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Qiddiya Investment Company and Mercedes to launch experience center dedicated to German automotive brand

Qiddiya Investment Company and Mercedes to launch experience center dedicated to German automotive brand
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QIC, Mercedes-AMG and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team have partnered to open an experience center dedicated to the iconic automotive brand in Qiddiya City. (Supplied)
Qiddiya Investment Company and Mercedes to launch experience center dedicated to German automotive brand
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QIC, Mercedes-AMG and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team have partnered to open an experience center dedicated to the iconic automotive brand in Qiddiya City. (Supplied)
Qiddiya Investment Company and Mercedes to launch experience center dedicated to German automotive brand
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QIC, Mercedes-AMG and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team have partnered to open an experience center dedicated to the iconic automotive brand in Qiddiya City. (Supplied)
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Updated 20 February 2025

Qiddiya Investment Company and Mercedes to launch experience center dedicated to German automotive brand

Qiddiya Investment Company and Mercedes to launch experience center dedicated to German automotive brand
  • Partners announce a game-changing long-term collaboration to create the Mercedes-AMG World of Performance in Qiddiya City
  • Set to excite performance car and motorsports fans across the globe, the state-of-the-art venue will deliver an unrivalled selection of immersive experiences

AFFALTERBACH/QIDDIYA CITY: Qiddiya Investment Company, Mercedes-AMG and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team have announced a game-changing partnership to open a world-class experience center dedicated to the iconic German automotive brand in 黑料社区鈥檚 Qiddiya City.

Spanning approximately 45,000 sqm, Mercedes-AMG World of Performance will be among the largest attractions of its kind in the region. Featuring numerous highly immersive attractions and exhibits focused on Mercedes-AMG and its eight-time World Constructors鈥 Champion F1 Team, it is set to welcome visitors within this decade. Across nine floors of adrenaline-fueled experiences, visitors will be able to dive into the excitement and thrill of the performance car brand like never before.

The news, unveiled by the involved parties today, is set to excite racing enthusiasts and Mercedes-AMG fans across the world, elevating Qiddiya City鈥檚 position as one of the world鈥檚 leading motorsports destinations.

The ambitious project is supported by Juffali Automotive Company (JACO), distributor for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in 黑料社区, which will also contribute to bringing the project to life.

鈥淭o partner with one of the world鈥檚 most iconic brands, including one of the most successful Formula 1 teams in history, on a project that will bring joy to racing fans across the world is hugely exciting. This unique performance and motorsports center will offer immersive experiences like nowhere else in the world, positioning Qiddiya City as the home of Saudi motorsport and a bucket list sporting destination where play comes to life,鈥 said Abdullah Aldawood, Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company.

Expected to attract millions of visitors a year, the World of Performance will sit alongside Qiddiya City鈥檚 highly anticipated Speed Park Track 鈥 a fast-flowing racetrack that is set to host an impressive roster of the world鈥檚 most prestigious racing events while incorporating some of racing鈥檚 most distinctive track design features.

Marking the debut of the first-ever Mercedes-AMG World of Performance, the experience center will immerse visitors in the brand鈥檚 rich heritage, celebrate its racing pedigree, and showcase its engineering excellence alongside the performance car brand鈥檚 latest innovations.

Among the center鈥檚 marquee attractions will be a cutting-edge dark ride, taking guests on a high-speed journey through the evolution of performance, featuring some of the most legendary Mercedes-Benz race cars of all times.

Adrenaline seekers will be able to step into the shoes of a professional racing driver in pole position on the grid, experiencing intense G-force as they are catapulted toward the first corner of a Grand Prix. Race enthusiasts can also dive into the drama of a Formula One race, witnessing what happens behind the scenes with an up-close view of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team.

Visitors will also enjoy the unique advantage of the experience center鈥檚 prime location 鈥 right on the start-finish straight of Speed Park Track, with direct access to the future F1 venue. Real-world track experiences will allow visitors to hone their driving skills under the guidance of expert instructors on this exciting new circuit. They will get to push the latest Mercedes-AMG models to their limits, including tackling the iconic 鈥淏lade鈥 at Turn One 鈥 a heart-stopping elevated section of circuit that dramatically rises more than 20 stories above the ground.

