Football

Saudi U-17 Team Faces Austria in the World Cup

The Saudi national under-17 football team is looking to shine at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which will be held in Qatar from November 3 to 27, after ending a 36-year wait to return to the global stage.

Saudi Arabia’s return to the tournament came after finishing runner-up to Uzbekistan in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup, which it hosted on home soil. That achievement secured the team’s place once again in the world competition a tournament it famously won in 1989.

Coach Abdulwahab Al-Harbi has retained the core of the squad that impressed during last April’s continental championship. Leading the attack is expected to be Abdulhadi Al-Mutairi, supported by talented playmaker Abdulrahman Al-Sufyani and the speed of Sabri Dahl on the wings.

Midfielder Abdulaziz Al-Fawwaz is considered one of the key players in the team, thanks to his dynamic presence both defensively and offensively a factor that could largely determine Saudi Arabia’s ability to advance deep into the tournament.

The Saudi team will begin its campaign against Austria on Wednesday, followed by a match against New Zealand on November 8, before concluding the group stage on November 11 against what is considered its toughest opponent Mali.

Saudi Arabia has participated in the U-17 World Cup three times before, with its most notable achievement being the 1989 championship title, which also marked the team’s last appearance in the tournament.

The Green Falcons’ participation this year revives memories of the historic 1989 triumph, when Saudi Arabia became the first Arab team to win a FIFA World Cup title at any age level a moment that remains one of the greatest milestones in Arab football history.

The 1989 Saudi squad featured several players who went on to become legends of Saudi football, many of whom later represented the national team in its first-ever senior World Cup appearance in the USA in 1994 including Mohammed Al-Deayea and Fouad Anwar.

The roster of the 1989 U-17 team included: Mohammed Al-Deayea, Mohammed Al-Timiyat, Khalid Al-Aboudi, Shaker Al-Alyan, Khalid Tamim, Abdullah Al-Thunayan, Suleiman Al-Quraini, Waleed Al-Turair, Saud Al-Hamali, Khalid Al-Ruwaikhi, Jabarti Al-Shamrani, Adnan Abdulshakour, Aref Bu-Rashid, Fouad Anwar, Salem Suroor, Suleiman Al-Rashoudi, Mansour Al-Mousa, and Abdullah Al-Ahmadi.

In that edition, the “Green Falcons” were drawn into Group D alongside Portugal, Guinea, and Colombia. Saudi Arabia opened its campaign against Portugal, led by its future legend Luís Figo, who scored once, but Saudi player Jabarti Al-Shamrani responded with two goals to earn a valuable 2–2 draw.

In their second match, the Saudis again drew 2–2 with Guinea, courtesy of an own goal and another strike from Khalid Al-Ruwaikhi. Al-Ruwaikhi then became the hero of the third group game, scoring the decisive goal in a 1–0 victory over Colombia a performance that made him one of Al-Ahli’s brightest stars in the 1990s.

At the end of the group stage, Saudi Arabia finished second with four points, behind Portugal on goal difference, advancing to the quarterfinals of the tournament held in Scotland. There, they defeated Nigeria on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation and extra time.

The semifinal saw a Gulf derby between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, where the Green Falcons won thanks to a goal from Khalid Al-Ruwaikhi, booking a historic final against host nation Scotland, who had eliminated Portugal in the previous round.

In the final, Saudi Arabia produced a legendary comeback, overturning a 0–2 deficit to level the score through Suleiman Al-Rashoudi and Waleed Al-Turair. The match went to a penalty shootout, where the Saudis triumphed 5–4, claiming a historic title for Saudi, Arab, and Asian football alike.

Al Arabiya.net

Football

Turkish football club distributes Iftar meals in Gaza

Turkish football club MKE Ankaragücü organized iftar distributions in Gaza, delivering meals to 1,500 children as part of its Ramadan campaign to support those in need.

MKE Ankaragucu, a Turkish football club which is currently playing in the TFF 2. Lig, has organized iftar distributions in Gaza as part of its ongoing campaign to help people in need in the Palestinian enclave.

In an official statement on its social media channels, MKE Ankaragucu reiterated its commitment to reminding children facing hardship in Palestine and elsewhere that they are not forgotten during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, while calling for greater support and participation.

