GENEVA: The president of the soccer federation of men’s World Cup champion France said Friday he is not opposed to FIFA’s push to play the tournament every two years, despite widespread European resistance to the plan.
Noël Le Graët’s comment to French sports daily L’Equipe is a significant crack in the unity of 55-nation European soccer body UEFA against the FIFA plan to double the frequency of the World Cup.
It also conflicted with France coach Didier Deschamps — who also lifted the World Cup trophy as a winning captain in 1998 — saying Thursday it would “trivialize” the tournament to play it twice as often.
“I have no opposition to a World Cup every two years, even if I want to take a closer look,” Le Graët said. “It would be a mistake not to look at this project closely.”
Le Graët spoke after the French Football Federation he leads took part in a FIFA-hosted online meeting Thursday of more than 200 of its 211 national members.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has pushed for a biennial World Cup to give more playing and hosting opportunities to countries that rarely or never qualify. He already oversaw expanding from 32 teams to a 48-nation tournament for the 2026 edition across North America.
Infantino also cites speeding up the development of talent worldwide to close the gap on the soccer powers of Europe and South America who have dominated the World Cup from its launch in 1930.
UEFA and South American soccer body CONMEBOL have threatened to boycott a biennial World Cup.
They see it as a threat to their popular and lucrative quadrennial continental championships and a risk to overload players and distort the current balance of domestic and international competitions for national and club teams.
UEFA and CONMEBOL have just 65 of the 211 FIFA voters in any poll on the World Cup’s future which could be as soon as December. FIFA wants to host a global summit, potentially in Qatar one year before the 2022 tournament.
Le Graët’s stance is likely to agitate UEFA’s leadership, which appointed him to a seat on the Infantino-chaired FIFA Council two years ago to represent Europe. The Frenchman, who turns 80 in December, got that position despite UEFA having an age limit of 70 for candidates seeking a place on its own executive committee.
France and FIFA have built close ties in recent years, and French President Emmanuel Macron sat with Infantino during the 2018 final in Moscow, where the Deschamps-coached French beat Croatia 4-2.
FIFA opened a regional office in Paris this year to work on development projects in Africa.
African soccer’s governing body is the most loyal of the six soccer continents to FIFA and its new president, South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe, who took office this year after a deal with rival candidates was brokered by Infantino.
Le Graët cited the needs of African members — who have almost no space in the congested soccer calendar to play European national teams — to help explain his views.
“We can’t ignore other parts of the world,” he told L’Equipe. “I listened to the plea of South Africa and Morocco who explained their difficulty to find friendly matches because Europe has booked all the dates.”
France soccer head defies European view on FIFA WCup plan
https://arab.news/6xdnj
France soccer head defies European view on FIFA WCup plan
- Noël Le Graët’s comment to French sports daily L’Equipe is a significant crack in the unity of 55-nation European soccer body UEFA against the FIFA
- It also conflicted with France coach Didier Deschamps saying Thursday it would “trivialize” the tournament to play it twice as often
Saudi golf team to compete in Arab Professional Golf Championship in Morocco
- Othman Al-Mulla, Saud Al-Sharif among top Saudi golfers taking part in event’s 2nd edition
- Abdulkarim Al-Najran, Ali Babatin to represent Kingdom in amateur category
RIYADH: Top professional Saudi golfers, including Othman Al-Mulla and Saud Al-Sharif, will represent the Kingdom’s national team in the second edition of the Arab Professional Golf Championship in Morocco.
The event will take place at Mazagan Resort in the major port city of El Jadida on Jan. 9-12.
A media statement on Tuesday said that the participation aligns with the efforts of the Saudi Golf Federation to enhance the Kingdom’s presence in the Arab and international sports landscape, and showcase Saudi talent in the sport.
Al-Mulla and Al-Sharif are two prominent names in the Saudi sports scene who aim to achieve strong results in the competition.
Golfers Abdulkarim Al-Najran and Ali Babatin will represent the Kingdom in the amateur category, reflecting the country’s commitment to nurturing and developing young talent in golf.
SGF is dedicated to creating opportunities for Saudi players to compete in major international and regional tournaments, striving for achievements that elevate Saudi Arabia’s global sports standing.
