Riyadh to Host 28th Union of Arab Football Associations General Assembly

A view of Riyadh on November 15, 2024. (Reuters)

12:01-14 September 2025 AD ـ 22 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1447 AH

Riyadh to Host 28th Union of Arab Football Associations General Assembly

A view of Riyadh on November 15, 2024. (Reuters)

Riyadh will host on Monday the 28th General Assembly of the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA) to elect the president and members for the federation’s board for the 2025–2029 term.

The assembly will also include nominations for candidates from the 22 Arab member associations for judicial bodies and supporting committees.

UAFA Secretary-General Dr. Rajallah Al-Sulami stated the general assembly will launch the federation’s competitions calendar for the 2026-2029 seasons, featuring various championships for Arab clubs and teams.

Al-Sulami noted the general assembly's upcoming meetings coincide with the 50th anniversary of UAFA's founding, an occasion that will be celebrated in the near future.

Majestic Olise Raises France to Another Level at World Cup

Michael Olise of France in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match France against Sweden, in New Jersey, US, 30 June 2026. (EPA)

05:47-1 July 2026 AD ـ 16 Muharram 1448 AH

Majestic Olise Raises France to Another Level at World Cup

Michael Olise of France in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match France against Sweden, in New Jersey, US, 30 June 2026. (EPA)

That France are more than living up to their status as favorites at this World Cup may be down to the goals of captain Kylian Mbappe, but also in a large part to the creative genius of Michael Olise.

There is a sense that, after years of prioritizing pragmatism over flair, coach Didier Deschamps has decided to hand the keys to his brilliant attacking players as he aims to end his long reign with another World Cup triumph.

That may yet change when it comes to the latter stages and the quality of the opposition increases, but France have been irresistible so far with Olise helping raise them to another level.

Les Bleus were at their thrilling best in a 3-0 win over Sweden in New Jersey on Tuesday that made it four wins, and 13 goals scored, so far at the tournament as they eased through to a last-16 tie against Paraguay.

Olise has not scored any of those goals, with Mbappe netting two at the MetLife Stadium to move to six in total, and Bradley Barcola getting the other on the day.

Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele has four and Desire Doue one, but Olise's display against Sweden was majestic, as he set up two goals to become this World Cup's leading assist provider.

The Bayern Munich player did almost break his tournament duck with the game still goalless, but his breathtaking overhead bicycle kick came back off a post -- even Mbappe was in awe at the execution.

"It was a fantastic bit of skill. Unfortunately it didn't go in, but people come to the stadium to see that kind of thing," Mbappe said.

The exciting version of France that has emerged at the end of Deschamps' 14-year tenure can be traced back to a Nations League quarter-final against Croatia in March last year.

After losing 2-0 away in the first leg, Deschamps decided to remove one of his three defensive midfielders, and add another forward.

Olise, who had made his senior international debut six months earlier off the back of an impressive Olympics, was brought in for the second leg to play in the number 10 role, behind Mbappe.

He scored a superb free-kick, sparking a comeback as France went on to win the tie on penalties.

- 'Future Ballon d'Or' -

Now 24, he gradually established himself in the starting line-up, just as he was starring for Bayern.

The season just finished saw him score 22 goals in all competitions as Bayern won a domestic double and lost in the Champions League semi-finals to Paris Saint-Germain.

In his last game before the World Cup, he scored a hat-trick in France's 3-1 friendly win against Northern Ireland.

"Michael has been putting together really top-class performances off the back of a very good season. He needed a bit of time get his bearings with us but he is a major influence," said Deschamps.

"When he touches the ball, things happen."

Deschamps knows how important Olise is on the pitch, despite being one of the least outspoken members of the squad off it -- born in London to a Nigerian father and a Franco-Algerian mother, his grasp of French is not perfect.

"Michael is a bit of an introvert. The important thing is that he is not introverted on the pitch," added Deschamps.

Not necessarily mastering the language has not mattered for a player who rarely gives interviews.

"Let's just say I prefer to talk with my feet," he told French sports daily L'Equipe recently.

The former Chelsea academy player initially emerged at Reading before joining Crystal Palace in 2021.

He made his name in the Premier League while in South London, where he got his debut under Patrick Vieira -- a World Cup winner with France in 1998.

"You could see the type of player he was, his ability," said Sweden coach Graham Potter, who came up against Olise while managing in England.

"I think players' journeys sometimes, they're not quite straight lines. Whereas with him, you could see that he was just ready to go."

Vieira described him to L'Equipe as "a future Ballon d'Or winner" -- maybe even this year if he keeps playing like this at the World Cup.

Sports

Germany Questions Footballing Identity After Fresh World Cup Failure

(From L) Germany's forward #19 Leroy Sane, midfielder #10 Jamal Musiala and defender #24 Malick Thiaw react after losing the penalty shootout during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Germany and Paraguay at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026. (AFP)

16:23-30 June 2026 AD ـ 15 Muharram 1448 AH

Germany Questions Footballing Identity After Fresh World Cup Failure

Yet another World Cup failure has Germany questioning its footballing identity, with some calling for radical changes at all levels in the football-mad nation.

Germany's shock capitulation to Paraguay in the last 32 on Monday, their first ever World Cup penalty shootout defeat, continues the four-time champions sheer drop from the game's elite.

Germany have now been eliminated early in the past three World Cups.