The announcement included video footage documenting the distribution of iftar packages to 1,500 children in Gaza.

Turkish football clubs have shown widespread tribune solidarity during matches, with fans displaying banners, Palestinian flags, and messages of support.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced that the Gaza ceasefire has more than doubled monthly food aid compared to before the truce, with coordinated efforts continuing under improved access as of late February 2026.

Amid harsh winter and displacement, one million people are receiving full assistance packages that include food parcels, hot Ramadan iftar meals, fresh bread, and cash transfers.

A News

Football

Will Cristiano Ronaldo reach 1,000 goals at 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Cristiano Ronaldo netted a brace as Al Nassr swept Al Hazem 4-0, a result that sent the Saudi club to the top of the Pro League table. The performance also pushed the 41-year-old’s personal tally to 964 career goals — just 36 away from the iconic 1,000-goal mark.

That night also brought another historic moment as Ronaldo became the first player in history to score 500 goals after the age of 30. To appreciate just how extraordinary that is, fewer than 30 players across the entire history of professional football have scored 500 goals in their careers.

Naturally, the question on everyone’s lips is when will the Portuguese superstar reach the four figures. And the most romantic possibility would be at this summer’s World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For Ronaldo, the tournament carries extra weight. By stepping onto the pitch, he will become the first player ever to appear in six World Cups, a milestone he’ll share with Argentine star Lionel Messi, though Ronaldo was already a centrepiece of Portugal’s 2006 campaign while Messi was still finding his feet at the senior level.

The prospect of goal No 1,000 arriving on the World Cup stage is the stuff of footballing fairy tales — and Ronaldo himself has acknowledged it during a recent interview. “You’ve been watching too many movies — that would be way too perfect,” he said, before adding: “Goals are always good to score. I want to play in this next World Cup; otherwise, I wouldn’t be here. But one step at a time. If those numbers did come true, I’d end my career on a high.”

From a practical standpoint, the math makes the World Cup milestone difficult. Between now and the tournament, Al Nassr are expected to play roughly 20 official matches, excluding friendlies and potential squad rotation. If Portugal make a deep run, Ronaldo could feature in up to seven or eight World Cup matches — giving him approximately 25 to 30 games before and during the tournament, assuming no injuries.

Impressive form

To reach 1,000 goals before or during the World Cup, Ronaldo would need to average at least one goal per game — possibly more. That requirement exceeds his current scoring rate of roughly 0.74 goals per match, according to ESPN stats.

His recent form is impressive but it also tempers expectations. Across his last 20 matches, he has scored 15 goals, but that doesn’t match the kind of explosive run required to close a 36-goal gap in such a short span.

Historically, Ronaldo has scored just eight goals across five World Cup tournaments, which further highlights the challenge. For the milestone to happen on football’s biggest stage, he would need an extraordinary run of form.

A more realistic projection lies in his typical yearly output. Ronaldo has averaged around 40 goals per calendar year throughout his career. Based on that trend, the most logical window for goal No. 1,000 appears to be late 2026 or early 2027 — rather than at the World Cup itself.

Football

Cristiano Ronaldo wishes fans ‘Ramadan Kareem’

Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo wished his fans Ramadan Kareem on Tuesday.

The UAE confirmed the official start date of Ramadan will begin on February 18.

Recently, Ronaldo marked his first match since turning 41 in the best possible way, scoring in Al Nassr’s 2-0 win over Al Fateh on Saturday at the Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium.

The victory keeps Al Nassr firmly in the Saudi Pro League title race. They are now just one point behind leaders Al Hilal after game week 21.

Making his return to the starting eleven after missing three matches amid a dispute with club management, Ronaldo wasted little time reminding everyone of his value.

In the 18th minute, Sadio Mane delivered a sharp cross into the box and Ronaldo met it first time, guiding the ball into the bottom right corner. It was a calm and clinical finish, the kind that has defined his career for more than two decades.

Al Nassr controlled most of the game after taking the lead. They sealed the win in the 78th minute when Ayman Yahya struck a fine second goal to secure all three points for the visitors.

Al Nassr will aim to extend their winning streak when they face Al Hazem on February 21. With Ronaldo back among the goals and fully focused on football again, the Riyadh giants remain the biggest challenge to Al Hilal in the race for the Saudi Pro League crown.