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Barcelona goalkeeper Garcia faces Espanyol, his former club, in a high-stakes La Liga clash
La Liga

Garcia's Homecoming Challenge: Barcelona's Keeper Ready to Face Espanyol

Juan Garcia, Barcelona's goalkeeper, explains how he plans to approach facing his former club Espanyol for the first time since joining Barça. He is recovering from an injury and hopes to return after the international break. The clash is set for January 3 at Espanyol's home ground, marking an emotional return. The piece also covers Barcelona's stance on Lamine Yamal's call-up controversy and the ongoing medical plan for his recovery.

Egypt trains in UAE ahead of Uzbekistan-friendly match in Al Ain
friendlies

Egypt’s UAE Wake-Up Call: Seven Absences Ahead of Uzbekistan Friendly

Egypt’s national team trains intensively in Al Ain, UAE, ahead of a friendly against Uzbekistan. Seven players are sidelined by injuries, but the camp aims to build cohesion and test new talents. The session featured tactical work, attacking drills, and a potential lineup adjustment as Mohamed Salah trains with the squad. Coach Hossam Hassan emphasizes high-pressing, collective movement, and a fearless approach to upcoming qualifiers and continental tournaments.

Saudi footballer Abdullah Al-Hamdan addressing reporters ahead of Arab Cup 2025
Arab Cup

Al-Hamdan Unpacks the Green’s Scoring Woes: It’s a Team Issue, Not Just a Striker’s Tale

Saudi forward Abdullah Al-Hamdan says the Green chase titles in every competition. The squad prepares for the Arab Cup 2025 in Qatar, in a group that includes Morocco and two other qualifiers from regional playoffs. During the November camp, Saudi will play friendlies against Ivory Coast and Algeria. He underscores that the goal is to win titles but also to build for the 2026 World Cup, while Renard notes the attack is a multi faceted issue requiring collective effort.

Saudi swimmer Zaid Al-Saraj wins 100m freestyle gold at Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh
Islamic Solidarity Games

Saudi Stuns Islamic Solidarity Games: Zaid Al-Saraj Clinches Historic 100m Freestyle Gold

Saudi swimmer Zaid Al-Saraj wins Saudi Arabia's first gold at the Islamic Solidarity Games in the 100m freestyle, clocking 49.62 seconds. The triumph occurred in Riyadh with top officials watching. The victory signals a rising momentum for Saudi swimming, backed by the Olympic Committee, the Saudi Swimming Federation, and development programs. Al-Saraj, 22, emerges as a bright talent, and winning on home soil adds symbolic weight to the kingdom's swimming progress.

France's Koundé and Camavinga miss training ahead of Ukraine qualifier; Muani out, Thauvin recalled, with injuries shaping the squad for World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
World Cup Qualifiers

France’s Star Duo Misses Training Ahead of Ukraine Clash

France's high-profile duo Jules Koundé and Eduardo Camavinga were absent from training ahead of a crucial World Cup 2026 qualifier against Ukraine. The injury woes also include Ousmane Dembélé, while Randal Kolo Muani is out with a jaw fracture and Florent Thauvin is recalled to cover. France currently lead Group D with 10 points after three wins and a draw. Didier Deschamps dodges blame for club injuries and prepares a lineup that could stretch the squad’s depth in November.

Jordan training in Amman ahead of Tunisia and Mali friendlies
friendlies

Jordan's Bold Build-Up: Rested Rashdan, Tough Tests, and a Heartwarming Moment Before Tunisia and Mali

Jordan's national team wraps up a final Amman session ahead of two friendlies with Tunisia and Mali. Coach Jamal Al-Salami aims to fine-tune the squad after a historic World Cup qualification. Nizar Rashdan will rest due to flu, with a return to training planned once he recovers. The trip to Tunisia includes a multi-day training camp and matches that will shape preparations for the Arab Cup and the 2026 World Cup campaign, punctuated by a humanitarian gesture during practice.

Joao Cancelo in Al Hilal kit with European dream and World Cup ambitions
Saudi Pro League

Cancelo Breaks Silence: Europe Dream, World Cup Ambitions, and a Tense Standing in Saudi Pro League

Joao Cancelo, star of Al Hilal, speaks out on his future, his World Cup ambitions, and the current tensions with his club. He hints at a Europe return through Benfica, while praising the Saudi Pro League’s growth. The Portugal star weighs the World Cup dream against the allure of Europe and explains recent friction with management during an injury setback. A cryptic Instagram post adds mystery to his trajectory, as fans watch for a potential dramatic comeback.

Belgium confirms Courtois’s injury status as World Cup 2026 qualifying pushes continue, with Madrid and Belgium coordinating his recovery.
Qualifiers

Courtois’s Injury Update: Belgium’s News Sparks Madrid’s Recovery Plan

Belgium released an official update on Thibaut Courtois’s injury after the Real Madrid keeper got hurt in La Liga. The national team is plotting ahead for Euro 2026 qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein. Madrid confirms a muscle strain and Courtois even traveled to Belgium for checks before heading back to Madrid to continue his rehab. The federation says he could miss a few games, while Valverde faces a separate setback, heightening Madrid’s tactical dilemmas as the season resumes.

