Latest news with #AchrafHakimi
Morocco World
a day ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
PSG vs Botafogo: When, How to Watch FIFA Club World Cup Match
Rabat — Paris Saint-Germain will face Botafogo as part of the FIFA Club World Cup today at 2 a.m. Moroccan time. PSG had a good start during the US competition following a 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid. Botafogo also started its Club World Cup campaign strong with a 2-1 win over Seattle Sounders. Fans seeking to watch the game can do so at DAZN. Predictions from the Opta Supercomputer expect PSG to be 'very heavy favorites' to win the game . Possible lineups for PSG will include Achraf Hakimi, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Beraldo, Marquinhos, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Fabian Ruiz, Gocalo Ramox, Lucas Hernandez, and Joao Neves, alongside Naoufel El Hannas, among others. For Botafogo, expectations show that head coach Renato Paiva could deploy Mateo Ponte, Danilo Barbosa, Artur, Alvaro Montoro, Rwan Cruz, Jefferson Savarino, Marcal, Santiago Rodriguez, Leo Linck, Allan, Gregore, Newton, Kaio Pantaleao, Jair Cunha, Gonzalo Mastriani, Cristhian Loor, and David Ricardo, among others. Tomorrow's FIFA Club World Cup fixtures also include a match between Flamengo and Chelsea, as well as Benfica vs Auckland City, and LAFC vs ES Tunis. Tags: Barca versus PSGPSG and Chelsea
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Draw list for the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League
PSG's Achraf Hakimi kisses the trophy after winning the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Spada/LaPresse via AP) NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Draw made Wednesday for the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League: League Path First leg July 22-23 Brann (Norway) vs. Salzburg (Austria) Viktoria Plzen (Czech Republic) vs. Servette (Switzerland) Advertisement Rangers (Scotland) vs. Panathinaikos (Greece) Second leg July 29-30 Salzburg (Austria) vs. Brann (Norway) Servette (Switzerland) vs. Viktoria Plzen (Czech Republic) Panathinaikos (Greece) vs. Rangers (Scotland) ___ Champions Path First leg July 22-23 Levadia Tallinn (Estonia) or RFS (Latvia) vs. Iberia (Georgia) or Malmo (Sweden) Zalgiris (Lithuania) or Hamrun Spartans (Malta) vs. Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine) Pafos (Cyprus) vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) Vikingur (Faeroe Islands) or Lincoln Red Imps (Gibraltar) vs. Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) Noah (Armenia) or Buducnost Podgorica (Montenegro) vs. Ferencvaros (Hungary) Advertisement Lech Poznan (Poland) vs. Egnatia (Albania) or Breidablik (Iceland) Copenhagen (Denmark) vs. Drita (Kosovo) or Differdange (Luxembourg) Rijeka (Croatia) vs. Ludogorets (Bulgaria) or Dinamo Minsk (Belarus) The New Saints (Wales) or Shkëndija (North Macedonia) vs. FCSB (Romania) or Inter Club d'Escaldes (Andorra) Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia) vs. Virtus (San Marino) or Zrinjski Mostar (Bosnia-Herzegovina) Shelbourne (Ireland) or Linfield (Northern Ireland) vs. Qarabag (Azerbaijan) KuPS Kuopio (Finland) or Milsami Orhei (Moldova) vs. Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia) or Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan) Second leg July 29-30 Advertisement Iberia (Georgia) or Malmo (Sweden) vs. Levadia Tallinn (Estonia) or RFS (Latvia) Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine) vs. Zalgiris (Lithuania) or Hamrun Spartans (Malta) Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) vs. Pafos (Cyprus) Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) vs. Vikingur (Faeroe Islands) or Lincoln Red Imps (Gibraltar) Ferencvaros (Hungary) vs. Noah (Armenia) or Buducnost Podgorica (Montenegro) Egnatia (Albania) or Breidablik (Iceland) vs. Lech Poznan (Poland) Drita (Kosovo) or Differdange (Luxembourg) vs. Copenhagen (Denmark) Ludogorets (Bulgaria) or Dinamo Minsk (Belarus) vs. Rijeka (Croatia) FCSB (Romania) or Inter Club d'Escaldes (Andorra) vs. The New Saints (Wales) or Shkëndija (North Macedonia) Advertisement Virtus (San Marino) or Zrinjski Mostar (Bosnia-Herzegovina) vs. Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia) Qarabag (Azerbaijan) vs. Shelbourne (Ireland) or Linfield (Northern Ireland) Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia) or Kairat Almaty (Kazakhstan) vs. KuPS Kuopio (Finland) or Milsami Orhei (Moldova). ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
PSG cruise past Atletico to win Club World Cup opener
