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Jeddah to Host Variety of World-Focused Sporting Events Starting with Spanish Super Cup in 2025

Culture Square aims to enrich the visitor journey while positioning the district as a global tourist destination, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. SPA
Culture Square aims to enrich the visitor journey while positioning the district as a global tourist destination, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. SPA
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Jeddah to Host Variety of World-Focused Sporting Events Starting with Spanish Super Cup in 2025

Culture Square aims to enrich the visitor journey while positioning the district as a global tourist destination, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. SPA
Culture Square aims to enrich the visitor journey while positioning the district as a global tourist destination, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030. SPA

Jeddah will host a range of diverse sporting events and activities during the first third of 2025, beginning with the Spanish Super Cup, marking its fifth edition in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from January 8 to 12, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the sports, economic, and tourism sectors.
According to SPA, the championship will feature matches involving four clubs: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, and Real Mallorca. These will be held at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and played in a knockout format. The first match will see Barcelona face Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, January 8, followed by Real Madrid versus Real Mallorca on Thursday, January 9. The winners will advance to the final match, which will take place on Sunday evening, January 12,
Jeddah will also continue hosting major sports events with the Formula E races, featuring the third and fourth rounds of the 11th season on February 14-15 at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, showcasing fully electric, carbon-free racing cars.
Additionally, Jeddah will host the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix stc Formula 1, one of the most thrilling and popular global races, for the fifth consecutive year at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, from April 18 to 20. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix stc Formula 1 is part of the Kingdom’s broader vision for the future, aimed at improving the quality of life for everyone across various social sectors, from culture to sports, contributing to building a more prosperous nation. This aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to make the Kingdom a desirable destination for living and visiting.
Jeddah will once again host the opening round of the E1 Electric Boat Racing on January 24-25. Last year, this event generated great excitement as competitors vied for the championship cup, won by the Brady team with 20 points in the first round held on the Red Sea coast. Jeddah will also host the Extreme E electric off-road race for the fifth consecutive time, showcasing a new and innovative form of electric car racing that highlights the impact of climate change on the environment and promotes eco-friendly technologies in sustainability. This supports the transition to electric vehicles, contributing to carbon reduction and sustainability for a better future on Earth.
Furthermore, Jeddah will host matches of the Saudi national football team in the qualifiers for the World Cup 2026, along with a series of other major global events and competitions to be announced by the Ministry of Sport and its federations in the coming period.

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Modric Available to Play for Croatia in Nations League

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v Croatia - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - July 2, 2026 Croatia's Luka Modric acknowledges fans after the match as Croatia are eliminated from the World Cup. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v Croatia - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - July 2, 2026 Croatia's Luka Modric acknowledges fans after the match as Croatia are eliminated from the World Cup. (Reuters)
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Modric Available to Play for Croatia in Nations League

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v Croatia - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - July 2, 2026 Croatia's Luka Modric acknowledges fans after the match as Croatia are eliminated from the World Cup. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v Croatia - Toronto Stadium, Toronto, Canada - July 2, 2026 Croatia's Luka Modric acknowledges fans after the match as Croatia are eliminated from the World Cup. (Reuters)

Luka ‌Modric is still available to play for Croatia, the country's soccer association (HNS) said on Saturday, ending speculation that the veteran midfielder would end his international career after this year's World Cup.

Croatia captain Modric, who turns ‌41 on ‌Wednesday, has been ‌playing ⁠for the national ⁠team since 2006, earning over 200 caps and helping them reach the 2018 World Cup final.

"Luka's decision makes me extremely happy, ⁠we are all aware ‌what ‌he brings to Croatia, both on ‌and off the pitch," ‌said Slaven Bilic, who returned for a second spell as Croatia manager after the team ‌exited this year's World Cup in the round ⁠of ⁠32.

Modric, who spent the majority of his career at Real Madrid, joined AC Milan last year.

Croatia will visit the Czech Republic, host England and play Spain twice in the Nations League between September 26 and October 6.

