Saudi sports minister congratulates Green Falcons on World Cup qualification
Saudi sports minister congratulates Green Falcons on World Cup qualification/node/2618965/sport
Saudi sports minister congratulates Green Falcons on World Cup qualification
黑料社区's midfielder #10 Salem al-Dawsari celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group C football match between 黑料社区 and China at the Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on March 20, 2025. (File/AFP)
Short Url
https://arab.news/ranjn
Updated 38 sec ago
Arab News
Saudi sports minister congratulates Green Falcons on World Cup qualification
Kingdom will make seventh appearance in next year鈥檚 tournament hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico
Updated 38 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal has congratulated the Green Falcons for qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Kingdom will make their seventh appearance in next year鈥檚 tournament, which will be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
Prince Abdulaziz, who also heads the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, lauded the team and staff, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
鈥淭he wise leadership has provided every means to keep the Kingdom鈥檚 flag flying high at international sporting events, including the world鈥檚 greatest football tournament, the FIFA World Cup.鈥
He said preparations will now focus on ensuring a strong performance next year.
黑料社区 secured a place at the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday with a goalless draw against Iraq in Jeddah, in the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers.
The hard-fought point was enough to give the Green Falcons top spot in Group B and guarantee their appearance at the finals.
The Green Falcons played in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, with the team recording a historic group stage win against eventual champions Argentina.
Saudi boxer Yara Al-Amri鈥檚 life changed after history-making Asian medal win
Ten months after her win in Bangkok, the 21-year-old tells Arab News about the sport, balancing studies and training, and the development of women鈥檚 boxing in the Kingdom
Updated 15 October 2025
Waad Hussain Alkhobar
RIYADH: The end of 2024 will always hold special memories for Yara Al-Amri. In December last year the young boxer made history by becoming the first Saudi woman to win an Asian medal in boxing 鈥 a new milestone for the Kingdom鈥檚 fast-growing women鈥檚 sports scene.
The 21-year-old fighter earned a bronze medal at the Asian Elite Championships in Bangkok, competing in the 52-kilogram category in her first international appearance.
She told Arab News: 鈥淚t was my first international appearance, which was the toughest part 鈥 competing outside my country without my home crowd and coaches.鈥
The win was historic not only for Al-Amri, but for Saudi sport. 鈥淭his changed my life, as I wrote history for 黑料社区 by winning the first Asian medal in women鈥檚 boxing,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 mean we don鈥檛 have champions, but the sport is still new in our country. Despite starting later than many nations, we quickly reached their level and proved we can compete and succeed.鈥
Based in Riyadh, Al-Amri trains under Ali Al-Ahmari at Al-Shabab Club. Standing 174 cm tall, the right-handed orthodox fighter has built a record of 27 fights, with 23 wins and four losses, and holds seven Saudi national titles.
Her path into boxing began unexpectedly. 鈥淚 first started boxing as a fitness exercise, but soon felt I truly belonged in the sport,鈥 she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e always loved challenge and competition, and boxing gave me exactly that. In the ring, it鈥檚 just me, my mind, and my hands. Boxing completely changed my lifestyle, making me more disciplined and committed.鈥
Al-Amri describes the sport as a test of focus as much as strength. 鈥淵ou have to be patient, strategic, and intelligent. Every movement matters.鈥
Saudi boxer Yara Al-Amri (right) lands a punch during a bout at the Asian Elite Championships in Bangkok, where she made history as the first Saudi woman to win an Asian medal. (SUPPLIED)
Outside the ring, Al-Amri is pursuing a university degree, juggling training sessions and academic deadlines.
鈥淎s a university student, my days are always a challenge,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 train twice a day 鈥 morning and evening 鈥 while balancing my classes, studies, and daily tasks. My schedule is packed, but I make sure to manage both my academic and athletic commitments.鈥
Her discipline extends beyond boxing. Earlier this year, she completed the Riyadh Half Marathon, describing the 21-kilometer run as 鈥減ure challenge and joy.鈥
After nearly 30 fights, Al-Amri has learned to embrace both victory and loss. 鈥淭he biggest lesson I learned from a loss is never leaving the result to the judges,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he fight must be clear 鈥 you have to showcase your skills so strongly that there鈥檚 no doubt.
鈥淚njuries and defeats also taught me resilience,鈥 she added. 鈥淚 always say: 鈥榃hat doesn鈥檛 kill you makes you stronger.鈥 Before a fight, I鈥檝e learned to control nerves and pressure. It鈥檚 natural to feel it, but once I step into the ring, everything switches off 鈥 I focus only on my opponent.鈥
Al-Amri credits her success to the support around her. 鈥淢y family has been my first and strongest supporters, from the beginning until today. Their belief in me gave me strength,鈥 she said.