Newly crowned European Champions Paris Saint-Germain launched their bid for Club World Cup glory with a convincing 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday. In searing heat at the Pasadena Rose Bowl east of Los Angeles, PSG proved too hot to handle for their Spanish opponents in an impressive opening Group B win. Advertisement Goals from Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Senny Mayulu and Lee Kang-In sealed the three points for PSG, who delighted a crowd of 80,619 with their adventurous attacking play. The French giants picked up where they had left off in their 5-0 Champions League final mauling of Inter Milan a fortnight earlier, quickly settling into their smooth passing game to control the early exchanges. Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak was soon pressed into action, blocking a Goncalo Ramos shot from just outside the box on 17 minutes as PSG's pressure mounted. Oblak denied PSG again moments later, diving to stop a Khvicha Kvaratskhelia shot that was destined for the bottom left-hand corner. Advertisement Those early warning shots proved to be a precursor for the game's opening goal in the 19th minute. A lovely passing move down the right saw the ball swiftly transferred to Georgian winger Kvaratskhelia who deftly laid off into the path of Ruiz to sweep in a low finish for 1-0. With Atletico struggling to gain any kind of a foothold in the contest, the Spanish side's frustration began to show. Clement Lenglet was booked for a rash challenge on Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi in the 21st minute, and Robin Le Normand picked up Atletico's second yellow soon afterwards for bringing down Ruiz. Advertisement - Disallowed goal - Ruiz himself was booked on 28 minutes for a shove on Giuliano Simeone before the Argentine midfielder collected Atletico's third yellow soon afterwards. With the Parisians in complete control, Atletico had to wait until the stroke of half-time before their first shot on goal, France's Antoine Griezmann drawing a smart save from Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma with a low shot. From the ensuing counter-attack, however, Atletico found themselves 2-0 down. The electric Kvaratskhelia again found space down the left and fed inside to Vitinha, who ghosted into the box before steering a crisp shot beyond Oblak for 2-0. Advertisement Atletico appeared to have hauled themselves back into the game early in the second half when Julian Alvarez rifled home a low finish to make it 2-1. But the goal was chalked off after VAR spotted a bodycheck by Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul on Desire Doue in the build-up. That effort appeared to buoy Atletico for the remainder of the half, but despite playing with greater intensity they were unable to create a single shot on goal. Lenglet was dismissed after picking up a second yellow card on 78 minutes. A disappointing Atleti display was summed up by a glaring miss four minutes later, substitute Alexander Sorloth somehow scooping over an open goal from a few yards out after Marcos Llorente's cross. Advertisement PSG swiftly made Atleti pay for that miss, substitute Senny Mayulu pouncing on a loose ball to make it 3-0 in the 87th minute. The rout was completed in injury time when Lee stepped up to convert a penalty after a handball by Le Normand. PSG will face Brazil's Botafogo in their next group match in Pasadena on Thursday, before completing the first round against Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders on June 23. rcw/sev
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Red Card For Genocide: Why FIFA Must Be Held To Account
Fans worldwide are unequivocally challenging FIFA's continued support for Israel, organizing with unprecedented unity for Palestine. Unlike previous actions, this mobilization is now notably well-coordinated, widespread, and consistent. Long gone are the days when much of the sports solidarity emerged from the fanbase of clubs like Celtic, Deportivo Palestino, or Arab teams. Gaza is now the undisputed focal point of sports solidarity worldwide. The consequences of this are arguably the most significant in terms of achieving total global awareness of the Israeli genocide in Gaza in particular, but also of the Israeli military occupation and apartheid in the whole of occupied Palestine. For years, mainstream media did its utmost to ignore the pro-Palestine flags, banners, and chants. When solidarity exceeded tolerable levels, whether in Scotland or Chile, FIFA cracked down with fines and various other punitive measures. Nowadays, however, such tactics are utterly failing. Celtic Park, at times, seems to be one massive pro-Palestine rally, and numerous other clubs are joining in, or expanding their efforts. In the Paris Saint-Germain UEFA Champions League final against Inter on May 31, it seemed as if the entire PSG supporters' activities focused on