Riyadh to host Apex Legends and FC Pro finals at Esports World Cup 2025

EA’s top circuits arrive in Riyadh as ALGS and FC Pro take the stage. supplied
EA’s top circuits arrive in Riyadh as ALGS and FC Pro take the stage. supplied
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Updated 26 May 2025

Riyadh to host Apex Legends and FC Pro finals at Esports World Cup 2025

EA’s top circuits arrive in Riyadh as ALGS and FC Pro take the stage. supplied
  • The addition of two of EA’s most prestigious competitive circuits further elevates the Esports World Cup’s standing as a premier global platform for elite esports
  • The 2025 edition of the Esports World Cup will bring together 2,000 top players and 200 clubs from more than 100 countries

RIYADH: The Esports World Cup Foundation and Electronic Arts have confirmed that the Apex Legends Global Series Midseason Playoffs and the FC Pro World Championship for EA SPORTS FC 25 will take place this summer at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh.

The addition of two of EA’s most prestigious competitive circuits further elevates the Esports World Cup’s standing as a premier global platform for elite esports. Both tournaments have previously headlined packed arenas and now join a growing lineup that continues to attract the industry’s most influential titles and top-tier talent.

Apex Legends returns to Riyadh after a successful 2024 debut that featured a dramatic 13-game final in which 12 teams were still in contention for the title. The 2025 ALGS Midseason Playoffs will run from July 10-13, bringing 40 of the world’s best squads to compete for a $2 million prize pool.

The event opens with Pool Play on July 10 and 11, dividing teams into two groups of 20 for 10 matches. The top seven from each group will advance directly to the Match Point Finals on July 13. Teams ranked eighth to 17th will battle for the final six spots through the Last Chance Semifinals on July 12.

The tournament winner will take home $600,000 and earn 1,000 valuable ALGS Championship Points toward year-end qualification.

The FC Pro World Championship will be staged from Aug. 7-10, featuring the best EA SPORTS FC players competing for a $1.5 million prize pool. A Last Chance Qualifier will precede the main event from July 31 to Aug. 3, offering 512 participants a final shot at reaching the Play-Ins. From there, 48 players will contend for the last four spots in the championship.

The Group Stage begins Aug. 7, with 32 players advancing into playoff action on Aug. 9. The tournament concludes on Aug. 10 with the quarterfinals, semifinals, a third-place match and the grand final. The eventual champion will claim $250,000.

The return of the Last Chance Qualifier follows one of the most memorable stories from EWC 2024, when Joao “jafonsogv” Vasconcelos made an incredible run from qualifier to champion.

With more than 500 players expected to take part in this year’s LCQ, the stakes are higher than ever. Among the returning stars will be defending champion Anders Vejrgang, who headlines a field representing some of the world’s most prominent football and esports clubs.

“The ALGS and FC Pro are two of the most competitive and globally recognized circuits in esports,” said Fabian Scheuermann, chief games officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation. “Together with EA, we’re opening doors for players at every level — from grassroots to elite — to compete on the world’s biggest stage. We’re looking forward to football and esports clubs coming together at the Esports World Cup through FC Pro, and excited to bring ALGS to Riyadh after the incredible response last year. This is the future of esports as a global sport — and we’re just getting started.”

The 2025 edition of the Esports World Cup will bring together 2,000 top players and 200 clubs from more than 100 countries. More than 25 tournaments will be contested across 24 different games, with a combined prize pool exceeding $70 million — the largest in esports history.


Europe leads USA by three after Ryder Cup opening day

Europe leads USA by three after Ryder Cup opening day
Updated 27 September 2025

Europe leads USA by three after Ryder Cup opening day

Europe leads USA by three after Ryder Cup opening day

FARMINGDALE: Europe grabbed a 5.5-2.5 lead over the United States after the completion of Friday’s opening day of matches in the 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
The Europeans seized a 3-0 lead for the first time on US soil on the way to a 3-1 lead after morning foursomes  matches.
In the afternoon four-ball  matches, which US President Donald Trump watched from the first tee, there was little US improvement.
In four-balls, Americans Justin Thomas and Cam Young routed Ludvig Aberg and Rasmus Hojgaard 6&5.
Europe’s Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka beat top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and J.J. Spaun 3&2.
Englishmen Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood edged Bryson DeChambeau and Ben Griffin 1-up.
Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay tied Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy.


