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.



China’s Huang and Sheng Win First Gold of Paris Games at Air Rifle Mixed Team Event

 China's Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao pose on the podium after winning the gold of the shooting 10m air rifle mixed team during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Chateauroux Shooting Centre on July 27, 2024. (AFP)
China's Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao pose on the podium after winning the gold of the shooting 10m air rifle mixed team during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Chateauroux Shooting Centre on July 27, 2024. (AFP)
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China’s Huang and Sheng Win First Gold of Paris Games at Air Rifle Mixed Team Event

 China's Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao pose on the podium after winning the gold of the shooting 10m air rifle mixed team during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Chateauroux Shooting Centre on July 27, 2024. (AFP)
China's Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao pose on the podium after winning the gold of the shooting 10m air rifle mixed team during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Chateauroux Shooting Centre on July 27, 2024. (AFP)

China's Huang Yuting and Sheng Lihao won the first gold medal of the Paris Games on Saturday in the 10 meters air rifle mixed team event.

Keum Ji-hyeon and Park Ha-jun of South Korea claimed silver and Alexandra Le and Islam Satpayev of Kazakhstan were awarded bronze.

Three years after Yang Qian and Yang Haoran won the gold in Tokyo, compatriots Huang and Sheng made sure China retained it.

The reigning world champions topped the qualifying round ahead of their Korean rivals at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre.

The gold medal round was not really a cakewalk though despite them racing to a 14-8 lead after the first 11 shots.

Keum and Park staged a late comeback to reduce the gap at 14-12 but the Chinese pair prevailed 16-12 in the end.

Le and Satpayev gave Kazakhstan their first medal of the Paris Games with a 17-5 romp against the German pair of Anna Janssen and Maximilian Ulbrich.