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Real Madrid line up Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior as their dangerous frontline for a La Liga clash at San Mamés. Xabi Alonso's side aim to shake off recent draws and climb higher in the table. Athletic Bilbao will look to upset the visitors with a solid defensive display and quick counterattacks. The match places Madrid second on 33 points and Bilbao eighth on 20.
Francois Rodrigues, Renard's assistant, will coach Saudi Arabia against Comoros in the Arab Cup. Renard will miss the match, travelling to Washington for the 2026 World Cup draw. The draw coincides with the game date. Saudi began the Arab Cup with a 2-1 win over Oman, leaving them second in Group B behind Morocco.
Merih Demiral extends his stay with Al Ahli through 2029, solidifying his role as a key pillar of the team. The renewal comes after a season of strong performances since his 2023 arrival from Atalanta. He shared a heartfelt message about belonging and pride for the people of Jeddah. The move underscores the club’s trust in him as they pursue further trophies.
Atalanta cruised to a 4-0 victory over Genoa to advance to the Coppa Italia quarterfinals. Under new coach Raffaele Palladino, they showed clear progression and dominance. Genoa went a man down early, which helped shape the match. The win sets up a blockbuster quarterfinal clash against Juventus, and Atalanta keep pace in their cup pursuit with three straight wins.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner says Ismaïla Sarr's Africa Cup of Nations participation is uncertain due to an ankle ligament sprain. AFCON 2025 is hosted by Morocco and starts on December 21. Sarr picked up the injury in Palace's 2-1 loss to Manchester United last Sunday, three weeks before the tournament. Senegal is set to name its squad soon, with the final list due to CAF by December 11, as Palace medical staff monitor the star's recovery.
Al Ahli Jeddah avoided a points deduction after a complaint from Al Qadsiah. The club won 2-1 in a match that sparked a formal dispute. The Disciplinary Committee rejected the claim on its merits but kept the process open for appeal, leaving the standings unchanged for now. The victory keeps Al Ahli solidly in the top four, with drama continuing off the pitch.
Iraq secured a 2-1 win over Bahrain in the opening Group D clash of the Arab Cup in Qatar. An own goal gave Iraq the early lead, followed by Mohannad Ali's strike for a comfortable second. Bahrain pulled one back late, but Iraq held on amid a dramatic finish and a late red card. The result puts Iraq on top of the group ahead of their next matches.
Iran confirms its participation in the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, reversing an earlier boycott. A federation spokesperson says coach Amir Ghalenoei will attend as the team’s technical representative, alongside others. Iran had threatened to skip the draw due to visa refusals, but some delegation visas were granted. The development comes as Iran eyes a seventh World Cup appearance and reflects ongoing US-Iran diplomatic frictions.
Virgil van Dijk insists there are no easy games in the Premier League as Liverpool prepare for Sunderland at Anfield. He emphasizes hard work, unity, and building on recent momentum against West Ham. Liverpool sit eighth with 21 points, and tonight represents an opportunity to reassert themselves with the fans behind them. Sunderland arrive in good form after promotion, posing a stern test.
Al-Ittihad’s senior club official emphasizes the UAE camp as essential to prepare the team during the league pause. The Saudi Pro League is on hold for the Arab Cup in Qatar until December 18. Al-Ittihad sits seventh in the standings with 14 points from nine games. Coach Sergio Conceicao is expected to use the Dubai camp to rebuild form and target domestic and Asian glory.
Al-Ahli renews Merih Demiral's contract, keeping the Turkish international at the club until summer 2029. The move reinforces a defense that has been pivotal for the team’s recent successes. News about the deal circulated after a video from the club and comments from a renowned transfer insider. Demiral's stay follows standout performances that helped Al-Ahli lift major trophies and solidify his leadership at the back.
Tottenham's Giulio Vicario endures a tough spell as fans whistle after a costly error. Italian clubs, led by Inter Milan, are weighing bids with two and a half years left on his contract. Spurs could demand a substantial fee if he leaves. Vicario joined Spurs from Empoli in 2023 for £16 million and has since made notable contributions, including starting in last season’s Europa Conference League final victory over Manchester United.
Dubai hosts the 23rd IBA World Boxing Championships for Elite Men, a landmark event with a record prize fund. The competition runs from early December, culminating in finals on December 13, amid UAE National Day festivities. Thirteen weight classes showcase the world’s top boxers, with a prize distribution that signals boxing’s new financial era. Leaders of the IBA frame the tournament as a unifying celebration of skill, merit, and opportunity for athletes worldwide.
Sudan and Algeria opened their Arab Cup campaign with a goalless draw that kept Group D competitive. Algeria, chasing the title, had chances but a red card before halftime shifted the dynamic. The match showcased solid Sudanese counterattacks and a stubborn Algerian defense. The result leaves the group with plenty to play for and plenty of drama to come.
FIFA announced the timeline for professional players to join their national teams for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco. The tournament will run from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026. To reduce clashes with club calendars, FIFA and CAF agreed to shorten the mandatory release by seven days, starting December 15, 2025, and encouraged continued good-faith discussions for other cases. Egypt and other teams will adjust their plans accordingly, with stars like Salah reportedly affected.
Former Egypt Olympic coach Hani Ramzi says Hamza Abdul Karim, a young Al Ahly striker, deserves a first-team spot. He views a potential Barcelona move as a crucial opportunity to grow professionally. Ramzi also comments on Egypt’s recent display against Kuwait, noting missed chances as a recurring issue, and urges private handling of disagreements to protect player-coach relations.
Saudi captain Salem Al-Dawsari shone in the Arab Cup opener against Oman, delivering two crucial assists and earning Man of the Match as Saudi Arabia won 2-1. SofaScore highlighted him as a top creator in the early tournament phase. His all-around display also featured five shots on target and two key long passes, underscoring his leadership. A strong start for Saudi Arabia with more to come.
Federico Pastorello, the agent of Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, sheds light on why Al Hilal's planned defensive signing fell through. He says unforeseen hurdles in negotiations blocked the deal, not money. Inzaghi remains determined to strengthen the defense in the winter window. Despite the setback, Al Hilal's form under Inzaghi remains solid and cohesive. A dash of football drama, with a hint of patience rewarded later.
Paris Saint-Germain shares an update on Achraf Hakimi's rehab. A club video shows him training solo under the club’s medical staff, as he eyes a return ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. The injury came from a heavy challenge during a Champions League match, and Morocco opens AFCON against Comoros. He’s racing to be fit in time for his country’s campaign.
Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, rules out a Messi loan return to the club. He cites Messi’s contract and notes the topic was never proposed. The manager praises Messi’s enduring impact and discusses the Messi–Yamal contrasts amid Barça’s rebuild. The piece blends reflection on legacy with current club dynamics.
