Saudi National Team Secures Spot in AFC Asian Cup Round of 16

Saudi National Team Arrives in Qatar for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup - SPA
Saudi National Team Arrives in Qatar for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup - SPA
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Saudi National Team Secures Spot in AFC Asian Cup Round of 16

Saudi National Team Arrives in Qatar for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup - SPA
Saudi National Team Arrives in Qatar for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup - SPA

The Saudi national football team secured a spot in the round of 16 of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 by defeating the Kyrgyz national team 2-0 on Sunday at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.
The match, attended by 39,557 spectators, was part of the second round of the sixth group competitions, which also saw a goalless draw between Thailand and Oman, SPA reported.
Mohammad Kannou and Faisal Al-Ghamdi scored in the 36th and 85th minutes, respectively, for the Saudi team, known as "the Greens," securing a 2-0 victory.
This win elevated their total points to six, placing them at the top of the group with a two-point lead over Thailand.
Oman earned its first point, while Kyrgyzstan suffered its second loss in the tournament.
The group's leadership will be determined in the final round when Saudi Arabia faces Thailand next Thursday for the third group stage match.
The Greens require only a draw to secure the top spot, while Thailand needs one point to secure the second position and advance to the round of 16 alongside the Saudi team.
Simultaneously, Oman will compete against Kyrgyzstan.



France Coach Didier Deschamps Says He’ll Leave after 2026 World Cup

France's coach Didier Deschamps celebrates as they do a lap of honor during a ceremony to celebrate the victory of the 2018 World Cup at the end of the UEFA Nations League football match between France and Netherlands at the Stade de France stadium, in Saint-Denis, northern of Paris, on September 9, 2018. (AFP)
France's coach Didier Deschamps celebrates as they do a lap of honor during a ceremony to celebrate the victory of the 2018 World Cup at the end of the UEFA Nations League football match between France and Netherlands at the Stade de France stadium, in Saint-Denis, northern of Paris, on September 9, 2018. (AFP)
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France Coach Didier Deschamps Says He’ll Leave after 2026 World Cup

France's coach Didier Deschamps celebrates as they do a lap of honor during a ceremony to celebrate the victory of the 2018 World Cup at the end of the UEFA Nations League football match between France and Netherlands at the Stade de France stadium, in Saint-Denis, northern of Paris, on September 9, 2018. (AFP)
France's coach Didier Deschamps celebrates as they do a lap of honor during a ceremony to celebrate the victory of the 2018 World Cup at the end of the UEFA Nations League football match between France and Netherlands at the Stade de France stadium, in Saint-Denis, northern of Paris, on September 9, 2018. (AFP)

Didier Deschamps announced Wednesday that he won’t continue as France coach after the next World Cup.

The 56-year-old Deschamps said in an interview with broadcaster TF1 that he will leave when his contract expires in the summer of 2026.

“I’ve been here since 2012, I’m scheduled to be here until 2026, the next World Cup, but that’s where it’s going to end because it has to end at some point,” Deschamps said in excerpts of the interview to be aired later Wednesday.

“I did my time, with the same desire and the same passion to keep the French team at the highest level, but 2026 is all very well.”

Deschamps started in his role as a successor to Laurent Blanc and led France to victory at the 2018 World Cup, also reaching the final in 2022 and at the 2016 European Championship.

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, France reached the final and lost an epic title match to Argentina.

“I’m not here for the records,” Deschamps added. “The most important thing is that the France team remains at the top as it has been for many years.”

Europe will send 16 teams to the first 48-team World Cup, being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico in the summer of 2026.

Deschamps did not elaborate on his future beyond the World Cup.

“There is a life afterwards,” he said. “I don’t know what it will be.”