Sports

Flick Hoping Barca’s Yamal Can Face Valencia After Knock

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring his side's fifth goal during a Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. (AP)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring his side's fifth goal during a Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. (AP)
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Flick Hoping Barca’s Yamal Can Face Valencia After Knock

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring his side's fifth goal during a Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. (AP)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring his side's fifth goal during a Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. (AP)

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is hoping teenage star Lamine Yamal is fit to face Valencia in La Liga on Sunday after taking a knock.

The 19-year-old winger did not train with his team-mates on Saturday but instead worked by himself at the training ground.

"For tomorrow we have to wait, I cannot say it today," Flick told reporters Saturday.

"We have to decide if it's better that he rests or he starts from the beginning, I'll speak with him and we'll decide that.

"Lamine is a player who likes to play football."

Flick said Yamal will travel with the team to Mestalla stadium, where Barca are looking to continue their 100 percent start to the season.

"He trained separately and everything was good, he will travel with us tomorrow," said Flick.

"He took a hit and he had some pain so we said it's better that he trains separately," added the coach.

"After the training he said everything was good so he will travel and hopefully he can play tomorrow."

Yamal impressed in the 5-2 win over Rayo Vallecano on Monday, netting his first two goals of the season.

Rivals Real Madrid slipped up in a 1-0 defeat at Real Betis on Friday, giving champions Barca the chance to establish themselves as sole league leaders.

"When you see the game yesterday, Real Madrid also played well... they had big, big chances," said Flick.

"This is football, (slipping up) can always happen. For us it's important that we focus on ourselves."

New arrival Gabriel Jesus is likely to begin on the bench with winger Raphinha staying as the starting striker after notching five goals in three games playing out of position.

"In this moment (Raphinha) is doing really great," explained Flick.

"He's the best option for us at the moment in this position."

Sports

Isak Ready to Show World His Quality, Says Van Dijk

Football - Premier League - Ipswich Town v Liverpool - Portman Road, Ipswich, Britain - September 4, 2026 Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Ipswich Town v Liverpool - Portman Road, Ipswich, Britain - September 4, 2026 Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)
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Isak Ready to Show World His Quality, Says Van Dijk

Football - Premier League - Ipswich Town v Liverpool - Portman Road, Ipswich, Britain - September 4, 2026 Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Ipswich Town v Liverpool - Portman Road, Ipswich, Britain - September 4, 2026 Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said Alexander Isak's quality has never been in doubt after the Swede's double delivered a first win for the Reds under Andoni Iraola at Ipswich.

Isak scored both goals of the 2-0 victory on Friday inside the opening 10 minutes to take his tally for the season to three in three games.

After a Premier League record £125 million ($169 million) move from Newcastle 12 months ago, Isak's first season as a Liverpool player was dogged by fitness and injury problems.

He has already matched his Premier League goal tally from last season and Van Dijk is confident Isak will return to the level that made him one of the world's most sought-after strikers.

"I don't think the quality is anything that we doubt," Van Dijk told Sky Sports.

"Last year he had an unfortunate bad injury and it was down to him, the hard work that he put in each and every day to get back as quickly as possible.

"I think he had a very good World Cup, he had a very good pre-season, and he's getting up to speed now.

"We've seen how good he is playing against him and now he's going to show the world with a Liverpool shirt as well."

Isak was sidelined for three months last season after breaking his fibula and is hoping a difficult first year as a Liverpool player is finally behind him.

"It was not easy, obviously. It was a long injury, a difficult season in general," he said.

"I was thinking to have a good World Cup firstly and then to start off this season well, which I feel like I've done now.

"That's kind of behind me, but obviously it wasn't easy."

Both of Isak's goals were set up by Cody Gakpo, who nearly departed Liverpool this week.

A move to Manchester City was reportedly in the pipeline had Liverpool been able to source a replacement in the final days of the window.

But Van Dijk is happy that his Dutch international teammate remained at the club.

"I said it before the transfer window was closed, he's important for us," added Van Dijk.

"He showed it today again with assists and over the last couple of years as well, so let's keep going."