logo
How climate change could force FIFA to rethink the World Cup calendar

How climate change could force FIFA to rethink the World Cup calendar

Arab News20 hours ago
Scientists warn that staging the World Cup in the Northern Hemisphere summer is getting increasingly dangerous for both players and spectators
For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Saudi Arabia and Qatar gain home advantage in next Asia qualifiers for 2026 World Cup
Saudi Arabia and Qatar gain home advantage in next Asia qualifiers for 2026 World Cup

Arab News

time2 hours ago

  • Arab News

Saudi Arabia and Qatar gain home advantage in next Asia qualifiers for 2026 World Cup

KUALA LUMPUR : Saudi Arabia and Qatar drew home advantage in the fourth round of Asia qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport In October, Qatar will host Group A that also contains the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Saudi Arabia welcomes Iraq and Indonesia into Group B. The winner of each round-robin group will take Asia's last two remaining automatic spots at next summer's tournament, to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The teams that finish second will then meet, with the winner progressing to inter-confederation playoffs, which are scheduled for March 2026. Six teams from Asia secured qualification last month: Japan, Iran, South Korea and Australia have all participated numerous times, while Jordan and Uzbekistan will make their first appearance.

Kyle Hamilton's versatility earns him the top safety spot in AP rankings
Kyle Hamilton's versatility earns him the top safety spot in AP rankings

Al Arabiya

time19 hours ago

  • Al Arabiya

Kyle Hamilton's versatility earns him the top safety spot in AP rankings

Kyle Hamilton has quickly proven that he can be a jack of all trades on Baltimore's stellar defense, thriving in the slot, the box, or as a deep safety. But it was the decision to move Hamilton to free safety midway through last season that helped eliminate the big plays and boost the Ravens' defense. Hamilton's talent and versatility helped him earn the honor of being voted the top safety in the league by The Associated Press. A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at safety, basing selections on current status entering the 2025 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2, and 1 points. Hamilton got five first place-votes, one second, and one third to claim the top spot. Detroit's Kerby Joseph got the other three first-place votes and finished second. Green Bay's Xavier McKinney, Detroit's Brian Branch, and Derwin James of the Los Angeles Chargers rounded out the top five. Atlanta's Jessie Bates, Tampa Bay's Antoine Winfield Jr., Miami's Minkah Fitzpatrick, Denver's Brandon Jones, Arizona's Budda Baker, and Houston's C.J. Gardner-Johnson also received votes. 1. KYLE HAMILTON, Baltimore RavensHamilton has been the most important piece on Baltimore's defense thanks in large part to his versatility. He has the ability to stop the run, excel against the pass, and rush the quarterback, and was voted a first-team All-Pro in 2023 and second-teamer last season. Hamilton played the majority of his snaps starting in Week 11 last season as a free safety, and the Ravens went from allowing 4.7 pass plays of at least 20 yards per game to 1.6 after the switch. 2. KERBY JOSEPH, Detroit LionsJoseph emerged as a big-time playmaker in his third season, leading the NFL with nine interceptions to earn first-team All-Pro honors. His 17 career interceptions are the most for any safety in his first three seasons since Hall of Famer Ed Reed had 21. 3. XAVIER MCKINNEY, Green Bay PackersMcKinney made a major impact on Green Bay's defense in his first season after signing with the Packers as a free agent. He was at his best in pass coverage as a deep safety. McKinney had eight interceptions last season and allowed a 56.4 passer rating when targeted in coverage according to Pro Football Focus. 4. BRIAN BRANCH, Detroit LionsBranch has become an immediate impact player on Detroit's defense since being drafted in the second round in 2023. He led all safeties with 16 passes defensed last season and was tied for third with eight tackles for loss as he performed at a high level both in the run and pass game. 5. DERWIN JAMES, Los Angeles ChargersJames bounced back from a down 2023 season to earn second-team All-Pro honors in his first season in coordinator Jesse Minter's defense. James is one of the most versatile safeties, getting extensive time working in the slot as a box safety, a deep safety, and even as a pass rusher, where he had the second-most pressures of any safety last season.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store