The Arab Professional Golf Championship highlights Saudi and Arab talent while fostering sports interaction in Arab countries.
Organized by the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation in coordination with the Arab Golf Federation, the championship reflects a shared ambition to develop golf in the Arab world, showcase regional talent and strengthen Arab ties through sports excellence.
Sebastian Loeb limps home as teenager wins Dakar stage
- The nine-time World Rally Champion went off the road 12 kilometers into the 327km-stage between Bisha and Al Henakiyah
AL-HENAKIYAH, Saudi Arabia: Sebastien Loeb struggled to complete Stage 3 of the Dakar Rally on Tuesday after rolling his car near the start, a setback that is likely to cost him his dream of a first title in the event.
The nine-time World Rally Champion went off the road 12 kilometers into the 327km-stage between Bisha and Al Henakiyah. After a nasty bounce his Dacia performed several impressive rolls, which seriously damaged the vehicle.
The 50-year-old Frenchman and his Belgian co-driver Fabian Lurquin set off again after a five-minute stop for repairs, but struggled throughout the rest of the stage.
Loeb, who has finished second three times in the Dakar Rally, ended the stage in 4 hours 20 minutes 12 seconds, more than an hour behind the day’s winner, 19-year-old South African Saood Variawa.
“We were able to continue but suddenly the steering rod broke, I think because of the rollover,” said Loeb at the finish.
“Then we had a problem with the engine overheating. We tried to finish the stage. We managed to do so, but we lost an hour.
“It wasn’t the kind of day we prefer. We lost an hour and we got the feeling that we were in ‘it’ up to our necks. But it is what it is, we just have to continue. We’ll keep on racing and we’ll see, even if winning the rally is starting to look complicated.”
Variawa, in a Toyota, finished 33 seconds ahead of Frenchman Guerlain Chicherit in a Mini.
Another South African Toyota driver, Henk Lategan retained the overall lead after finishing 12th on the day, 7mins 31sec behind Variawa.
Variawa is 41st, 7 hours 47 minutes 11 seconds behind after losing eight hours the day before following a head-on collision with team-mate and compatriot Giniel de Villiers.
Loeb sits 16th, almost an hour and a quarter off first. He also lost 30 minutes on Sunday when a fan problem caused his engine to overheat.
Reigning champion Carlos Sainz had retired on Monday after his Ford Raptor flipped, damaging its roll bar.
With rain forecast, the stage was shortened from the original 496 km.
In the motorbike competition, Spaniard Lorenzo Santolino, riding a Sherco and making his seventh appearance in the Dakar Rally, won a stage for the first time.
Australian Daniel Sanders still leads the overall standings.
The Rally through Saudi Arabia ends on January 17 in the Empty Quarter desert.
‘I love winning trophies’ says Desert Vipers’ Sam Curran ahead of start of DP World ILT20 season
- England all-rounder will face off against brother Tom in the competition’s 3rd season
DUBAI: England all-rounder Sam Curran, a serial winner in England in 2024, is hoping he can bring that formula for success to the Desert Vipers in this season’s DP World ILT20.
The 26-year-old won The Hundred with the Oval Invincibles and the County Championship with Surrey last year, and now he wants to start 2025 with some more silverware as the Vipers chase a first title.
Speaking to the Vipers Voices podcast, Curran said: “I guess I love winning trophies. Any player loves winning trophies and the last couple of years I have won a couple, which has been really nice.
“I think one of the keys to that is the culture of this team — that is really important. The vibe and the energy around the group is vital and that is one reason I have come to the Vipers after playing the last part of the season with them last year.
“For me, it links back to coming to a place where I know a lot of people and you can feel comfortable, you can express yourself, you can have a joke, but when you come down to training you can be that serious and energetic group, and train really hard and be honest with each other when you have a bad day.
Curran was one of a group of players that also included Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Aamir, UAE all-rounder Dhruv Parashar and wicketkeeper-batter Tanish Suri, and England fast bowler Luke Wood, that got together at the ICC Academy on Sunday for a first hit-out ahead of the new season.
The left-armer has chosen to return to the Vipers following his 2024 cameo despite having a number of possible options, with multiple leagues going on around the world at the same time.
