In a highly anticipated pre-World Cup friendly, the United States will face Uruguay on Tuesday night, pitting Mauricio Pochettino against his mentor, Marcelo Bielsa. Pochettino, who took over as the U.S. head coach last year, expressed profound admiration for Bielsa, the Uruguayan coach who discovered him as a 13-year-old. ‘My respect for him is immense,’ Pochettino stated. ‘He was pivotal in my career as a player and inspired me to become a coach. Tomorrow will be both a joy and a challenge, as his teams are always formidable.’ The two first crossed paths at Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina, where Pochettino played under Bielsa from 1990 to 1992. Since then, Bielsa has managed national teams like Argentina and Chile, as well as several clubs, while Pochettino has led top-tier teams such as Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea. The U.S. team, ranked 16th globally, enters the match fresh off a 2-1 victory over Paraguay, while 15th-ranked Uruguay drew 0-0 against Mexico. Pochettino plans to rotate his lineup due to the short recovery time and weather changes. The U.S. remains unbeaten in their last four friendlies against World Cup-bound teams. Pochettino, who assumed leadership after a disappointing Copa America exit, emphasized the importance of building a cohesive team strategy. ‘You don’t change the captain mid-storm,’ he remarked. ‘You need time to establish your approach.’ Following this match, the U.S. will play two more friendlies in March before finalizing their World Cup roster. In other news, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced Dan Helfrich, former Deloitte Consulting CEO, as its new chief operating officer, effective January 1.
分类： sports
-
How Dubai played a role in Russian teenager’s rise in tennis
The 2025 WTA season concluded with a remarkable story of 18-year-old Russian tennis prodigy Mirra Andreeva, who ended the year ranked World No. 9. Her breakthrough season was highlighted by a stunning victory at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (DDFTC), a pivotal moment that catapulted her into the sport’s elite ranks. At just 17, Andreeva became the youngest player to win a WTA 1000 title since Nicole Vaidišová in 2007 and the youngest champion in the women’s tournament’s 25-year history. Her triumph in Dubai, where she defeated higher-ranked opponents including World No. 2 Iga Świątek, marked her as a rising star in the tennis world. The DDFTC has long been a prestigious platform for top talents, hosting legends like Martina Hingis, Venus Williams, and Justine Henin, as well as current stars like Aryna Sabalenka, Świątek, and Coco Gauff. The 2026 edition of the tournament, scheduled for February 15-21, promises to bring together the world’s best players, including Andreeva, who will defend her title. Fans can expect two weeks of world-class tennis action at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, further cementing Dubai’s reputation as a hub for tennis excellence.
-
Sinner hails ‘amazing’ ATP Finals triumph over Alcaraz
Jannik Sinner capped off a remarkable season with a thrilling victory over Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP Finals in Turin, securing a straight-sets win of 7-6 (7/4), 7-5. The Italian tennis star, who earlier this year became the first Italian man to win Wimbledon, was cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd as he retained his ATP Finals title. This triumph marked the culmination of a year filled with highs and lows, including a three-month ban due to accidental contamination with a banned substance, which Sinner overcame to reclaim his place at the top of the sport. Reflecting on his season, Sinner expressed pride in his growth as a player, stating, ‘I feel to be a better player than last year… It’s all part of the process.’ The match against Alcaraz was a tightly contested battle, with the Spaniard lamenting missed opportunities, particularly with his backhand volleys. Sinner’s victory not only solidified his status as one of the world’s best but also served as a powerful emotional moment, bringing a challenging yet rewarding season to a close.
-
Was Gattuso right – is World Cup qualifying unfair on Europe?
Italy’s national football team is facing the possibility of missing the World Cup for the third consecutive time after a crushing 4-1 defeat to Norway on Sunday. This loss has forced Italy into the play-offs for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Head coach Gennaro Gattuso has voiced his frustration with FIFA’s qualification process, arguing that it unfairly disadvantages European teams like Italy. Despite winning six of their eight qualifying matches, Italy finished second in their group, leaving them to navigate a challenging play-off route. Gattuso highlighted the disparity in direct qualification slots, noting that South America and Africa receive more automatic berths relative to their number of participating nations. He also pointed out that the current system, which includes smaller qualifying groups, increases the intensity of the competition. However, some of Gattuso’s claims contain inaccuracies, such as his assertion about African teams in the 1990s. Critics argue that Italy’s struggles are more a reflection of their performance than the system itself. The debate raises broader questions about the fairness of FIFA’s allocation of World Cup slots across different confederations. With 54 UEFA nations competing for just 16 spots, Europe’s share has decreased significantly over the years, despite its strong representation in global rankings. As Italy prepares for the play-offs, Gattuso’s call for reform may spark further discussion about the future of World Cup qualification.