She also praised the institutions enabling women鈥檚 boxing to grow. 鈥淚 deeply value the support of the Kingdom of 黑料社区 鈥 from our wise leadership to the ministry of sports, the Olympic Committee, the Saudi Boxing Federation, clubs, coaches, and the people. This collective support has been a huge force behind my journey.鈥
That system, she said, has helped turn a once niche pursuit into a recognized sport for Saudi women.
鈥淢y goal is to achieve as many titles as possible 鈥 national, regional, continental, and international,鈥 Al-Amri said. 鈥淲ith God鈥檚 will, these achievements will come.鈥
She believes the next generation of Saudi women boxers will go even further. 鈥淲omen鈥檚 boxing in 黑料社区 has developed tremendously,鈥 she said. 鈥淐lubs and coaches are now available across the country, teams are formed, and the determination of Saudi women is stronger than ever. We are capable of competing, representing, and making the sport grow even bigger.鈥
In only two years, Al-Amri has collected nine gold medals, seven national titles and two bronzes, combining athletic performance with academic success and public recognition.
Her rapid rise mirrors 黑料社区鈥檚 broader transformation under Vision 2030, which continues to expand opportunities for women in professional sports, from football and judo to boxing and beyond.
Al-Amri said her journey shows what happens when opportunity meets belief. 鈥淏oxing gave me strength and purpose,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t made me realize that nothing is impossible when you work hard, stay disciplined, and believe in yourself.鈥
As she continues to train for upcoming championships and sets her sights on future world competitions, Al-Amri鈥檚 mission is simple: to raise 黑料社区鈥檚 flag on the global stage.
From her first punch in a Riyadh gym to her medal podium in Bangkok, Yara Al-Amri鈥檚 story is one of faith, perseverance, and proof that Saudi women are not just entering the ring, they are redefining it.
Golden Vekoma wins the 2025 Saudi Derby. (JCSA/Mathea Kelley)
Updated 15 October 2025
Arab News
The Saudi Derby forges links with Kentucky Derby
Winner of the Saudi race will collect points toward qualification for 鈥楻un for the Roses鈥
Updated 15 October 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: Runners in The Saudi Derby will now be eligible to collect points for the Kentucky Derby in an exciting new link announced recently by the Jockey Club of 黑料社区 and Churchill Downs Inc.
The 1,600-meter Group Three event on The Saudi Cup undercard has been added to a worldwide series of events known as 鈥淭he Road to The Kentucky Derby.鈥
It will make it easier for 黑料社区n owners to have runners in one of the most prestigious horseraces in the world 鈥 attended yearly by over 100,000 people.
The $1.5-million Saudi derby will be staged at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh on Feb. 14.
It will have a maximum of 30 points available to the winner to try and qualify for the Group 1 Kentucky Derby 鈥 also known as 鈥淩un for the Roses鈥 鈥 at historic Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2.
Two other races, the UAE 2000 Guineas and the Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby Stakes (formerly the Al-Bastakiya) at Meydan Racecourse, have also been added as races with qualifying points for the European/Middle East road to the Kentucky Derby.
The series now consists of 10 races and has up to two invitations for the Kentucky Derby, with further points issued behind the winner of each leg down to fifth place.
First staged in 2020, The Saudi Derby has become a quality international race with Japanese challenger Forever Young (JPN) winning in 2024 before narrowly missing out and finishing third in a thrilling 150th running of the Kentucky Derby.
Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, chairman of the Jockey Club of 黑料社区, said the addition 鈥渋s an important step forward for Saudi racing.鈥
He added: 鈥淭his announcement also marks the beginning of an exciting new partnership between the Jockey Club of 黑料社区 and Churchill Downs Inc. which holds the promise of more collaboration in the future.鈥
He thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their 鈥渧ision and wise leadership.鈥
Prince Bandar added: 鈥満诹仙缜鴑 racing has been in a position to make important advancements on the international stage since the inauguration of The Saudi Cup in 2020.
鈥淭his latest development further strengthens the depth of appeal of The Saudi Cup weekend and sees The Saudi Derby form part of a series of prestigious races with those in the UAE that further complement the important Middle East swing of winter racing.鈥
Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Inc., added: 鈥淲e are thrilled to partner with 黑料社区 and to add The Saudi Derby as a key international qualifying race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
鈥淭he Kentucky Derby is known throughout the world as the 鈥楳ost Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,鈥 and this partnership builds on all that 黑料社区 has accomplished developing its thoroughbred racing program to connect the Saudi fans and horse racing community to America鈥檚 most prestigious race.鈥
Pep talks with Djokovic as Sabalenka vows to improve 鈥榠n everything鈥
Four-time Grand Slam champion talked about ignoring hate on social media, nearly quitting and her hopes and fears for life after tennis
Aryna Sabalenka鈥檚 friendship with 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic recently came to the fore after she practiced with him
Updated 15 October 2025
AFP
HONG KONG: World number one Aryna Sabalenka said she needs to improve her tennis 鈥渋n literally everything鈥 and how Novak Djokovic is helping her do it on and off the court.
