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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)
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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.

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Hakimi Declared Fit for Morocco's AFCON Bid

Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui and Morocco's defender #02 Achraf Hakimi attend a press conference at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on December 20, 2025, ahead of the start of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football tournament. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)
Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui and Morocco's defender #02 Achraf Hakimi attend a press conference at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on December 20, 2025, ahead of the start of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football tournament. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)
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Hakimi Declared Fit for Morocco's AFCON Bid

Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui and Morocco's defender #02 Achraf Hakimi attend a press conference at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on December 20, 2025, ahead of the start of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football tournament. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)
Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui and Morocco's defender #02 Achraf Hakimi attend a press conference at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on December 20, 2025, ahead of the start of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football tournament. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)

Morocco captain and star player Achraf Hakimi is fit and ready for the host nation's Africa Cup of Nations bid but may not start in the tournament's opening game, coach Walid Regragui said on Saturday.

"Tomorrow will be my decision but he has more than done his job. His injury was not an easy one," Regragui told reporters in Rabat where Morocco play minnows Comoros in the first match on Sunday.

"I still have another night to sleep and decide whether he starts or whether we protect him and see how it goes for the remaining games.

"He is able to start, but he might not start."

Paris Saint-Germain right-back Hakimi, the African player of the year, has not played since coming off with a left ankle injury in a Champions League game against Bayern Munich on November 4.

The 27-year-old left the field in tears that night, clearly fearing for his chances of featuring at the Cup of Nations. The injury was later diagnosed as a severe sprain.

"I feel good. I am following the program given to me by the medical staff and the coach," Hakimi, who also came sixth in this year's Ballon d'Or ranking, said Saturday, according to AFP.

Regragui added: "He has made sacrifices over the last four or five weeks that nobody else could have made, and has set an example to the other players and the staff.

"Today we can see that the protocol we put in place after his injury has been more than positive but now we have the whole competition to manage."
Morocco will also face Mali and Zambia in Group A as they bid to win a first Cup of Nations since 1976.

The tournament runs into the New Year and will finish with the final in Rabat on January 18.

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Kimmich, Neuer Headline Absentee List for Injury-hit Bayern

Bayern Munich's Belgian head coach Vincent Kompany arrives for the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Bayern Munich and Mainz 05 in Munich, southern Germany on December 14, 2025. (Photo by Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP)
Bayern Munich's Belgian head coach Vincent Kompany arrives for the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Bayern Munich and Mainz 05 in Munich, southern Germany on December 14, 2025. (Photo by Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP)
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Kimmich, Neuer Headline Absentee List for Injury-hit Bayern

Bayern Munich's Belgian head coach Vincent Kompany arrives for the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Bayern Munich and Mainz 05 in Munich, southern Germany on December 14, 2025. (Photo by Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP)
Bayern Munich's Belgian head coach Vincent Kompany arrives for the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Bayern Munich and Mainz 05 in Munich, southern Germany on December 14, 2025. (Photo by Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP)

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany confirmed captain Manuel Neuer and Joshua Kimmich were among several absentees for Sunday's Bundesliga match against Heidenheim.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday ahead of the final match of the calendar year, Kompany said Sacha Boey would also miss out through injury, Konrad Laimer is suspended while Nicolas Jackson is away on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal.

Long-term absentee Jamal Musiala returned to team training this week but would not return until 2026.

France winger Michael Olise, who had eye surgery earlier in the week, is expected to return, as is Luis Diaz who missed out last week with suspension.

The dependable Olise is yet to miss a match with injury since joining Bayern from Crystal Palace in 2024.

According to AFP, Kompany said Germany captain Kimmich is still struggling with an ankle complaint picked up on international duty in November.

"We've had so many matches recently, at a certain point the pain becomes too much," Kompany said, adding Kimmich had "been playing at the limit of what's too painful" for weeks.

Unbeaten Bayern have enjoyed a close to flawless league campaign this season, dropping just four points in their opening 14 matches.

League leaders Bayern sit six points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund, who have played a game more.

On Saturday, German tabloid Bild reported Bayern was set to extend with winger Serge Gnabry by two years until 2028.

The former Arsenal forward has played at Bayern since 2017 and has impressed this campaign, with five goals and seven assists in all competitions.

The 30-year-old has also returned to form at international level, with three goals and an assist in Germany's six World Cup qualifiers.

Sports

Arsenal's Arteta Says he Has to Earn the Right to Get Contract Extension

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta kicks back a ball during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers, in London, Britain, 13 December 2025. EPA/TOLGA AKMEN
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta kicks back a ball during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers, in London, Britain, 13 December 2025. EPA/TOLGA AKMEN
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Arsenal's Arteta Says he Has to Earn the Right to Get Contract Extension

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta kicks back a ball during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers, in London, Britain, 13 December 2025. EPA/TOLGA AKMEN
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta kicks back a ball during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers, in London, Britain, 13 December 2025. EPA/TOLGA AKMEN

Mikel Arteta suggested he could extend his contract at Arsenal beyond 2027 but says he still has to earn the right to continue as manager by winning silverware at the Premier League club.

Arteta, who completes six years in charge of Arsenal on Saturday, won the FA Cup with the North London club in 2020 but has yet to taste success in the league, his side finishing runner-up in ⁠the last three campaigns.

They are currently two points clear this season and have also reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

Asked whether he could see himself extending his stay beyond the end of his contract in 2027, Arteta told ⁠reporters on Friday: "Yes, but it’s about today. And a lot of things have to happen in the next few months as well to earn the right.

"I think a manager has to earn the right to be here tomorrow. A lot of things have to happen in the next few months as well to earn the right (for an extension),” Reuters quoted him as saying.

The Spaniard said ⁠Arsenal's lack of trophies was not down to substandard performances.

"You look at the performances, all the records that we had that were broken in the history of the club. We still haven't managed to do that (win trophies)," he added.

"That tells you the level we are in, which is a level that the Premier League has never experienced in the past."

Arsenal travel to Everton later on Saturday.