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Ƶ’s sports minister promises ‘best World Cup experience’ in 2034

Ƶ’s sports minister promises ‘best World Cup experience’ in 2034
Al-Faisal said the Kingdom has been preparing for the Fifa bid for years now. (Screengrab)
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Updated 31 January 2025

Ƶ’s sports minister promises ‘best World Cup experience’ in 2034

Ƶ’s sports minister promises ‘best World Cup experience’ in 2034
  • The minister discussed Ƶ’s goal to transform its domestic football league into one of the world’s top five competitions
  • Al-Faisal also briefly discussed the probability of seeing Liverpool superstar forward Mohamed Salah playing in SPL

RIYADH: Ƶ’s Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal promised to deliver “the best World Cup experience” in 2034.
In an interview with Piers Morgan on Thursday, the minister discussed Ƶ’s goal to transform its domestic football league into one of the world’s top five competitions.
In July, 2024, a Saudi delegation led by the minister officially submitted the Kingdom’s bid book to FIFA to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 at a ceremony hosted in Paris, France.
Al-Faisal said the Kingdom has been preparing for the FIFA bid for years now.
“We’ve been working tirelessly for six years, with monthly meetings with His Royal Highness [Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman] about details and what could work. Everything that we’re doing is part of the 2030 vision, whether we host the World Cup or not” he said.
During Thursday’s interview Al- Faisal also briefly discussed the probability of seeing Liverpool superstar forward Mohamed Salah playing in the Saudi Pro League.

“Definitely, because if he ticks all the right boxes, even for us, we’d love to have him,” the sports minister said. “We feel like we are one with the Egyptians, from our culture and our history and so on,” he added.
“It’d be a privilege to see Mo Salah here. He’s the most high-profile Muslim player in the world … He hasn’t signed a new contract yet. Up to the clubs now,” Prince Abdulaziz also told Morgan.
Meanwhile on Friday, AFP reported that Liverpool’s coach Arne Slot urged Salah to sign a new contract with Liverpool, advising the Egypt star against a potential lucrative move to Ƶ.
Salah has been in sensational form this season but is out of contract in June, with speculation persisting that the Saudi Pro League could be a possible destination for the Egyptian superstar.
Liverpool manager Slot reiterated at his pre-match press conference on Friday that the club want to keep hold of their talismanic striker, who joined the club in 2017.
“We want him to extend, of course, as well,” he said. “That is clear, but I’m not surprised that Saudi wants him, I’m also not surprised if other countries want him as well.


Newcastle reject Liverpool bid for Isak: reports

Newcastle reject Liverpool bid for Isak: reports
Updated 01 August 2025

Newcastle reject Liverpool bid for Isak: reports

Newcastle reject Liverpool bid for Isak: reports
  • Isak has been training at his old club Real Sociedad this week after reportedly telling Newcastle he wants to leave St. James’ Park
  • Newcastle remain keen to hold onto their prize asset and have rebuffed Liverpool’s initial bid

LONDON: Newcastle have rejected Liverpool’s opening bid to sign unsettled Sweden striker Alexander Isak, according to reports on Friday.

Isak has been training at his old club Real Sociedad this week after reportedly telling Newcastle he wants to leave St. James’ Park.

The 25-year-old has been linked with Liverpool since the end of last season and the Premier League champions are now believed to have formalized their interest with an offer of around £110 million ($159 million) plus potential add-ons.

But Newcastle, who reportedly value Isak at £150 million, remain keen to hold onto their prize asset and have rebuffed Liverpool’s initial bid.

Isak, who joined Newcastle in a £60 million move from Real Sociedad in 2022, scored 23 Premier League goals last season to help Newcastle qualify for the Champions League.

He has three years left on his Newcastle contract, but did not travel to Asia for the Magpies’ ongoing pre-season tour, with the club saying he had a minor thigh injury.

On Thursday, Real Sociedad confirmed he was at their Zubieta facility with his own trainers.

It was reported on Friday that Newcastle had told Isak he could agree a new deal containing a get-out clause for next year, but he responded by insisting he wants to move now.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has already bolstered his attacking options by signing Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike and Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz during the current transfer window.

But the Reds are keen to make their forward line even more formidable by adding Isak as they look to win back to back English titles for the first time since the 1980s.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe struck a defiant note earlier this week when he said: “He is still our
player. He’s contracted to us.

“We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us.

“My wish is that he stays, but that’s not in my full control.”

Liverpool have spent over £250 million so far in the summer window, with Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giorgi Mamardashvili joining Wirtz and Ekitike at Anfield.



