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'Probably' my last F1 race in Barcelona, says Alonso
Montmeló, Spain: Home favourite and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso said Thursday this weekend's Catalunya Grand Prix might be his final Formula One race in Barcelona. truewildgame.online
The Aston Martin driver, who turns 45 next month, has not announced any plans to retire, but with Barcelona set to alternate on the calendar with Spa-Francorchamps, he admitted he may never compete at the circuit again.
"It's going to be a special weekend, probably my last Barcelona race in Formula One, so thanks to everyone," Alonso told reporters.
"I don't have anything in mind yet, after the summer I will make the decision over whether to continue or not, but Barcelona won't be in the calendar next year.
"If I don't know what I'll do next year, then I can't be sure of what I will do in two years."
Alonso has been frustrated with his car this season but did score a first point last weekend in Monaco as the Spaniard came in 10th.
"I will not be competitive and I will not be long in Q1, but hopefully everyone can enjoy the weekend," said the Asturian.
"For me, the hardest thing is to not win races and not be competitive," he continued.
"If this is the last (race in Barcelona) or not is not affecting (me) too much, I am at peace with my career.
"I achieved a lot more than I ever dreamt when I was a kid."
Alonso said his team did not "deserve" the point he scored last week "in terms of pure pace" and said the struggles were bound to continue.
"(It) will be difficult to score this year, to grab any point you need some help from the cars in front," he added.
Alonso won at Montmelo in 2006 and 2013, with the former standing out as his favourite memory at the circuit.
"When you win, it becomes a special race. So I have to say 2006, because there were great expectations for us after winning the championship in 2005," he said.
"Being on pole, everyone expected me to win that Sunday... I'll remember that as the best memory."
ضربة البداية تدشن أكبر مونديال في التاريخ.. ترقب عالمي للكرنفال الكروي
تنطلق اليوم منافسات كأس العالم 2026 لكرة القدم في حدث تاريخي غير مسبوق تستضيفه الولايات المتحدة وكندا والمكسيك حتى 19 يوليو المقبل، ليكون أول مونديال يقام في ثلاث دول وأول نسخة بمشاركة 48 منتخبًا.
وتتجه أنظار عشاق كرة القدم حول العالم إلى العاصمة المكسيكية مكسيكو سيتي التي تحتضن ضربة البداية لبطولة تمثل نقطة تحول كبرى في تاريخ كأس العالم، بفضل التوسع الكبير في عدد المنتخبات والمباريات واتساع نطاق الاستضافة الجغرافية، ما يجعلها النسخة الأكبر منذ انطلاق البطولة عام 1930.
ويستضيف ملعب أزتيكا التاريخي المباراة الافتتاحية التي تجمع المنتخب المكسيكي بنظيره الجنوب إفريقي ضمن منافسات المجموعة الأولى، ليصبح أول ملعب يحتضن مباريات كأس العالم في ثلاث نسخ مختلفة بعد مونديالي 1970 و1986.
ويسبق اللقاء حفل افتتاح ضخم تنظمه اللجنة المنظمة ليعكس التنوع الثقافي للدول المستضيفة الثلاث، حيث يتضمن عروضًا موسيقية واستعراضية تمزج بين التراث المكسيكي والفنون الحديثة، بمشاركة فنانين من ثقافات متعددة تجسيدًا لقيم التنوع والوحدة.
ومع انطلاق صافرة البداية، يترقب العالم نسخة استثنائية تعد بالإثارة والتنافس، فيما تتجه الأنظار نحو هوية المنتخب الذي سيتوج بلقب أكبر مونديال في تاريخ اللعبة.
France target third title with star-studded squad
Doha, Qatar: As the 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway, two-time world champions France are heading to the tournament with high expectations. The Les Bleus have built a reputation for consistently competing at the highest level and once again arrive as one of the favourites to lift football’s biggest prize.
With a squad packed with world-class talent, an experienced coach in his final tournament, and memories of recent World Cup glory still fresh, France enter North America with one clear objective: bringing the trophy back to Paris.
The nation’s golden moments in the tournament came on home soil in 1998. Inspired by Zinedine Zidane, France defeated Brazil 3-0 in the final at the Stade de France to lift the World Cup for the first time. Twenty years later, another generation of stars led by Kylian Mbappe captured a second title in Russia, defeating Croatia 4-2 in the 2018 final.
France came agonisingly close to adding a third crown in 2022, producing one of the greatest World Cup final performances ever before losing to Argentina on penalties after an unforgettable 3-3 draw.
Overall, France boast two World Cup titles, two runner-up finishes, and two consecutive finals in the last two editions, making Les Bleus one of the most successful football nations of the modern era.
This year’s France squad looks exceptionally strong, with many of its players arriving after outstanding seasons at club level and eager to carry that form onto football’s biggest stage. Leading the charge is captain Kylian Mbappe. Already a World Cup winner and one of the tournament’s most prolific scorers. As he prepares for his third World Cup appearance, the French superstar will be aiming to further cement his place among the competition’s all-time greats.
Alongside him is Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, whose creativity and unpredictability provide France with another devastating attacking weapon. Emerging talents such as Michael Olise, Desire Doue and Rayan Cherki have added freshness and flair to an already formidable squad. Olise recently strengthened his case for a starting role with a hat-trick in France’s 3-1 World Cup warm-up victory over Northern Ireland.
In midfield, the energetic Warren Zaire-Emery represents the next generation, while the experience of N’Golo Kante provides balance and composure. At the back, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano could form one of the strongest defensive partnerships in the tournament.
This World Cup carries additional significance for head coach Didier Deschamps.
A World Cup-winning captain in 1998 and a World Cup-winning coach in 2018, Deschamps has confirmed that this tournament will be his last in charge of France. His tenure has delivered remarkable consistency, including the 2018 triumph and a runner-up finish in 2022. Few managers in international football history can match such a record.
Despite concerns over the relative inexperience of some of his younger players, Deschamps remains confident in the talent at his disposal. The France manager acknowledged that the squad lacks the experience of previous generations but insisted there is no shortage of quality.
“In terms of individual talent, there's a lot of firepower and I've got plenty of options,” he said, while stressing the responsibility that comes with representing France: “When you join the French national team, you don’t come here to take. You’re here to give.”
On paper, a third consecutive final seems well within reach for Les Bleus. The veteran coach has repeatedly emphasised the special significance of the World Cup, describing becoming world champion as the ultimate achievement in football. As he prepares for his farewell campaign, the opportunity to leave with another trophy provides a compelling narrative for France’s tournament.
Anything less than a semi-final appearance would be viewed as a disappointment for France. Their blend of elite experience, tactical discipline and attacking firepower places them firmly among the favourites to win the competition. Analysts continue to rank Les Bleus among the strongest contenders alongside traditional heavyweights such as Spain, Argentina, Brazil and England.
France have been drawn in Group I and will begin their campaign against Senegal, before taking on Iraq and Norway, as they look to secure a place in the knockout rounds.