Football

Is Salah destined for Saudi?

Mohamed Salah’s recent form has left many wondering whether it could be his last season at Liverpool, with a move to the Saudi Pro League the most likely outcome.

Salah has been unable to recapture the outstanding form he displayed last season, when his influence was central to Liverpool securing only their second Premier League title.

The forward has managed just four league goals to date, and it now appears increasingly unlikely he will reach his customary 20-goal benchmark.

Now 33 years old, football fans around the world are questioning whether Salah still has the consistency and sharpness required to compete at the very highest level, and if a move to Saudi is inevitable.

This noise has been amplified following the recent news of Cristiano Ronaldo’s discontent, the Portuguese star missed Al Nassr’s last two matches following growing frustration with the direction of the Saudi project. It’s not the first time Salah has been linked to a move to the SPL and he is now once again being mentioned as a potential statement signing to further bolster the league’s talent.

According to reports, Saudi clubs are reportedly prepared to offer Salah a salary three times his current £400,000-per-week wage at Liverpool. Such a contract would make him one of the highest-paid footballers globally and fulfil a long-standing goal of Saudi football.

Why the move would make sense

Salah’s potential move to Saudi Arabia could be a win-win for both sides. The Liverpool legend has just one year remaining on his contract, which expires in June 2027, and given his current form, the Reds may prefer to sanction a transfer this summer, securing a fee rather than risk losing him for free next year.

The SPL’s interest in Salah goes beyond his talent on the pitch, signing him would be a huge statement with major sporting, cultural, and commercial implications. Salah is one of the world’s most recognisable footballers, meaning his presence would instantly raise the league’s profile internationally, similar to the signing of Ronaldo. Salah’s identity as a practicing Muslim adds a unique dimension. Playing in a Muslim-majority country like Saudi Arabia, he would be in an environment that aligns closely with his faith, something that resonates with fans in the region. This connection would not only inspire young players in Saudi Arabia but also attract millions of viewers in the Middle East and beyond, amplifying the league’s reach.

From a commercial standpoint, Salah brings huge marketing potential. His signing would draw international attention, boost ticket sales, merchandise revenue, and sponsorship opportunities, and position the Saudi Pro League as a destination capable of attracting elite talent.

Football

Iraq qualifies for 2026 World Cup, ending 40-year wait

Iraq has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a 40-year absence since their only previous appearance in 1986, after defeating Bolivia 2-1 in an intercontinental playoff in Monterrey, Mexico.

The result secures Iraq’s second-ever place at the World Cup, with the team advancing through the fifth round of the Asian Football Confederation qualifiers before booking their spot with the decisive win on March 31.

Known as the “Lions of Mesopotamia”, Iraq reached the tournament despite logistical travel challenges during their campaign.

They join a group of Arab nations already qualified for the 2026 finals, including Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The 2026 World Cup, to be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, will be the first to feature an expanded 48-team format.

Football

Mo Salah to leave Liverpool at the end of the season

Liverpool’s dazzling forward Mohamed Salah will leave the club at the end of this season, the Premier League champions announced on Tuesday, bringing an end to an “illustrious” nine-year spell at Anfield.

The 33-year-old Egypt international joined from Roma in 2017 and has made 435 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 255 goals.

“Mohamed Salah is to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career with Liverpool at the end of the 2025-26 season,” the club said in a statement on its website.

“The forward has reached an agreement with the Reds that will see him close a remarkable nine-year chapter at Anfield.

“Salah expressed his wish to make this announcement to the supporters at the earliest possible opportunity to provide transparency about his future due to his respect and gratitude for them.”

In a video shared on X featuring highlights from his time at the club, Salah said: “Hello everyone. Unfortunately, the day has come.

“This is the first part of my farewell. I will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.”

“Thank you for everything. Because of all of you, I will never walk alone.”

435 appearances

The club added that his 255 goals in 435 appearances place him third on Liverpool’s all-time top scorers list.

Salah was forced off at Anfield last week after scoring in a 4-0 win over Galatasaray, a result that secured Liverpool’s place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The in-form forward had found the net in three of his last four starts following a rare dry spell.

Although typically resilient to injuries, Salah had earlier endured a difficult period this season after a high-profile fallout with manager Arne Slot, which saw him dropped for several matches before returning to the side.

Despite his recent improvement, Salah has scored just five Premier League goals this season, a sharp contrast to the 29 he netted during Liverpool’s title-winning 2024/25 campaign.

Football

FIFA appears to decline Iran’s request to move World Cup fixtures

FIFA have appeared to snub Iran’s request to move their 2026 World Cup fixtures from the United States to Mexico.

Iran’s football federation said that it is holding talks with FIFA about relocating the team’s World Cup matches.

It comes following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which has responded with attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf.

However, FIFA appeared to have declined Iran’s requests, saying in a statement on Tuesday that it looks forward to all nations competing in line with the official match schedule.

“FIFA is in regular contact with all participating member associations, including Iran, to discuss planning for the World Cup.

“FIFA is looking forward to all participating teams competing as per the match schedule announced on 6 December 2025.”

The US is co-hosting the World Cup, which takes place between 11 June and 19 July, with Canada and Mexico.

All three of Iran’s group-stage fixtures are set to take place in the US, with matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt scheduled to be played in Los Angeles and Seattle.

Last week Trump said: “The Iran national soccer team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”

This led to Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj to hit out at the president on a social media account belonging to the Iranian embassy in Mexico.

“When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” said Taj.

“We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.”

With the ongoing conflict showing no signs of easing and Iran’s request to move their World Cup matches to Mexico seemingly rejected, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that the team will feature in the tournament.

What will happen if Iran refuse to compete at the World Cup?

With all the uncertainty around Iran’s participation, what would actually happen if they refused to compete at the tournament?

If Iran refused to play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, they could face fines, lose prize money, and potentially be banned from future competitions, as FIFA has punished withdrawals in the past, however they would probably be more lenient if Iran feel it is unsafe for their players and staff members.

The governing body would almost certainly replace them with another qualified Asian team to keep the tournament on schedule.

Similar situations have occurred before, most notably when the Yugoslavia national football team was banned and replaced, and when Myanmar national football team withdrew and faced penalties. While the tournament itself would go ahead as planned, Iran’s absence would be a rare and politically significant moment in World Cup history

When have matches previously been moved?

Relocating Iran’s matches to Mexico would not be without precedent, as fixtures have previously been moved due to safety concerns and geopolitical tensions.

In recent years, the Belarus national football team have staged their home games in Hungary following their support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including a World Cup qualifier against the Scotland national football team at ZTE Arena in Zalaegerszeg.

Similar compromises are common in cricket, where longstanding political tensions mean India national cricket team and Pakistan national cricket team only meet at neutral venues during ICC tournaments.

India, for instance, declined to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, while Pakistan played their matches in the recent T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.