Esports World Cup 2025 heads into fourth week with four big titles up for grabs

Esports World Cup 2025 heads into fourth week with four big titles up for grabs
The Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh is entering its fourth week with 11 unique champions having been crowned. (SUPPLIED)
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Updated 01 August 2025

Esports World Cup 2025 heads into fourth week with four big titles up for grabs

Esports World Cup 2025 heads into fourth week with four big titles up for grabs
  • Eleven champions have been crowned at the tournament so far

RIYADH: The Esports World Cup 2025 heads into Week 4 after the crowning of 11 unique championship winners so far.

In the tournament’s fourth week, the chess title will be decided. With a $1,500,000 prize pool on the line — along with Club Championship points — there's all to play for. Meanwhile PUBG Mobile World Cup will have a new champion after titleholders Alpha7 Esports were eliminated. Overwatch 2 will crown its Midseason Championship winner, while Mobile Legends: Bang Bang’s Midseason Cup final will also take place.

Chess

With a prize pool of $1.5 million up for grabs, the inaugural chess tournament at the 2025 Esports World Cup concludes on Aug. 1. The Last Chance Qualifiers saw 256 players enter, and now there are just eight contenders left. First seed Magnus Carlsen was the clear favorite before the tournament began, with second and third seeds Hikaru Nakamura and Ian Nepomniachtchi next in line. All three qualified from the group stage and now head into the playoffs. Keep an eye on Nihal Sarin, who managed to knock out number four seed Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in the Group B lower bracket final – he emerged from the Last Chance Qualifier and is seeded just outside the top 10. 

PUBG Mobile

An intense week of PUBG Mobile action has seen 24 teams whittled down to 16 for the grand final, with potentially just 14 matches deciding who walks out with the trophy. Defending champions, Alpha7 Esports, had a nightmare start to the tournament, failing to qualify for the grand final in the group stage, forcing them into the perilous survival stage. While many expected them to bounce back, another disastrous performance saw them eliminated in 21st place, meaning a new PMWC champion will be crowned in the coming days.

Overwatch 2 

The Overwatch Champions Series' Midseason Championship also takes place in Week 4, with $1 million on the line. Sixteen teams will enter the group stage, with the top two from each group advancing into a perilous single elimination bracket. With the OWCS: Midseason Championship at the 2025 Esports World Cup happening over four days, expect some top tier action. EWC 2024 champions Crazy Raccoon will be looking to join the two-time winners club, but they will face stiff competition from one of the most competitive fields ever.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang 

With a total of $3 million up for grabs in the prize pool, the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup has plenty at stake. After the dramatic Wildcard tournament in Week 1 followed by an intense group stage in Week 3, we are now firmly into the business end of the tournament, with the playoff bracket underway. Only the very best teams remain, with the likes of ONIC and Team Liquid leading the way. With life-changing money on the line, you do not want to miss the MLBB action. 

Club Championship Standings 

As the action heads into its fourth weekend of finals action, the Club Championship is really heating up, with every winner being a unique Club so far. Will we finally see a side claim a second trophy this year in Week 4?

Team Vitality is still leading the Club Championship Rankings with 2,400 points, having not gained in Week 3. Their closest competitors are Gen.G Esports on 2,000, and Team Falcons on 1,950, both of whom gained on Vitality in Week 3. Elsewhere, AG.AL have joined Team Falcons in third place. All but AG.AL are represented in chess, while Team Falcons has a side in the PUBG Mobile event. OW 2 features Team Falcons and AG.AL, alongside Virtus.Pro and Team Liquid, who sit just behind them in joint fifth place.


Saliba signs new long-term deal at Arsenal

Saliba signs new long-term deal at Arsenal
Updated 58 min 46 sec ago

Saliba signs new long-term deal at Arsenal

Saliba signs new long-term deal at Arsenal
  • William Saliba has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday

LONDON: William Saliba has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.
The France defender has reportedly put pen to paper on a five-year deal, which will keep him at the club until 2030. His previous contract had been due to run until 2027.
Saliba, 24, had been expected to extend his stay at the Emirates despite earlier reported interest from Real Madrid.
The center-back joined the Gunners in 2019 but had a number of loan spells before establishing himself as a regular in Mikel Arteta’s team during the 2022/23 season.
Since then Saliba has been at the heart of an Arsenal side that has finished second in each of the past three seasons in the Premier League.
“I feel at home. We have a good team, we have a good squad, we have good staff. The coach is perfect for me, so it’s the best place to be,” said Saliba.
“I enjoy every day when I have the chance to wear this shirt. I try to give everything, and now I’ll give even more to this club and to the fans.”
Manager Arteta said: “William is loved by all the players and staff, and that speaks volumes about his character, commitment and attitude every day.
“Since joining us, William has grown so much, embraced responsibility, and has created a strong connection with our supporters and everyone at the club.”
Arsenal are second in the Premier League, two points behind leaders Liverpool after six games of the season.


