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Defending champions Algeria face Sudan in the FIFA Arab Cup at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium today in a tough Group D that also includes Iraq and Bahrain, making it one of the most difficult groups in the tournament. Both sides will be targeting a crucial opening victory that could significantly shape the qualification race. Algeria arrive in Qatar as reigning champions under coach Madjid Bougherra, who has retained the core of the squad that featured in the African Nations Championship (CHAN). The team has been strengthened by several new additions, which gives Bougherra’s lineup added depth as they seek to defend the title they won in 2021. Central to Algeria’s campaign is Al Gharafa playmaker Yacine Brahimi, whose creativity and sharp movement in the final third make him one of the standout figures of the competition. The squad also includes influential names such as Amir Sayoud, Sofiane Bendebka and veteran striker Islam Slimani. Speaking at a press conference Tuesday, Bougherra highlighted his side’s strong preparation and stressed the importance of making a confident start. He acknowledged Sudan’s quality, saying: “Thursday’s match will be difficult because Sudan possess strong technical and physical qualities.” He noted that both teams already know each other well, having met recently at the CHAN. Bougherra also pointed to the competitiveness of the Arab Cup, citing Syria’s victory over Tunisia and Palestine’s win against Qatar on Monday as examples of the narrow margins between teams. He urged his players to remain fully focused, adding that the match “requires fighting spirit and composure in key moments.” Sudan enter the group stage with momentum after defeating Lebanon 2–1 last week in the playoffs to secure qualification. Their squad features a balanced mix of domestic players and professionals from African and Arab leagues, including Bakheet Khamis, Mohamed Abdelrahman, Abu Aqla Abdullah and goalkeeper Munjid al-Nil. Under Ghanaian coach Kwesi Appiah, Sudan rely on defensive organisation and quick counter-attacks in an effort to unsettle the Algerian back line. Appiah said he expects a disciplined and competitive performance from his players. “We are aiming for a strong start against one of the strongest teams in the tournament,” he said. “Such matches are a real test of our ambitions.” Sudan also take confidence from their most recent meeting with Algeria, a penalty shoot-out victory in August during the CHAN.Jordan, UAE set for evenly matched clash At Al Bayt Stadium, Jordan and the UAE will open their Group C campaigns in a closely watched encounter between two teams that have made notable strides in recent years. The group also includes Egypt and Kuwait. Jordan, ranked 66th in the world, enter their tenth Arab Cup appearance with renewed ambition following a historic run to the AFC Asian Cup final in 2023 and their first-ever qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Coach Jamal Sellami leads a squad featuring key players such as striker Yazan al-Naimat, goalkeeper Yazeed Abu Laila, Mahmoud Mardi and Ali Alwan. However, the team will be without several important names due to club commitments, including France-based winger Musa al-Taamari and defender Yazan al-Arab. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Sellami expressed belief in his squad’s ability to compete at the highest level despite the absences. “We came to Doha with great ambition, seeking to reach the later stages and contend for the title,” he said. “Our focus is solely on the first match, which will not be easy against a UAE side that performed strongly in the World Cup qualifiers.” He added that confidence remains high following Jordan’s World Cup qualification. “Despite missing six key players, we have great trust in the rest of the group to deliver a high-level performance,” he said. The UAE, led by experienced Romanian coach Cosmin Olaroiu, are making their third appearance in the Arab Cup and hope to challenge for a podium finish for the first time. The team reached the quarter-finals in 2021 and impressed in parts during the recent World Cup qualifying campaign, though they exited after a narrow playoff defeat to Iraq. Olaroiu praised Jordan’s rise in recent years and acknowledged the challenge his side faces. “Jordan have been performing at an amazing level, reaching the Asian Cup final and qualifying for the World Cup,” he said. “But we are ready for this challenge.” He added that the UAE have put their elimination behind them. “We performed very well against Iraq and were the better side in both matches, but luck was not on our side. Our confidence has not been shaken.” The UAE will rely on key performers such as goalkeeper Khalid Eisa, Ali Saleh, Yahya al-Ghassani and Caio Lucas as they look to start their campaign strongly. 

