Saudi Olympic, Paralympic Committee Vice President Visits Paralympic Team in Paris

Athletes Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Nantenin Keita, Fabien Lamirault, Alexis Hanquinquant and Elodie Lorandi hold up their torches after lighting the cauldron at the Paralympics Opening Ceremony in Paris, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Athletes Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Nantenin Keita, Fabien Lamirault, Alexis Hanquinquant and Elodie Lorandi hold up their torches after lighting the cauldron at the Paralympics Opening Ceremony in Paris, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
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Saudi Olympic, Paralympic Committee Vice President Visits Paralympic Team in Paris

Athletes Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Nantenin Keita, Fabien Lamirault, Alexis Hanquinquant and Elodie Lorandi hold up their torches after lighting the cauldron at the Paralympics Opening Ceremony in Paris, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Athletes Charles-Antoine Kouakou, Nantenin Keita, Fabien Lamirault, Alexis Hanquinquant and Elodie Lorandi hold up their torches after lighting the cauldron at the Paralympics Opening Ceremony in Paris, Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC) Vice President Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed has visited the Saudi delegation headquarters at the Athletes' Village in Paris. He was accompanied by board of directors' member Adwa Al-Arifi, and SOPC Chief Executive and Secretary-General Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Baeshen.

During Thursday’s visit, Prince Fahd met with the athletes, administrative staff, technical teams, and medical personnel to ensure that they had everything they needed for the Paralympic Games. He emphasized the importance of providing all the necessary support so that the athletes can compete and represent Saudi Arabia with honor.

Prince Fahd conveyed the greetings of SOPC President Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki and expressed his confidence in the Saudi athletes' ability to give their best and achieve positive results that meet the Kingdom's aspirations in the Paralympic Games.



Marquinhos Asks Brazil Fans to Keep the Faith

Brazil's player Marquinhos gestures during a press conference following a training of the Brazil national football team at the Manuel Barradas stadium in Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil, on November 17, 2024, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier football match against Uruguay. (AFP)
Brazil's player Marquinhos gestures during a press conference following a training of the Brazil national football team at the Manuel Barradas stadium in Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil, on November 17, 2024, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier football match against Uruguay. (AFP)
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Marquinhos Asks Brazil Fans to Keep the Faith

Brazil's player Marquinhos gestures during a press conference following a training of the Brazil national football team at the Manuel Barradas stadium in Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil, on November 17, 2024, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier football match against Uruguay. (AFP)
Brazil's player Marquinhos gestures during a press conference following a training of the Brazil national football team at the Manuel Barradas stadium in Salvador, Bahia State, Brazil, on November 17, 2024, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier football match against Uruguay. (AFP)

Five-times World Cup winners Brazil have struggled to impress in South America's qualifiers for the 2026 tournament but defender Marquinhos had called on fans to stick by the side ahead of Tuesday's home game against Uruguay.

With a run of five wins, four losses and two draws, Brazil are fourth in the standings on 17 points, five behind leaders Argentina, with the top six qualifying automatically for the World Cup in North America. Uruguay are second on 19 points.

Brazil were held 1-1 in Venezuela on Thursday, with Vinicius Jr seeing a late penalty saved, and stand-in skipper Marquinhos said the players still took pride in playing for the shirt even when results did not go their way.

"Even though many things might cause people to lose hope in the national team, we ask that they never lose their passion for it," the 30-year-old told a news conference on Sunday.

Brazil, who were beaten by Uruguay in Montevideo last year, are in a transitional phase under head coach Dorival Junior and it will take some time to iron out the problems, he added.

"We will still make some mistakes because this transition is still very new, with all these changes of players and teams," said Marquinhos, who deputizes for regular captain Danilo.

"But we will make fewer and fewer mistakes and that makes us happy.

"We don't worry too much about the standings as long as we're in a comfortable position. We want to win to move up the table, make the work flow better, and gain confidence."

Brazil go into Tuesday's match without a host of top players with defender Eder Militao and forwards Neymar and Rodrygo among those sidelined due to injury.