Andrea Bocelli to perform during Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race week

It’s not the voice you’d expect to hear during an adrenaline-fuelled race week, but Andrea Bocelli is joining the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix line-up for 2026 When you think of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Andrea Bocelli probably isn’t the first name that comes to mind. Yet the legendary Italian tenor is set to become […] fish-roadgame.online

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Doha, Qatar: Following a breakout performance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, 18-year-old Egyptian forward Hamza Abdelkarim is set to make his debut at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Taking place from June 11 to July 19 across the USA, Canada and Mexico, the 2026 edition marks the historic participation of eight Arab nations, including Qatar, Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia.

Abdelkarim features as a centre-forward in Egypt’s final 26-player squad,alongside talismanic captain and global star Mohamed Salah, bringing together two generations of Egyptian football.The Pharaohs have been drawn in Group Galongside Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand, with their opening match against Belgium scheduled for 15 June, 10pm Doha time,at Lumen Field in Seattle, USA.

The young player’s remarkable ascent to the senior level began with a standout showing at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, proving to be a pivotal turning point in his international career.

In an exclusive interview with the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 Local Organising Committee, Abdelkarim said: “Playing at the U-17 World Cup in Qatar was an unforgettable experience for me. It was the first time I truly felt the global stage. The intensity, the pressure, and the pride of representing my country all came together in a way that pushed me to grow as a player.”

His decisive goal scoring at the youth tournament drew attention from leading European scouts, eventually leading to a move from Al Ahly to FC Barcelona.

After joining the Spanish side, Abdelkarim made an immediate impact with a hat-trick for their youth team that sealed the side’s Divisió d’ Honor Group 3 title.

“Joining FC Barcelona was a dream come true, and the U-17 World Cup in Qatar played an important role in my move. It gave me the opportunity to showcase my skills in front of top clubs around the world, and it helped me prove that I could perform under pressure. Competing against some of the best young talents in the world gave me confidence,” he explained.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 made history as the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup, welcoming 1,008 young players to showcase their talent across 104 matches.

Hosted entirely across eight pitches of the Aspire Zone Competition Complex, the tournament’s centralised hosting concept formed the cornerstone of the scouting experience.

A total of 130 scouts from leading football clubs around the world attended the event, allowing them to observe talents from a single venue.

Doha, Qatar: Spain will begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Cabo Verde today, with the former world champions aiming to make a strong start in Group H and take an early step towards the knockout stages.

The match, scheduled for 7pm (Qatar time) at Atlanta Stadium, marks the opening fixture in Group H, which also features Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. With every point likely to prove crucial in the battle for qualification, both teams will be determined to open their campaigns with a victory.

Spain arrive at the tournament after finishing first in UEFA qualifying Group E to secure automatic qualification. Under head coach Luis de la Fuente, La Roja have established themselves among the contenders for the title, blending experienced internationals with an exciting generation of young players.

Spain’s only World Cup triumph came in 2010.

Despite Spain’s status as one of the favourites, De la Fuente insists his attention is focused solely on the opening match.Cabo Verde players in action during a training session.

“Being a favourite isn’t a disadvantage, but are we bigger favourites than France, Brazil or Argentina?” the coach said. “The most important game is Cape Verde.”

The Spain coach also confirmed that all members of his squad are available ahead of the tournament opener, giving him a full range of options for the clash in Atlanta.

Among the players expected to shine is teenage star Lamine Yamal, who is preparing for his first World Cup appearance.

“It gives me goosebumps to think I’ll be part of it,” the 18-year-old said ahead of the tournament.

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While Spain are targeting a successful start, Cabo Verde arrive in the United States carrying the momentum of a historic qualification campaign. The African nation secured its first-ever appearance at the FIFA World Cup finals after finishing first in Group D of the CAF qualifiers.

Head coach Pedro Leitao Brito, known as Bubista, views the tournament as a unique opportunity for his players and the nation as a whole.

“When we qualified, I said that we wanted to play the best teams at the World Cup, and we were lucky to get Spain,” Bubista said.

“We’re going to play against one of the best teams in the world. There’s no fear. We’re not scared of anything.”

The Cabo Verde coach also described the World Cup as a chance to inspire future generations and demonstrate that smaller nations can compete on football’s biggest stage.

Midfielder Telmo Arcanjo believes his side can rise to the challenge despite facing one of the tournament favourites.

“We know the quality Spain has and the challenge that lies ahead of us, but we also know what we are capable of when we are united and focused,” Arcanjo said.

Veteran player Roberto Carlos Lopes, known as Pico, believes Cabo Verde must remain ambitious despite facing one of the strongest teams in the competition.

“Spain are one of the best teams in the world, which you have to respect, but you still must believe you can win,” Pico said. “We got here on merit, and we have to be competitive now.”