Browsing: Sports
In the Junior Champions 120cm class, Khalid Jassim al-Suwaidi delivered an outstanding performance to claim victory aboard E.T’s QueenyZ in 44.77 seconds. He also secured second…
Qatar players drew warm reception from fans during the open training session in Santa Barbara, California. Qatar’s FIFA World Cup preparations gathered pace in Santa Barbara, California, where the two-time Asian Champions combined intensive training with a chance to connect with supporters during an open training session. The lively event attracted local residents, students and members of the Qatari community, creating a festive atmosphere as fans watched Julen Lopetegui’s squad continue their build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins on June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The national team will complete its preparations today when it faces El Salvador at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles in its final friendly before the tournament. The match is expected to provide Lopetegui with a final opportunity to settle on his starting lineup ahead of Qatar’s opening World Cup fixture against Switzerland on June 13 in San Francisco. Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui signs autographs for fans. Qatar have been training in Santa Barbara following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Ireland in Dublin last month. The camp has focused on fine-tuning tactics and integrating several new faces, with 12 players in the 26-man squad set to make their World Cup debuts. After their opening fixture against Switzerland, Qatar will then face co-hosts Canada in Vancouver on June 18 before concluding their Group B campaign against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on June 24. After making their World Cup debut as hosts in 2022, Qatar are aiming to go beyond the group stage for the first time and secure a place in the knockout rounds. The friendly against El Salvador is viewed as a crucial final test as Al Annabi seek both confidence and momentum before the biggest challenge in international football. …
Qatar defender Pedro Miguel signs autographs for children in Sana Barbara, California, yesterday. Qatar take on El Salvador during an international friendly today in what will…
Clubs whose players go to the World Cup, or appeared in qualifying, will receive increased compensation this summer, FIFA, the governing body of world football, announced on Friday.FIFA said it had increased the amount of money in its Club Benefits Programme to $355 million (306m euros). It had already announced last September that it planned this increase of 70 percent from the amount distributed for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.While FIFA does not give total revenue figures for the World Cup, it estimates that its total revenue this year will be 56 percent up on 2022, and for the four years to 2026, a period which includes an enlarged Club World Cup in 2025, it will have taken in 72 per cent more than in the previous cycle.On the other hand, this World Cup is bigger. The field is increased from 36 teams to 48, the number of matches will rise from 64 to 104 and the competition will stretch over 39 days, against 29 last time.Furthermore, clubs will be compensated for appearances in World Cup qualifying for the first time.The total fund is divided into three parts.A total of $250 million is reserved for compensation for players at the finals. FIFA calculated that the minimum payment per player will be $5,000 per day spent at the World Cup, “although the final figures will be confirmed after the conclusion of the tournament”.These payments, FIFA said, “will be calculated on a per-player, per-day basis, taking into account both squad inclusion and the duration of each player’s involvement”.Another $100 million is earmarked for qualifiers.FIFA calculates it will pay $2,362 for each player in a match-day squad for the 905 qualifying games and for 10 friendlies for each of the three host nations, which did not need to qualify.The remaining $5 million will pay administrative costs with any balance “allocated to the benefit of global club football”.”This is another benefit from the expanded FIFA World Cup – providing more support across the entire football ecosystem to the clubs that provide all the players who compete to shine on the global stage,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the press release explaining the programme.The payments are based on a player’s club registration when squads are announced but there are provisions for players who switch clubs during the tournament and for replacement players. Related Story Source link
