MOSCOW: Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt endured a torrid time at the World Cup, winning two matches between them, but they will be richer for the experience in Russia and should return to future tournaments in better shape as long as they invest in their infrastructure, according to two leading technical chiefs.
The Green Falcons returned to the World Cup for the first time since 2006, but opened their campaign with a humiliating 5-0 defeat against hosts Russia. Saudi Arabia were left with a mountain to climb thereafter, but managed to restore some pride, slipping to a narrow defeat to eventual quarterfinalists Uruguay and then recording a first World Cup win in 24 years, a 2-1 win against Egypt.
“The Saudi team had a difficult start playing the opening match against the host, but they improved in the second game and won the final match to regain some pride,” said Andy Roxburgh, the technical director for the Asian Football Confederation.
“The change of coach before the final tournament — it is difficult to prepare a team for the World Cup in a short space of time — and players in Spain who didn’t play regularly, wasn’t helpful.”
The third-place finish was still a marked improvement from Saudi Arabia’s 2006 World Cup run when they finished bottom of Group H with a solitary point from a 1-1 draw with Tunisia.
Juan Antonio Pizzi’s contract was extended after the win over Egypt and the Argentinian will lead his team out at the Asian Cup next year, where Saudi Arabia have been paired with North Korea, Lebanon and Qatar. Saudi Arabia last won the continental title in 1996 on home soil and they will be among the favorites for the tournament in the UAE. Roxburgh believes that Saudi Arabia’s future is bright.
“The Saudis have good technique and some fast players, and they have potential,” he said. “In the long term, they need to encourage some players to play abroad, develop their league, establish youth structures and academies, and raise the level of coach education.”
Saudi Arabia and Tunisia were the only two Arab teams to register wins while Morocco drew 2-2 with Spain in their final group match, but the region’s challenge was disappointing. Even before the final round of group matches all four teams had been eliminated. Tunisia coach Nabil Maaloul acknowledged that Arab teams were playing catch-up with the rest of the world.
Brazil’s 1994 World Cup winning coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who heads FIFA’s technical study group in Russia, shares Maaloul’s concerns. Parreira led Saudi Arabia at the 1998 World Cup, but was sacked after two defeats against hosts France and Denmark and replaced by assistant coach Mohamed Al-Khuraishi, who oversaw the team’s final group match, a 2-2 draw with South Africa.
“I felt that the expectation is always very high for the teams at the World Cup that are coming to the World Cup,” said Parreira at a news conference, evaluating the Arab teams’ performance in Russia. “We tell them that just qualifying for this competition is a big achievement. You must come here with the willingness to do the best. If you compare the infrastructure of the Middle East with the big countries and the big teams — no structure for youth development, no structure for coach education — then it is going to be very difficult.”
The Brazilian coached Kuwait from 1978 to 1982, leading the Al-Azraq to the World Cup in Spain, where they drew with the former Czechoslovakia and lost to European powerhouses England and France. He also managed the UAE at the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Parreira has managed at six different World Cups, a record.
“When I worked with Kuwait, they were the number one team in Asia in every competition, even above Japan, Korea and Iran. We took them to England and Brazil. We prepared properly.
“The foundation is very important — to have a stronger league, to have the patience to develop players and to expose them to international football. We took Kuwait to England, Brazil, not just one time.
“They look for results very quickly. There is no continuity, one day the coach is Brazilian, the next day it’s a French coach, the other day a Spanish coach, another day a Croatian coach, another day a Dutch coach, another day a Portuguese coach, so they have to concentrate on one school of football. That’s what I did with Kuwait. Arab countries need a better structured league, develop the coaches and the youth players, otherwise when you reach this level, you will always be missing something. Of course, in the end, history and culture count a lot.”
