Latest news with #AhmedElKhashab
The Star
7 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Iraq applies to host Asian World Cup qualifying group
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - World Cup - AFC Qualifiers - Group B - Iraq v South Korea - Basra International Stadium, Basra, Iraq - June 5, 2025 Iraq fans inside the stadium during the match REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani/File Photo (Reuters) - The Iraqi Football Association (IFA) has submitted an official request to host one of the two groups in the fourth round of Asian qualifiers for next year's World Cup in North America. Iraq will finish third or fourth in Group B in the third round, with 12 points ahead of their final match against Jordan in Amman on Tuesday. "We had sent a letter to International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) calling for the highest levels of transparency and fairness in the process of selecting the host country or countries for the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers," IFA said in a statement on Facebook. The IFA has said it is fully prepared to assume all organisational, security and financial obligations associated with hosting matches, with support from the Iraqi government and state institutions. In the fourth round of qualifying, the six teams who finished third and fourth in the third-stage groups will be divided into two groups. The top team in each group will qualify directly for the World Cup finals and the two teams finishing second will compete in a playoff to decide who will represent Asia in an international playoff. (Reporting by Ahmed El Khashab, editing by Ed Osmond)
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Soccer-LaLiga leads AI evolution with global outreach
By Ahmed El Khashab Reuters News - Artificial intelligence isn't coming for football — in Spain, it's already laced up and part of the squad. "LaLiga has become an integral part of AI's DNA," might sound poetic, but according to Javier Gil — LaLiga's head of AI implementation and development — it's the other way around. Advertisement "AI has become an integral part of LaLiga's DNA," Gil told Reuters by email, calling it a cornerstone of the league's strategy for years. "We deployed solutions based on predictive analysis and algorithms long ago," he said, crediting LaLiga president Javier Tebas as a "bold leader" who spotted the potential of generative AI early and established a dedicated department to embed it across the organisation. This isn't tech for tech's sake, Gil insisted. "It's about the significant value they bring to both LaLiga and the league," he said. And that value, he argued, goes far beyond tactics and transfer talk. Advertisement "Generative AI has proven its ability to change not only the way we work, but also society itself," Gil said. "We have a great opportunity to connect with our fans in new ways and to reshape the entertainment industry." FROM PITCH TO PIXELS AI's influence in LaLiga now stretches from match analysis to media production. According to Gil, each match generates more than 3.5 million data points via a tracking camera system installed in every stadium. That data feeds club-level prep and fuels projects like "Beyond Stats" — an initiative with Microsoft that blends advanced analytics into live broadcasts. Advertisement AI also automates real-time video content for digital platforms. "This is perhaps one of the reasons why LaLiga clubs are so competitive in European competitions," Gil said. And while the tech is evolving fast, even Gil can't predict what's next. "I don't know what the situation will look like in two years or even two months," he said. "Technological development will not stop... and we believe it is our responsibility to provide ongoing training for our employees to raise awareness of AI and encourage creativity among our teams." GLOBAL GAME, DIGITAL STAGE Advertisement LaLiga's AI ambitions go well beyond Spain. The league is working with other federations and has set up a consultancy in Iraq, while its Dubai office — opened a decade ago — underscores its long-term interest in the Middle East and North Africa. Gil said the league remains "open to sharing knowledge and expertise with any league, institution, or federation" keen to build a shared understanding of tech's potential. Clubs like Sevilla, Atletico Madrid and Deportivo Alaves are also rolling out AI-driven experiences to engage fans, while LaLiga continues to team up with partners such as Microsoft and Sportian to push the frontier. And the U.S. is very much in their sights. Gil called it "a benchmark for innovation, responsibility, and inspiration" — a country from which LaLiga is keen to learn. Advertisement Whether it's article writing, branding, campaign work or interactive experiences, the possibilities are multiplying. "We believe that sharing knowledge with other sports organisations in open discussions is not just a luxury," Gil said. "It's the only true way to continue learning and developing together." (Reporting by Ahmed El Khashab; Editing by Ossian Shine and Christian Radnedge)