In a wide-ranging interview, the four-time Grand Slam champion talked about ignoring hate on social media, nearly quitting and her hopes and fears for life after tennis.
The 27-year-old from Belarus is now the undoubted women鈥檚 number one but it was hard work and suffering which got her there, and some of it played out very publicly.
Sabalenka, then two in the world, was reduced to tears as her serve spectacularly deserted her at a tournament in the lead-up to the 2022 Australian Open.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 put one serve in. I was double-faulting 40 times. And I was like, maybe that鈥檚 a sign that I have to quit,鈥 she said in Hong Kong.
鈥淏ecause I was pushing, trying. We鈥檝e done everything to fix my serve and nothing would work.鈥
She added: 鈥淏ut, you know, I really believe 鈥 because I faced in different parts of life similar things 鈥 that when you鈥檙e getting close to that moment where you鈥檙e about to give up, I really believe that this is the moment when you can turn around things.
鈥淵ou just have to push. You just have to keep trying. And this is the moment when it鈥檚 a turning moment.鈥
Back in Australia a year later, Sabalenka won her first major crown and successfully defended her Melbourne title in 2024.
Sabalenka is renowned for her hard hitting, powerful serve, aggressive style of play and mental steel, but warned her rivals that she sees 鈥渟o many things鈥 that she can do better.
鈥淭here鈥檚 always something, you cannot stop,鈥 said Sabalenka, visiting Hong Kong for the Prudential NextGen Aces event with American great Andre Agassi.
鈥淟ike Andre said, the moment you stop, you鈥檙e going down. And I only want to go up.鈥
Talking specifics, she said: 鈥淚 would love to approach the net much more. And I need to spend time working on that and understanding the game on the net in singles.
鈥淪o, so many things I can get better at 鈥 shots, strokes, like literally everything.鈥 鈥業t can destroy you鈥
With success comes scrutiny and commentary, especially on social media, where Sabalenka frequently posts about life inside and outside tennis.
She identified social media as one of the prime challenges to youngsters coming through the sport, warning that even for a seasoned campaigner like herself it is not easy to ignore criticism and hate 鈥 鈥渟ometimes it can destroy you.鈥
鈥淪ometimes when it really gets to me, I like to go on their profile (the person criticizing) and see that. Like guys, I鈥檓 trying to do something big here,鈥 she said.
鈥淭o inspire, to be a good example. I鈥檓 working hard. I鈥檓 chasing my dreams. I鈥檓 dedicating my life to something that I think is big.鈥 Chats with Novak
Sabalenka鈥檚 friendship with 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic recently came to the fore after she practiced with him and they spent time together socially along with their partners.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a great guy and he鈥檚 very open. You can ask anything and he can give you advice,鈥 she said of the 38-year-old Serb.
鈥淎nd he鈥檚 such an open guy and I love practicing with him because for me it鈥檚 such high-intensity training.
鈥淚t just helps me physically and even mentally to get better.
鈥淎nd then when I play against girls, I鈥檓 not getting tired physically because I practice with Novak.鈥
She revealed that after losing two finals this year she sought his counsel.
鈥淎t Wimbledon I spoke to Novak. I just wanted to know how he was preparing himself for those big matches 鈥 what was the focus and what was his mindset going into the match.
鈥淪o we talked for an hour probably, but with Novak you always can spend more than that talking and asking for advice.
鈥淎nd then later on, going to the US Open final, I remembered what he said, what he told me, and I think it helped me to get the title.鈥 鈥楲ots to learn鈥
Sabalenka still has years left at the top, but already has ideas of what comes after tennis.
She is thinking about something related to fashion or health, but admits it is a touch daunting.
鈥淔or now I鈥檓 too busy on getting better as a player, but we鈥檙e definitely going to try to come up with something cool,鈥 she said.
鈥淏ut that scares me as well because I feel like as an athlete, we鈥檙e so focused on our sport and we鈥檙e just living in a bubble.
鈥淎nd then when we finish our career and we go outside of the bubble, it feels like for me I know nothing and I have a lot of things to learn.鈥
USA Basketball names Heat鈥檚 Spoelstra as coach through 2028
American teams of NBA stars have won the past five Olympic gold medals, giving the US men 17 Olympic titles in all as well as five FIBA World Cup titles
In addition to the 2028 Olympics on home hardwood, Spoelstra will direct the US men at the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Doha and at training camps and exhibitions ahead of both major global events
Updated 15 October 2025
AFP
MIAMI: Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra was named head coach of the US men鈥檚 team through the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on Tuesday by USA Basketball.
