Late on Thursday evening, Abu Dhabi time, Al Ain will discover where and against whom they start what could be the greatest adventure in the club’s history.
Matching the standards they set in seizing the last Asian Champions League may have proved difficult over the last few months, but Al Ain are about to be reminded of the major bonus that historic triumph earned them.
That’s their place at the most globally-inclusive elite club tournament ever staged, the 32-team Club World Cup in the USA next summer, the draw for which takes place in Miami (10pm UAE).
Al Ain will be one of the later names drawn from the pot, but manager Leonardo Jardim will have seven months to plot a route through a group whose top two finishers will go to the knockout phase.
The 2025 Club World Cup, with its 63 games, is an entirely different beast from the more slimline, all-knockout version of an event that, in the last two decades, whizzed in and out of the UAE five times, thrillingly so when in 2018 Al Ain made the final against Real Madrid.
In the new, month-long expanded format, it will take seven games to get that far. There will be five clubs from the Mena region dreaming of a long run: Al Ain; Al Hilal of Riyadh; and, by dint of their successes in the African Champions League over the past four years, Cairo’s Al Ahly, Esperance of Tunis and Wydad Casablanca, WAC.
The seedings, released by Fifa this week after Brazil’s Botafogo filled the last available slot by winning the Copa Libertadores – the South American equivalent of the Champions League – have Al Ain in Pot 4, among the lowest ranked contenders.
That means they will not share a group with Esperance, nor with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, who have been granted entry via the host nation’s invitation slot.
Nor will they be able to target soft points against the weakest of the 32 teams, the semi-professionals of New Zealand’s Auckland City, whom Al Ain defeated 6-2 in September in the opening round of the 2024 version of the competition, the last of the small-scale Club World Cups, now rebranded as the Intercontinental Cup.
The calibre of teams in Pot 3 is varied enough for Jardim to hope Al Ain have the beating of some of them, although, given Al Ahly’s 3-0 victory over the Asian champions in the Intercontinental Cup in October, he might be pleased to avoid the Egyptian giants.
Botafogo – who won the Copa Libertadores for the first time on Saturday, beating Atletico Mineiro in the final despite having midfielder Gregore sent off in the opening minute – are also among the third seeds, along with Mexican clubs Leon and Monterrey and Argentina’s Boca Juniors, whose squad includes a number of worldly veterans, such as Edinson Cavani, Marcos Rojo and goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
All 12 European qualifiers are distributed between Pots 1 and 2. Four of the eight groups will have two European clubs in them, although there is a mechanism in the draw to ensure no club from the same country will be grouped together.
So if Al Ain were to draw Manchester City from Pot 1 – a fixture sure to generate great interest in Abu Dhabi, given the ownership links to the Premier League champions – they would not face Chelsea in the first phase; if they draw Bayern Munich, they will not also meet Borussia Dortmund.
Also among the Pot 1 teams are River Plate, whom Al Ain beat in the 2018 semi-final, and Real Madrid, along with Bayern, Paris Saint-Germain, Palmeiras and Flamengo. The other Pot 1 Brazilian club, Fluminense, would appear on a current form – they sit a lowly 16th in Brazil’s Serie A – by far the most frail.
From a Pot 2 that includes Inter Milan, the Italian champions, Chelsea, Juventus, Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, Porto and Benfica, RB Salzburg might look the most beatable. The Austrians have lost four of their five Uefa Champions League games this season.
But much can change in the next six months. With the elite European clubs all anxious about the fatigue they will be carrying from long seasons – Real Madrid could have played 65 club games by mid-June – it’s a tournament genuinely open to a strong run from a supposed outsider.
For Jardim, one of many critics of the previous format and the way it was structured to give byes into the semi-final for the respective champions of Europe and South America, the new format is a welcome reform.
“There should be better care with the match schedule,” Jardim complained when he was in charge of Al Hilal at the 2021-22 Club World Cup. “I’d warn Fifa that it’s unfair when some teams have to play four matches in eight days and others, better teams, only have to play two and are better rested.
“Teams from Asia [and by implication Africa and North and Central America] should be able to have the ambition to win this Cup.”
His warning has been heard. By the end of proceedings on Thursday, his Al Ain will see how high they must set their ambitions if they are to make their summer trip to America last for more than three games.
Avengers: Endgame
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
4/5 stars
Infobox
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August
Results
UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets
Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets
Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets
Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs
Monday fixtures
UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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If you go
- The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
- The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
- The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
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Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m, Winner: Zalman, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Hisham Al Khalediah II, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash.
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Qader, Adrie de Vries, Jean de Roualle
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh180,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Mujeeb, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly
8pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner: Nayslayer, Bernardo Pinheiro, Jaber Ramadhan
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
RESULT
Arsenal 2
Sokratis Papastathopoulos 45 4'
Eddie Ntkeiah 51'
Portsmouth 0
Abu Dhabi racecard
5pm: Maiden (Purebred Arabians); Dh80,000; 1,400m.
5.30pm: Maiden (PA); Dh80,00; 1,400m.
6pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (PA); Group 3; Dh500,000; 1,600m.
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (Thoroughbred); Listed; Dh380,000; 1,600m
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup for Private Owners Handicap (PA); Dh70,000; 1,400m.
7.30pm: Handicap (PA); Dh80,000; 1,600m
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
Torque: 1600Nm
Price: Dh13,400,000
On sale: now
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The view from The National
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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The biog
Favourite pet: cats. She has two: Eva and Bito
Favourite city: Cape Town, South Africa
Hobby: Running. "I like to think I’m artsy but I’m not".
Favourite move: Romantic comedies, specifically Return to me. "I cry every time".
Favourite spot in Abu Dhabi: Saadiyat beach
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Indian construction workers stranded in Ajman with unpaid dues
