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Crown Prince Endorses Saudi Arabia’s Final Preparations ahead of Bid Books Submission for FIFA World Cup 2034

Crown Prince endorses Saudi Arabia’s final preparations ahead of bid books submission for FIFA World Cup 2034. (SPA)
Crown Prince endorses Saudi Arabia’s final preparations ahead of bid books submission for FIFA World Cup 2034. (SPA)
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Crown Prince Endorses Saudi Arabia’s Final Preparations ahead of Bid Books Submission for FIFA World Cup 2034

Crown Prince endorses Saudi Arabia’s final preparations ahead of bid books submission for FIFA World Cup 2034. (SPA)
Crown Prince endorses Saudi Arabia’s final preparations ahead of bid books submission for FIFA World Cup 2034. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has endorsed Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034 tournament.
The endorsement comes following the conclusion of the bid’s detailed requirements ahead of the bid book submission to FIFA in the French capital, Paris, through a delegation led by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) Yasser Al Misehal.
Marking this significant milestone, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Al Saud expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince for their support and guidance offered to the vital sport sector. Thanks to this support, the Kingdom has become a global home of sports during a time when the country is experiencing unprecedented growth and transformation, he added.
“We are committed to hosting an exceptional edition of the FIFA World CupTM set to feature 48 teams in a single country for the first time in the history of the competition. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince’s direct supervision of Saudi Arabia's ambitions of hosting this iconic global football event showcases his commitment to elevating the future of Saudi sport, in line with Vision 2030, and help nurture a generation of athletes capable of competing at the highest global stage”, said Prince Faisla.
“We will continue to showcase to the world our nation’s transformation across all sectors, what our youthful and vibrant population can offer and our massive capabilities of hosting the world’s biggest sporting events”, he added.
The official bid book submission will take place in a ceremony held by FIFA in Paris. The Saudi delegation will be led by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Al Saud and Yasser Al Misehal, alongside two children from the SAFF youth regional training centers.
The participation of the two children came as part of an initiative by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, symbolizing the ambitions of Saudi Arabia’s young generation to host the world’s greatest football event.
The official bid book forms part of the FIFA World Cup 2034TM bid journey, which commenced on 4 October 2023 when Saudi Arabia, via the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, announced its intention to bid. It was then followed by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation submitting its official letter of intent to FIFA, before the bid brand identity was revealed under the slogan ‘Growing. Together.’
The bid period is set to conclude in December later this year when FIFA officially announces the host nation of the FIFA World Cup 2034 TM during a General Assembly meeting.

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Wolff Blasts Rivals over F1 Engine Loophole Claims

Formula One F1 - Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria - June 27, 2025 Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff during the press conference REUTERS/Gintare Karpaviciute
Formula One F1 - Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria - June 27, 2025 Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff during the press conference REUTERS/Gintare Karpaviciute
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Wolff Blasts Rivals over F1 Engine Loophole Claims

Formula One F1 - Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria - June 27, 2025 Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff during the press conference REUTERS/Gintare Karpaviciute
Formula One F1 - Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria - June 27, 2025 Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff during the press conference REUTERS/Gintare Karpaviciute

Mercedes Formula One boss Toto Wolff blasted rivals on Monday for casting doubt on the legality of his team's new engine through secret meetings and letters.

The sport is entering a new era with one of the most sweeping technical overhauls in decades and there has been talk of Mercedes and rivals Red Bull, now making their own engine, exploiting a loophole in the rules through the thermal expansion of components.

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That could put the three Ferrari-powered teams (Ferrari, Cadillac and Haas), Audi and Aston Martin (Honda) at a competitive disadvantage if true, Reuters reported.

Mercedes provide engines to four teams, while Red Bull also supply Racing Bulls.

"I just don't understand that some teams concentrate more on the others and keep arguing a case that is very clear and transparent," Wolff told reporters ahead of the team's online season launch.

"Communication with the FIA was very positive all along. And it's not only on compression ratio, but on other things too," added the Austrian.

"It's very clear what the regulations say. It's very clear what the standard procedures are on any motors, even outside of F1."

Wolff said rivals needed to get their act together instead of "doing secret meetings and sending secret letters and keep trying to invent ways of testing that just don't exist."

"Maybe you want to find excuses before you even start it (the season), why things are not good... it's not how we would do things," he added.

