Injury Concerns for Morocco Ahead of Their World Cup Openerhttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5281572-injury-concerns-morocco-ahead-their-world-cup-opener
Injury Concerns for Morocco Ahead of Their World Cup Opener
Noussair Mazraoui of Morocco exits the pitch injured during the international friendly match between Morocco and Norway at Red Bull Arena on June 07, 2026 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Injury Concerns for Morocco Ahead of Their World Cup Opener
Noussair Mazraoui of Morocco exits the pitch injured during the international friendly match between Morocco and Norway at Red Bull Arena on June 07, 2026 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Getty Images/AFP)
Morocco are concerned about injuries to starters Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and Noussair Mazraoui, who could be forced out of their opening game at the World Cup against Brazil on Sunday.
Both went off early in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Norway in their last warm-up match before this week's kick-off of the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Ezzalzouli was replaced at halftime after suffering a leg injury, while Mazraoui departed in the 29th minute with a shoulder problem after a tough encounter in which Morocco took an early lead but Norway equalized with 15 minutes remaining.
"We left a good impression despite not winning because we really showed some very good things against a very good opponent," coach Mohamed Ouahbi told reporters.
"That's the point of playing against teams like this. When you make so many changes (10 in total), it's difficult for the player but it was important that we managed everyone's playing time.
"Two players went off injured. We're waiting to see how serious it is. I’m more concerned about that," the coach added.
Morocco were surprise semi-finalists at the last World Cup and have high hopes of another strong performance at the 2026 finals.
They open proceedings in Group D with the clash against the five-time champions at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
Gauff Powers Past Pegula to Win US Open Warm-up in Cincinnatihttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5310387-gauff-powers-past-pegula-win-us-open-warm-cincinnati
MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 23: Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates with the Rookwood Cup after defeating Jessica Pegula of the United Staes during the Women's Final on day twelve of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 23, 2026 in Mason, Ohio. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
Gauff Powers Past Pegula to Win US Open Warm-up in Cincinnati
MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 23: Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates with the Rookwood Cup after defeating Jessica Pegula of the United Staes during the Women's Final on day twelve of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 23, 2026 in Mason, Ohio. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
Coco Gauff made a statement Sunday with the US Open approaching, dominating Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-4 to win her first title of 2026 at the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati.
World number four Gauff claimed her first WTA title since last October in Wuhan, having come up short in finals in Miami and Rome this year.
Her victory over third-ranked Pegula gave her a second Cincinnati crown. Gauff earned her first in 2023, going on to claim the first of her two Grand Slam titles at the US Open that year.
The first all-American WTA final in Cincinnati since Rosie Casals beat Nancy Richey in 1970 was a lopsided affair.
Gauff insisted it shouldn't be considered a barometer for the US Open, but admitted it was a welcome confidence boost.
"I don't think that this is an indicator that I'm going to do well in New York or anything like that to be honest," Gauff said, but added: "(I'm going in) knowing that I can figure out these matches (even if) I'm not playing my best, but also knowing that I can play that great tennis that I felt I was playing this week.
"Hopefully I can use the experience here in New York."
MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 23: Coco Gauff of the United States is congratulated by Jessica Pegula of the United Staes after their match during the Women's Final on day twelve of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 23, 2026 in Mason, Ohio. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
Gauff polished off an impressive tournament with victory in 75 minutes and will head to New York riding a wave of confidence for the start of the US Open next Sunday.
It's a far cry from an early exit in Cincinnati last year, which Gauff said left her "in the parking lot in tears" after she coughed up 16 double-faults in defeat.
"It's a big difference, what a year can make," added Gauff, who was so bothered by her service struggles this time last year that she hired a new coach days before the US Open.
"Last year I was just frustrated with my game, and I felt like I was declining," AFP quoted her as saying. "It's not something any player wants to feel. You always want to feel like you're getting better, at the worst, like just plateauing."
This time around Gauff was rock-solid on serve and Pegula, coming off a hard-fought win over defending champion Iga Swiatek, had no answer for Gauff's speed and aggression.
Gauff broke Pegula twice for a 4-0 lead and was up 5-0 before Pegula got on the scoreboard, holding serve and clawing back a break.
It was a brief reprieve as Gauff broke again to pocket the opening set after 34 minutes.
The second set was more of the same, Gauff breaking on the way to a 3-0 lead and Pegula playing catch-up.
