Rice starts, England make three changes for Argentina World Cup semi-…

Atlanta: England manager Thomas Tuchel named Declan Rice in his team for Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina after the midfielder recovered from illness, and made three changes to his starting line-up.

Reece James plays at right-back, starting for the first time since the second group game against Ghana, while Djed Spence is preferred at left-back, where he will come up against Argentina captain Lionel Messi.

Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa is named on the right wing, with Noni Madueke and Bukayo Saka both on the bench. sports24.club

Madueke, Ezri Konsa and Nico O'Reilly are the three players to drop out of the line-up following England's 2-1 victory against Norway in the quarter-finals.

Argentina made just one change following their 3-1 win against Switzerland.

Rodrigo De Paul drops out, with Atletico Madrid's Giuliano Simeone replacing him. That means a likely 4-4-2 formation, with Simeone on the right and Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool on the left side.

It is the sixth meeting of the nations at a World Cup, but the first since a 1-0 England win in Japan in the group stage in 2002.

The winners will advance to Sunday's final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where they will play Spain, who beat France 2-0 on Tuesday.

The losers will go to Miami for the third-place play-off against France on Saturday.

عزز الاتحاد القطري للرياضة للجميع، جولات البرنامج الخاص بتدريبات (المواي تاي)، بوحدات تدريبية أسبوعية في مواقع عديدة، حيث استضاف نادي السد الرياضي، جولة جديدة من البرنامج الذي يقام تحت مظلة وزارة الرياضة والشباب، ضمن إطار الجهود لنشر ثقافة الرياضة، وتعزيز المشاركة المجتمعية في الأنشطة الرياضية والبدنية، وتشجيع الأطفال والناشئين على اكتساب مهارات الدفاع عن النفس، وشارك في التدريبات عصر أمس الأول الإثنين، الذكور من الفئة العمرية تحت 17 عاماً، من خلال برنامج تدريبي متكامل يقام مرتان في الأسبوع، بالتعاون مع الجهاز الشبابي بنادي السد، ويركز على تعليم مهارات الدفاع عن النفس، ورفع مستويات اللياقة البدنية والذهنية، إلى جانب تعزيز القيم التربوية المرتبطة بالانضباط، والثقة بالنفس وبناء الشخصية.
ويقام البرنامج التدريبي المتكامل للمواي تاي، بمعدل حصتين أسبوعياً يومي الأحد والأربعاء، ضمن سلسلة التدريبات، التي تشمل عدداً من الأندية الرياضية، والمراكز الشبابية والمؤسسات التعليمية، والمجتمعية، بالإضافة إلى الجهات المعنية بذوي الاحتياجات الخاصة

Al Ahly have reportedly reached an agreement with Dinamo Zagreb to sign Algerian forward Monsef Bakrar in a deal worth €3 million.

According to Croatian reports, Dinamo Zagreb have completed the agreement for Bakrar’s move to the Cairo giants.

The Croatian champions will receive a fixed €3 million fee, while performance-related bonuses could increase the total value of the transfer to €4 million.

Dinamo have also secured a 10% sell-on clause, which would entitle them to a share of any future transfer fee received by Al Ahly.

However, Bakrar is not expected to leave Zagreb immediately. Dinamo negotiated for the 25-year-old to remain available for both legs of their UEFA Champions League second qualifying-round tie against Swiss champions Thun.

The first leg will take place in Switzerland on July 21, before Dinamo host the return fixture on July 28.

Dinamo had previously rejected two Al Ahly offers before negotiations entered their final stages. But the clubs seem to have reached an agreement, although neither club has issued an official statement.

Bakrar joined Dinamo from New York City FC in August 2025 and signed a multi-year contract with the Croatian club. He scored 10 goals and provided four assists in 29 Croatian league appearances during the 2025/26 season.

The Algeria international previously represented ES Setif and Istra 1961 before moving to Major League Soccer in 2023.

He made 70 appearances across all competitions for New York City, scoring 10 goals.

The post Al Ahly Reportedly Agree €3m Deal for Monsef Bakrar appeared first on KingFut.

Doha, Qatar: England will aim to end Lionel Messi’s bid for back-to-back FIFA World Cup titles and then charge their way into the final when they face defending champions Argentina in a heavyweight semi-final clash at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium today.

