Qatar successfully hosts decisive AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qua…

Doha: Qatar successfully hosted the decisive AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifier between Lebanon and Yemen at Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha, with Yemen claiming a 2-0 victory to secure their place in the continental championship.

Originally scheduled to be hosted in Beirut, the final decisive qualifier for the AFC Asian Cup concluded on neutral soil in Qatar, jointly delivered by the Local Organising Committee for Football Events (LOC) and the Lebanese Football Association (LFA).

Fans from across Qatar and the region attended the match, which saw Yemen claim the final spot in Group E of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, joining South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. amunra.qpon

Yemen’s historic victory marks their return to the continental championship eight years after their historic debut at the 2019 edition.

The 19th edition of the AFC Asian Cup is set to take place in Saudi Arabia from 7 January to 5 February 2027.

The Lebanon v Yemen qualifier is the latest in a series of high-profile matches hosted in Qatar, reaffirming the country’s position as a trusted host for international sporting events.

With a capacity of 13,000, Grand Hamad Stadium has a distinguished record of staging FIFA World Cup qualification matches and served as the official base camp for the Brazil national football team during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The venue continues to serve as home ground of local club Al-Arabi SC.

Doha, Qatar: The 24 Hours of Le Mans is widely regarded as the pinnacle of endurance racing and one of the most prestigious events in global motorsport. Held annually in June in Le Mans, France, the legendary race has been running since 1923 and forms the centerpiece of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Unlike traditional circuit races that are decided over a fixed number of laps or a short race distance, Le Mans puts teams to the test by making them compete continuously for 24 hours, testing speed, reliability, strategy, teamwork, and physical endurance under day and night conditions. The winner is the car that completes the greatest distance over the 24-hour period.

The race takes place on the iconic 13.626 km Circuit de la Sarthe, one of the most famous tracks in motorsport history. Combining permanent racing sections with public roads temporarily closed for competition, the circuit is known for its high speeds, technical complexity, and demanding conditions.

What makes Le Mans especially unique is the level of endurance required from both drivers and machines. Teams rotate multiple drivers throughout the event, managing fatigue, changing weather, tire wear, fuel strategy, traffic management, and mechanical reliability over an entire day of racing. Even the smallest issue can determine the outcome after thousands of kilometers of competition.

Over the decades, Le Mans has become far more than a race. It is considered a proving ground for automotive performance and innovation, attracting major manufacturers and elite drivers from around the world. Ferrari, Porsche, Toyota, Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, Cadillac, Aston Martin, BMW, Peugeot, and Alpine are among the global brands currently competing in endurance racing’s top categories.

For Team Qatar, participation in the Le Mans endurance racing pathway represents a major milestone for Qatari motorsport on the international stage.

The team has already made a strong impression during the 2026 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) season, a highly competitive championship that serves as an important development platform and route toward Le Mans.

Competing in partnership with Iron Lynx, Team Qatar’s GT programme features Qatari driver Abdulla Al Khelaifi alongside Julian Hanses and Giuliano Alesi. The team secured pole position during the ELMS season opener in Barcelona, before narrowly missing out on a podium finish and ultimately placing fourth in the LMGT3 category. Al Khelaifi was also named Most Valuable Driver of the class following a standout performance.

Beyond ELMS competition, Team Qatar has also recorded victories in major endurance events this season, including success at Mugello and Spa-Francorchamps, further underlining the rapid progress of Qatar’s presence in international endurance racing.

As Team Qatar prepares for its next chapter on the road to Le Mans, the investment in motorsports by QMMF reflects the country’s growing ambitions in global motorsport and its commitment to developing competitive racing talent on the world stage.