Alexander Zverev moved to within touching distance of a long-coveted maiden Grand Slam title, as the German fought past 26th seed Jakub Mensik 7-5 6-2 3-6 6-3 on Friday to reach the French Open final again.The 29-year-old, who has lost three major finals, including one at Roland Garros two years ago, has been sharp throughout in Paris this time and faces the winner of the all-Italian clash between 10th seed Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Arnaldi.’I knew that it would be my toughest challenge. I managed it and I won, so I'm happy,’ said Zverev, who became only the fifth active player to reach multiple Roland Garros title clashes.’It's amazing the way he (Mensik) played these last two weeks, he beat so many unbelievable players. He started playing amazing in the third set, stepping up his level, but this is a Grand Slam with best-of-five-set matches.’Things happen and your opponents will play better. You have to deal with it. I hope to play another great match on Sunday.’A tight opening set on a sun-kissed Court Philippe Chatrier tilted Zverev's way when he struck a backhand crosscourt winner in the 11th game to bring up a break point, and he nudged ahead with a delicate shot that Mensik sent into the net.The world number three sent down a powerful ace to pocket the first set and asserted himself with an early break at the start of the second set, as the 20-year-old Mensik's level briefly dipped in his maiden Grand Slam semi-final.Mensik sat with a towel over his head during a changeover and his troubles deepened after the restart, when Zverev took his game up a few notches and sealed a double break, before comfortably doubling his lead in the match.After a long medical timeout for a neck issue, Czech Mensik mixed his booming serve with deft drop shots to break for a 4-2 lead en route to winning the third set, but Zverev powered through the next with no drama to prevail. Source link
If the French Open women's final appears on paper to be a mismatch between a teenage prodigy and an unheralded qualifier, Poland's Maja Chwalinska has spent the past fortnight proving appearances can be deceiving.Russian eighth seed Mirra Andreeva arrives at Saturday's showpiece as the overwhelming favourite after bulldozing her way through the draw, dropping only 12 games in her last three matches and looking every inch a future Grand Slam champion.Yet across the net will stand a player whose improbable run has become one of the stories of the tournament.Chwalinska travelled to Paris ranked 114th in the world and had to win three qualifying matches to reach the main draw. Nine victories later, the 24-year-old finds herself one win away from one of the most unlikely Grand Slam titles of the Open Era.Andreeva, who reached the Roland Garros semi-finals as a 17-year-old two years ago, believes her growing maturity has helped transform her from a precocious talent into a genuine title contender.’I'm getting closer, I'm getting older, a little bit more mature every match I play, a little bit more experienced,’ Andreeva told reporters.’So I think that now I'm able to approach every match differently and try to really focus on the opponent that I'm going to play against and the game plan that I'm going to have to use on the court.’The Russian's relentless baseline power and ability to dictate rallies have overwhelmed opponents throughout the tournament and she has looked increasingly comfortable with the expectations that accompany her rapid rise.But Chwalinska offers a completely different challenge. CHWALINSKA CAPTIVATES SPECTATORSIn an era dominated by power hitters, the left-handed Pole has captivated spectators with a game built on variety, touch and tactical intelligence.Against Russian Diana Shnaider in the semi-finals, Chwalinska struck 33 winners while committing only 17 unforced errors in more than two hours on court.She repeatedly disrupted the rhythm of the match with drop shots, mixed heavy spin with precise angles and ventured to the net whenever opportunities arose.Her performances have earned rave reviews from some of the sport's biggest names.’What fascinates me about Chwalinska's game is her creativity, her joy for playing, her feel for the ball,’ six-times Grand Slam champion Boris Becker said after her semi-final victory.’Tennis can still be played, not just worked at. Nobody demonstrated that better than Chwalinska today.’The German great believes the Pole deserves her place on the biggest stage.’Nothing against Shnaider, who also had a great tournament, but I think the right player is in the final.’Former world number one and three-times French Open champion Mats Wilander has been equally impressed.’She played so intelligently. It's very refreshing to see someone with this style of play,’ the Swede said.’Most players rely primarily on power, but Chwalinska uses spin, drop shots and understands the game incredibly well.’Only one qualifier had previously reached a Grand Slam final in the Open Era – Emma Raducanu at the 2021 US Open, a tournament the Briton went on to win. Source link