The last-four showdown pits one of international football’s oldest rivalries, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.

Thomas Tuchel’s England are targeting a place in their first World Cup final for the first time since lifting the trophy in 1966, while Argentina are chasing a third appearance in the final in the last four editions. The Messi-led side is also hoping to become the first team after Brazil (1962) to successfully defend the world title.

For Messi, the man who carries the tag of owning most number of goals scored in World Cups (21), today’s semi-final carries extra significance as he prepares to face England for the first time in his career.

“I have played against everyone except England and it is special because they are a major nation, a powerhouse, and it is always nice to play against a side like that, especially in a World Cup semi-final,” Messi said ahead of the encounter.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has already inspired Argentina’s title defence journey, scoring eight goals, but Lionel Scaloni’s men faced few near misses on their way to the semi-finals.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi (second right) with teammates during a training session.

After comfortably topping their group, Argentina edged Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time before rallying late to beat Egypt by the same scoreline. They then overcame Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in the quarter-finals, extending their unbeaten run at the World Cup finals to 12 matches since their shock opening defeat to Saudi Arabia at Qatar 2022.

“This squad does not get tired of making history. They keep wanting more,” Messi said after the victory over Switzerland.

“It is not easy to have been world champions, to have won all that we have won, and to once again keep competing at this level and be back in the semi-finals.”

The 39-year-old maestro, who is probably playing his last FIFA World Cup, will be the biggest threat to England today, but English skipper Harry Kane believes his team must focus on Argentina as a whole, instead of individuals.

“We know how good a player he is, we know what he’s done in the game, how consistent he’s been for so long,” Kane, who was top scorer at the 2018 World Cup, said.

“But the game is against Argentina, not against Lionel Messi. So yeah, we have a lot of preparation to do. We’re coming up against a great unit, a great team with fantastic players,” Kane said.

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford echoed Kane’s views, saying: “We all know how good Messi is but we also know how good Argentina are. We can’t solely rely on stopping Messi.”

“We’ve got to focus on their other strengths and the weaknesses we can take advantage of.”

England, powered by a brilliant double by Jude Bellingham, claimed a comeback win over Norway in an extra-time thriller to book the Argentina meeting, following another 3-2 win over Mexico in the pre-quarters despite playing with 10 men.

England opened their campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia, drew with Ghana and defeated Panama 2-0 before surviving another scare against DR Congo to secure a 2-1 win in the Round of 32.

Overall, England hold the upper hand in the head-to-head record, with six wins to Argentina’s two, while five matches have ended in draws. England also lead the World Cup head to head record with three wins so far, while Argentina’s victories came in the gripping 1986 quarter-final and the shootout in 1998.

England’s most recent meeting saw them clinch a thrilling 3-2 friendly win in 2005, and fast forward 21 years, a whole new generation of The Three Lions are up against one of the pre-tournament favourites this time.

Doha, Qatar: Lusail International Circuit (LIC) is set to script a defining chapter in global motorsport history by hosting a trio of global championships comprising of the Qatar 1812 KM - FIA World Endurance Championship 2026, MotoGP QATAR AIRWAYS GRAND PRIX OF QATAR 2026, and the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2026 in a span of just five weeks, positioning Qatar at the centre of the international racing calendar.

This marks the culmination of a journey spanning more than two decades of evolution for the circuit, from its inauguration as MotoGP's Middle Eastern home in 2004, to pioneering the sport's first ever night race in 2008, to hosting its first Formula 1 race in 2021, before the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX was officially included in the annual calendar starting in 2023. And finally, expanding into endurance racing with Qatar 1812 KM under the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2024, positioning the circuit as one of two in the world to host all three premier championships while holding the FIA’s three-star environmental certification, the highest level of recognition for sustainability in global motorsports.