The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ marks historic firsts for five nations making their World Cup debuts: Uganda, El Salvador, Fiji, Ireland and Zambia. For these teams, the first 48-team edition of the tournament provides the ideal stage to announce themselves on the youth football landscape. Uganda's participation, in particular, represents a historic moment for the nation, as they are competing in their first-ever FIFA tournament at any level. The team secured their spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ following their qualification through the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2025 and a playoff victory over Gambia. "It's every teenager's dream to compete in this tournament. Football means everything to me. Whenever I step onto the pitch, I forget every problem I have. I've been playing football since I was a kid, and until now, I still love to play football. I want to go far in my footballing career to help my family and my community," said right back Elvis Torach. For Coach Elcambio Ssenyondo, leading his team in Qatar represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: "Since they were born, these young boys dream to play on the world's biggest stage, which is the U-17 World Cup. Platforms like these allow young players to showcase their talents so they can get the attention of bigger clubs. It also provides them the competitive experience necessary to progress to the highest levels of the game.” Despite falling 2-1 against Canada, the East African nation achieved a historic milestone: Uganda's first-ever goal scored at a FIFA tournament. In their second match of the tournament, the team drew 1-1 against Chile, and is now set to face France on 11 November, at 3:30pm at the Bader Bilal pitch. “Me and my teammates are not afraid of anything. We are physically and mentally prepared for any challenge coming ahead," said Torach. **media[380453]** “We are facing worthy opponents, but we have the grit, the hunger and zeal to take them on. We are here now and we want to enjoy it as far as we can,” added Coach Ssenyondo. As the first FIFA World Cup™ to feature 48 teams, this is the biggest-ever edition of the youth tournament that saw the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Luis Figo, Xavi Hernandez, Eden Hazard, Andres Iniesta, Neymar, Ronaldinho, Son Heung-min and Francesco Totti appear on the world stage for the first time. A total of 104 matches are being contested across eight pitches in the Aspire Zone Competition Complex, culminating in the Final on 27 November at Khalifa International Stadium. This marks the first of five consecutive youth tournaments that Qatar will host through 2029. For FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ tickets and tournament information, visit www.roadtoqatar.qa. For all tournament related updates, follow @u17worldcupqa on all major social media platforms.

Hosts Qatar kept their qualification hopes alive with a draw 1-1 against South Africa at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar Thursday, while Argentina, Italy and Portugal secured their passage to the knockout stage. At the Mansour Muftah in Aspire Zone, Qatar and South Africa battled out a tense draw which moved Bafana Bafana into a strong position and kept the hosts’ hopes of progression well and truly alive. Qatar got off to a dream start when Yazan Mohamed arrowed a low shot into the bottom corner. Emile Witbooi, outstanding throughout, soon pulled South Africa level with a fine header. Clear chances then proved hard to come by and the sides were forced to settle for a share of the points.This draw gives Qatar, who lost 1-0 to Italy in their opening match, one point and keeps their hopes of advancing to the Round of 32 alive. South Africa, who defeated Bolivia 3-1 in their first match, now have four points. Qatar will face Bolivia in their final group stage match on Sunday.Bolivia 0-4 ItalyItaly swept aside Bolivia to make it back-to-back Group A victories and progress to the knockout stages. Simone Lontani’s smart finish put them in front, before Samuele Inacio’s unstoppable strike doubled their advantage. Substitute Destiny Elimoghale burst clear to score the Italians’ third. Inacio and Bolivia’s Jesus Maraude then failed to convert penalties, before Fabio Pandolfi slotted a late fourth.Portugal 6-0 MoroccoPortugal stayed perfect and booked their spot in the knockouts with a routine win. Joao Aragao got the ball rolling with a low drive, before Anisio Cabral rifled in a second. Mateus Mide helped himself to a brace, including a penalty, before the interval. Jose Neto quickly added another after the break, and duly headed in for his second on the hour to complete the scoring.Japan 0-0 New CaledoniaNicolas Kutran’s astounding reflexes earned the Pacific Islanders an unforeseen point. With Jelani Ren Mcghee and Minato Yoshida sparkling, Nozomi Hiroyama’s Young Samurai Blue had 18 shots in the first half, but the New Caledonia goalkeeper made excellent saves with both legs. After the break, Kutran exasperated McGhee with his fingertips, while Yoshida’s overhead kick skimmed the crossbar as Japan ran out of time. Group CUnited Arab Emirates 0-3 CroatiaCroatia dominated from start to finish as they cruised past United Arab Emirates. A high line of pressure