Sports
Abha, the city of fog, prepares for a new chapter in football history
Abha, the capital of the Asir region in southwestern Saudi Arabia, sits at an altitude of 2,270 meters above sea level in the Sarawat Mountains
Abha, the capital of the Asir region in southwestern Saudi Arabia, sits at an altitude of 2,270 meters above sea level in the Sarawat Mountains, making it one of the highest cities in the Kingdom. Abha is distinguished by its natural beauty and rich heritage, blending tradition with modernity, and aims to become a global destination attracting visitors year-round.
Abha is preparing to host matches for the 2034 FIFA World Cup at King Khalid University Stadium, located in the southeast of the city. The stadium is slated for a major expansion to increase its capacity to over 45,000 spectators, with updates reflecting the region's historical and cultural context. The stadium will host group stage, round of 32, and round of 16 matches, becoming a prominent sporting landmark in southern Saudi Arabia.
To enhance the fan experience, Abha offers several prime locations for the FIFA Fan Festival™️, most notably Al Bahar Square, a modern cultural destination in the heart of the city, and Al Dhub Garden, which provides stunning natural scenery and breathtaking views of the Asir Mountains. The city is also developing a comprehensive transportation network that includes high-capacity bus routes, light rail, and dedicated pedestrian walkways, ensuring convenient access for fans to all venues.
With over 19,000 hotel rooms ready to welcome visitors and nine training facilities supporting participating teams, Abha is an ideal destination to host the tournament. The city also builds on its proven track record of attracting visitors, having welcomed over 1.3 million during the 2023 Asir Summer Season, demonstrating its capacity to manage major events.
Abha is not just a city for hosting sporting events; it's a destination that blends natural beauty with cultural heritage. With the launch of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, Abha will emerge as a symbol of Saudi hospitality and innovation, offering an exceptional experience that combines sport and culture in an unparalleled natural setting.
Sports
Today's matches (Friday) in the Saudi and European leagues
Find out the schedule and times of the most important matches on Friday, January 30, 2026, and coverage of the Al-Nasr and Al-Kholoud matches in the Roshan League, and matches of the major European leagues.
Football fans will be glued to their screens this Friday, January 30, 2026, as a series of exciting and competitive matches unfold across Saudi Arabia and Europe. The day features crucial encounters in the Saudi Professional League, which continues to attract global attention, as well as equally important fixtures in the German, Italian, and French leagues, guaranteeing a thrilling evening of football for fans of the beautiful game.
Saudi Roshan League: A battle for every point
The Saudi Professional League (SPL) is witnessing fierce competition in every round, having become one of the most prominent leagues in the region and Asia thanks to attracting international stars and its high level of competitiveness. Matches are no longer just about the title race; they have become intense tactical battles in the middle of the standings and the relegation zone. Every point becomes increasingly important as the season progresses, and today's matches clearly reflect this reality.
Saudi football fans eagerly await the match between Al-Kholoud and Al-Nassr, scheduled for 8:30 PM. Al-Nassr, one of the giants of Saudi football, enters every match with the sole aim of securing a victory to compete strongly for the top spot in the standings, while Al-Kholoud seeks a positive result against a tough opponent. In another match, Neom Damac at 6:50 PM, a crucial encounter for both teams as they look to improve their positions in the league table. Additionally, Al-Taawoun faces Al -Akhdoud at 4:50 PM in an early match promising a highly competitive encounter.
A European evening with different flavors
The excitement is not limited to Saudi stadiums, but extends to the Old Continent, where important matches are being held in three of the biggest European leagues.
- In the German Bundesliga Cologne Wolfsburg , high-scoring affair, with both teams vying for three points to bolster their European ambitions or distance themselves from the relegation zone.
- Italian League: All eyes turn to Italy, where Lazio face Genoa at 10:45 PM. Serie A is known for its tactical discipline, and this match will be a true test of both teams' ability to impose their style, especially for Lazio, who often compete for top positions.
- French League: At the same time (10:45 PM), the French League will witness a match between Lens and Le Havre . The French League is considered a goldmine of footballing talent, and its matches are characterized by physicality and speed, making this encounter crucial in the context of competing for European places or securing survival in the top flight.
Today's match schedule, Friday, January 30, 2026:
Saudi Roshan League
- Al-Taawon vs. Al-Akhdoud – 4:50 PM
- Neom vs. Damac – 6:50 PM
- Eternity vs. Victory – 8:30 PM
German League
- Cologne vs. Wolfsburg – 10:30 PM
Italian League
- Lazio vs. Genoa – 10:45 PM
French League
- Lens vs. Le Havre – 10:45 PM
Sports
Al-Ahli regains two defenders ahead of their match against Al-Hilal in the Roshan League
Al-Ahli club will regain the services of its players Zakaria Hawsawi and Ali Majrashi in its anticipated match against Al-Hilal within the Saudi Professional League competitions.