Arab nations backed to learn from World Cup experience in Russia
Arab nations backed to learn from World Cup experience in Russia
- Two leading technical chiefs give their verdict on region's challenge at World Cup
- 'The Saudis have good technique and some fast players, and they have potential'
England stunned by Senegal to put Tuchel under immediate pressure
- Boos rained down from the disgruntled home support to leave Tuchel with plenty to ponder
NOTTINGHAM: United Kingdom, June 10, 2025 : England slumped to a 3-1 home friendly defeat by Senegal on Tuesday to ramp up the scrutiny on boss Thomas Tuchel one year out from the World Cup.
Goals from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra and Cheikh Sabaly inflicted England’s first ever defeat against African opposition at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground after Harry Kane had given the hosts an early lead.
Tuchel was scathing in his criticism of his side’s dreary display in beating minnows Andorra just 1-0 in World Cup qualifying on Saturday.
The German, who was appointed with the task of ending England’s wait since 1966 for a major tournament win, has so far failed to spark a star-studded squad into looking like contenders for the World Cup, even if this was his first defeat in four games.
Tuchel responded by making 10 changes, with Kane the only player to retain his place.
It took just seven minutes for the England captain to maintain his record of scoring in every game since Tuchel took charge.
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy should have done better when he could only parry Anthony Gordon’s shot into the path of Kane, who tapped in his 73rd international goal.
Dean Henderson was given a rare chance to impress in the England goal as Jordan Pickford was relegated to the bench.
The Crystal Palace stopper made impressive saves from his club team-mate Sarr and Idrissa Gana Gueye.
But he was helpless when Sarr made the most of a lack of concentration from Kyle Walker to meet Nicolas Jackson’s cross and fire into the bottom corner.
England had never lost to African opposition in 22 previous matches but Senegal had been beaten just once from open play since losing to the Three Lions at the 2022 World Cup.
Diarra was afforded acres of room to run in behind the England defense and slot between the legs of Henderson to put the visitors in front just after the hour mark.
Mendy made amends for his role in the opening goal with fine saves to deny Bukayo Saka and Morgan Gibbs-White a swift equalizer.
England thought they had levelled late on when Jude Bellingham smashed home from a corner.
But the goal was ruled out for a handball by Levi Colwill before the ball broke to the Real Madrid midfielder.
Senegal made the most of that reprieve to seal a famous win in stoppage time when Sabaly rounded off a slick counter-attack.
Boos rained down from the disgruntled home support to leave Tuchel with plenty to ponder before England are next in action in September.
Jon Rahm: Smaller fields make top 10s easier at LIV Golf
- Rahm tied for eighth last week in Virginia without ever having a serious chance of winning over the final few holes
OAKMONT, Pennsylvania: Two-time major champion Jon Rahm comes into the US Open off another top 10 at LIV Golf, which is nothing new. The Spaniard has never come in lower in the 20 events he has finished since joining the Saudi-backed league at the start of last year.
Is that a big deal?
“I would happily trade a bunch of them for more wins, that’s for sure,” said Rahm, who has two LIV victories but has yet to win this year. “But I keep putting myself in good position.”
One of the criticism of LIV is the 54-man fields over 54 holes, especially with a half-dozen or more considered past their prime and several unproven young players.
Rahm delivered some context on his streak.
“Listen, I’m a realist in this case,” he said. “I’ve been playing really good golf, yes, but I’d be lying if I said that it wasn’t easier to have top 10s with a smaller field. That’s just the truth, right? Had I been playing full-field events, would I have top 10 every single week? No. But I’ve been playing good enough to say that I would most likely have been inside the top 30 every single time and maybe even top 25.”
He considered that impressive, and he figures most of those would be top 10s.
Rahm tied for eighth last week in Virginia without ever having a serious chance of winning over the final few holes. He said against a full field, he doubts that would have been a top 10.
“I think winning is equally as hard, but you can take advantage of a smaller field to finish higher,” he said. “As much as I want to give it credit personally for having that many top 10s, I wouldn’t always give it as the full amount just knowing that it’s a smaller field.”
DeChambeau and LIV
Bryson DeChambeau says the contract he signed to join Saudi-funded LIV Golf is up next year and he’s already looking ahead to a new one.
