https://arab.news/jhpu9
RIYADH: Al-Ittihad announced Tuesday that first team coach Marcelo Gallardo’s contract will not been renewed.
The Argentine, who took over the team as champions of the Saudi Pro League, managed the Jeddah club for 33 matches.
Ittihad finished fifth in the SPL, unable to secure a Champions League spot or an AFC Cup place.
RIYADH: The Saudi national football team has qualified for the final match of the Arab Diar Championship for West Asian U-19 teams, organized by the West Asian Football Federation and hosted by the Taif Governorate, Saudi Arabia, state news agency SPA reported on Thursday.
The semifinal matches were held on Wednesday, where the Saudi national team defeated its Syrian opposition with a score of 2-0, while the UAE defeated Jordan 2-1.
The final match is scheduled to be held next Friday at the King Fahd Sports City Stadium in the Taif Governorate at 9 p.m.
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Sport has launched the latest phase of the Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project to privatize 14 more clubs.
Initiated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last June, the project, rolled out in collaboration with the National Privatization Center, aims to accelerate the sports industry in the Kingdom by inviting business sector involvement with clubs.
Six additional clubs are now available for privatization starting in August: Al-Zulfi, Al-Nahda, Al-Okhdood, Al-Ansar, Al-Orouba, and Al-Kholoud. The clubs have been selected based on their operational readiness, financial health, administrative capabilities and athletic facilities.
An additional eight clubs — Al-Shoalah, Hajar, Al-Najmah, Al-Riyadh, Al-Rawdhah, Jeddah, Al-Taraji and Al-Sahel — will all also be up for privatization at a later stage.
Following the successful privatization of Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad during the first phase, the project now advanced into phase two.
As part of the commitment to accelerate the transformation of the sports sector, the project seeks to enhance the administrative and financial governance of clubs, creating new opportunities for sports investment in the country to develop club infrastructure, among other things. This, in turn, will take fan experiences to new levels, the ministry’s statement said.
The Roshn Saudi League has shown significant commercial revenue growth from last season after the privatization of clubs, with a goal to potentially reach an annual total of 1.8 billion Saudi riyals ($479,819).
With more than 80 percent of the population following, watching or playing football, the league’s development is enhancing the sport and entertainment experience for a big fanbase. This progress is raising the bar for clubs in the league, encouraging them to invest in facilities and stadiums.
With the help of the ministry, Al-Fateh, Al-Ettifaq, Al-Taawoun, Al-Shabab and Al-Hilal all moved into their own home stadiums during the 2023-24 season.
The Sports Clubs Investment and Privatization Project operates through two primary tracks. The first involves granting permission for businesses and development organizations to invest in sports teams in return for ownership transfer. The second involves offering publicly owned sports clubs for privatization. Investors interested in participating in this project can visit the ministry’s website for application details and further information.
RIYADH: There has been no approach for Atlético Madrid first team keeper Jan Oblak from Saudi Arabia, the club told Arriyadiyah.
Transfer rumors indicated that the Slovenian shotstopper was interested in an offer from Al-Nassr.
But the Spanish club rubbished those claims telling Arab News’ sister publication that there had been no negotiations from Al-Nassr or the recruitment program in Saudi Arabia to sign the keeper.
Juan José García, Atlético Madrid spokesperson, told Arriyadiyah that the goalkeeper is very important to the club, and that there are currently no negotiations for his departure.
Oblak helped his country to qualify for the Round of 16 of the Euros, and saved an important penalty from the Al-Nassr and Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, leaving the footballing legend in tears. Portugal won the game on penalties and will face France in the quarterfinals.
KUALA LUMPUR: Saudi Arabia, Japan and Australia were all drawn together on Thursday in the third stage of Asian qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in a "group of death" that also includes China.
The 18 remaining Asian teams battling it out for eight direct qualification places were drawn into three groups of six at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.
Son Heung-min's South Korea were given a more straightforward-looking assignment when they were drawn to face Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine and Kuwait in Group B.
Iran and Asian Cup champions Qatar head Group A and will play Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, Kyrgyzstan and North Korea.
Matches will be played on a home-and-away basis from this September to June 2025, with the top two in each group qualifying directly for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Teams finishing third and fourth in their groups will advance to the fourth round of Asian qualifying.
Hajime Moriyasu, whose Japan side beat Spain and Germany to reach the knockout rounds of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, called Group C "a tough group".
Indonesia -- in the third qualifying phase for the first time -- and Bahrain are the other teams in that group.
"We had to do it the hard way in the qualifiers for the last World Cup and we're going to have to dig even deeper this time," Japan coach Moriyasu told reporters after the draw in the Malaysian capital.
"But I want us to be ready for it, be brave and go for it. I ask that the fans fight along with us."
Graham Arnold took Australia to the last 16 in Qatar, where they went out 2-1 to eventual champions Argentina.
Like Japan, Australia had a 100 percent record in the second qualifying round for 2026 and did not concede a goal.
"We knew this round of qualifying would present challenges however the draw panned out," Arnold said.
"I feel it's important we embrace those challenges, with our mindset, belief and camaraderie integral to achieve our goal of qualification."
China have only reached the World Cup once, in 2002, and coach Branko Ivankovic knows his side are up against it in the same group.
"Ours is the hardest group in this round," he said.
"But we want to be a serious opponent for any team. Of course we have three strong teams -- Saudi, Japan and Australia -- that participated in the last World Cup."
Third round AFC qualification draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
Group A: Iran, Qatar, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, Kyrgyzstan, North Korea
Group B: South Korea, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, Kuwait
Group C: Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China, Indonesia
Madrid: Club captain Nacho Fernandez will leave Real Madrid for a reported move to Saudi Arabia, the 15-time Champions League winners announced on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old center-back spent 23 years with the club — 12 of them in the first team squad — lifting the European crown six times, La Liga on four occasions and the Copa del Rey twice.
According to Spanish media, Nacho has signed a two-year deal with Al-Qadsiah, who were recently promoted to the Saudi top-flight.
“Since he arrived at our youth academy as a child, Nacho has been an example to everyone and has earned the affection, recognition and admiration of everyone at Real Madrid,” club president Florentino Perez said in a statement.
“Real Madrid is and always will be his home,” he added.
Nacho is set to join fellow former Real Madrid stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the Saudi Pro League.