Newcastle have rejected Liverpool’s opening bid to sign unsettled Sweden striker Alexander Isak, according to reports on Friday. (AFP/File)


Motor racing-Norris leads McLaren one-two in first Hungarian practice

Motor racing-Norris leads McLaren one-two in first Hungarian practice
Updated 01 August 2025

Motor racing-Norris leads McLaren one-two in first Hungarian practice

Motor racing-Norris leads McLaren one-two in first Hungarian practice
  • Norris lapped the Hungaroring with a best time of one minute 16.052 seconds
  • The Briton was on pole at the circuit last year in a race won by Piastri

BUDAPEST: Lando Norris lapped 0.019 of a second quicker than Formula One championship leader Oscar Piastri as the McLaren pair finished one-two in first practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Friday.

Norris, 16 points behind his Australian teammate going into the last race before the August break, lapped the Hungaroring with a best time of one minute 16.052 seconds with the soft tires on a sunny afternoon.

The Briton was on pole at the circuit last year in a race won by Piastri, his first victory in F1.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was third fastest, 0.217 off the pace, with Racing Bulls’ French rookie Isack Hadjar in fourth.

Lewis Hamilton, winner a record eight times in Hungary, was fifth for Ferrari and suffered a big lock-up as he wrestled with the car.

Oliver Bearman was sixth for Haas, ahead of Mercedes pair Kimi Antonelli and George Russell with Red Bull’s reigning champion Max Verstappen ninth and Lance Stroll completing the top 10 for Aston Martin.

Russell complained about his car’s balance and said it was hard to turn.

Verstappen’s Japanese teammate Yuki Tsunoda was only 17th.

Brazilian Felipe Drugovich stood in for Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin, with the Spaniard suffering from back pain, and was 16th fastest.

Estonian Paul Aron also took Nico Hulkenberg’s Sauber for the session and was last after having to stop before the midpoint of the session due to a technical problem.


Esports World Cup 2025 heads into fourth week with four big titles up for grabs

Esports World Cup 2025 heads into fourth week with four big titles up for grabs
Updated 01 August 2025

Esports World Cup 2025 heads into fourth week with four big titles up for grabs

Esports World Cup 2025 heads into fourth week with four big titles up for grabs
  • Eleven champions have been crowned at the tournament so far

RIYADH: The Esports World Cup 2025 heads into Week 4 after the crowning of 11 unique championship winners so far.

In the tournament’s fourth week, the chess title will be decided. With a $1,500,000 prize pool on the line — along with Club Championship points — there's all to play for. Meanwhile PUBG Mobile World Cup will have a new champion after titleholders Alpha7 Esports were eliminated. Overwatch 2 will crown its Midseason Championship winner, while Mobile Legends: Bang Bang’s Midseason Cup final will also take place.

Chess

With a prize pool of $1.5 million up for grabs, the inaugural chess tournament at the 2025 Esports World Cup concludes on Aug. 1. The Last Chance Qualifiers saw 256 players enter, and now there are just eight contenders left. First seed Magnus Carlsen was the clear favorite before the tournament began, with second and third seeds Hikaru Nakamura and Ian Nepomniachtchi next in line. All three qualified from the group stage and now head into the playoffs. Keep an eye on Nihal Sarin, who managed to knock out number four seed Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in the Group B lower bracket final – he emerged from the Last Chance Qualifier and is seeded just outside the top 10. 

PUBG Mobile

An intense week of PUBG Mobile action has seen 24 teams whittled down to 16 for the grand final, with potentially just 14 matches deciding who walks out with the trophy. Defending champions, Alpha7 Esports, had a nightmare start to the tournament, failing to qualify for the grand final in the group stage, forcing them into the perilous survival stage. While many expected them to bounce back, another disastrous performance saw them eliminated in 21st place, meaning a new PMWC champion will be crowned in the coming days.

Overwatch 2 

The Overwatch Champions Series' Midseason Championship also takes place in Week 4, with $1 million on the line. Sixteen teams will enter the group stage, with the top two from each group advancing into a perilous single elimination bracket. With the OWCS: Midseason Championship at the 2025 Esports World Cup happening over four days, expect some top tier action. EWC 2024 champions Crazy Raccoon will be looking to join the two-time winners club, but they will face stiff competition from one of the most competitive fields ever.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang 

With a total of $3 million up for grabs in the prize pool, the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup has plenty at stake. After the dramatic Wildcard tournament in Week 1 followed by an intense group stage in Week 3, we are now firmly into the business end of the tournament, with the playoff bracket underway. Only the very best teams remain, with the likes of ONIC and Team Liquid leading the way. With life-changing money on the line, you do not want to miss the MLBB action. 

Club Championship Standings 

As the action heads into its fourth weekend of finals action, the Club Championship is really heating up, with every winner being a unique Club so far. Will we finally see a side claim a second trophy this year in Week 4?