لم يشارك المهاجم الدولي عثمان ديمبيليه في المباريات الثلاث الأولى لفريقه باريس سان جرمان الفرنسي بطل أوروبا بسبب الإصابة، لكنه أصبح جاهزا للإقلاع من جديد والعودة في مواجهة إنتر ميامي.
بعد إصابته في الفخذ مع منتخب فرنسا، كان ديمبيليه يتدرب بشكل منفرد، واضطر إلى الانتظار خلال دور المجموعات حيث غاب عن ثلاث مباريات. لكنه الآن في طريقه للعودة، ومن المتوقع أن يشارك اليوم.
المدرب لويس إنريكي صرّح أنه «لا يحب المخاطرة باللاعبين»، ولذلك أبقاه على مقاعد البدلاء مجددا في الفوز على سياتل ساوندرز الأمريكي.

Doha, Qatar: With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just around the corner, Spain and France head the list of leading favourites to lift football’s most coveted trophy, while defending champions Argentina, five-time winners Brazil and England complete a strong group of contenders.

Although the World Cup has a long history of producing surprises, these five nations have emerged as the teams best positioned to challenge for glory based on recent performances, squad depth and the quality of talent available ahead of the tournament set to take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

SPAIN

Currently sitting second in the FIFA world rankings, Spain top the list of favourites following a remarkable resurgence that saw La Roja claim the UEFA Euro 2024 title. Armed with a talented generation led by Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Rodri, the 2010 champions have developed into one of the most complete teams in international football.

The team’s ability to dominate possession, create scoring opportunities and maintain consistency in major tournaments has seen several prediction models rank Spain as the most likely winner of the 2026 World Cup.

FRANCE

Two-time champions France – ranked top in the global rankings – remain another strong candidate to challenge for the title. Led by superstar Kylian Mbappe, Les Bleus possess one of the deepest squads in world football and continue to blend experienced campaigners with emerging stars.

Players such as Aurelien Tchouameni and William Saliba provide strength across every area of the pitch, while France’s record of reaching two of the last three World Cup finals highlights their ability to perform on the biggest stage.

ARGENTINA

Defending champions Argentina will also enter the tournament with confidence after enjoying one of the most successful periods in the nation’s football history.

Although Lionel Messi, who led the team to memorable triumph in Qatar four years ago, is approaching the later stages of his legendary career, Argentina have developed a squad capable of competing at the highest level without relying solely on its iconic captain.

Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister form part of a talented core that has helped the Albiceleste secure both the FIFA World Cup and Copa America titles in recent years. The three-time world champions currently sit third in the FIFA rankings.

BRAZIL

The most successful nation in World Cup history, Brazil are chasing a record sixth World Cup crown, a storyline set to dominate the build-up to the 2026 tournament.

Brazil continue to boast an abundance of attacking talent, with Vinicius Junior and rising star Endrick expected to play key roles.

The appointment of Carlo Ancelotti has generated renewed optimism among supporters, and Brazil’s blend of youth and experience makes them a serious contender despite recent injury concerns affecting several key players.

ENGLAND

Ranked fourth in the world, England enter the tournament carrying the weight of history and expectation. The Three Lions have been chasing a second World Cup title since their lone triumph in 1966, and after a series of deep runs at major tournaments, belief is growing that their long wait for glory could finally end in 2026.

With a squad featuring Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and Declan Rice, England possess quality across every position.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup – the first-ever 48-team tournament – is widely expected to be one of the most competitive editions in history.

While Spain and France currently lead many prediction models, Argentina’s championship credentials, Brazil’s attacking firepower and England’s continued development ensure they remain among the strongest candidates to lift the trophy.

As previous tournaments have shown, surprises can never be ruled out, with Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal among the sides capable of going all the way and claiming their first World Cup title.

Kollam, Kerala: New Vision Badminton Sport (NVBS) produced a remarkable display of emerging badminton talent at the prestigious YONEX SUNRISE NSB Sub Junior Ranking Tournament 2026, the first Kerala State Ranking Tournament of the season, held from 1st to 5th June 2026 in Kollam, Kerala.

The highly competitive championship featured leading junior badminton players from all 14 districts of Kerala, making it one of the strongest sub-junior ranking events in the state. Amid intense competition from several reputed badminton academies, NVBS once again demonstrated growing reputation as a centre for excellence in player development and competitive in badminton.

