Saudi Football Federation Reveals Official Identity for Saudi Arabia’s Candidacy File to Host FIFA 2034

16:30-1 March 2024 AD ـ 20 Sha’ban 1445 AH

Saudi Football Federation Reveals Official Identity for Saudi Arabia’s Candidacy File to Host FIFA 2034

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) announced on Friday the official identity for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's bid to host the FIFA 2034 World Cup.

The bid bears the slogan "Growing Together" and includes a visual identity, a verbal slogan, and an official website, Saudi2034bid.com.

The Kingdom announced in October its intention to host the tournament and later sent the official nomination letter to the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA).

The nomination file logo represents the Kingdom's remarkable transformation and growth process in football. It is one of the fastest and most advanced growth stories in football.

The candidacy file has three main pillars: "Together to develop human capabilities,Together to develop football," and "Together to develop bridges of communication."

The visual identity of the nomination file reflects the essence of the Kingdom's rich cultural heritage and its young and vibrant society.

The file's logo consists of several colored stripes designed in the shape of "34,” referring to the year the Kingdom aims to host the 25th edition of this global tournament. The visual identity also mimics the shape of the geographical map of the Kingdom.

The video of the nomination file showcases the cultural heritage, civilizational legacy, and charming natural scenes of the Kingdom. It was shot in different regions of the Kingdom and features the participation of current and former football stars.

"The Kingdom has a history and legacy full of football achievements, and we must narrate our development journey to the whole world to see and interact with,” said SAFF President Yasser Al-Misehal. “The slogan ‘Growing Together’ perfectly reflects the approach we are adopting to achieve the dream of hosting the tournament in ten years.”

Barcelona's Raphinha to Miss Champions League Quarters Due to Injury

Brazil's Raphinha takes a shot during the international friendly soccer match between Brazil and France in Foxborough, Mass, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

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07:44-28 March 2026 AD ـ 09 Shawwal 1447 AH

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07:44-28 March 2026 AD ـ 09 Shawwal 1447 AH

Barcelona's Raphinha to Miss Champions League Quarters Due to Injury

Brazil's Raphinha takes a shot during the international friendly soccer match between Brazil and France in Foxborough, Mass, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Barcelona attacker Raphinha will miss their Champions League quarter-final tie with Atletico Madrid early next month after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty with Brazil, the LaLiga side said.

The 29-year-old, who has scored 19 goals in all competitions ⁠for Barcelona this ⁠season, picked up the injury on Thursday in Brazil's 2-1 defeat by France in Foxborough.

"The player is returning to ⁠Barcelona to begin the appropriate treatment. The estimated recovery time is five weeks," Reuters quoted Barcelona as saying in a statement on Friday.

Barcelona, who are four points clear of Real Madrid in LaLiga, host Atletico in the first leg ⁠of ⁠their Champions League quarter-final on April 8 with the return in Madrid on April 14.

Raphinha scored twice in Barcelona's thumping 7-2 victory over Newcastle United in the round of 16 earlier this month.

Sports

Sinner on Doorstep of 'Sunshine Double' after Beating Zverev in Miami

Mar 27, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Jannik Sinner of Italy hits a backhand against Alexander Zverev of Germany in the semi-finals of the men’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

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06:49-28 March 2026 AD ـ 09 Shawwal 1447 AH

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06:49-28 March 2026 AD ـ 09 Shawwal 1447 AH

Sinner on Doorstep of 'Sunshine Double' after Beating Zverev in Miami

Jannik Sinner beat Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6(4) on Friday to reach the Miami Open final, where the Italian will be a heavy favorite to complete the 'Sunshine Double' following his triumph in Indian Wells earlier this month.

World number two Sinner, who will play Czech Jiri Lehecka in Sunday's final, roared "Let's go!" after the German failed to put his powerful serve back in play on match point.

"It has been an incredible swing," said four-times Grand Slam champion Sinner, who picked up his 16th consecutive Masters 1000 match ⁠victory.

"I've been trying ⁠to play as many matches as possible and I couldn't do any better. Today was a very tough encounter, he played some incredible tennis, but I was serving very well, especially in the end and in the crucial moments."

Sinner is now one win away from becoming ⁠the first man since Roger Federer in 2017 to complete the 'Sunshine Double' by winning at Indian Wells in the California desert and the Miami Open in South Florida in the same season.

It could be a double Sunshine Double this year as world number one and Indian Wells champion Aryna Sabalenka will play Coco Gauff for the women's title on Saturday.

Earlier, Lehecka, 24,dismantled Arthur Fils 6-2 6-2 in just 75 minutes to reach his first Masters 1000 ⁠final.

Lehecka broke ⁠the 21-year-old Frenchman early and never relinquishing his grip on the match.

Fils briefly threatened a revival at the start of the second set but he struggled with consistency and committed a total of 21 unforced errors to Lehecka's 14, with three double faults.

"I'm very excited that I'm in a final, definitely one of my goals, but at the same time it's just a sport, there are more important things going on in the world right now. I'm just trying to do what I do best," Lehecka said.

Sports

Ancelotti Shrugs off Neymar Chants After Brazil Lose to France

Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of Brazil, looks on prior to the international friendly match between Brazil and France at Gillette Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Getty Images/AFP)

09:51-27 March 2026 AD ـ 08 Shawwal 1447 AH

Ancelotti Shrugs off Neymar Chants After Brazil Lose to France

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti ‌played down fans' chants for Neymar, who was not selected for the squad, after their 2-1 defeat to France in a warm-up game in Boston on Thursday, saying the focus should remain on the players involved.

Neymar was left out after the 34-year-old missed a recent Santos FC match with muscle fatigue - a game Ancelotti had planned to watch in person as part of his assessment ahead of naming the ‌squad.

"Right now we ‌have to talk about those who ‌are ⁠here, who played, ⁠who gave everything, who showed character, who worked very hard. And I am satisfied," Ancelotti told reporters.

"I think Raphinha played very well. He had some muscle discomfort at the end of the first half and we had to substitute him, but he had ⁠many opportunities and very good movement ‌off the ball.

"And Vini (Vinicius Jr.) ‌always tries; he always makes the difference. A striker ‌cannot always score, but the work done by ‌both of them was good."

Neymar, Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, has not played for the national team since suffering a serious knee injury in October 2023 and ‌has struggled to maintain a consistent run of matches since returning to Santos ⁠last year.

Ancelotti ⁠has repeatedly said the forward will be considered if he is fully fit. Despite the defeat and Neymar's absence, the Italian said the performance reinforced his belief in the squad's potential.

"I think today's game makes it very clear to me that we can compete with the best teams in the world. I have no doubt about that," Ancelotti said.

Brazil will next face Croatia on March 31 in Orlando ahead of the June 11 to July 19 World Cup in North America.

Saudi Football Federation Reveals Official Identity for Saudi Arabia’s Candidacy File to Host FIFA 2034