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Brazil and Portugal headline today’s FIFA U-17 World Cup semi-finals in Doha, a meeting of two continental champions with everything on the line. The match kicks off at 7:00pm at Aspire Zone.Portugal continue their chase for a first-ever U-17 world title, while Brazil look to edge closer to a record-equalling fifth trophy.Portugal’s creative spark Mateus Mide remains central to their hopes, with four goals and two assists so far. Intelligent, sharp and decisive in tight spaces, he was on target again in the 2-0 quarter-final win over Switzerland. Brazil, however, lean on the tournament’s most feared finisher: Dell, whose power and precision have drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland.His brace against Morocco took him to five goals, firmly placing him in the Golden Boot race.Brazil will have to cope without suspended trio Vitor Hugo, Luis Eduardo and Arthur Ryan, though coach Dudu Patetuci brings experience – he was assistant coach during Brazil’s 2019 triumph. His counterpart, Bino, carries history of his own, having been part of Portugal’s squad the last time they reached this stage back in 1989.**media[385330]**Austria vs Italy Earlier at 4:30pm, Austria and Italy meet in a showdown between two teams that have won all six of their matches so far – an unprecedented run that has brought both nations to the brink of their first U-17 World Cup final.Austria’s talisman Johannes Moser has taken Qatar 2025 by storm with six goals, making him joint-top scorer.Captain Jakub Pokorny couldn’t hide his admiration, calling Moser “just incredible... like something I haven’t seen before.” Their momentum is fierce, having swept past England before surviving a gruelling quarter-final against Japan. “It was the toughest match we ever played in our lives,” Pokorny admitted. “Japan is a very good team... but we are together and I feel like nobody can stop us.**media[385331]**I think we can go all the way.”Italy, disciplined and composed, have been anchored by captain Luca Reggiani, a defender who has put in three consecutive Player-of-the-Match displays in the knockout rounds. Calm and commanding, he is Italy’s heartbeat. Suspensions, however, hit both sides: Ifeanyi Ndukwe for Austria and David Marini for Italy. “We know that they are a very good team,” Reggiani said. “The fact that they are in the semi-finals says it all.But we’re going to work hard to prepare... and keep pushing ourselves. We’re really looking forward to it.” Austria are also chasing national history - no Austrian team, at any age level, has ever reached a World Cup final. Italy bring their own storylines too, including the background of rising star Samuele Inacio, whose Brazilian father Pia played professionally for clubs such as Atalanta, Napoli and Torino.Today’s winners will advance to Thursday’s final at Khalifa International Stadium, setting the stage for one more chapter in a tournament that has already delivered drama, discovery and a new generation of global stars.

The Round of 16 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar promises another thrilling day, headlined by tournament heavyweights Brazil and France clashing at the Aspire Zone in Doha. Their meeting is one of the most eagerly awaited clashes of the competition, with Brazil arriving in confident mood after showing remarkable resilience — playing over 80 minutes with ten men against Paraguay before ultimately prevailing on penalties. Last edition’s runners-up France also had to work hard to overcome Colombia, and now hope to claim what would be their third victory over South American opposition at these finals. Italy enter the next stage with growing confidence following a controlled win over Czech Republc, having conceded only once so far. They now face Uzbekistan, who recovered impressively after conceding a late equaliser to Croatia, ultimately booking their place through penalties. Uganda’s remarkable debut World Cup run also continues, as they prepare for a tough all-African contest against Burkina Faso. The Burkinabe arrive with high momentum after eliminating reigning champions Germany. Coach Oscar Barro said: “Uganda have made it to the Round of 16, which shows what a quality side they are, so we need to prepare accordingly. We played them in a friendly match, but every team has changed its style and appearance since then.” **media[383124]** Mexico remain one of the most dramatic stories of the tournament, with goalkeeper Santiago Lopez scoring the decisive penalty against Argentina. They next face Portugal, whose attacking threat is led by the tournament’s top scorer, Anisio Cabral. Switzerland continue their impressive unbeaten streak at U-17 World Cups and face a confident Republic of Ireland side embracing their first-ever appearance. Switzerland coach Luigi Pisino said: “They’re a team we know well. They have an impressive system and outstanding individual talents. This is the kind of match that makes a World Cup special.” North Korea meet Japan in an all-Asian showdown featuring the creativity of Kim Yu-jin against Japan’s strong defensive unit and standout goalkeeper Shuji Muramatsu. Austria, one of the tournament’s most efficient teams, challenge an England side growing stronger with each match. After England’s win over South Korea, captain Seth Ridgeon said: “We’re building momentum and improving with each round.” Morocco complete the lineup after a dramatic late comeback against the USA, setting up an all-African battle with Mali, who advanced by defeating Zambia.