Representing the NVBS academy, a contingent of 11 players and two coaches participated across multiple categories, delivering outstanding performances with discipline, determination, and confidence.

One of the biggest highlights of the tournament was the sensational performance of Adam Noujas, who emerged as the Under-11 Boys Singles Champion after defeating top seed player Savion Thomas in the final with an impressive scoreline of 15-13, 15-5. Adam further completed a memorable double-title achievement by winning the Under-11 Boys Doubles Champions alongside fellow NVBS player Aadidev Aji. The pair defeated Muhammed Hayan MP and Savion Thomas in the final 15-11, 15-12.

Adding further significance to his campaign, Adam also competed in the higher Under-13 category and advanced to the quarterfinals after battling through a tough three-set encounter against a strong opponent, underlining his exceptional talent and future potential.

Equally impressive was the performance of Nivedya Aji, who dominated the Under-11 Girls Singles category to claim the championship title after defeating Tanvi Sugesh in the final 15-5, 15-2. Nivedya then secured her second title of the tournament by winning the Under-11 Girls Doubles Champions alongside Varada M K. The duo staged a brilliant comeback in the final against Margaret Prasanth and Tanvi Sugesh, winning 13-15, 15-7, 15-8.

Nivedya further showcased her consistency and competitive maturity by securing the Under-13 Girls Singles 2nd Runner-Up position, proving her capability to compete strongly against higher-category players.

Another major achievement for NVBS came through Parvathy Abin, who delivered an outstanding performance to become the Under-9 Girls Singles Champion after defeating Akshara Ravi in the final with a score of 15-10, 15-8. Akshara Ravi secured the runners-up position in the same category, ensuring a dominant NVBS presence in the event.

Parvathy Abin and Akshara Ravi also combined effectively in the Under-9 Girls Doubles category, securing the 2nd Runner-Up position and adding another podium finish.

Aadidev Aji further impressed throughout the tournament with mature performances and strong fighting spirit, particularly in higher-category matches, continuing to establish himself as one of the promising young players emerging from NVBS.

NVBS strengthened overall medal tally through the commendable performance of Kashvi Nambiar and Ruthvika Shree Deenadayalan, who secured the Under-11 Girls Doubles 2nd Runner-Up position after a series of impressive matches.

Several other NVBS players also showcased tremendous potential and competitive spirit during the ranking tournament, reflecting the academy’s steadily growing strength in junior badminton development.

Prior to the tournament, the NVBS management and coaching staff conducted detailed awareness and preparation sessions for both parents and players, emphasizing the importance of participation in high-level ranking tournaments, mental preparation, discipline, and long-term athlete development. The NVBS academy’s systematic approach towards tournament exposure played a vital role in the confident performances delivered by the players.

NVBS is making players officially authorized and registered under the Kerala Badminton Shuttle Association (KBSA). NVBS academy actively encourages continuous participation in all authorised tournaments, providing players with valuable competitive exposure and opportunities to compete against top-level opponents. This structured tournament pathway helps players enhance their performances, gain ranking points, build confidence, and steadily progress towards achieving championship titles at district, state, national and international levels.

Under the leadership and vision of Manoj Sahibjan, along with the dedicated support of Mrs. Banazir Manoj, NVBS continues to focus on structured long-term athlete development through disciplined coaching, tournament planning, parental education, and continuous player motivation. The NVBS academy’s commitment is increasingly reflected in the rising number of young champions emerging from the institution year after year.

The outstanding performances at the 1st State Ranking Tournament 2026 have further strengthened the reputation of NVBS as a Qatar-based badminton academy committed to developing players capable of representing Kerala and achieving success at higher levels of Indian badminton.

The prize distribution ceremony was graced by distinguished badminton officials M. Shajahan, President of the Kollam District Badminton Shuttle Association, and Dhiraj Ravi, Secretary of the Kollam District Badminton Shuttle Association, who attended the event as chief guests, adding prestige and significance to the sub-junior state ranking tournament.