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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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Iraola: Liverpool's Como Double-header a Key Test Before New Season

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Liverpool v AS Monaco - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - August 9, 2026 Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Liverpool v AS Monaco - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - August 9, 2026 Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff/File Photo
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Iraola: Liverpool's Como Double-header a Key Test Before New Season

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Liverpool v AS Monaco - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - August 9, 2026 Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Liverpool v AS Monaco - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - August 9, 2026 Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff/File Photo

Liverpool's double-header against Serie A side Como on Sunday will be a good test ahead of the new Premier League season, manager Andoni Iraola said on Saturday.

Liverpool, who lost pre-season fixtures against Leeds United and AS Monaco, will face Como twice on Sunday, with one match to be played behind closed doors before the second at Anfield.

Iraola said he took positives from last weekend's 3-2 defeat by Monaco but acknowledged his side must improve their consistency ahead of the new campaign.

"The problem ⁠we had, as ⁠we had against Leeds in Chicago, was that we were not able to sustain our levels and that is something that can only happen with time and with a lot of hard work on the training ground," Iraola told the club's TV ⁠channel.

"I have spoken many times about the type of team I want to see on the pitch, about the intensity, the intent and the energy we are looking for, and while it is clear that there is still a lot of improvement to come, I believe that we are moving in the right direction."

Iraola said Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister had returned to training after the World Cup, giving him ⁠a full ⁠squad ahead of the new season, and added that it was now up to the players to deliver consistent performances.

Liverpool also strengthened their defensive options by signing Uruguay international Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan from Barcelona last week, with Iraola welcoming the addition of a player of his quality and experience.

"I am sure he will settle in quickly and have a positive impact on our squad," Reuters quoted him as saying.

Liverpool will start their Premier League season at Newcastle United on August 23

Sports

Atlético Madrid Signs Argentina Defender Cristian Romero from Tottenham

FILED - 16 June 2026, US, Kansas City: Argentina's Cristian Romero in action during the 2026 world cup match between Argentina and Algeria. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa
FILED - 16 June 2026, US, Kansas City: Argentina's Cristian Romero in action during the 2026 world cup match between Argentina and Algeria. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa
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Atlético Madrid Signs Argentina Defender Cristian Romero from Tottenham

FILED - 16 June 2026, US, Kansas City: Argentina's Cristian Romero in action during the 2026 world cup match between Argentina and Algeria. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa
FILED - 16 June 2026, US, Kansas City: Argentina's Cristian Romero in action during the 2026 world cup match between Argentina and Algeria. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa

Atlético Madrid confirmed the signing of Argentina defender Cristian “Cuti” Romero from Tottenham for a fee reported to be 34 million pounds ($46 million) on Saturday.

The 28-year-old center-back signed a five-year deal through June 2031, The Associated Press quoted the Spanish club as saying.

Romero played for the Argentina team that lost the World Cup final to Spain, and he was a member of the side that won the tournament in 2022. He has played 58 games for Argentina.

Romero captained Spurs last season, making 32 appearances to take his tally to 156 since he joined the club from Atalanta in 2021, Tottenham said. He arrived on loan initially, then in a permanent deal a year later.

Atlético described Romero as “an experienced defender who is highly physical, quick to anticipate danger and decisive in the tackle, with considerable authority and leadership on the pitch.”

He also previously had spells at Genoa and Juventus after leaving hometown club Belgrano in 2018.

Sports

Crystal Palace Signs Anan Khalaili from Union Saint-Gilloise after Inter Milan Move Breaks Down

FILE - Union SG's Charles Vanhoutte, right, and Union SG's Anan Khalaili, center, fight for the ball against Glimt's Philip Zinckernagel during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Union SG and Bodo/Glimt at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, on Oct. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, File)
FILE - Union SG's Charles Vanhoutte, right, and Union SG's Anan Khalaili, center, fight for the ball against Glimt's Philip Zinckernagel during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Union SG and Bodo/Glimt at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, on Oct. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, File)
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Crystal Palace Signs Anan Khalaili from Union Saint-Gilloise after Inter Milan Move Breaks Down

FILE - Union SG's Charles Vanhoutte, right, and Union SG's Anan Khalaili, center, fight for the ball against Glimt's Philip Zinckernagel during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Union SG and Bodo/Glimt at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, on Oct. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, File)
FILE - Union SG's Charles Vanhoutte, right, and Union SG's Anan Khalaili, center, fight for the ball against Glimt's Philip Zinckernagel during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Union SG and Bodo/Glimt at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels, on Oct. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, File)

Crystal Palace announced the signing of Anan Khalaili from Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on Saturday, weeks after the Israel winger’s proposed move to Inter Milan broke down.

The 21-year-old Khalaili, who primarily plays on the right, signed a five-year deal “subject to international clearance,” the Premier League team said on its website. British media reported the transfer fee was 24.5 million euros ($28 million).

The transfer comes a month after Inter president Giuseppe Marotta said at a press conference that Khalaili had not been given medical clearance to join after the sides had agreed on a transfer, The Associated Press reported.

Marotta said: “Italy has very strict legislation protecting players’ health, with decisions made by an independent body rather than the club’s medical staff. We have to abide by this decision.”

Inter’s loss is seemingly Palace’s gain.

Khalaili developed at hometown club Maccabi Haifa before moving to Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgum in 2024.

Khalaili has made 16 appearances for Israel. He is the fifth summer signing for Palace after Óscar Mingueza, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Dwight McNeil and Evann Guessand.