Jeddah Hosts 'DRIFT 25' International Equestrian Show Championship

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Jeddah Hosts 'DRIFT 25' International Equestrian Show Championship

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Jeddah will host the "DRIFT 25" DRIFT International Equestrian Show 2025 under the supervision of the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation (FAEF) and Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), with the participation of top champions from around the world and the Kingdom.

The event will last three weeks, from January 15 until February 1, 2025, SPA reported.
The championship, part of Jeddah's event calendar, will feature exciting daily race rounds. Winners across various age categories will receive huge financial prizes exceeding SAR1 million.
The event will feature 25 international professional judges, world-class veterinarians, and special participation from global course designer Mario Breccia in the three-star category.
Riders from more than 15 countries, including Italy, the Czech Republic, and Canada, as well as top riders from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries, will compete. The event is expected to feature over 150 riders, including 25 world champions, and more than 500 horses.



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.”