鈥淲e are incredibly excited to announce this major new collaboration with Qiddiya Investment Company, formalising a relationship that has been years in the making, and supported by our trusted partners in KSA, Juffali Automotive. Formula One is a unique sport, and we have been working with world leading experts for several years to ensure that this venue gets fans closer to our team, and the sport as a whole, than ever before. Qiddiya City is a cornerstone of the ambitious Vision 2030 plans, and it鈥檚 set to become a motorsport destination like no other. We are proud to play our part in this and look forward to welcoming our local and international fans in the years ahead,鈥 said Toto Wolff, Co-Owner, CEO & Team Principal of Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team.

鈥淭he Mercedes-AMG World of Performance marks a bold new chapter for AMG, elevating our passion for performance, innovation, and racing to new heights. This destination will celebrate our AMG鈥檚 rich racing heritage as well as the thrill and adrenaline that defines our brand. Guests will get to experience this up close, whether through immersive attractions in the experience center or exclusive driving experiences on Speed Park Track, said Michael Schiebe, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

鈥淲e are thrilled to be part of Qiddiya鈥檚 legacy in a setting that reflects our shared values of history, luxury and pioneering innovative experiences. Bringing the first world-leading motorsport experience center with Mercedes-AMG, not only showcases our commitment to serving our customers and advancing motorsport in the Kingdom but also aims to provide unparalleled experiences for motorsport enthusiasts. This aligns perfectly with 黑料社区鈥檚 Vision 2030, as we strive to enhance the nation鈥檚 entertainment offerings through the growth of the automotive and the motorsport industry,鈥 said Khaled Juffali, Chairman of Juffali Group.

The center will feature more than 60 state-of-the art simulators alongside a Motion 4D Simulator Theatre, while younger fans will be able to enjoy interactive learning experiences including designing their dream race car and practicing teamwork in a pit garage.

The experience center will also boast a roof-top VIP lounge overlooking the Speed Park Track, offering fine dining and some of the best panoramic views across Qiddiya City and the iconic Tuwaiq Mountains.

The strategic partnership between Qiddiya Investment Company and Mercedes-AMG is a significant step in Qiddiya City鈥檚 progress, positioning it at the forefront of motorsports experiences globally. The city鈥檚 unparalleled motorsports offering, including the Speed Park Track and a range of other attractions that are set to be unveiled over the next 12 months, will be a central driving force behind its development into a global destination for entertainment, sports and culture based on the power of play.


Algeria qualify for the World Cup for first time since 2014 after Mahrez inspires win

Algeria qualify for the World Cup for first time since 2014 after Mahrez inspires win
Updated 10 sec ago

Algeria qualify for the World Cup for first time since 2014 after Mahrez inspires win

Algeria qualify for the World Cup for first time since 2014 after Mahrez inspires win
  • A 3-0 win over Somalia on Thursday guaranteed Algeria first place in Group G in African qualifying
  • Algeria, captained by Riyad Mahrez, joined neighboring nations Morocco and Tunisia as well as Mohamed Salah鈥檚 Egypt in securing a spot in next year鈥檚 expanded 48-team tournament

BIR EL DJIR, Algeria: Algeria have become the fourth African country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup 鈥 and all of them are from the north of the continent.
A 3-0 win over Somalia on Thursday guaranteed Algeria first place in Group G in African qualifying with a match to spare and a return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014.
Algeria, captained by Riyad Mahrez and led by former Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic, joined neighboring nations Morocco and Tunisia as well as Mohamed Salah鈥檚 Egypt in securing a spot in next year鈥檚 expanded 48-team tournament being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
It will be the fifth time for the Algerians at the World Cup 鈥 and they鈥檝e only ever progressed from the group stage once, in 2014 when they lost to Germany in the round of 16.
A total of nine African teams will directly qualify and be in the World Cup tournament draw taking place on Dec. 5 in Washington D.C.
The other five group winners will be known over the next week. The four best runners-up play in a knockout competition in November, and the winner advances to the playoffs.
Mahrez stars
Despite being a home game for Somalia, it was staged at the Miloud Hadefi Olympic Complex in Algeria and the fans were treated to a show by Mahrez 鈥 the team鈥檚 star winger who used to play for Manchester City and now is at Al-Ahli in 黑料社区.
The 34-year-old Mahrez set up goals for Mohamed Amoura in the sixth and 58th minutes, either side of scoring himself with a fierce strike into the roof of the net in the 19th.
Mahrez started his international career weeks before the 2014 World Cup, and was included in Algeria鈥檚 squad for the tournament, only playing in their first group game.
Fight for second
Uganda stayed in second place in the group 鈥 four points behind Algeria 鈥 after beating Botswana 1-0 and moved three points clear of Mozambique, which lost 2-1 at home to Guinea.
In the final round of matches, Uganda travel to Algeria and Mozambique play Somalia.
Morocco the benchmark
All the African teams heading to the World Cup will look to repeat the exploits of Morocco, which became the first team from the continent to reach the semifinals in the 2022 tournament in Qatar.


