Russia remains in 36th place in FIFA rankings
Russia remained in 36th place in the latest FIFA World Rankings, according to the list published by the world’s governing body of football.
sport in the East
Iran to play World Cup matches - FIFA
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Iran will play their World Cup matches in the United States in June as scheduled despite the country's ongoing armed conflict with the tournament co-hosts.
Azerbaijani para-taekwondo athletes win 4 medals in Turkey
Four Azerbaijani para-taekwondo athletes secured podium finishes at the Türkiye Open International Tournament, the Azerbaijan Taekwondo Federation reported.
Iran asks FIFA to move World Cup 2026 matches to Mexico
Iran’s football federation is in discussions with FIFA about moving its World Cup 2026 matches from the United States to tournament co-host Mexico due to concerns about the safety of players, Iranian football president Mehdi Taj has said.
Iran to skip FIFA World Cup
The Iranian national football team will skip the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali said on Thursday.
Türkiye detains 32 football officials in illegal betting probe
Turkish authorities detained 32 suspects, including executives of football clubs, as part of a widening investigation into alleged match-fixing and illegal betting in the country's professional leagues, the prosecutor's office in Istanbul said.
Galatasaray hammer Juventus in Champions League playoff clash
Galatasaray delivered a dominant performance on Tuesday to dismantle 10-man Juventus 5-2 in the first leg of their Champions League playoff.
Israeli bobsled team robbed ahead of Milan Winter Games
An Israeli bobsled pilot said the apartment that he and some fellow Olympians have been using while finishing their training for the Milan Cortina Winter Games was robbed, with passports and “thousands of dollars’” worth of other items among what was taken.
More than 100 football coaches in Türkiye accused of illegal betting
A major investigation into illegal betting in Turkish football is expanding, with over 200 coaches and managers now implicated alongside referees and players.
Dozens detained in Türkiye in connection with illegal betting
Turkish authorities will detain nearly 30 individuals as part of illegal betting on football match outcomes, with arrest warrants already issued.
Iran files criminal cases marathon organizers
Judicial authorities in Iran have arrested two organisers of a marathon held on an island off the country’s southern coast after images emerged showing women taking part in the race without hijabs, The Guardian reported.
Iranian karateka wins historic gold at World Championships
Female Iranian karateka Atousa Golshadnezhad made history after winning a gold medal at the World Karate Championships in Cairo as the first Iranian woman.
Iran boycotts FIFA World Cup draw
The Iranian delegation has withdrawn from the draw ceremony for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing U.S. visa restrictions that have impacted Iranian athletes, spokesperson for the Iranian Football Federation Amir Mehdi Alavi said.
FIFA-Saudi 1bln fund to boost sports infrastructure in developing countries
Saudi Arabia's Fund for Development (SFD) will provide up to $1 billion in concessional loans to build or enhance footballing infrastructure in developing nations under a Memorandum of Understanding with FIFA.
Kazakh sportsman elected World Boxing president
Former middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin was confirmed as the new president of World Boxing at the governing body's annual Congress in Rome.
Islamic Solidarity Games concludes in Riyadh
The closing ceremony of the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 21.
Israeli footballer receives 99-year ban
The Israel Football Association has imposed a 99-year ban on a player from Yermiahu Holon for beating an opponent.
Turkish Football scandal: over 1000 players suspended
Turkish football has been rocked by one of the largest corruption and betting scandals in its modern history with authorities arresting eight individual including first-division club president amid explosive allegations of illegal gambling and match-fixing.
6th Islamic Solidarity Games kick off in Riyadh
The opening ceremony of the 6th edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games was held yesterday in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
Turkish football rocked by massive referee betting scandal
Turkish football has plunged into crisis as the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) launched an unprecedented investigation into hundreds of referees accused of betting on football matches.
