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SAUDIA to Operate 540 Additional Flights for World Cup Qatar 2022 Matches

The 60 special daily flights during the World Cup, starting November 21, will run from both Riyadh and Jeddah to Doha, and are being offered for fans who wish to have the flexibility to fly-in and fly-out same day for matches. (SPA)
The 60 special daily flights during the World Cup, starting November 21, will run from both Riyadh and Jeddah to Doha, and are being offered for fans who wish to have the flexibility to fly-in and fly-out same day for matches. (SPA)
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SAUDIA to Operate 540 Additional Flights for World Cup Qatar 2022 Matches

The 60 special daily flights during the World Cup, starting November 21, will run from both Riyadh and Jeddah to Doha, and are being offered for fans who wish to have the flexibility to fly-in and fly-out same day for matches. (SPA)
The 60 special daily flights during the World Cup, starting November 21, will run from both Riyadh and Jeddah to Doha, and are being offered for fans who wish to have the flexibility to fly-in and fly-out same day for matches. (SPA)

In the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 taking place for the first time in the Middle East later this year, Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, will be introducing more than 60 exclusive flights to support the national team and 40 daily flights for fans to conveniently attend the matches.

The 60 special daily flights during the World Cup, starting November 21, will run from both Riyadh and Jeddah to Doha, and are being offered for fans who wish to have the flexibility to fly-in and fly-out same day for matches.

In addition, these flights will provide a convenient option for guests seeking to tag on a trip to explore world-class heritage experiences in Saudi Arabia.

Fans can visit Saudi Arabia to tour new and unique touristic sites, exploring an untapped destination during the football events taking place in the region.

The journey between the capital cities of Riyadh and Doha is approximately one hour 30 minutes air travel time, and from Doha to the Red Sea port city of Jeddah, which features the world-renowned UNESCO world heritage site Al-Balad, is two hours and 40 minutes by flight.

During an MoU signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar on Thursday, the Chief Executive Officer of SAUDIA, Captain Ibrahim S. Koshy and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, signed the exclusive agreement to enable both carriers to partner on the exclusive flights.

Starting from November 21, the 60 daily flights between Riyadh-Doha-Riyadh and Jeddah-Doha-Jeddah will also include an added benefit of a dedicated on-ground transportation between the airport and stadium.

By choosing to book a Match Day Shuttle flight, fans will arrive in the morning and depart in the evening, with no hotel accommodation required. Additionally, a no check-in baggage policy will simplify an easy-in, easy-out travel itinerary for the passengers.

All the exclusive additional flights will be fully operated by wide body SAUDIA aircraft.

The number of SAUDIA flights between Riyadh, Jeddah and Doha is subject to increase after studying the demand and capabilities with Qatar airways in the upcoming days.

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Saudi champions Al-Ittihad Name Portugal’s Conceicao as Coach

Sergio Conceicao. (AFP)
Sergio Conceicao. (AFP)
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Saudi champions Al-Ittihad Name Portugal’s Conceicao as Coach

Sergio Conceicao. (AFP)
Sergio Conceicao. (AFP)

Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad have appointed Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao on a deal running until 2028, the club said on Wednesday, replacing Frenchman Laurent Blanc who departed last month.

The announcement was made in a video posted on X, featuring Conceicao saying: "I am Sergio Conceicao, I came to make history with Al-Ittihad."

Blanc’s exit came a day after Al-Ittihad's 2-0 defeat to Al-Nassr in late September, which saw the defending champions slip to third in the league standings.

Assistant coach Hassan Khalifa took charge on an interim basis, supported by U21 coach Ivan Carrasco.

Conceicao was dismissed by AC Milan on May 29 after a disappointing Serie A campaign that ended with the club in eighth place, missing out on European competition for the first time since 2019.

He had joined Milan in December and led the team to the Italian Super Cup title in his second match in charge.

Sports

Defender Huijsen Ruled Out of Spain Squad with Muscle Injury 

Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. (L) and Dean Huijsen participate in a training session of the team in Madrid, Spain, 03 October 2025. Real Madrid face Villarreal in a LaLiga soccer match on 04 October. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. (L) and Dean Huijsen participate in a training session of the team in Madrid, Spain, 03 October 2025. Real Madrid face Villarreal in a LaLiga soccer match on 04 October. (EPA)
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Defender Huijsen Ruled Out of Spain Squad with Muscle Injury 

Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. (L) and Dean Huijsen participate in a training session of the team in Madrid, Spain, 03 October 2025. Real Madrid face Villarreal in a LaLiga soccer match on 04 October. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. (L) and Dean Huijsen participate in a training session of the team in Madrid, Spain, 03 October 2025. Real Madrid face Villarreal in a LaLiga soccer match on 04 October. (EPA)

Spain defender Dean Huijsen has been ruled out of their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria due to a muscle injury, with Aymeric Laporte called up as his replacement, the Spanish FA (RFEF) said on Wednesday.

"Huijsen, 20, arrived at the national team's training camp on Monday evening but did not train on Tuesday after reporting symptoms of muscle fatigue," the RFEF said in a statement.

"Medical examinations conducted on Wednesday confirmed the muscle injury, of which Real Madrid has been informed, prompting his withdrawal from the squad. We wish him a swift recovery."

Spain are set to face Georgia in Elche on Saturday before hosting Bulgaria in Valladolid on Tuesday as they aim to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup.

The absence of youngster Huijsen, who has impressed at Real Madrid under coach Xabi Alonso following a 50 million pound close-season transfer from Bournemouth, is a setback for Spain manager Luis de la Fuente.

However, Athletic Bilbao defender Laporte, 31, brings vital experience as he was a key player in Spain's European Championship-winning squad last year.

Spain currently top Group E of European qualifying with six points from two matches, with Georgia and Türkiye trailing by three points.

Sports

Sabalenka Overcomes Early Scare to Advance at Wuhan Open

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts after a point against Amanda Anisimova, of the United States, during the women's finals of the US Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts after a point against Amanda Anisimova, of the United States, during the women's finals of the US Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
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Sabalenka Overcomes Early Scare to Advance at Wuhan Open

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts after a point against Amanda Anisimova, of the United States, during the women's finals of the US Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts after a point against Amanda Anisimova, of the United States, during the women's finals of the US Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka overcame an early scare to beat unseeded Rebecca Sramkova 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 at the Wuhan Open on Wednesday.

The defending champion has had an amazing run in Wuhan — her record is 18-0 while winning titles in 2018, 2019 and 2024.

The US Open champion Sabalenka broke her 68th-ranked opponent in the opening game of the final set and went on before converting her second match point to win in almost two hours.

“I knew that after that little break ... it will be not that easy to get back in my rhythm,” Sabalenka said in her on-court interview. “I′m really gland the in the second set I found my game and stepped in and I think I played really great.”

Sabalenka started her rally by breaking her 68th-ranked opponent in fourth game of the second set and jumped to a 4-1 lead. She saved four break points in the seventh game.

She faces next No. 16 seed Liudmila Samsonova who rallied to beat 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Sramkova broke Sabalenka twice in the opening set, The Associated Press reported.

Sabalenka, who took a Greek holiday after her second consecutive win at Flushing Meadows, withdrew from last week’s China Open, another WTA 1000-level event.

Jessica Pegula was twice broken while serving for the match in the third set but recovered to edge Hailey Baptiste in a tight tiebreaker and advance.

Sixth-seeded Pegula beat her fellow American 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (6) on her seventh match point to reach the third round.