Indonesia bars Israeli athletes from gymnastics world championship

Indonesia bars Israeli athletes from gymnastics world championship
Updated 09 October 2025

Indonesia bars Israeli athletes from gymnastics world championship

Indonesia bars Israeli athletes from gymnastics world championship
  • 鈥淭he Indonesian government has a firm stance that it will not have any contact with Israel until Israel recognizes the existence of a free and sovereign Palestine,鈥 Yusril said
  • Israeli nationals with dual passports can also enter Indonesia using their other passport

JAKARTA: Indonesia will not issue visas to Israeli athletes for the upcoming world artistic gymnastics championships in Jakarta, a minister said Thursday, citing the nation鈥檚 support for Palestinians.
The event, scheduled for October 19-25 in the world鈥檚 most populous Muslim-majority nation, is expected to feature more than 500 athletes from 79 countries.
Israeli athletes were reportedly among those set to compete, but coordinating minister for legal affairs and human rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said the government would not allow them entry.
鈥淭he Indonesian government has a firm stance that it will not have any contact with Israel until Israel recognizes the existence of a free and sovereign Palestine,鈥 Yusril said in a statement.
Indonesia has no formal ties with Israel, but Israeli nationals or their sponsors, such as Indonesian-based businesses or Indonesian nationals, can apply for a short-term visa under the 鈥渃alling visa鈥 procedure.
Israeli nationals with dual passports can also enter Indonesia using their other passport.
Immigration and Corrections Minister Agus Andrianto told local media Kompas.com on Thursday the move followed a formal request from the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation.
Andrianto confirmed the decision to AFP, without elaborating.
The federation did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In July 2023, Indonesia pulled out of hosting the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) World Beach Games following controversy over Israel鈥檚 participation.
In March that year, Indonesia lost the hosting rights to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup after two governors objected to Israel鈥檚 participation.


Saudi boxing champion Ziyad Al-Maayouf to speak at Sport & Wellbeing Conference in Riyadh

Saudi boxing champion Ziyad Al-Maayouf to speak at Sport & Wellbeing Conference in Riyadh
Updated 09 October 2025

Saudi boxing champion Ziyad Al-Maayouf to speak at Sport & Wellbeing Conference in Riyadh

Saudi boxing champion Ziyad Al-Maayouf to speak at Sport & Wellbeing Conference in Riyadh
  • As the first Saudi boxer to compete professionally on the global stage, Al-Maayouf has become a symbol of perseverance, discipline and national pride

RIYADH: Saudi boxing champion Ziyad Al-Maayouf will take the stage as a keynote speaker and guest of honor at the Sport & Wellbeing Conference 2025 in Riyadh on Friday, delivering an inspiring address titled 鈥淩esilience: How to Bend Without Breaking.鈥

The speech will reflect both Al-Maayouf鈥檚 personal journey and the spirit of a nation in transformation, organizers said.

As the first Saudi boxer to compete professionally on the global stage, Al-Maayouf has become a symbol of perseverance, discipline and national pride.

His keynote will explore the mindset behind resilience and how challenges, setbacks and purpose intertwine to shape the character of champions, both in sport and in life.