Al-Ahli Saudi FC is preparing for one of its most important matches of the season, receiving a significant morale and tactical boost ahead of its clash with arch-rival Al-Hilal in the 20th round of the Saudi Professional League. This boost comes in the form of the return of key defensive duo Zakaria Hawsawi and Ali Majrashi, following the completion of their suspensions due to accumulated yellow cards.
Historical background and importance of El Clásico
The Al-Ahli vs. Al-Hilal match, known as the "Saudi Clasico," is one of the oldest and most intense fixtures in Saudi football history. The rivalry between these two giants spans decades, and their encounters have always been fiercely contested and thrilling, both in domestic and continental competitions. This match holds particular significance this season, as Al-Hilal seeks to solidify its lead in the standings and extend its winning streak, while Al-Ahli, making a strong return to the Pro League, aims to prove its worth as a genuine contender for the top spots and close the gap with the leading teams.
The impact of Hawsawi and Majrashi's return
Al-Ahli suffered in their previous match against Al-Ettifaq due to the absence of full-backs Housawi and Majrashi. Despite securing a resounding 4-0 victory, their return represents a vital boost for German coach Matthias Jäissle's squad. Both players are known for their solid defensive capabilities and effective attacking contributions on the flanks, which will provide the team with greater balance against Al-Hilal's potent attack. The duo are expected to return directly to the starting lineup for the match at the Kingdom Arena, giving the coach more tactical options to manage this challenging encounter.
Expected impact at the local and regional levels
The impact of this match extends far beyond the local level, reaching a regional scale. With the Saudi Professional League attracting international stars, its major matches, such as this classic encounter, have become the focus of millions of viewers across the Middle East and the world. The result will not only influence the league title race but will also reflect the high level of competitiveness that Saudi football has reached. An Al-Ahli victory would reignite the title race, while an Al-Hilal win would confirm their absolute dominance this season, cementing the league's position as one of the strongest in Asia.
Sports
Al-Nasr's absences against Al-Kholoud: The team's challenges in the Roshan League
Al-Nasr faces a significant challenge in their match against Al-Kholoud in the Roshan League, given the absence of key players such as Brozovic and Ayman Yahya. How will the team cope with these circumstances?
Al-Nassr faces a crucial match against Al-Kholoud in the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League, but they are hampered by a number of key absences that could affect their plans to secure a victory and maintain pressure on league leaders Al-Hilal. This match comes amidst an exceptional Saudi league season, which has garnered global attention thanks to the presence of international stars, intensifying the competition and making every point precious in the long race for the title.
Background of the competition and importance of the match
The Saudi Professional League is experiencing one of its most competitive seasons, with the battle for the top spot raging between the traditional powerhouses. Al-Nassr, led by their global star Cristiano Ronaldo, find themselves in a constant pursuit of their arch-rivals Al-Hilal. In this context, matches against teams in the middle or lower ranks, such as Al-Kholoud, are a true test of the team's ability to maintain focus and secure maximum points. Any slip-up in such encounters could widen the gap with the league leaders, a scenario neither the coaching staff, led by Portuguese manager Luis Castro, nor the Al-Nassr fans want to see.
List of absences and their expected impact
Al-Nassr faces this match with a depleted squad, missing some of its key players, leaving coach Castro in a difficult position to choose suitable replacements. The list of absentees includes influential names for various reasons:
- Marcelo Brozovic (suspended): The absence of the Croatian star is the most significant, as he is the mastermind of the team's midfield. Al-Nassr will miss his ability to control the tempo of the game and link the lines, due to his accumulation of yellow cards.
- Ayman Yahya (injury): The absence of the young Saudi winger represents a loss of quick attacking solutions on the flanks, as he is distinguished by his speed and ability to dribble.
- Alex Telles (technical decision): The exclusion of the Brazilian left-back by coach Luis Castro raises questions about the technical choices, and the team will be deprived of his experience and ability to deliver accurate crosses.
- Raghed Al-Najjar (not ready): The absence of a backup goalkeeper reduces the depth of options available on the bench in a sensitive position.
The biggest challenge: maintaining momentum
With these absences, the burden falls heavily on the remaining stars, especially Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and Anderson Talisca, to lead the team to victory. This match will be a true test of Al-Nassr's squad depth and the ability of the substitutes to fill the void and deliver the required performance. A win is not just about three points; it's a powerful message that the team is capable of overcoming adversity and continuing to compete for the league title until the very end.
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