driven largely by initiatives aimed at introducing the sport to new and younger audiences. Central to this growth has been cricket’s inclusion in the Qatar Olympic Committee’s School Olympic Programme, which has helped embed the game within schools across the country. More recently, the launch of ICC’s Criiio Cricket Festivals has further expanded cricket’s reach, with 287 school teams taking part in the previous edition and nearly 90% of participants experiencing cricket for the first time. The ICC sees this sustained progress as a strong example of how strategic partnerships and grassroots investment can accelerate the growth of the game in emerging markets, while also aligning with cricket’s growing global significance. Hosting the ICC’s Board and Committee meetings in Doha underlines Qatar’s increasing role within the international cricket community and provides a valuable opportunity to further strengthen the collaboration between the ICC, the Qatar Cricket Association and key national sporting stakeholders. Further details regarding the meetings will be shared in due course. Source link
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 21: Sebastian Korda of the United States returns a shot against Flavio Cobolli of Italy during their Men’s Singles Semifinals match…
Jacob Bridgeman of the United States lines up a putt on the 16th green during the third round of The Genesis Invitational 2026 at Riviera Country…