Palestine. The chants of 'Nous sommes tous les enfants de Gaza' – 'We are all the children of Gaza' echoed everywhere, inside and outside the stadium. As soon as Achraf Hakimi scored the opening goal, a massive flag unfurled in the background: 'STOP THE GENOCIDE IN GAZA'. Such unprecedented acts of sports solidarity are powerfully comparable to the sports boycott of apartheid South Africa, which began in the mid-1960s. These boycotts were instrumental in liberating the discourse and transforming the conversation about apartheid from academic halls into the streets. While the above is true, the two cases are not always comparable. Back then, thanks to the efforts of Global South governments, boycotts largely began at an institutional level and gradually garnered massive popular support. In the Palestinian case, however, there is a complete moral breakdown on the part of institutions like FIFA, while football fan bases are the ones championing solidarity. But FIFA is yet to take any measure against Israel despite the blatant racism within Israel's sports institutions, and also the direct harm it is imposing on Palestinian sports. FIFA's go-to excuse is the slogan: 'sports and politics don't mix.' But if that is the case, why then, did FIFA seamlessly mix the two following the Russian invasion of Ukraine? Almost immediately after the start of the war, Western countries, purporting to speak on behalf of the international community, began slapping hundreds, and eventually thousands, of sanctions against Russia, which found itself isolated in every arena, including sports. FIFA quickly joined in. In the Palestinian case, the hypocrisy is limitless, though it began long before the Israeli genocide in Gaza. Every Palestinian effort, often backed by Arab, Muslim, and Global South associations, to hold Israel accountable for its apartheid and military occupation has been met with consistent failure. Every time, the response is the same. The October 2017 critical statement by FIFA is a case in point. The statement was a response to a final report by the 'FIFA Monitoring Committee Israel-Palestine', which followed repeated requests by international groups to look into the matter of the Israeli occupation, and the need for FIFA to hold Israel accountable. The response was decisive: 'The current situation (...) has nothing to do with football.' It is of 'exceptional complexity and sensitivity', and cannot be 'changed unilaterally by non-government organizations such as FIFA.' The 'final status of the West Bank territories" is the concern of competent international public law authorities. It concluded that 'FIFA... must remain neutral with regard to political matters,' adding that the association will 'refrain from imposing any sanctions' on Israel and that "the matter is declared closed." Since then, so much has changed. For example, in July 2018, Israel declared itself a country for Jews only, thus the Nation State Law. It also passed a law in July 2020that allows for the annexation of the occupied West Bank. Since October 7, 2023, it launched a genocide against Gaza. The accusatory language this time is not that of Palestinians and their allies. It is the language of international institutions, which are actively investigating Israel's horrific violations in Gaza. Though FIFA may still claim that the matter is too 'complex' and 'sensitive', how can it ignore that over 700 Palestinian athletes have been killed, and over 270 sports facilities have been destroyed in the first 14 months of the war? Here, something must be said about the tenacity of the Palestinian, a quality that does not hinge on FIFA's action or inaction. The Palestine National Football team continues to move from strength to strength and, even more impressively, Palestinian children in Gaza, somehow, manage to create spaces, even among the ruins of their cities, to kick a ball, thus stealing a moment of joy from the horrors of genocide. Though FIFA continues to fail Palestine, sports fans refuse to be part of this moral travesty. And ultimately, it will be the tenacity of the Palestinians and the growing solidarity with their just cause that will eventually force FIFA to take action, not only for the sake of Palestine, or even the future of the sport, but for FIFA's own relevance. - Dr. Ramzy Baroud is a journalist, author and the Editor of The Palestine Chronicle. He is the author of six books. His latest book, co-edited with Ilan Pappé, is ' Our Vision for Liberation: Engaged Palestinian Leaders and Intellectuals Speak Out'. His other books include 'My Father was a Freedom Fighter' and 'The Last Earth'. Baroud is a Non-resident Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Islam and Global Affairs (CIGA). His website is
The National