Salem Al-Dawsari injury update during international break for Saudi Arabia
Arab Cup 2025

Salem Al-Dawsari’s Injury Stack Pushes Saudi Camp to Patch-Up Mode Ahead of Arab Cup 2025

Saudi Arabia faces a fresh wave of injuries during the international break, with Salem Al-Dawsari joining the casualty list. The captain’s absence compounds the team’s challenge ahead of two friendlies against Ivory Coast and Algeria. Renard’s squad is racing to test replacements and reintegrate recovered players for Arab Cup 2025 in Qatar. The medical staff has laid out rehab programs to preserve balance between experience and depth, while a few punchlines help ease the tension.

Round of 32 fixtures set for FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 as group stages conclude, featuring Arab-led progression and Asia’s hiccups.
FIFA U-17 World Cup

From Group Drama to Knockout Showdowns: The Round of 32 Arrives at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar

FIFA revealed the Round of 32 fixtures for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar after the group stage. The tournament runs in Qatar from November 3 to 27, featuring 48 teams for the first time. Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia advanced, while Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE failed to progress. The draw was shaped by a new ranking system designed to balance seeds and ensure variety in the knockout rounds.

Zamalek facing a packed week with CAF Cup and domestic league games
CAF Confederation Cup

Zamalek’s 7-Day Gauntlet: Continent clashes, Domestic Dilemmas, and a Handshake That Stirred a Storm

Zamalek faces a packed schedule as CAF Confederation Cup group-stage dates arrive. The club must juggle three matches in seven days, a long trip to South Africa, and a domestic league clash with Smouha. A separate Super Cup controversy involving Ahmed Zizo has prompted a formal complaint to the Egyptian federation. Officials are seeking a postponement to protect players’ readiness while navigating protocol and sportsmanship concerns.

France, Spain and Portugal eye 2026 World Cup qualification in Europe
World Cup qualification

France, Spain, and Portugal Edge Closer to 2026: What Europe Needs to Qualify

Europe's fight for the 2026 World Cup is heating up. England has already secured a finals spot, while France, Spain, and Portugal still chase qualification in the final rounds. The ninth round could reshape the lineup, with playoffs in March set to decide the last berths. This piece breaks down the leaders, the potential shocks, and what every continent is bringing to the table as the world awaits the finals in 2026.

Al Hilal vs Al Ittihad schedule changes November 2025
Saudi Pro League

Big Kickoff Shake-Up: Saudi Pro League Schedules Hilal and Ittihad Ahead of November Fixtures

The Saudi Pro League Clubs Association announced a schedule shift for Al Hilal and Al Ittihad as November international matches loom. The national team will play two friendlies against Ivory Coast and Algeria, part of Arab Cup 2025 preparations in Qatar. Hilal and Ittihad will see their kickoffs adjusted to accommodate these commitments. The move comes amid a season of high expectations and managerial pivots, with Istanbul? No, Sergio Conceicao guiding Ittihad after Laurent Blanc’s departure.

Barça response to Spanish FA over Lamine Yamal controversy
liga

Barça Pushes Back: The Lamine Yamal Saga and a Doctor’s Clear Bill of Health

Barça responds to the Spanish FA after details emerged about Lamine Yamal’s treatment during the international window. Spain’s upcoming qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey are noted, along with the federation’s surprise at the timing and method of the medical treatment. Barcelona insists on a responsible, player-centered approach and cites input from a Belgian specialist who deems the injury under control. The piece highlights ongoing tensions between club and federation, but ends on a cautious note about Yamal’s recovery and future impact.

Ahmed Sayed Zizo handshake controversy during Egyptian Super Cup in Abu Dhabi
Super Cup

Handshake Havoc: When a Podium Moment Turns into a Formal Football Fracas

A formal complaint from Zamalek to Egypt’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee follows a controversial moment at the Super Cup podium in Abu Dhabi involving Ahmed Sayed Zizo. Al Ahly clinched the trophy with a 2-0 victory, marking their 16th Super Cup win. The incident centered on Zizo bypassing a handshake with a Zamalek official, sparking questions about protocol and sportsmanship. The case rekindles debates about discipline in Egyptian football as transfers and rivalries add fuel to the fire.

Alcaraz edges Fritz in Turin at the Nitto ATP Finals, tightening his grip on the year-end No. 1 race.
ATP Finals

Alcaraz Finds a Late Spark to Edge Fritz at the Nitto ATP Finals, Closer to No. 1

Carlos Alcaraz fights back from a set down to beat Taylor Fritz in a thrilling Nitto ATP Finals clash in Turin. The win keeps him undefeated in his group and tightens the race for year-end world No. 1. Fritz pushed hard, including a marathon second set, but the Spaniard’s resilience carried him to a 2-1 victory. With one more group match to come, Alcaraz remains within reach of the season-long top spot. A key moment: a 14-minute second-set hold that swung the momentum in Turin.