Real Madrid has confirmed that their star defender, Éder Militão, sustained a significant injury to his right leg while representing Brazil in an international friendly. The incident occurred during Brazil’s 1-1 draw against Tunisia on Tuesday, forcing Militão to exit the match in the second half. Medical examinations revealed damage to his abductor muscle, raising concerns about his availability for upcoming fixtures. Real Madrid stated that further updates on his recovery timeline will be provided in due course. The injury comes at a critical juncture for the Spanish giants, who currently hold a three-point lead over Barcelona in La Liga after 12 matches. Militão’s absence could impact their defensive stability as they prepare to face Elche this Sunday. The club’s medical team will closely monitor his progress, with fans and teammates alike hoping for a swift return to action.
分类： sports
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‘We did it!’: Countries celebrate World Cup qualification
Football enthusiasts across Panama, Haiti, Curacao, and Scotland erupted in jubilation as their national teams clinched coveted spots in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The qualification marks a historic milestone for these nations, igniting widespread celebrations and a renewed sense of national pride. In Panama, streets were filled with fans waving flags and chanting victory slogans, while Haiti’s vibrant communities hosted impromptu parades. Curacao’s supporters, known for their passionate fandom, gathered in large numbers to honor their team’s achievement. Meanwhile, in Scotland, the long-awaited qualification sparked euphoria, with pubs and public squares brimming with ecstatic supporters. The 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature an expanded format, allowing more teams to compete on the global stage. For these nations, the qualification not only signifies sporting success but also serves as a unifying force, bringing communities together in shared triumph.
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Dubai World Cup 2026 tickets now on sale, prices start from Dh40
The highly anticipated Dubai World Cup 2026, set to take place on March 28 at the Meydan Racecourse, has officially opened ticket sales. Horse racing enthusiasts can secure their spots at this prestigious event at discounted early bird rates until December 31, 2025. General admission tickets, starting at Dh40 when purchased online, grant access to expansive public areas and live entertainment, making it an affordable option for fans. The event, celebrating its 30th anniversary, will showcase nine world-class races with a combined prize pool of $30.5 million, attracting top horses, jockeys, and trainers globally. For those seeking a more luxurious experience, VIP packages are available, ranging from Dh280 for Apron Views tickets to Dh8,000 for exclusive dining experiences like The Parade Ring Restaurant by Madinat Jumeirah. New additions such as the Far Turn Terrace offer breathtaking views and international cuisine, while private hospitality suites cater to larger groups with premium amenities. With its blend of elite racing, gourmet dining, and unparalleled entertainment, the Dubai World Cup 2026 promises to be a landmark event on the global sporting calendar.
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Arsenal and Sobha Realty celebrate two years of partnership
Arsenal Football Club and Sobha Realty have proudly commemorated two years of their impactful global partnership, which has significantly enhanced the Sobha Realty Training Centre and reinforced their shared commitment to excellence both on and off the field. Since joining the Arsenal family in 2023 as a Principal Partner, Sobha Realty has secured naming rights to the training centre in London Colney and prominently featured its branding on the club’s training kits. Over the past two years, the collaboration has driven a series of transformative developments at the facility, including upgraded restaurant spaces, modernized dressing rooms, a dedicated building for the women’s first team, a refurbished media centre, and the addition of state-of-the-art sauna and steam facilities. The partnership also launched ‘The Art of Detail,’ a four-part series showcasing the meticulous behind-the-scenes efforts that enable players to perform at their peak. These initiatives underscore the shared vision of creating a high-performance environment that supports preparation and recovery. As the partnership enters its third year, both organizations remain committed to further elevating the training centre into a world-class facility. Ashish Parakh, Group Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Sobha Realty, emphasized the synergy between the two entities, highlighting their shared values of excellence, precision, and innovation. Juliet Slot, Chief Commercial Officer at Arsenal, praised Sobha Realty’s role in supporting the club’s ambitions and creating an optimal environment for players and staff to excel.
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Arsenal to end sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda
Arsenal Football Club has announced the termination of its eight-year sponsorship agreement with Visit Rwanda, set to conclude at the end of the 2025-26 season. The partnership, which began in 2018 and reportedly valued at over £10 million ($13.3 million) annually, has faced increasing scrutiny due to escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a region bordering Rwanda. Despite a recent framework for peace signed between Rwandan-backed M23 rebels and the Congolese government, the sponsorship has drawn criticism from humanitarian groups and activists. Campaigners, including the group Gunners for Peace, have protested outside Emirates Stadium, urging the club to sever ties with Visit Rwanda, citing the humanitarian crisis in the DRC. Arsenal stated that the partnership had achieved its original goals of promoting conservation, sustainable tourism, and Rwanda’s ambition to become a sporting hub in Africa. However, the club emphasized its commitment to aligning sponsorships with its core values. Meanwhile, other clubs like Paris St-Germain and Atletico Madrid continue their associations with Visit Rwanda, sparking debates about the ethical implications of such deals in the world of sports.
