Shafaq News- Barcelona

Barcelona made a formal offer worth about $116 million for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez but received no response, sporting director Deco revealed on Thursday, detailing the failed summer pursuit for the first time.

Speaking to RAC1, Deco said Barcelona proposed paying the fee over three seasons, rejecting reports that the offer was structured across six. Atletico had “made clear,” however, that it did not want to sell the Argentina international.

🚨🔵🔴 Barcelona director Deco: “Barça didn't pressurize Julián Álvarez to come out and publicly express his wish of leaving Atletico Madrid”.“It was his own decision”, told RAC1. pic.twitter.com/wJvMgwoRIF

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 10, 2026

Deco also denied that Barcelona encouraged Alvarez to publicly push for a transfer, saying the club handled its approach directly and respectfully. Asked about his relationship with Atletico sporting director Mateu Alemany, Deco said he had no problem with his former Barcelona colleague, but added that Alemany did not respond to Barcelona’s approaches over Alvarez.

In August, Atletico’s board ruled out negotiations with Barcelona, while CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin said Alvarez would “never, ever” be sold to the Catalan side and accused Barcelona of acting without sufficient ethics, transparency, and professionalism. Barcelona denounced that characterization and maintained that its approach had been proper.

Gil Marin indicated Atletico could consider a move elsewhere if Alvarez no longer saw his future in Madrid, but said a transfer to Barcelona was off the table.

Alvarez remained at Atletico after the transfer window closed in September. The 26-year-old, who joined from Manchester City in 2024, had previously spoken during the 2026 World Cup about wanting to pursue his “dream” of playing for Barcelona.

Barcelona instead signed Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal on September 1. The Brazilian scored his first goal for the club in Wednesday’s 5-1 Champions League win over Feyenoord.

Barcelona should not be overly concerned about lacking a traditional center-forward, Deco said, citing Raphinha’s performances through the middle, Jesus’ movement and combination play, and Hamza Abdelkarim as a more conventional penalty-box option.

Shafaq News- Doha

Egypt and China will join the Arab Gulf Cup FootballFederation’s eight member teams in a record 10-team U17 Gulf Cup in Qatar fromOctober 16 to November 4, the federation announced on Wednesday.

The field also includes Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE,Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and Yemen. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and China havealready qualified for the FIFA U17 World Cup, which Qatar will host fromNovember 19 to December 13.

Thursday’s draw will place the 10 teams into two groups offive. Qatar and defending champion Saudi Arabia are in Pot 1, the UAE and Iraqin Pot 2, Kuwait and Oman in Pot 3, Yemen and Bahrain in Pot 4, and Egypt andChina in Pot 5.

Qatar will head Group A, while Saudi Arabia will head GroupB. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, with tiedsemifinal and final matches going directly to penalties after regulation time.

Saudi Arabia won the inaugural edition in Doha in 2025,defeating the UAE 2-0 in the final at Grand Hamad Stadium.

Shafaq News- Liverpool

Liverpool came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 at Anfield on Wednesday, with Alexis Mac Allister scoring the winner in Andoni Iraola’s first Champions League match as Reds head coach.

Marcos Llorente put Atletico ahead in the 17th minute before Dominik Szoboszlai equalized five minutes before halftime. Mac Allister completed the comeback in the 50th minute with a powerful strike from outside the area past Jan Oblak.

Llorente’s goal extended his unusual Champions League record at Anfield, where he has scored five times in the competition, including twice in Atletico’s extra-time win in March 2020 and another brace in a 3-2 defeat last season.

The victory gave Iraola a winning start in Europe after replacing Arne Slot in June and marked Liverpool’s second consecutive competitive win.

Liverpool have now beaten Atletico in four straight Champions League meetings. Their previous encounter at Anfield came in September 2025, when Virgil van Dijk scored a stoppage-time winner in a 3-2 victory after Llorente struck twice.

Shafaq News- Barcelona

Barcelona opened their Champions League campaign with a 5-1 rout of Feyenoord on Wednesday, as Raphinha scored twice to extend his prolific start to the season.

