Latest news with #SaudiFootballFederation
Reuters
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Al-Ahli step in for Saudi Super Cup after Al-Hilal's withdrawal
July 22 (Reuters) - Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli confirmed on Tuesday it will compete in the 2025–26 Saudi Super Cup, replacing Al-Hilal who withdrew citing player fatigue following their Club World Cup campaign. Al-Hilal, who reached the knockout stages of the Club World Cup and defeated Manchester City in the last 16 before losing to Fluminense in the quarter-finals on July 4, announced their decision on Monday, referencing scheduling concerns. Al-Ahli, who finished fifth in the recent Saudi Pro League season, said in a statement on X: "We received an official letter from the Saudi Football Federation to participate in the Saudi Super Cup for the 2025–2026 season, scheduled to be held in Hong Kong from August 19–23, based on the competition's regulations. "After a comprehensive study of all aspects, we decided to agree to participate in the tournament in line with the team's goals and preparation plan for the new season," the statement added. The Saudi Super Cup precedes the league campaign, which begins in late August.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why are Saudi Arabia playing in the Concacaf Gold Cup?
The Concacaf Gold Cup is a biennial international tournament usually featuring teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean. But in the 2025 edition, Saudi Arabia are taking part. Saudi Arabia's participation in both 2025 and 2027 was confirmed in December 2024, alongside acknowledgment of a plan for collaboration off the pitch. Advertisement "We are very pleased that through our relationship with the Asian Football Confederation we have been able to collaborate with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and their president Yasser Al-Misehal, both on and off the pitch," Concacaf president Victor Montagliani said in the official press release. "We look forward to welcoming one of Asia's top men's national teams to compete with the best in Concacaf." Earlier in 2024, Concacaf had announced an investment deal with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) - also owners of Newcastle United, LIV Golf, and a stake in the McLaren Formula 1 team - which will bring an influx of money over multiple years. Extensive PIF branding is visible in and around stadiums used for Gold Cup matches. Advertisement At the time the deal was announced, Montagliani said: "We are very pleased to announce this new strategic partnership which will support the confederation in developing all levels of football across our region." It was described as "sportswashing" by Human Rights Watch. Saudi Arabia sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal told BBC Sport in 2023 its unprecedented investment in sport was to help inspire a youthful population to take up physical activity and exercise, open the country up to the international community, boost tourism, create jobs and provide sports federations with growth potential. Why does the Gold Cup invite guest teams to play? The Gold Cup was expanded from 12 to 16 teams from the 2019 edition. Advertisement Though Concacaf has 41 member nations, it has invited non-member teams to participate in the past. The quality of many of the lower-ranked Concacaf national teams is not high, so guest teams have been used to make it more competitive. The practice was common in the 1990s and early 2000s, before being shelved. It was brought back when Qatar were invited to play in the 2021 and 2023 editions. In total, eight non-Concacaf teams have participated in the Gold Cup. They are: Brazil (1996, 1998, 2003) Colombia (2000, 2003, 2005) Ecuador (2002) Peru (2000) Qatar (2021, 2023) South Africa (2005) South Korea (2000, 2002) Saudi Arabia (2025, 2027) Of those teams, only Brazil have reached the final - losing 1-0 to Mexico in 1996. Qatar reached the semi-finals in 2021 after South Korea did likewise in 2002. Advertisement Only Mexico, the USA and Canada have won the the Gold Cup since its inaugural edition in 1991. Mexico have won on nine occasions, the USA seven, and Canada only once. This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team. Brazil have been the most successful of the guest teams invited to participate in the Gold Cup, but none have ever won the tournament [Getty Images] What is Ask Me Anything? Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions. We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do. The team explores everything you need to know and calls upon a network of contacts including our experts and pundits. We answer your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and go behind the scenes at some of the world's biggest sporting events. Advertisement Our coverage spans the BBC Sport website, app, social media and YouTube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio. More questions answered...
Arab News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia and Qatar to host football World Cup playoffs
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Qatar will host the Asian qualifying playoffs for the 2026 World Cup, the Asian Football Confederation said on Friday. The third and fourth-placed teams from the qualifiers that ended last week — Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar and the UAE — will form two groups of three teams and play from Oct. 8 to 14. The draw will take place on July 17. Group winners will take the two remaining automatic places at the World Cup finals in the US, Canada and Mexico. The runners-up from each group will play two matches on Nov. 13 and 18, with the winners qualifying for the inter-confederation playoffs Meanwhile this year's Saudi Super Cup featuring Al-Ittihad, Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr will be held in Hong Kong, football chiefs said on Friday. Matches will take place from Aug. 19-23 at the 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium. 'This represents a qualitative shift for the tournament, which has achieved remarkable success,' Saudi Football Federation secretary general Ibrahim Al-Qassim said.
Arab News
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Saudi national team arrives in Los Angeles ahead of CONCACAF Gold Cup debut
LOS ANGELES: The Saudi national football team touched down in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning ahead of their participation in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which kicks off on June 14 across the US. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The Green Falcons arrived at LAX International Airport from Jeddah and will hold their pre-tournament training camp in San Diego. Their opening group stage match is set for Sunday against Haiti at Snapdragon Stadium. The team was received at LAX by the Kingdom's Consul General in Los Angeles, Bandar Al-Zaid. Saudi Arabian Football Federation President Yasser Al-Misehal expressed appreciation to the consulate for its warm welcome and logistical support. The squad will begin their preparations with a closed training session on Wednesday evening at the San Diego Performance Center.
Arab News
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Free entry for fans as Saudi Arabia face crucial World Cup qualifier against Australia
RIYADH: Fans will be granted free entry to Al-Inma Stadium on Tuesday as Saudi Arabia take on Australia in a must-win World Cup qualifier, the Saudi Football Federation announced on Sunday. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The final match of the third round of Asia's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will be staged in Jeddah, with more than 60,000 supporters expected at the stadium. The federation's decision to open the gates free of charge was confirmed via the national team's fan council on social media platform X, citing 'appreciation of the support from the nation's fans.' The Green Falcons face a daunting task, as only a win by five goals or more will secure direct qualification to the 2026 tournament. Failure to meet that target will see Saudi Arabia move into the fourth qualifying round. That stage features six teams split into two groups, with each group winner earning a direct World Cup berth. The runners-up will meet in a two-legged playoff to determine Asia's representative in the intercontinental playoff.
