FIFA Selects Saudi Refereeing Crew for 2026 World Cup

The newly completed 7,000 seats (grey area) in the south end of BMO Field are shown as part of the stadium's upgrades ahead of hosting six FIFA World Cup 2026 soccer matches in Toronto, March 24, 2026. (Eduardo Lima/The Canadian Press via AP)
The newly completed 7,000 seats (grey area) in the south end of BMO Field are shown as part of the stadium's upgrades ahead of hosting six FIFA World Cup 2026 soccer matches in Toronto, March 24, 2026. (Eduardo Lima/The Canadian Press via AP)
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FIFA Selects Saudi Refereeing Crew for 2026 World Cup

The newly completed 7,000 seats (grey area) in the south end of BMO Field are shown as part of the stadium's upgrades ahead of hosting six FIFA World Cup 2026 soccer matches in Toronto, March 24, 2026. (Eduardo Lima/The Canadian Press via AP)
The newly completed 7,000 seats (grey area) in the south end of BMO Field are shown as part of the stadium's upgrades ahead of hosting six FIFA World Cup 2026 soccer matches in Toronto, March 24, 2026. (Eduardo Lima/The Canadian Press via AP)

FIFA has selected the Saudi refereeing crew, comprising referee Khalid Al-Turais, assistant referee Mohammed Al-Abakry, and VAR official Abdullah Al-Shehri, to officiate matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 18.

The selection follows the crew's distinguished performances in various regional, continental, and international refereeing assignments, most notably their successful participation in the FIFA U-20 World Cup held last year in Chile.

Saudi Arabian Football Federation President Yasser Almisehal congratulated the selected officials, wishing them success at the World Cup and expressing hope that they would represent Saudi refereeing with distinction at the global football event.

Almisehal affirmed that FIFA's selection of a Saudi refereeing crew reflects the continued confidence the international federation places in Saudi officials, in recognition of their performances that have been widely praised in recent times.



For 3rd Consecutive Time, Turki Alalshikh Tops the List of the Most Influential Figures in Boxing

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and President of the Saudi Boxing Federation Turki Alalshikh. (General Entertainment Authority)
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and President of the Saudi Boxing Federation Turki Alalshikh. (General Entertainment Authority)
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For 3rd Consecutive Time, Turki Alalshikh Tops the List of the Most Influential Figures in Boxing

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and President of the Saudi Boxing Federation Turki Alalshikh. (General Entertainment Authority)
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and President of the Saudi Boxing Federation Turki Alalshikh. (General Entertainment Authority)

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and President of the Saudi Boxing Federation Turki Alalshikh has topped Boxing News magazine’s list of the 50 most influential figures in boxing for 2026, securing the No. 1 spot for the third consecutive year.

The ranking reflects his influential role in the global boxing landscape over recent years, through contributing to the staging of some of the sport’s biggest fights, bringing together leading boxing stars in major international matchups, and strengthening collaboration with prominent promoters and organizations across the industry.

This growing presence has also helped establish Riyadh as one of the world’s leading boxing destinations, attracting major fights, top-tier athletes, and fans from around the world, alongside the continued expansion of Riyadh Season’s presence on the international sporting stage.

Boxing News is one of the world’s longest-established publications specializing in boxing. Founded in the United Kingdom in 1909, the magazine publishes the annual BN50 list, which ranks the most influential figures in the sport.


Lewis Hamilton’s Ordeal Continues with Brake Failure at Formula 1’s Spanish GP

 Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Madring, Madrid, Spain - September 13, 2026 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton in action during the race. (Reuters)
Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Madring, Madrid, Spain - September 13, 2026 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton in action during the race. (Reuters)
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Lewis Hamilton’s Ordeal Continues with Brake Failure at Formula 1’s Spanish GP

 Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Madring, Madrid, Spain - September 13, 2026 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton in action during the race. (Reuters)
Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Madring, Madrid, Spain - September 13, 2026 Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton in action during the race. (Reuters)

It was another disappointing race weekend for seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The Ferrari driver had to retire seven laps into Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix because of a brake failure. The setback came a week after he finished sixth at the Italian GP following an early dust-up with teammate Charles Leclerc that sparked some in-house spats.

“I hit the brake, the car started stopping and then the pedal took a step and all of a sudden the car didn’t de-accelerate as fast a normal,” Hamilton said. "I ended up carrying a lot of speed in and just brushed the barrier. After that the pedal came back and then a few corners later, the pedal went long. I don’t really know where that’s come from.”

The setback dropped Hamilton 101 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who won Sunday's race in Madrid.

“We’ve had a pretty decent car, a good car this weekend and I think we will continue to try and improve it and I think we have better results coming in the future,” Hamilton said. “I think the team’s done an amazing job, so I’m sad for them today that they couldn’t get max points. I think we had the car to fight for a win today, and unfortunately, it just didn’t work out.”

The weekend in Madrid started with Ferrari showing good pace behind Mercedes. Hamilton was fourth in the first practice session on Friday and third in the second. But he crashed during the final practice on Saturday, couldn't get a clean lap in qualifying and started fourth on the grid.

Hamilton hasn’t finished on the podium since a third-place result at the British GP. He won in Barcelona — his first victory with Ferrari — and was second in both Monaco and Canada.

He and Leclerc said this weekend that they had discussions about what happened at Monza, and Leclerc took responsibility for the incident that hurt Hamilton’s chances there. Hamilton praised his teammate’s “maturity” and said these issues were normal in F1.

Leclerc finished fourth on Sunday.


Mbappe Scores Brace as Real Madrid Get 4-1 Victory Over Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his his team's fourth goal during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on September 12, 2026. (AFP)
Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his his team's fourth goal during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on September 12, 2026. (AFP)
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Mbappe Scores Brace as Real Madrid Get 4-1 Victory Over Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his his team's fourth goal during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on September 12, 2026. (AFP)
Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his his team's fourth goal during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on September 12, 2026. (AFP)

Kylian Mbappe ‌scored twice as Real Madrid enjoyed a 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

Mbappe got his sixth goal of the season in the 14th minute, from a penalty, after Rayo defender Florian Lejeune fouled Alvaro Carreras in the box.

Three minutes later Carreras exchanged passes with Mbappe, after Lejeune had gifted the ball to Vinicius Junior, and sent a shot into the net.

Wingers Vinicius and Yan Diomande, making his first start for Real since joining in August, found ample space to operate ‌in and after ‌34 minutes the Brazilian raced down the ‌left ⁠before picking out ⁠Jude Bellingham, just inside the box, who side-footed into the bottom corner with minimal fuss.

Mbappe hit the post late in the first half but the only danger to Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois's clean sheet came from a long-range strike by Andrei Ratiu which the Belgian pushed away.

The lack of tension was evident early ⁠in the second period, with Rayo's Pedro Diaz ‌hitting the post. The visitors pulled a ‌goal back after 51 minutes when, after a cheap giveaway, Sergio Camello ‌sneaked the ball through Ibrahima Konate's legs and into ‌the corner of the net.

Rayo were now enjoying comfortable possession in the Real Madrid half and were keeping Courtois busy. On the Real Madrid bench, manager Jose Mourinho's anger was mirrored by whistles from the ‌crowd.

With 13 minutes to go, Real's Denzel Dumfries drew a spectacular save from goalkeeper Emil ⁠Audero after ⁠connecting with substitute Arda Guler's cross.

Real Madrid closed out the game with a second goal from Mbappe on the counter-attack in the 91st minute, moving him on to seven goals in six games in all competitions.

The result put Real Madrid on 12 points, level with leaders Barcelona who play Levante on Sunday.

Espanyol beat Osasuna 2-0 with an early brace from Roberto Fernandez, while Racing Santander came from behind to defeat in-form Alaves 2-1.

Elche went ahead at San Mames through a second-half penalty from Facundo Buonanotte, but Athletic Club captain Inaki Williams found an equalizer with 11 minutes remaining and the game finished 1-1.