'Probably' my last F1 race in Barcelona, says Alonso

Montmeló, Spain: Home favourite and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso said Thursday this weekend's Catalunya Grand Prix might be his final Formula One race in Barcelona. rocore.sbs

The Aston Martin driver, who turns 45 next month, has not announced any plans to retire, but with Barcelona set to alternate on the calendar with Spa-Francorchamps, he admitted he may never compete at the circuit again.

"It's going to be a special weekend, probably my last Barcelona race in Formula One, so thanks to everyone," Alonso told reporters.

الأخباريوسف كانو: رؤية الأمير الوالد صنعت إنجازات قطرقال يوسف كانو، أمين السر العام للاتحاد القطري للكرة الطائرة: إن رحيل صاحب السمو الأمير الوالد الشيخ حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني يُعد خسارة كبيرة لدولة قطر، إلا أن إرثه سيظل رمزًا وطنيً...فتح →

"I don't have anything in mind yet, after the summer I will make the decision over whether to continue or not, but Barcelona won't be in the calendar next year.

"If I don't know what I'll do next year, then I can't be sure of what I will do in two years."

Alonso has been frustrated with his car this season but did score a first point last weekend in Monaco as the Spaniard came in 10th.

"I will not be competitive and I will not be long in Q1, but hopefully everyone can enjoy the weekend," said the Asturian.

"For me, the hardest thing is to not win races and not be competitive," he continued.

"If this is the last (race in Barcelona) or not is not affecting (me) too much, I am at peace with my career.

"I achieved a lot more than I ever dreamt when I was a kid."

Alonso said his team did not "deserve" the point he scored last week "in terms of pure pace" and said the struggles were bound to continue.

"(It) will be difficult to score this year, to grab any point you need some help from the cars in front," he added.

Alonso won at Montmelo in 2006 and 2013, with the former standing out as his favourite memory at the circuit.

"When you win, it becomes a special race. So I have to say 2006, because there were great expectations for us after winning the championship in 2005," he said.

"Being on pole, everyone expected me to win that Sunday... I'll remember that as the best memory."

اختار الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم “ويفا” الحكم الصومالي عمر عرتن الذي مُنع من دخول الولايات المتحدة قبيل انطلاق كأس العالم 2026، لإدارة مباراة الكأس السوبر الأوروبية، وفق ما أعلنت الهيئة الكروية الأعلى في أوروبا الخميس.

وقال “ويفا” في بيان: “عقب مشاورات مع الاتحاد الشقيق، الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم (كاف)، قرر ويفا اليوم تعيين الحكم الصومالي عمر عرتن لإدارة مباراة الكأس السوبر الأوروبية 2026”.

ومن المقرر أن تُقام المباراة التي تجمع بين باريس سان جرمان الفرنسي بطل دوري أبطال أوروبا وأستون فيلا الإنكليزي بطل مسابقة الدوري الأوروبي “يوروبا ليغ” في 12 آب/أغسطس بمدينة سالزبورغ.

The post “ويفا” يختار الحكم الصومالي الذي مُنع من دخول الولايات المتحدة لإدارة مباراة كأس السوبر الأوروبي appeared first on كويت نيوز.

Doha, Qatar: Four years ago, Qatar’s World Cup debut never truly got going. A nervy opening defeat to Ecuador set the tone for a difficult campaign that ended without a point and with hopes fading before the knockout rounds even came into view.

As Al Annabi prepare to begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Switzerland at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara tomorrow, head coach Julen Lopetegui will be hoping for a far brighter start.

The stakes are significant as the reigning Asian champions enter their second consecutive World Cup with ambitions of reaching the knockout stage for the first time, but their toughest Group B assignment arrives immediately against a Switzerland side dubbed the favourites to finish top of the section.

Switzerland bring experience, consistency and a squad packed with players competing at the highest levels of European football.

Murat Yakin’s side have progressed from the group stage at each of the last three World Cups and reached the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

This is Switzerland’s 13th World Cup appearance and they arrived in North America unbeaten in qualifying, winning four and drawing two of their six matches.

Led by captain Granit Xhaka, Switzerland also possess valuable World Cup experience throughout the squad. Xhaka is preparing for his fourth successive World Cup, while Ricardo Rodriguez is also set for a fourth appearance.