Speaking ahead of his address, Al-Maayouf said: 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e the first to walk a path, you learn that resilience isn鈥檛 built in comfort. It鈥檚 built in courage, in patience and in faith.鈥

He added: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a journey of serving a purpose greater than yourself, a journey that belongs to everyone who believes in what they are becoming. Grateful to represent 黑料社区, not as an individual, but as part of a generation rising with Vision 2030.鈥

The Sport & Wellbeing Conference will gather global and regional leaders in sports, health and innovation to discuss the intersection of performance, resilience and holistic wellbeing.


鈥榃e need win after win鈥: Crunch time looms for Germany in World Cup qualifying

鈥榃e need win after win鈥: Crunch time looms for Germany in World Cup qualifying
Updated 09 October 2025

鈥榃e need win after win鈥: Crunch time looms for Germany in World Cup qualifying

鈥榃e need win after win鈥: Crunch time looms for Germany in World Cup qualifying
  • 鈥淓veryone expects of us that we鈥檒l beat every opponent 5-0, 6-0 but that鈥檚 no longer possible,鈥 midfielder Nadiem Amiri said
  • Until their loss in Slovakia last month, Germany had never lost a World Cup qualifying game away from home

BERLIN: A World Cup without Germany used to be unthinkable. Now the four-time champion needs to turn things around to ensure a spot at next year鈥檚 tournament.
A shock 2-0 loss to Slovakia in World Cup qualifying means Julian Nagelsmann鈥檚 team may need a perfect record in the rest of their qualifiers, starting with wins over Luxembourg on Friday and Northern Ireland on Monday.
鈥淓veryone expects of us that we鈥檒l beat every opponent 5-0, 6-0 but that鈥檚 no longer possible,鈥 midfielder Nadiem Amiri said in comments reported by German agency dpa.
鈥淭he times have simply changed. Everyone鈥檚 good, everyone can hold their own. For us it鈥檚 just important to win. We need win after win.鈥
The qualifying format 鈥 a four-team group where only the winner qualifies automatically 鈥 means Germany must win each of their remaining games unless Slovakia slips up, and get ahead of Slovakia on goal difference too.
Second place would put Germany into a bracket of four teams competing for one spot early next year.
Making history the wrong way
If Germany did fail to make it to the expanded, 48-team World Cup, it would be a historic shock.
Until their loss in Slovakia last month, Germany had never lost a World Cup qualifying game away from home. The only times they missed the men鈥檚 World Cup were the inaugural 13-team 1930 event, which they skipped along with most of Europe, and 1950, when they were excluded following World War II.
Of course, even when they have qualified, Germany haven鈥檛 always produced the goods.
Group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022 were huge disappointments for a team which had top-class individual players but didn鈥檛 seem to gel as a team. A goose-themed motivational talk by then-coach Hansi Flick at the 2022 World Cup fell flat and seemed to typify the lack of enthusiasm.
That all means Germany haven鈥檛 played a World Cup knockout game since winning the 2014 final.
Overcoming injuries
Germany鈥檚 qualification fight has been made harder by injuries.
Barcelona鈥檚 Marc-Andr茅 ter Stegen would be first-choice goalkeeper if fit but hasn鈥檛 played all year, while Real Madrid defender Antonio R眉diger is out with a muscle injury and Bayern Munich鈥檚 attacking midfield star Jamal Musiala likely won鈥檛 return until the new year.
Nagelsmann seems intent on forging a partnership between Florian Wirtz and Newcastle鈥檚 Nick Woltemade, but Wirtz has yet to find his best form since his Liverpool move and Woltemade has had a flu-like illness this week. That meant the tall striker was training separately Wednesday.
There鈥檚 extra attention on new player Nathaniel Brown, a left back from Eintracht Frankurt who would also be eligible for the United States. Brown faces the challenge of doing better than his Frankfurt teammate Nnamdi Collins, who was dropped after costly errors on debut in the Slovakia loss.