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The National
Top 10 Middle East footballers to watch at the Club World Cup
The revamped and expanded Fifa Club World Cup may be the biggest chance yet for domestic teams to represent themselves on the global stage. But there will be plenty of national and regional pride at stake, too. Some of the leading players from the Mena region will be vying for attention at the competition in the United States, and they are not solely confined to Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal or the UAE's Al Ain. Here is a selection of outstanding players from the region to look out for this summer. 1). Achraf Hakimi Club: Paris Saint-Germain National team: Morocco Slotted the opening goal in PSG's rout of Inter Milan in the Uefa Champions League final, and was eulogised by many observers as the best right-back in the world. Given's PSG's form, he might expect to go one better than the semi-final exit he managed with the Morocco national team in the Qatar World Cup. 2). Omar Marmoush Club: Manchester City National team: Egypt Scored 15 goals in 17 games in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt before being summoned to City in the January transfer window to try to breathe life into their ailing season. The form of the outgoing English champions did pick up after the arrival of their new Egyptian forward. They may have ended defeated in the FA Cup, but they could make up for that with a trophy in the US. 3). Ali Al Bulayhi Club: Al Hilal National team: Saudi Arabia Makes this list not so much for the merit of his defending as the fact his confrontations with star opponents are usually box office. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Son Hueng-min have all been on the receiving end of the Hilal centre-back's antics. Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Erling Haaland had better be ready. 4). Soufiane Rahimi Club: Al Ain National team: Morocco Asia's MVP when he fired Al Ain to the AFC Champions League crown in 2024, and he then top-scored in the Olympics for Morocco, too. The Garden City club have fallen flat in the time since, going through three managers this season. Rahimi's form has coolled, too, but expect him to revel on the big stage in the US. 5). Mehdi Taremi Club: Inter Milan National team: Iran Cut a disconsolate figure as an unused substitute on the bench in Inter Milan's capitulation against PSG in the Uefa Champions League final. The striker, who has been central to Iran's march to World Cup qualification, will be itching to right some wrongs when Inter face Monterrey, Urawa Reds and River Plate. 6). Ramy Bensebaini Club: Borussia Dortmund National team: Algeria The Algerian defender has been deployed on the left side of a three-man defence as Dortmund closed out a largely disappointing season strongly, most notably with a big win away at Bayer Leverkusen. He might not be everybody's cup of tea: German great-turned-pundit Lothar Matthaus has been one outspoken critic. But Bensebaini is valued by his club and is said to have suitors that include Marseille. 7). Brahim Diaz Club: Real Madrid National team: Morocco The dual-national winger was born in Malaga, signed for the Manchester City academy age 16, and plays for Morocco at international level. He will be looking to aid Madrid's bid to complete a Club World Cup and Intercontinental Cup double. 8). Salem Al Dawsari Club: Al Hilal National team: Saudi Arabia An Arabian Gulf great, as a legend of Hilal and the Saudi Arabia national team. His finest moment was his goal in their shock win over the eventual champions Argentina in the group phase of the Qatar World Cup. His celebrity has yet to extend too far beyond Asia, though. His one crack at broadening his horizons ended prematurely with an ill-fated loan spell with Villarreal in Spain in 2018. 9). Wessam Abou Ali Club: Al Ahly National team: Palestine Danish-born but proudly Palestinian, he also acknowledges he feels Egyptian now, given how well loved he has become since joining Al Ahly last year. The striker enjoyed an extraordinary 2024, moving from the Swedish lower leagues in January, then becoming the top scorer in Egypt, and contributing to the CAF Champions League win, which qualified Ahly for this tournament. 10). Oussama Idrissi Club: Pachuca National team: Morocco Netherlands-born and raised, but the tricky left-winger had had a good look around since. He represents Morocco at senior level – having previously played for the Dutch age-group sides – and has found his way to Mexico via Spain. He knows what success tastes like in cross-border club competition, too. Idrissi scored a fine goal as Pachuca beat Brazil's Botafogo to reach the 2024 Intercontinental Cup final, where they lost to Real Madrid.
