Latest news with #AliAl-Hamadi
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
FIFA World Cup 2026 status check: As Uzbekistan, Jordan create history, a look at all teams that have qualified so far
Three more teams confirmed their spots at the expanded 2026 Fifa World Cup as Uzbekistan, Jordan and South Korea booked their ticks on Thursday. Uzbekistan and Jordan qualified for the men's Fifa World Cup for the first time in history, while South Korea sealed their 11th straight appearance. The 2026 World Cup will have a record 48 teams in the tournament to be co-hosted the United States, Mexico and Canada. History for Uzbekistan & Jordan A 0-0 draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi was enough for Uzbekistan to take the second automatic qualification spot in Group A behind Iran with a game to spare. The Central Asian team and fans celebrated together at the end and had goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov to thank for a number of important saves. As well as the six automatic qualifiers from Asia, the UAE and Qatar, who defeated the already-qualified Iran 1-0, will finish third and fourth and advance to the next stage, where six teams will compete for two more places at the 2026 World Cup. In Group B, South Korea won 2-0 in Iraq to clinch its place. The Taeguk Warriors were helped by Ali Al-Hamadi's first-half red card, given to the Ipswich Town striker for a high kick. Kim Jin-gyu put Korea ahead just after the hour, and the victory was sealed by Oh Hyeon-gyu eight minutes from the end. It was also enough for Jordan, who earlier beat Oman 3-0 to clinch a place in the top two. All three goals were scored by Ali Olwan. Group C saw China eliminated after a 1-0 loss to Indonesia in Jakarta. Elsewhere in the group, a last-minute goal from Aziz Behich gave Australia a 1-0 win over Japan, already qualified, in Perth to put the Socceroos within touching distance of a sixth straight World Cup appearance. How does qualification work for 2028? Forty-three teams will get their spots through the various continental qualifying pathways. Out of these, Asia will have eight direct berths and one in the intercontinental playoff. Africa has nine direct spots plus one for the intercontinental playoff. North and Central America, plus the Caribbean get three direct berths (plus the three host nations) and another two spots in the intercontinental playoffs. South America has six direct spots and will send another team to the intercontinental playoffs. Oceania for the first time has a guaranteed spot — New Zealand clinched that in March. It could add another with New Caledonia going into the intercontinental playoffs. Europe will have 16 spots, typically the continent with the most representation. Another two will secure their berths in the international playoffs featuring six teams and scheduled for March 2026. Which teams have qualified so far? Host nations (automatic qualification): United States, Mexico, Canada From Asia: Japan (qualified on March 20), Iran (qualified on March 25), Jordan (qualified on June 5), South Korea (qualified on June 5), Uzbekistan (qualified on June 5) From Oceania: New Zealand (qualified on March 24) From South America: Argentina (qualified on March 25). (With Reuters and AP inputs)
The Independent
08-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Coventry City vs Stoke City LIVE: Championship latest score, goals and updates from fixture
Follow live coverage as Coventry City face Stoke City in the Championship today. An increasingly competitive second tier in English football remains an intense and exciting competition, with the prize of a place in the Premier League on offer at the end of the season. Relegation from the top flight last term means Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United are all back in the second tier this term and will be expected to push for play-off spots again at least, but so too will Norwich City, an improving Coventry and beaten play-off finalists Leeds United. At the other end of the table, Wayne Rooney is aiming to revive Plymouth's fortunes after they narrowly avoided relegation last year, with Portsmouth and Derby the teams promoted from League One along with play-off final winners Oxford. Follow live updates from today's game in the live blog below. Coventry City vs Stoke City Bobby Thomas (Coventry City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 8 March 2025 12:41 Coventry City vs Stoke City Corner, Coventry City. Conceded by Ben Wilmot. 8 March 2025 12:39 Coventry City vs Stoke City Attempt blocked. Ali Al-Hamadi (Stoke City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 8 March 2025 12:38 Coventry City vs Stoke City Foul by Ben Pearson (Stoke City). 8 March 2025 12:37 Coventry City vs Stoke City Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Oliver Dovin. 8 March 2025 12:35 Coventry City vs Stoke City Attempt saved. Lewis Koumas (Stoke City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ben Pearson with a through ball. 8 March 2025 12:35 Coventry City vs Stoke City Offside, Stoke City. Ali Al-Hamadi is caught offside. 8 March 2025 12:34 Coventry City vs Stoke City Offside, Coventry City. Ellis Simms is caught offside. 8 March 2025 12:30 Coventry City vs Stoke City First Half begins. 8 March 2025 12:30 Coventry City vs Stoke City Lineups are announced and players are warming up. 8 March 2025 11:35
BBC News
06-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Robins faces striker shortage for Cardiff Cup game
Stoke City boss Mark Robins faces a real frontline crisis for Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round date with Cardiff who won the Cup as a player with Manchester United in 1990, enjoyed a memorable run to Wembley last season when his Coventry City side were cruelly beaten on penalties in the semi-final by his old having enjoyed his first league win as Stoke boss last Saturday at Hull, the Potters boss ought to be fancying his side's chances of another Cup scalp at home to a struggling Cardiff City side who shipped seven goals at Leeds the same new Ipswich Town loan signing Ali Al-Hamadi, who scored on his debut last week, is cup-tied - and so is joint EFL top scorer Nathan came on as a late substitute for Ipswich when they were already 3-0 up in their third-round win over Bristol Rovers, while the now recalled Lowe played in Walsall's first-round win over Bolton and the Saddlers' second-round home defeat by nine-goal top scorer Tom Cannon now sold to Sheffield United by Leicester City after being recalled from his loan at Stoke, both Million Manhoef and Sam Gallagher out injured, and Niall Ennis sent out on loan to Steve Bruce's Blackpool, Stoke did make one up-front signing this Bromwich Albion's teenage forward Adriel Walker signed an 18-month contract. But the 19-year-old was signed for the Potters' Under- 21s and may not be considered yet ready for first-team also now have Ryan Mmaee back at the club following the end of his loan at Rapid Vienna. But he was kept sidelined in Austria by injuries - and is not expected to figure until next month due to a hamstring does have the option of Andre Vidigal, who made such a dramatic start to life in Stoke with five goals in his first six appearances last season, but he has not started a league game under any of Stoke's four bosses in this current campaign.