The Brazilian struck after three minutes at Camp Nou, while Karim Adeyemi doubled Barcelona’s lead in the 22nd minute with a powerful shot from outside the area.

Raphinha added his second after halftime before Lamine Yamal and Gabriel Jesus struck, while Sem Steijn scored Feyenoord’s consolation.

The brace took Raphinha to eight goals in five matches this season. Flick has increasingly used the Brazilian through the center of Barcelona’s attack, a role in which he had already scored six times across the club’s opening four La Liga games.

Barcelona have now won all five competitive matches this season, scoring 22 goals after beginning their domestic campaign with four straight victories and a 17-2 aggregate score.

The result also gave Barcelona a strong start in their pursuit of the Champions League. The five-time champions have not won the competition since 2015, with Flick saying before the Feyenoord match that his squad has the quality to challenge for the title.

Wednesday’s match was only the third European meeting between the clubs. They previously met in the 1974/75 European Cup, drawing 0-0 in Rotterdam before Barcelona won 3-0 at Camp Nou.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq will compete in the Asian under-12 team tennis finals for the first time this month, according to the Iraqi Tennis Federation, marking a milestone for the country’s junior program.

The Asian Tennis Federation lists the WT Asia 12U Team Competition Finals in Singapore from September 15 to 20.

Iraqi Tennis Federation President Saif Al-Aqili told Shafaq News that the team is training in Erbil under coach Alan Zaki ahead of the tournament, with the camp organized in cooperation with the local tennis federation.

The federation, he said, views the qualification as an important step in developing a new generation of players capable of representing Iraq in future international competitions.

Iraq has also recorded notable junior results in Asian competition this year. In February, Hassan Ali Hatem finished runner-up in singles at two under-14 tournaments in Bahrain, while Hatem and Faisal Talal Badr won the doubles title in the second event.

Shafaq News

Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Lamine Yamal were named among the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or on Tuesday, while Cristiano Ronaldo missed the shortlist.

France Football and UEFA announced the nominees ahead of the October 26 ceremony in London, with defending winner Dembele seeking a second straight award and eight-time winner Messi chasing a ninth.

Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Rodri, Declan Rice, Achraf Hakimi, Lautaro Martinez, Michael Olise, Vitinha, Sadio Mane, and Bruno Fernandes are also among the nominees.

Kane scored 73 goals for club and country as Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga, German Cup, and German Super Cup, while England reached the World Cup semifinals. Messi helped Argentina reach the World Cup final, while Ronaldo was omitted despite winning the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr.

Yamal and Pau Cubarsi were also nominated for the men’s Young Talent of the Year award alongside Ayyoub Bouaddi, Yan Diomande, Lennart Karl, Ibrahim Maza, Warren Zaire-Emery, and other contenders.

Yassine Bounou, Thibaut Courtois, Emiliano Martinez, David Raya, Joan Garcia, Unai Simon, and Cape Verde’s Vozinha are among the nominees for the men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, Bayern Munich’s Vincent Kompany, and Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique make up the men’s coaching shortlist.

Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Bodo/Glimt, Flamengo, and PSG were nominated for men’s Club of the Year.

The 70th Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held at the London Palladium on October 26, marking the first edition staged in London and 70 years since England’s Stanley Matthews won the inaugural award in 1956.

Shafaq News- Madrid

Real Madrid beat Inter 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, giving Jose Mourinho victory in his first Champions League match since returning to the club.

🙌 ¡Estreno con victoria en la Champions! pic.twitter.com/MRhPuii95y

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 8, 2026

Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in the 14th minute before Federico Valverde doubled Madrid’s lead nine minutes later, capitalizing on an error by Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez.

Inter pulled one back in the 77th minute when Carlos Augusto finished Lautaro Martinez’s cutback, but Madrid held on to open their 2026/27 league-phase campaign with three points.