Kane reaches 100 goals for Bayern Munich with double strike in 4-0 win over Werder Bremen

Kane reaches 100 goals for Bayern Munich with double strike in 4-0 win over Werder Bremen
Updated 27 September 2025

Kane reaches 100 goals for Bayern Munich with double strike in 4-0 win over Werder Bremen

Kane reaches 100 goals for Bayern Munich with double strike in 4-0 win over Werder Bremen
  • He has reached the century mark faster than any player in the top five European leagues since 2000
  • The Bavarians, who take on Pafos in Cyprus for the Champions League on Tuesday, are in top spot on 15 points

MUNICH, Germany: Forward Harry Kane struck twice, including a record-extending first half penalty, to reach 100 goals across all competitions for the German champions as they cruised to a 4-0 victory over visitors Werder Bremen on Friday.

The England captain, who scored a hat trick last week in their 4-1 win over Hoffenheim, put Bayern 2-0 up in the 44th minute with a penalty, his 18th consecutive successful spot kick in the Bundesliga for a flawless record.

Jonathan Tah had given the hosts a deserved lead in the 22nd with a deflected backheel flick.

Kane added another in the 65th, pouncing on a deflected Luis Diaz shot to drill in from close range and reach his century of goals in 104 matches across all competitions for Bayern. He has reached that mark faster than any player in the top five European leagues since 2000.

“Another great performance,” Kane said. “We had a good start to the game, we could’ve scored a goal or two early in the game. We then grew into the game and got the goals. It was another dominant performance.”

His performances for Bayern this season have fanned speculation about a possible move back to the Premier League through an exit clause in his contract. However, Kane, whose deal with Bayern runs to 2027, said he was not thinking of a return at this stage.

“No, not at the moment. I’m really happy here. I have two years left on my contract,” Kane said. “I’m enjoying every moment. That is not in my thought process. I’m enjoying it with the team, with the coach, and hopefully we continue to be successful.”

The 32-year-old, leading Bundesliga scorer with 10 goals in Bayern’s five games so far, joined from Tottenham Hotspur in 2023.

Werder had keeper Karl Hein to thank for keeping the scoreline respectable after he made close to a dozen crucial saves, including stopping Kane and substitute Nicolas Jackson in one-on-ones.

But the Estonian keeper could do nothing when Konrad Laimer slipped through with a quick one-two, to finish off the move in the 87th for Bayern’s 22nd league goal.

The Bavarians, who take on Pafos in Cyprus for the Champions League on Tuesday, are in top spot on 15 points. Second-placed Borussia Dortmund, on 10, are in action at Mainz 05 on Saturday.


Ronaldo winner sends Al-Nassr 3 points clear at top of SPL

Ronaldo winner sends Al-Nassr 3 points clear at top of SPL
Updated 27 September 2025

Ronaldo winner sends Al-Nassr 3 points clear at top of SPL

Ronaldo winner sends Al-Nassr 3 points clear at top of SPL
  • Sadio Mane also on scoresheet in 2-0 victory over Al-Ittihad
  • Al-Ahli secure 2-0 win at Al-Hazm

JEDDAH: Al-Nassr won 2-0 at Al-Ittihad on Friday to move three points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League, thanks to first-half goals from Sadio Mane and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Going into the match — the biggest of the season so far — these were the only two teams in the SPL with a 100 percent record, with three wins from three, adding an extra edge to a game that is already one of the biggest in Asia. Now Nassr have four from four and are looking good.

There was a big crowd in Jeddah to roar on the defending champions and while Al-Ittihad started brightly, the Tigers were unable to get on the scoresheet.

Then after nine minutes, Al-Nassr took the lead in some style to stun the home fans. Kingsley Coman chipped the ball in from the right and there was Mane to volley home at the far post, giving goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic no chance.

Both teams continued to have chances, but 10 minutes before the break, Mane crossed from the left for Ronaldo to head home from close range. 

From that point on, although Al-Ittihad doubled their efforts, it seemed as if there would be just one winner. Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, came close with a low shot soon after he scored, but despite both teams having chances, the scoreline stayed the same.

In the end, Al-Nassr took the win and are now three points clear at the top of the standings.

Earlier on Friday, Al-Ahli, who suffered a surprise 3-1 defeat at home to Pyramids of Egypt in the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup on Tuesday, bounced back with a 2-0 win at Al-Hazm.

Firas Al-Buraikan opened the scoring after 72 minutes and Ali Majrashi sealed the win eight minutes later.

This league round is the last before the international break, during which the team faces games against Indonesia and Iraq, with a place at the 2026 World Cup up for grabs.


