Sports

By ISABEL DEBRE Associated Press DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Qatar has become synonymous with soccer since winning the right to host the World Cup that opens on Sunday. But another sport is flying high in the historic center of Doha as over a million foreign fans flock to the tiny emirate: Falconry. Those in the

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Not for the first time, Cristiano Ronaldo is trusting himself to deliver on the big stage. A man of seemingly boundless self-belief is struggling to accept the effects of age and banking on the World Cup to launch a glorious final act to his remarkable

CLEVELAND (AP) — The University at Buffalo’s football game against Akron has been postponed indefinitely due to a lake-effect snowstorm hitting the western New York region. Officials had considered pushing the game back from Saturday to Sunday. But Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher says that option isn’t feasible. A decision about possibly rescheduling the contest

TURIN, Italy (AP) — Novak Djokovic kept his bid for a record-equaling sixth ATP Finals title alive by beating Taylor Fritz of the United States to reach the final of the prestigious season-ending tournament. Djokovic won 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6) in just under two hours in Turin. He has now won all six of his

By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Canada is battling injuries to several key players as it goes into the World Cup in Qatar. It’s Canada’s first World Cup in 36 years. Alphonso Davies is arguably Canada’s top player and is doubtful for the opening match in Group F against Belgium. Having

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Formula One champion Max Verstappen qualified on pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ahead of teammate Sergio Perez as he seeks a record-extending 15th win of the season. Verstappen set the pace with a lap of 1 minute, 23.824 seconds to beat Perez by .228 seconds.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Formula One champion Max Verstappen qualified on pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ahead of teammate Sergio Perez as he seeks a record-extending 15th win of the season. Verstappen set the pace with a lap of 1 minute, 23.824 seconds to beat Perez by .228 seconds.

MADINAT ASH SHAMAL, Qatar (AP) — Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is set to defy FIFA’s new campaign for captains to wear only official armbands with selected slogans at World Cup games. The veteran goalkeeper says he plans to override the new FIFA project backed by United Nations agencies. The launch a day before the opening

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — César Azpilicueta is one of only six players with previous World Cup experience in Spain’s 26-man squad. Teenagers Pedri González, Gavi Páez and Alejandro Balde, and 20-year-olds Ansu Fati, Yéremy Pino and Nico Williams are also the squad this time and will be playing at the biggest soccer tournament in the

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded infielder Kevin Newman to Cincinnati in exchange for relief pitcher Dauri Moreta. The trade came just after the Pirates tendered Newman — their longest-tenured player — a contract for the 2023 season. The 29-year-old Newman hit .274 with two home runs and 24 RBIs in 78 games

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Gianni Infantino said he feels gay. That he feels like a woman. That he feels like a migrant worker. He lectured Europeans for criticizing Qatar’s human rights record and defended the host country’s last-minute decision to ban beer from World Cup stadiums. The FIFA president

LEVI, Finland (AP) — World Cup champion champion Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States has claimed the season-opening women’s World Cup race for her 48th slalom victory. No other skier has won more titles in a single competition. Shiffrin moved to the top with the fastest second run after placing third in the opening run

By JENNA FRYER AP National Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — FIFA president Gianni Infantino downplayed Qatar’s last minute ban on the sale of beer at World Cup stadiums as nothing more than a brief inconvenience to spectators. “If this is the biggest problem we have, I’ll sign that (agreement),” Infantino said Saturday, a day after

LEVI, Finland (AP) — Lena Dürr has dominated the first run of the season-opening women’s World Cup race. The German skier started first in the slalom event in Finnish Lapland to clock 54.48 seconds and build a .45 second lead over Anna Swenn Larsson of Sweden. The 31-year-old Dürr made four slalom podiums last season