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All facilities, support will be provided to Qatari fans in Vancouver: Qatar's Ambassador to Canada
Vancouver, Canada: The Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Canada HE Tariq Ali Faraj Al Ansari affirmed that the Qatari diplomatic mission secured all its logistical and service capabilities to provide comprehensive support to the Qatari national football team and the Qatari fans who will travel to Vancouver for the anticipated match between Qatar and Canada on Friday morning (Qatar time), which comes as part of the second round of Group B matches.
In an interview with Qatar News Agency, His Excellency explained that the embassy made intensive efforts around the clock to ensure the best experience for Qatari fans. He stressed that the main goal was to ensure everyone's smooth arrival in Vancouver and to provide full support to the national team for this important upcoming match.
HE Ambassador pointed out that facilitating the entry procedures for official delegations and Qatari fans was done through high-level protocol and security coordination. Extensive and important discussions were held with the Canadian Minister of Immigration in Ottawa, as well as direct meetings with the Minister of the Interior responsible for the security and safety sector. The aim of these meetings was to ensure the smooth entry of Qatari fans and official delegations, and to overcome all procedural obstacles. sports24.club
Coordination has been made to provide all necessary facilities, whether for those arriving via dedicated flights or for fans arriving via land borders from the US through Seattle, His Excellency added. In addition, direct communication lines have been established with local authorities in Vancouver to ensure the smooth movement of fans within the city.
Regarding fieldwork and consular services, HE Ambassador indicated that the embassy had taken proactive steps to ensure the comfort of fans. He pointed out that the embassy sent a team to Vancouver two weeks prior for on-the-ground preparations, and that HE the Ambassador was present to follow up directly. The embassy also opened permanent communication channels with the Qatar Football Association to coordinate all procedures related to the fans.
Regarding the presence of Qatari personnel within the organizational and security teams for the 2026 World Cup, following the exceptional success of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, His Excellency expressed pride to be the only country providing direct and on-the-ground security support for this tournament, benefiting from the extensive experience gained in organizing the 2022 edition, in close cooperation with the federal and local authorities in Canada.
The Qatari Ministry of Interior and the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) are participating with highly trained personnel at the highest international levels, supported by all advanced technical mechanisms and equipment, and their field duties extend from the start of the tournament until its conclusion, HE pointed out.
HE Ambassador expressed pride and appreciation for the historic performance of the national team for achieving its first ever point in the World Cup in a 1-1 draw against Switzerland. He said that the players' performances provide great optimism about the possibility of following the same pattern and achieving a satisfactory result in the match against Canada.
Concluding his interview with QNA, His Excellency praised the pioneering initiative of the Qatar Football Association, funded by the Social and Sport Contribution Fund (Daam) to secure the presence of a thousand fans behind the national team and support it during its participation in the World Cup. He expressed belief that the presence of the fans will motivate the players and push them to perform at their best possible level.
Qatar's men's team secures second win in West Asia Beach Volleyball Tour
Amman: Qatar's men's team, represented by Musa Al Khair and Mohammed Ehab, secured its second consecutive win in the inaugural West Asia Beach Volleyball Tour, currently taking place in Jordan, after defeating Iraq 2-1 today.
The Qatari team claimed the victory after a competitive match. After losing the first set 15-21, the team responded strongly to take the second set 21-11 before dominating the deciding set 15-5, sealing the win and maintaining its positive run in the tournament.
Qatar had opened its campaign with a straight-sets victory over Saudi Arabia, winning 25-13, 21-10.
الإعلام الكندي: العنابي «مرعب»
تحظى المواجهة المرتقبة بين العنابي ونظيره الكندي، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات، باهتمام إعلامي واسع في كندا، حيث خصصت العديد من الصحف والمواقع الرياضية والتلفزيونية مساحات كبيرة للحديث عن المنتخب القطري وتحليل نقاط قوته قبل اللقاء المهم الذي ينتظره المنتخبان.
ورأت وسائل الإعلام الكندية أن العنابي نجح في فرض نفسه بقوة على الساحة المونديالية بعد الأداء المميز الذي قدمه أمام المنتخب السويسري، وتمكنه من انتزاع تعادل ثمين أكد قدرته على منافسة المنتخبات الكبرى. وأشارت التقارير الكندية إلى أن المنتخب القطري أربك حسابات المجموعة الثانية، بعدما أثبت امتلاكه عناصر مميزة قادرة على صناعة الفارق في أي لحظة من المباراة.
كما ركزت التحليلات الكندية على الجوانب الفنية التي يتميز بها العنابي، خاصة سرعة التحول من الدفاع إلى الهجوم والانضباط التكتيكي الذي ظهر به اللاعبون خلال المواجهة الأولى. وطالبت وسائل الإعلام المدرب الأمريكي جيسي مارش بضرورة التعامل بحذر مع العنابي وعدم الاستهانة بإمكاناته، مؤكدة أن أي تهاون قد يكلف المنتخب الكندي الكثير في سباق التأهل إلى الدور التالي. وحظي نجم العنابي أكرم عفيف باهتمام خاص من الإعلام الكندي، حيث وصفته العديد من التقارير بالعقل المدبر للمنتخب القطري، وشددت على أهمية فرض رقابة لصيقة عليه طوال المباراة.
Real Oviedo Confirm Advanced Celtic Talks for Haissem Hassan
Real Oviedo has confirmed that Celtic is nearing a deal for Haissem Hassan, who has reportedly agreed to a four-year contract.
