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In an extraordinary move that blends luxury fashion with elite motorsport, Gucci has announced it has entered into Formula One through a title partnership with the Alpine F1 team. Starting in the 2027 Formula One
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Pole-sitter Alex Palou survived numerous restarts and captured his fourth win of the IndyCar season at the Detroit Grand Prix on Sunday.The 29-year-old Spaniard won by 3.0584 seconds at the 1.645-mile, nine-turn street circuit.Andretti Global's
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The UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation has announced that Round 4 of the Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Gi) will take place from June 5 to 7 at Mubadala Arena in
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Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti is in no hurry to rush star forward Neymar back from his calf injury, the Italian said on Tuesday as his team touched down in the US ahead of the World
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England No. 3 batter Jacob Bethell is fit to play the first cricket Test against New Zealand starting on Thursday despite having to cut short his time in the Indian Premier League because of a
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Alexander Zverev breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, where Marta Kostyuk and Mirra Andreeva will meet for a place in the women’s final.Zverev,
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Twelve players are poised to make their FIFA World Cup debut with Qatar as the national team intensifies preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico.Qatar, drawn in Group B, will begin its campaign against Switzerland on June 13 in San Francisco, before facing Canada in Vancouver on June 18. The Asian champions will conclude their group-stage fixtures against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle on June 24.Head coach Julen Lopetegui has placed his trust in a new generation of talent, naming 12 players who were not part of Qatar's historic maiden World Cup appearance at Qatar 2022.The newcomers include goalkeepers Salah Zakaria and Mohammed Abunada, alongside Ahmed Al Janahi, Ahmed Fathi, Edmilson Junior, Al Hashmi Al Hussein, Ayoub Al Alawi, Tahseen Mohammed, Sultan Al Brake, Issa Laye, Mohammed Manai and Youssef Abdurisag.Their inclusion highlights Qatar's strategy of blending experienced international players with emerging talent as the team aims to deliver a more competitive performance on football's biggest stage.Many of these players played influential roles in Qatar's successful qualification campaign, which culminated in securing a World Cup berth through the Asian playoff stage.Several members of the new generation also contributed to Qatar's triumph at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, helping the nation retain its continental crown after winning back-to-back Asian titles in 2019 and 2023.Having gained valuable experience through domestic and continental competitions, the players are expected to provide added depth, energy and versatility to the squad as Qatar seeks to make a stronger impact at the 2026 tournament.The team is currently holding its final training camp in the United States, following a friendly match against Republic of Ireland on May 28.Qatar will complete its preparations with one final warm-up match against El Salvador in Los Angeles on June 6 before turning its full focus to the World Cup challenge ahead. Related Story
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Julen Lopetegui is set for his first FIFA World Cup as a head coach, with the tournament in North America offering a long-awaited opportunity on the big stage for the Spaniard. (Reuters) When Julen Lopetegui speaks of "a dream that has become a reality", the Qatar coach is referring not only to his players but also to himself.The 59-year-old arrived in Qatar with an impressive managerial pedigree, having coached Spain, Real Madrid, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United. Yet despite his vast experience, he has never managed at a FIFA World Cup.He travelled to Russia for the 2018 World Cup as Spain coach, only to be dismissed on the eve of the tournament after news emerged that he had agreed to take charge of Real Madrid following the competition.Eight years later, the opportunity has returned - this time with Qatar, a nation that also has a point to prove after a disastrous World Cup debut on home soil in 2022.Since taking charge of Qatar on May 1 last year, Lopetegui's tenure has not been spectacular, but he has achieved the primary objective. He guided Al Annabi to a second successive World Cup appearance and their first qualification through the traditional qualifying route.It was far from straightforward.The two-time Asian champions finished fourth in their six-team qualifying group before advancing through a three-team play-offs, where a goalless draw against Oman and a 2-1 victory over the UAE secured their place at the finals.Qatar's preparations have also been far from ideal. Regional conflict in the Middle East forced the cancellation of high-profile friendlies against Serbia and reigning world champions Argentina in March. A scheduled warm-up match against Sudan last month was also called off due to illness within the Sudanese camp.Although Qatar gained valuable match practice in last week's 1-0 defeat to Ireland, Lopetegui would undoubtedly have preferred more time on the pitch with his players before the tournament.Now standing once again on the brink of football's biggest stage, the Spaniard has urged his squad to embrace the occasion while maintaining a competitive mindset.A day after announcing Qatar's final 26-man squad for the World Cup, which begins on June 11, Lopetegui called on his players to seize the opportunity."This is a dream that has become a reality because the players earned their place at the World Cup. Now they have to enjoy the experience, but at the same time maintain the right mentality. We are not going there just to participate. We are there to compete, to enjoy the challenge and to give our best," he said.Lopetegui's squad retains a familiar core, with several members of the 2022 team included, led by two-time Asian Player of the Year Akram Afif and Qatar's all-time leading scorer Almoez Ali. He has also backed a new generation, with 12 members of the squad preparing for their first World Cup appearance"It is always important for young players to push the more experienced ones," Lopetegui said. "That is very good for the national team. At the moment, we have two or three new players who are really pushing hard and challenging the others in the squad. This raises the level of