“We’re looking to negotiate end of this year, and I’m very excited. They see the value in me. I see the value in what they can provide, and I believe we’ll come to some sort of resolution on that,” DeChambeau said Tuesday. “Super excited for the future.”
LIV contracts are confidential and there has been ample speculation whether the Public Investment Fund will shell out the kind of signing bonuses that helped lure players away from the PGA Tour in 2022.
Meanwhile, unification with the PGA Tour and LIV Golf appears at a standstill as PIF officials want any future to include team golf.
“I think that LIV is not going anywhere,” DeChambeau said.
He said Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the PIF governor behind the rival league, “has been steadfast in his belief on team golf, and whether everybody believes in it or not, I think it’s a viable option.”
DeChambeau believes LIV is going in the right direction and referenced the indoor tech-infused TGL as having teams making money.
“I believe there is a sustainable model out there,” he said. “How it all works with the game of golf, who knows? But I know my worth.”
Xander and YouTube
Xander Schauffele might spend less time on his phone than anyone, usually only scrolling through the news. A few weeks ago at the Memorial, during a rapid-fire series of random questions, he was asked who he would take with him on “The Amazing Race” reality show.
“What’s ‘The Amazing Race,’” he asked.
So when he was told about Tommy Fleetwood’s latest venture with YouTube and asked if he would considering doing something like that, Schauffele replied, “Is that like a serious question?”
But he has spent time on YouTube for a reason. Schauffele made his US Open debut in 2017, the year after the Open at Oakmont. What better way to check out the course than watching a US Open at Oakmont?
“I watched some of the ‘16 coverage on YouTube. I would have watched it on any platform that would have been provided, but I watched some of that coverage there just to see sort of how guys were hitting shots and how the ball was reacting,” Schauffele said.
Turns out that wasn’t his first experience on YouTube.
“I’ve been in dark places where I’ve looked up swing tip things on YouTube as well, trying to make sense of it, just like every golfer has. I’ll confess to it,” he said. “I’m luckily not there anymore, which is probably healthy for myself and my family.
“Yeah, there’s a lot on there, I can tell you that much.”
Rory and his driver
Rory McIlroy expressed concern about his driver after badly missing the cut in the Canadian Open, his last tournament ahead of the US Open.
He said he worked at home over the weekend and realized he was using the wrong driver. And he was coy about which one he was using, suggesting that people could always go to the range to find out for themselves.
McIlroy got plenty of attention with his driver when it was leaked at the PGA Championship that his driver did not pass inspection. It’s a common occurrence, and testing takes place randomly at every major. Scottie Scheffler also had to change drivers after his didn’t pass the test. He wound up winning by five shots.
So was that a problem for McIlroy at the PGA Championship?
“It wasn’t a big deal for Scottie,” McIlroy said. “So it shouldn’t have been a big deal for me.”
The best honorary member
Dustin Johnson had not played Oakmont since the won the US Open in 2016. That’s not to say he hasn’t been back to the fabled club. Oakmont Country Club honors its major champions by offering them honorary membership.
Johnson went back a few years later for the honor, going to a dinner and getting his green jacket .
Honorary membership has its privileges that Johnson doesn’t use.
“I’m probably their favorite member because I never come,” he said.
Oakmont need not to be offended. Johnson was asked how many clubs he had honorary membership and he didn’t bother counting.
“Quite a few,” he said. “And I don’t use very many, either.”
Australia qualify for 2026 World Cup
PARIS: Australia booked their place at the 2026 World Cup in North America with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Tuesday.
The Socceroos will play in a sixth consecutive World Cup finals after finishing second in Group C in the third round of Asian qualifiers, as the Saudis head into the fourth round.
Canelo Alvarez to face Terence Crawford in Riyadh Season Las Vegas showdown
- Fight between 2 of boxing’s biggest generational athletes will be streamed on Netflix
- They will compete for the unified Super Middleweight championship on Sept. 13
LONDON: Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will face off against Terence Crawford on Sept. 13 in Las Vegas, Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and president of the Saudi Boxing Federation, and Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, have announced.
