Qiddiya City to Host Inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup in October

Qiddiya City to Host Inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup in October
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Qiddiya City to Host Inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup in October

Qiddiya City to Host Inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup in October

The FIA Extreme H World Cup, the world’s first hydrogen-powered motorsport, confirmed Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia as the host location for its first event, taking place from October 9 to 11, 2025.

The race will take place with the dramatic backdrop of the Tuwaiq Mountains, close to the site, which is currently undergoing transformation to become a world-leading motorsport venue, according to SPA.

Extreme H’s inaugural event in Qiddiya City marks a major milestone in its evolution and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s bold motorsport ambitions. The racing will take place in a specially designed off-road location. It will form part of Qiddiya City’s broader vision to become a global hub for motorsport, innovation, and entertainment.

At the heart of this vision is the newly unveiled Speed Park Track, a cutting-edge circuit. The track symbolises Qiddiya City’s commitment to world-class motorsport, with dramatic elevation changes, iconic features like the 20-storey “Blade” turn, and integration with entertainment landmarks such as its new Six Flags Theme Park and Aquarabia.

The FIA Extreme H World Cup and Qiddiya City share a joint vision when it comes to sustainability standards, making the city an ideal location for Extreme H’s mission to deliver purpose-driven sport and clean mobility solutions.

The city aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2060, with initiatives that include 100% wastewater reuse, renewable energy infrastructure, and EV charging in 80% of parking spaces.

A major tree planting focus is also central to plans, as part of the city’s commitment to the Saudi Green Initiative, which has a broader national goal of planting 10 billion trees in Saudi Arabia by 2030 to combat desertification, improve air quality, and enhance biodiversity.

Racing will kick off with the ‘final fling’ Extreme E Desert X Prix, taking place on October 4 and 5, providing an official conclusion to the previous championship. The baton will then be handed over to start Extreme H on October 9-11.

Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company Abdullah AlDawood said: “Qiddiya City is envisioned not just as a destination for play, but as an example of contemporary, sustainable urban planning and design. Hosting the inaugural FIA Extreme H World Cup underscores our commitment to showcasing sustainable motorsport while positioning Saudi Arabia as a global hub for future-focused experiences.”

For his part, founder and Chairman of Extreme H Alejandro Agag said: “Qiddiya City is the ideal launchpad for the FIA Extreme H World Cup, a new frontier for motorsport that embodies purpose, innovation and entertainment. More than just a race venue, it is a statement of intent. A visually stunning, technologically ambitious location that sets the tone for a new era of motorsport. We are proud to showcase the power of hydrogen and sustainable technology.”

CEO of Saudi Motorsport Company Eng. Mansour Almokbel said: “Hosting the Final Lap of Extreme E in Saudi Arabia marks a powerful moment; celebrating five years of innovation, impact, and truly boundary-pushing racing. This series has redefined sustainable motorsport, captured global attention, and showcased our stunning landscapes to millions around the world.

As we mark this finale, our focus is firmly on the future. The launch of Extreme H marks the next bold chapter in racing, and Saudi Arabia is proud to play a central role in shaping the sport's future direction. These milestone events reflect our ambition to be a global home for pioneering motorsport, driving progress, sustainability, and the spirit of innovation.”

Further details on the sporting format, teams, drivers and partners, will be revealed over the coming weeks as the event countdown continues at pace.



Sabalenka Apologizes for Outburst During Loss to Svitolina

13 November 2026, US, Indian Wells: Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka in action against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina during their women's singles group stage match of the FAGE WTA Finals tennis tournament at Indian Wells. Photo: Charles Baus/CSM via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
13 November 2026, US, Indian Wells: Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka in action against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina during their women's singles group stage match of the FAGE WTA Finals tennis tournament at Indian Wells. Photo: Charles Baus/CSM via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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Sabalenka Apologizes for Outburst During Loss to Svitolina

13 November 2026, US, Indian Wells: Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka in action against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina during their women's singles group stage match of the FAGE WTA Finals tennis tournament at Indian Wells. Photo: Charles Baus/CSM via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
13 November 2026, US, Indian Wells: Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka in action against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina during their women's singles group stage match of the FAGE WTA Finals tennis tournament at Indian Wells. Photo: Charles Baus/CSM via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Aryna Sabalenka apologized on Saturday for her angry outburst during her defeat by Ukraine's Elina Svitolina at the WTA Finals.

Television footage appeared to show the Belarusian swearing during Friday's round-robin match, with some social media users interpreting her remarks as being directed at Svitolina or Ukrainians. The loss eliminated Sabalenka from the season-ending tournament.

"My comment was not directed at Elina," Sabalenka said in a social ⁠media post.

"I was ⁠frustrated with a small group of spectators who were aggressively cheering my mistakes, and I reacted emotionally in the moment.

"That said, I should have handled my frustration differently, and I apologize to anyone I offended.

"Elina played a great match, ⁠and I wish her all the best for the rest of the tournament."