everyone and creates healthy competition within the team."Competition is important because it makes players more competitive. The experienced players have to be ready to defend their places, and that also says a lot about their character. We have seen this kind of character in several players, which is very positive for us," he added.Qatar find themselves in a relatively favourable Group B, although each of their opponents will present a significant challenge. Al Annabi open their campaign against Switzerland in Santa Clara on June 13 before facing co-hosts Canada in Vancouver on June 18 and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Seattle six days later.Lopetegui, however, insists his focus remains firmly on his own team rather than the opposition. "I am not worried about whether we face Bosnia, Italy or Switzerland. What concerns me is how we compete. In theory, any of those teams 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," said Lopetegui, who made 149 La Liga appearances as a goalkeeper for Real Madrid, Logrones, Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano, earned one cap for Spain and was part of the squad at the 1994 World Cup."Since the day we arrived, all the players have given their best in every training session. They are excited to be here and eager to represent their country. I felt that from the very first day, and for me that is the most important thing."Qatar head to North America determined to move beyond the disappointment of their 2022 campaign, when they became the first host nation in World Cup history to lose all three group-stage matches despite enormous investment and high expectations."What happened in the past is history," Lopetegui said. "Before, reaching the World Cup was a dream, and we achieved it. Now we have another dream and another challenge ahead of us. We have worked very hard to put ourselves in this position and we must continue working hard to turn this opportunity into something special."We need the support of the whole country, but we also want the fans to enjoy this journey and be excited by the fact that Qatar will be competing on the world's biggest stage. I am sure they will support us. I am very proud of many things about this group, and I hope to remain proud of them because I am confident they will show their very best." Related Story
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In a step that reflects Qatar’s ambition to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2036, Fatima Sultan al-Kuwari has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Qatar’s bid file, as part of the State’s efforts to present the first Olympic and Paralympic Games in the Middle East.The appointment comes as preparations continue to develop a comprehensive bid that builds on the State of Qatar’s proven record in hosting major international sporting events. It also reflects Qatar’s commitment to using sport as a platform for development, bringing people closer together and promoting dialogue and cultural understanding.Al-Kuwari brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience to the role, having held senior leadership roles at Ooredoo, the global telecommunications company. She has a strong track record across strategy, operations and institutional transformation in the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia.She has held a number of senior leadership positions, including as part of the Group Executive Committee, and has overseen operational activities across nine markets. She also contributed to the establishment of the Ooredoo Doha Marathon in 2013.In her new role, al-Kuwari will lead the strategic, operational and organisational aspects of the bid, coordinating with local and international partners to support the development of a comprehensive and competitive proposition that reflects the growth of Qatar’s sporting infrastructure and its long-term vision.The appointment comes within Qatar’s broader ambition to host an exceptional edition of the Olympic and Paralympic Games that reflects the country’s standing and the region’s ability to host the world’s largest sporting events, while using sport as a platform for development, unity and the creation of a sustainable social legacy.
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England captain Ben Stokes has warned leading players such as Jofra Archer could be driven away from international cricket if England attempt to limit their Indian Premier League commitments.Several months after their embarrassing 4-1 Ashes series loss in Australia, England return to Test cricket against New Zealand at Lord's on Thursday.But they will be without pace spearhead Archer, a member of the Rajasthan Royals team beaten by Gujarat Titans in the IPL last Friday.The 31-year-old is now in Barbados, the country of his birth, and his availability even for the second Test at the Oval remains uncertain.Archer has a lucrative England central contract and has been supported by the England and Wales Cricket Board through five years of injury trouble.Former New Zealand paceman Simon Doull said it was "absolutely ludicrous" that Archer would be absent from the series opener.But Stokes told reporters at Lord's on Wednesday that top white-ball players could be lost to Test cricket if they had to make themselves available for every match."I totally understand people's frustrations around it, but there is another side to it," he said."A lot of it has to do with the landscape of cricket and where it is at the moment."A lot of points people are making around Jof and that situation are to do with the landscape when they were playing."But it's completely different now. There are opportunities for cricketers now that there were not 10, 15, 20 years ago."Stokes said Archer's desire to play for his country was unquestionable, warning against a hardline approach."There is a situation where it could get messy and players like Jofra might not play for England again if you handle it in a different way, and that is not good for there anyone," he said."Jofra has shown that he's committed and loves playing for England. Just because he's not available for this first Test match does not change that."Jacob Bethell represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 20-over IPL but is in the England team at Lord's, the first of a three-Test series.The batter has played no meaningful red-ball cricket since his stunning Ashes century in Sydney in January."It's just one of those things. You have your number three (Bethell), he has a great couple of games out in Australia, then he spends nine or 10 weeks out in India and you are seeing him two days before a Test match," said Stokes."That is almost becoming the norm. The game is changing all the time. There are some things you have to roll with and accept, it is what it is." Related Story
