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Bale says LAFC signing is for the long haul

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AFP

Wales forward Gareth Bale on Monday said he was eager to leave his mark on Major League Soccer by helping bring a maiden championship to his new team the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and that he was not there just for the short-term.

Bale, who will captain Wales at the World Cup in Qatar this year, has signed a 12-month contract with options through to 2024 and said he already felt at home in Southern California with no plans on moving anytime soon.

British media had speculated that Bale might retire after the World Cup but he held out the prospect that he could still be leading Wales at the European Championship in 2024.

“I haven’t come here for the short term. I want to make my mark on this league and I think being here gives me the best possible chance to make it to the Euros and maybe win more,” Bale told a news conference at Banc of California Stadium.

“That’s my goal. I feel like I’m here to play a big part.”

Already sounding like a Hollywood star, Bale told reporters that he saw LAFC as “an amazing project” following his departure from LaLiga champions Real Madrid.

“It became clear to me that this was the place I wanted to be,” he added.

“It’s an incredible club they’ve created and an amazing environment for the fans. Hopefully now I can play my part and take this club to the next level and try to win a trophy.”

Bale, who turns 33 later this week, said MLS had improved considerably and could no longer be dismissed as a “retirement league” for overseas stars.

“The standard here is really increasing, it’s a lot better than people in Europe think,” he said.

“The quality is improving, the league is improving, the stadiums are improving, the teams are improving. It’s a league that’s really on the rise.”

LAFC, which launched in 2014 and boasts a star-studded ownership group and a dedicated fan base, currently sits atop the Western Conference.

“This club is new, but it feels like it has been here forever,” he said.

Bale enjoyed a trophy-laden spell with Real, winning three LaLiga titles, five Champions League crowns, three Club World Cups and the Spanish Cup, although his time at the club was marred by injuries.

In Los Angeles, he will join familiar faces including former Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini, who signed for LAFC this month after leaving Juventus.

“He’s the same as me. He wants to give everything possible to win games and trophies,” Bale said.

The Welshman will also play alongside ex-Arsenal forward Carlos Vela and former Manchester United striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez.

Bale led Wales to their first World Cup since 1958 when they beat Ukraine 1-0 in a playoff in Cardiff last month.

The MLS season will conclude before the start of the November 21-December 18 World Cup in Qatar.

Wales begin their World Cup campaign against the United States at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium on November 21.

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DP World ILT20 donates tournament gear to children in Madagascar through Gulf for Good partnership

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The DP World International League T20 (ILT20) is extending its impact well beyond the cricket pitch, to Madagascar, where children are now proudly wearing official ILT20 merchandise from last season, thanks to a charitable partnership with Gulf for Good, a UAE-based non-profit.

As part of its CSR initiative, the ILT20 has donated over 500 pieces of branded merchandise to children in need through Gulf for Good’s Outreach Programme. The initiative is part of a broader effort to support education and community development projects around the world, with over 2,000 children expected to benefit in the long run.

“This initiative is all about making a small contribution to a much bigger cause,” said David White, CEO of DP World ILT20.
“We’re proud to call the UAE our home, a country that is globally recognised for its generosity. As the region’s biggest cricket league, we are committed to making a positive impact beyond the field.”

Looking ahead: ILT20 Season 4 set for UAE National Day launch

The DP World ILT20 Season 4 will return in style this winter, kicking off with a blockbuster opening on UAE National Day (December 2) and wrapping up with the grand final on January 4, 2026. The six-team, 34-match tournament continues to grow in popularity, drawing international stars and thousands of fans from across the region.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket applications to open on September 10

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Football fans, mark your calendars: FIFA has announced that the first ticket application phase for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will open on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

The tournament, set to be the biggest FIFA World Cup ever, will be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches.

With demand expected to be massive, FIFA is urging fans around the world to pre-register at FIFA.com/tickets and create a FIFA ID now to be ready for the draw.

“These will be the most coveted seats in world sport,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “We’re excited to welcome the world back to North America for what will be the greatest sporting event ever.”

Key tournament dates

  • Opening match: Thursday, June 11, 2026 Mexico City
  • Final match: Sunday, July 19, 2026 – New York/New Jersey

The announcement follows the success of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, also hosted in the U.S., which drew nearly 2.5 million fans across 11 cities, a strong preview of what fans can expect in 2026.

What fans can expect

  • 48 national teams competing
  • Matches across 3 countries and multiple cities
  • 6.5 million fans expected to attend
  • First ticket draw opens September 10, 2025

Whether you’re planning a summer trip or simply want to be part of football history, now’s the time to act. Register your interest and get ready to secure your place for what’s set to be a truly unforgettable tournament

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Jannik Sinner triumphs over adversity to win first Wimbledon Title

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Jannik Sinner made history on Sunday by defeating Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to claim his first Wimbledon title, becoming Italy’s first-ever singles champion at the All England Club. The 23-year-old world No. 1 overcame months of personal and professional challenges to lift his fourth Grand Slam trophy and his first since returning from a doping-related ban.

Sinner’s victory marks a remarkable comeback after a turbulent start to the year. Though he won the Australian Open in January, his career was briefly clouded by controversy when he tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid clostebol. Tennis authorities later cleared Sinner of fault, stating the substance entered his system via a massage cream applied by a member of his support team. Despite the ruling, he served a voluntary three-month suspension imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), returning to competition in May.

“Very emotional, even if I don’t cry,” Sinner told reporters after his win. “Only me and the people who are close to me know what we have been through on and off the court. It has been everything except easy.”

Sunday’s victory was especially sweet as it came just weeks after Sinner lost a heart-wrenching French Open final to Alcaraz, where he had three match points. The Wimbledon win also snapped a five-match losing streak against the Spaniard.

Sinner credited his team, including Australian coach Darren Cahill, for helping him regain focus and confidence.

“We’ve tried to push every practice session, even if I was struggling at times mentally,” he said. “I feel like when I play the match, I can switch off and just play. That helped me a lot.”

Cahill praised Sinner’s resilience, noting the Italian’s mental strength in overcoming the Roland Garros disappointment.

“You could see from his first match here that he wasn’t carrying any baggage from Paris. That’s not easy to do,” said Cahill. “For him to wipe that away and bring this mentality is 100% credit to him.”

Sinner himself reflected on the lessons learned in Paris, saying the loss made him more determined.

“I always tried to be honest with myself and to accept it,” he said. “If you lose a Grand Slam final that way, it’s much better than when someone just outplays you.”

With his Wimbledon win, Sinner cements his place among tennis’s elite, proving that mental fortitude can be just as crucial as physical talent in the journey to greatness.

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