2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia would be ‘incredible: Ettifaq boss Steven Gerrard

02.11.2023 - 01:13 arabnews.com

In reaction to the news that Saudi Arabia looks certain to host the 2034 World Cup, Al-Ettifaq coach Steven Gerrard said that if confirmed the Kingdom would put on an “incredible show.” On Tuesday Australia pulled out of the bidding process for the 2034 World Cup to leave Saudi Arabia as the only candidate.

While the hosting of the tournament is still to be ratified in the coming months, FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino all but confirmed that football’s premier event is coming to the Kingdom.

Following his team’s 1-0 defeat to Al-Nassr in the King’s Cup, Gerrard responded to a question about the latest development by saying: “That’s not 100 percent confirmed at the moment, but extremely happy that Australia have pulled out.

That gives Saudi a better chance and makes me extremely happy.” “I think it’ll be an incredible show if it gets finalized and agreed,” added the former Liverpool and England star, who played in three World Cup tournaments. “I’m sure everyone will agree it’s something to look forward to.” Al-Ettifaq were eliminated from the King’s Cup after extra time, thanks to Sadio Mane’s 107-minute winner for Al-Nassr in Riyadh.

Football tennis hamas cup Gianni Infantino Daniil Medvedev Steven Gerrard Sachin Tendulkar Australia Saudi Arabia county King

HONG KONG: Skipper Son Heung-min scored a brace as South Korea made it two wins from two games in 2026 World Cup qualifying with a 3-0 victory away in China on Tuesday. Son silenced a sell-out crowd of more than 40,000 in Shenzhen with two goals in the first half, the first a penalty and the second a clever header from a corner just before half-time. South Korea wrapped the game up in the dying minutes through a bullet header by Jung Seung-hyun — from a Son set-piece — and top Group C with a perfect six points. Jurgen Klinsmann’s side thumped Singapore 5-0 last week to begin their qualifying campaign in style and they were in much the same mood against an outclassed China. With attacker Son looking in the groove, the Koreans dominated and were ahead after 11 minutes. Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-chan was brought down in the box and Tottenham Hotspur’s Son duly stroked home the penalty. It was all South Korea.

Messi World Cup shirts will be auctioned; Sotheby’s thinks they could fetch record over $10 million

LONDON: Sotheby’s is to auction six shirts worn by Lionel Messi during Argentina’s winning run at last year’s soccer World Cup in Qatar and thinks they could become the most valuable collection of sports memorabilia ever sold at potentially more than $10 million.

Green Falcons train in Al-Ahsa ahead of Jordan World Cup qualifier

RIYADH: Saudi footballers trained in Al-Ahsa ahead of their match against Jordan in the second round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

Steven Gerrard aiming to be Al-Ettifaq’s modern-day ‘Nawkhada'

RIYADH: The summer of 2023 marked 40 years since the most memorable moment in the history of Al-Ettifaq, the green and red club based in Dammam on the eastern shores of Saudi Arabia.

Kohli, Shami star as India beat New Zealand to reach World Cup final

MUMBAI: Virat Kohli scored a record-breaking 50th one-day international hundred and Mohammed Shami took seven wickets as India beat New Zealand by 70 runs to reach the Cricket World Cup final on Wednesday. Kohli made 117 to surpass the ODI century record he had shared with India great Sachin Tendulkar, and Shreyas Iyer clubbed a rapid 105 in a commanding total of 397-4. New Zealand were then dismissed for 327 despite Daryl Michell’s 134 with paceman Shami taking a sensational career-best 7-57. The Black Caps had hope of an improbable win during a third-wicket stand of 181 between captain Kane Williamson and Mitchell at the Wankhede Stadium Shami, however, all but ended the chase with two wickets in three balls during the 33rd over.

Eyes on Mancini’s Saudi team as 2026 World Cup qualifiers kick off against Pakistan

On Thursday, it will be six days short of one year since Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina 2-1 in one of the biggest upsets in the history of the World Cup.