Saudi jockey club launches scholarship program

Saudi jockey club launches scholarship program
Updated 30 September 2025

Saudi jockey club launches scholarship program

Saudi jockey club launches scholarship program
  • The initiative offers an opportunity for ARF member nation employees to attend 41st Asian Racing Conference

RIYADH: A special program enabling employees of Asian Racing Federation member nations to attend the Asian Racing Conference in February has been launched by the Jockey Club of .

Successful recipients will be invited to take part in the 41st ARC, scheduled to take place from Feb. 9-14 next year. 

The scheme will allow people across all ARF memberships to attend the conference, where they will sit in on open business program sessions and attend The Saudi Cup race meeting on Feb. 14.

Each ARF member is invited to nominate one representative to apply to the program, to be reviewed by the JCSA supported by the ARF Secretariat. It is open to full-time staff working at an ARF member organization who are aged 35 or below and have worked in horse racing for a minimum of three years.

Successful scholars will have the chance to interact with the foremost leaders in horseracing and will be invited to all social events.

Completed application forms, a resume, and a letter of nomination from an ARF member organization must be submitted by Oct. 1.

A JCSA spokesperson said: “As host of the 41st Asian Racing Conference, the JCSA has been given a unique opportunity to invest in the future of racing, not just in , but on an international scale.

“We are looking forward to working with our fellow ARF member jurisdictions to create an opportunity for racing’s future leaders who may otherwise not have the chance to attend the Asian Racing Conference.”


Baseball United chief Kash Shaikh ‘proud’ as standouts join Arabia Wolves roster

Baseball United chief Kash Shaikh ‘proud’ as standouts join Arabia Wolves roster
Updated 30 September 2025

Baseball United chief Kash Shaikh ‘proud’ as standouts join Arabia Wolves roster

Baseball United chief Kash Shaikh ‘proud’ as standouts join Arabia Wolves roster
  • Inaugural season of first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and South Asia kicks off in November

DUBAI: Baseball United, the first professional league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, signed on Tuesday two familiar faces from Dubai to the Arabia Wolves roster for its inaugural season.

Shortstop Chris Beyers, who has been a fixture for several years in the city, and pitcher Sean Fekete, who starred in the Dubai Little League while attending the American School of Dubai, will run out this November for the Wolves.

The Wolves — Dubai’s new professional team — will play all their games at Baseball United Ballpark at The Sevens sports and entertainment complex.

Beyers starred for the Dhahran’s () Little League team that made it to the Little League World Series in 2007 and 2008. He has played professionally in Germany and also represented his native South Africa in international baseball tournaments.

He was the final player selected to play in the Baseball United All-Star Showcase in November 2023 in Dubai, and also competed in the Baseball United UAE Series in February this year.

Fekete, who lived in Dubai for seven years, played Division I college baseball at Oakland University in the US, and also represented the Hungarian National Baseball Team. He also played for the Wolves during the Baseball United UAE Series earlier this year.

Both Beyers and Fekete played for the UAE National Baseball Team, which was constructed by Baseball United and competed in the Arab Classic Tournament in November 2024.

The addition of these two players on the Wolves roster is a significant milestone for baseball in Dubai and across the GCC.

The Dubai Little League, founded in 1996, has more than 500 families associated with its baseball and softball program. There are additional youth leagues in Abu Dhabi, , Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.

“We are proud to have two players on the Wolves’ roster who have called Dubai home for many years,” said Kash Shaikh, chairman, CEO, and co-founder of Baseball United.

“These guys grew up competing on the fields just a few minutes outside of downtown, and now they’ll be suiting up as professionals in our league’s inaugural season in front of their families, friends, and community.

“I’m very happy for Chris and Sean, and I know their stories will inspire the next generation of great players right here in Dubai.”

The Arabia Wolves are one of Baseball United’s four founding franchises, alongside the Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs and Mid East Falcons. The Wolves roster includes a mix of international veterans, regional talents, and young prospects.

