Saudi Sports Minister Sees off National Team ahead of its Departure to US for FIFA World Cup

Saudi Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and the Saudi national team and accompanying staff sit for a family before the team's departure to the US. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and the Saudi national team and accompanying staff sit for a family before the team's departure to the US. (SPA)
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Saudi Sports Minister Sees off National Team ahead of its Departure to US for FIFA World Cup

Saudi Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and the Saudi national team and accompanying staff sit for a family before the team's departure to the US. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and the Saudi national team and accompanying staff sit for a family before the team's departure to the US. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal met on Monday with the Saudi national football team ahead of its departure to the United States to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The minister conveyed the greetings of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, along with his best wishes for the team’s success in the tournament that kicks off on June 11.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Arabian Football Federation President Yasser Al-Misehal.

Prince Abdulaziz stressed that the Saudi team’s participation in the landmark global football event reflects the Kingdom’s continued presence in major international competitions.

He urged the players to give their best and demonstrate high morale during the tournament.



Spain Leave Out Real Madrid Players as Barcelona Dominate World Cup Squad

Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente announces the final list of the 26 players for the 2026 World Cup during an act held in Madrid, Spain, 25 May 2026. (EPA)
Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente announces the final list of the 26 players for the 2026 World Cup during an act held in Madrid, Spain, 25 May 2026. (EPA)
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Spain Leave Out Real Madrid Players as Barcelona Dominate World Cup Squad

Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente announces the final list of the 26 players for the 2026 World Cup during an act held in Madrid, Spain, 25 May 2026. (EPA)
Spanish national team head coach Luis de la Fuente announces the final list of the 26 players for the 2026 World Cup during an act held in Madrid, Spain, 25 May 2026. (EPA)

European champions Spain will travel to next month's World Cup with plenty of Barcelona swagger but no-one from Real Madrid after manager Luis de la Fuente named a 26-man squad on Monday built around eight players from the Catalan club.

It is the first time that Spain will go to a World Cup without a Real Madrid player in their squad, a striking absence for the 15-times Champions League winners as De la Fuente prepares to lead one of the tournament favorites.

Defenders Dean Huijsen and Dani Carvajal were among the Real Madrid ‌names to miss ‌out, leaving Barcelona to provide the spine of a team ‌chasing ⁠Spain's second World ⁠Cup title after their 2010 triumph in South Africa.

De la Fuente played down the absence of the club's players, preferring to highlight those who are in the squad.

"I'm the manager and I don't look at where the players come from. They're national team players; I don't look at one club or another. I don't have the same local bias that a fan might have. All I want is for these players to feel proud to represent ⁠the national team," De la Fuente told reporters.

Barcelona's contingent includes Joan ‌Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Gavi, Pedri, Dani ‌Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, while seven players called up are based in the Premier ‌League.

"Excitement is the key word. Passion," De la Fuente said.

"The reaction of people all ‌over Spain - adults and children alike - is that they are fully behind the national team. It is an honor for me to represent the national team."

Arsenal provide three of Spain's Premier League-based players in goalkeeper David Raya and midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino, while Manchester City's Rodri gives ‌De la Fuente a commanding presence in midfield.

The coach also addressed the injury concern regarding Yamal and Nico Williams, who will ⁠arrive at the ⁠tournament nursing hamstring issues.

"We're very relaxed. Barring any setbacks, we'll have everyone available from the very first match. We're in close contact with the clubs' medical teams," he said.

"We'll call on them when we deem it appropriate. I'd like to reiterate that we'll have everyone in top form and we'll be able to enjoy watching them in the tournament."

Spain will arrive at the World Cup carrying the confidence of their European Championship triumph in Germany two years ago, but with the weight of expectation from a passionate fanbase.

Spain squad:

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)

Defenders: Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)

Midfielders: Rodri (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Gavi (Barcelona), Pedri (Barcelona), Fabian Ruiz (Paris St Germain), Mikel Merino (Arsenal), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Victor Munoz (Osasuna), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Borja Iglesias (Celta)


African Players in Europe: Liverpool Legend Salah Bids Farewell

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts after his final match in a Liverpool shirt after the English Premier League match Liverpool FC against Brentford FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 24 May 2026. (EPA)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts after his final match in a Liverpool shirt after the English Premier League match Liverpool FC against Brentford FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 24 May 2026. (EPA)
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African Players in Europe: Liverpool Legend Salah Bids Farewell

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts after his final match in a Liverpool shirt after the English Premier League match Liverpool FC against Brentford FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 24 May 2026. (EPA)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts after his final match in a Liverpool shirt after the English Premier League match Liverpool FC against Brentford FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 24 May 2026. (EPA)

Mohamed Salah struggled to hold back the tears during his final appearance for Liverpool on Sunday after a trophy-filled career with the Anfield outfit.