Five members of Yakin’s squad are competing at their third World Cup, giving the Swiss a core group accustomed to the demands and pressure of major tournaments.

Qatar’s preparations have not been entirely smooth. Planned high-profile friendlies against Argentina national football team and Serbia national football team were cancelled due to regional tensions, limiting opportunities to test themselves against elite oppositions before travelling to North America.

Even so, Lopetegui has remained encouraged by the work completed during training camps at home and in the United States. Qatar closed their preparations with a 1-0 defeat to Ireland and a goalless draw against El Salvador, results that highlighted both the team’s defensive organisation and their continuing search for greater attacking efficiency.

Lopetegui has made no secret of the challenge awaiting his side against Switzerland.

“Switzerland are a huge challenge in all aspects,” Lopetegui said recently, pointing to the quality, experience and tactical discipline that have made the Swiss regular competitors at major tournaments.

For Qatar, the task will be to avoid a repeat of the slow start that undermined their campaign in 2022. Defensive concentration will be essential against a Swiss side capable of controlling possession and punishing mistakes, while Qatar must also show greater attacking ambition than they managed in their opening World Cup appearance against Ecuador.

Much of that responsibility will fall on Akram Afif, Qatar’s leading creative force, and Almoez Ali, the country’s all-time leading scorer, who continues his return to full fitness after an injury-interrupted season. Midfielders Assim Madibo and Ahmed Fathy are expected to play important roles in helping Qatar compete physically and tactically against a well-drilled opponent.

Lopetegui has repeatedly stressed that Qatar are not travelling to the World Cup simply to participate.

“In theory, they may be stronger than us, but they have to prove that on the pitch. Our job is to defend our chances and compete from the first minute,” the coach said.

That message may be particularly important in the opening match. With Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina still to come, a positive result against the group favourites would significantly strengthen Qatar’s hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.

استعادت الأرجنتين صدارة التصنيف العالمي للمنتخبات للاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم الصادر الخميس عشية انطلاق حملة الدفاع عن لقبها بطلة للعالم في مونديال أمريكا الشمالية، فيما يستهله المغرب في مركز سابع غير مسبوق.
وسيستهل منتخب الأرجنتين، بطل العالم والمتصدر الجديد للتصنيف العالمي بعد تقدّمه مركزين، إثر انتصارين في مباراتين تحضيريتين خاضهما الألبيسيليستي أمام أيسلندا وهندوراس، وذلك على حساب وصيفته المونديالية فرنسا التي تراجعت مركزين بعد خسارتها أمام ساحل العاج 2-3 وديا، كما أصبح أبطال العالم متقدمين على إسبانيا التي حافظت على المركز الثاني رغم تعادلها مع العراق 1-1.
وواصل المغرب تقدمه على لائحة التصنيف بارتقائه مركزا واحدا، متجاوزاً هولندا التي تراجعت الى المركز الثامن بخسارتها امام الجزائر 0-1 وديا.
وحافظت الجزائر على مركزها الثامن والعشرين بعدما كسبت 6.78 نقاط امام مصر التي بقيت في المركز 29 لكنها خسرت 3.19 نقاط.
وتراجعت تونس مركزا واحدا وصارت في المركز 45 على غرار قطر التي اصبحت في المرتبة 56 امام العراق الذي بقي في الرتبة 57.
وحافظت السعودية والأردن على مركزيهما الـ61 والـ63 تواليا.

فاز منتخب المكسيك على نظيره الجنوب أفريقي بنتيجة 2-صفر في مباراة افتتاح كأس العالم لكرة القدم 2026 أمام 80 ألف مشجع بملعب «أزتيكا» في العاصمة مكسيكو.
وسجل مهاجم نادي القادسية السعودي خوليان كينيونيس الهدف الأول في الدقيقة التاسعة، وسدد بقوة بين ساقي الحارس رونوين وليامس مستغلا هفوة في دفاع جنوب أفريقيا.
وسجل المهاجم خيمينيز الهدف الثاني بضربة رأسية في الدقيقة 67 إثر تمريرة من ألفارو في الجهة اليمنى من خط الهجوم، وشهدت المباراة 3 بطاقات حمراء بواقع 2 لجنوب أفريقيا وواحدة للمكسيك. وأمام 80 ألف مشجع، أطلق الحكم البرازيلي ويلتون سامبايو صافرة البداية أمام ثمانين ألف متفرج.