India coach Gautam Gambhir told struggling Rishabh Pant on Friday to stick to his natural attacking game after removing him as vice-captain for the one-off Test against Afghanistan.KL Rahul will be Shubman Gill's deputy for the match starting on Saturday in New Chandigarh in place of Pant.Wicketkeeper-batsman Pant has scored 3,476 runs at an average of 42.91 in 49 Test matches, since his debut in England in August 2018.But the 28-year-old stepped down as captain of Lucknow Super Giants last week, the team having finished last in the IPL.The usually flamboyant Test match star scored just 312 runs from 14 innings in this year's IPL, at a strike rate of 138.05.’The responsibility is to play for India – the rest, everything else, is a by-product,’ Gambhir told reporters on the eve of the Test.’When you start playing for India, you don't think about being a vice-captain. You think about doing good for India.’Gambhir said that no player is told to ‘play a completely different game than his natural game’.’We will not tell him to 'curb your game', but in international cricket, it is very important to play the situation, to read the situation,’ Gambhir added.Gambhir's Test record as India coach is unimpressive with 10 defeats, seven wins and two draws in 19 matches.India suffered a 2-0 defeat to South Africa at home in November in their most recent Test outing.They were also whitewashed in 2024 by New Zealand on home soil. COACH TAKING POSITIVESGambhir is taking positives though from the 2-2 Test series draw in England last year, and performances against the West Indies.India won 2-0 at home in October.’We all know how well this young team played in England, and then we won against West Indies,’ he said, admitting that the South Africa series still ‘hurts’.’These are young boys,’ he said. ‘I think we have got enough talent to turn it around, and I am very hopeful that we will give ourselves the best chance to win the World Test Championship.’The match is not part of the World Test Championship cycle, but is a key game for Afghanistan who played their debut five-day game in India in 2018.Afghanistan, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, have since played 12 Tests and won four.’We're fully focused on this Test match,’ coach Richard Pybus said.’Our focus is on, cliche as it sounds, is really our control – it's what we need to do.’ Source link
Nepal have qualified for the men’s cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games. Nepal, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Oman have qualified for the men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games, set to be held in Japan in September and October.Nepal and Malaysia finished top of Group A in the qualifying tournament in Singapore, while Hong Kong and Oman led Group B.With Qatar withdrawing from Group A before the start of the tournament, Nepal secured top spot after winning both their matches, while Malaysia qualified with victory over China in their opening fixture.Hong Kong and Oman remained unbeaten in Group B and will face off to decide the semi-final matchups, with the winner taking on Malaysia and the loser meeting Nepal.They will join Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, who qualified automatically as Asia’s Full Member nations, along with hosts Japan.The men’s competition will begin on September 24, with the final scheduled for October 3. Related Story Source link
Pakistan players pose with the trophy after winning the third One Day International against Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on June 4, 2026. (AFP)…
In the Al Shaqab Champions 140cm class, Canada’s Rami Younis claimed victory aboard Mauran S with a faultless round in 72.62 seconds. The Al Shaqab Showjumping League Finals began at the Longines Indoor Arena yesterday, bringing together riders from across the region for the decisive three-day conclusion to the season. In Al Shaqab Champions 140cm class, Canada’s Rami Younis claimed victory aboard Mauran S with a faultless round in 72.62 seconds. Qatar’s Sultan Salem al-Naemi finished second on Gannan de La Luce in 76.09 seconds, while Abdulrahman Mohammed al-Saaq secured third place riding Curt Lele in 77.74 seconds. Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Alasaker placed fourth aboard Cassiano II with four faults in 68.09 seconds, while Qatar’s Ibrahim Yousef Almahmoud completed the top five on Qataro van het Texelhof with four faults in 73.70 seconds. Ahmed Khaled al-Hemaidi, Legacy and Heritage Specialist at Al Shaqab, presented the awards to the podium winners. Khalid Sanad al-Nuaimi,…