The Years of Culture initiative unveiled the next stage of its global collaboration with Formula One (F1) driver Pierre Gasly of the BWT Alpine F1 Team: a new racing helmet designed by acclaimed Brazilian illustrator and street artist Fernando Chamarelli, inspired by the legacy of the Qatar-Brazil 2014 Year of Culture.Uniting art and sport on a global stage, Gasly is debuting two new helmet designs at Grand Prix races in The Netherlands and Brazil, each created in partnership with artists inspired by the mission of Years of Culture to build dialogue and mutual understanding through cross-cultural exchange. Transforming one of F1's most visible symbols, this partnership engages fans worldwide through the creative visions of artists from diverse international backgrounds.Chamarelli explained that the falcon is the main symbolic figure, representing Qatar's strength and culture. The colours of the Brazilian flag are woven throughout the design, merging with the maroon tone of Qatar's flag to create harmony between both nations. The shapes evoke the dunes of the Qatari desert and the green of the Brazilian rainforest, symbolising the connection between nature and land. Indigenous patterns and the sun represent energy and life, culminating in a colourful composition that celebrates the union of two cultures through art and symbolism.Pierre Gasly said: "Racing is a global stage that brings people and cultures together. Partnering with Years of Culture allows me to share the creativity and stories of artists from around the world. Each helmet I wear carries a piece of that dialogue."Gasly debuted the first helmet of the series on Aug. 31 at Circuit Zandvoort in The Netherlands. Created by Dutch artist Johan Moorman, the design reinterpreted Amsterdam's iconic façades and the palettes of the Dutch and French flags, integrating Gasly's personal heritage into the motif. Since its inception in 2012, Years of Culture has built lasting bridges between Qatar and nations across the world, building understanding through creativity, dialogue, and collaboration.

At least 18 suspects and several police officers were killed Tuesday during a massive anti-drug raid in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian authorities said."So far, we have 56 arrests and 18 criminals neutralized," Rio State Governor Claudio Castro told a press conference.He described the operation, which involved 2,500 officers and targeted a suspected drug-trafficking ring at a favela in Rio, as the "largest in the history" of the state.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva warned Tuesday that "anti-democratic forces" were seeking to subjugate institutions after he was targeted by an alleged coup plot orchestrated by his predecessor.Former president Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years imprisonment earlier this month for his role in a botched coup bid after his 2022 election loss to leftist Lula.US President Donald Trump, who was to speak after Lula, has viciously attacked Brazil for pursuing far-right Bolsonaro and his son, ramping up economic sanctions and visa bans in retaliation."Throughout the world, anti-democratic forces are trying to subjugate institutions and stifle freedoms," he said at the UN's signature diplomatic week.Trump has heaped pressure on Brazil over what he termed a "witch hunt" against his longtime ally, imposing a 50 percent tariff in July on a variety of Brazilian products that took effect last month."Brazil sent a message to all aspiring autocrats and those who support them -- our democracy, our sovereignty, are non-negotiable," Lula told the UN General Assembly just before Trump addressed the assembly.Brazil's chief prosecutor charged Eduardo Bolsonaro on Monday over his lobbying for US sanctions in a bid to sway the outcome of the coup trial against his father.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week vowed further action to pressure Brazil over the conviction.On Monday, the Treasury Department announced it was freezing the assets and visa of Moraes's wife Viviane Barci de Moraes and Lex, a firm linked to the family.Rubio accused de Moraes of acting to "weaponize courts, authorize arbitrary pre-trial detentions, and suppress freedom of expression."The Brazilian government previously condemned an "undue interference in Brazilian internal affairs," saying the measures had been justified by "falsehoods.""Brazil will not bow to this further aggression."De Moraes said the sanctions against his wife were "illegal and deplorable."Also on Monday, Attorney General Jorge Messias said he had been the target of "unjust aggression," responding to media reports his US visa had been revoked.Messias said the latest measures "exacerbate an unreasonable set of unilateral actions, completely incompatible with the peaceful and harmonious conduct of diplomatic and economic relations built over 200 years between the two countries."