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Rory McIlroy set for Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Rory McIlroy set for Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 10: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland tees off on the first hole on day four of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship 2024 at Yas Links Golf Course on November 10, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
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Rory McIlroy set for Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Rory McIlroy set for Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
  • McIlroy is first European to win the career grand slam
  • Yas Links hosts the Abu Dhabi championship Nov. 6-9

ABU DHABI: Grand slam winner and five-time Major champion Rory McIlroy will return to Yas Links for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship from Nov. 6 to 9 as he bids to win a seventh Race to Dubai Rankings crown.

The Masters champion leads the Race to Dubai having already secured his place in the field for the first event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs.

This is thanks to that thrilling victory at Augusta National, in addition to a fourth-place finish at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the first Rolex Series event of the season.

Staged by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the DP World Tour, the championship is the first event of the tour’s end of season showpiece. This leads straight into the DP World Tour Championship where the Race to Dubai champion will be crowned.

The top 70 available players at the conclusion of the Back 9 events will gather in Abu Dhabi for the fourth Rolex Series event of the year as the season comes to a close.

McIlroy became the first European to win the career grand slam earlier this year when he added a Green Jacket to his four previous Major victories at the 2011 US Open, the US PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014, and The Open in 2014.

And he will look to clinch a fourth successive Race to Dubai title when he returns to the Middle East in November.

Aref Hamad Al-Awani, general secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said the UAE capital has established itself as a world-class golfing destination, and was “proud” to host McIlroy.

“Since its inception, the championship has played a pivotal role in supporting sports tourism and generating tangible economic benefits for the region.

“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the DP World Tour in delivering another outstanding event befitting the prestige of the Rolex Series.

McIlroy said: “I love ending the season in the Middle East and I’m excited to return to Abu Dhabi again for the first of two big events later this year.

“I’ve started the year well and I’ve got a good record at Yas Links so hopefully I can continue doing what I’m doing and give myself a chance of finishing the season strongly, and having a shot of getting another Race to Dubai under my belt.”


Saudi eLeague concludes first phase of 2025 season

Saudi eLeague concludes first phase of 2025 season
Updated 20 sec ago

Saudi eLeague concludes first phase of 2025 season

Saudi eLeague concludes first phase of 2025 season
  • More than 40 clubs involved as Twisted Minds, Team Falcons, Al-Qadsiah lead charge

RIYADH: The Saudi eLeague, the Kingdom’s premier esports competition, has seen over 40 clubs take part in the 2025 season.

Organized by the Saudi Esports Federation and hosted at the SEF Arena in Boulevard Riyadh City, the league showcases the Kingdom’s top clubs as they battle across multiple titles and divisions.

Participating clubs have so far battled across 10 high-stakes contests, six in the elite category and four in the women category, with valuable points up for grabs at the top of the cross-game leaderboard.

The final standings will determine the qualifiers for the championship, the league’s most prominent event in which top clubs compete for the ultimate title and a major share of a prize pool worth almost $1.9 million.

Twisted Minds lead the pack after the latest round, with Team Falcons second. Al-Qadsiah Esports sit in third, the breakout team of the season, surging up the ranks with wins in both the men’s and women’s contests.

The first phase of the Saudi eLeague season has now concluded, and Abdullah Al-Nasser, head of esports products at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “The strong start to this year’s Saudi eLeague says a lot about how far the scene has come.

“Compared to previous seasons … we’re seeing real progress, more clubs, stronger competition, new talents and growing excitement from the community.

“What matters most is how competitive and intense every match has become. (It is) a platform where Saudi talents and clubs can grow, compete, and shine on bigger stages.”

Fans can follow the action live at the SEF Arena or via Saudi eLeague channels on Twitch, YouTube, and social platforms.


England coach Tuchel expects players to suffer in World Cup heat

England coach Tuchel expects players to suffer in World Cup heat
Updated 03 June 2025

England coach Tuchel expects players to suffer in World Cup heat

England coach Tuchel expects players to suffer in World Cup heat
  • “It is important to see matches now in America, and in Miami at three in the afternoon,” Tuchel said as he prepared his team for their World Cup qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona

LONDON: England coach Thomas Tuchel will attend FIFA’s Club World Cup starting this month to observe how players cope with the expected hot and humid weather conditions.
Next year’s World Cup, taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico, could be one of the hottest in the tournament’s history.
“It is important to see matches now in America, and in Miami at three in the afternoon,” Tuchel said as he prepared his team for their World Cup qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona.
“I will see that. How it looks, and we need to understand how to cool the players down, to drink. What our options are.”
England are top of qualifying Group K and almost certain to qualify for next year’s tournament where they will be among the favorites for the title.
But Tuchel says the conditions will be harsh.
“Let’s see because it is after the season, so it will be very similar. The actual experience is for the players, but I have done pre-season there in Orlando and I will be very surprised if we do not suffer,” he said.
“Suffering is one of the headlines for this World Cup.”
England are preparing for the Andorra game in the Spanish city of Girona and are using heat tents to test the players reaction and recovery to training in heat and humidity.
Sixteen stadiums will be used at next year’s World Cup with predictions of potentially extreme temperatures.
In Dallas, one of the host cities, in an average year more than 80 percent of June and July days exceed 28 degrees Celsius.
A study led by Brunel University found that, according to analysis of 20 years of weather data, 14 of the 16 host stadiums would top 28 degrees Celsius on a daily basis in June and July with four likely to hit 32 degrees in a hotter than summer.
FIFPRO, the world players union, recommends that if there is Wet Bulb Globe Temperature of between 28-32 degree, cooling breaks should take place around the 30th and 75th minutes.
It says that if there is a WBGT of more than 32 degrees, training and matches should be rescheduled.


UAE Team Emirates-XRG combines vision with victory on World Bicycle Day

Emirati squad received two prestigious nominations from the Union Cycliste Internationale. supplied
Emirati squad received two prestigious nominations from the Union Cycliste Internationale. supplied
Updated 03 June 2025

UAE Team Emirates-XRG combines vision with victory on World Bicycle Day

Emirati squad received two prestigious nominations from the Union Cycliste Internationale. supplied
  • The UAE Team Emirates-XRG Academy has already reached over 700 schoolchildren through more than 80 hours of in-school coaching

ABU DHABI: UAE Team Emirates-XRG celebrated more than just race wins on World Bicycle Day on Tuesday.

The Emirati squad, a dominant force in the professional peloton, continues to make waves away from competitive events with major strides in community engagement and sustainability — efforts which are earning global recognition.

This week, the team received two prestigious nominations from the Union Cycliste Internationale — the Cycling for All Award for their youth-focused UAE Team Emirates-XRG Academy and the Climate Action Award for their ongoing “Road to Net-Zero” initiative. Both will be presented later this month at the UCI Mobility & Bike City Forum in Copenhagen.

“As we celebrate World Bicycle Day, we’re incredibly proud to see our work recognized on the global stage with nominations for both the UCI Cycling for All Award and the UCI Climate Action Award,” said Mauro Gianetti, team principal and CEO.

“These honors reflect our deep commitment to growing the sport at a grassroots level and ensuring sustainability remains at the heart of everything we do.”

Launched in 2025, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG Academy has already reached over 700 schoolchildren through more than 80 hours of in-school coaching. The program is set to expand to an additional 1,300 students by the end of the year, underlining the team’s aim of nurturing cycling talent across Abu Dhabi and beyond.

“The UAE Team Emirates-XRG Academy, Powered by ADNOC, is central to this vision, helping us inspire the next generation of cyclists and create meaningful change in our communities,” Gianetti added. “I’d like to sincerely thank ADNOC for their unwavering support. Without them, this wouldn’t be possible. The opportunities ahead are endless — for our team, for young riders and for the continued development of cycling across the region.”

While their community work garners headlines, the team’s racing form in 2025 has been just as impressive. UAE Team Emirates-XRG has already captured landmark victories at the Tour of Flanders and Liege–Bastogne–Liege, alongside podium finishes at Milano-Sanremo, Paris-Roubaix, and the Giro d’Italia. The run continues a dominant stretch that began last season, reinforcing their status as one of the sport’s elite outfits.

“The growth of the team over the past eight years has been extraordinary,” Gianetti said. “Our success is driven by the talent and dedication of our riders, the expertise of our staff, and the incredible support from the leadership of the country, our partners, and fans. Cycling is continuing to grow rapidly in the UAE, and that momentum is something we are proud to contribute to every day.”


Qatar fighting to keep World Cup dreams alive, says Lopetegui

Qatar fighting to keep World Cup dreams alive, says Lopetegui
Updated 03 June 2025