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James breaks NBA record with first game of season
LeBron James has etched his name into the annals of basketball history once again, becoming the first player to participate in 23 consecutive NBA seasons. The 40-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star achieved this milestone during a commanding 140-126 home victory over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. Despite missing the first 14 games of the season due to sciatica, James delivered a solid performance with 11 points, 12 assists, and three rebounds in 30 minutes of play. This achievement surpasses Vince Carter’s previous record of 22 consecutive seasons. Additionally, James’ two three-pointers propelled him past Reggie Miller, securing sixth place on the NBA’s all-time list for most three-pointers made. Lakers teammate Luka Doncic praised James’ return, stating, ‘It’s been a long time since he played basketball, so I think for the first game back, he looked amazing. He’s going to keep getting his rhythm and help us a lot.’ Doncic himself shone brightly with a game-high 37 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds. Austin Reaves contributed 26 points for the Lakers, while Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 34 and 31 points, respectively. The victory positions the Lakers fourth in the Western Conference, with the Jazz trailing in 10th place.
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Haiti reach World Cup despite coach having never been to the country
Haiti has achieved a remarkable milestone by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for only the second time in their history, defeating Nicaragua 2-0 in a crucial match. This triumph comes despite the immense challenges faced by the team, including their French coach, Sebastien Migne, who has never set foot on Haitian soil since his appointment 18 months ago. Due to ongoing conflict and instability in Haiti, the team has been forced to play their home matches 500 miles away in Curacao, a small island nation off the coast of Venezuela. Haiti has been in turmoil since the devastating 2010 earthquake, with armed gangs controlling much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, displacing 1.3 million people and exacerbating severe food shortages. Travel advisories warn against visiting the country due to risks of kidnappings, crime, and civil unrest. Migne, who previously served as Cameroon’s assistant coach at the last World Cup, has managed the team remotely, relying on information from Haitian football federation officials. The squad, now entirely foreign-based, includes players like Wolves’ Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and hopes to recruit Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor. Haiti’s qualification marks their first World Cup appearance since 1974, joining Panama and debutant Curacao from the Concacaf region. Their previous World Cup campaign in 1974 ended in a first-round exit after losses to Italy, Poland, and Argentina.
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Meet Australia’s deadly-accurate ‘hired assassin’
Scott Boland, affectionately known as ‘Barrel’ since his teenage years, has emerged as one of Australia’s most reliable fast bowlers, defying expectations and carving out a remarkable career in cricket. Boland’s journey to the pinnacle of the sport is a testament to his resilience, discipline, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
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Curacao become smallest nation to qualify for World Cup
The Caribbean island of Curacao has etched its name in football history by becoming the smallest nation ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. With a population of just over 150,000 and a land area of 171 square miles, Curacao surpassed Iceland’s previous record as the smallest nation to reach the tournament. Their qualification was sealed with a goalless draw against Jamaica in Kingston, a result that dashed Jamaica’s hopes of returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1998. The match saw a dramatic moment in injury time when a penalty awarded to Jamaica was overturned by VAR, sparking celebrations among Curacao’s players and fans. Curacao’s head coach, Dick Advocaat, who was absent for personal reasons, will become the oldest coach in World Cup history at 78. The team’s remarkable journey to the 2026 World Cup, which will feature 48 nations, marks a significant milestone for the nation, which only became a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010. Curacao’s rise from 150th in FIFA’s rankings a decade ago to their current 82nd position is a testament to their progress. Midfielder Juninho Bacuna, who played a pivotal role in the campaign, described the achievement as “crazy” and “incredible,” highlighting the team’s unbeaten run in 10 qualifying matches. Curacao will join Cape Verde, Uzbekistan, and Jordan as debutants in the expanded 2026 tournament. The team’s success has also inspired Dutch-born players with family ties to Curacao to represent the nation, further strengthening the squad. Bacuna emphasized the importance of Advocaat’s leadership and the team’s unity in achieving this historic feat. As Curacao prepares for their World Cup debut, their fairytale journey continues to captivate football fans worldwide.
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World Cup dreams shattered as Iraq beat UAE 2-1, advance to intercontinental playoff
In a dramatic turn of events, Iraq shattered the United Arab Emirates’ World Cup aspirations with a thrilling 2-1 victory in Basra on Tuesday. The match, which saw both teams locked in a tense battle, culminated in a last-gasp penalty by Amir Al-Ammari in the 15th minute of injury time. The decisive moment came after a VAR review, sending Iraq to the intercontinental playoff for a chance to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The UAE, who had drawn the first leg of the fifth-round playoff in Abu Dhabi on November 13, needed a win to keep their dreams alive. Despite a valiant effort, including a stunning goal by Caio Lucas in the 52nd minute, the UAE succumbed to Iraq’s resilience. Mohanad Ali’s equalizer in the 66th minute set the stage for the dramatic finale, leaving the UAE players devastated as their World Cup journey ended in heartbreak. Iraq, with only one previous World Cup appearance in 1986, now has a golden opportunity to join other Gulf nations in the global tournament.