According to Scottish outlet CeltsAreHere, the Spanish club directly verified claims surrounding the negotiations, including an overall package valued at around €11 million.
The precise structure was initially unclear, but Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph subsequently placed Celtic’s guaranteed offer at approximately €7 million, rising to about €10.5 million if all bonuses are achieved.
However, he stressed that the clubs had not yet reached a complete agreement. Both reports indicate confidence that the remaining points can be resolved.
Celtic’s latest proposal represents a substantial increase on their opening approach.
KingFut reported in July that the Scottish champions had offered approximately €4 million for the 24-year-old following his performances with Egypt at the World Cup.
Real Oviedo rejected that bid and directed interested clubs towards the winger’s release clause. Celtic were then expected to return with an improved offer worth around €8 million.
The reported €10.5 million maximum package would bring Celtic considerably closer to Oviedo’s valuation. Hassan’s release clause fell from €18 million to €12 million following Oviedo’s relegation from La Liga
Villarreal are also entitled to 40% of the transfer proceeds under the agreement that took Hassan to Oviedo in 2024, increasing the Spanish club’s incentive to maximise the fee.
Hassan has reportedly accepted Celtic’s four-year proposal and wants to complete the move. The winger previously rejected a lucrative five-year offer from an unnamed Saudi Pro League club because he preferred to continue his career in Europe.
Marseille were also linked with Hassan after Celtic’s opening bid was rejected.
The winger joined Oviedo permanently from Villarreal in August 2024 and signed a contract running until June 2027. He made 37 La Liga appearances last season, providing three assists as Oviedo suffered relegation.
His profile rose further during Egypt’s World Cup campaign, particularly against Argentina in the round of 16. Hassan created Egypt’s second goal and had an individual effort disallowed during the 3-2 defeat.
Celtic and Oviedo must now settle the remaining contractual details before Hassan can travel to Glasgow, undergo his medical and formally complete the transfer.
The post Real Oviedo Confirm Advanced Celtic Talks for Haissem Hassan appeared first on KingFut.
We believe in our abilities, says Almoez as Qatar prepare for Canada challenge
Doha, Qatar: Almoez Ali is not looking too far ahead. As Qatar target a first-ever place in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage, Al Annabi’s all-time leading scorer insists belief must be matched by patience and focus.
“We are taking things one step at a time. Right now, our entire focus is on the next match against Canada. We do not want to get ahead of ourselves,” Almoez said on the sidelines of Qatar’s training session in Vancouver.
“We respect every opponent and understand that the road ahead is long and difficult, but we believe in our abilities and have faith in ourselves.”
Those words carry added weight after Qatar secured their first-ever World Cup point with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Group B favourites Switzerland.
Breel Embolo’s first-half penalty had put the Swiss on course for victory as they dominated proceedings and fired 26 shots at goal. But Al Annabi refused to wilt under pressure, staying in the contest through resilience and discipline before forcing a stoppage-time own goal by Miro Muheim under pressure from Boualem Khoukhi.
For Almoez, the draw offered more than a point.
“I think we achieved a positive result at the start of our World Cup campaign. Facing a strong team like Switzerland and coming away with a point is very important in a tournament of this magnitude,” he said.
“That match is behind us now, but the point we earned has given us great confidence and extra motivation to keep working and focus on what lies ahead.”
The striker, whose preparations for the tournament were disrupted by injury and surgery, believes Qatar’s response against Switzerland reflected qualities that had been missing.
“One of the biggest positives was the team spirit and tactical discipline we showed. Alhamdulillah, that spirit has returned after we had lost it recently,” Almoez said.
“Our fighting spirit is the result of long and hard work as a team. Every player understands the responsibility he carries. We represent an entire nation and people who expect a lot from us, so it was only natural that we fought for every ball and gave everything on the pitch.”
He also highlighted the role of goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada, who emerged as Qatar’s standout performers in only his seventh international appearance.
“Mahmoud delivered an outstanding performance. His saves came at crucial moments and helped the team enormously,” Almoez said.
“He is a goalkeeper with tremendous potential who works very hard in training, and what he produced against Switzerland was the natural result of that dedication.”
Qatar now head into another significant test against co-hosts Canada in Vancouver in the early hours of Friday (1am Qatar time), with all four Group B teams level on one point after Canada came from behind to draw 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Led by American coach Jesse Marsch, Canada boast stars like Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David and will enjoy strong backing from the home crowd.
“Canada are a very strong team with outstanding players. They will also be playing in front of their own fans, which gives them an advantage,” Almoez said.
“We have studied them closely, understand their strengths, and the coaching staff are preparing us accordingly.”
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“I think their greatest strengths are their pace and the enthusiasm their supporters bring. They are a well-organised team with high technical quality, so we must maintain maximum concentration throughout the match.”
If Canada can count on home support, Qatar have already discovered the value of theirs in the opener in which they received massive support.
“It was an incredible feeling to see our supporters in the stands. I want to thank all the fans who travelled long distances to support the national team,” Almoez said.
“Seeing the Qatari flags, the thobes and the ghutras filled us with pride and honour. From the very first moment, we felt the fans were behind us wholeheartedly, and that had a huge impact on the players’ morale on the pitch.”
“The fans were a major presence throughout the match. In difficult moments, we drew energy from their encouragement and chants. When a player feels that people believe in him and support him, he gives everything he has. Our supporters were key partners in the result we achieved.”