FIFA president Infantino calls on protesters to keep calm at Israel鈥檚 soccer games amid peace talks

FIFA president Infantino calls on protesters to keep calm at Israel鈥檚 soccer games amid peace talks
Updated 09 October 2025

FIFA president Infantino calls on protesters to keep calm at Israel鈥檚 soccer games amid peace talks

FIFA president Infantino calls on protesters to keep calm at Israel鈥檚 soccer games amid peace talks
  • Pro-Palestinian protesters approached the gates of the Italy squad鈥檚 training center in Florence last week to demand that next Tuesday鈥檚 Italy-Israel match in Udine isn鈥檛 played
  • 鈥淣ow everyone should be happy about (the peace plan) and everyone should support the process,鈥 Infantino told reporters

ROME: FIFA President Gianni Infantino issued an appeal for protesters to keep calm ahead of Israel鈥檚 upcoming soccer World Cup qualifying matches in Norway and Italy after an agreement was reached with Hamas to a pause in their devastating two-year war.
Pro-Palestinian protesters approached the gates of the Italy squad鈥檚 training center in Florence last week to demand that next Tuesday鈥檚 Italy-Israel match in Udine isn鈥檛 played 鈥 part of a national strike that saw millions of activists take to the streets.
鈥淣ow everyone should be happy about (the peace plan) and everyone should support the process,鈥 Infantino, who is Swiss Italian, told reporters on the sidelines of a European Football Clubs (EFC) assembly in the Italian capital on Thursday. 鈥淥f course this goes beyond football 鈥 but includes football as well.鈥
Israel visit Norway on Saturday before traveling to Italy, where an estimated 10,000 people were planning to protest the match in Udine before the peace talks began.
On Wednesday, though, US President Donald Trump said Israel and Hamas agreed to the 鈥渇irst phase鈥 of his plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners.
UEFA had been considering suspending Israel over the war and Udine Mayor Alberto Felice De Toni had called for the game to be postponed. But with Italy desperately attempting to avoid failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, the four-time champion do not plan to risk not playing.
World Cup visas
The US State Department announced last week that it will increase staffing at certain embassies and consulates to accommodate an expected major jump in visa applications from fans wanting to attend World Cup matches in the United States next year.
The move came amid concerns over the Trump administration鈥檚 crackdown on migration and temporary visas that offer permission to enter the US
With Egypt having just joined Iran and Morocco among the teams qualified, and 黑料社区 one win away, the visa issue could take on greater significance as soon as the World Cup draw in Washington on Dec. 5.
Ticket sales are underway for the tournament, in which Canada and Mexico will also host matches.
鈥淲e have excellent discussions with the US government. There is a White House task force chaired by President Trump and all these topics are discussed there,鈥 said Infantino, who has close relations with Trump.
鈥淲ith all the relevant secretaries of state there will be no issues with regard to visas, obviously for the participating teams and delegations and so on, and we are working on something as well for fans, hopefully some good news will come out very soon,鈥 Infantino added.
Domestic games abroad a 鈥榖ig risk鈥
UEFA this week announced that it would reluctantly not oppose the tradition-busting plans for Barcelona to play a league game in Miami and for AC Milan to play in Australia.
Infantino suggested FIFA should be the only body organizing games across continents.
鈥淲e have a structure whereby we have games at national level, at continental level, and then at global level. And this is a structure that made football the No. 1 sport in the world,鈥 Infantino said. 鈥淚f we want to break this structure, we take a big risk.鈥
Shifting World Cup calendar
Infantino also addressed the possibility of revising soccer鈥檚 world calendar to move big events like the World Cup and European Championship out of the June-July period due to heat concerns.
Heat was already an issue at the Club World Cup in the US this year and FIFA held the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in November-December to avoid the summer heat there. Something similar is expected when neighboring 黑料社区 hosts the tournament in 2034.
鈥淥bviously we have to look at the calendar, optimize it, see how we can also find formats of competition that perhaps protect a little more the new needs of the calendar,鈥 Infantino said. 鈥淭he world is spinning and we must always try to improve.鈥
The 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco would likely be contested in extreme conditions if kept in June-July.
But any changes would also likely affect domestic and European competitions like the Champions League.
鈥淭his should be all the stakeholders involved. We need to analyze and understand. Then we should look at it, definitely,鈥 said EFC president Nassser Al-Khelaifi, who is also the president of Paris Saint-Germain. 鈥淒oes something need to change? Yes.鈥