"Especially not after you've been told a few times that that is fine, it's legal and it's what the regulations say. But again, if somebody wants to entertain themselves by distraction then everybody's free to do this."

Formula One's governing body has played down talk of the controversy triggering a protest that overshadows the Australian season-opener on March 8.

Mercedes started the last engine era in 2014 with a dominant power unit and racked up a record eight constructors' titles in succession.

Wolff said the early evidence from an initial shakedown involving 10 of the 11 teams was that there was less of a gap than feared by some.

"In terms of pure performance on a lap, and even over several laps, it's looked like there is no-one that is really collapsing," he said.

Sports

Arteta Seeks Arsenal Reinforcement for Injured Merino

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta applauds at the end of the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 7, football match between Inter Milan and Arsenal at San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on January 20, 2026. (AFP)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta applauds at the end of the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 7, football match between Inter Milan and Arsenal at San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on January 20, 2026. (AFP)
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Arteta Seeks Arsenal Reinforcement for Injured Merino

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta applauds at the end of the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 7, football match between Inter Milan and Arsenal at San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on January 20, 2026. (AFP)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta applauds at the end of the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 7, football match between Inter Milan and Arsenal at San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on January 20, 2026. (AFP)

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal are "actively looking" for a replacement for the injured Mikel Merino in the closing hours of the transfer window.

Merino, who has been a valuable contributor in midfield and attack for the Gunners, could miss the rest of the season with a fractured right foot that requires surgery, AFP reported.

Arteta stressed how significant the Spain international's absence as Arsenal compete to win four trophies.

The Arsenal boss hopes his club can come up with a new signing to fill the void before Monday's 1900GMT deadline.

"We are actively looking at options and we will continue to do that," Arteta told reporters on Monday.

"When you lose a big player like this with four months to go, and all the competitions to play for, you need to look and we need to do everything we possibly can to see if a player is available."

The loss of Merino has been tempered by the return to fitness of Germany forward Kai Havertz.

There was further good news for Arsenal as Arteta revealed an injury that kept England winger Bukayo Saka out of Saturday's 4-0 win over Leeds is only minor.

"Today, he (Saka) was better. Let's see how he responds. It doesn't look like something too serious," Arteta added ahead of Tuesday's League Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea

"Whether he is available for tomorrow or the weekend, we will have to wait and see."

Arsenal remain on course for an unprecedented quadruple.

Arteta's side hold a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League, have progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League and face third-tier Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round.

But the Spaniard is focused on reaching the League Cup final as his side's first opportunity to end a six-year trophy drought.

Arsenal hold a 3-2 lead over Chelsea ahead of the second leg on home soil at the Emirates Stadium.

"The next one is always the most important one. And it is the closest, at least, to reach a final," said Arteta.

"We really need to create the atmosphere, the energy, the belief that we're going to do it."

Sports

Barcelona’s Raphinha Out for a Week with Leg Injury

Football - UEFA Champions League - FC Barcelona v FC Copenhagen - Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - January 28, 2026 FC Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates scoring their third goal. (Reuters)
Football - UEFA Champions League - FC Barcelona v FC Copenhagen - Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - January 28, 2026 FC Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates scoring their third goal. (Reuters)
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Barcelona’s Raphinha Out for a Week with Leg Injury

Football - UEFA Champions League - FC Barcelona v FC Copenhagen - Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - January 28, 2026 FC Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates scoring their third goal. (Reuters)
Football - UEFA Champions League - FC Barcelona v FC Copenhagen - Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - January 28, 2026 FC Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates scoring their third goal. (Reuters)

Barcelona forward Raphinha has been sidelined for a week ​with a right leg injury, the LaLiga champions said on Monday, after the Brazilian was forced off at halftime during Saturday's ‌3-1 win ‌at ‌Elche.

The ⁠29-year-old, ​who ‌has scored eight goals and provided three assists this season, was ruled out for nearly two months after suffering ⁠a hamstring injury in September.

"Raphinha ‌is suffering from ‍an ‍overload in the adductor ‍muscle of his right leg... his recovery period is expected to be one ​week," Barcelona said in a statement, adding ⁠that he will miss Tuesday's Copa del Rey quarter-final at Albacete.

Leaders Barcelona, bidding for their third LaLiga title in four years, are a point above Real Madrid in the ‌standings.