Saudi National Team Selects Austin as Main Camp Base for World Cup 2026

The selection of Austin followed a comprehensive technical and logistical evaluation that included field visits - SPA
The selection of Austin followed a comprehensive technical and logistical evaluation that included field visits - SPA
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Saudi National Team Selects Austin as Main Camp Base for World Cup 2026

The selection of Austin followed a comprehensive technical and logistical evaluation that included field visits - SPA
The selection of Austin followed a comprehensive technical and logistical evaluation that included field visits - SPA

The Saudi national football team has selected the city of Austin, Texas, as its main base during its participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026™, which will be held next summer in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The selection of Austin followed a comprehensive technical and logistical evaluation that included field visits and an assessment of the readiness of sports facilities, the suitability of climatic conditions, and the quality of training infrastructure, in addition to its geographic proximity to the host cities for the team’s matches in the tournament, which will help reduce travel time and enhance the efficiency of the daily program, SPA reported.

The designation of the national team’s base comes within the framework of the approved methodology for preparing the team for the World Cup, which focuses on providing a stable and motivating working environment for the technical and administrative staff, enabling the implementation of training and preparation programs in accordance with the highest standards, and enhancing players’ physical and mental readiness throughout the participation period.

The Saudi national team will compete in Group H of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde, in the tournament scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19.



ATP Chairman Gaudenzi Re-elected to 3rd Term that Will Run Through 2028

FILE - ATP President Andrea Gaudenzi stands at the end of the singles tennis final match of the ATP World Tour Finals, in Turin, Italy, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, File)
FILE - ATP President Andrea Gaudenzi stands at the end of the singles tennis final match of the ATP World Tour Finals, in Turin, Italy, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, File)
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ATP Chairman Gaudenzi Re-elected to 3rd Term that Will Run Through 2028

FILE - ATP President Andrea Gaudenzi stands at the end of the singles tennis final match of the ATP World Tour Finals, in Turin, Italy, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, File)
FILE - ATP President Andrea Gaudenzi stands at the end of the singles tennis final match of the ATP World Tour Finals, in Turin, Italy, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, File)

Andrea Gaudenzi was re-elected as chairman of the ATP men's professional tennis tour on Thursday, giving him a third term that runs through 2028.

Gaudenzi, a former player, first took over the tour in January 2020. The ATP says total annual player compensation for tour-level events has climbed by $100 million during his tenure to roughly $270 million in 2025 — and to $400 million when Grand Slam tournaments are included.

“When I reflect on what we’ve achieved, I see a sport with stronger foundations than ever, underpinned by record growth that speaks to tennis’s potential,” Gaudenzi said in a statement.

“Now is the time to keep pushing,” The Associated Press quoted him as saying.

Key changes during his time in charge have included adding profit-sharing at ATP Masters 1000 events and the introduction of 12-day Masters tournaments.

Saudi Arabia will host a new ATP Masters tournament, expected to debut in 2028 — the first addition to the men’s tennis tour’s premium series since its founding in 1990.


Gnabry Extends Bayern Munich Deal Until 2028

Germany forward Serge Gnabry (Reuters)
Germany forward Serge Gnabry (Reuters)
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Gnabry Extends Bayern Munich Deal Until 2028

Germany forward Serge Gnabry (Reuters)
Germany forward Serge Gnabry (Reuters)

Germany forward Serge Gnabry has extended his contract at Bayern Munich by two years until 2028, the club announced Thursday.

Gnabry, 30, has been at the Bavarian giants since 2017, after stints at several clubs including Arsenal, West Brom and Werder Bremen. His contract was set to expire in the summer.

The forward has won six Bundesliga titles in Munich along with the Champions League.

After reports Gnabry was set to leave the club, he has put together an impressive season, scoring six goals and supplying five assists in 15 league matches.

Gnabry has struck up a partnership at Bayern with Harry Kane and wingers Michael Olise and Luis Diaz, forming a lethal attack for the Bundesliga leaders.

"We're a real unit and can achieve something big," Gnabry said in a statement, adding he "never thought" he would spend a decade with Bayern.

"The reasons to renew my contract are the team, the coaches, the whole club, the fans, the city and the environment. I feel very much at home at Bayern."

Gnabry has scored 100 goals across 311 appearances for Bayern in all competitions, adding 69 assists.

According to AFP, Bayern sporting director Max Eberl called Gnabry "one of the absolute pillars of this team".

"He's won it all with this club and still wants more. That makes him a role model. He represents Bayern," said Eberl.

Gnabry has re-established himself as a key member of the Germany team under Julian Nagelsmann after missing out on Euro 2024 on home soil due to injury. He has scored 25 times in 57 caps.


FIFA Reports Record of 5,973 Int’l Transfers in January Window

01 February 2026, United Kingdom, London: FIFA Women's Champions Cup trophy seen on display after the FIFA Women's Champions Cup final soccer match between Arsenal and Corinthians at Emirates Stadium. Photo: Adam Davy/PA Wire/dpa
01 February 2026, United Kingdom, London: FIFA Women's Champions Cup trophy seen on display after the FIFA Women's Champions Cup final soccer match between Arsenal and Corinthians at Emirates Stadium. Photo: Adam Davy/PA Wire/dpa
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FIFA Reports Record of 5,973 Int’l Transfers in January Window

01 February 2026, United Kingdom, London: FIFA Women's Champions Cup trophy seen on display after the FIFA Women's Champions Cup final soccer match between Arsenal and Corinthians at Emirates Stadium. Photo: Adam Davy/PA Wire/dpa
01 February 2026, United Kingdom, London: FIFA Women's Champions Cup trophy seen on display after the FIFA Women's Champions Cup final soccer match between Arsenal and Corinthians at Emirates Stadium. Photo: Adam Davy/PA Wire/dpa

A record number of 5,973 international transfers were recorded in the January trading window for men’s soccer, according to a FIFA report released Thursday.

That marks a 3% increase from the previous year in global deals between clubs in the countries that are processed by FIFA, The Associated Press reported.

However, the total spending was down about 18% from last year's record, to $1.95 billion. That's still some 20% more than the previous record from January 2023, FIFA said.

In women’s soccer, clubs spent more than $10 million on international transfers, up 85% from the previous record a year ago, while the number of international transfers was down by 6% to 420.

England tops spending English clubs were again the biggest spenders with a $363 million outlay on transfer fees and recouped just $150 million by selling players to clubs in other countries. Italy followed in second with $283 million, with Brazil, Germany, and France also making the top five.

French clubs benefited most, earning $218 million in transfer sales, followed by Italy, Brazil, England and Spain.

In the United States, clubs spent $99 million and took in $48 million in transfer fees, according to the FIFA research.

English women’s clubs also topped the spending with over $5 million, and also were the biggest earners.