Elaborating on his reasoning, Curran said: “The fact is I know quite a lot of people here. Obviously (Desert Vipers director of cricket) Tom Moody is a guy I know really well as he is my head coach at the Oval Invincibles. The Vipers’ strength and conditioning coach, Darren Veness, has worked with me at Surrey for many years and then there is James Foster, the Vipers head coach. There are a lot of familiar faces.
“I liked the environment and the culture last year that was created, even though I was only here for probably 10 days or so. The environment is something that is quite important to me and knowing that I am here for the next five weeks, with a sense we can build something quite nice is a positive.
Director of Cricket Tom Moody and Head Coach James Foster have both talked about their expectations for Curran not just as a batsman and bowler, but also as a senior leader of the team. Curran was player of the tournament when England won the T20 World Cup in Australia just over two years ago, and he captained the Punjab Kings during the 2024 Indian Premier League.
Curran said he was excited about sharing his knowledge and experience.
“Even though I am still fairly young I still feel extremely experienced around T20 cricket,” he said.
“I know the captain Lockie Ferguson quite well having played with him, so I will just be trying to help guys and share my experiences, and hopefully show some performances on the park that will enhance the team’s chances of winning.
Sam Curran’s brother Tom, who was a part of the Desert Vipers squad in season one and missed season two due to injury, has now signed with the Gulf Giants for season three of the DP World ILT20.
It means the brothers will be in opposing teams in this tournament, unusual because they are teammates both at the Oval Invincibles and with Surrey. The upcoming sibling rivalry is something Sam said he was looking forward to.
“I have spoken to Tom about it,” said Sam. He is in Australia now, playing in the Big Bash League, but we have already penned that date in the diary, the Vipers vs. the Gulf Giants!
“We played against each other once or twice in the IPL or twice, I think when he was with Delhi. It will be a very strange feeling but I think now that we are a bit older there will be no love on that field.
“I am sure there will be a lot of bragging rights around the dinner table and I am sure our mum will be there for that as well. I am very excited for that one. Whatever happens, as long as I hit him for six, I will be happy.”
The Vipers, even with Sam slotting in for the last part of last season, failed to make the playoffs in 2024 having been runners-up in season one, but Sam said he was confident the players on duty this time would be able to set the record straight.
“The schedule for this season looks pretty compact and busy, so I think it is probably really important for us to start well and try to get that confidence up.
“The good thing is, there is so much experience in our side. You look at guys like Alex Hales, Wanindu Hasaranga, Luke Wood and UAE players like Ali Naseer and Tanish Suri — these guys are coming back for the third season, so I am sure they will have learned from that last season and help us to put things right. That is important because the competition is going to keep getting stronger.
The Desert Vipers first match of the 2025 DP World ILT20 is on day two of the tournament, against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
AC Milan forward Leao praises ‘incredible’ Riyadh support after Italian Super Cup win
- Milan came back from 2-0 down to beat rivals Inter 3-2 at Al-Awwal Park on Monday
- ‘I must thank the Saudi fans; they have been incredible. They created a beautiful vibe’
RIYADH: AC Milan players praised the support they received in Saudi Arabia for helping to inspire an incredible 3-2 comeback victory in the EA Sports FC Supercup final over holders and rivals Inter Milan in Riyadh on Monday.
Tammy Abraham’s injury-time winner sparked joyous scenes from the AC Milan players, bench and fans packed into Al-Awwal Park, united in celebration of sporting drama at its most thrilling.
Having fallen behind to goals from Inter strikers Lautaro Martinez and Mehdi Taremi, the Rossoneri produced a turnaround for the ages. Theo Hernandez curled in a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area in the 52nd minute before Christian Pulisic struck home from an angle with 10 minutes remaining.
Pulisic’s exquisite injury-time pass was then latched onto by substitute Rafael Leao to play in fellow sub Abraham for the easiest and most satisfying of tap-ins, providing new manager Sergio Conceicao with a trophy in just his second match in charge following another comeback in the 2-1 win over Juventus in the semifinal on Friday.
