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Emotional Palestinian Team Plays Australia at Kuwait in FIFA World Cup Qualifying 

Makram Daboub (2-R), head coach of Palestine, sings the national anthem before the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Asian Qualifiers soccer match between Lebanon and Palestine in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, 16 November 2023. (EPA)
Makram Daboub (2-R), head coach of Palestine, sings the national anthem before the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Asian Qualifiers soccer match between Lebanon and Palestine in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, 16 November 2023. (EPA)
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Emotional Palestinian Team Plays Australia at Kuwait in FIFA World Cup Qualifying 

Makram Daboub (2-R), head coach of Palestine, sings the national anthem before the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Asian Qualifiers soccer match between Lebanon and Palestine in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, 16 November 2023. (EPA)
Makram Daboub (2-R), head coach of Palestine, sings the national anthem before the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Asian Qualifiers soccer match between Lebanon and Palestine in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, 16 November 2023. (EPA)

An emotional Palestinian team will play Australia on Tuesday at the neutral venue of Kuwait after its World Cup qualifier was moved from the West Bank due to continuing conflict in the region.

Authorities in Kuwait are expecting a big crowd at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium with passionate support for the Palestinians, a team that has never appeared at the World Cup.

“We’re very sympathetic for everyone with what’s going on,” Australia coach Graham Arnold said of the Gaza conflict. “But again, it’s a game of football and that brings a lot of joy to everybody.”

Australia can take a big step towards the final round of qualification for soccer's 2026 World Cup if it defeats the Palestinians. After beating Bangladesh 7-0 in the opening game, the Socceroos would take control of Group I with another victory against a Palestinian team that drew 0-0 against Lebanon.

Palestinian coach Makram Daboub has been unable to call all his usual squad as three of his players were unable to get out of Gaza to report for a training camp in Jordan. Those that have made it are, the Tunisian said, struggling to focus.

“The players are in the hotel or on the bus most of the time following the news on their phones and communicating with their families,” Daboub said. “They are in a constant state of anxiety with the continued aggression and war in Palestine.”

Despite the concerns, Daboub was happy with the performance against Lebanon. “We should have won the game but it is a good point for us. We know that Australia is a strong team and we need to focus on that as best we can.”

South Korea has a much shorter journey to take on rival China in Shenzhen. Both teams won opening games in Group C with South Korea, aiming for an 11th successive World Cup appearance, beating Singapore 5-0 and China, going for a second, winning 2-1 in Thailand.

Coach Aleksandar Jankovic is expecting a tough test against South Korea, a team that China has only defeated twice in 36 past meetings. “We will be facing a world-class team. South Korea is a top team, not only in terms of Asian football, but in terms of world football, in terms of individual quality, team stability and confidence,” the Serbian said.

There were concerns over Son Heung-min who appeared to be injured late in the win over Singapore but the Tottenham Hotspur star played until the end.

“Everyone plays with some bumps and bruises,” Son, the Korean captain, said. “Playing for the national team is a tremendous honor that I’ve always dreamed about. And we have to create our own path to the World Cup. I can’t just give up just because I am hurt.”

Japan travels to Saudi Arabia to meet Syria after defeating Myanmar 5-0 for a seventh successive win that starts the campaign to reach an eighth successive World Cup. Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu still wants his team, without injured English Premier League star Kaoru Mitoma, to be more clinical.

“We have to be able to create more opportunities and reduce the amount of times we find ourselves in difficulty,” Moriyasu said.

Elsewhere India is looking to follow its 1-0 win over Kuwait with a home win against Asian champion Qatar. Saudi Arabia travels to Jordan and Iran visits Uzbekistan.

