Saudi Arabia World Cup squad
Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard named his 26-man squad for the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 World Cup on Friday. Saudi Arabia are in Group C alongside Argentina, Mexico and Poland.
Saudi Arabia Sport News
Dybala and Di Maria in, Lo Celso out of Argentina squad
Captain Lionel Messi will lead the squad in Qatar at his fifth and probably last World Cup.
Europe’s World Cup stranglehold tested by Brazil, Argentina
DUBAI: When Gianni Infantino told a gathering of European soccer officials in Vienna he hoped the winner of the World Cup came from their continent, the FIFA President quickly stated — with a smile — he adapts the comment to whichever region he’s in. It’s no laughing matter for the rest of the world. Seven of the last eight World Cup finalists have come from Europe.
How DLS helped cricket conquer interruption dilemma
There is some dispute about the precise year and place when limited overs cricket began. A one-day cricket tournament, initiated at the Tripunithura Cricket Club, near Cochin, India in 1950 claims the honor.
Injured Mane in Senegal World Cup squad, racing to be ready
DAKAR, Senegal: Sadio Mane was included in Senegal’s World Cup squad on Friday as coach Aliou Cissé gambled on one of the world’s best forward being fit and ready in time after injuring his lower right leg this week playing for Bayern Munich. Cisse said Senegal’s medical team hoped that Mane would need about a week to recover from the injury he sustained on Tuesday in a league game in Germany and therefore be ready for Senegal’s opening game at the World Cup against the Netherlands on Nov. 21 — on paper the strongest team Senegal will face in Group A in Qatar.
Uncapped Xavi Simons in Dutch World Cup squad, Cillessen out
ZEIST, Netherlands: Uncapped attacking midfielder Xavi Simons was included Friday in the Netherlands’ World Cup squad, while veteran goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen did not make coach Louis van Gaal’s roster for the tournament in Qatar. Van Gaal also selected injured stars Memphis Depay of Barcelona and Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt in his 26-player squad. Depay, who has scored 42 goals in 81 internationals, hasn’t featured since incurring a hamstring injury while playing for the Netherlands against Poland in September.
Ansu Fati makes Spain World Cup squad, Sergio Ramos excluded
LAS ROZAS DE MADRID, Spain: Luis Enrique called up Barcelona forward Ansu Fati for the 2022 World Cup as he announced his squad on Friday. The 20-year-old Barcelona forward was not used in September’s Nations League clashes and has not been at his best for his club this season. Fati has four caps for his country and one goal, and has spent the best part of the last two seasons on the sidelines because of repeated knee injuries. Luis Enrique included him in a list of 26 players for the tournament in Qatar, which did not include veteran Paris Saint-Germain defender Sergio Ramos, despite speculation he could return. Ramos, who is Spain’s record appearance-maker on 180 games for the national team, has found fitness and form with his club this season. Luis Enrique, who only brought 24 players to Euro 2020 out of a possible 26, has elected to select his full complement this time around. As well as veteran players like Barcelona duo Sergio Busquets, who was in Spain’s World Cup winning squad in 2010, and Jordi Alba, the coach opted for younger, relatively untested options. Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams and Valencia defender Hugo Guillamon were selected, along with Villarreal winger Yeremy Pino. Luis Enrique has been criticized in the past for not calling up Real Madrid players, but Los Blancos pair Dani Carvajal and Marco Asensio were included.
Fans urged to chant Mahsa Amini name at Iran World Cup games
PARIS: Activists have called on football fans attending Iran’s matches at the World Cup starting later this month to chant the name of Mahsa Amini, whose death in custody sparked nationwide protests. Iran has been rocked by eight weeks of protests since Amini’s death, after her arrest for an alleged breach of the country’s strict dress rules for women based on Islamic sharia law. In spite of a bloody crackdown, the protests that initially saw women burn their hijab headscarves and cut their hair have evolved into a broader movement calling for the end of the Islamic republic.