The fourth quarter of 2026 will see LIC transform into a global motorsport epicentre, welcoming fans of all ages across three world-class events that blend elite competition with vibrant fan festivals, making it a must-visit destination for families and motorsport enthusiasts alike:

• The Qatar 1812 KM- FIA World Endurance Championship (October 22 to 24) returns for its third consecutive year, bringing the world’s leading manufacturers and endurance specialists to battle ten consecutive hours of racing as the penultimate round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The event offers fans a unique blend of motorsport intensity with on-track strategy and off-track entertainment, including a vibrant Fan Zone. Fans can experience the race from the Main Grandstand, situated at the epicentre of the circuit and offering unparalleled views of the Main Straight, including the starting line, grid ceremony, pit stops, and the finish. They can also view from the Lusail Hill, a dedicated elevated General Admission viewing area at the end of Turn 1, with panoramic views to catch the on track action. Tickets include access to the Fan Zone, Qatar 1812 KM merchandise outlets, free parking, and taxi pick-up and drop-off zones. For those seeking a more premium experience, two hospitality options are available: the Qatar 1812 Lounge, offering a prime vantage point overlooking the Main Straight and Pit Lane, complete with trackside activities including daily Pit Lane Walks and driver autograph session; and the Le Mans Spirit Club, the official FIA WEC premium hospitality experience, featuring paddock and pit walk access, an exclusive grid walk, world class catering with free-flowing beverages, a driver Q&A during qualifying, and a dedicated VIP shuttle service.

• The MotoGP QATAR AIRWAYS GRAND PRIX OF QATAR 2026 (November 6 to 8) builds on more than two decades of history at Lusail International Circuit, maintaining its status as the only night race on the MotoGP calendar and one of the sport’s most visually iconic events. The weekend combines iconic on-track action across the MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 classes with a full programme of off-track entertainment, creating an electric atmosphere. Three-day tickets provide access to two prime viewing areas. The first being the Main Grandstand offers unmatched views of the Main Straight, with clear visibility of the starting line, grid ceremony, pit stops, and the finish line. Lusail Hill, on the other hand, is a dedicated elevated General Admission zone at the end of Turn 1, with multiple platforms offering prime vantage points of the on-track action. All tickets include Fan Zone access, merchandise outlets, a free shuttle to the metro station, and free parking. Fans seeking a premium race-weekend experience can enjoy the LIC Lounge hospitality package, which includes exclusive MotoGP Pit Lane and Hero Walk access, gourmet dining, VIP parking, and a range of additional benefits.

• FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2026 (November 27 to 29) marks the penultimate round of a new regulatory era for the sport. Grandstand tickets are available as three-day packages across multiple locations, with assigned seating at the Main Grandstand and free seating across all other grandstands including North, Turn 2, 3, and 16. General Admission tickets provide access to Lusail Hill as both single-day and three-day options. All tickets include access to the Fan Zone filled with activities for all ages , the food court offering local and international cuisines, post-race concerts, merchandise outlets, complimentary return shuttles from Lusail Metro Station, and free parking. For those looking to elevate their weekend, three world class hospitality packages are available at LIC: the F1 Experiences Champions Club, and Premiere Hospitality Private Suites, offering premium hospitality with prime trackside views and live entertainment from within the Premiere Hospitality venue.; and the Lusail Hill Lounge, featuring relaxed comfort, modern dining, and free flowing beverages with panoramic views of the Main Straight;

For fans, this unprecedented alignment offers something experienced never before: the opportunity to witness three fundamentally different forms of racing, endurance strategy, two wheel precision, and Formula 1 innovation, within close proximity, at a single world class venue. Spectators travelling from across the globe will find themselves at the heart of a motorsport festival that transcends disciplines, blending high octane competitions with world class luxury and rich cultural experiences, delivering a multi dimensional racing spectacle unique to Qatar.

In parallel with its global ambitions, LIC continues to prioritise accessibility and community engagement. Fans who attend Qatar 1812 KM can benefit from a cross-event discount, with 25% off MotoGP tickets and vice versa., while concessionary rates are also available for students and seniors across select ticket categories. Full details can be found at tickets.lcsc.qa. All tickets are digital mobile tickets delivered via the official Lusail Tickets App.

These initiatives reinforce the circuit’s commitment to opening the doors of world class motorsport to a broader and more diverse audience. With demand expected from across the region and internationally, fans are encouraged to secure their tickets early through the official Lusail International Circuit website at tickets.lcsc.qa.