Archive June 25, 2025

Real Madrid vs RB Salzburg: FIFA Club World Cup – team news, start, lineups

By in News, World News

Who: Real Madrid vs Red Bull Salzburg
What: FIFA Club World Cup 2025 – Group H
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, United States
When: Thursday, June 26, 9pm local time (01:00 GMT on Friday, June 27)

How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up from 6pm local (10:00 GMT) on Al Jazeera Sport.

Record-winners Real Madrid battle to maintain top spot in their group against the side currently level on points with them, Red Bull Salzburg.

The 17-time Austrian champions could claim pole position, and with it a better draw in the round of 16.

Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at the Group H decider.

How have Real Madrid fared so far at the Club World Cup?

Real Madrid opened with a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal. Gonzalo Garcia, in for Kylian Mbappe, who was absent with gastroenteritis, gave Los Blancos the lead, but Ruben Neves levelled from the spot before the break. Federico Valverde missed a late penalty for Los Blancos.

The Spanish giants’ Raul Asencio was sent off in the seventh minute of their 3-1 win against Pachuca in their second match.

Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler and Federico Valverde shrugged off the setback to power Real into an unassailable lead before Elias Montiel netted a consolation for the Mexicans in the 80th minute.

Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde, left, celebrates scoring their third goal against Pachuca with Brahim Diaz [Susana Vera/Reuters]

How have Salzburg fared so far?

After a 2-1 opening win over Pachuca, Salzburg missed the chance to seal their place in the round of 16, with a game to spare, as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Al Hilal.

What do Real Madrid need to qualify?

A draw would guarantee Real a top-two finish, but that scenario could mean the Spaniards lose the top spot, should Al-Hilal, who are two points off the top two in third, beat Pachuca.

What do Salzburg need to qualify?

The Austrians must win to be assured of progress to the knockout stages.

A draw would be enough if Al Hilal and Pachuca draw their final game, while Salzburg could even progress in defeat – if Al Hilal’s own chances are ended by defeat.

What is the latest on Mbappe’s return for Real Madrid?

Kylian Mbappe has returned to training following a bout of gastroenteritis, but the French forward has not made the squad for this match.

Real coach Xabi Alonso says he is hopeful the 26-year-old will be available soon after he missed both Club World Cup matches so far, having been hospitalised with the illness.

Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold and coach Xabi Alonso during training at the Club World Cup
Defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and coach Xabi Alonso are both new arrivals at Real Madrid this year [Hannah Mckay/Reuters]

How did Real Madrid qualify for the Club World Cup?

Real, who relinquished both their domestic and European titles this season, qualified for the Club World Cup with their 2022 UEFA Champions League final win against Liverpool.

How did Salzburg reach the Club World Cup?

Salzburg’s performances in the UEFA Champions League over the past four years was the qualifying factor for this competition via the UEFA ranking pathway.

Salzburg finished third in the Austrian top flight this season, six points behind title-winning Sturm Graz.

What happened the last time Real Madrid met Salzburg?

The teams met in the League Phase of the Champions League earlier this season, with Real emerging 5-1 winners at Santiago Bernabeu.

Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior both scored twice, with Mbappe chipping in with the other. Mads Bidstrup’s strike for Salzburg was merely a consolation in the 85th minute.

How many Club World Cups have Real Madrid won?

Real are the five-time record winners of this competition, and last lifted the trophy in 2023 following their win against Al Hilal.

Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham during training
Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham are both targeting their first Club World Cup medals with the record winners [Hannah Mckay/Reuters]

Head-to-head

This is only the second meeting between the European clubs, following Real’s Champions League win in their match earlier this season.

The new format for Europe’s premier club competition means the teams no longer have to play each other home and away prior to the knockout stages.

Salzburg have met Spanish opposition on 24 occasions over the years, but have won only five of those encounters, losing 15.

Real Madrid team news

Real will be without the services of Asencio, following his sending off against Pachuca.

The defender could be replaced by Antonio Rudiger as he continues his comeback from injury.

All eyes will be on the Real teamsheet to see if Mbappe will make his first appearance at the competition, even if it is just from the bench.

Salzburg team news

Takumu Kawamura’s knee injury in training before his side’s second game in the group looks set to sideline the midfielder for some time.

Goalkeeper Alexander Schlager’s hand injury keeps him out, as does winger Moussa Yeo’s knee problem.