CARLOS GETS US BACK IN IT 🖤💙KEEP PUSHING, LADS 👊#RealMadridInter 2-1 pic.twitter.com/VMiMNbxEdu

— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) September 8, 2026

The result also extended Madrid’s strong home record against Inter. They had won their previous seven home meetings with the Italian side and six of the last seven matches overall before Tuesday.

Mourinho faced the club he led to the Champions League title in 2010, beginning his second European campaign with Madrid after returning for another spell in charge.

Madrid entered the match after a 1-0 LaLiga defeat to Real Betis, their first loss under Mourinho this season.

Real Madrid travel to Roma in their next Champions League match on October 14.

Shafaq News

The Champions League returns on Tuesday with Real Madrid hosting Inter, before Liverpool face Atletico Madrid and Napoli meet Arsenal across an 18-match opening week.

The 2026/27 campaign is the third under UEFA’s 36-team league format, with Matchday 1 running from September 8 to 10.

Tuesday: Mourinho Faces Former Club

Real Madrid host Inter at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Jose Mourinho begins his second Champions League spell with Madrid against the club he led to the 2010 title.

Madrid enter after a 1-0 LaLiga defeat to Real Betis, their first loss under Mourinho this season.

Manchester City travel to Porto, Borussia Dortmund host Villarreal, Club Brugge face Aston Villa, Lille meet Real Betis, and AEK Athens play LASK.

Wednesday: PSG Chase the Third

Back-to-back champions Paris Saint-Germain open at home against Slovan Bratislava after beating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in last season’s final.

PSG are only the second club after Real Madrid to retain the trophy in the Champions League era and are seeking an unprecedented third consecutive title.

Liverpool host Atletico Madrid, Arsenal visit Napoli, Barcelona face Feyenoord, Sporting CP meet Galatasaray, and Stuttgart host Viking.

Thursday: Manchester United Return

Manchester United return after two seasons away when they host Azerbaijan’s Sabah at Old Trafford.

Como make their European debut against RB Leipzig, while Fenerbahce host Roma, Bayern Munich face Bodo/Glimt, PSV meet Shakhtar Donetsk, and Slavia Prague play Lens.

Each of the 36 clubs faces eight different opponents in the league phase, which runs through January 27. The final will be played at Atletico Madrid’s Estadio Metropolitano on June 5.

Shafaq News- Muscat

Iraq claimed two silver medals in the high jump at theOman Athletics Grand Prix 2026, a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronzemeeting held in Muscat on September 5.

Abdulrahman Omar Sabbar took silver in the men's eventwith a clearance of 2.06 meters, while Maryam Abdulhamid Abdulilah also wonsilver in the women's competition with a jump of 1.70 meters, the IraqiAthletics Federation said.

The federation said Iraq competed on an officialinvitation from the organizers, extended on the strength of the two athletes'performances at a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meeting last month inBhubaneswar, India.

Shafaq News- Al-Diwaniyah

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi on Sunday directedauthorities to allocate 30 billion dinars ($22.9 million) to the 30,000-seatAl-Diwaniyah Stadium to accelerate construction and complete the facility.

According to an official document from the Prime Minister’sOffice to the Finance Ministry, the funds will be released in installmentsbased on completion rates.

Al-Diwaniyah has faced a broader financial crisis that hasstalled development projects across the southern Iraqi province. On June 17,Governor Abbas Al-Zamili told Shafaq News that the province needs at least 500billion dinars ($380 million) to resume work and revive economic activity, withseveral projects having exceeded 90% completion before funding stopped.

Read more: Iraq's stadiums "in ruin" as clubs fail upkeep

Shafaq News- Bangkok

Iraq's under-20 nationalteam secured a place at the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup on Sunday after beatinghosts Thailand 3-1 in their final qualifying match, finishing top of Group Fwith six points.

Iraq made a fast start inBangkok, taking a three-goal lead before halftime. Moamel Malik opened thescoring in the 10th minute, turning a cross into the net to put Iraq ahead.

Aws Ghazi doubled the leadin the 19th minute, finishing a well-worked move with a shot into the Thailandnet.

