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Ex-Italy coach Roberto Mancini named Saudi Arabia manager

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Just a fortnight after his departure from the helm of the Italian national team, Roberto Mancini has swiftly transitioned into his new role as the head coach of Saudi Arabia’s football squad.

The 58-year-old tactician, celebrated for steering Italy to a resounding victory in Euro 2020 by clinching a hard-fought win against England via a penalty shootout at Wembley Stadium, is now set to embark on a fresh chapter in his illustrious managerial career.

Under Mancini’s guidance, the Italian squad embarked on a remarkable 37-game unbeaten streak, etching their names into the annals of sports history with a world-record feat. Yet, despite this unprecedented achievement, the team’s aspirations were quelled as they failed to secure a berth in the much-anticipated 2022 World Cup.

Eager to embrace his new undertaking, Mancini has put pen to paper on a contract that binds him to the Saudi Arabian team until the year 2027. His inaugural challenge at the helm of the Saudi squad is set to unfold on the 8th of September, as his charges lock horns with Costa Rica in a match slated to take place at St James’ Park in Newcastle.

“This presents an exciting prospect for me – an opportunity to immerse myself in the realm of football within a novel nation, particularly given the surging popularity of the sport across the Asian continent,” remarked Mancini, exuding enthusiasm for the journey ahead. He further emphasised the potential for expansion within Saudi Arabia’s national football domain, buoyed by the presence of prominent players within the Saudi Pro League.

At the Qatar World Cup, Saudi Arabia orchestrated a startling upset under the stewardship of former head coach Herve Renard. They triumphed over the eventual champions, Argentina, securing a stunning 2-1 win. However, despite this coup, the Saudi team found themselves stymied within the group stages of the tournament.

Mancini, who previously guided Manchester City to their maiden Premier League title in 2012, brings with him a wealth of managerial experience garnered through his tenures at clubs such as Fiorentina, Lazio, Inter Milan, Galatasaray and Zenit St Petersburg.

Sports

FIFA Club World Cup 2025: More tickets released for Al Ain vs Juventus clash as demand soars

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Football fans who missed out during the initial phase of ticket sales for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 have another shot: FIFA has released an additional batch of tickets for select matches following a surge in global demand.

Set to take place this summer in the United States, the tournament has drawn intense interest, especially for marquee matchups like Al Ain FC vs Juventus, scheduled for June 19 as part of Group G. With excitement building around the UAE club facing off against the Italian giants, tickets for the clash have become some of the hottest in the tournament’s early stages.

Other crowd-pulling fixtures now seeing increased ticket availability include Bayern Munich vs Auckland City, Boca Juniors vs Benfica, Real Madrid vs Al Hilal, and Flamengo vs Chelsea. Fans are especially eager for heavyweight showdowns such as Bayern Munich vs Boca Juniors and Real Madrid vs Red Bull Salzburg, which continue to top FIFA’s most-requested list.

FIFA reported that tickets have now been purchased by supporters from more than 130 countries, underlining the event’s global draw. Leading the pack is the United States, followed by Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Canada, Germany, Saudi Arabia, France, Japan, and Spain.

With the 2025 edition of the Club World Cup set to be one of the most diverse and competitive yet, fans are being encouraged to act fast as tickets for key matchups continue to sell out.

(Source: Wam)

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Global Combat Sports Gets a New Face as World League of Fighters Takes Over Dubai

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Dubai became the epicentre of combat sports as the World League of Fighters (WLF), in partnership with Dubai Sports Council, successfully staged BKFC 71 & 72 at the iconic Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on April 4th and 5th. In a seismic shift that’s redefining the future of fighting, WLF co-founders Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew brought the world’s fastest-growing combat sport to the heart of the Middle East, a region already surging with investments in Boxing, MMA and more.

The historic back-to-back events on April 4th and 5th lit up Dubai with 44 world-class fighters, delivering two nights of raw, high-octane action that left fans on the edge of their seats. By introducing BKFC to the region, WLF has not only elevated Dubai’s reputation as a premier destination for elite sports but also carved out a new frontier for bare-knuckle fighting on the global stage.

Co-Founders of World League of Fighters Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew sharing excitement on the successful hosting of the BKFC 71 & 72 Event shares, “Dubai has long served as a global center for premier combat events, and we aim to bring BKFC back to the UAE again. Beyond providing fans with an unforgettable experience, BKFC 71& 72 events demonstrated the fast paced entertainment of Bare knuckle fighting while establishing Middle East as the premier combat sports venue.”

While sports like Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu have gained enormous popularity, the market’s enthusiastic reception to bare-knuckle fighting surpassed all expectations. This success validates World League of Fighters’ vision, that combat sports fans desire diversity and authenticity in fighting disciplines.

Adding on the potential of inviting more successful chapters of BKFC in the region, Co-Founders Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew also stated, “This was never just about one event. This was about creating a new legacy for combat sports on the global stage with World League of Fighters leading the way. With the support of the Dubai Sports Council, David Feldman, and icons like Conor McGregor, we’ve brought something truly historic to life. The response has been overwhelming, and this is only the beginning of our journey in the Emirates.”

In a moment that electrified the global fight community, Conor McGregor the face of modern combat sports arrived with an entourage of 20 aboard his private jet to witness the spectacle firsthand, further validating World League of Fighters’ growing influence in the combat sports world.

“This is a movement. A revolution. A new home for the fight world,” declared Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew of World League f Fighters.

 “With World League of Fighters at the helm, we’re writing combat sports history in the sands of Dubai. The gloves are off. The desert is alive. And the future is bare-knuckle.” Added co-founders Rajesh Banga and Sunil Mathew

The UAE has already embraced MMA and boxing at the highest levels, and World League of Fighters has successfully positioned BKFC within that combat sports ecosystem while bringing something uniquely exciting to the market. With its successful debut, WLF has confirmed that Chapter 2 of BKFC in Dubai will return in November 2025, with official dates to be revealed soon.

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Cristiano Ronaldo goes to Hollywood: Launches film studio with director Matthew Vaughn

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Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo is making his next big move — into the world of cinema.

The 40-year-old sports icon has teamed up with British director Matthew Vaughn to launch an independent film studio called UR-Marv. The studio, unveiled on Thursday, promises to blend cutting-edge technology with traditional filmmaking.

“This is an exciting chapter for me, as I look ahead to new ventures in business,” Ronaldo said in a statement.

Vaughn, known for films such as Kingsman and X-Men: First Class, praised Ronaldo’s larger-than-life persona, saying, “Cristiano has created stories on the pitch that I could never have written, and I look forward to creating inspiring movies with him – he’s a real-life superhero.”

The duo have already co-financed and produced two action films and are currently gearing up for a third installment in the same series. Details of their first release under the new studio are expected soon.

Ronaldo, the most capped player in international football history, holds the record for the highest number of goals scored in international matches – 136 to date. Over his glittering career, he has played for top-tier clubs, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, and has five Ballon d’Or titles to his name.

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