Maurits Kjaergaard could be in line for a start after making his first appearance in eight months as a substitute in the draw with Al Hilal. The midfielder has been absent with an ankle injury.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:

Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, F Garcia; Guler, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Valverde, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr

Red Bull Salzburg possible starting lineup:

Zawieschitzky; Lainer, Gadou, Ramussen, Kratzig; Bidstrup, Diabate; Nene, Gloukh; Onisiwo, Baidoo

Real Madrid form (all competitions):

W-W-W-D-W

Red Bull Salzburg form (all competitions):

Katie Price ‘risks arrest’ for ‘inappropriate’ see-through outfit in Dubai

By in Entertainment News, News

As she posed for a selfie in a see-through look during her trip to Dubai, Katie Price’s supporters warned her that she was at risk of arrest.

Katie Price’s followers called her out(Image: Getty Images)

Followers of Katie Price have hit out at the star for her latest upload as she left little to the imagination in Dubai. The 47-year-old former glamour model donned a see-through outfit as she posed for selfies.

As she enjoyed a barely-there look on a sun-soaked day out, she shared the photos on her social media accounts. Some of her followers were less than impressed with how she dressed up and displayed her heavily tattooed torso in the white crochet dress.

The outfit appeared as though she was going underwear-free as she posed in the mirror. The outrage at the attire comes as Dubai is devoutly muslim. Tourists are advised to dress modestly during their time there so they respect the local culture.

Katie Price in dubai
Fans thought Katie was risking arrest in the outfit(Image: Facebook)

One user sarcastically commented on her Facebook upload: “I didn’t realize in Dubai you could walk around like that I always thought Dubai had a strict clothes policy. I must have got that wrong !”

Another phrase, “You’d be arrested for wearing that in Dubai,” was utterly offensive. The outfit is completely disrespectful, a third person said. A fourth person said, “She is a little underdressed, respect the country you’re in,” and another said, “.

Continue reading the article.

She was also accused of risking arrest, according to a fifth person, who wrote, “She’ll be arrested going out in Dubai dressed like that!” Another person echoed the statement, saying, “Don’t think that’s appropriate for Dubai to end up in jail.”

Her party in Ibiza just days before her arrival. As they soaked up the sun and partied at the hotspot, the mother-of-five was spotted alongside Wayne Lineker.

Katie recently acknowledged that she had her “biggest regret” regarding her appearance. She has openly stated that choosing a BBL, or Brazilian Butt Lift, is the worst choice she has ever made in terms of her love of surgery.

Katie confessed to her regrets about getting her BBL, but she is no stranger to going under the knife to achieve her ideal body and look. In order to increase the body’s size and shape, fat is transferred from other parts of the body to the buttocks.

And the former glamour model acknowledged that her operation left her in severe pain. What is my age again, a podcast starring Katherine Ryan, asked what her biggest surgical regret was, and Katie responded, “The bum.”

She continued, “I tried that BBL abroad where they put your own fat in your bum. It was so agonizing. And I just didn’t like it.

Continue reading the article.

Katie disputed that the work had been done in Turkey when the host inquired. Despite the ‘agonizing’ experience, Katie insists she is still a big fan of going abroad for cosmetic surgery.

She continued, “I would never have surgery again in England.” Ever, ever. It would always be with me when I traveled abroad.

READ MORE: GAP’s kids clothing sale with cut price Disney, Barbie and more for summer holidays

Ronaldo to extend Al-Nassr stay, Saudi sources say

By in News, Sports News
Images courtesy of Getty
Dan Roan
sports editor
@danroan

According to Saudi sources, Cristiano Ronaldo is close to completing a new deal with Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

The 40-year-old Portugal captain’s contract was scheduled to expire at the end of June, but sources say a two-year extension is about to be agreed upon.

Following the Riyadh club’s final Saudi Pro League game of the year last month, Ronaldo’s tweet that read “the chapter is over” sparked rumors that he was going to leave.

Ronaldo claimed to have been turned down by offers from participating teams.

After his contract with Manchester United expired, Ronaldo left Al-Nassr in 2023.

In his 111 starts for the Saudi club, he has scored a total of 35 goals, including the top goal scorer of the season. He also won the league’s Golden Boot for top goalscorer.

After less than a year in charge, Al-Nassr parted ways with Italian manager Stefano Pioli earlier on Wednesday.

The ex-AC Milan boss helped them finish third in the Saudi top flight last year, 13 points clear of Al-Ittihad’s champion team.

Following the announcement of Pioli’s exit, Ronaldo wrote in a message on social media that he would “thank you for everything.”

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  • Football

Ronaldo to extend Al-Nassr stay, Saudi sources say

By in News, Sports News
Getty Images
Dan Roan
Sports editor
@danroan

Cristiano Ronaldo is close to agreeing a new contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, Saudi sources have told BBC Sport.

The 40-year-old Portugal captain’s deal was due to expire at the end of June, but sources indicate a two-year extension is close to being finalised.

Ronaldo posted on social media “the chapter is over” following the Riyadh club’s final Saudi Pro League game of the season last month, leading to speculation he was set to leave.

Ronaldo said he had received offers from participating teams but had turned them down.

Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in 2023 after the termination of his deal with Manchester United.

He has scored 99 goals in 111 appearances for the Saudi club, including 35 in 41 matches last term, claiming the league’s Golden Boot award for top scorer.

Earlier on Wednesday, Al-Nassr parted company with Italian manager Stefano Pioli after less than a year in charge.

The ex-AC Milan boss led them to a third-placed finish last season in the Saudi top flight, where they finished 13 points behind champions Al-Ittihad.

“Thanks for everything,” Ronaldo wrote in a message on social media following news of Pioli’s exit, with the 59-year-old set to take charge of former club Fiorentina.

Related topics

  • Football

US lawmaker denies charges stemming from immigration centre visit

By in News, World News
LaMonica McIver, a representative for the United States, has entered a not-guilty plea in a criminal case involving a visit to an immigration facility, claiming that President Donald Trump’s administration is trying to “intimidate” her.

At a hearing on Wednesday, McIver pleaded guilty. During a May 9 congressional oversight visit to an immigrant detention center in New Jersey, she is accused of assaulting, resisting, impeding, and interfering with federal officials.

“They won’t bother me,” I said. She remarked outside the Newark courthouse, “They won’t stop me from doing my job.”

Democratic lawmakers have previously been threatened with arrest and detention for immigration-related issues by the Trump administration.

However, McIver and her supporters have emphasized that members of Congress are entitled to inspect immigration facilities.

Democrats have also referred to these accusations as a baseless attempt to deter criticism and oversight of the administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement strategy.

The third misdemeanor charge, which can result in a maximum sentence of one year in prison, is a maximum sentence for McIver on two of the three counts, which have an eight-year maximum sentence. November 10 is the start of a trial.

Alina Habba, a temporary US attorney who had previously represented the president as a personal attorney in his court cases during the time he served two terms, charged McIver.

A video from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) video shows McIver surrounded by agitated protesters and police in New Jersey’s Delaney Hall detention facility. Although it’s not clear whether this was intentional, her elbow does seem to protrude into an officer.

She is accused of “slammed” an agent and trying to grab him, according to the criminal complaint against her.

Ras Baraka, the mayor of Newark, was also detained during the demonstration on trespassing-related charges that were later dropped. He claims that Habba was persecuted for what he perceives as malicious behavior.

On Wednesday, Baraka and McIver spoke and stated that the Trump administration was using law enforcement as an “appendage of their ideology to begin hammer us.”

In the US House of Representatives, McIver is one of the 12 members of the Congress who represent New Jersey. However, other Democratic officials have argued against immigration policies with the Trump administration.

After protests erupted in Los Angeles over immigration raids, Trump made a public mutter about arresting California governor Gavin Newsom earlier this month.

Trump remarked to his border czar Tom Homan, who had suggested making the possibility of these arrests, that “I would do it if I were Tom”. It’s fantastic, in my opinion.

Then, after being forced to the ground, federal agents handcuffed and temporarily detained California’s Senator Alex Padilla on June 12 during a press conference dedicated to the protests.

Padilla had interjected the session to pose a question to the speaker, Kristi Noem, DHS Secretary. Despite a video of the incident demonstrating this clearly on the video, DHS later claimed Padilla had not identified himself.

Additionally, the senator claimed that he had “lunged” toward Noem, a claim he refuted. According to Padilla, his actions were a result of “his duty to carry out Congressional oversight of the federal government’s operations.”

Although federal law permits members of Congress to inspect immigrant detention facilities and are not prohibited from entering, DHS issued guidelines earlier this month that stated the agency has complete discretion over who enters immigration enforcement field offices.