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Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui has announced the squad for the two friendly matches against Russia and Bahrain, as part of preparations for the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.Qatar will face Bahrain on September 3 at Al Thumama Stadium, before taking on Russia on September 7 at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. These matches continue the team’s preparation programme, which started with an abroad training camp in Austria last July.The squad saw little change from the one announced by Lopetegui in early July, except for the absence of captain Hassan al-Haydos and striker Almoez Ali due to injury.The Spanish coach recalled several names, including Al Rayyan goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada, Al Duhail defender Sultan al-Braik, and Al Wakrah defender Almahdi Ali, while excluding goalkeepers Marwan Sharif and Shehab Ellethy.The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had held the draw for the fourth round (continental playoff), which will be hosted in Doha, placing Qatar in Group A alongside the UAE and Oman.Qatar will begin its playoff campaign against Oman on October 8, before meeting the UAE on October 14, while Oman will face the UAE on October 11. Group B will be held in Saudi Arabia and includes the host nation along with Iraq and Indonesia.Qatar, the reigning two-time AFC Asian Cup champions, reached the playoff after finishing fourth in the third round with 13 points from 10 matches, behind Iran (23 points), Uzbekistan (21 points), and the UAE (15 points). Kyrgyzstan finished fifth with eight points, and North Korea sixth with three pointsQATAR SQUAD: Mahmoud Abunada, Meshaal Barsham, Salah Zakaria (goalkeepers), Abdulaziz Hatem, Ahmed al-Rawi, Ahmed Alaa, Ahmed al-Ganehi, Ahmed Fathy, Ahmed Suhail, Akram Afif, Almahdi Ali, Assim Madibo, Bassam al-Rawi, Boualem Khoukhi, Edmilson Junior, Guilherme Torres, Homam al-Amin, Ismail Mohammed, Jassim Jaber, Karim Boudiaf, Mohammed Mannai, Mohamed Khalid, Mohammed Muntari, Pedro Miguel, Sultan al-Brake, Tarek Salman.Meanwhile Bahrain head coach Dragan Talajic has called up under-17 player Hussain Zuhair and Al Ahli Club’s Sayed Mahdi Sharaf in the squad.Zuhair and Sharaf join a formidable Bahrain roster that already includes Mohammed Jassim Marhoon, Mohammed al-Rumaihi, Amine Benaddi, Waleed al-Hayyam, Abdulla al-Khalasi, Ahmed Dhiya, Sayed Mahmoud al-Mosawi, Ahmed Bughammar, Hamad Shamsan, Sayed Mahdi Baqer, Sayed Dhiya Saeed, Hussain al-Eker, Vincent Emmanuel, Hazza Ali, Hussain Jameel, Mahdi Humaidan, Ali Madan, Ahmed al-Sherooqi, Omar Saber, Jassim al-Shaikh, Komail al-Aswad, Abdulla al-Subaie, Hussain Abdulkarim, Mahdi Abduljabbar, Ebrahim al-Khattal, and goalkeepers Ebrahim Luthfallah, Mohammed al-Gharably, Abdulkarim al-Fardan and Yousef Habib.Bahrain will also play a friendly against the United Arab Emirates on September 8.

The Qatar Skydive Team of the Qatar Air Sports Committee of the Joint Special Forces, is participating in the FAI Outdoor World Cup 2025, currently underway in the Netherlands and continuing until September 3, with the participation of nine national teams.The Qatari team is competing in the championship with its 8-way formation team, recognized as one of the top global teams in the sport.The team holds the world record for the largest nighttime parachute formation and boasts a distinguished history of delivering impressive aerial formations and performances. The team has completed its preparations and is expected to achieve outstanding results during the championship.Representing the Qatari team in this championship are Abdullah Ahmed Al Hammadi, Salem Rashid Al Sunaid, Khalifa Saleh Al Ali, Ghanem Al Kubaisi, Bilal Al Hajjaji, Abdullah Abad Salem, Saad Al Ali, Mohammed Shams, and Saleh Al Muhannadi.The Qatari participation is anticipated to be strong and distinctive, especially given the significant attention air sports receive to consistently reflect Qatar’s high standards.Since 2008, Qatari air sports have achieved remarkable success through multiple participations in continental and global championships, earning numerous titles and accomplishments.This success is attributed to the generous support and continuous attention from the wise leadership, which has ensured the provision of all necessary resources to elevate the level of national teams and represent Qatar in the best possible way on the international stage.The State of Qatar places great importance, both officially and popularly, on parachuting sports, which have become a prominent feature in national and public celebrations, especially during the National Day celebrated annually on December 18.