Since beating Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup in 2014, Germany have not only been unable to win an elimination match at the tournament, but they have also failed to keep a clean sheet.

Calls to sack coach Julian Nagelsmann have grown, particularly with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp seemingly waiting in the wings.

Others, including Klopp himself, have demanded far more fundamental changes to the game in Germany.

- 'Drifting away from the elite' -

Even with diminished expectations after a lean decade, the German press slammed Nagelsmann's side after they fell to 41st-ranked Paraguay, a team who lost 4-1 to hosts USA in their tournament opener.

Respected Munich daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung called the result "a new humiliation", adding the Germans were "heading home with a thoroughly deserved return ticket".

German football magazine Kicker lamented a "damning indictment and proof that Germany is drifting further and further away from the world's elite".

Once boasting club-made talents the envy of Europe, Germany's ability to produce quality players has fallen behind European rivals France, Spain and England over the past decade.

Despite being Europe's most populous nation, where football is by far the dominant sport, Germany lack depth.

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Germany v Paraguay - Boston Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts, US - June 29, 2026 A Germany fan looks dejected after the match as Germany are eliminated from the World Cup. (Reuters)

While injuries to teenage forward Lennart Karl, veteran striker Serge Gnabry and first-choice center-back Nico Schlotterbeck have hurt the Germans, other major European nations can afford to leave star players at home.

Kicker cited France's Eduardo Camavinga, Christopher Nkunku and Randal Kolo Muani, England's Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer and Spain defender Dean Huijsen as examples.

Germany's shallow talent pool ups the pressure on their few remaining world-class players to perform.

Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala all entered the tournament after challenging seasons and have been unable to reproduce their best form in North America, despite showing glimpses of their quality.

- 'Become Germany again' -

Nagelsmann has copped much of the ire.

Having taken over as coach despite reportedly being courted by Europe's top clubs, Nagelsmann's appointment was considered a coup for the German FA (DFB).

But with the 38-year-old's high point a last-eight defeat to Spain on home soil at Euro 2024, calls are growing to avoid hanging onto a manager too long after a World Cup setback, as with predecessors Joachim Loew and Hansi Flick.

Lothar Matthaeus, a World Cup winner in 1990, wrote in his Bild column that Nagelsmann lacked "imagination", adding Germany "have to move forward with a new coach".

Nagelsmann admitted "big changes" were needed but pledged to stay on, saying: "I'm not one to run away. I'm ready to continue if the DFB wants me to."

The DFB reportedly cancelled a press conference planned for Tuesday, instead promising to release a statement later in the day.

Engaged as a sideline pundit, Klopp has cast a dark shadow over Nagelsmann and the Germany dugout since the tournament began.

Before Germany's opening game, Klopp attracted criticism for joking the young coach was only in charge of the team "for now", implying Nagelsmann was only keeping the seat warm.

But on Monday, Klopp cut a far more serious figure, dismissing suggestions he should take the wheel, while calling for more fundamental changes to the game, starting at the under-10 level.

"Look at Paraguay," Klopp said over images of the South American nation's celebrations. "They're all in tears; that's how much the Round of 16 means to them."

Klopp said the Germans were too content to dine out on their golden past.

"We are Germany? No, we were Germany. To be football Germany again, we need to really change things.

"It's of course not about names. Not about mine, not about Julian's," Klopp said, adding: "Julian is right. The team wanted it, but they were unable to do it in some areas.

"And now we need to ask why is that?"

Sports

Germany Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer Retires Again After Return for World Cup

Manuel Neuer #1 of Germany leaves the pitch after the penalty shootout loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Getty Images/AFP)

16:12-30 June 2026 AD ـ 15 Muharram 1448 AH

Germany Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer Retires Again After Return for World Cup

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has retired from international football for the second time after the team’s early World Cup exit.

The 40-year-old Neuer, who was coaxed out of retirement just before the tournament, said in TV interviews that Monday’s surprise defeat to Paraguay would be his last international game.

“Yes,” he told broadcaster Sportschau when asked if that was it, while he told Magenta TV he would not play on. “No. It’s very bitter to end it like this.”

Germany was eliminated when it lost 4-3 to Paraguay on penalties after the teams drew 1-1 with extra time.

Neuer had already retired from international football after the 2024 European Championship and had insisted he wouldn’t return.

Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann took over at Germany’s No. 1 following injuries to Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen and had played in the team’s last six qualification games, as well as pre-tournament friendlies.

Despite denials from the player and Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, speculation about Neuer’s potential return continued until Nagelsmann confirmed as much by including the Bayern Munich goalkeeper in his squad for the World Cup as Germany’s No. 1, demoting Baumann.

The move didn’t pay off. Neuer saved a penalty in the shootout against Paraguay, but it wasn't enough as three German players missed their spot kicks.

Neuer, who made his Germany debut in 2009, was the sole remaining member of the 2014 World Cup-winning squad. He played 128 games for Germany.

Riyadh to Host 28th Union of Arab Football Associations General Assembly

Riyadh to Host 28th Union of Arab Football Associations General Assembly

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Majestic Olise Raises France to Another Level at World Cup

Majestic Olise Raises France to Another Level at World Cup

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Germany Questions Footballing Identity After Fresh World Cup Failure

Germany Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer Retires Again After Return for World Cup

Germany Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer Retires Again After Return for World Cup

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