عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Algeria, Gulf Sports Media Federation Support Saudi Arabia’s Bid to Host 2034 FIFA World Cup 

A picture taken on March 31, 2022 shows the World Cup Trophy during the FIFA Congress in the Qatari capital Doha. (AFP)
A picture taken on March 31, 2022 shows the World Cup Trophy during the FIFA Congress in the Qatari capital Doha. (AFP)
TT
TT

Algeria, Gulf Sports Media Federation Support Saudi Arabia’s Bid to Host 2034 FIFA World Cup 

A picture taken on March 31, 2022 shows the World Cup Trophy during the FIFA Congress in the Qatari capital Doha. (AFP)
A picture taken on March 31, 2022 shows the World Cup Trophy during the FIFA Congress in the Qatari capital Doha. (AFP)

Algeria expressed on Tuesday its full support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

“As an embodiment of the distinguished fraternal relations existing between the two brotherly countries, Algeria expresses its support for this candidacy and its firm confidence that the Kingdom possesses all the tools for success in organizing this prominent global event,” said a statement by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Algeria stressed “its full support for the Kingdom to contribute to the success of this endeavor in a way that brings pride to the Arab and Islamic nation,” it added.

Also on Tuesday, the Gulf Sports Media Federation officially expressed its unwavering endorsement for the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's declaration of intent to host the 2034 World Cup.

This endorsement stems from the firm conviction in the Kingdom's competence to organize an extraordinary edition that epitomizes its global standing across all facets.

The Federation emphasized its resolute belief in the prowess of Saudi sports, underscored by the nation's successful hosting of various international sporting competitions spanning a multitude of disciplines.

With the prospect of hosting upcoming major global tournaments, Saudi sports is poised to meet the highest standards expected for hosting such a prestigious global event, it added.

This aligns seamlessly with the goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030, which has already accomplished significant milestones in a relatively short span of time.

Furthermore, the federation highlighted the substantial backing from the Kingdom's government, leading to a paradigm shift in the caliber of football at all development and competitive levels.

This support has ignited a profound enthusiasm among Saudi football fans while enhancing the international sports community's trust, thereby doubling the potential for the absolute success of hosting the World Cup, it said.

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

Nine-man Bayern Come from Behind to Rescue 1-1 Draw at Leverkusen

14 March 2026, Leverkusen: Munich's Luis Diaz celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena. Photo: Federico Gambarini/dpa
14 March 2026, Leverkusen: Munich's Luis Diaz celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena. Photo: Federico Gambarini/dpa
TT
TT

Nine-man Bayern Come from Behind to Rescue 1-1 Draw at Leverkusen

14 March 2026, Leverkusen: Munich's Luis Diaz celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena. Photo: Federico Gambarini/dpa
14 March 2026, Leverkusen: Munich's Luis Diaz celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena. Photo: Federico Gambarini/dpa

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich had two players sent off and two goals disallowed but came back from a goal down to snatch a 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

Bayern have 67 points ahead of second-placed Borussia Dortmund, who closed the gap to nine after a 2-0 home victory over Augsburg, with eight games remaining, Reuters reported.

The Bavarians, fresh from Tuesday's 6-1 demolition of Atalanta in the Champions League last 16, had Nicolas Jackson sent off for a wild ⁠tackle before the ⁠break. Forward Luis Diaz, who scored a 69th-minute equalizer, joined him on the sidelines after a second booking for diving. The hosts made a perfect start when Garcia fired them into the lead as Bayern, with top scorer Harry Kane on the bench, failed to settle.

They put the ball in the net through Jonathan ⁠Tah but the effort was disallowed following a VAR review for hand ball. It got worse three minutes from halftime when Jackson was dismissed for his reckless tackle on Martin Terrier.

Malik Tillman should have added another for Leverkusen when he was sent through with a clever Patrik Schick backheel but the US international fired wide with only Bayern keeper Sven Ulreich to beat.

Bayern's third-choice keeper, making a rare appearance due to injuries to Manuel Neuer and Jonas Urbig, also denied Schick in a one-on-one.

Kane, back ⁠after missing two ⁠matches with a muscle injury, challenged keeper Janis Blaswich and tapped in from close range a minute after coming on, only for the goal to be disallowed for handball by the England captain.

Diaz did better, slotting in after a defensive blunder from Robert Andrich and Michael Olise's record-breaking 17th assist of the season, to level but he got his marching orders six minutes from time for a spectacular dive in the box. There was more late drama when the hosts thought they had won it in stoppage time through substitute Jonas Hofmann's close-range effort but a VAR review showed a narrow offside position.

Sports

Iran Says Wants to Play World Cup Matches in Mexico

Will Iran play its World Cup matches in Mexico? (Reuters)
Will Iran play its World Cup matches in Mexico? (Reuters)
TT
TT

Iran Says Wants to Play World Cup Matches in Mexico

Will Iran play its World Cup matches in Mexico? (Reuters)
Will Iran play its World Cup matches in Mexico? (Reuters)

Iran has suggested to move its World Cup matches from the United States to co-hosts Mexico in connection with the Middle East war.

Sports minister Ahmad Donyamali was quoted by state news agency Irna as saying that they would look into the proposal together with the world governing body FIFA.

"I hope that conditions can be created so that our boys can take part at the World Cup after all," Donyamali said.

"It is important to make careful use of all sporting aspects to ensure that participation is still possible.”

Iran are set to face Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt in the group stage with all three matches to be played in the US, which hosts the June 11-July 19 tournament together with Mexico and Canada.

The US and Israel have been carrying out air strikes against Iran since February 28. Tehran is carrying out counterstrikes in the region.

Donyamali ruled out Iran's participation at the World Cup on Wednesday.

US President Donald trump said the next day it was not "appropriate" for Iran to play for safety reasons. Iran dismissed this, saying that decisions were made solely by FIFA.

Sports

Iran State Media Says Two More Footballers Pull Australia Asylum Bids

The members of Iran's women's football team who did not claim asylum in Australia arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 11, 2026 © ARIF KARTONO / AFP
The members of Iran's women's football team who did not claim asylum in Australia arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 11, 2026 © ARIF KARTONO / AFP
TT
TT

Iran State Media Says Two More Footballers Pull Australia Asylum Bids

The members of Iran's women's football team who did not claim asylum in Australia arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 11, 2026 © ARIF KARTONO / AFP
The members of Iran's women's football team who did not claim asylum in Australia arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 11, 2026 © ARIF KARTONO / AFP

Two more players of the Iranian women's football team, which competed in the Asian Cup in Australia, and one member of the backroom staff have withdrawn their requests for asylum in the country, Iranian state media said on Saturday.

Seven members of the visiting women's football delegation -- six players and one backroom staff member -- had sought sanctuary in Australia after they were branded "traitors" at home for refusing to sing the national anthem during the ongoing war between Iran and the US and its ally Israel, AFP reported.

One of the players had withdrawn her request earlier in the week and linked up with the rest of the team who are returning to Iran via Malaysia, according to Iranian media and Australian authorities.

State broadcaster IRIB said on Saturday "two players and a member of the technical staff of the women's national football team, have given up on their asylum application in Australia and are currently heading to Malaysia."

It posted a picture of the three women -- wearing the Islamic hijab -- as they were apparently about to board a plane.

The rest of the team are believed to still be in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur awaiting their return to Iran.

According to Australian authorities, the first woman who changed her mind over the asylum application exposed the location of the other asylum seekers when she contacted Iran's embassy in Australia.

They were then forced to change the safe house where they were living.

Rights groups have repeatedly accused Iranian authorities of pressuring athletes abroad by threatening relatives or with the seizure of property if they defect or make statements against the Islamic republic.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has lauded the bravery of the women, vowing they would be welcomed with open arms.

But Iran's governing football body has accused Australia of kidnapping the players and forcing them to forsake their home nation against their will.

Iranian players fell silent as the national anthem played ahead of a tournament match in Australia, an act seen as a symbol of defiance against the Islamic republic.

A presenter on Iranian state TV branded the players "wartime traitors", fuelling fears they faced persecution, or worse, if they returned home.

Five players, including captain Zahra Ghanbari, slipped away from the team hotel under the cover of darkness to claim asylum in Australia.

Two more team members -- a player and a support staffer -- claimed asylum before the team flew out of Sydney earlier this week.