-
Haaland over the moon as Norway end 27-year wait for World Cup berth
In a historic moment for Norwegian football, Erling Haaland led his team to a 4-1 victory over Italy, securing Norway’s first World Cup berth since 1998. Haaland’s brace, along with goals from Antonio Nusa and Jorgen Strand Larsen, sealed the win in Milan, marking an end to a 27-year wait for the global tournament. Meanwhile, Portugal dominated Armenia with a 9-1 triumph, booking their place in the 2026 World Cup, though Cristiano Ronaldo’s participation remains uncertain due to a potential suspension extension. Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves starred with hat-tricks, while Renato Veiga, Goncalo Ramos, and Francisco Conceicao also contributed to the emphatic victory. Ireland secured a playoff spot with a dramatic 3-2 win over Hungary, thanks to Troy Parrott’s late heroics. France, England, and Ukraine also confirmed their World Cup qualifications, with England completing a flawless qualifying campaign. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, promises to be a thrilling spectacle as teams prepare for the global stage.
-
UAE golf courses celebrate big wins at 2025 World Golf Awards in Madeira
The 12th edition of the World Golf Awards, held in Madeira, highlighted the UAE’s growing prominence as a global golfing hub. The event, which has been a benchmark for excellence in the golf industry since its inception in 2014, celebrated the UAE’s top courses, clubs, and tourism partners. This year’s awards underscored the nation’s transformation of golf into a cornerstone of its sports, tourism, and lifestyle identity. Trump International Golf Club Dubai was named the Middle East’s Best Golf Course, while Dubai claimed the title of the Middle East’s Best Golf Destination. Other notable UAE winners included Al Dhannah Golf Club in Abu Dhabi for the Middle East’s Best Nine-Hole Golf Course, Al Hamra Golf Club in Ras Al Khaimah for the Middle East’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility, and Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club in Ajman for the Middle East’s Best Clubhouse. The UAE also secured several regional awards, including Best Golf Course for The Els Club in Dubai, Best In-Bound Golf Tour Operator for Arabian Oryx Travel & Tourism, and Best Golf Hotel for St. Regis Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. Sir Nick Faldo, a six-time major champion, was honored as Golf Designer of the Year, reflecting his ongoing contributions to the sport. Chris Frost, Managing Director of the World Golf Awards, praised the 2025 winners for their innovation and excellence, noting the growing global influence of golf tourism. The UAE’s success at the awards is a testament to its commitment to sustainability, world-class course design, and a thriving tournament calendar, solidifying its position as a leading golf destination.
-
Unwell Asalanka and Fernando ruled out of tri-series in Pakistan, Shanaka to lead Sri Lanka
In a significant development for the upcoming T20 tri-series in Pakistan, Sri Lanka’s white-ball captain Charith Asalanka and fast bowler Asitha Fernando have been ruled out due to illness. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced on Monday that Dasun Shanaka will take over the captaincy for the tournament, which also includes Zimbabwe. The team has called up top-order batter Pavan Rathnayake, who recently made his ODI debut in the third and final match against Pakistan, scoring 32 runs off 37 balls. Pakistan had earlier secured a dominant 3-0 series sweep against Sri Lanka in the ODI series. The tri-series, set to begin on Tuesday with Pakistan facing Zimbabwe, will see all three teams play each other twice, with the top two advancing to the final on November 29. All matches will be hosted in Rawalpindi. SLC confirmed that Asalanka and Fernando will return home to receive proper medical care and recover in time for future assignments. The series serves as crucial preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup, where Zimbabwe has secured a spot after missing the 2024 edition. The tour had initially been in jeopardy following a suicide bombing in Islamabad last week, which killed 12 people. However, SLC decided to proceed after receiving security assurances from the Pakistan Cricket Board.