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has brought back centre-back Antonio Rudiger while dropping winger Leroy Sane in his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in September.The Germany coach was hit with a wave of injuries and is without forwards Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Tim Kleindienst, first-choice goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and defenders Nico Schlotterbeck and Benjamin Henrichs.The Germany coach named three newcomers in the 23-man squad, Eintracht Frankfurt defender Nnamdi Collins, Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen and midfielder Paul Nebel from Mainz.Sane, who has made 70 Germany appearances since making his debut in 2015, was left out of the first squad announced since he moved from Bayern Munich to Galatasaray in the summer.Rudiger has been called up for the first time since his outburst in the Spanish Cup final in May, when the Real Madrid centre-back threw an object at the referee while verbally abusing him.In May, Nagelsmann criticised Rudiger's behaviour, saying: "He knows this can't happen again, otherwise there will be very serious consequences."In an interview with Germany's Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Rudiger apologised for his "wrong and excessive" behaviour.In addition to Rudiger, Nagelsmann also recalled Stuttgart duo Angelo Stiller and Jamie Leweling, along with Mainz midfielder Nadiem Amiri.Dahmen, who is also eligible to represent England, comes into the squad to replace the injured Barcelona keeper ter Stegen.Germany face Slovakia in Bratislava on September 4 before hosting Northern Ireland three days later in Cologne.Germany must win their four-team group with Slovakia, Northern Ireland, and Luxembourg to guarantee qualification for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.Germany squadGoalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Finn Dahmen (Augsburg), Alexander Nuebel (Stuttgart)Defenders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nnamdi Collins (Eintracht Frankfurt), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstadt (Stuttgart), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid/ESP), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich)Midfielders: Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), Nadiem Amiri (Mainz), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Pascal Gross (Borussia Dortmund), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart), Paul Nebel (Mainz), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool/ENG)Forwards: Niclas Fuellkrug (West Ham/ENG), Nick Woltemade (Stuttgart)

Today marks two years to go for the start of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 in Qatar. The most prestigious Basketball tournament in the world will begin with the opening game on 27 August 2027 and will conclude with the final at Lusail Multipurpose Hall, in Lusail on 12 September 2027.On this occasion of this milestone the Local Organizing Committee confirms the four World Cup venues that will host the 92 games. The four venues are Lusail Multipurpose Hall, Duhail Sports Hall, Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena, Al Janoub, they will be renamed to Lusail Arena, Duhail Arena, Al Attiyah Arena and Al Janoub Arena respectively -just for the tournament- to ensure homogeneity.It will be the first time in the history of the Basketball World Cup that games will be played in a Football World Cup Stadium. Al Janoub will be converted to a Basketball Arena with its capacity exceeding the 8.000 spectators’ seats, honoring Qatar’s dedication to sustainability and continuing its legacy, connecting the two great sporting events.FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027 Director General, President of Qatar Basketball Federation and Member of the FIBA Foundation, Mohammed Saad Al-Meghaiseeb said: “Two years ago, Qatar won the bid to host the Fiba Basketball World Cup in 2027. It is a great honor and responsibility to deliver the best World Cup in the history, as well as to continue the legacy of our country in organizing successful sporting events.Three of our venues are ready and we are working on one of the most distinguished projects in the history of our sport to transform a Football Stadium into a Basketball Arena. Al Janoub Arena will be the pinnacle of our efforts. Our main goal for the next two years is to continue to raise awareness and to leave a legacy for the game of Basketball both in Qatar and the whole Mena region. Exactly in two years, Qatar will welcome fans from all over the world. I can assure you that the members of the Local Organizing Committee, all our stakeholders and with the continuous support of the government Qatar will be ready to deliver an unforgettable experience to the Basketball world”.To celebrate this 2 Years to Go milestone FIBA with the support of the FBWC Qatar 2027 LOC has launched a fans registration website, to declare their interest and stay connected with all tournament updates, including early ticketing information.