Svitolina did not shake hands with Sabalenka after the match, maintaining her policy of not doing so with Russian or Belarusian opponents following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow launched with Belarus as a staging ground.

Asked about her reaction to Sabalenka's apology, Svitolina called for mutual respect, acknowledging that fans' passions ⁠can ⁠sometimes run high.

"We've played many times with Aryna. She has her fans, I have my fans," she told reporters after her semi-final win over Linda Noskova on Saturday.

According to Reuters, she expressed hope that matches between the two of them would be respected, "because yes, sometimes in some matches that we've played, also been not great comments towards me in regards of the war."

Svitolina, the 2018 WTA Finals champion, faces Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva in Sunday's final.


Portugal Changes How No. 7 Is Written to Honor Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the 1-2 goal during the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Hungary, in Budapest, Hungary, 09 September 2025. (EPA)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the 1-2 goal during the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Hungary, in Budapest, Hungary, 09 September 2025. (EPA)
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Portugal Changes How No. 7 Is Written to Honor Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the 1-2 goal during the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Hungary, in Budapest, Hungary, 09 September 2025. (EPA)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the 1-2 goal during the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Hungary, in Budapest, Hungary, 09 September 2025. (EPA)

The Portugal football team is making a change to how the No. 7 is written to honor the recently-retired Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo, who wore the number and went on to make it his own as “CR7,” retired from international soccer last week, ending a remarkable career that spanned six World Cups, a European title, and the men’s all-time international scoring record.

“Time to debut a new 7. Because there’s one that will be eternal,” the Portuguese national team wrote on social media on Saturday. The post included a goat emoji to signify “Greatest Of All Time.”

It also included a video that showed a horizontal crossed line through the No. 7 as it’s commonly written in Europe, suggesting that Ronaldo’s successors will all have that cross to bear when they wear the number.

Portugal, already assured of reaching the quarterfinals, was hosting Denmark in the Nations League later Saturday.

The 41-year-old Ronaldo quit on Nov. 5 after falling out with coach Jorge Jesus. His last appearance with Portugal was Sept. 24 in a 1-0 home win over Wales in the Nations League.

Jesus kept him on the bench for the following match and said he didn’t plan to start him in the next one, so the superstar forward decided to leave the team’s training camp.

Jesus later said Ronaldo would be welcome back and the decision to return was up to him.


Ronaldinho Poised for Ravenna Start and, Perhaps, One Last Goal

Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho waves during Ravenna FC’s team presentation for the 2026-27 season in Marina di Ravenna, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. (AFP)
Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho waves during Ravenna FC’s team presentation for the 2026-27 season in Marina di Ravenna, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. (AFP)
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Ronaldinho Poised for Ravenna Start and, Perhaps, One Last Goal

Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho waves during Ravenna FC’s team presentation for the 2026-27 season in Marina di Ravenna, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. (AFP)
Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho waves during Ravenna FC’s team presentation for the 2026-27 season in Marina di Ravenna, Italy, Aug. 20, 2026. (AFP)

Ronaldinho will roll back the years this weekend when the 46-year-old Brazilian starts his first competitive match in over a decade, and in the unlikely setting of an Italian third-tier derby the World Cup winner may realize his dream of scoring one last time.

The Brazil great and Ballon d'Or winner signed for Ravenna in June, also taking a stake in the club, but because he had not played since his final appearance for Fluminense in 2015, doubts remained over whether fans would ever see him in action.

Ravenna revealed ‌three weeks ago ‌that the former Barcelona and AC Milan player ‌would ⁠make his return ⁠in Sunday's home clash with local rivals Forli, and on Friday, manager Andrea Mandorlini told reporters that Ronaldinho would start the match.

"He will play from the start, there's no doubt," Mandorlini said.

"Then together we will decide how long he plays. He is one of the greatest players of the modern era. And we have to get a ⁠result. We always play with three forwards. He will ‌be one of the three."

Ronaldinho was ‌welcomed by the Ravenna fans in August, without committing to a return ‌to the pitch. He returned to Italy on Friday afternoon and ‌will have just one training session with his teammates on Saturday before making his club debut.

A temporary stand has been erected at the Stadio Bruno Benelli to cater for the crowd, and if this does turn out ‌to be one last hurrah for Ronaldinho, he may well get the chance to score his 300th ⁠professional goal.

"I ⁠scored my first Italian goal in the derby," Ronaldinho told Corriere della Sera, referring to his first official goal for AC Milan, which came against Inter Milan.

"It was a special evening that will remain in the memory of all AC Milan fans. It was September 28, 2008. I scored with a header, which is not my specialty. Who knows if I'll be able to repeat that feat tomorrow."

"... Returning to the pitch at 46 is the best move of my career."

Simone Rabbi will play alongside the Brazilian up front for Ravenna, and in Friday's press conference he said that if his side are awarded a penalty on Sunday, Ronaldinho will take the spot kick.