Malik struck again in the 45thminute to complete the first-half scoring. With the Thailand goalkeeper off hisline, he lifted the ball over him and into the net to give Iraq a comfortableadvantage at the break.

🇮🇶 تأهل مستحق إلى كأس آسيا 2027منتخب شباب العراق يحجز مقعده في نهائيات كأس آسيا تحت 20 عاماً، بعد نجاحه في التصفيات، استعداداً لخوض الاستحقاق الآسيوي المقبل. pic.twitter.com/V88svKLaZf

— Iraq National Team (@IraqNT_EN) September 6, 2026

Thailand took control afterhalftime as Iraq dropped deeper to protect their lead. The hosts appliedsustained pressure and controlled much of the second half, but Iraq kept themout until the final stages.

Thailand finally pulled agoal back in the 86th minute, capitalizing on their pressure after the break.Iraq held on through the closing minutes to secure the 3-1 victory and a placein the Asian Cup finals.

Iraq began their qualifyingcampaign with a 2-1 defeat by Turkmenistan before recovering with a 2-1 winover the United Arab Emirates.

Shafaq News

Iraq will compete in seven sports at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, delegation chief Zaidoun Jawad said on Sunday, with officials finalizing arrangements for Aichi-Nagoya.

Jawad said Iraq will enter athletics, weightlifting, boxing, wrestling, rowing, ju-jitsu, and teqball, with meetings focused on athlete, coach, and official arrival and departure schedules.

Among Iraq’s medal hopes, discus thrower Mustafa Dagher won silver at the 2018 Asian Games with a throw of 60.09 meters, while wrestler Sajjad Ali Mukasr took silver at the 2025 Asian Championships and will compete in the 60kg Greco-Roman division. Husein Khudhur Jasim will enter the 57kg freestyle event.

The 20th Asian Games will run from September 19 to October 4, bringing together more than 11,000 athletes and 6,000 officials from 45 National Olympic Committees across 43 sports and 469 events.

Japan is hosting the Asian Games for the third time after Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq on Sunday face unbeaten hosts Thailand with qualification for the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup at stake in their final Group F match in Chonburi.

Thailand lead the group with six points after two 1-0 wins, while Iraq and Turkmenistan have three points each and the United Arab Emirates remain without a point.

Iraq recovered from a 2-1 opening defeat to Turkmenistan by beating the UAE 2-1 on Thursday, with Moamel Malik Al-Shawi equalizing, Sajjad Hussein Al-Zayedi scoring the winner, and goalkeeper Ammar Ali Al-Hlaici saving a stoppage-time penalty.

Thailand enter the match with a perfect record and no goals conceded.

The eight group winners and seven best runners-up advance to the 2027 finals in China alongside the hosts.

Shafaq News- Amman

Iraq beat Qatar 3-0 on Saturday for their first win at the West Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship in Amman, rebounding from an opening defeat to Lebanon.

The Iraqi women won 25-14, 25-18, and 25-21 at the Sports Palace Hall, moving to one win and one loss in the four-team round robin.

Lebanon beat Iraq 3-2 in Thursday’s opener. Iraq will face hosts Jordan on Monday in their final match, with the tournament winner qualifying directly for the 2027 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship.

Iraq finished third at the 2025 West Asian Championship behind Lebanon and Jordan.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Former Iraq youth national team coach Muwafaq Husseincriticized the country’s youth football system on Saturday, blaming the team’spoor performance in the Asian qualifiers in Thailand on “flawed development andsystematic neglect.”

Hussein, who currently coaches Qatar’s Al-Khor SC, toldShafaq News that selecting ready-made players from clubs and local amateurteams was a “serious mistake.” He questioned the squad’s physical preparation,citing slow movement and excess weight among some players as signs ofshortcomings in fitness and conditioning.

Training should begin at football academies and continuethrough successive age groups before players reach national teams, according toHussein. “Iraqi players lack a structured pathway for learning the fundamentalsof football,” he added, calling on Iraq to adopt approaches used in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Europe.