Cristiano Ronaldo delivered the Club Championship Trophy for Prince Mohammed bin Salman to present to Team FalconsThe Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has announced the conclusion of the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC 2025) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Team Falcons claimed the Club Championship Trophy and the $7 million grand prize. The award was presented to Musaad AlDossar, CEO of Team Falcons, by Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, with international icon Cristiano Ronaldo delivering the trophy to the stage in a memorable Closing Ceremony.After seven weeks of fierce competition that came down to the final weekend of play, Team Falcons amassed 5,200 points across 22 tournaments, including victories in Overwatch 2 and top finishes in Dota 2, Chess, PUBG BATTLEGROUNDS, Rocket League and Counter-Strike 2. Team Liquid (4,200 points), Team Vitality (4,050 points), Twisted Minds (3,200 points) and Virtus.pro (3,200 points) rounded out the top five of the final Club Championship ranking.Heading into the final two weeks of competition, seven Clubs were still in contention, as only 1500 points separated 1st and 7th place. The race narrowed to five contenders after Week 6, and Team Falcons sealed the Club Championship in Week 7 when Team Liquid’s Street Fighter 6 player Alan "Nephew" Sun was eliminated, ending Team Liquid’s hopes of overtaking them.Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation said: “With the unwavering support of our leadership and the continuous guidance from Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Esports World Cup has once again showcased the transformative impact of esports and the pivotal role this industry now plays in cultures and societies across the globe. The organizational success of the tournament’s second edition reflects the Kingdom’s ability to host and manage the world’s largest events at the highest standards, while embodying the progress of the National Gaming and Esports Strategy. I extend my congratulations to Team Falcons on their outstanding achievement.”The EWC 2025 set new viewership records in its second year, recording 750 million viewers – with a peak of 7.98 million viewers during Gen.G Esports’ dominant victory in Week 2’s League of Legends tournament – and 350 million hours watched, outperforming 2024’s inaugural event across the board. The competition and festival also drew 3 million visitors to Riyadh’s Boulevard City, topping last summer’s 2.6 million. During the event period (July 4 – August 24), Riyadh also welcomed an estimated 300,000 international tourists, a 7.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024, further underscoring the city’s growing appeal as a global destination for esports, entertainment, and culture.Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said: “The Esports World Cup has once again raised the bar, showing that it stands among the largest sports properties in the world. 2025 wasn’t just about more games, more Clubs, or even a record $70+ million prize pool: it was about purpose. From players chasing their dreams to Clubs building sustainable futures, from publishers reaching new audiences to fans rallying on a global stage, the EWC is delivering real impact. Team Falcons embodied that spirit with consistency and fire across so many titles. After just two years, the Esports World Cup is no longer a bold idea; it’s the foundation of a global sport. And in 2026, we’ll take it even further, together.”Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation said:“The Esports World Cup 2025 has been nothing short of extraordinary, and the Club Championship finale this past weekend provided a thrilling conclusion to an unforgettable event. Congratulations to Team Falcons, whose back-to-back victories have set a new benchmark for excellence in competitive esports. Bringing together the world’s top teams in state-of-the-art arenas, the Esports World Cup continues to showcase the very best of global esports talent and innovation. Beyond the competition, we are committed to strengthening our strategic partnerships, collaborating with leading publishers, brands and creators – building groundbreaking opportunities that will shape the future of the industry. This is just the beginning. As esports continues to grow, we remain dedicated to elevating the experience for players, fans, and the wider community.”EWC 2025 featured over 2,000 players from 100 countries and 200 Clubs, competing across 25 tournaments. A total prize pool of more than $70 million — the largest prize pool in esports history – was awarded, including $27 million for the Club Championship, which was allocated across the top 24 finishers.From start to finish, the event showcased elite play and the very best of esports, as legends rose and new stars were born. Magnus Carlsen brought the intensity of world championship chess to the EWC stage, winning the inaugural event. Rasyah “Rasyah” Rasyid, just 15 years old, became the youngest MVP in EWC history, proving that greatness knows no age. Joona “serral” Sotala delivered a masterclass in dominance, cementing his status as the greatest to ever touch StarCraft II. And Manuel “ManuBachoore” Bachoore made history once again, becoming the first-ever two-time EA FC world champion, leading Team Liquid to a record-breaking three-title run.The stage came alive at EWFC 2025, where Post Malone and DINO of SEVENTEEN headlined an Opening Ceremony that marked the start of nine concerts produced with the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and MDLBEAST.EWC 2025 blurred the lines between sport, culture, and entertainment, featuring Ronaldo, Carlsen, Tony Hawk, Lando Norris, Gerard Piqué, Ronaldo Nazário, Kaká, Alisha Lehmann, Nick Kyrgios, David Harbour, Gabe Basso, Daniel Sturridge, creators like the Sidemen, and even a rare appearance by game creator Hideo Kojima.EWC Spotlight, a new global broadcast production, turned the EWC into a weekly spectacle, showcasing these global celebrities on one stage, while bringing the passion of the live crowd to audiences everywhere. In total, 7,000 hours of live content were produced, second only to the 2024 Paris Olympics, across more than 800 channels and 97 broadcast partners, reaching fans around the world in 35 languages.The Esports World Cup will return to Riyadh from July 6 - August 23, 2026 for its third edition.