“It was not easy, especially the first half but I really believed in the signs the guys gave me during the week,” Conceicao said. “I changed just a few things, and they were good ones; I truly believe in my work and in my staff. We need to have the right mentality to change the rest of the season. I accepted AC Milan and I’m happy. We have been hosted in a wonderful way in Saudi and I want to thank all the organizers and fans.”
Conceicao took over from Portuguese compatriot Paulo Fonseca at the helm of the San Siro side on Dec. 30.
Leao, the Milan No.10 who played a key role in the comeback, said: “I must thank the Saudi fans; they have been incredible. They created a beautiful vibe. Winning something with Milan is full of emotion. It’s a collective win, I also thank all of my team-mates and the coach too. The coach brought a fresh mentality and new energy. We believed it till the end. This trophy is an opportunity to change the rest of the season.”
For Inter, there was only disappointment in a city that has served them so well over the past few years. The Saudi capital has hosted of two of the Nerazzurri’s last three Italian Supercup triumphs, meaning Inter were thwarted in their bid for a treble in Riyadh to crown a record four wins in succession.
Simone Inzaghi, the Inter manager, told the post-final press conference: “We reopened the game with our mistakes and Milan did a few strategic changes. We had to do something more in the last 20 minutes. We will go back with a defeat, but we will do better. We missed good players, but this is football at the end. Losing a derby is hard, but we will react positively and be ready as soon as possible for our following games.”
The Supercup final defeat for Inter followed a late-goal loss in Serie A to AC Milan in September. Serie A champions Inter are currently third in the league, with their city rivals eighth.
Federico DiMarco, the Inter Milan left wing-back, said: “A team like us can’t lose from 2-0. We did a few mistakes and congratulations to Milan. All defeats help us to improve. Losing the derby in a final is not easy, but we will improve and make it better. The team give everything, the opponent was strong. It’s the second time they have scored against us in the final minutes. We will wake up and get ready for the following games. We won the last three Supercups. Everything was beautiful, the vibes were good, but this time I can’t say I’m fully happy.”
Saudi Next Gen Program selects 2 crews for Dakar Rally 2026
- Hamza Bakhashab, Abdullah Alshegawi, Raed Alassaf, Fahad Alamr to represent Saudi Arabia
- Program conducted under direct supervision of Italian driver Edo Mossi
BISHA: The Saudi Next Gen Program has selected drivers Hamza Bakhashab and Abdullah Alshegawi and their navigators Raed Alassaf and Fahad Alamr as the Kingdom’s representatives for the Dakar Rally 2026.
The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, and the Saudi Motorsport Company, through the Saudi Next Gen Program under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport, announced the selection of the two crews on Tuesday.
Their selection follows great performances and relevant progress during rigorous training and competitions, marking a significant step in the Vision 2030 initiative to support and develop Saudi talents in motorsports.
The selection process involved rigorous evaluations, including theoretical and practical training sessions as well as field tests led by motorsports experts.
The program was conducted under the direct supervision of Italian driver Edo Mossi, a four-time Dakar finisher, alongside program ambassadors Yazeed Al-Rajhi, Yasir Bin Seaidan, and Mishaal Al-Ghneim.
Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, the chairman of the SAMF and the Saudi Motorsport Company, said: “We are proud today to announce the winners of the Saudi Next Gen Program, who will have the opportunity of participating in the Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026, one of the most challenging and renowned races in the world.”
He added that the initiative was not merely a competition but part of Saudi Vision 2030, adding: “It is an opportunity to prepare a new generation of exceptional Saudi drivers who will lead motorsports in the Kingdom to new horizons.”
The four talents are to undergo comprehensive preparation, including specialized training on desert terrains, guidance from a seasoned technical team, and logistical support from the organizing entities.
They will also compete in national-level championships to refine their racing skills and build competitive experience, ensuring they are fully prepared for the Dakar Rally.
The announcement aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to advance motorsports and nurture a new generation of Saudi drivers to compete globally.
The Saudi Next Gen Program is a key initiative aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a premier destination for motorsports while inspiring Saudi youngsters to pursue their dreams in the field.
The program featured five nominated drivers who participated in rigorous training sessions in Bisha between Dec. 31 and Jan. 5, under the guidance of Mossi. The program included practicing with Yamaha SSV vehicles and navigating five stages designed to simulate desert rally terrain.