The highly anticipated fight between two of boxing’s biggest generational athletes will be streamed on Netflix for more than 300 million subscribers on the platform.
White, Alashikh and Saudi events firm Sela will collaborate to promote the event, which is part of Riyadh Season.
The showdown will be promoted through a promotional tour with stops in Riyadh on June 20, New York City on June 22 and Las Vegas on June 27.
The venue for the fight in Las Vegas, scheduled for September, will be announced at a later date. The boxers will compete for the unified Super Middleweight championship.
Alalshikh said on Tuesday: “Canelo and Crawford, two legends of boxing, will finally compete against each other in the fight of the century.”
Dana White described the anticipated fight in Las Vegas as historic. He added: “Turki wants to make the biggest fights that the fans want to see in boxing and this is right up my alley ... it’s literally a once in a lifetime fight.”
Mexican star Canelo is ready to prove he is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. “I’m super happy to be making history again and this time on a Riyadh Season card that will be broadcast on Netflix,” he said.
Crawford, the undefeated American superstar, is confident that his record speaks for itself. “I am the best fighter in the world and no matter the opponent or weight class, I have always come out on top,” he said.
“On Sept. 13, my hand will be raised once again as the world watches greatness,” Crawford told fans.
Baseball United and Tokyo Broadcasting System launch reality show to find Japan’s next baseball stars
- The national competition, ‘Tryout: Plan D,’ will give hopeful players a chance to compete professionally in the Dubai league
DUBAI: A partnership between Baseball United, the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, and leading Japanese broadcaster Tokyo Broadcast System will give young baseball players a shot at becoming professional stars.
The reality show, “Tryout: Plan D,” will feature hundreds of hopefuls competing for two roster spots on the Mid East Falcons, one of Baseball United’s founding franchises. The winners will play for the Falcons during the inaugural season in Dubai, which begins on Nov. 14.
Participants will compete in several stages of the competition, starting in July and ending in November. Ultimately, one pitcher and one batter will be selected after a series of intense challenges measuring skill, mental toughness, physical fitness and passion for the game.
The partnership will be anchored by TBS’s long running and widely respected show, バース・デイ(“Birthday”), a documentary series that has chronicled the triumphs and struggles of athletes across Japan for the last 20 years.
Airing on Friday nights, it explores its subjects’ personal transformations and emotional journeys. “Tryout” will bring to life a compelling mix of reality television, human interest and competitive action, while providing real opportunities for Japanese baseball prospects.
“Japan is one of the greatest baseball nations in the world,” said Kash Shaikh, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Baseball United.
“Baseball is engrained into the culture, history and future of this country. And we know there are a lot of talented players that just need an opportunity to showcase their ability. ‘Tryout’ is more than just a competition — it’s a celebration of culture, a catalyst of opportunity and a testament (to) resilience. We are honored to collaborate with TBS and the legendary ‘Birthday’ team to bring this vision to life.”
Tryout will begin airing on TBS in July, with behind-the-scenes content and exclusive footage shared across Baseball United’s global channels. The two winners will be officially introduced as members of the Mid East Falcons before the team’s game against the Karachi Monarchs on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
“Our program バース・デイ has always sought to showcase the untold stories behind athletic greatness,” said show producer Hidemitsu Takahashi.
“Partnering with Baseball United allows us to elevate that mission by offering young Japanese players the opportunity of a lifetime — to transform their lives through sport, and to do so on a truly international platform. We can’t wait to have our two winners take the field in Dubai.”
Baseball United was co-founded by Shaikh, John Miedreich, and MLB Hall of Famers Barry Larkin and Mariano Rivera in November 2022. Its ownership group now includes 20 MLB legends, including Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre and stars Felix Hernandez, Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, Ronald Acuna Jr., Robinson Chirinos, and Matt Barnes. The league currently has four franchises, the Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, Arabia Wolves and Mid East Falcons, who will all compete in the league’s first season from Nov. 14-Dec. 14. All games will be played at Baseball United Ballpark in Dubai.