-
‘Back to the drawing board’ for Nigeria after World Cup qualifying failure
Nigeria, a three-time African champion and the continent’s fifth-ranked football team, will be conspicuously absent from the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This marks their second consecutive failure to qualify for the global tournament, a bitter pill to swallow for a nation with a rich footballing history. The Super Eagles’ disjointed qualifying campaign, marred by managerial changes, player boycotts, and on-field struggles, culminated in a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to DR Congo in the African play-off final. Despite boasting stars like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Alex Iwobi, Nigeria could not secure one of the 48 coveted spots at the expanded finals. The team’s woes were compounded by off-field controversies, including unpaid allowances and accusations of ‘voodoo’ by coach Eric Chelle during the penalty shootout. Nigeria’s inability to perform without Osimhen, who scored eight goals in seven qualifiers, was glaring, as they managed just four points from 15 without him. The campaign’s low points included a home draw against Lesotho and a defeat to Benin under interim manager Finidi George. While Chelle brought some stability, Nigeria’s lack of ambition in key matches, such as a 1-1 draw in South Africa, proved costly. Fans have expressed frustration with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), citing poor governance and a lack of investment in local facilities. As Nigeria shifts focus to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the NFF faces tough decisions, including Chelle’s future, to ensure a return to the World Cup stage in 2030.
-
Australian Paralympic gold medallist dies at 28
The Australian sporting community is mourning the sudden loss of Paralympic gold medallist Paige Greco, who passed away at the age of 28. Greco, a celebrated para-cyclist, secured Australia’s first gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and was a beacon of inspiration for many. Her untimely death occurred on Sunday at her Adelaide home following a sudden medical episode, as confirmed by AusCycling, the national governing body for cycling.
Greco’s family expressed their profound grief and pride in her accomplishments. Her mother, Natalie Greco, shared in a statement, ‘Paige meant everything to us. Her kindness, determination, and warmth touched our family every single day.’ Greco, who had cerebral palsy, initially pursued track and field before transitioning to cycling in 2018. Over her illustrious career, she amassed multiple World Championship titles and World Cup medals.
At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Greco set a new record in the women’s C1–3 3,000m individual pursuit and later earned bronze medals in the C1-3 road race and time trial. Despite health challenges that kept her out of the 2023 Paris Games, she made a triumphant return this year, clinching another bronze at the para-cycling World Championships in Belgium.
Tributes from across Australia’s sporting world have highlighted Greco’s extraordinary impact. AusCycling CEO Marne Fechner described her as ‘an extraordinary athlete who achieved outstanding accomplishments at the highest levels of the sport,’ while Paralympics Australia CEO Cameron Murray praised her kindness and quiet determination, noting her ability to uplift those around her. Greco’s legacy of resilience and inclusivity will undoubtedly endure.
-
Shubman Gill discharged from hospital after neck injury, Test uncertainty remains
Indian cricket captain Shubman Gill has been discharged from a Kolkata hospital following treatment for a neck spasm sustained during the first Test against South Africa. Despite his release, Gill’s availability for the upcoming second Test in Guwahati remains uncertain, according to ESPNcricinfo. The team has a training session scheduled in Kolkata on Tuesday, but Gill is not expected to attend. Due to medical advice against commercial air travel for neck injury recovery, he is unlikely to fly with the squad to Guwahati on Wednesday. Head coach Gautam Gambhir stated that Gill is still under assessment, with the team physio set to conduct further evaluations. Gill’s absence in the fourth innings of the Kolkata Test left India short-handed, contributing to their 30-run loss. Gambhir emphasized the impact of Gill’s absence, noting that losing two early wickets left the team struggling. If Gill is ruled out, India may consider left-handed batsmen B Sai Sudharsan or Devdutt Padikkal as replacements. Sudharsan has shown promise in recent matches, while Padikkal’s performance has been inconsistent. Gill was hospitalized after retiring hurt on Day 2 of the Kolkata Test, and the BCCI confirmed he would not participate further. This is not the first time Gill has faced such an issue; a similar injury sidelined him during a Test against New Zealand in October 2024. His workload has been under scrutiny, as he has been playing continuously across formats since IPL 2025 and recently returned from Australia after the T20I series.