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Riyadh, Jeddah Stadiums Set to Host AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026

One of the stadiums designated to host matches of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ in Riyadh and Jeddah. (SPA)
One of the stadiums designated to host matches of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ in Riyadh and Jeddah. (SPA)
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Riyadh, Jeddah Stadiums Set to Host AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026

One of the stadiums designated to host matches of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ in Riyadh and Jeddah. (SPA)
One of the stadiums designated to host matches of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ in Riyadh and Jeddah. (SPA)

The Local Organizing Committee for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ has finalized preparations at the stadiums designated to host matches of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ in Riyadh and Jeddah, as part of the final readiness measures for the continental tournament. The Kingdom will host the competition from January 6 to 24, featuring 16 Asian national teams.

Preparations encompassed four key stadiums: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium and Al-Shabab Club Stadium in Riyadh, along with Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium and the Secondary Stadium at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. All technical and operational requirements have been finalized in line with Asian Football Confederation standards.

The Committee noted that the completion of stadium readiness reflects the significant progress of the Kingdom’s sports infrastructure and reaffirms its ability to host continental tournaments to the highest professional standards. The AFC U23 Asian Cup was described as a key milestone in preparations for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

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Ten Hag Back to His Roots from Next Season

Erik ten Hag smiles during his presentation as new head coach of Bundesliga soccer club Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the BayArena stadium in Leverkusen, Germany, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
Erik ten Hag smiles during his presentation as new head coach of Bundesliga soccer club Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the BayArena stadium in Leverkusen, Germany, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
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Ten Hag Back to His Roots from Next Season

Erik ten Hag smiles during his presentation as new head coach of Bundesliga soccer club Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the BayArena stadium in Leverkusen, Germany, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
Erik ten Hag smiles during his presentation as new head coach of Bundesliga soccer club Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the BayArena stadium in Leverkusen, Germany, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is to return to his old club FC Twente as technical director from next ​season, the club has announced.

The Dutchman has signed a contract until mid-2028, returning to the club where he began his playing career in 1989 and ended it in 2002.

The 55-year-old will join the Enschede club on February 1 and succeed technical director Jan ‌Streuer, who ‌retires at the end ‌of ⁠the ​season.

"I think ‌it's wonderful and special to return to FC Twente, where I've been a supporter since I was a young boy," Ten Hag said in a statement on the club's website.

"My football career began here. With my experience in youth ⁠development, team building, and elite sports culture, I want ‌to strengthen FC Twente's technical ‍foundation so that the ‍club can sustainably realize its potential as ‍a regional flagship."

After retiring as a player at Twente, Ten Hag became head of the youth academy and then assistant manager before going on to ​coach at Go Ahead Eagles, FC Utrecht, Ajax Amsterdam and Manchester United, who ⁠fired him in October 2024.

He became Bayer Leverkusen coach last year, making a return to Germany where he had already spent two seasons as coach of Bayern Munich's reserves from 2013 to 2015.

But his contract with Leverkusen was terminated after just two Bundesliga matches, a record in Germany. Ajax approached Ten Hag in November about succeeding sacked coach John Heitinga, but ‌he said he had no interest in returning to Amsterdam.

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Liverpool’s Ekitike in Doubt for Arsenal Clash

Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Leeds United - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - January 1, 2026 Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Leeds United - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - January 1, 2026 Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
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Liverpool’s Ekitike in Doubt for Arsenal Clash

Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Leeds United - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - January 1, 2026 Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Leeds United - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - January 1, 2026 Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)

Liverpool boss Arne Slot sounded doubtful he will have striker Hugo Ekitike for Thursday's Premier League trip to leaders Arsenal, with the Frenchman yet ​to return to training following a hamstring issue.

Ekitike, who has eight league goals this season, missed Sunday's 2-2 draw at Fulham due to what Slot described as a slight injury, and the Dutchman said time was running out for the forward to be ready as Liverpool face a quick turnaround.

"He hasn't trained ‌with us up ‌until now," Slot said. "Let's see ‌if ⁠he ​can ‌train with us today. Two or three days ago, when we played against Fulham, I said he wouldn't be out for long but it's hard because the games come so fast.

"He is in-between maybe training with the team or it maybe taking him one or two days extra."

Ekitike's ⁠potential absence would be another blow for Slot, who is already ‌without Alexander Isak due to a ‍leg fracture and Mohamed Salah ‍because of Africa Cup of Nations duty.

In the ‍absence of Ekitike, Slot may again turn to Cody Gakpo as his most advanced attacker.
The Netherlands forward has scored five Premier League goals and provided three assists this season and ​could lead the line as holders Liverpool attempt to derail Arsenal's title charge.

Slot's fourth-placed team trail ⁠Arsenal by 14 points.

Despite their injury concerns, Liverpool head to north London on a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions, though Slot lamented that not all those games have been wins.

"It is nine games unbeaten but we have definitely had two draws too many," Slot said. "Where are we? I think I've said so many times that the answer to that question is we aren't where we want to be, but I feel we have a ‌very talented squad.

"If everyone's available and ready, then I think we can do special things."

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Former Wolves Boss O'Neil Replaces Rosenior at Strasbourg

Wolverhampton Wanderers' head coach Gary O'Neil during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, at The London Stadium in London, Dec. 9, 2024. (AP)
Wolverhampton Wanderers' head coach Gary O'Neil during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, at The London Stadium in London, Dec. 9, 2024. (AP)
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Former Wolves Boss O'Neil Replaces Rosenior at Strasbourg

Wolverhampton Wanderers' head coach Gary O'Neil during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, at The London Stadium in London, Dec. 9, 2024. (AP)
Wolverhampton Wanderers' head coach Gary O'Neil during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, at The London Stadium in London, Dec. 9, 2024. (AP)

Racing Strasbourg have named former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O'Neil as new manager to replace Liam Rosenior, who left to take over at Chelsea, the Ligue 1 ​club said on Wednesday.

O'Neil has been out of work since his sacking at Wolves in December 2024 and the 42-year-old Englishman will be in charge for Saturday's French Cup match away at Avranches.

"I am proud to join this incredible club and I can't wait to get started," O'Neil said in a statement.

"Racing has a unique history, ‌extraordinary passion, ‌great resilience and, of course, loyal ‌supporters ⁠who ​want ‌to see this team play beautiful football and succeed.

"We have a group of high-quality players and clear, ambitious goals for the season. My priority is to work hard with the team and give my all for the club's success."

Rosenior was announced as Chelsea's new coach on Tuesday, making the switch ⁠from Strasbourg to the Premier League side who are both part of the ‌same multi-club ownership structure.

The French club ‍was taken over by ‍the BlueCo consortium in 2023 and took Rosenior to ‍London to replace Enzo Maresca.

Maresca parted ways with Chelsea on New Year's Day after a poor run of form, winning one of their last seven league games to lose ground in the ​title race, and a falling out with the club owners.

O'Neil joined Bournemouth's backroom staff in 2021 and ⁠was appointed caretaker manager in August 2022 after the sacking of Scott Parker. He was made permanent coach in November but was sacked at the end of the season despite avoiding relegation.

In August 2023, O'Neil signed a three-year contract at Wolves and led them to a 14th place finish in the Premier League in his first season. But he was sacked in December 2024 after two wins from 16 games left them in the relegation zone.