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Saudi Athletes Set to Compete in The World Games in Chengdu, China

Saudi Athletes Set to Compete in The World Games in Chengdu, China
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Saudi Athletes Set to Compete in The World Games in Chengdu, China

Saudi Athletes Set to Compete in The World Games in Chengdu, China

The Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced on Friday that a national delegation will participate in the 12th edition of The World Games, set to take place in Chengdu, China, from August 7 to 17. The event will bring together more than 5,000 athletes competing across 34 sports and 60 disciplines.

Saudi Arabia will be represented by three athletes who qualified through international federation invitations and global rankings. Abdullah Nada will compete in jiu-jitsu (ne-waza, 85kg category), Fahad Alkhathami will take part in karate (kumite, 67kg category), and Abdulrahman Alghamdi in the triathlon duathlon.

This participation underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to developing non-Olympic sports, enhancing its global sports presence, and providing Saudi athletes with valuable experience competing against top-tier international talent.

This participation highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing non-Olympic sports, expanding its global athletic footprint, and offering Saudi athletes valuable opportunities to compete against elite international talent.

 

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Algeria Thrash Bolivia 4-0 in World Cup Warm-up

Algeria's Amine Gouiri, left, challenges for the ball with Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk during the international friendly soccer match between Netherlands and Algeria in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post)
Algeria's Amine Gouiri, left, challenges for the ball with Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk during the international friendly soccer match between Netherlands and Algeria in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post)
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Algeria Thrash Bolivia 4-0 in World Cup Warm-up

Algeria's Amine Gouiri, left, challenges for the ball with Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk during the international friendly soccer match between Netherlands and Algeria in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post)
Algeria's Amine Gouiri, left, challenges for the ball with Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk during the international friendly soccer match between Netherlands and Algeria in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 3, 2026. (AP Photo/ Patrick Post)

Algeria forward Amine Gouiri struck twice in their 4-0 win over Bolivia in an unbroadcast World Cup warm-up in Kansas City on Thursday.

Local media said coach Vladimir Petkovic preferred to play behind closed doors. However, Algeria’s state broadcaster said earlier that it would stream live "highlights" ⁠from the game ⁠on Facebook.

Aissa Mandi opened the scoring for Les Verts before the interval, while Petkovic made 11 changes at the break as Algeria scored ⁠three goals in five minutes.

Marseille's Gouiri made it 2-0 in the 56th minute with a stunning strike, before doubling his tally two minutes later.

Ramiz Zerrouki set up Anis Hadj Moussa, who scored the fourth goal after an hour. The 24-year-old winger struck ⁠again ⁠after helping Algeria beat the Netherlands in Rotterdam on June 3.

Algeria, who return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014, will begin their campaign against reigning champions Argentina on June 16 in Group J, before taking on Jordan and Austria.

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Degenek: Pressure on Türkiye in World Cup Clash Against Australia

ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 10: Milos Degenek #2 of Australia addresses the media after a training session ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 at Oakland Roots & Soul Sports Club on June 10, 2026 in Alameda, California. Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images/AFP
ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 10: Milos Degenek #2 of Australia addresses the media after a training session ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 at Oakland Roots & Soul Sports Club on June 10, 2026 in Alameda, California. Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images/AFP
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Degenek: Pressure on Türkiye in World Cup Clash Against Australia

ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 10: Milos Degenek #2 of Australia addresses the media after a training session ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 at Oakland Roots & Soul Sports Club on June 10, 2026 in Alameda, California. Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images/AFP
ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 10: Milos Degenek #2 of Australia addresses the media after a training session ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 at Oakland Roots & Soul Sports Club on June 10, 2026 in Alameda, California. Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images/AFP

The weight of expectations will be on Türkiye 's shoulders when they return to the World Cup after 24 years for their Group D opener against Australia, Socceroos defender Milos Degenek said on Wednesday.

Türkiye have frequently featured in the European Championship, but have only played at the World Cup twice, making their debut in 1954 and then going on to finish third in their second appearance in ⁠2002.

By contrast, Australia ⁠have played in the last five World Cups, twice making it to the last 16.

"I think Türkiye 's got a lot of pressure as well because they haven't been to a major tournament World Cup since ⁠2002," Degenek told reporters ahead of Saturday's match in Vancouver.

"There's a lot hope on them and a lot pressure, but we're ready for that definitely."
Degenek was also in Australia's squad at the 2018 and 2022 tournaments and said their World Cup pedigree could prove decisive.

"I think this is 26 players (that) have never experienced a World Cup from the ⁠ Türkiye ⁠side," the 32-year-old added, according to Reuters.

"And we in our squad have, what, nine players that already have experienced a World Cup. So we've got a bit of experience in that regard...

"They've obviously got experienced footballers who play at the top level at the best clubs in the world... I'm saying we've got a little bit more experience in terms of national team competition football."

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Iran Threatens to Stop World Cup Games if Faced with Unauthorized Flags or Slogans

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Iran v Gambia - Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya, Türkiye - May 29, 2026 Iran players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Iran v Gambia - Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya, Türkiye - May 29, 2026 Iran players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo
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Iran Threatens to Stop World Cup Games if Faced with Unauthorized Flags or Slogans

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Iran v Gambia - Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya, Türkiye - May 29, 2026 Iran players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo
Soccer Football - International Friendly - Iran v Gambia - Mardan Sports Complex, Antalya, Türkiye - May 29, 2026 Iran players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo

Iran threatened to halt its matches at the World Cup if unauthorized flags are displayed or slogans targeting the national team are chanted at stadiums, Iranian media reported, citing Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali, following criticism of the team’s presence at the tournament.

The World Cup begins on Thursday, with Iran opening their Group G campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. They next face Belgium at the same venue on June 21 before taking on Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

"We have informed FIFA that if unofficial flags are brought or slogans against the national team are chanted in the stadiums where Iran plays in the World Cup, the team manager will definitely be responsible for stopping the match," Donyamali said on Tuesday, according to Iranian media, Reuters reported.

"We have been assured that no disruptive incidents will occur in the stadium during the match against Egypt."

In April, protesters gathered outside the FIFA Congress in Vancouver called for Iran to be banned from the tournament, saying the team represents the Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps rather than the Iranian people.

The Iranian team has also faced organizational challenges, with Iran’s football federation saying its ticket allocation was withdrawn days before the tournament, leaving supporters who had already made travel plans unable to attend their team’s matches.

The team, currently training in Tijuana, Mexico, will be able to enter the US the day before each match, the Department of Homeland Security said, amid a conflict that has added a geopolitical dimension to the tournament.