American teams of NBA stars have won the past five Olympic gold medals, giving the US men 17 Olympic titles in all as well as five FIBA World Cup titles.
Spoelstra was selected by US men鈥檚 national team director Grant Hill and approved by USA Basketball鈥檚 board of directors. The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee must still approve his selection.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an incredible honor,鈥 Spoelstra said. 鈥淩epresenting our country and leading world-class athletes to marquee competitions is one of the greatest privileges in sport. I look forward to carrying on the tradition of excellence and teamwork that defines USA Basketball.鈥
Spoelstra, 54, was an assistant coach on last year鈥檚 Paris Olympic championship squad and an assistant to Steve Kerr on the US 2023 World Cup squad that finished fourth.
Spoelstra coached a US Select squad in 2021 that trained alongside the US Olympic squad that won gold in Tokyo.
With the Heat, Spoelstra was an assistant coach on the 2006 NBA championship team and as a head coach he guided Miami to the 2012 and 2013 NBA titles.
In addition to the 2028 Olympics on home hardwood, Spoelstra will direct the US men at the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Doha and at training camps and exhibitions ahead of both major global events.
鈥淚鈥檝e known Erik Spoelstra for the better part of two decades and have gotten to know him better throughout our time with USA Basketball,鈥 Hill said.
鈥淪po is not only an outstanding coach, but a great colleague, friend and father, all of which make him the perfect choice to continue the USA Basketball men鈥檚 national team coaching legacy through 2028.鈥
Next week, Spoelstra will open his 18th season as head coach of the Heat, making him the longest tenured NBA coach with one team.
Spoelstra played and coached in Germany before going to Miami in 1995 as a video coordinator.
鈥淓rik Spoelstra is one of the most widely respected head coaches around the game,鈥 USA Basketball chief executive officer Jim Tooley said.
鈥淎s the longest tenured coach with one team, along with his involvement with USA Basketball the past several years, he鈥檚 well positioned to lead the USA men鈥檚 national team.鈥
黑料社区 book place at 2026 World Cup finals after hard-fought draw with Iraq
The Saudis made most of the running but struggled to create clear chances in a tense game that few people will remember for anything other than qualification
Updated 15 October 2025
John Duerden
JEDDAH: 黑料社区 secured a place at the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday with a goalless draw against Iraq in Jeddah in the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers. The hard-fought point was enough to give the Green Falcons top spot in Group B and guarantee their seventh appearance at the finals.
While the majority of the 60,000 or so fans in Jeddah were celebrating at the end, the tense and attritional game was far from an easy watch. As such, it was a reflection of much of the qualification campaign that preceded it.
But few in the crowd cared about any of that as coach Herve Renard, his players and Saudi officials celebrated on the pitch at the final whistle. It was a case of 鈥渏ob done,鈥 with a summer of football on the world stage in North America to look forward to next year.
The Saudis made most of the running in the first half and throughout the game, pinning Iraq back, but creating clear chances proved difficult.
One of the better opportunities came after 14 minutes when Musab Al-Juwayr鈥檚 long ball over the top freed Saleh Abu Al-Shamat down the right, but the 23-year-old鈥檚 shot was just a little high. Soon after, Salem Al-Dawsari let fly from outside the area but failed to trouble Jalal Hassan in goal.
The closest Iraq would come was when Ibrahim Bayesh had a shot from close range blocked.
Seven minutes before the break, Abu Al-Shamat danced through the defense and burst into the area but, with just the goalkeeper to beat at the near post he elected to square the ball, which allowed the defense to clear.
The second half continued in a similar pattern, with 黑料社区 pushing and probing. Ten minutes in, Abu Al-Shamat forced a flying save from Hassan with a shot from outside the area. Further shots went high and wide, and there was always a worry that Iraq, who were still not really threatening, might sooner or later get that one chance they needed.
With 14 minutes remaining, they launched a rare foray into the home penalty area, with Mohanad Ali twisting and turning in an attempt to get a shot off. When he finally did, however, Hassan Tambakti was on hand to make the block.
Just when it looked as if it was all over, Nawaf Al-Aqidi made a fine save from an Iraqi free-kick in the 94th minute. And that was that.
Few will remember the action on the pitch in this game, but the home fans and players will not forget the feeling of qualifying for another World Cup after a long, exhausting, and not totally convincing, campaign. The really hard work starts now.
The Iraqis, meanwhile, finished second in the group and will face Group A runners-up the UAE next month in a playoff over two legs, the winners of which will advance to the inter-confederation playoffs. Also on Tuesday, the Emiratis lost 2-1 to Qatar, who secured their place at the finals next year.