Gauff sealed victory on her first match point to conclude 12 days of tennis at the sprawling Midwest venue.
Gauff's win squared the career series between the two at five wins each. Gauff won her second match this season against Pegula after defeating her compatriot in a Wimbledon quarter-final.
Pegula was not displeased with her own performance heading into the final Grand Slam of the season.
"I don't think I played bad but you played a very high level, it was not fun to play against," she told Gauff during the trophy ceremony.
"You have amazing momentum heading into the US Open."
Saudi, French Sports Ministries Sign MoU to Strengthen Cooperationhttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5310386-saudi-french-sports-ministries-sign-mou-strengthen-cooperation
Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and French Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life Marina Ferrari signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen sports cooperation between the two countries. (SPA)
Saudi, French Sports Ministries Sign MoU to Strengthen Cooperation
Saudi Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and French Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life Marina Ferrari signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen sports cooperation between the two countries. (SPA)
The Saudi Ministry of Sport on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the French Ministry of Sports, Youth and Community Life to strengthen sports cooperation between the two countries, expand areas of joint work, and exchange expertise and experience, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The MoU was signed in Paris on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the 2026 Esports World Cup by Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and French Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life Marina Ferrari.
The MoU establishes a general framework for sports cooperation between the two countries, including the exchange of programs and expertise among relevant institutions and organizations, sports personnel development, and increased participation in conferences, seminars, and sporting events hosted by both countries.
It also covers greater exchange of expertise and cooperation among coaches, experts, and researchers in elite sport, esports, grassroots sport, sports science, sports medicine, and sports law. Other areas include cooperation among sports organizations, exchanges of technical and administrative expertise, visits between national teams, and joint seminars, conferences, and scientific research.
The MoU reflects the strong relations between Saudi Arabia and France and their shared commitment to expanding sports cooperation and opportunities for joint work between sports institutions and organizations in both countries.
Saudi Crown Prince Attends Esports World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony in Parishttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5310384-saudi-crown-prince-attends-esports-world-cup-2026-closing-ceremony-paris
Saudi Crown Prince Attends Esports World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony in Paris
The Saudi Crown Prince’s attendance underscored his continued support for the gaming and esports sector. SPA
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, attended the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup 2026 in Paris on Sunday, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.
During the ceremony, the Crown Prince witnessed Macron crown AG.AL as the Esports World Cup 2026 Club Champion. The club secured the title after finishing first in the overall standings with 5,300 points, earning the $7 million grand prize.
The Crown Prince’s attendance underscored his continued support for the gaming and esports sector and his vision to position the Kingdom at the forefront of the industry’s global growth and development.
The 2026 edition recorded continued growth across the tournament, attracting large audiences and a 94% increase in tickets sold to esports competitions.
More than 850 million viewers followed the competition across digital platforms worldwide, generating over 440 million hours of watch time through global content distributed in 47 languages.
CEO of the Esports Foundation Ralf Reichert said: “We are deeply grateful for the continued support of HRH the Crown Prince, which has been instrumental in building the Esports World Cup into the global platform it is today. Bringing EWC to Paris marks an important new chapter and demonstrates the strength of the model established in Saudi Arabia, while Riyadh remains its home.”
He congratulated AG.AL and said “Paris embraced the Esports World Cup and made it its own, proving that something created in Saudi Arabia can belong to fans everywhere.”
The Paris edition marks a new international chapter for the Esports World Cup and demonstrates the strength of the model established in the Kingdom: a global sporting and cultural platform capable of engaging audiences across major world capitals. Riyadh remains the home of the Esports World Cup and a central pillar of its long-term vision.
Held from July 6 to August 23, the 2026 edition brought together more than 2,000 professional players representing 200 clubs from 100 countries.
They competed in 25 tournaments featuring some of the world's most popular esports titles for a prize pool exceeding $75 million, the largest in esports history.
The Esports World Cup was announced by the Crown Prince in 2023 as a Saudi-born initiative with global ambition. Riyadh hosted the inaugural edition in 2024 and an expanded second edition in 2025, before Paris became the first international city to stage the tournament outside Saudi Arabia in 2026.
With the conclusion of its third edition, the Esports World Cup continues to strengthen its position as a global platform that brings people and communities together through competition, excellence and innovation.
The Kingdom, meanwhile, continues to advance its leading role in shaping the future of esports and transforming young people’s passion for gaming into sustainable economic, professional and cultural opportunities.
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