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Swiatek's Wimbledon Title Defense Ended by Philippines' Eala

Philippines' Alexandra Eala (R) is congratulated by Poland's Iga Swiatek for winning their women's singles third round tennis match on the sixth day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 4, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)
Philippines' Alexandra Eala (R) is congratulated by Poland's Iga Swiatek for winning their women's singles third round tennis match on the sixth day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 4, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)
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Swiatek's Wimbledon Title Defense Ended by Philippines' Eala

Philippines' Alexandra Eala (R) is congratulated by Poland's Iga Swiatek for winning their women's singles third round tennis match on the sixth day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 4, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)
Philippines' Alexandra Eala (R) is congratulated by Poland's Iga Swiatek for winning their women's singles third round tennis match on the sixth day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 4, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)

Reigning champion Iga Swiatek was dumped out of Wimbledon in the third round on Saturday as an inspired Alexandra Eala created more history for the Philippines with a straight-sets victory on Centre Court.

Eala edged a dramatic 84-minute first set before powering to a 7-6 (11/9), 6-2 victory over a stunned Swiatek on Centre Court to reach the last 16.

"It's difficult to describe. I'm in the second week of a Slam and it's incredible for me," AFP quoted Eala as saying.

It is six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek's earliest exit from a major tournament since another third-round defeat, by Yulia Putintseva, also at Wimbledon two years ago.

The 21-year-old Eala became the first player from the Philippines to reach the third round of a Grand Slam event in the Open era by defeating Maya Joint on Thursday.

But the 29th seed was not overawed by taking on six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek, notching her second win in three meetings with the Polish third seed.

"I'm really emotional and maybe for someone like Iga who has won so many Slams, or someone like Serena or Venus (Williams), this achievement might seem small," Eala added.

"But for someone who grew up in the Philippines... I trained with my mother and my grandfather every day after school with ruffled socks and chubby cheeks... so for her this is everything."

The left-hander, who had only won one match at a Slam before this week, will next face former runner-up Jasmine Paolini on Monday.

Eala will be bidding to become the first player from the Philippines to reach a singles Grand Slam quarter-final since Felicisimo Ampon at the 1953 French Open.

She had enjoyed raucous support from her Filipino fans on the outside courts at the All England Club in the first two rounds, but again impressed in a far less partisan atmosphere on Centre Court against Swiatek.

The 25-year-old Swiatek failed to bounce back from a disappointing last-16 defeat at the French Open, where she is a four-time winner.

She made 44 unforced errors as she struggled to regroup after missing two set points in a first-set tie-break.

Eala stretched into a 5-3 lead but failed to serve out the opener, seeing one set point come and go.

Both players saw multiple chances slip from their grasp in a high-quality breaker, before Eala finally forged in front on her fourth set point when Swiatek sent a backhand sailing long.

The world number 32 took full control of the tie by racing into a 4-0 lead against her shell-shocked opponent in the second set.

Swiatek scrapped hard to get one of the breaks back, but then slipped 5-2 behind after serving two double-faults in another sloppy service game.

Eala got over the line in a dramatic final game, saving four break points before clinching the biggest victory of her career on her third match point.

She fell to the turf in celebration after finishing the contest with a forehand winner, sobbing tears of joy as Swiatek made a hasty departure.

Sports

Serena Williams Pulls Out of Wimbledon Doubles with Knee Injury

US player Serena Williams waves as he leaves the court after being defeated by Australia's Maya Joint during their women's singles first round tennis match on the second day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 30, 2026. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)
US player Serena Williams waves as he leaves the court after being defeated by Australia's Maya Joint during their women's singles first round tennis match on the second day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 30, 2026. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)
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Serena Williams Pulls Out of Wimbledon Doubles with Knee Injury

US player Serena Williams waves as he leaves the court after being defeated by Australia's Maya Joint during their women's singles first round tennis match on the second day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 30, 2026. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)
US player Serena Williams waves as he leaves the court after being defeated by Australia's Maya Joint during their women's singles first round tennis match on the second day of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on June 30, 2026. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)

Serena Williams' Wimbledon comeback is over after the American legend pulled out of the doubles due to a knee injury on Saturday.

