Extreme E races for electric SUVs 2024 kick off in Jeddah

• The fourth annual "Extreme E" all-electric sport-utility vehicle (SUV) off-road racing series will witness the participation of eight two-racer teams
• The first edition of this global competition was held in AlUla in 2021 and the 2022 and 2023 editions were held in NEOM

Qatar eyes second successive Asian Cup in final against Jordan

• With much of the crowd behind them and as reigning champions, Qatar will be expected to beat a Jordan side ranked 29 places below them by FIFA
• In striker Akram Afif, Qatar have one of the players of the tournament and he scored a glorious goal against Iran to take his tally to five in six games

Paris Olympics’ organizers worry heatwave can spell trouble for games

• Organizers of the Paris Olympics, which will run from July 26 to August 11, say they are "fully aware" of the climate-related risks to the Games
• Operational teams have run simulations looking at the consequences of shifting some outdoor events to earlier or later start times to avoid the heat

McIlroy has ‘frank discussion’ with Spieth over Saudi comments

• Jordan Spieth, who took McIlroy's spot on the board in November, raised eyebrows this week with his comments that the merger may no longer be necessary for the PGA Tour
• Speith's remarks came after the PGA Tour announced a new a partnership and investment deal with the Strategic Sports Group (SSG)

Jordan defeats Tajikistan to reach first Asian Cup semi-final

Al Nassr thrash Inter Miami as Ronaldo, Messi watch on

• Ronaldo's calf injury prompted Al Nassr to cancel their two-game China tour last week and it denied him what could have been a last match against rival Messi
• Their most recent meeting came in January 2023 when Ronaldo played in a Saudi select team beaten 5-4 by Messi's PSG

Saudi football chief brands Mancini penalty walkout ‘unacceptable’

• The Italian did not stick around to see South Korea's Hwang Hee-chan eliminate his Saudi side in the last 16 in Doha with the decisive spot-kick
• Roberto Mancini, 59, apologized afterwards for walking down the tunnel before their fate was sealed, saying: "I thought it was finished."

Iran ‘following dreams’ in trying to win first Asian Cup since 1976

• Three-time champions Iran face Syria in Qatar with a quarter-final against Bahrain or pre-tournament favorites Japan up for grabs
• Along with holders Qatar, Iran are the only team left in the competition who went through the group stage with a 100 percent record

Skipper Battat leads Palestine on and off pitch at Asian Cup

• The 30-year-old captain will be the man his team look to once again for inspiration when Palestine face hosts and reigning champions Qatar in a daunting last-16 tie.
• The side ranked 99 in the world have progressed into the next round despite a deeply troubled build-up overshadowed by the Israel-Hamas war

Son faces Saudis, Palestine make history in Asian Cup last 16

• The tournament has been whittled down from 24 teams to 16 but trying to predict who lifts the trophy on February 10 looks more difficult than ever
• Japan came to Qatar as favourites and looking to win the title for a record-extending fifth time, but they reached the knockout phase as only runners-up in their group behind Iraq