Qatar fighting to keep World Cup dreams alive, says Lopetegui

Qatar fighting to keep World Cup dreams alive, says Lopetegui

Qatar are within “touching distance” of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and will go all out against Iran and Uzbekistan over the next week to keep their dream alive, says new coach Julen Lopetegui.
Qatar, who hosted the 2022 World Cup but have never reached the tournament via the qualification route, cannot finish in the top two in Group A to earn an automatic berth in 2027 but can still secure a spot in the playoffs for teams finishing third and fourth.
The Gulf side are currently fourth on 10 points, four ahead of Kyrgyzstan.
Former Spain and Real Madrid coach Lopetegui takes charge of Qatar for the first time when they face group leaders Iran in Doha on Thursday before they close out the third round by visiting second-placed Uzbekistan on June 10.
“Qatar has never qualified for a World Cup through the qualifiers before, and it’s a dream we’re determined to fight for,” Lopetegui told FIFA’s website in an interview published on Tuesday.
“It’s within touching distance. We’ve got two games left to play, both of which will be incredibly difficult, and in quick succession.
“However, despite all the difficulties, we’re determined to give it our best shot to earn ourselves another chance of qualifying in October.”
Qatar have enjoyed considerable continental success in recent years, winning back-to-back Asian Cup titles, but Lopetegui said they are in a transitional phase and still finding their feet.
“There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that this generation has achieved some very impressive things in the Asian Cup,” added the Spaniard, who was appointed coach in May.
“However, generations come to an end, and now we need to turn our attention to starting the process again, which will be no mean feat. While we do that, we’ll be doing our best to compete, which is the most important thing in the short term.”


FIFA’s inaugural Club World Cup set to kick off in the US amid challenges

FIFA’s inaugural Club World Cup set to kick off in the US amid challenges
Updated 03 June 2025

FIFA’s inaugural Club World Cup set to kick off in the US amid challenges

FIFA’s inaugural Club World Cup set to kick off in the US amid challenges
  • Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami face Ƶ’s Al-Ahli in the opening fixture on June 15 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, with tickets still widely available days before kickoff
  • European champions Paris St. Germain are the in-form team heading into the tournament after their historic 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday
  • Whether you call it soccer or football, for FIFA the tournament represents a dress rehearsal and a referendum on America’s appetite for the sport

NEW YORK:  FIFA’s billion-dollar gamble to revolutionize club football begins a week on Sunday with plenty of cash up for grabs but questionable enthusiasm as 32 teams prepare to contest the expanded Club World Cup in 12 stadiums across the United States.

The tournament — designed as a glittering showcase ahead of the 2026 World Cup — has had to contend with the prospect of empty seats along with controversial qualification rules and player welfare concerns after an exhausting European season.

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami face Ƶ’s Al-Ahli in the opening fixture on June 15 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, with tickets still widely available days before kickoff.

A glance at FIFA’s website shows lots of tickets available, including for the July 13 final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

Messi’s presence underscores the tournament’s contentious foundations.

Inter Miami gained entry by topping Major League Soccer’s regular season standings, despite losing in the first round of the playoffs – a decision critics say shows FIFA’s desperation to have the Argentina great at their inaugural showpiece.

FIFA’s decision to give the host nation a spot and award it to Inter Miami underlined the opaque nature of the qualifying criteria for the tournament, which won’t feature Liverpool, Barcelona or Napoli who have all just been crowned champions of three of the most prestigious leagues in Europe.

Apart from the winners of each confederation’s premier club competitions, teams qualified according to a ranking based on their performances over a four-year period.

There is also the case of Club Leon, the 2023 CONCACAF Champions Cup winners, who were excluded from the tournament just over a month ago due to having shared ownership with another qualifier. The spot has gone to MLS’s Los Angeles FC.

Rights deal

Nailing down a last-gasp $1 billion TV rights deal with sports streaming platform DAZN six months before the tournament means a total of $2 billion in expected revenues.

That led FIFA to announce a total prize pot of $1 billion, with the winning club to receive up to $125 million.

That figure represents 25 perceent more than Paris St. Germain earned from their entire 17-match Champions League campaign.

But this largesse has not quelled concerns about player welfare, with the global players union FIFPro taking legal action against FIFA over a tournament that further compresses the precious recovery time between gruelling seasons.

Furthermore there is still concern over the playing surfaces after last season’s Copa America, when many headlines focused on the sub-par conditions and smaller pitch dimensions.

Those pitches, measuring 100 by 64 meters, were 740 square meters smaller than FIFA’s standard size, prompting widespread discontent among players and coaches.

FIFA has given assurances that this time the NFL stadiums hosting the matches will meet their specifications, confirming that all venues will feature natural grass and adhere to the standard regulation dimensions of 105 by 68 meters.

Divided into eight groups of four teams, top contenders include Real Madrid, winners of six of the last 12 Champions League titles, plus German champions Bayern Munich and 2023 Premier League and Champions League winners Manchester City.

European champions Paris St. Germain are the in-form team heading into the tournament after their historic 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday.

But they must survive a tough Group B featuring South American and Brazilian champions Botafogo and 2024 CONCACAF winners Seattle Sounders plus Spanish giants Atletico Madrid.

Whether you call it soccer or football, for FIFA the tournament represents a dress rehearsal and a referendum on America’s appetite for the sport and on the world governing body’s vision for its commercial future ahead of the 2026 World Cup being co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.