Team Vitality is still leading the Club Championship Rankings with 2,400 points, having not gained in Week 3. Their closest competitors are Gen.G Esports on 2,000, and Team Falcons on 1,950, both of whom gained on Vitality in Week 3. Elsewhere, AG.AL have joined Team Falcons in third place. All but AG.AL are represented in chess, while Team Falcons has a side in the PUBG Mobile event. OW 2 features Team Falcons and AG.AL, alongside Virtus.Pro and Team Liquid, who sit just behind them in joint fifth place.


Saudi eLeagues MVPs shine at Major 2 tournaments

Saudi eLeagues MVPs shine at Major 2 tournaments
Updated 01 August 2025

Saudi eLeagues MVPs shine at Major 2 tournaments

Saudi eLeagues MVPs shine at Major 2 tournaments
  • Over 40 Saudi and international clubs have been competing at SEF Arena

RIYADH: While the Esports World Cup action takes place in Riyadh, the Saudi eLeagues’ Major 2 tournaments have this week showcased competition across various titles, with over 40 clubs competing at SEF Arena.

The event featured both elite and women’s divisions, including Saudi and international players in games such as Rocket League, PUBG Mobile, EAFC25, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, VALORANT, Rainbow Six Siege, and Overwatch 2.

Rocket League saw Team Falcons clinch the title with a 4-1 victory over Twisted Minds in the final. Mohammed Al-Otaibi, known as Trk511, earned MVP honors for his crucial plays and control during critical moments.

PUBG Mobile was dominated by R8 Esports, which finished with 127 points. Abdullah, aka Marth, stood out with 24 kills, earning the MVP award for his tactical skill and accuracy.

In the Women’s EAFC25 division, Team Bright Future defeated Al-Dahab Club 2-0. Reva, who secured her third Saudi eLeagues title, was recognized as the tournament’s top player for her strategic gameplay.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 saw Team Falcons take the championship after a 4-2 win against Team The Vicious. Khaled Al-Madhi, known as Khhx, was named MVP for his precise shooting and leadership.

Valorant featured a close final where Twisted Minds edged out The Ultimates in a 3-2 series. Nikolay, or Sickrey, earned MVP honors for his aim and clutch plays that carried his team to victory.

Rainbow Six Siege concluded with Geekay Esports defeating Twisted Minds 3-2. Osama Al-Zahrani, known as Tr1ixd, was named MVP for his tactical adaptability and performance under pressure.

In Women’s Overwatch 2, Twisted Minds defeated Al-Qadsiah 4-1 in the final, with Liz van der Meet standing out as MVP. The Dutch player demonstrated versatility and consistency throughout the tournament.

The Overwatch 2 Elite division saw Twisted Minds beat Al-Qadsiah 4-3, with Ziyad from Al-Qadsiah earning MVP honors for his impressive gameplay despite the loss.


Top EU court rules that soccer governing body FIFA’s decisions can be challenged outside Switzerland

Top EU court rules that soccer governing body FIFA’s decisions can be challenged outside Switzerland
Updated 01 August 2025

Top EU court rules that soccer governing body FIFA’s decisions can be challenged outside Switzerland

Top EU court rules that soccer governing body FIFA’s decisions can be challenged outside Switzerland
  • The ECJ ruling means that EU national courts should be able to review verdicts from the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)

BRUSSELS: The European Union’s top court ruled on Friday that the decisions of world soccer’s governing body FIFA can be challenged outside Switzerland, opening up a system that currently binds athletes, officials and clubs to accept verdicts there.
A statement from the European Court of Justice said that tribunals in the 27 EU member states “must be able to carry out an in-depth review of those awards for consistency with the fundamental rules of EU law.”
The ECJ ruling in Luxembourg means that EU national courts should be able to review verdicts from the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Switzerland is not a member of the European Union.
“The awards made by the CAS must be amenable to effective judicial review,” the statement said. It said that “national courts or tribunals must be empowered to carry out ... an in-depth judicial review” to ensure that CAS rulings “are consistent with EU public policy.”
There was no immediate comment from FIFA or CAS.
The decision could end a decade-long legal fight by Belgian soccer club RFC Seraing and Maltese investment fund Doyen Sports.
They opposed FIFA rules prohibiting third-party ownership of a player’s registration and transfer rights, and in 2015 asked a commercial court in Brussels to review if those rules breached EU law.
CAS was created in 1984 to give sports a unified and binding legal forum for settling disputes and appeals based in the International Olympic Committee’s home city Lausanne in Switzerland.
The ruling marks a new legal blow to the authority of sports bodies in Switzerland.
The same European court in Luxembourg has handed down two other major rulings in the last two years under EU competition law — in the Super League case and Lassana Diarra transfer dispute — that challenged the authority of soccer bodies FIFA and UEFA.