Hamilton misses F1 tire test to care for his seriously ill dog Roscoe

Hamilton misses F1 tire test to care for his seriously ill dog Roscoe
Updated 26 September 2025

Hamilton misses F1 tire test to care for his seriously ill dog Roscoe

Hamilton misses F1 tire test to care for his seriously ill dog Roscoe
  • Hamilton said Roscoe was resuscitated after his heart stopped while under sedation for pneumonia treatment
  • “We don’t know whether he’ll wake from this,” Hamilton wrote on Instagram

SCARPERIA E SAN PIERO, Italy: Lewis Hamilton missed a chance to test Formula 1’s 2026 tires for Ferrari on Friday as he stayed with his bulldog Roscoe, who was in a coma following a pneumonia infection.
Hamilton said Roscoe was resuscitated after his heart stopped while under sedation for pneumonia treatment.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

“We don’t know whether he’ll wake from this,” Hamilton wrote on Instagram. “Tomorrow we’ll try to wake him up. I’m by his side and want to thank you all for your prayers and support.”
Hamilton’s former Mercedes teammate George Russell offered support, commenting: “Thinking of you mate.”
The 12-year-old Roscoe has been a regular sight in the F1 paddock for much of Hamilton’s career and has 1.3 million followers on Instagram.
Ferrari reserve driver Zhou Guanyu took part in Friday’s test with tire supplier Pirelli at the Mugello circuit in Italy alongside Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc.
The test runs were disrupted by rain which meant Leclerc and Zhou spent most of the day on intermediate and full wet tires, rather than the hard-compound slicks they were meant to be testing. It was a chance to gather data ahead of wide-ranging changes to F1 regulations in 2026.
Also Friday, Romain Grosjean got back behind the wheel with the Haas team in a 2023-specification car at Mugello. It was a symbolic and emotional return to F1 five years after a fiery crash in his last race of 2020.
“Fantastic, just felt a bit rusty at first and then everything came back,” Grosjean said, adding he was in tears under his helmet visor at the sight of staff from Haas, Ferrari, Red Bull and Pirelli applauding on his final lap.
“I’m very, very grateful. There are just no other words,” he said.
Grosjean wore a helmet with designs drawn by his children. He planned to wear it for what would have been his final race in 2020 in Abu Dhabi, but had to miss it because of burns sustained in the crash a month earlier in Bahrain.


Turkish soccer leader urges FIFA, UEFA to suspend Israel

Turkish soccer leader urges FIFA, UEFA to suspend Israel
Updated 26 September 2025

Turkish soccer leader urges FIFA, UEFA to suspend Israel

Turkish soccer leader urges FIFA, UEFA to suspend Israel
  • Turkish Football Federation President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu says sporting world and football institutions have remained silent for far too long
  • European soccer’s governing body appears poised for an emergency vote next week on suspending Israel from competitions

ISTANBUL: Turkiye on Friday became the first UEFA member to publicly call for Israel to be suspended from soccer, calling the situation in Gaza “inhumane and unacceptable.”
Turkish Football Federation president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu’s letter to international soccer leaders came as European body UEFA moves toward a vote to suspend Israel, whose men’s team is in the middle of qualifying for next year’s World Cup.
“It is now time for FIFA and UEFA to act,” Haciosmanoglu wrote in the letter quoted by the Anadolu news agency.
“Despite positioning themselves as defenders of civic values and peace, the sporting world and football institutions have remained silent for far too long,” the Turkish official said.
Haciosmanoglu is not on the 20-member UEFA ruling committee, which is expected to have a majority to exclude Israel if a vote is called. The committee includes Israel soccer leader Moshe Zuares, who was elected in April.
The head of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, is closely aligned with 2026 World Cup co-host the United States and President Donald Trump so is seen as unlikely to back a move to suspend Israel.
The US State Department said on Thursday it will work to stop any efforts aiming to ban Israel’s team from the World Cup.
Infantino chairs a meeting of FIFA’s ruling council next Thursday in Zurich.
Norway hosts Israel in a World Cup qualifier in Oslo on Oct. 11 and Italy is due to play Israel in Udine three days later. The Norwegian soccer federation has promised to give its profits on ticket sales to Doctors Without Borders for humanitarian work in Gaza.
FIFA didn’t immediately return requests seeking comment on Friday.
Pressure on international sports to act against Israel has grown this month after days of chaos at the Spanish Vuelta cycle race — which led Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to call for a sporting ban on Israel — a Sept. 9 airstrike by Israel targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar’s capital Doha, and a United Nations Human Rights Council-appointed inquiry accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
Haciosmanoglu said the situation in Gaza was now more urgent and “football has always been far more than a sport.”
“It is a universal language that brings together different cultures, fosters friendship, and strengthens the bonds of solidarity among peoples,” he wrote. “Guided by these values, we feel compelled to raise our deep concern regarding the unlawful (and more importantly, completely inhumane and unacceptable) situation being carried out by the State of Israel in Gaza and its surrounding areas.”
Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in July called Israel a “terrorist state” for its actions in Syria and a destabilizing force in the region.
Israel has qualified for only one men’s World Cup, in 1970, when it advanced by playing against Australia and New Zealand in a section involving teams in Asia not from the Middle East. Israel was exiled from Asian soccer a few years later and has been a full member of UEFA since 1994.