Italy dismisses talk of replacing Iran at World Cup

PARIS: Italy has played down suggestions that its national team could replace Iran at the World Cup, following reports that an envoy to US President Donald Trump had asked FIFA to consider the move.
US special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the Financial Times it would be a “dream” to see four-time World Cup winners Italy at the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada despite the fact they lost in a qualification playoff last month.

Doha, Qatar: Al Sadd and Al Gharafa are gearing up for a blockbuster Amir Cup final at Khalifa International Stadium tomorrow, with a packed crowd expected for Qatar’s most prestigious domestic football showpiece.

Fresh from clinching their 19th Qatar Stars League title, Roberto Mancini’s Al Sadd head into the final as strong contenders after an impressive cup run. The Wolves edged Al Shamal 6-4 in a thrilling quarter-final before outclassing arch-rivals Al Duhail 4-1 in the semi-finals. sos-zagle.org.pl

But finals often follow a different script, and defending champions Al Gharafa will be confident of retaining their crown. Pedro Martins’ side, who defeated Al Rayyan 2-1 in last year’s final, booked their place in a second successive final after overcoming Umm Salal and Al Wakrah.

The clash gives Al Sadd the chance to lift a record-extending 20th Amir Cup title, while Al Gharafa are chasing a ninth crown, having previously won five titles as Al Ittihad.

With Al Sadd already assured of AFC Champions League Elite qualification as QSL champions, the final also carries added motivation for Al Gharafa, who can seal a place in Asia’s premier club competition with victory.

Both sides arrive with strong squads and attacking quality, setting the stage for a high-intensity contest.

Al Sadd boast a star-studded attack featuring Roberto Firmino, Rafa Mujica and Akram Afif, all in fine form. Veteran Hassan Al Haydos, Yousuf Abdurisag and Hashim Ali add further depth to Mancini’s options.

In defence, goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham leads a solid backline including Romain Saiss, Tarek Salman, Paulo Otavio and Boualem Khoukhi.

Al Gharafa players take part in a training session.

Al Gharafa have shown resilience despite injury setbacks to key players including Joselu and Mohammed Muntari. Algerian playmaker Yacine Brahimi is expected to lead the attack, supported by Ferjani Sassi in midfield.

Goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar could again be decisive after his standout semi-final performance against Al Wakrah, where he saved two penalties in a shootout win following a goalless draw.

Al Haydos, who scored a long-range strike against Al Duhail in the semi-final, said Al Sadd are determined to reclaim the trophy.

“The Amir Cup is the most precious cup and our favourite tournament, and we always strive to be in the final and compete for the title. I hope that we will continue with the same spirit in the final against Al Gharafa in order to win the title,” he said.

Khoukhi, meanwhile, expects a tight contest.

“The final will be different, and I see it as 50 percent for each team, especially since Al Gharafa is a strong team with great potential,” he said.

“The fans will enjoy the match, and we hope to achieve victory and win the title.”

After finishing fourth in the QSL, Al Gharafa are aiming to end the season on a high by successfully defending their title. Forward Ahmed Al Ganehi stressed the importance of focus.

“Playing in the final is an honour for every player, and we as players must be focused and deal with the match intelligently to achieve victory in a difficult match,” he said.

The two teams are scheduled to hold their official training sessions at Khalifa International Stadium this evening.

Overwhelming response to ticket sales

Meanwhile, the Qatar Football Association yesterday announced that 75 percent of tickets for the over 45,000-capacity stadium had been sold, with the remaining tickets expected to be snapped up ahead of tomorrow’s 5:30pm kick-off.

Referee Abdullah Al-Athba will officiate the final, supported by assistant referees Youssef Aref and Zahi Al-Shammari, while Nasser Ayesh has been appointed fourth official. VAR duties will be handled by Mishari Al-Shammari, assisted by Mohammed Al-Sharif and Talib Salem.

The Local Organising Committee has confirmed full readiness for the final, which also marks 50 years since the inauguration of Khalifa International Stadium in 1976.

Organisers have urged fans to arrive early, with gates opening at 2:30pm. Entertainment and cultural activities will be staged at the fan zone, while supporters are encouraged to use the Doha Metro, with Sports City Station on the Gold Line providing direct access to the venue.