He recalled the generation he coached from junior levelsthrough to the youth national team, which finished fourth at the FIFA U-20World Cup in Turkiye. “That achievement was not a coincidence, but the resultof planning, gradual development and genuine investment in talent.”

Iraq began its Asian youth championship qualifying campaignin Thailand with a 2-1 loss to Turkmenistan on August 31 before defeating theUnited Arab Emirates by the same score on September 3.

Shafaq News- Barcelona

FC Barcelona said on Friday that revenue surpassed €1 billion for the first time in the club’s history during the 2025-26 season, driven by stronger stadium income, sponsorships and record merchandise sales.

The club’s board approved the annual accounts at a meeting on Thursday, reporting a positive ordinary result for a third consecutive season. Barcelona did not disclose the precise revenue figure but said it had virtually met its budget despite operating with restricted stadium capacity for part of the campaign.

Barcelona played some matches at the Estadi Johan Cruyff and the Estadi Olímpic before returning to Spotify Camp Nou, where capacity was initially limited to 42,000. The club had budgeted for a return to the stadium with 60,000 spectators from the start of the season.

The club said higher sponsorship revenue and record sales through Barça Licensing & Merchandising also contributed to the result.

Barcelona had recorded €994 million in operating income in 2024-25, up €100 million from the previous season. Sponsorship revenue reached a then-record €259 million, while merchandising generated €170 million.

For 2025-26, members had approved a budget projecting €1.075 billion in revenue, €1.019 billion in expenses and a €4 million net profit, with the gradual return to Camp Nou expected to boost stadium income.

Barcelona will present the full 2025-26 financial statements to members at its Ordinary General Assembly on Sept. 19.

Shafaq News- Katowice

FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s attendance at the opening matches of the U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland remained uncertain on Friday, as the governing body prepares for its first major tournament since a governance crisis over a failed plan to sell a stake in its commercial rights to private investors.

FIFA could not confirm whether Infantino would attend Saturday’s opening games in Katowice, where hosts Poland face Argentina before Mexico play Benin. Around 15,000 spectators are expected on the opening day. The 24-team tournament runs from Sept. 5 to 27 across four Polish cities.

The uncertainty follows controversy over the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal, which would have transferred commercial rights linked to competitions including the men’s and women’s World Cups and Club World Cup to a new subsidiary.

Private investors would have paid about $4.2 billion for a 20% stake, valuing the business at roughly $20 billion. Infantino withdrew the proposal in late July after strong opposition from UEFA and other football bodies.

UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF have since intensified criticism of Infantino, while UEFA has pursued legal action seeking documents related to the abandoned proposal. FIFA has accused UEFA of conducting a “smear campaign.”

Infantino, 56, has said he will seek a fourth term at FIFA’s March 2027 Congress. No challenger has formally declared, although UEFA has said it will work with other confederations to offer member associations an alternative candidate.

The U20 Women’s World Cup is FIFA’s first major competition since the dispute erupted and features 24 teams from all six confederations, with North Korea entering as defending champion.

Shafaq News

Europe’s five major leagues closed their summer transfer windows after Premier League clubs spent a record $4.67 billion, while Portugal and Turkiye remain open through September 4.

FIFA said international transfer fees in men’s football reached a record $9.89 billion between June 1 and September 2, with English clubs accounting for $3.02 billion.

Premier League: City, Chelsea Drive Market

Manchester City signed Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for a reported $169.08 million and Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for $153 million.

Chelsea paid a reported $158 million for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, Liverpool signed Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain in a package worth about $162 million, and Tottenham broke their club record for Sandro Tonali.

LaLiga: Madrid, Barcelona Lead Spending

Real Madrid signed Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig for a record $144.3 million plus add-ons, one of the summer’s biggest deals.

Barcelona paid a reported $88.56 million for Rodri from Manchester City and also added Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, Joao Cancelo, Dominik Livakovic, and Gabriel Jesus. Atletico Madrid signed Lee Kang-in from PSG and Jonathan David on loan from Juventus.

