AFC President: Saudi Arabia Capable of Hosting FIFA World Cup at Right Time

President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa delivers a speech during the draw for the AFC Asian Cup in Doha on May 11, 2023. (AFP)
President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa delivers a speech during the draw for the AFC Asian Cup in Doha on May 11, 2023. (AFP)
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AFC President: Saudi Arabia Capable of Hosting FIFA World Cup at Right Time

President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa delivers a speech during the draw for the AFC Asian Cup in Doha on May 11, 2023. (AFP)
President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa delivers a speech during the draw for the AFC Asian Cup in Doha on May 11, 2023. (AFP)

President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said he was confident of Saudi Arabia's ability to host the FIFA World Cup.

He stated that the bid to host the prestigious tournament in Asia has to be submitted at the "right time" in 2030 or 2034.

In remarks to journalists on the sidelines of a visit to Beirut, Al Khalifa said: "Saudi Arabia is coming strong. We are coordinating with the continental federations and FIFA to host the World Cup in 2030 or 2034 in agreement with everyone. When the bid is submitted, we want to ensure it is at least 90 percent successful."

"The Kingdom can host a similar competition, but we have to choose the right time in 2030 or 2034 according to circumstances and chances of success. We, at the Asian Federation, have 47 votes while winning the right to host World Cup requires 110 votes. We need support from other continents," he said.

"We are coordinating the right time to host the tournament either in 2030 or 2034. We are keen on ensuring success for the Saudi bid," Al Khalifa stressed.



Olympic Cauldron to Rise into Paris Skies Each Night

 Paris 2024 Olympics - Paris, France - July 27, 2024. A general view of the balloon and Olympic cauldron in Jardin des Tuileries. (Reuters)
Paris 2024 Olympics - Paris, France - July 27, 2024. A general view of the balloon and Olympic cauldron in Jardin des Tuileries. (Reuters)
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Olympic Cauldron to Rise into Paris Skies Each Night

 Paris 2024 Olympics - Paris, France - July 27, 2024. A general view of the balloon and Olympic cauldron in Jardin des Tuileries. (Reuters)
Paris 2024 Olympics - Paris, France - July 27, 2024. A general view of the balloon and Olympic cauldron in Jardin des Tuileries. (Reuters)

The Olympic cauldron that made a stunning first flight at the Paris Games opening ceremony will sit on the ground during the day and rise again every evening.

Paris Olympics organizers said that from Saturday, the cauldron attached to a balloon will fly more than 60 meters (197 feet) above the Tuileries gardens near the glass pyramid entrance to the Louvre museum from sunset until 2 a.m.

During daytime hours, 10,000 people each day can get free tickets to approach the cauldron, which is the first in Olympic history to light up without the use of fossil fuels.

Organizers said the electric flame uses 40 LED spotlights “to illuminate the cloud created by 200 high-pressure misting nozzles.”