RECENT AMIR CUP FINALS
2025: Al Gharafa 2–1 Al Rayyan
2024: Al Sadd 1–0 Qatar SC
2023: Al Arabi 3–0 Al Sadd
2022: Al Duhail 5–1 Al Gharafa
2021: Al Sadd 1–1 Al Rayyan
(aet, 5–4 pens)
2020: Al Sadd 2–1 Al Arabi
2019: Al Duhail 4–1 Al Sadd
2018: Al Duhail 2–1 Al Rayyan
2017: Al Sadd 2–1 Al Rayyan
2016: Lekhwiya 2–2 Al Sadd
(aet, 4–2 pens)
2015: Al Sadd 2–1 El Jaish
2014: Al Sadd 3–0 Al Sailiya
2013: Al Rayyan 2–1 Al Sadd
2012: Al Gharafa 0–0 Al Sadd
(aet, 4–3 pens)
2011: Al Rayyan 2–1 Al Gharafa
2010: Al Rayyan 1–0 Umm Salal

قال حسن الهيدوس لاعب السد في المؤتمر الصحفي قبل مواجهة الغرافة في نهائي كأس الأمير: هذه البطولة تهم الجميع في قطر وشرف كبير للفريقين التواجد في هذا النهائي ومصافحة سيدي سمو الأمير المفدى، وبإذن الله نكون على قدر المسؤولية، هي مباراة صعبة أمام الغرافة الذي يعتبر منافسا قويا وصعبا، ولابد أن تنتهي بتتويج أحد الفريقين، أكيد أتمنى تتويج فريقي ونخرج فائزين وحصد اللقب الغالي على الجميع.
وأضاف الهيدوس: مباريات النهائيات تختلف تماما عن كل المباريات، ونحن كلاعبين سنخرج كل ما لدينا، النهائي شرف للجميع ونحن تعودنا في السد على إسعاد جماهيرنا الشغوفة بالبطولات، نعم في الفترة الأخيرة كان هناك تغير على مستوى الأداء والنتائج في السد، والجهاز الفني نجح في إخراج كل ما لدى اللاعبين.
وأضاف الهيدوس: «طموحنا هو الانتصار وتحقيق اللقب وجمع الثنائية، وقد تحضرنا بالشكل الأمثل لتحقيق ذلك، رغم ضغط المباريات في الآونة الأخيرة وتقارب المواعيد، لكن الجميع على أهبة الاستعداد لخوض مواجهة لن تكون سهلة أمام منافس قوي مثل الغرافة».

Doha, Qatar: The 4th GCC Games Doha 2026 will officially open on Monday at Al Shaqab Arena, as Qatar hosts one of the region’s largest and most prestigious multi-sport events from May 11 to 22.

The opening ceremony will be attended by presidents of the National Olympic Committees, secretaries-general, senior officials of the Olympic committees and sports federations from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, in addition to the participating delegations.

The ceremony will feature a variety of artistic and cultural performances, including a special operetta titled (One Gulf, One Heart) celebrating the unity, solidarity and shared identity of the GCC nations.

Hosting this edition reflects the commitment of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Fourth GCC Games – Doha 2026, to delivering a tournament that embodies the deep-rooted bonds among GCC nations and contributes to strengthening the presence of Gulf sport, while presenting an exceptional edition that matches Qatar’s established position as a leading host of major regional and international sporting events.

More than 1,000 male and female athletes from the six GCC countries will compete in 17 different sports: handball, table tennis, athletics, padel, fencing, boxing, taekwondo, karate, swimming, billiards, snooker, 3x3 basketball, shooting, archery, volleyball, equestrian and bowling.

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The Games will also witness strong women’s participation in 3x3 basketball, athletics, padel, taekwondo, fencing, shooting and archery events.

Qatar will be represented at the 4th GCC Games by a delegation of 300 male and female athletes competing across all sports featured in the Games.

Competitions will officially begin the day after tomorrow (Tuesday), with swimming events taking place at the Hamad Aquatic Centre, while 3x3 basketball competitions will be held at Al Gharafa Club Hall.