Baseball United’s inaugural season will begin on Nov. 14, 2025, in Dubai, with 21 games scheduled over four weeks.

The Wolves — Dubai’s home team — will play their first game on Tuesday, Nov. 18, against the Cobras, and a total of nine games during the regular season.

The season will conclude with the United Series — a best-of-three championship between the top two teams — held from Dec. 12 to 14 at Baseball United Ballpark.

All Baseball United games will air locally and internationally, with official broadcast partners to be announced in October. The full Wolves roster and schedule can be viewed at baseballunited.com.


Pakistan include uncapped Afridi, Akram and Nazir for upcoming South Africa Test series

Pakistan include uncapped Afridi, Akram and Nazir for upcoming South Africa Test series
Updated 30 September 2025

Pakistan include uncapped Afridi, Akram and Nazir for upcoming South Africa Test series

Pakistan include uncapped Afridi, Akram and Nazir for upcoming South Africa Test series
  • Pakistan will play two-Test match series against South Africa from oct. 12-24 in Lahore and Rawalpindi
  • Skipper Shan Masood to lead squad while Pakistan select stalwarts Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan for series

KARACHI: Pakistan have named three uncapped players Asif Afridi, Faisal Akram and Rohail Nazir for the upcoming South Africa Test series scheduled to take place later this month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement on Tuesday. 

South Africa, champions of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, will take on Pakistan in the first Test at the Qaddafi Stadium in Lahore from Oct. 12-16. The second and final match of the two-Test series will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from Oct. 20-24.

Pakistan’s national selection committee announced the 18-member Test squad for the series, which will be part of the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. The PCB announced that the squad will be further trimmed ahead of the first Test. 

“Shan Masood will continue to lead the side, while three uncapped players – Asif Afridi, Faisal Akram and Rohail Nazir have also been included,” the PCB said in a statement. 

The squad includes Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, former Pakistan captain Babar Azam, Akram, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Noman Ali, Nazir (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, and pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. 

The two-Test match series will be followed by three T20Is and as many ODIs, to be played from Oct. 28 to Nov. 8. The squad for the white-ball series will be announced in due course.

TOUR SCHEDULE

Oct. 12-16– First Test at Qaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Oct. 20-24 – Second Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

Oct. 28– First T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

Oct.31 – Second T20I at Qaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Nov. 1 – Third T20I at Qaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Nov. 4 – First ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

Nov. 6– Second ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

Nov. 8 – Third ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

Pakistan will look to begin their World Test Championship 2025-27 on a winning note against South Africa and put behind their five-wicket loss to India in the Asia Cup 2025 tournament. 


Wayne Rooney has ‘no faith’ that Ruben Amorim can revive Manchester United

Wayne Rooney has ‘no faith’ that Ruben Amorim can revive Manchester United
Updated 30 September 2025

Wayne Rooney has ‘no faith’ that Ruben Amorim can revive Manchester United

Wayne Rooney has ‘no faith’ that Ruben Amorim can revive Manchester United
  • Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has overseen nine wins, 17 defeats and seven draws in his 33 league games in charge

Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer Wayne Rooney says the club has lost its soul and has voiced concerns about manager Ruben Amorim’s ability to turn things around after a woeful start to the season.
Amorim, who has overseen nine wins, 17 defeats and seven draws in his 33 league games in charge, has faced mounting pressure with United 14th in the Premier League with seven points from six matches.
Speaking on his “The Wayne Rooney Show” podcast, on Monday, Rooney said: “I have tried my hand in management and it didn’t work out too well, I get it.
“Amorim is my age, he is still a young manager and I’m sure he still has a massive future, but what’s going on at Man United, this is not Man United.
“I honestly hope he can turn it round and he does. But if you’re saying to me, ‘do you believe he will?’, then, after everything I’ve seen, honestly, I’ve got no faith in it.”
Minority owner Jim Ratcliffe, who holds roughly 29 percent of United and oversees football operations, has rolled out cost-saving measures including staff reductions, higher ticket prices and the scrapping of free lunches at staff canteens.
And Rooney, who won five league titles during his time at United between 2004-2017, said there was more than just the performances on the pitch to be concerned about.
“It’s everything about the club that needs fixing ... The soul has gone from the club,” he added. “It needs a new engine, a new lease of life. It needs something to kick-start that football club.”