The 33-year-old winger, who will captain Egypt at the 2026 World Cup next month, leaves as the Reds' third-highest goalscorer of all-time on 257.

Popularly known as the Egyptian King, Salah played 74 minutes before being substituted for Jeremie Frimpong in a 1-1 draw with Brentford.

AFP Sport highlights African headline-makers in the major European leagues:

ENGLAND

MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

Salah waved an emotional farewell to Liverpool after nine glittering years at Anfield in a draw against Brentford. There was no goodbye goal for Salah, but he did provide the assist for Curtis Jones as a point secured Liverpool's place in the Champions League next season.

ANTOINE SEMENYO (Manchester City)

Semenyo finished third in the Premier League goalscoring charts this season after netting his 17th for runners-up Manchester City in a 2-1 home defeat by fourth-placed Aston Villa. The Ghanaian international was one of the few City stars not rested by Pep Guardiola in his final game in charge and flicked in from a corner to open the scoring at the Etihad.

BRYAN MBEUMO (Manchester Utd)

Cameroon international Mbeumo finished off a brilliant team move for his 12th goal of the season as third-placed United ended the season on a high with a 3-0 win at Brighton.

SPAIN

EZ ABDE (Real Betis)

Moroccan winger Abde ended an excellent campaign with a goal in Real Betis's 2-1 win over Levante on the final day of La Liga. The 24-year-old scored his 10th league goal of the season to put his team in front as they celebrated their Champions League qualification with a home victory.

BRAHIM DIAZ (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid playmaker Diaz netted the fourth in Los Blancos' emphatic 4-2 win over Athletic Bilbao. The Morocco international was able to score his first top-flight goal of a season in which he was often reduced to a bit-part role, from close range at the end of a neat team move.

RANDY NTEKA (Rayo Vallecano)

Vallecano are focused on the Conference League final against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, but were able to sign off from La Liga with a 2-1 win over Alaves thanks to Randy Nteka's late goal. The Angola attacker showed poise in the box to receive a low pass and drill home his third goal of the league season.

FRANCE

ABDALLAH SIMA (Lens)

The Senegalese striker struck on 78 minutes to seal a 3-1 victory for Lens over Nice in the French Cup final. Sima got on the end of a header back towards his own goal by veteran Brazilian defender Dante, and stabbed the ball into the net.


Hamilton Unlocks Ferrari Magic with Montreal Breakthrough

Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton holds his second place trophy as he celebrates on the podium at the conclusion of the 2026 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on May 24, 2026. (AFP)
Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton holds his second place trophy as he celebrates on the podium at the conclusion of the 2026 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on May 24, 2026. (AFP)
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Hamilton Unlocks Ferrari Magic with Montreal Breakthrough

Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton holds his second place trophy as he celebrates on the podium at the conclusion of the 2026 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on May 24, 2026. (AFP)
Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton holds his second place trophy as he celebrates on the podium at the conclusion of the 2026 Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, on May 24, 2026. (AFP)

Lewis Hamilton celebrated ‌his strongest performance yet in Ferrari red after finishing second at the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday, crediting behind-the-scenes changes and a fresh approach to car setup for finally unlocking his potential with the Italian team.

The seven-times Formula One world champion passed Red Bull's Max Verstappen in the closing laps at Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to secure his second podium finish this season, after the Chinese Grand Prix in March.

"The prep before, I chose a different set-up this weekend through just ciphering ‌through the data, ‌working really well with my engineer," Hamilton ‌said. "I ⁠was able to ⁠attack all the corners finally."

Hamilton praised Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur's support in implementing changes to make him more comfortable in the car.

"There's a lot of changes that I've had to ask for, and Fred's been super supportive and again also moving mountains in order to make me comfortable. And it's finally ⁠starting to show in my performance."

The 41-year-old driver ‌was also grateful for the ‌work of his engineers, including Cedric Santi, who replaced veteran Riccardo Adami ‌at the start of the year on an interim ‌basis.

"I'm really grateful to the team for continuing to hold me up high and support me weekend in, weekend out. And it's a really lovely feeling to see them so happy, because they truly ‌deserve it with all the hard work they put in."

The result proved particularly encouraging given Montreal's ⁠emphasis on ⁠straight-line speed, an area where Ferrari have traditionally struggled.

While Ferrari brought their major upgrade package to Miami earlier this season, several rivals including Mercedes introduced updates in Canada.

"Considering this is a real straight-line-speed circuit and we just managed to hold on and get this result, that definitely gives me high hopes for what's ahead," Hamilton said.

He admitted the journey to this breakthrough had been grueling.

"This is my first second place with the team. It's something I've been working so hard, I can't even begin to explain how deep I've had to dig to be able to get to this point."