resulted in the first goal, with Gabrijel Sivalec blocking a pass and the ball deflecting into the path of Tino Kusanovic, who swept home for the opener. Sivalec then doubled the advantage by cutting off an attempted clearance and curling a right-footed shot into net.UAE played with more purpose in the second stanza, but the night belonged to Croatia, and a header from Kresimir Rados in the final minutes served as the exclamation point.Senegal 1-0 Costa RicaSenegal continued their unbeaten start thanks to Alwaly Camara's early strike. In the eighth minute, Etienne Mendy picked up the ball on the left wing and squared it neatly to Camara who powered home his effort. Costa Rica, for their part, struggled to make any impact to leave their qualification hopes in the balance.Argentina 1-0 TunisiaFor the second game in a row, Facundo Jainikoski emerged from the bench to inspire Argentina to victory. The South Americans have now secured their passage to the knockout stages.After an even opening period, Diego Placente turned to his No18 to change the game. Just as he did against Belgium, he scored within ten minutes of entering the fray. Bearing down on the Tunisia goal, the Argentinos Juniors forward let fly and found the bottom corner. He almost doubled his money soon after, only to see a rasping drive cannon off the crossbar.Fiji 0-7 BelgiumRene Mitongo scored a fantastic four as Belgium got their campaign up and running with a comprehensive victory over Fiji, who are now eliminated. The Europeans took control of the game from the outset, scoring twice in the opening nine minutes through a Noah Fernandez free-kick and Pablo Capilla Rivera strike. Fernandez then turned provider as he set up Mitongo, who tapped the ball into the empty net. Loic Alvarez made it four thanks to a brilliant individual effort before Mitingo scored his second just before the break. Both sides were then reduced to ten men with Belgium's August de Wannemacker and Teimana Goundar given their marching orders. Mitongo scored two late goals to seal the rout and stake his early claim for the Golden Boot.What they said...“I cannot describe how it feels to score! I am just so glad to be here with my team-mates. I am the youngest one and they make me feel good in the team. That gives me a lot of confidence.”Destiny Elimoghale, Italy goalscorer"This was a different game, against a good team. We started strong, created a little anxiety on their team, because they knew that losing could cost their qualification, and we played with that."Bino Macaes, Portugal coach"I think we gave 100 per cent as a team in this match. Personally, there were moments where I feel I could have done more, but this really reminded us that at the World Cup, if you don’t finish your chances, the game becomes very difficult. If we win the next match against Portugal, we advance from the group stage. So this time, I want to be the one to score and lead Japan to victory."Minato Yoshida, Japan forward"A happy coach, but above all a happy coaching staff, delighted to see our young players capable of surpassing themselves and giving their all throughout a match against a team like Japan. We knew our young players were capable of competing and trying to match the level of these great nations. But the uncertainty was about how long they could do it for. Against Portugal, we managed to hold out for one half and then we collapsed physically. This time, we managed to hold out for the whole match, keep a clean sheet and snatch a point from the draw without conceding a goal. It's a real achievement for us."Leonardo Lopez, New Caledonia coach"We played well tactically in the first half, but we had some difficulties getting the ball out of our half. We corrected that at half-time, and then we were able to get the ball and play our game. We had chances to score, and before Argentina's goal, we had an opportunity to score, but they scored on a transition. We'll take the positives, we'll fix the negatives and we'll look ahead to the next match against Belgium."Amine Naffati, Tunisia coach"We're happy because sometimes it's not easy, and even less so to qualify in the second match. And happy because we've beaten the two toughest opponents. We played better today and we're satisfied."Diego Placente, Argentina coach"Everyone says it was only Fiji. But you still have to play the match and always respect your opponents, who really played with heart. I’m very pleased with what the players showed on the pitch."Bob Browaeys, Belgium coach"We worked really hard for this match. Scoring seven goals isn’t easy. We took the game very seriously, the coach told us to. I feel good and I’m happy [to have scored four goals], but it’s not over. The tournament is still long and we’re going to keep working hard."Rene Mitongo, Belgium forward"The main thing is that we won. In the first match, we had chances but we didn’t take them. Today, we won thanks to the players, the staff and the management. This victory is for the people."Alwaly Camara, Senegal forward"Matches sometimes decided by mistakes. We made a mistake at the start of the match that cost us their goal. They were very decisive. It was the clearest chance they had and they took it. But that's football. We couldn't equalise despite having two or three clear chances."Randall Row, Costa Rica coach