Serie A: Milan Breaks Club Record

AC Milan made Goncalo Ramos their most expensive signing, paying a reported fee of more than $80 million to bring the Portugal striker from PSG.

Inter added England internationals John Stones and Curtis Jones, with Jones joining from Liverpool for a reported $40.89 million.

Bundesliga: Bayern Lands Saibari

Bayern Munich signed Morocco forward Ismael Saibari from PSV for a reported fee of up to $63 million and added Germany defender Nathaniel Brown.

Borussia Dortmund brought in Konstantinos Karetsas and Giannis Konstantelias, while RB Leipzig re-signed Christopher Nkunku on loan from AC Milan.

Ligue 1: PSG Reshapes Attack

PSG sold Barcola to Liverpool before signing Ferran Torres from Barcelona for a reported $57.83 million and Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco for about $57.6 million.

Marseille sold Mason Greenwood to Fenerbahce for a reported $44.5 million, while Lille lost Matias Fernandez-Pardo to Newcastle.

Primeira Liga: Portugal Still Open

Portugal’s window remains open until September 4, with Benfica, Porto, and Sporting still able to complete deals.

So far, Benfica signed Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich and took Claudio Echeverri on loan from Manchester City. Sporting added Sergi Altimira and Rodrigo Zalazar, while Porto signed Santiago Gimenez on loan from AC Milan.

Super Lig: Salah, Leao Headline Turkiye Moves

Turkiye also remains open after attracting several major names.

Galatasaray signed Rafael Leao from AC Milan, Fenerbahce added Greenwood and Romelu Lukaku, Trabzonspor brought in Mohamed Salah and Fabinho on free transfers, and Besiktas signed Dusan Vlahovic and Leandro Trossard.

Shafaq News- Nineveh

Parts of Mosul’s Al-DawasaSports Complex have been demolished under a commercial redevelopment projectthat threatens its sporting role, Mosul Youth Forum Director Ziad GhanemMahmoud said on Wednesday.

Mahmoud told Shafaq News thatthe contracts granted to the investor contain no sporting component and insteadprovide for hospitals, pharmacies, and cafes. The forum building, the BlueHall, and a sports enclosure had already been demolished.

He also accused the investorof dismantling and selling steel structures from the site withoutauthorization, and a complaint filed with Iraq’s Federal Integrity Commissionhad previously led to the investor being detained for several days.

Nineveh Sports DirectorateDeputy Director Saqr Talib previously estimated that about 3,000 athletes usethe complex each month and said a hall had been demolished and its steelremoved after an investor took control of the site.

Iraq’s National InvestmentCommission, however, lists an Al-Dawasa Stadium project that includescommercial facilities alongside plans to rehabilitate the main stadium andbuild a multipurpose sports hall, a swimming pool, and a five-a-side footballpitch. According to Mahmoud, ownership of the properties had been transferredfrom the Youth and Sports Ministry to Nineveh province.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq will send Asian Games silver medalist Mustafa Dagher as its sole athletics competitor to the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in Japan, the Iraqi Athletics Federation said on Wednesday.

Federation Executive Director Zaidoun Jawad told Shafaq News that Dagher will compete in the men’s discus after domestic training and a camp in Germany.

Dagher won silver at the 2018 Asian Games with a throw of 60.09 meters. Jawad said he has since recorded a throw of more than 60 meters and that the federation is optimistic about his chances in Japan.

In July, the Iraqi National Olympic Committee vowed to fund Dagher’s Germany training camp ahead of the Games.

The 20th Asian Games will be held in Aichi and Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.

Shafaq News- Madrid/ Barcelona

Barcelona will host Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou on October 25 for the first El Clasico of the La Liga season, with both teams currently level at the top of the standings after three rounds.

SAVE THE DATE FOR #ELCLÁSICO The stage is set.🗓️October 25th ⌚️9 PM🏟️Spotify Camp Nou#LALIGAEASPORTS pic.twitter.com/NZwpbDYrtx

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) September 1, 2026

The match, which comes in the 10th round of La Liga, will kick off at 9:00 p.m. local time (11:00 p.m. Baghdad time), according to an announcement from La Liga on Tuesday.