Williams and her sister Venus were due to play in the first round on Saturday, but Serena announced just hours before the match that her knee had not healed enough to play, AFP reported.

"I'm heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles," the 44-year-old said on Instagram.

Serena, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, suffered the injury during her defeat against Australia's Maya Joint in the first round of the Wimbledon singles on Tuesday.

That was her first singles match since the 2022 US Open after four years in retirement.

The sisters, who won the Wimbledon doubles six times, were scheduled to face Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio after being given a wild card entry into the event.

But no court was specified by tournament organizers in the order of play, raising the possibility that seven-time Wimbledon singles winner Serena could withdraw.

To the disappointment of her legion of fans, Serena did just that, revealing the fluid on her injured knee made it impossible to continue her sensational return to Wimbledon.

"Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside Venus once more meant the world to me," she said.

"I did everything I could to be ready, but unfortunately my knee just isn't ready to compete.
"The photo of the syringes shows the fluid they drained from my knee after my singles match...yikes!"

Serena made an astonishing return to tennis at Queen's Club last month, where she played in the doubles with Canadian Victoria Mboko.

But an injury to Mboko curtailed Williams' run in the Wimbledon warm-up event after the pair won their first match.

Serena then crashed out in the first round of the Berlin doubles with Karolina Muchova before accepting Wimbledon's offer of a wild card into the singles last week.

Serena had been motivated by a desire to play in front of her two young daughters Olympia and Adira, but they saw their mother feature in just one match at Wimbledon.

Serena competed gamely in her three-set defeat against Joint -- a player 24 years younger than the American -- on a packed Centre Court.

She did not fulfil her scheduled post-match press conference and her agent later said that was due to the knee injury, setting off speculation she would have to quit the doubles.

Williams posted footage of her limping in a heavy bandage, as well as some syringes full of fluid, as she confirmed her withdrawal.

"The good news is my knee shouldn't swell or collect that much fluid again. The bad news is that, as hard as I tried, I just wasn't able to get it ready for doubles," she said.

"I'm especially grateful to tournament director, Jamie Baker, and the entire tournament team for giving me every opportunity to play here."

Now questions will be asked about her ability to recover in time for the US Open later this year, while it is far from certain how much longer Serena's comeback tour will last.

Hinting she is not finished yet, Williams said: "Thank you to the fans for your incredible support and for making this comeback so meaningful. All I can say is stay tuned to a city near you..."

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Egypt's Coach Waved Palestinian Flag after Winning World Cup Game

Egypt players react during a penalty shootout against Australia for the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Egypt players react during a penalty shootout against Australia for the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Egypt's Coach Waved Palestinian Flag after Winning World Cup Game

Egypt players react during a penalty shootout against Australia for the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Egypt players react during a penalty shootout against Australia for the World Cup round of 32 soccer match in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan waved a Palestinian flag on the pitch after his team's victory over Australia in the World Cup, saying he was dedicating it to both Egyptians and Palestinians.

“My heart and soul are with them,” he said in an emotional post-game interview, The AP news reported.

Egypt won its debut in the elimination round of the World Cup by beating Australia 4-2 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw in the round of 32 Friday.

The victory comes in Egypt’s fourth World Cup.

A video of Hassan on social media shows him walking around the pitch holding the flag as people chanted “free free Palestine." The video went viral.

Earlier this year Lamine Yamal waved a Palestinian flag during celebrations of the Spanish league title. The act caused backlash from Israel's defense minister, who criticized Barcelona’s teenage star and said his action “incites hate.”

Hassan is not known to be religious or connected to any political group. In the 1980s and 1990s he was adored by the youth, a street footballer who played in the slums.

On Friday he said he was dedicating the game to the “good and noble” Egyptian and Palestinian people.

It wasn’t immediately clear if FIFA would seek to take any action, and it didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. It has previously sought to restrict what it sees as political statements on the pitch.