Taekwondo and table tennis competitions will be staged at Aspire Dome, while billiards competitions will take place at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation Hall, and bowling events will be hosted at the Qatar Bowling Center.

On Wednesday, equestrian competitions will begin at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, while fencing and boxing competitions will be held at Aspire Dome. Shooting events will also commence at the Lusail Shooting Range.

Athletics competitions are scheduled to start on Thursday at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium at Qatar SC, in addition to handball competitions which will take place at Duhail Sports Hall.

Friday will witness the launch of snooker competitions at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation Hall, while volleyball competitions will begin next Saturday at the Women’s Sports Hall, alongside padel competitions at Aspire Dome.

Archery competitions are scheduled to commence next Sunday at the Lusail Shooting Range, while karate competitions will be held for one day only on Thursday, May 21, the penultimate day of the Games, at Aspire Dome.

Historically, Kuwait topped the overall medal standings at the inaugural GCC Games held in Bahrain in 2011 with a total of 48 medals, including 27 gold, 14 silver and 7 bronze medals.

Bahrain finished second with 21 medals, including 10 gold, 6 silver and 5 bronze medals, while Qatar secured third place with 26 medals, including 7 gold, 12 silver and 7 bronze medals.

The United Arab Emirates came fourth with 30 medals, including 5 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze medals, followed by Oman in fifth place with 11 medals, including 4 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze medals, while Saudi Arabia finished sixth with 23 medals, including 3 gold, 7 silver and 13 bronze medals.

Saudi Arabia topped the medal standings at the second edition of the Gulf Games held in Dammam in 2015 with 115 medals, including 57 gold, 35 silver and 23 bronze medals.

The United Arab Emirates finished second with a total of 73 medals, including 26 gold, 20 silver and 27 bronze medals, while Qatar claimed third place with 59 medals, comprising 11 gold, 17 silver and 31 bronze medals.

Bahrain came fourth with 43 medals, including 7 gold, 20 silver and 16 bronze medals, while Oman finished fifth with 29 medals, including 4 gold, 13 silver and 12 bronze medals.

Kuwait also topped the overall medal standings at the third GCC Games, which it hosted in 2022, with a total of 96 medals, including 36 gold, 28 silver and 32 bronze medals.

Bahrain finished second with 64 medals, including 20 gold, 23 silver and 21 bronze medals, while the United Arab Emirates secured third place with 50 medals, including 18 gold, 16 silver and 16 bronze medals.

Saudi Arabia came fourth with 67 medals, including 16 gold, 22 silver and 29 bronze medals, while Qatar finished fifth with a total of 52 medals, including 16 gold, 21 silver and 15 bronze medals.

Oman placed sixth with 33 medals, including 12 gold, 5 silver and 16 bronze medals.

The Doha edition of the Games is expected to further strengthen Gulf sporting cooperation and solidarity while showcasing Qatar’s world-class sports infrastructure and outstanding organizational capabilities in hosting major international sporting events.

شهد حضرة صاحب السمو الشيخ تميم بن حمد آل ثاني أمير البلاد المفدى، المباراة النهائية لكأس الأمير 2026 لكرة القدم، التي جمعت فريقي نادي السد ونادي الغرافة، وأقيمت على استاد خليفة الدولي مساء امس.
وتوج سمو الأمير المفدى فريق نادي الغرافة بكأس البطولة والميداليات الذهبية، فيما سلم سموه فريق نادي السد الميداليات الفضية، وذلك عقب المباراة التي انتهت بنتيجة 1/4.
وشهد المباراة سمو الشيخ جاسم بن حمد آل ثاني الممثل الشخصي للأمير، وسمو الشيخ عبدالله بن خليفة آل ثاني، وسمو الشيخ محمد بن خليفة آل ثاني، وسعادة الشيخ جاسم بن خليفة آل ثاني، وسعادة السيد حسن بن عبدالله الغانم رئيس مجلس الشورى، وعدد من أصحاب السعادة الشيوخ والوزراء.
كما شهد المباراة عدد من أصحاب السعادة كبار المسؤولين من الدول الشقيقة والصديقة، ورؤساء الاتحادات الرياضية العربية والدولية، ومنتسبي وسائل الإعلام، وجمهور من محبي كرة القدم.