Barcelona and Real Madrid have both collected nine points from their opening three games, with Barcelona holding the advantage on goal difference.

The fixture will mark Jose Mourinho's first El Clasico since returning for a second spell as Real Madrid coach. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has faced Real Madrid seven times since taking charge, recording six wins, no draws, and one defeat across all competitions.

Shafaq News- Barcelona

Barcelona signed Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal on athree-year contract on Tuesday, with Spanish media reporting a fee of about €10million ($11.5 million).

GJ is blaugrana. 🤙 pic.twitter.com/brzvMFKTJb

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 1, 2026

The 29-year-old becomes Barcelona’s sixth signing of the summer after four seasons at Arsenal, where he made 123 appearances and scored 32 goals.

Jesus joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 after six seasons at City, scoring 95 goals in 236 appearances and winning four Premier League titles. His playing time at Arsenal declined amid competition from Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres.

Barcelona had also shown interest in Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, but Atletico ruled out selling the Argentina international to their LaLiga rivals. The Blaugrana’s other summer signings include Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, Rodri, Joao Cancelo, and Dominik Livakovic.

Shafaq News- Buenos Aires

Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football on Monday, ending a 21-year Argentina career that included the 2022 World Cup, two Copa America titles, and 207 appearances.

The 39-year-old confirmed the decision in an Instagram post six weeks after Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final 1-0 to Spain after extra time.

“It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts deep down, but I understand that the time has come,” Messi wrote. “These words I wrote on July 21, two days after the final. Today, after what happened with my father, I’m more convinced than before.”

Messi made his senior Argentina debut in 2005 and went on to become the country’s most-capped player.

After losing the 2014 World Cup final and three Copa America finals, he won his first major senior international trophy at the 2021 Copa America. Argentina then won the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 World Cup before retaining the Copa America in 2024.

Messi returned for a sixth World Cup in 2026 and captained Argentina to another final. His appearance against Spain was his 34th at the tournament, extending his record for the most World Cup matches played.

At 39 years and 25 days, he also became the oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup final.

Messi remains with Inter Miami under a contract running through the end of the 2028 MLS season.

Shafaq News- Chonburi

Iraq's U20 football team opened its AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 qualifying campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Turkmenistan in Chonburi on Monday.

Turkmenistan went ahead from the penalty spot in the 15th minute before substitute Moamel Malik equalized for Iraq with a header in the 58th. The decisive goal came in the 77th minute after the Iraqi goalkeeper failed to hold the ball, allowing a Turkmenistan forward to score from the rebound.

Iraq created several late chances but could not equalize. The team will face the United Arab Emirates on September 3 before meeting host Thailand on September 6.

Under the AFC's qualifying format, the eight group winners and seven best runners-up advance to the 2027 finals in China. Iraq entered the qualifiers after an unbeaten training camp in Thailand, beating Kuwait 1-0 and Indonesia 2-1 before drawing 0-0 with Iran.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq will open their AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifying campaignagainst Turkmenistan in Chonburi, Thailand, on Monday, with head coach AhmedSalah targeting a place at the 2027 continental finals.

Salah told a pre-tournament news conference on Sunday thatall four teams in Group F can compete for qualification and urged his playersto approach every match with full concentration.

Iraq enter the qualifiers after an unbeaten three-matchtraining camp in Thailand, beating Kuwait 1-0 and Indonesia 2-1 before drawing0-0 with Iran.

Group F also includes the United Arab Emirates and hostsThailand. Iraq face the UAE on September 3 before completing their campaignagainst Thailand on September 6.

The AFC’s new two-tier qualification system offers 15 placesat the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup finals in China. Five-time Asian champions Iraqfinished runners-up in 2023 and reached the quarter-finals in 2025, where theytwice led Australia before losing 3-2. Australia went on to win the tournament,while the defeat denied Iraq a place at the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup.